The Apprentice of Ouroboros [Monster Evo LitRPG Adventure]

Neska opened the window to let Syrona fly out, diving low and then sweeping back to scoot through a doorway as students returned to the dorms. She heard a shriek from one girl…and what sounded like a hissing laugh from the familiar.

Syrona, don’t be a fluffy little terror! We have a task! The knocking at the door grew more insistent. “Hey, it’s us.”

Hadley. Likely Jurik, too. Juni hopped over to the door and opened it to the welcoming sight of Hadley and Jurik, both of whom wore the Academy's typical garrison uniforms. Jurik held his calm, stoic expression, but with Hadley's grave looks, Neska knew that the situation was probably serious.

Meanwhile, she reached out for Syrona’s presence and found the connection much quicker this time. But it was disorienting as she had two sets of vision at once, overlaid over one another–her own, and Syrona’s.

And, the creature was flying straight for Hadley, who smirked softly. “I can hear that little booger flying toward me.” She waved a hand blindly toward the hallway, which Neska saw from her familiar’s perspective.

Surprisingly, the coatyl landed and coiled around Hadley’s arm, trilling contentedly. Neska dismissed the connection that felt like a crackle of static on her eyes, and her head swam from the brief disorientation. “Are you…okay?” Hadley asked.

“I was testing out my link with Syrona. I did it with my eyes closed before, but that experience made me dizzy.” A few seconds passed before she felt steady again and gestured for the two soldiers to come inside. The familiar refused to unwind from Hadley and was now perched on her shoulder, nuzzling against her.

Hadley rolled with it and grinned, stroking the creature’s head. “Well, well, I think she has a new favorite, now. I think I’m keeping her.”

“As if.” Neska narrowed her eyes at Syrona, who stuck her forked tongue out at her repeatedly. “No playing favorites now.”

Juni raised a brow, looking slightly relieved. “Anyway, we have some limited success with Syrona. We can use her to scout out when we go into the field, and keep an eye on certain annoying birds, for example. Kasfew has pretty sharp eyesight, except that this little thing here seems to be able to change her feather colors. I'm wondering how detailed it can get?”

Neska snapped her fingers, with the familiar hopping off of Hadley. The scout pouted at the loss of the companion. "Syrona, can you demonstrate this for us? I didn't really have a chance to examine your new ability."

Juni raised a good point; she'd seen a brief preview of this color shifting when Syrona had gone and bothered Kasfew a few days ago. She peered down at the creature, stroking its head. “Syrona, I want you to see if you can match my color pattern exactly. I want you to blend in with me.”

The little familiar let out a chirp, then her color pattern shifted in, color seeping into her feathers and scales like ink blotting into paper. It was slow at first, then came faster until she was perfectly matched with Neska's blue and green scales.

“Well, that’s a start.” Juni squinted closely. “You know, if I weren't paying attention, I would miss her completely. That's a really good cover.”

Neska nodded. “But can she do it while in motion?"

The familiar hopped off of her with a short glide to the ground. She began slithering in circles, and Neska watched in fascination as her familiar took on a tan, barklike texture.

It wasn't perfect; there seemed to be a slight lag as she slithered in a circle, but she did appear to match the coloration of the wood floor paneling well enough. The illusion might work at a distance, but up close, it probably wasn't as effective. Or for those with sky-high Perception, for that matter.

“How exactly does this help us? We're not sending Syrona into combat, are we?” Juni clasped her paws together, as if anxious.

“No. We're not doing that. I want her to stay out of danger. Or at least stay where she can hide. The thing about most monsters? They don't seem to be very good at detecting threats above them.”

Juni scoffed. “Neska, please, tell me that's a joke. Some Varadur have super sensory perception, and have threat detection, just like you and I do.”

“Before we proceed,” Jurik interjected, “We should try to create a layer of privacy, yes?”

“I can take care of that.” Hadley waved her hand around the room, and Neska saw just the faintest flash of light. The sound in the room sounded dampened, fading out until it suddenly snapped back into focus, everything crystal clear.

Hadley waved to the room, smiling proudly. "I have an ability that allows me to muffle sound in an area. Sounds can't come out, but sounds can come in. It's a neat little trick.”

“I wonder what you use that for,” Juni said with an amused expression creeping in.

With the door latched, Jurik sat down and folded his hands together before pointing towards the table. “This might take a little while. I'll try to keep this detailed so that you know what you're getting into. To cut a long story short, several teams will be deployed to investigate the incursion, with the Valos military sitting in a pincer maneuver from either side of the holding line. As backup, mostly."

Neska took a seat in one of the bowl-shaped apparatuses. This seat let her coil up and sit contentedly. Juni hopped up onto one of the smaller seats, peering over the table. “The risk sounds higher than I initially thought, but they’re sending us?”

“Correct. Here's the situation: hunters found goblins up in the northern section of the woods by a former settlement just across the holding line, Arcesti Hills. They didn't stick around long enough to observe what they were doing. It looked like they were rallying around an old mining pit that used to be laden with mana crystals. They also spotted hobgoblins directing them. Those concern me far more, given their level of intelligence."

Neska leaned in, intrigued. "Are they digging for something? What purpose could the Varadur have for mana crystals, if that’s what they are after? I thought they were primal, not capable of complex tasks like mining, let alone doing anything practical with them."

"Uh, you know, they have kobolds," Juni said dryly. "They're like a cousin of yours."

"Pfft. More like a third cousin, twice removed," Neska snorted. "I have to give them credit, they have humanoid-level intelligence. And they make art. Sometimes."

Jurik nodded thoughtfully. "Correct. Some of our foes share our cunning. Our immediate task will be to infiltrate the area with several teams, assess the situation, and if all goes well, clear out the infestation ourselves. The Valos military and Major Gorovich agree that it is an excellent training opportunity. Goblins are numerous and fierce but easily dispatched. As long as you don't let them overwhelm you, they are a relatively low-risk mission."

Jurik sat back in his seat, more relaxed. "The major tasked several members of the security squad, including Sergeant Corvin and me, with this. They wanted us, and others, to put together several student-led teams.”

Hadley pointed at the two of them. "You guys don't realize how much expertise you have right now compared to a lot of other students. Many of the students have little combat training, or their training was lost when they were Awakened. Resources are scarcer than you think, as all graduated Awakened are tasked to capacity."

She took a short breath. "What that means is, Gorovich wanted you two on two of the teams. Leading them.”

Neska raised her body upright. “Separately?”

Jurik motioned for calm, as if he knew she would likely react this way. “It was not my personal decision. But there is a rationale behind it, and that you'll be working with various Awakened and humanoid classes over time. I know you two synergize well. Juni, you also have expertise in sourcing alchemical components. This will be a good opportunity to grab some. From monsters, or from the field ingredients.”

“I've never led a team, though,” Juni said, her fur on end. "I don't know if I'm up for that."

“Which is why each team of four will also have a veteran or professional attached to them. Hadley will be going with Neska's team, and you'll be on mine. I think Gorovich preferred it that way. This is a good opportunity to work with your peers that you're not familiar with, although he said, and I quote, ‘pick at least one member with whom you've worked well.’”

Neska straightened for a moment. “I think we're going to need to have a diverse team for each: teams with scouting capability and fast strikes. Knowing what I know of goblins, hitting them hard before they can react is typically the best way to deal with them. They panic if they think they're being attacked by a superior force, at least from what I've read. Taking out their leaders puts them into a retreat mentality. But, if they have a high enough numerical advantage…sometimes you need to do it the hard way.”

Neska thought about a team composition. She had an idea. “I’d like to bring in Brent on my team.”

Hadley's brow twitched. "Brent. The wolfling?”

“He's a good boy, " Juni said firmly. Neska noted the slightest twinge of a smile on Jurik’s lips, but he said nothing. Hadley looked distinctly uncomfortable with it. "Do we get to pick the teams?”

Jurik nodded. “I believe we should also put our junior Marisano onto Neska's team, as he trusts Brent.”

“Trevor should not be anywhere near the front,” Juni said crossly. “He’s an arcanist, not a fighter! Taking him from one dangerous place to another is crazy!"

"There's danger everywhere," Neska reminded her. "We saw plenty of that on the way in. The safest place he can be is with people he trusts; that includes Brent."

“I've asked around. His wizarding primary professor says he's competent with spells. He just lacks confidence in his abilities.” Jurik's words put Juni at ease, but only a little. Neska could hear the intoned worry in her voice.

Juni finally nodded her head as she bought onto the idea. “Okay, Neska will need a fourth member, somebody who would probably be an initiator, or a heavy damage dealer.”

“I'm not the damage dealer?” Not that Neska was keeping count, but the biggest foes dispatched had been keenly focused on her, and suffered for it.

“You're kind of a glass cannon, Neska. Which is why I'm glad you have numerous mobility options,” Juni said. Neska couldn't refute that; her close-range abilities required her to proceed cautiously. She had some ability to evade damage but not for a prolonged fight.

“I think I know a student or two that would fit the bill for the initiator role,” Jurik finished.

Neska nodded. “I'll trust your judgment on it. What about your team?”

"Juni has evasion capabilities and also a strong offense. Along with myself, we'll form the backbone of the fighting team.”

Juni’s expression brightened at that proposal. “I would recommend Syra join our team, as I know that she's itching for an opportunity. At least, from what Corvin told me."

“That leaves two more. However, they also caution to have a mixed unit composition, two awakened, two humanoids, plus the squad leads," Jurik cautioned.

“Is there a particular rhyme or reason to this weird rule?” Juni asked.

“Yes. Integrated battle strategies. Gorovich is quite a competent leader. He agreed that having a mixed Awakened and class squads tends to increase the survival rate of every squad member. It also requires some training and rehearsal to account for different physiologies.”

“Do we plan on leaving soon?” Neska asked.

“Be ready at dawn. There will be a roll call. Prepare everything you can tonight, and above all else, set aside time to rest, because they want this dealt with quickly. Expect to be in the field for a few days. They'll have standard ration packs, injury kits, relays, and various bags to bring home either monster parts or alchemical finds.

Jurik ran his fingers over the table, pointing at one of the customized arrowheads that Neska had been preparing. She had sealed up the arrowhead’s venom with a resin-like material that should shear away on impact. “I certainly would love to see some of these put in action."

“Guess what. You’re about to get your wish, Lieutenant,” Neska said with a proud smile.

---

“Do you worry about us being split up? I mean, this will be the first time we've really been split apart since we got together in the middle of the woods.”

Neska could hear the shaky tone in Juni's voice. The mouse wasn’t afraid, but she was concerned, a decidedly unusual response from her.

Neska finished stuffing arrows into a quiver in the hour before dawn. Both of them had risen promptly with the ringing of the mechanical clock signalling it was time.

She took care not to jostle the resin-coated arrows, especially the incendiary ones. She only packed a few of her incendiary variants out of caution.

She also packed a few of the sleeping draught variants, with one key idea in mind:

Aerial dispersal. A single arrow capable of inflicting a pronounced crowd control effect. Though she wondered how effective it would be in combat with adrenaline pumping. Monsters could survive, at least temporarily, wounds that would kill most lesser creatures.

That had taken a bit of effort. The solution was essentially a two-part venom extract: first, the incendiary, then a dusting of the other venom coated onto the projectile. In theory, the initial impact would disperse the sleeping draught and impact a wider area.

But this could also backfire unless they took the resistance potion to sleep and exhaustion effects. She’d warn everyone before she used one.

“Juni, we will all face adversity at some point or another. It’s a certainty. But you know something? You've already proven yourself in tough situations. There is always a path forward."

Juni raised her chin to look at Neska’s reassuring smile. “Keep your eyes sharp, look for openings, and hit hard when you have the chance. And remember to trust in your team.”

Juni sounded a little choked up when she responded. "But what if I'm not good at this?”

“You have Jurik on your team, who is immensely talented and rock solid, from everything I've seen. If you've absorbed even a fraction of his knowledge over these past few months, you will do well.”

The mouse looked somewhat relieved. “What about you and Hadley? She’s going to wrap you around her finger like a ring with these arrows you’re making.”

“I should also instruct her to be careful with them." Neska was ready to go, and her lapel chimed.

“Attention, all students who are receiving this message, you are to report to the assembly hall by the main entry. Additional instructions will be provided there. That is all for now.”

“Okay, deep breath, deep breath, Juni,” the mouse assured herself, spreading her hands to her sides and taking a calming breath. “Who do you think our last members will be on the teams, anyway?”

“No clue.” The trip across the campus in the near-darkness was brief, and Neska felt the dampness of the morning dew as they approached the assembly hall. A hint of lavender was in the east–the sun would rise soon. Several stars still twinkled in the sky above.

A short time later, she was in an assembly of forty students. She spotted several she recognized, and they weren’t sitting in any order. Syra and Brent were next to them, Trevor sitting next to Syra. The wizard was currently fidgeting with his satchel and reading through notes.

Others she recognized included Kasfew and Noricatu. The former had lost his bluster and sat calmly and composed, his wings scrunched tight. The icy bird leaned gently against his shoulder, and he nudged her, whispering she couldn’t use him to take a nap on. She also spotted Tycus and Sarisse sitting next to each other, and a few others from Corvin’s class.

The Major was a stout, balding man with more scars than even Jurik. Neska was mildly impressed he had the will to keep fighting after getting injured that much. Gorovich motioned for the assembly hall doors to be sealed.

A bright flash of light spread across their surface, and Neska saw faint runes visible for a few seconds. One included ‘privacy,’ and another read ‘silence’.

The Major let out a soft grunt, appearing more relaxed now. “Thank you, everyone, for coming on short notice. I know this must be difficult, and I applaud the bravery and ingenuity of the students of this campus, every single day.”

He spoke calmly and to the point. The lamia spotted Jurik and Hadley in the front row, along with Corvin and others she didn’t recognize, nodding in unison. The major continued, motioning to a board where an image was slowly projected from a crystal hovering on a dais.

“I’ll cut to the chase: the Varadur have set up a huge camp south of the Arcesti Hills. The holding line was rather thin in the foothills, so this was missed, and we also suspect they have tunnel networks being used to hide their numbers. They’re digging for something. Something that I believe is of great value to them…and us.”

“We think they’re unearthing something from a derelict mine, and that goblins and hobgoblins could be the least of our worries. We’re going to infiltrate to find out what they’re up to…and make sure whatever they’ve got planned doesn’t happen.”

I lasted a hundred chapters before I started making references to another certain Snake...shame on me.

Also post note, author going on break, should be back by end of June, same with patreon postings too.

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