Lox chewed the mushroom slowly, pondering his next steps. He knew that there were boars nearby, and that was both a potential threat and an opportunity for food.
He wasn't fully used to his new body and abilities yet, but he already realized that he could use the skills to catch a boar.
"What should I do? Boars can be dangerous, but my aura as a girl is hidden, so they shouldn't feel threatened by me," Lox thought as he continued chewing on the mushroom.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of bushes and he saw a boar with strong tusks emerge from the thicket.
The boar was looking around suspiciously, and Lox noticed that the hilt of his spear was knocked off.
Clearly the boar had recently had a run-in with an experienced hunter.
"A hunter, or someone else walking around with a weapon. Maybe there are more people around," Lox thought as he looked at the boar.
His stomach rumbled with hunger, and Lox realized that without food he would become weaker and more vulnerable.
Boldly rising to his feet, he pulled out his demonic vault and retrieved a bone dagger from there.
He wasn't sure how effective this weapon would be against a boar, but he decided to give it a try.
"Well, let's see what this dagger can handle," Lox said to himself as he slowly approached the boar.
He tried to remember how people hunted in this world. Images of hunters ready to confront wild animals flashed through his memories.
Lox gathered his thoughts, holding his dagger in his hand, and strove to find the boar's weak spot.
"Probably need to hit it in the throat or under the ribs," he thought.
The boar looked around perplexed, but felt no threat from whoever was approaching it.
Lox was sure his aura cloaking ability was working, so he tried to approach the animal as silently as possible.
[Boar of the Northern Forests]
When Lox was already in close proximity to the boar, he swung his dagger sharply and stabbed it in the side. His skill with the dagger wasn't that bad - the dagger stabbed into the soft tissue of the animal, and the boar let out a growl of pain.
The blow was not fatal, however, and the boar, frightened, lunged forward. Lox realized he had no time to think, and had to make a quick decision.
He dodged the boar's attack, spun around, and slashed a second blow to the side. This blow was more accurate, and the dagger was embedded even deeper.
The boar let out a hoarse growl, weakened by the loss of blood.
Lox knew he had to finish the job, and gathering all his strength, he swung and delivered a final blow to the boar's throat.
The animal collapsed to the ground, and the area became quiet.
"Some regular," Lox said.
Lox sat next to the dead boar, taking the form of a girl, and was surprisingly calm as he stripped its body. His skill at taking on images helped him bypass the ephemeral body.
His face, bloody and irresistibly predatory, did not cause him to cringe or gag reflexes - Lox was something of a machine, devoid of human emotion.
He deftly and mercilessly separated chunks of meat, tearing it away from the carcass with noiselessness. His long hair was also stained with blood, but he paid no attention to it.
Every gesture was cold-blooded and calculated, like a seasoned predator. He knew that his survival depended on his ability to find food, and no terrors that would frighten an ordinary man confused him.
Lox realized that this was just a shell - a body he was temporarily using to survive in this world.
His real self was a demon, and he was devoid of feelings of regret or compassion. He felt at ease in this forest, as power and survival rule the world here, not morals and ethics.
When Lox was sated, he slowly stood up, carefully wiping his face and hands on his clothes to remove the last traces of blood. He took the form of a cat again, and before he left, he looked back at the dead boar.
"Thanks for the food," Lox whispered in an indifferent voice.
Lox realized that people wouldn't understand his true nature, and he didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to himself.
He preferred to stay in the shadows and avoid unnecessary contact. Today was just such a day, no one tried to interfere with him, he lived his life as he wished.
- Sorry, you seem weak in the form of a cat, but we've been watching you for a long time.
Lox, being in the form of a cat, instantly felt a growing unease when he heard a squeaky voice from behind him.
He cautiously turned around and saw a multitude of small white demons in front of him. What was unusual was that he didn't feel the hostile aura he usually felt in the presence of such creatures.
"What's going on here?" - Lox thought, remembering to be wary.
His experience and instincts told him to be wary of these little demons, even if they didn't look threatening.
He continued to watch them carefully, ready for any unforeseen action.
"Maybe it's some kind of trap or art of deception," Lox suggested.
His magical abilities allowed him to penetrate the thoughts and emotions of other beings, but right now he couldn't figure out what awaited him in front of these demons.
He began to act calm and distrustful, keeping his mask of an indifferent cat. Perhaps they really had been watching him for a long time, but he wasn't about to reveal his cards.
He needed to understand what they wanted from him and what their intentions were.
- What do you want? - he asked, surprisingly calm but ready for further action.
- And why were you following me? - Lox continued, trying to give the impression that he had nothing to hide.
Inferior demons are amazing creatures from the northern forests. They are small white creatures with fluffy tails and sharp white horns on their heads.
Outwardly they look harmless and even cute, but behind their gentle appearance lies incredible power and the ability to sense energy auras.
Inferior demons are sentient beings and have some social structure. They live in small communities and serve powerful beings such as demons or powerful monsters.
They show loyalty and offer their help to their masters, but only if they are treated with respect and care.
An important feature of lower demons is their ability to sense the aura of other beings.
They are able to recognize energy waves and determine the character and intentions of those around them.
This ability makes them valuable allies for powerful beings, as they can warn of potential threats or support their master in battle.
Characterization | Description |
--------------------|-------------------------------------------|
Species | Northern Lowland Nez |
Appearance | A small white creature with horns|
Features | Ability to sense aura |
Habitat | Northern forests |
Social structure | Community, serve strong creatures |
Behavior | Friendly if treated with respect |
Faithful and loyal to their master |
Hostile when offended or threatened |
Used to warn of a potential threat |
To aid in battle and defense.|
"Come on, low demons talk," Lox thought with surprise.
Lox looked at the small band of intelligent demons with some doubt. He really didn't sense much power in them, and he was confused by their small and harmless appearance.
However, he decided to listen to what the leader of this group had to say.
"Cute makes me want to puke," Lox thought to himself, surprised at his own thoughts. For a demon who was used to cruelty and a harsh worldview, such a reaction to the little demons was unexpected.
One of the smaller demons approached the cat and tried to speak to him. Lox looked down at him, maintaining some distance and displeasure.
- I lead this tribe, we sensed your power as soon as you entered the forest. We have been watching, following you, young master," the little demon mumbled.
"Young master?" - Lox thought with some irony. He didn't like being called 'master', especially when it came to such insignificant creatures. However, he still listened to what these demons had to say.
- And what do you want from me? - Lox asked, maintaining his cold-blooded look.
- 'We want to be your servants, master,' said the little demon.
- 'We have seen your strength and powerful aura. We can serve you and be loyal to you.
Lox hesitated for a moment. He wasn't too keen on having servants, but the idea of having his own little army was tempting.
Plus, these little demons seemed genuinely loyal and willing to serve him.
Lox was already interested, so he sat back to listen to them further.
- Go on," Lox said coldly.
Lox continued to listen with interest to the little demons' story. His face remained cold and indifferent.
They offered him to become their master, to control them and use their help for his own purposes.
Though Lox wasn't particularly interested in having servants, the idea of having his own little army of sentient beings seemed appealing.
"Too trusting," Lox thought to himself, smiling his sly smile.
It was clear to him that these little demons, though intelligent, were still not strong or dangerous, but their belief in his strength was their weakness.
They truly believed that Lox could protect them from stronger demons and be their protector.
- So what do I have to do? - Lox asked, glaring defiantly at everyone.
It was important for him to maintain the appearance that he was really hesitating and considering their proposal.
- Control us," one of the demons answered.
Lox closed his eyes for a moment, pretending to ponder their words. His mind was already spinning with plans on how to use this little gang for his own purposes.
After all, it is an army of its own!
- Okay," Lox said, opening his eyes and looking down at the little demons.
- I agree to become your master. But remember that I will have to serve unconditionally and follow all my orders.
The little demons nodded in agreement and expressed their joy and loyalty. Lox knew they could be useful.
Lox was pleased to realize that he was beginning to gather his little army of loyal followers.
He was well aware that these little demons were powerless and without his protection they could easily perish in this dangerous forest.
But it was their loyalty and faith in him as their master that made them valuable to Lox.
- Well then, in this place where I am standing, you will start to build a settlement, and in time in this forest will appear the demonic kingdom of Loxus, if you are against it, you can leave, - said Lox with some tenderness in his voice.
He knew that to control these creatures, he would need to display not only strength, but also the ability to understand their needs and problems.
The little demons positively shook their heads, and Lox caught the devotion in their eyes. They did not leave, despite the opportunity to leave.
They chose to follow Lox and build their destiny under his guidance.
- Okay, then, let's start small! - Lox said, smiling slyly and contentedly.
Lox noticed one demon who looked more serious than the others, he had black eyes and didn't smile like the others.
- Yei, come here, what's your name? - Lox asked coldly, looking at the little demon.
He waited for an answer, wanting to figure out the name of the most ardent.
The demon looked at Lox in surprise, as if he hadn't expected such a question. His answer sounded quiet and humble:
- Sir, demons don't have a name, we just serve those who are stronger, that's all.
Lox became curious. He knew that demons who had gained their freedom could give names to various creatures, while giving them some autonomy.
However, if given too many names, the demon risked losing its power for a long time.
It was a kind of sacrifice that had to be paid for the ability to name other creatures.
Lox realized that he had two bodies, the body of a girl and the body of a cat. It was because of this feature that he could name this demon without risking losing his power.
He decided to do so and create a special bond with this little creature.
The demon's mysterious ephemeral hand came out of the cat's body and touched the little demon's forehead. It was a rite of elevation that gave this demon a name.
Lox smiled, knowing that he now had his first loyal servant with a name.
- You will be Vermiel," Lox said coldly.