Zryzor's return: Delays in reward

With the ratfolk's home in disarray and their leadership shattered, it wouldn't be long before Uggozan took her rightful place as leader of this barrier. In fact, several minutes later, a notification appeared.

Uggozan is now the owner of: The Compost Battlefield.

Shortly after, another notification appeared.

Uggozan has renamed this barrier: Uggozan's Compost Hold

You may now enter and exit this illusion barrier at will.

Blair blinked, but nodded slightly. It was clear that Uggozan had taken full control of this territory. This was a good step in the right direction. Blair had gained a useful ally, and from what she could see, they wouldn't even require much to maintain. This made her wonder. 'Could this get any better? Seriously, Uggozan's offer of aid and supplies once a day was quite the deal. Sure, it may not pay off today, but being able to have an emergency exit was certainly nothing to scoff at.'

Caesar stopped and started to growl, causing everyone to stop in their tracks. Zryzor stepped back several steps. "Hmm, illogical. Most unexpected. Allies~s, combat preparations are required." Izohra let out a breath as he stepped back a few. His bow in hand as he readied an arrow. "I don't see anything." Suddenly a giant earthworm ripped through the dirt ceiling and started to make its way towards them. Blair used Observe on it just as Caesar stepped in front and barked again before he cast Cone of Frost, hitting it for 50 damage and froze it in place for the next 5 seconds. - 20 Mp Although a surprise to Blair, its fear shot up to 25 when Caesar hit it.

Observe:

Class: Burrower, Lvl: 7, Height: 6', Length: 12' Weight: 500, Name: Giant Earthworm

Age: 3, Body type: Normal, Nature: Hostile, Mood: Focused, Hungry, and Thirsty

Hp: 153/203, Mp: 96/96, Fear: 25

The worm's body curled, trying to warm itself up as Izohra let out two volleys of arrows, hitting it for 25 damage each. 25 x 2 = 50 damage Blair lunged at it, striking it with her right fist, but its squishy skin softened the blow, reducing its damage taken by 50%. 75 + 5% = 79 (78.75), 79 - 50% = 40 (39.5) damage It uncoiled its body quickly, knocking her back against the wall of the tunnel for 25 damage, knocking the wind out of her. - 25 Hp Caesar growled and lunged at the worm, biting it hard for critical damage. 25 x 2 = 50 damage Izohra used this opportunity to fire another arrow, hitting it for 25 damage, killing the earthworm upon contact. 25 damage, (12 Overkill)

Zryzor stepped forward and touched the worm's side with two of its hands. "Hmm, interesting. Good specimen. Can use." Blair lifted a brow. "Plan to use its parts for something?" Izohra walked over to remove the arrows that he had used from the worm's corpse. "Well, I suppose it could be used for food." Caesar moved to Blair's side while wagging his tail. She leaned down to gently rub the top of his head. Zryzor slowly stood up before starting to walk off. "Its bio material is flexible, easy to modify. Can be used by swarm."

Blair and Izohra nodded, but only Blair spoke. "It does seem to be a decent tunneler and resilient to blunt damage. Perhaps it could be repurposed to be more useful to the swarm that way." Zryzor continued to walk. "Yes, improved tunnel making and resilience. This will assist all within the swarm." That was the last thing said over the next few minutes, but it wasn't long after that they started to see an insectoid here and there. Izohra let out a soft breath and whispered to Blair. "I didn't think it would feel good to see these guys again." She giggled, but nodded slightly. His score ticked up to 80.

Zryzor led them into the royal chamber. Uggozan was sitting upon her throne as she had been before, nibbling on another piece of fruit. However, the guards were not in the room. Blair looked around then back to Uggozan. "I didn't expect your guards to be gone. Is everything all right?" Uggozan let out a few clicks that sounded like laughter. "Yes~s, we-e have sent t-hem off to mop up t-he-e rest of t-he rats~s. You have done very well. Zryzor's~s report was~s very descriptive of your handling of Scrik and of t-he worm. We-e are most pleased."

Blair smiled with a tiny bow of her head. "I'm glad to hear you approve, Uggozan." Uggozan stood up and ran her hands along the sides of her exoskeleton near her thorax and legs. "We-e will require a couple of days~s to secure t-he right piece of amber to create your reward. Once it is~s ready we-e will send for you." Zryzor let out a click, drawing Uggozan's attention. After several seconds, she let out a breath, followed by a series of clicks. "Until t-hen, be-e safe, Blair."

Blair bowed her head slightly as did Izohra before turning to leave. Caesar sniffed the ground before following after them. Izohra shook his head. "Do you think they will keep their word?" She chuckled. "There is no benefit to them lying, Izohra. Besides, a couple of days in here is only a little over nine and a half hours in the real world. Well, according to my illusion barrier ratio." After reaching the end of the tunnel, she lifted a hand to cast Exit Illusion barrier, causing the world around them to shatter in to a million pieces. - 10 Mp When the pieces reassembled, they were back in the junkyard in front of that compost pile. However, it was even more neat and clean than it had been previously, which was quite surprising.

Izohra brushed himself off while looking at that pile. "This place is creepy clean, but I don't think that is a good place to set up base. Where to next?" Blair looked around a moment to think about her options. 'Hmm, vehicles and parts, hazardous and corrosive materials, building materials and supplies, and recycling waste and supplies." Over the next few minutes, she thought about each one. 'Although vehicles and parts are nice. I don't think I could find much to set up a base with. At least, not by itself. Hazardous and corrosive materials would make for some wonderful weapons. Hmm, building materials would be helpful for making a base, but the building itself only gets you so far. Well, recycling waste and supplies would be very useful for crafting unique pieces for my base, but which should I go for first?'

Name: Blair Mitchell

Title: The Fearless Gamer

Lvl: 20 XP 256/4,000

Hp: 657/657

Hp regen: 14.46 per min

Mp: 500/500

Mp regen: 11.5 per min

Money: $6,368,019.27

Bust size: D cup

Inventory slots 4/30 (Zane's Angst, Lusserina's Soaked Red Silk Panties, Hearthstone, and Demon Leather Boots)

Unspent skill points: 0

Str: 50 + (0) + (25) End: 41 + (0) + (25)

Int: 50 + (0) + (0) Wis: 50 + (0) + (0)

Agi: 40 + (0) + (25) Cha: 40 + (0) + (0)

Lib: 20 + (0) + (25)