Chase down the remainder.

As soon as you get outside, everybody there looks shocked. The three most immediate bodies are that of Niki, Amara, and Eva, though you spot Snow in the back with her bow drawn and ready, as well as Xiaoqing with a few others to the side, who is equally as prepared for danger. Moments ago, not long after some interesting sounds from inside the hut, they were given quite the fright by screeching shadows soaring around through the air, though that sound is no longer present. You don't see the enemy anywhere.

Right after you step forth, Monarch clings to the doorway. "Damn it! Some foolish ghost thinks it can possess me? We must find what remains of that foul creature so that I may crush it beneath my foot. But we let it get out of sight. If even one third managed to enter somebody out here unseen, we may take ages to find it. It could escape in that time."

Eva looks around. "I think they went into the hills! We should split up to find them."

"Nah," says Niki. "I saw them totally zoom straight into that guy over there," she says, pointing at a man you've never seen before.

He stares back, jerking a finger towards himself. "Wait, what? Me? I just got here. I was taking a leak."

"A suspicious excuse," Amara comments.

You stare back at them. Something's wrong. You've spent so much time with these girls--intimately. There's no way you wouldn't notice even the smallest change. You feel insulted your enemy is even suggesting otherwise. You have unseen ties to all of them. Perhaps even if they never spoke, you'd still know--by body language, by pure emotional connection. The foolish shadow didn't flee into the hills or join together in the body of the empty-bladdered man. You know exactly where to find them. Quickly, just as you step forward, you make an unspoken signal to Snow in the back.

She looks back. Then she sees where your eyes are pointed, and readies herself.

First you step up to Eva.

The bunnyfolk looks to you with a hard swallow. "What is it, Kyle?" Her eyes shift down your shirtless body.

You reach forward and pop her button without any hesitation. Her tits spill out, and even though you get a satisfying eyeful, she does eventually cover herself up. She screams and flushes pink, but the second that happens, a miniature version of what you faced inside the hut launches up into the sky like a clay disc.

And right on cue, Snow nails it with an arrow. It bursts into a poof of darkness, like the world's most disappointing firework.

"Uhh. Why did you do--" Niki starts to say, but she was already selected as your next target. Her eyes open wide the moment your fingers start tickling her sides. "Ahahaha, s-stop! Hahaha!" She cackles wildly as she squirms, but you're relentless. All the strength saps from her body, and those digits are travelling all over--up and down, sides and armpits, stomach and neck. Her face burns red as she doesn't know at all what to do. On one hand, everyone is watching. On the other, it feels so good.

With a mighty gasp, the second creature fires into the air.

Yet again, Snow lands her shot.

When you face Amara, she looks to you with fear in her eyes.

She frowns. "You do not... think it is me, do you?" she asks. "We have been through so much together. Surely you must trust me."

"... I do," you say. It's just that, well I was hurt while fighting it inside. I was hoping you could heal me. A really big heal too, please."

"Y-Y-You need that much healing?" she fumbles out. The way her tongue moves across her lips is like that of a hungry animal promised a juicy slab of meat. She tries to hide it, though you can see it in her eyes. It isn't in a sadism way, but she relishing the opportunity to cast healing spells, entirely because of her mutation. Suddenly unable to control her excitement, she grips her staff and places a hand upon your chest. "M-Major... Major... Major Heal!" As she calls out the final word of her spell, bestowing upon you a comforting warmth that isn't actually needed at all, her knees wobble, and the creature inside her is repelled.

Snow lets loose an arrow. It pierces through its odd, flat body, shredding it apart like tissue paper.

You dust off your hands. "Good shooting, Snow."

Eva is still emotionally recovering. She threads the button through its slot, just barely restraining her massive tits once more. But she does manage to mutter out, "Was that a--"

"Phew!" Niki shivers. "What the heck? Kyle, did you just **** a ghost out of my body? I feel weird."

Amara fans herself off. "Whatever that creature was, it has made my body feel rather tingly."

That wasn't the shadow creature's doing, Amara.

"Oh I'm pissed!" Eva shouts. "I can't believe I let myself get grabbed by an umbrageist. What was one even doing here anyway? That's scary!"

"What's an umbrageist, scholarly student of the Academy?" you ask.

Eva immediately forgets about you disrobing her moments ago and smiles proudly. "Well, since you asked so nicely... Kyle, an umbrageist is a powerful monster, thankfully rarely seen even by high level adventurers. Though they look and sound like ghosts, they aren't undead at all. They're often only found in ancient dungeons or caves that lead deep into the world. What they do is possess your body, and **** you to walk far away from everybody else to be killed by other, more deadly creatures, since they aren't that physically powerful themselves. Then they eat your remains."

"But that didn't happen here at all."

"Umbrageists are frighteningly intelligent for what they are. There are stories of them being so subtle about their possessions, that the host and others don't even realize. They can manipulate things in unnerving ways. Thankfully they're not only rare to find like I said before, but they would almost never have a reason to do this. That means that for some reason, this one had an ulterior motive. Also, you should go shirtless all the time, to be honest."

"Enough." Monarch's voice is commanding. She once again whips her spiral to the side, posing up in the doorway with an arrogant stare at all those outside. Somehow after everything that happened within those walls, she's trying to look completely in control again. "It is dead. Yes I would like to learn more, and I will speak to you momentarily, but I must ask for the Demon King to join me back within my hut. It is of the utmost importance."

Kaelana salutes. "Yes ma'am. Come on, everyone. Something really messed up has been happening to Monarch. Let's give her some space so she can sort things out."

The elven bandit points to the ground and stares daggers to you, and you alone. "Come," she demands.

You step your way over. "Am I a dog now?"

"Enter my abode once more or so help me I will..." As you near, and as she realizes she doesn't know how to complete that sentence, colour starts to fill her cheeks.

Though the moment you arrive at the doorway, she grabs your belt, forcefully yanks you inside, and slams the door shut.