《I'm A Monster, A Harpy》Chapter 9 - Ants.
Advertisement
It's morning, the two have been trying to converse all day before heading to sleep, despite their bodies not understanding the language it helps to put at least noise behind the actions, Ariara mostly doing so hoping that she may get a skill or start to learn its language, or rather, his.
With a few stretches, the Harpy heads towards the maw of the cave from inside, looking out and being flashes by the morning light, a clear day to night difference between inside and outside... A few birds inhabit the forest, making chirping noises and pecking at trees or hard objects, just to spite her, she thinks.
The bunny steps out alongside the girl, seemingly going on ahead as Ariara looks around, her just letting him do so as he has already proven to be maybe even more capable than her "Maybe his skill is linked with instincts? Or a map? He did always track me down... Or it could be luck" Ariara monologues, still unsure.
As her uncertainty is blossoming something weird happens, in the clear daylight of morning a howl breaks out, not a strong one, or one with multiple wolves from what Ariara can tell... But why would wolves be howling with the sun out, Ariara asks herself, after all, wolves hunt at night... Back in her world, that is.
Deciding she's not willing to throw herself at yet another issue she decides to explore... In the direction opposite of where she thinks the howl was from, she's had enough problems as is searching for humans, looking for a hunting wolf sounds like more trouble than it's worth for its probably not many skills.
After a bit of traveling, carefully making signs on trees with small loads of the frost breath skill to remember where she's coming from, Ariara notices a lake of a circular shape, the river she so much followed starting from here while two rivers bring water onto the pool.
Advertisement
Sitting down and taking a drink however the Harpy is forced to jump back as she sees gruesome teeth staring back from the water, awaiting her taking a dive right into the awaiting maw or maws underneath, the poor reincarnated girl making a note of never going into the water under any circumstances.
With thirst out of the way, Ariara turns back to the forest to try to find some food, only to notice her way blocked, battle-ready grey ants the size of the Harpy preparing to assault her, more and more coming out of bushes as their numbers surpass multiple dozens, the Harpy gulping as she takes a step back, her choice being between struggling against all of these enemies or jumping in the water to be eaten by the fishes... Her wings starting to flap as she decides that neither were good options, using her Flight skill to take some height in the air, Frost Breath forming in her mouth as she spews out an attack towards the ants, she might as well since she doubts fishes can jump high out of water.
The first six or so ants stand no change, despite their size indicating a difference from the ants she's known up until now and these monsters they don't seem to favor ice, completely freezing over, as if absorbing the cold and not handling it well. Despite this more and more ants come out of bushes or the ground, explaining how they've sneaked up on her, after all ants her size aren't difficult to spot, especially for her Harpy Eyes skill.
With the first six ants frozen over the next ones climb on the ice, with no interest for their allies, using them as stools as they start to make a pile, more and more ants moving on each other to make a tower, Ariara panicking now a bit, flapping her wings faster and preparing another attack, the ants locking onto their target as they all synchronizing spit a substance the same color as the ants: grey, with dozens of it heading her way Ariara can only try to dodge a few as she's soon barraged with attacks, her poor regenerating left-wing especially hurting because of the already open wound, although healing.
Advertisement
The attack in Ariara's mouth disappears, instead, the cold of it moving to her body, making way for the Icy Protection Skill, the barrage slowing down because of the ant tower recharging and the protection stopping or, at the very least, negating some of the damage as the Harpy turns tail; this was not an enemy she could fight. In fact, these overwhelming first attacks were already making a dent in her hp bar, something she can feel without checking.
With the ants on one side of the shore Ariara starts flying towards the other side, after all taking the direct route above the lake should make for a swifter move than taking the route around. Looking back in fear the Harpy can see a few of the ants falling over from the tower, the frozen ones remaining there but the ones still grouped up around it starting to take the long route around the lake, not giving up so easily on their prey.
With land finally beneath her the Harpy collapses to the ground, still not used to landing, and definitely not used to landing while injured. Taking a look at her wings they're glowing with a gray aura, almost like burning but without the flame. The icy protection quickly runs out, her having used a dense type of it as to block attacks, but now her mana being mostly gone, her watching as waves of ant are rushing all around the lake in both directions, heading for her. The lake is kind of big, but their speed makes up for that fact, another clash being imminent, and her having none of the weapons to prepare for it.
As Ariara is forced to get up on her feet she is pushed back down from behind, a quick eep rushing out of her mouth as she sees who just pushed her to forcefully sit, four specimens around her size, armed with light leather armor and on their bodies different kinds of tattoos and marks of different colors, although mostly red.
What surprises her the most though is their race, the squad of Harpies preparing for combat, splitting on both sides "Come at us you brutes" One of them says, wearing what look to be little straps of clothing around her body, almost like a dancer "Don't worry, we've got the situation under control." Another says, comforting Ariara before stepping behind the dancer Harpy, a few feathers sticking out of both its wings and a determined look on all of them.
Advertisement
- In Serial43 Chapters
Progression Farmer
Midday Sunson had nothing left to lose. Every morning he awoke not knowing if he would survive to see sunset, and as the hellish conditions of a plantation whose scale surpassed imagination continually destroyed him more each day, he knew his life would soon come to an end. But everything changed when he stumbled upon a magic ring. A ring with the power to make plants grow faster. The ring gave him hope, and hope gave him the strength to endure. I will add another sentence or two here later but holy hell is writing descriptions hard.
8 195 - In Serial11 Chapters
Life: New Game +
I died and reincarnated. Or something like that. What would you do if you could live your life all over again? In a fantasy world. Tasked with an impossible quest. Having the worst possible luck. Life: New Game + here I come. On Hiatus
8 190 - In Serial46 Chapters
Pawns of God
Five Lines PitchJoin Mark in his fight against a God and change the game's destiny! Delve into a slow-paced story focused on the progression of the main party and the development of the world. Mark himself will be narrating his life inside the game, and to a much lesser extend outside. Guild building, economy, and strategy are the central pieces of the novel. Mark is not overpowered, he will have to build his own power through action-packed battles, trials, traumas, love, and death. Accompany him, the healer and the strategist, an agent of chaos, in the adventure of his life. Without further preamble, I will let Mark take the mic. SynopsisHi! My name is Mark. This is my story, my life as I live it day after day. I’m in my thirties, and there’s nothing I love more than playing online games. I’ve just joined the action on the newest VRMMO game, Pawns of God. An immersive experience you can play while sleeping. Of course, as a game that takes pride in its long development and technological advances, everything inside seems and feels real. Beware, this is not a game-turns-real story. I love my own world and I would detest being summoned into another one. If that ever happens, I’ll just quickly take my life and be done with it. I play with my friends, in a party of 5. We have taken several roles, but lately, I've come to love being a healer. It's my secret ambition to someday be the shotcaller. I am not overpowered. If there is any bug or exploit in the game, they are yet to be discovered. Anyhow, for a game of this scale, the company is pouring all of its resources into test servers, QA, and beta tests. I don’t expect to find any, so I’ll be playing the game just like any other person. I must say, though, I am easily distracted, as you will immediately notice once you start. I'm working on it, I promise to improve! I am no hero. Being in my 30s, my heart is too old for this shit. I wouldn’t mind being one, of course. Who hasn’t dreamt of it? Either way, I’m not doing any grand quest to save the world. Whatever the game throws to their users, I’ll be there to experience it. Most of my life, at least the interesting parts that I’ll be narrating, happen inside the game itself. Rarely, there will be some IRL (In Real Life) chapters. You’ll understand, however, that as a freelance software developer, there is not much I can entertain you with when outside the game. Did I say I love games? Well, I’m also a fan of LitRPG literature. You know, journeys of magic, relationships, personal development, items, skills, discovery… In the spirit of not overwhelming my public, I’ll condense each chapter into circa 1500 words. You might have noticed some tags over this story, let me elaborate. I like to swear. I’m not shy when it comes to cursing my enemies, friends, or even myself. When there’s blood, I tell it as I see it. And… it hurts to admit it, but I’m not a casanova. Of course, this doesn’t mean that I won’t ever find love. So, in case I do end up finding it, let’s keep my sexual options open. As for traumas, none yet, but the future is vast and unknown. Release Schedule The schedule is subject to change, particularly if enough readers end up loving it. All chapters are already written, thus there is enough freedom to modify them. Arc 1 * Chapters 1-14: Each released one day and an hour later than the previous. Starting with chapter 2 at 09:20 UTC+2 on day 1, and finishing at 21:20 UTC+2 on day 13. Elapsed: 2 weeks Total: 2 weeks * Chapters 15-30: Releases every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11:30 UTC+2. Elapsed: 5½ weeks Total: 7 weeks (1 month, 3½ weeks) * Chapters 31-49: Releases every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:30 UTC+2 Elapsed: 9½ weeks Total: 17 weeks (4 months, 1 week) All subsequent arcs will follow the same release schedule, 2/week. No hiatus will be done between arcs 1 and 2.
8 181 - In Serial30 Chapters
Phenomena the Basic Witch and the Unwritten Kingdom
After her previous adventures in Nightdream Academy, young witch-in-training, Phenomena Willow’s first semester has quieted down, but things are ready to heat up again on the eve of a chilly winter solstice. When gifts arrive for her and her friends, Mena’s eyes are drawn to one from her Auntie Grizabella, who had previously gone missing after a skirmish with the nefarious Anguish the Blood Siren. The gift is revealed to be an ancient book, unable to be opened by mortals. A voice cries from inside, calling from the depths of an “Unwritten Kingdom.” It tells Mena that a ghost writer has taken control of their book kingdom, throwing off the balance of the mortal world in the process. Mena and her friends are left stumped, but intent on solving the mystery that lies between the worlds. As their new semester begins, however, a new teacher is introduced into the fold—Ms. Loreena Cumberson. Stern, strict and a busybody who teaches Magic Home Economics with an iron fist, Cumberson is flabbergasted by the flamboyant antics of Gemini the headmaster and aims to combat him and the whole school with a league of concerned magical moms. Join Mena and her friends as they attempt to outwit Cumberson and unlock the secret world of the Unwritten Kingdom.
8 235 - In Serial60 Chapters
The Power of the Moon
What happens when Uchiha Madara finds out the true purpose of the Infinite Tsukuyomi? Uchiha Madara bumps into an interesting girl along the way and they may even end up sealing their fate.A Madara x Hyuga OC reading.#1 on clans, Nov 2020.
8 116 - In Serial189 Chapters
You/Katie Mcgrath and others Imagines
I'll be doing a series of imagines for celebrities or characters that you ask for. Let me know what you want it to be about and who. Also only doing f/f roles as I do not know how to write men. Most if them will be about Katie McGrath and her characters. Will be doing a second part of the book with more prompts.
8 145

