LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Abnormal Zur’Ibex Wilding
Above them, perched on a rocky ledge, members of the Zur’Ibex clan watched Lyerin and Corora below with growing panic.

The scene unfolding before them was not what they had planned. Instead of recruiting wild ibexes to strengthen their clan and the entire Devil Horned Tribe, they were witnessing a massacre.

The wild peak creature, Lyerin, had decimated the potential recruits, all for a human female goat.

The clan members began to murmur amongst themselves, their voices filled with confusion and frustration.

“What happened down there?” one of the male Zur’Ibex whispered urgently.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” another replied, shaking his head. “Why would a wild peak creature be so protective over a human female goat?”

“She must have done something,” a third interjected. “There’s no other explanation. Maybe she cast some kind of spell or enchantment on him.”

They all nodded in agreement, the thought spreading among them like wildfire. The idea that the human goat had bewitched the wild creature seemed the only plausible explanation.

“Should we kill her?” one asked, his voice tinged with fear.

“Or take her?” another suggested, equally uncertain.

“But the magic of our shaman is still below,” a senior clan member reminded them. “If we go down, we might get affected too. We can’t risk it.”

The conversation continued, each member voicing their thoughts and concerns.

“Our goal was to use these human girls, turned into female goats by our curses, as breeding creatures,” one of the leaders explained. “After being entered by a lot of wild ibexes, we would take the children and kill the human girls. That’s their only use.”

“But now, with that wild ibex being so overprotective and killing all our potential recruits, we don’t know what to do,” another added, frustration evident in his tone.

“This is a terrifying and powerful prospect,” a young member noted. “If we kill the wild one too, it could cause even more problems.”

As they debated, their voices growing more urgent, a group of female Zur’Ibexes appeared.

They were a striking sight, with the upper halves of their bodies resembling human girls from their faces down to their shoulders, and the rest of their forms taking on the muscular, powerful appearance of ibexes.

Some had shimmering white fur, while others had jet-black coats, but all were undeniably gorgeous and imposing.

“What is happening here?” one of the female Zur’Ibexes asked, her voice both commanding and curious.

The male Zur’Ibexes quickly explained the situation, detailing the wild creature’s unexpected behavior and the protective nature it exhibited towards the human female goat. They spoke of their goals, the use of human girls turned into female goats for breeding, and the complications now arising from Lyerin’s actions.

The female Zur’Ibexes listened intently, their eyes narrowing in thought. They exchanged glances, silently communicating their thoughts before one of them spoke up.

“This wild ibex could be a powerful ally if we manage to control it,” she mused. “But if it continues to be a problem, it must be dealt with. We can’t let it jeopardize our plans.”

“But how do we control it?” another asked. “It’s already proven to be unpredictable and dangerous.”

The first female Zur’Ibex smiled, a sly expression crossing her face. “I have an idea. Let me go down and check on the situation. Perhaps I can find a way to handle this.”

Without waiting for a response, she began her descent. The male Zur’Ibexes watched in awe and apprehension as she made her way down to where Lyerin and Corora were.

Meanwhile, Lyerin, who had been focused on comforting Corora, asked softly, “What is your name?”

The female goat looked up at him, her eyes still red from crying. “Corora,” she whispered.

Lyerin nodded, a surprising tenderness in his gaze. “Corora,” he repeated, committing the name to memory. But then, his instincts flared, sensing a presence nearby. He turned his head sharply, eyes narrowing as he tried to pinpoint the source of the disturbance.

Almost immediately, his rage began to build again, a low growl rumbling in his chest. But before he could react, the presence vanished, and when he looked back down, Corora was no longer in his arms.

A cold dread filled him. “Who dares to take my possession?” he roared, his voice echoing through the canyon.

He scanned the surroundings, his rage mounting with every passing second. Whoever had taken Corora would pay dearly. His protective instincts were in overdrive, and he would stop at nothing to get her back.

Lyerin’s monstrous form tensed, his muscles coiling as his eyes widened in rage. He spun around to face the snatcher of his possession.

Before him stood a striking figure—an Ibex female with a human upper body. Her face was sharp and angular, with high cheekbones and eyes that gleamed with a predatory intelligence. Her skin was pale, almost translucent under the moonlight, and her long, silvery hair flowed down her back. Her lower half, that of a powerful ibex, was covered in a sleek coat of white fur, and her hooves struck the ground with a menacing thud.

“Hmmm… I can’t see any abnormality. She is not even a Mana Shaman yet. I can’t even feel Mana from her, so it’s impossible that it was her who made him this way,” she mused aloud, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and disdain.

Lyerin, undeterred by her analysis, lunged at her with a roar, his claws extended and eyes burning with fury. But before he could reach her, she vanished, leaving only a whisper of air in her wake.

A sharp pain blossomed on his cheek, and he felt a trickle of warm liquid—his own blood to it.

“GURRAAAAAAA!!!” he bellowed, the sound reverberating through the canyon. “Give her back to me!!!”

In response, the snatcher reappeared, a mocking smile playing on her lips. With a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed Corora back into his arms.

The moment he felt Corora’s weight against him, his body softened, his monstrous rage ebbing away into a protective embrace.

The snatcher dipped a finger into the blood on Lyerin’s cheek, bringing it to her lips. She tasted it, her eyes widening in surprise. “He is so young, only around fifteen years of age,” she murmured.

To the Ibexes, the age of Wilding was crucial. For an animal Ibex to become a Wilding Ibex capable of manipulating Mana, it needed to live at least seven years, and reaching the first cycle in rank seven could take up to thirty years.

The fact that Lyerin was so young yet so powerful was astonishing.

Her revelation sent a ripple of excitement through the other females watching from above. “For real!?” one of them exclaimed.

“We want to see!” another cried.

“Let us check too!” a third demanded.

Several female Ibexes began descending from their perches, their movements graceful and swift. Each one was as stunning as the first, with variations in fur color and features that only added to their otherworldly beauty. Lyerin, on high alert, tightened his hold on Corora, ready to defend her against this new onslaught.

The female Ibexes encircled him, their eyes gleaming with interest. They spoke among themselves in hushed tones, their conversation filled with curiosity and intrigue.

“Look at his muscles,” one remarked, her gaze tracing the lines of Lyerin’s powerful frame.

“And his eyes,” another added. “Such intensity. It’s as if he’s more than just a Wilding.”

“He’s a prodigy,” a third concluded. “To reach this level at such a young age… incredible.”

Lyerin watched them warily, his senses on edge. He could feel Corora trembling slightly in his arms, her fear mingling with his own protective instincts.

The snatcher who had initially confronted him stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. “This changes everything,” she said to her companions. “If he truly is this powerful, we need to reconsider our approach.”

“What do you mean?” one of the others asked.

“We need to find a way to harness his power, not just for our clan but for the entire Devil Horned Tribe,” she replied. “Imagine what we could achieve with him on our side.”

“But how do we do that?” another queried. “He seems more interested in protecting the human girl than in joining us.”

“We’ll have to be careful,” the snatcher said. “Approach him slowly, gain his trust. If we can show him that we’re not a threat, he might be willing to cooperate.”

The conversation continued, each female Ibex adding their thoughts and strategies to the mix. They discussed ways to integrate Lyerin into their clan, the potential benefits and risks, and the importance of his unique abilities. Their voices rose and fell in a harmonious dialogue, filled with both excitement and caution.

As they spoke, Lyerin’s mind raced. He could sense their intentions, their desire to use him for their own gain. But his priority was clear—protect Corora at all costs. He glanced down at her, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope. He had to stay strong, for both their sakes.

The female Ibexes continued to study him, their gazes like those of scientists observing a rare specimen.

They marveled at his youth, his strength, and the sheer potential that radiated from him. To them, he was a rare find, a creature of immense value.

Especially, right now, with the Snow Leopard Tribe and Hundred Bison Tribe hunting them.

Suddenly, the leading female would flick her finger, suddenly, Lyerin felt a sting on his forehead and his vision turned black.