Sneaky monster

I flexed my clawed hands. I could do serious damage. My main issue was, apparently, being fairly squishy. I had plenty of mana and a handful of defensive priest spells. If I could engage in combat on my terms, I'd be fine. I pushed the final point into my general capacity to move stealthily. And that was that.

Leveling up had felt good! I wanted more. Having taken so much damage from a random village guard with a basic spear, I was motivated to grow. If and when I encountered a proper threat, I wanted to be ready to kill it. Running away was not an option I was interested in.

I tore off into the woods again, killing anything that moved. Rabbits, squirrels, a pair of deer. This land was very much alive, and I was getting really good at utilizing my ambush specialty, even after my shroud had worn off.

Then I spotted the cabin. It was remotely located, isolated, but well maintained. Smoke rose from the chimney. As I approached, I could smell roasting meat.

More people. Almost certainly humans, since the other human-like races had no settlements in this area. At least, I thought that was true. The details of my mental map were growing very fuzzy. Either way. Where there were people, there was experience to be gained.

I ran a wide circle around the dwelling and determined it was the home of some kind of woodcutter or woodsman. There was a shed for tanning hides and a barn full of tools for working wood, as well as a massive quantity of wooden goods in various degree of completion.

I'd still barely scratched the surface of my abilities, and was itching for more. My shroud having expired, I decided to just approach using more old fashioned methods of stealth, making sure to hide from any windows overlooking my position.

I heard him before I saw him: a middle aged human man chopping wood in the yard. He had the build of a man accustomed to hard work and harsh weather. He swung the axe with a casual precision that spoke to years of practice.

I had very little interest in the man as such. The axe was heavy and sharp, and could prove lethal if I let him use it freely in an altercation. But huddled near the base of the house, I became aware of something much, much more interesting in the vicinity.

Human females. Two of them. Both fertile. The smell of them wafted to my slit nostrils and I immediately wanted them. I would have them. I'd tasted blood, but the breeder in me had yet to be sated.

I quickly formulated a plan for this remote cabin. Assuming the house was as ignored by the rest of the world as it seemed, it was actually a perfect place to start a little brood. It was time to test out a few more of my powers.

Considering my options, the obvious choice was the small pool of abilities belonging to my Monster Power: Status Effects.

Crouched on all fours, I stepped out from behind my hiding place, immediately behind the man chopping wood. I experimentally reached out with my mind towards his. I found him easily, the only conscious mind in my immediate vicinity. It was a very strange thing, to latch onto another mind and push instructions towards it.

Monster Power: Mind Control
<<Put down the axe and go to the window.>>

I felt his mind ripple reluctantly at the foreign command, but it was simple enough; something benign that he might have done anyway. It took hold and he obeyed. I felt a twisted little thrill of success. I'd just **** my will on another without him even realizing it. I could get used to such power.

He went to the window and looked inside. Seeing someone inside, he smiled and raised a hand in greeting. As the hand fell back to his side, I pushed another wave of power towards him.

Monster Power: Inflict Status - Paralysis

The man froze, staring through the pane glass. Every muscle in his body went completely still, locked in whatever position it was already in. I grinned.

He would be **** to watch everything I was about to do to the women in that house. For no reason other than my own amusement, I was going to give him quite a show.