Her reaction is the only reaction that I can use to tell whatās happening. So, when the surrounding elves move to calm Ms. 8 down signaling my attempt to make her panic a little more. Anyway, since my position is already compromised, I decided to retreat a bit.
It seems like the noise I made was concerning for her but it seems like the other who canāt see me are remonstrating her.
(It seems like they need her detection ability for something since the elves are all armed. Theyāre probably looking for something invisible and formidable)
I tried to think for any monster that checks out the criteria, but nothing came to mind. In the first place thereās no such monster that could stand up against the elves nevertheless be considered tough as well. And if you put in the stealth ability then thereāsā¦ a monsterā¦ hereā¦
(Yeah, I fit the bill perfectly here)
So, does that mean they are here to take me down? But why? Donāt tell me they knew I was peeping? Donāt tell me they are wary of a peeping monster, thatās why they stay away from the river and sent in a subjugation team?
How can that be?
Ms. 8 keeps pointing at me with a surprised look on her face but the armed elves all seems to be pissed at her.
Man, shy beauty is really great, arenāt they?
I knew that I am not theyāre real target and all of my earlier hypothesis is nothing but fueled by leap of logics. Why do I know that I am not theyāre target? Thatās because most of the armed guards are always looking up. this meant that theyāre target is someone that could attack them from up high like a tree top, just like the snake from the other day.
I first thought it might be a Shadow Viper but thereās no elf who would fall behind against such opponent, thatās why I was sure that itās a different monster. For that reason, I was a little concerned about a monster that would require a subjugation team from the elves so I decided to watch them from a distance.
However, I made a blunder. Probably because I was a little overzealous that I broke Ms. 8ās concentration. I tried to appeal to her with my action while convincing her with my pep talk on my head.
Sadly, I canāt stay here forever. So, I break my mimicry and cut off my telescopic vision and move further away. This way she wonāt be able to hear my footstep and let her concentrate at her job.
While doing so I noticed something moving at the corner of my eyes but I could make out what it was.
(Stealth capability same as mine-this is quite alarming)
No wonder theyāre cautious. In addition, it moves so quietly. At least from my spot, I canāt hear a sound. Even Ms. 8 who seem to have auditory ability higher than any of the elves, and so are her companions.
The mysterious creature slowly creeps toward the elven party. I tried to make out the outline of the monster but it was moving too much and its stealth is perfect. I thought this monster have the same level of mimicry that I have but it seems that I was wrong. It seems like it has higher mimicry ability than me.
(Looks like they wonāt be able to stop the incoming surprise attack.)
Looking on how the elves behave; I think that thereās already casualty on the elvesā side.
I tried directing Ms. 8ās attention towards the monster but she failed to noticed it. I donāt know the mysterious creatureās range but I judge that this will definitely cause casualties. I was thinking of notifying them, but it would be more profitable for me to see how these elves would fare in the fight. So, I take a position where I could see them properly and watch what happens. If things go south, Iāll rescue Ms. 8 and let her escape, though Iām sure it would be useless since thereās a lot of armed elves here.
As expected, the first one to act was the mysterious creature. This made Ms. 8 aware of the monsterās location and naturally sent out a warning. But it was already too late ā an armed elf was entangled by something and soared through the air.
(Heh. I guess itās something close to that creature huh)
I donāt have much information about its ecology but Iām sure itās something resembling that, but I can now guess the mysterious creatureās characteristic and itās similar to those aquatic creatures. Though I am still not 100% sure if I am correct.
The elves tried shooting magic and arrows to save their comrade but it they failed on hitting its invisible body. The captured elf then suddenly disappeared ā that is, it was eaten by the mysterious creature.
The elves attack the spot where one of them disappeared but sadly, it didnāt do enough damage and one of them got captured. Then, one of the elves pulled out a sword and slashed it. The other one tried to save the captured elf but was killed after it strangled him causing him to vomit blood. After that the elves get eaten one by one without much of a fight.
(Huh?! What the heck are you doing?)
I canāt but become irritated and curse at them. Iāll praise for trying to protect Ms. 8 but their way of fighting is so bad.
Apparently, itās highly resistant to magic and the elves only knew how to fight with bows, sword and magic. While I was thinking of that the elvesā number was cut in half. It seems that the monster is the worst enemy of the elves who uses magic mainly and itās only a matter of time before Ms. 8 gets in to trouble.
[Seriously? An Imperial soldier coming to the rescue of an elf? How laughable]
I complained as I move to intercept the mysterious creature.
With Ms. 8 underwear in full view, I hit the invisible monster and dragged it down from the tree it was perching
(As expected, it really is a monster)
The creature showed itself, probably because its mimicry is useless on the opponent that is near it.
It looks like a mollusk with 8 tentacles ā an octopus like monster. The tentacles alone reached 10 meters long and itās rampaging trying to attack me.
For some reason Ms. 8 isnāt threatened by it and tried to grabbed it but the slime on its body didnāt allow it. As for me I grabbed it with my claw and bit through it. When it tried to escaped, Ms. 8 who was in the vicinity was thrown away.
Maybe because she failed to understand the situation, she is in. she tried flailing around but she heading towards me.
Immediately after that, my consciousness flew to a faraway place.
It was a pure white space.
A world of nothingness and in the center of it was me in my human form. Then suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder from behind. When I turned around there stood my father sporting his usual frivolous smile as he looks at me with a serious look.
He nodded and with a thumbs up and a smile disappears as I tried to reach to him and all was left was the words.
[Thatās great]
[ā¦dad]
As a soldier of an empire, I canāt help but think that I have might lost my mind, that I am aiding my enemies, the elves. But sadly, the empire had already ceased to exist. Dad might have appeared in front of me to free me from this yoke.
(B-because, you know this is 8ā¦ right?)
No, perhaps itās more than that, it might even thread the territory of a 9
[I should just be honest of myself]
I turned away from the spot my dad disappears and took forward to save her. I am no longer lost. My consciousness returned and filled with conviction.
(I feel like a character at some Shonen manga saying <Iām the one whoās going the defeat you!> and then save her)
I approached the main body of the octopus with a wry smile and look at it objectively. Thereās no way I can defeat it if I mainly focus on its tentacles. I then chewed on the flesh that was once part of its leg while being conscious of Ms. 8 who was clinging to my arms. The moment I spit out the slimy part and chew the flesh and swallow it, I was surprised.
(Wha- that taste good!)
There some suction cups attached to my body, but itās no threat to me at all. In fact, itās unfortunate for it because I have no intention to run away from it. And the more I think about it the more it looks like an ingredient to me.
(Change of plan, youāre going to be my meal)
I gently put down Ms. 8 and let her escape. With this I can now put my all in hunting this prey. I am now so excited about this new ingredient in front of me that I already forgotten the armed elves that gathered.
I donāt even think about what would happen if a greater threat emerged