The sky was clear, void of any clouds, yet the wind still carried the sound of thunder. If someone looked towards the Swordscar Pass, he could see fshing lights coming from a distance, even without any rain falling.

  “Take this!” Poli cried out as he sshed toward the demonfolk’s back, but got blocked by his tail, whipping towards him.

  Even then, their enemy didn’t have a good time, because just as he blocked the attack, a second one had already arrived from the front, in the form of a tiny, lightning-covered fist, nding on his arms that he had just raised in time to defend himself. There was no break to find a moment to counterattack as another attack, in the form of a fming kick, came whizzing down at an angle, aiming to break his neck just as a second sword strike cshed with his scorpion tail. It was relentless, exhausting, and deadly, something he never imagined five young-looking humans could accomplish. The leading trio attacked in a perfectly rotating pattern, never hindering each other, quickly draining his reserve energies with a frightening speed, while the other two were watching, ready to jump in at any time he would provide an opening for them.

  “My scales won’t be able to keep up,” the scorpion demon thought, trying to look for any way to break free, but Leinor and Zern were watching his every move, ready to block any escape attempt. “Tsk… time to risk it.”

  When Poli’s sword sshed down again, the demon folk turned around, grabbing the bde with their two pincers, aiming to snap it into pieces. He knew that he could block Ren’s next attack with his tail, but Isha got through and nded a kick on his back, leaving a giant wound as scorched scales peeled off him, revealing the sizzling flesh under it. The moment it bubbled and popped, pus-like, yellow blood started flowing out, but the demon's shock came not from his injury...

  “Wha-” he moaned as he couldn’t snap the bde, feeling that his pincers were about to shatter, instead of the weapon. “What is this made of…?!” he gawked because now he had made a fatal mistake.

  “You don't have to know!” Poli grinned as he channeled his energy through the bde, literally giving an actual shock to his enemy.

  “Leinor!” Ren shouted, but he was already moving in, body smming the creature, grabbing onto his waist. The convulsing demon tried to turn against Leinor, hitting him with his arms, but no matter how hard he tried, the young man was taking the elbow strikes like nothing. “Zern!”

  “On it!” he rushed in fearlessly, grabbing onto the scorpion’s tail, stopping it from sshing around, coiling it around his arm, pulling, “Isha!”

  “Come off!” she screamed as she also jumped in, grabbing onto it at the base with her arms, releasing a massive amount of heat. In the end, the two managed to not only cripple the body of the scorpion, but they ripped it off his body, dismembering him.

  “AAAARGHHHH!!!” The demon folk felt death coming for him as he howled painfully, but that was when Poli’s next attack stabbed through his throat, silencing him for good.

  “Master!” Poli jumped back, releasing the hilt as Ren arrived like a lightning bolt, kicking the pommel of the weapon, sending it through his body like a hot knife through butter, as they decapitated him.

  The whole body was still convulsing, spraying out lightning bolts in different hues of yellow blood before falling over, twitching. The head, still in agony, grimacing in indignation, nded meters away, slowly rolling down the hillside.

  “Huh… that… wasn’t so bad!” Ren blinked her eyes, a bit surprised, grinning.

  “I’ll get my sword!” Poli ughed, going after his weapon as it was sent out like a bullet by Ren, nding a few meters away from the battlefield, nailed into the ground.

  “He was weaker than Boss Boursat... MUCH weaker.” Isha agreed as she watched the twitching body, kicking it with one foot, watching as if it was about to stand up.

  “Yeah, Uncle hit way harder, even though this monster’s arms were tough as steel..." Leinor agreed, "The force behind the punches of this creature was leagues weaker.” He added, stretching his shoulders.

  “He didn’t even use any spells.” Zern agreed, overturning the body.

  “Maybe he couldn’t? Who cares? It’s dead!” Isha spat, shaking her head. “Man, I want to drink. I’m parched!”

  “Isha, Poli, Zern, go down, burn the bridge,” Ren said in a commanding voice, and the three, even Isha, just nodded before leaving. After a brief moment, she crouched down, poking the body. “Help me.”

  Leinor already knew what she wanted, and soon they cut open the corpse as Ren started to check out the insides, taking out bones and organs, examining them one by one, without grimacing at all.

  “What are you searching for?”

  “Differences and simirities,” Ren expined, already elbow-deep in the strange yellow blood that was sticky and smelly. “It’s clear it evolved from a scorpion, taking up human form... He could’ve ambushed us with poison if so. Maybe he wasn't ready, taking us for some losers lost in the wild... So... Our appearances gave us the edge this time. But it is also a clear indication that after evolving, taking human shape, reaching a higher intelligence level, he lost the thinking of an animal.”

  “You mean?”

  “When does an animal care about things like warning us, posturing, etc.?" Ren asked, looking at him for a moment, "If he were still a predator, he would’ve ambushed us. He was doomed the moment he started looking down on us and trying to have some fun, probably wanting to see our despairing faces or something stupid. Like some human would. If he had kept the original instinct, that we are prey, an animal would have acted like a true hunter. That's why I say that... He lost that advantage,” she murmured as she slowly stood up from the already dismembered corpse. “His insides resemble a human’s, but the organs are all wrong. There are simirities, but only in his bone structure. That is the same as ours... Kind of. For the most part, at least... As for the organs, his heart wasn’t in the same pce as a human’s... Sadly, now that he is dead, I can't check his energy points. We would need a live one for that! I wonder if they are also in the same pce or not.”

  “Capturing one alive will prove to be difficult,” Leinor warned her.

  “Sure it is." She grinned, "Anyway, I’ll take a look at the rest while we are on the road. Grab his head for me, please." She murmured, looking towards the st part of the scorpion, "Sadly, its tail has been cooked by Isha, and it's deformed way too much. I am curious how much they can transform back and forth between human and animal shapes...”

  Leinor said nothing; instead, he went ahead to do as asked. When everyone returned, the bridge was finally burned and colpsed. The group just watched, waiting for any monster to come, while Ren cleaned herself off with a rag... but nobody came, and they had to move on.

  “Yuck, you smell horrible!” Isha grimaced as she stood next to Ren.

  “When we find a river, I’ll take a bath, deal with it until then." She rolled her eyes, "So?”

  “From the clues, the demons we initially followed are already back at their side, Master,” Poli reported, saluting. "But with the bridge gone, at least they can't sneak into our nd and stab us in the back!"

  “What should we do next?” Zern asked.

  “This was just a lucky encounter, we should go...” Ren climbed back onto her horse, hanging the head on her saddle, "We must report this to my Father, as soon as possible."

  “Master… why are you bringing that?” Poli asked, pointing at the head.

  “Trophy?” Isha guessed with a chuckle.

  “Not really," She expined, patting it, "Evidence of what we did, yes... but for the most part, because I’d like to research it.”

  “Why?” Zern and Isha asked in unison.

  “Don’t you wonder why, when demon folk evolve, do they look like us? Why do they take human form? Why didn’t he stay a big scorpion? Wouldn’t he be stronger that way?”

  “Not really.” Isha shrugged. "Who cares?"

  “Well, I do,” Zern said while Poli just listened, trying to memorize everything.

  “You have a theory, no?” Leinor smiled, watching Ren as they began riding away, finding their way back onto the road.

  “Yup!" Ren grinned, "Think, who was here before they gained true intelligence?” she asked back, waiting for her disciples' replies.

  “Us,” Poli spoke up in the end.

  “Exactly!" She snapped her fingers, "Humans were here long before a scorpion could think or look like a human. My guess is simple: they are copying us. When they gain true intelligence by evolving, they take the only form they subconsciously associate with that state: us, humans.”

  “I never looked at it like that,” Leinor murmured, scratching his chin, amused.

  “Does it even matter?” Isha asked, genuinely not seeing the corretion.

  “It does." Ren continued, "I don’t think it’s a conscious thing, only subconscious. They copy us. But if they try to mimic us, they should start mimicking our lifestyle, society, etc. Which begs the question... Do we know they aren't doing that already?”

  “Your point is?” Isha asked as she leaned forward.

  “They built a bridge," She answered thoughtfully, "If they can create a civilization like ours, society, a town, city, or even an empire... We could stop simple beast-like incursions. But what about a proper army? More than that... We could start dealing through diplomacy.”

  “You will get along well with my Eldest Brother!” Leinor ughed. "He once mentioned something simir."

  “Ahaha, I’m looking forward to meeting him!” Ren ughed, too, as they picked up a little speed to return to the right road towards the north.

  …….…..

  “Hey, Boobies, could you warm this up a little?” Ren asked pyfully.

  “The fuck you called me?” Isha snorted as she and Ren were standing in a small pond, naked, while the moonlight shone down on their bodies, illuminating them and giving both girls the appearance of fairies.

  A few hours ago, they had stopped for the night next to a small creek, and on Ren's orders, the boys built a small pond next to it, filling it with water. Even though Isha was cursing her, she did as asked and warmed up the water to a pleasant degree as they washed themselves, taking a hot bath.

  “Nice! The boys may have fun in the running water, but lying in hot water... ahh... It's the best!” Ren moaned, submerging herself with a satisfied expression.

  “Why not invite them in now?” Isha grinned as she also sat next to her, looking down on Ren, who was now lying in the water, floating around on her back, watching the night sky.

  “I wouldn’t mind." She answered honestly, "It’s Zern and Poli who would be the problem, though. They wouldn’t come in because of Leinor or, more likely, Leinor and me. If it were only you, you could have fun with the two of them... Otherwise, they wouldn't dare see me naked. I'm already taken~!”

  “Yeah, sure, I don’t think they would st anyway,” she scoffed as a reply.

  “Ahaha, don’t be shy~!”

  “Tsk, mini-bitch." She chuckled, "How's the thing with the boytoy, anyway? Did you break him in already?”

  “Nope. I’m still a virgin!" She moaned, disappointed, "We didn’t have the time, and Mom would always somehow interrupt us if things got steamy. But... Maybe soon!”

  “Hah, I thought you already ruined the Prince, yet not? Weak.”

  “Not the ck of trying, mind you!" Ren pouted, "Still, that's what I like about him; he has his principles, ahaha~! Even if I try to taint him. Buuut... Now it’s your turn! How’s the thing between you and Zern?” Ren asked as she watched her, ready to hear the greatest gossip of the year.

  “What thing?” Isha flinched, raising her red eyebrows.

  “Don’t py dumb! I see you sometimes exchange gnces with him. Cute~!”

  “I really don’t know... He is a good friend, but... “

  “But?” Ren asked, sensing the seriousness in her voice.

  “Complicated. Boss and I… It’s…”

  “Haaahh…" Ren shrugged, "I know it’s hard to tell yourself what to feel. The brain can’t control the heart, but the heart can influence the brain. It’s a fucked up situation. I'm with you, Isha.”

  “Yes… it’s fucked.”

  Falling silent for a moment, both of them ughed at the same time, and from somewhere, Ren produced a jug of wine, gulping down a big one before passing it to Isha, who didn't even ask, just followed suit.

  “It will smooth itself out, don’t worry, Boobies,” Ren said as she sat down in her p, pcing her head between Isha’s ample bosom, using her as a pillow.

  “Call me one more time that, and I’ll drown you!”

  “Sure, sure… drown me between these flesh mounds, eh? But damn it!” Ren turned towards her, grabbing the white funbags and kneading them like dumplings. "Ugh... I'm so fucking jealous!"

  “Whatcha doin’?” Isha asked with snted eyes, wiping the wine off her lips after a second gulp.

  “Getting a feel." She snapped at her, turning even angrier, "Damn! You know what? Fuck you! These are so awesome, yet I am ft as a washing board!” she moaned her eyes watering, showing how frustrated she was, grabbing the wine jug from her, and taking multiple big gulps while the red wine droplets trickled down her lips, right into the water.

  “Bwahaha! True, you stayed a mini-bitch!” Isha ughed, grabbing back the jug from her hands before she emptied it, pouring it into her mouth now.

  “Hmf! What’s the secret?" Ren moaned, spping her boobs, "How did they get this big? Is it milk? I drink every day, yet nothing. Hell, I told Leinor a hundred times when we are snuggling and kissing to massage them, but nothing happens! They. Won’t. Fucking. Grow!”

  “Sorry, girl, you drew the short stick at birth!”

  “Hmf! Just wait!" She puffed out her chest, which was indeed pretty much... ft. Maybe just a bit of plumpness beginning to grow there. "I’ll reach the demigod level and reform my body! I’ll have a chest that LeiLei will be happy to lie in between every night!”

  “Achoo!” Leinor sneezed back at the campfire while the group was grilling their dinner.

  “Someone talks about you behind your back, Prince.” Poli ughed, watching him with one eye.

  “Probably Master and Isha,” Zern added.

  “Or my allergies are acting up against bullshit.” Leinor looked up at the two with a smile.

  “Tell us, Prince,” Poli asked with a bit of a flushed face from the wine he had already sipped on, “When can I become the godfather of your Heir?”

  “You? Godfather?” Leinor raised his brows. “Sorry, but Zern is ahead of you on that list,” he said ftly, while Zern only had a small, happy smile, hearing it.

  “Ugh… I know I joined te, but still... We became good buddies, no? Come on, just make two kids then!”

  “Fuck off!” Leinor grunted as he sent a piece of meat to his mouth, “Stuff it. At least then, you are silent! God… when you drink, you change into a different person.”

  “Fourth Prince…”

  “Not you, too, Zern.” He muttered, looking at him.

  “Will I be the godfather? Really?”

  “Here. Eat.” Leinor avoided the topic as he stuffed his mouth with meat, too, not wanting to answer.

  “Ooooh, look, they are stuffing each other!” Isha giggled as the girls came back, now refreshed, wearing a slight blush on their faces or, in this case, a massive one, thanks to the wine, “Just as I expected from you, boytoy!”

  “Yeah, yeah, come up with something new already, will you?" Leinor waved her away, looking at Ren, "Come, dinner is ready, let’s eat, then do the usual rotation while sleeping.”

  “Oookay~!” Ren moaned, sitting down in his p and leaning backward. “Say, Leinor, which is better, small or big breasts?”

  As the question came out, everyone almost choked except Isha, who was already expecting it. She just ignored, taking some of the sizzling meat, gobbling it down, without bothering with the heat.

  “Ah… wh...why?”

  “Just tell me!” Ren pouted.

  “I don’t care." Leinor answered, seeing she was in a bad mood, "I’m in love with you, not because of your appearance but because of who you are.”

  “Mm… that doesn’t help…” Ren murmured.

  “I-it doesn’t?” Leinor flinched, blinking his eyes.

  “Don’t worry, with your affinity and my ingenuity, when we advance to the next realm, I’ll find a way to grow up properly, and you can enjoy my body to the fullest!” Ren promised him, "I will be your boobie dy!"

  “Bwahahahaha!” Isha ughed out, who couldn’t hold back anymore, spping her thighs. While doing so, the two other men in the group silently munched on their dinner, pretending not to be there while realizing where this was going.

  “How much did you drink?” Leinor furrowed his brow.

  “Wha-? One jug!”

  “Tsk.. you know you can’t handle it…" He grunted, realizing Ren was tipsy, "Haaaah… come, come… time to go to sleep!”

  “Wha- no! I’m still fresh. I just took a bath!" She protested, "You can feel me up now and enjoy my scent! Hey, let’s get on with it! LeiLei, come oooon~!” she moaned as she tried to push him down, but Leinor just patted her head, releasing his energies slowly, draining a slight excess from her, sending Ren into a pleasant dream.

  “Haahh… you know she can’t handle alcohol,” He grumbled, looking at Isha accusingly.

  “Yup, but she is funny while drunk, ahahaha!” She answered and kept ughing.

  “I’m going to tuck her in." He stood up, "After finishing, you start the first guard duty, Isha.”

  “Ugh… F-fine, fine... “ She moaned but still chuckled a little. “Idiots,” she murmured, but her eyes were filled with warmth because deep down, this was what she always dreamed about when, as a little girl, she huddled up in a dark alleyway. She always escaped to her imagination while watching other families go about their businesses, feeling all alone...