But now, Lucas did something crazy with the [Viper Fangs] lately and while he didn't give me exact details of what happened, I can tell from the guild members' faces while I was passing by that he managed to attract a lot of hostility from them. Thank god he let us know about his disappearance from the gamer's eyes for a while, but it seems like their mental bounty on him won't be disappearing very soon. Just how much were you willing to hurt him over his in-game actions, David?
"Hey, did you hear about the [Viper Fangs]?"
Huh? I was organizing my inventory after purchasing some consumables when I heard two players talking nearby. I didn't expect them to be on the public rumor sphere already.
"Yeah. I heard they not only failed their latest [Dungeon Run], but they also lost a lot of high-level equipment including the crafted weapons and rewards from their past runs."
"I also heard that one of their supporters betrayed them because of the dungeon loot."
Wait, what?!
"They might have turned greedy and might have stabbed them in the back. I also heard they had the gall to stab the rising gal's back for it!"
I have a feeling they're talking about Lowry. And judging by their conversation, Savior must have already twisted the story from the vague details we knew so far. Lowry hasn't been showing his face in [Isekai] lately and now, everyone in
"At least they managed to get back up after two weeks. I saw some of the members and new faces heading out and declaring, "They will restore the [Viper Fangs'] good name once they get their new equipment and a few scouts into the dungeon!" I didn't see their guild leader, though."
"Makes sense since he lost most of his equipment when we saw him after the incident. Let's give them time and see if they get back to the top. Their guild leader is vying for the top rank in [Isekai] after all."
So they're heading back to the very dungeon Lowry went missing, eh? Damn, I wish I knew where he is or where the guild is going right now. Then I might find out the truth behind those nasty rumors and clear his name at the same time. Besides, some [Dungeons] act as [Instance Dungeon], so there's no way I can access it if I try to follow their party. I hate it when I feel useless. I really want to help him, both in [Isekai] and in real life. However, he kept insisting he had to do it on his own. I get he didn't want to rely on me all the time, but I feel like he's getting selfish with all of his burdens. Out of all of us, I'm basically the useless player and friend to Lucas.
Damn... What a pain...
[Well, this is a problem...]
Huh? That doesn't sound like one of the players.
I turned around and saw a black-haired man in leather armor with a blue crystal hovering above his head. I didn't expect any NPCs to talk aloud around town until now. Judging by how he's looking at other players with worry on his face, I'm guessing he has a [Quest] waiting for them to take. Oh well... Since I can't do anything at this point, I should start playing the game rather than worrying about those zealots.
Besides, it's not like Lowry is in pain right now.
Argh... My head...
I'm trying to lay down to rest my head for a while, but my head is so much in pain that I have to take deep breaths and try not to stress out over random thoughts. Although, it's not like I can think clearly with the huge migraine and chills in my body. Is it possible for me to go on [Sleep Mode] for a while and rest my head on my RL bed?
Figures... Should I log out then?
I rather not. At least I made the right decision to do my bedtime preparations before I logged in.
Awooo...
God... The howls are getting more louder. I feel like I'm losing my sanity hearing them over and over again. But at the same time, I felt like I wanted to join them. At this point, I couldn't resist it any longer.
But then, I looked up and my jaw dropped at something shimmering above me.
It was a full moon, shining in the night sky as the clouds parted.
Damn... This is a shocking turn of events.
One moment, I was buying some items on the NPC's behalf as part of the [Hidden Quest]. And right now, I'm standing in front of the entrance of a forest [Dungeon] spying on the [Viper Fangs] party alongside him as part of the second one.
I only accepted this [Quest] because I was bored. Not only do I get a [Hidden Quest], but this one lets me enter the very same [Dungeon] Sein and his goons are planning to run through soon. That's a huge coincidence. However, what I didn't expect is the kind of [Hidden Quest] I'm going to take after the first one.
"So you're saying that those adventurers are attempting an illegal entry into your village inside the
[I'm afraid so. I'm sorry I had to ask this impossible task after you selflessly bought some wood planks,] Fenrir said.
"No problem. But how do you know about them trying to enter the forest? Do you recognize them?"
[Not exactly. But lately, there have been several attempts through the forest by several adventurers. I doubt they were aiming for our hidden village.]
Knowing Savior and [Viper Fang], their only aim is power and riches in the game. Raiding an NPC village is beyond them.
"I have to ask. Is the
[It's a bit complicated, but I know it wasn't labeled as one. Besides, I thought the [Adventurer's Guild] and those [Insignis] sages already saw the forest as a haven for both our village and monsters living there.]
So does it mean it wasn't supposed to be a [Dungeon] at all? Something isn't right about this. But if that's the case...
"Then I need to know one more thing. Do you know of an adventurer named
Mentioning another player to an NPC can be a mixed bag when it comes to their AI and [Quests]. Normally, you can answer their questions or inquire them through pre-set suggestions and questions provided by the game. But in most cases, there's a rare chance a rare event will occur if you mention a specific player in mind. Most of the time, it will only result in a confused response from the NPC. However, there is a chance Lowell might be inside the forest after the incident. It might explain the "disappearance" he mentioned. But despite that possibility, I doubt that would be pos-
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
[Lowry? Do you know that lanky [Insignis] adventurer? The kid who wields a dagger and old adventurer's clothes?]
My eyes widened once I heard that familiar description. "You know him?! He said something about being swept up and we're not supposed to know until the time is right! Where is he?!"
[Well...]
Suddenly, I heard the howl from the distance. When I turned around, I saw that the party disappeared inside the so-called [Dungeon] and the clouds parted to reveal a full moon. I heard there are benefits for some [Races] during the full moon. But I doubt it affects me and L-
[This is bad.]
Huh? I looked at Fenrir and noticed his expression turned grim. But just as I ask him, my eyes widen to see his beard and hair growing longer and messier. His yellow eyes seem to be glowing and his teeth turn into fangs.
"U-Uh... Sir... Your teeth..."
[Lyco, right?]
I stopped when he mentioned me. "Uh... Yeah...?"
[I might be breaking your promise or deal with him, but I can't stop it now and I need this to get to those adventurers and your friend fast.]
"Need...what?" Before I knew it, Fenrir suddenly grabbed me like a bag. "Hey! What are you doing?!"
[I'll tell you along the way. Hang on! Cause this is gonna get bumpy!]
That's all he can say before he starts charging into the dungeon. He was so fast that I was trying not to bite my tongue while screaming my head off.
I have no idea what I got myself into, but you better be okay, Lowry!
God, the full moon is beautiful tonight. I can't keep my eyes off of its silver disk shining upon me.
Awwwooo...
And the howls make it more entrancing... It's so...so...
CRACK!
Ugh...
Crap! I realized too late that it's starting! I can hear some of the bones inside cracking. My body is starting to change!
Dammit! I thought I already lowered the pain threshold for this. Don't tell me whatever I adjusted doesn't count for this event?!
CRACK!
Ack! I feel another sharp pain in my hands as I kneel on the ground. I look down and I gasp to see my fingernails start to grow and sharpen. I slowly raised my right hand to take a closer look.
Claws... I now have claws... It's still painful, but I'm in awe to experience something so alien changing in my body.
CRACK!
Gah! My mouth! Something must have changed after my claws. Mirror... I need a mirror!
Wait, I recalled there's a pond nearby. I quickly rushed there and my jaw dropped to see the next changes happening to me.
I see some of my front teeth grow like my claws, forming fangs inside my mouth. But that's not the reason behind my jaw drop. My eyes have also changed from pale blue to golden yellow and my hair is slowly turning silver as it started to grow longer beyond my initial appearance. I also felt a pinch in both of my ears and saw they started to change into a triangular shape similar to an elf's ears.
No way... I was expecting some kind of a transformation cutscene not like Cloudtwin's werewolf. But I didn't expect how realistic they're going to portray in [Isekai]. Man, I've underestimated this game! If it reaches into the rest of my body, I don't know how to endure this!
PING!
Huh?! A notification at a time like this?!
Oh, I see... I guess the devs think about this in advance. Well... It's not like enduring this simulated pain any longer. No well-minded player can endure it for a whole hour. I need to bail and...
Bail...
Why am I starting to think about running away right now? Of course, it's too much for my mind to bear.
No, I'm making excuses again. What's the point of changing myself if I go back to my old habits?
I will not go back on my word. I will not become a coward again. If it means dealing with the pain I cannot endure in real life, then I will gladly take the risk!
Damn right, I will. Now that I think about it, this must be the part of the full moon Lawrence was talking about. If that's the case, it would be too boring for me to skip cutscenes.
CRACK!
ARGH! Now it's crawling down in my body! I feel like my spine and chest breaking into pieces! I also feel something itchy around me. I looked at my arms and noticed silver fur growing in patches including on the back of my hands. After that, I couldn't breathe as I watched my chest expand and the muscles in it along my arms. They grew so much that my shirt started to rip away. If that wasn't enough to make me scream, the whole process is too painful for me to bear any longer!
No, I need to accept it! Just resisting the change will make it worse for me. That's what Fenrir warned me earlier. If I do, then I will break my promise to my inner wolf. All I have to do is let the transformation continue. Looking at my stomach, I noticed it flattened and swelled like an ironing board. And my arms... They're a bit longer than before as I gently poke at my newfound biceps. I can also feel itchier around my chest as fur continue to spread and became more thicker when I felt through it. It was already too hot and hard to breathe with my body growing, so I had to rip out my shirt with my claws.
C-CRACK!
Ugh... It looks like the change has spread into my lower body. At the same time, my head is throbbing in pain. It's so unbearable, I can't think straight! I look at my feet as I hear more cracks from it. Claws begin to form on my toes as they burst out from my shoes. I tried to stand up, but I fell back on my knees as my feet started to grow and my heels shifted up to my legs. I groaned as I heard more bones crack from this change. But for some reason, standing on fours makes it...comfortable...
With my feet now resembling a canine's hind legs, I feel like standing on two makes it more difficult to walk and run for long periods. I also noticed the palms of my hands started to swell red. When I touched it, it became rubbery. My fingers also started to lengthen as they started to turn black, yet it wasn't as painful as before. In fact, I'm starting to adjust to these changes much faster than I thought.
As I started to chuckle, I realized that my voice had changed. It grew deeper and I could hear growls whenever I breathed.
"W-Whoa... Sca... Ack! Ragh!"
It looks like my speech is also affected by the changes. I can't speak normally at this rate. Then again, why do I need to talk like a normal human right now?
"Raaagh!!!"
That feels much better. I don't know why, but I like this better...
CRACK!
ARGH! Something is growing out of my back! The pain is back and it's too much! Let it out! Let it out!
R-RIP!!!
I turn around and see something furry moving beside me. I can move it... I can't believe it...
This is my tail. A tail! My tail!
I panted happily at this sight of change. The overwhelming strength flowing in my body... The howls echo through the full moon...
I want to join them!
I can feel it... My face is changing... My nose is changing into something wet and leather... My ears are stretching above my head... My mouth stretches out into a muzzle...
I want more! I want to test my newfound claws and fangs...
I stare at the silver disc above me...
I can't speak like a human anymore. But it doesn't matter anymore. I feel like my humanity is slipping... But I don't care...
All I can do now is howl.
I gasped as soon as I arrived at our destination. How the hell is this NPC still human?!
Normally in a [Dungeon Run], you have to clear floors to move forward to the last room, which may last an hour depending on the party size and level. But I'm still shell-shocked that we managed to arrive here in only 5 minutes! And by a werewolf NPC, no less!
Strangely enough, even when I try to catch my breath, he doesn't seem to try biting or attacking me for the duration of the travel. Rather, he only looked around at the [Treasure Room] and growled as if he was sighing in relief.
[Good. It seems like they haven't arrived at the shrine yet.]
"Shrine?" I repeated when I looked around the room. "But this looks more like a... Huh?"
Now that I take a closer look, it seems like it does resemble more like a makeshift shrine than a glamorous room of treasures like I saw in previous [Treasure Rooms]. Lowry mentioned something had gone wrong because of David and one of his lackeys mentioned he "sabotaged" their run.
"This is a dumb question, sir. But is there anything special happening this full moon?" I asked Fenrir. "Uh... Other than the whole werewolf transformation."
[It's [Lycanthrope]. And yes. This is normally when the spirits bless our village by taking our offerings. Most of them contain food, potions, and resources gathered by our small community.]
"If that's the case, is it possible it might also enhance them during the full moon?"
I can hear Fenrir growling under his breath. [Now that you've mentioned it, there are rare cases. But it's because the spirits tend to leave behind some items as a gift for our devotion.]
And I think I found the answer to my questions. "Sir, I still have no answers on how they thought this forest was a [Dungeon]. But I have an idea what they were after." I scanned around the room next and found several bushes and trees next to the door. "And I know how to get a jump on those jerks before they can get their grubby hands on the shrine offerings."
[I see. Well, tell me... How are we going to get the "jump on them"?]
I started to explain everything I planned enough to make him understand. It might not be perfect because I came up on the fly, but it's the best I got for a moment. We only have a few minutes until they arrive here, so we'll make it count.
While we're discussing my plan, I hear a howl from the distance. Normally, I would have been scared sh*tless hearing that.
But why do I have a feeling that something good is happening with it?