novelraw Chapter 159: Meeting Lizardmen
Chapter 159: Meeting Lizardmen
The forest clearing transformed into a surreal scene as seventy mid-quality corpses were enveloped in cocoon-like structures. Ophelia and Drakina stood silently, observing the process. The cocoons pulsated with a subtle energy, hinting at the transformation taking place within.
After some time, the cocoons began to crack and break open, revealing the newly formed wolf zombies. They emerged one by one, their movements initially slow but gaining purpose as they adjusted to their new existence.
Ophelia turned towards Drakina, a slight smirk on her face that conveyed both satisfaction and a hint of arrogance. "This is how it’s done," she explained, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. She gestured towards the new recruits, a proud display of their growing army.
Drakina, her face expressionless as ever, nodded in understanding. Her eyes, however, followed each new soldier with a keen interest, silently absorbing the summoning process.
Seeing Drakina’s grasp of the method, Ophelia then shifted her focus to the next task at hand. "Let’s go find other beings to become part of your army," she suggested, her tone now shifting to one of determination. She began to walk deeper into the forest, her steps confident and purposeful.
Drakina followed Ophelia, her posture upright and her movements fluid. Despite her silence, her presence was commanding, and her attention to the surroundings was evident. She was ready to take on the responsibility of building her own segment of the army.
Delving deeper into the dense forest, Ophelia and Drakina encountered a variety of beasts. They came across bears lumbering through the underbrush, boars rooting around in the dirt, and even tigers stealthily prowling through the shadows. The diversity of wildlife was impressive, yet none met their requirements.
At one point, they stumbled upon a group of treants, their large, wooden forms blending seamlessly with the forest. The treants, though formidable in appearance, were swiftly dealt with, yet they too failed to yield any high-quality corpses.
Ophelia, her expression calm and focused, analyzed each fallen creature with a critical eye. "We need higher quality corpses to summon a sergeant first," she remarked, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of frustration. "Only then can we build a strong army."
Drakina, silent as always, nodded in agreement. Her stoic face betrayed no emotion, but her keen gaze scanned the environment, assessing each potential target. Despite her lack of verbal communication, her understanding of the mission was clear.
As they continued their search, Ophelia’s steps were measured and deliberate, her eyes constantly surveying the surroundings for suitable creatures. She occasionally shared insights with Drakina, explaining the characteristics of high-quality corpses.
Drakina, in turn, followed closely, her presence imposing despite her silence. She observed each encounter, learning from Ophelia’s expertise in selecting the right kind of recruits for their growing army.
Hours passed as Ophelia and Drakina continued their search through the dense forest, yet they found no high-quality corpses suitable for summoning a sergeant. The frustration began to mount, especially for Ophelia. Her usually calm demeanor started showing signs of impatience.
With each new creature they encountered and defeated, Ophelia’s hope of finding what they needed diminished. Her movements became more abrupt, and her examination of the corpses more cursory. Finally, after another fruitless encounter, Ophelia couldn’t contain her frustration any longer.
"This is pointless!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with irritation. She kicked at a fallen branch, sending it flying through the air. "We’ve been at this for hours and nothing to show for it!"
Drakina, ever silent, watched Ophelia’s outburst with an unchanging expression. Her stoic face and calm posture provided a stark contrast to Ophelia’s growing vexation.
Taking a deep breath, Ophelia tried to regain her composure. "We need higher quality corpses, and all we find are these... these useless ones!" she vented, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.
Drakina, though silent, moved closer to Ophelia, her presence offering a silent form of support. She glanced around the forest, her eyes scanning for any sign of a creature that might meet their criteria.
Ophelia paced back and forth, her steps heavy with frustration. "We’re wasting time. We need to change our strategy or find a new hunting ground," she muttered, more to herself than to Drakina.
Drakina simply nodded in response, her demeanor unaltered by Ophelia’s tantrum. Despite her lack of words, her agreement with the need for a change in approach was evident.
Regaining some of her earlier calm, Ophelia stopped pacing and faced Drakina. "Let’s head deeper into the forest. Maybe we’ll have better luck there," she suggested, her tone now more composed but still carrying a hint of irritation.
As Ophelia and Drakina ventured deeper into the dense, shadowy heart of the forest, they encountered an unexpected sight. Before them was a large group of creatures, distinctly different from the typical forest fauna.
These beings walked upright with a grace and coordination that spoke of intelligence and organization. Their humanoid forms, blending seamlessly with the wilderness, suggested a deep connection with the forest.
Drakina, who usually maintained a mask of stoicism, showed a flicker of surprise. Her eyes, typically narrow and unreadable, widened slightly as she took in the sight.
The creatures’ bodies were covered in tough, glistening scales, glinting in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the treetops.
Their heads, crowned with a crest of spines, resembled those of lizards, giving them a primal, almost ancient appearance.
Ophelia, her curiosity piqued, stepped forward to get a better look. "Lizardmen," she murmured, her voice a mix of surprise and intrigue. She observed their movements and formation, noting their apparent structure and discipline.
Drakina, silent as always, watched the lizardmen intently. Her expression remained unchanged, but her focused gaze indicated a keen interest in these new beings. She thought that she finally found something so interesting.
The lizardmen, upon noticing Ophelia and Drakina, halted their march. Their eyes, reptilian and calculating, fixed on the two intruders. The leaders of the group stepped forward, their postures indicating readiness for either diplomacy or conflict.