For context, the reason why this expedition team was formed is solely to guard Young Master Valedd while he went out and gained experience in the wilderness. This pale red-skinned youth named Valedd was the youngest son of the Aswang Clan patriarch that's based on the town of Nebuchadnezzar. He held an esteemed position in the family, and thus his words carried a lot of weight.
The five players and five other NPC guards were tasked with making sure that nothing unexpected happened to the young master during his trip outside. As he said, they were no more than subordinates to him and the Aswang Clan, which they couldn't possibly defy unless they didn't have plans to stay in Nebuchadnezzar anymore.
"W-We're terribly sorry, Young Master Valedd. I and my friends here would like to humbly ask for your forgiveness." Gaius promptly bowed his large head and apologized.
Meanwhile, Draken and Casanova didn't want to kick up a fuss any longer as they quietly bowed their heads along with the others.
"Good. Then let's end the matter here. Remember to never make inappropriate remarks or decide anything for yourselves. Everything needs to go through me. Am I clear on that?"
"Of course, young master… It will never happen again."
"Mm. I'll take your word for it, Gaius." Valedd nodded his head and then shifted his gaze to the duo. "And what about you two, Casanova and Draken? Are you going to continue causing a commotion, or do I have to take matters into my own hands?"
As he spoke, Valedd took out the sword strapped to his waist and made a show of brandishing it. This was clearly a threat, and if they chose to not properly submit to his authority they would be eradicated right here and now.
"We're sorry, too, Young Master Valedd. I admit that me and Casanova were also at fault for causing trouble to the expedition members. I promise you that we will no longer talk loudly ever again and make a ruckus." Draken repented.
"Very good. May both parties remember their words from this day forth."
To that end, Valedd returned his sword back to its scabbard, but halfway through, he suddenly heard a loud bark resounding somewhere near them.
GRRRAAGH!
Everyone immediately directed their attention to the sound, and what came into view was a red wolf-sized dog. Its face was horrifying to say the least, as it was strangely cut in four halves and it didn't have eyes. When it opened its mouth, it was like a flower blooming; only, all of its petals were covered entirely with chainsaw teeth. Lastly, growing or protruding out of its sides were bones from its ribcage; it covered half of the red dog's body like some sort of protective armor.
Valedd furrowed his brows and said in a grave tone, "It's a Mongrel!"
***
(Mongrel, LVL. 5)
Type: Normal
State: Hostile
Health: 200/200
Mana: 150/150
Physical Defense: 10
Magic Resistance: 0
Skill/s: Blood Gob
***
One of the NPC guards came close to Valedd and asked, "Young master, what do we do?"
"Nothing. You lot just sit back and watch while I take care of this mutt." He replied.
Saying so, Valedd took out his sword for the second time and got ready with his fighting stance. In the meantime, the monster called as Mongrel growled while opening its four-halved mouth before charging towards the expedition party.
"Your opponent is me!"
Valedd went forward to intercept it and swung his sword. Consequently, the Mongrel let out a painful yelp, as one of the four halves of its mouth was cleanly cut off. Because they were now in such close proximity with each other, the Mongrel promptly counterattacked by ejecting a bloody gob from its mouth.
"Argh!"
Without being able to evade it, the Blood Gob struck Valedd's chest and he was made to jump backwards. Not wanting to let up, the Mongrel roared then galloped once more to attack its enemy. In response, Valedd stayed perfectly still from where he was as he watched the red dog fast approaching him.
With its strong legs, the Mongrel leaped from the ground and attempted to munch his face off. Alas, in its final moment it had bitten nothing more than air. Using the most minimal of movements, Valedd slightly tilted his head to his shoulders and was able to dodge the catastrophe. Then, he tightly gripped his sword and executed an uppercut slash, causing the Mongrel to be sliced in half before crashing onto dust.
"H-He killed it!"
"As expected of the young master! His movements are so precise and graceful!"
"A genius, no… A real prodigy of the entire Aswang Clan of Nebuchadnezzar!"
All of the NPC guards of the expedition team cheered as flattery naturally came flooding out of their mouths. Meanwhile, one of them promptly went over and handed a small healing potion to Valedd, as he was still indeed injured by the Blood Gob skill of the Mongrel that battered his chest.
"Thank you."
He received it and drank the red potion down with a gulp. Although, as soon as he was done dealing with the Mongrel, another one announced its presence; no, in actuality it wasn't just one…
"There's three more of them!" Casanova declared.
"Not yet, there are still more heading this way. I can sense it!" Gaius retorted.
Hearing him give such an ominous report, everyone instantly sported on grim expressions. One by one, they each took out their weapons and prepared themselves for what seemed to be an inevitable crisis headed their way.
"Horsey, are you sure? You're not sh*tting us, right?" Draken asked.
"Hmph! I'm gravely positive. Unlike you two noobs, I have invested a lot of my AP for a higher perception stat."
And as if to prove his conjecture or words correct, numerous howls came echoing from deep into the forest's imperceptible depths. In fact, it almost seemed like the maddened howls were surrounding them from every angle.
"Oh, crap... I think sh*t just got real now."
That was the very first comment that Nixon, who was part of the Tikbalang gang, ever contributed throughout the entire expedition till now.