LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Lyerin stood in the shadows of the abandoned animal adoption center, his gaze fixed on the twenty creatures before him.

They were once eldritch horses, grotesque and terrifying in their primal form. Now, they had undergone a nightmarish transformation, standing on two hooves like twisted mockeries of human beings.

Their bodies were a blend of horse and something far more sinister. Muscles rippled under the thick, sinewy flesh that covered them.

Their once equine heads had elongated into something vaguely humanoid, but with a grotesque flair—their faces were stretched, the skin pulled tight over sharp, jagged bones that jutted out in places.

"This is a little satisfying, but incredibly ugly to look at," Lyerin mumbled.

Their manes, once flowing like a horse's, now writhed like a mass of black, wriggling tentacles.

The mane extended down their spines, merging with the tails that also undulated as if alive, each strand a dark, twisted appendage.

Their eyes, which had once been pools of pure black, were now slitted and glowing a deep, menacing red. The elongated, crimson orbs seemed to burn with a malevolent hunger, scanning the room as if seeking something to destroy.

The creatures' arms, which had once ended in hooves, had now split into terrifying sets of claws. Each hand bore long, sharp talons that could tear through flesh and bone with ease.

Their torsos were broad and muscular, covered in a dark, almost leathery hide that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

As they stood there, their breaths came out in ragged, animalistic snorts, the air around them thick with the scent of blood and decay.

Lyerin felt a sense of grim satisfaction as he observed them.

"Doesn't matter," he whispered.

Normally, controlling such beings would be impossible, their minds too wild, too chaotic to be tamed. But Lyerin was no ordinary being. His taming skill, one he had painstakingly—I mean easily leveled up in the ruined magical world last time before that damned Victor part allowed him to dominate these creatures with a mere thought.

"Go," Lyerin commanded, his voice low and resonant, echoing through the decrepit building. "Rampage. Attack anything you see, but leave the humans unharmed."

The creatures responded instantly, their bodies tensing as if ready to spring.

With a collective thud, they dashed past Lyerin, their hooves pounding the concrete floor with terrifying speed and power.

The walls seemed to tremble as they surged toward the exit, their eyes glowing with anticipation of the carnage to come.

As the last of the eldritch horses disappeared into the darkness, Lyerin took a deep breath, steadying himself. His work was far from over. He turned and made his way deeper into the sanctuary, heading toward a room where he knew the girls were waiting.

They were the ones he had rescued, the ones who now looked to him for protection and guidance.

Corora, Cornelia, Maria, Elena, Sophia, Lydia, Fiona, Emily, and Natalie—they had been through so much already, but the worst was yet to come.

However, as they were about to become members, he knew they could deal with it.

Lyerin pushed open the door, and the girls looked up at him, their eyes wide with fear and curiosity. They had heard the noises, the unsettling sounds of the eldritch creatures moving about.

They had sensed the tension in the air, the shift in the atmosphere that signaled something terrible was on the horizon.

"Lyerin," Corora began, her voice trembling slightly, "What's happening? What were those noises?"

"Yeah," Maria chimed in, her eyes filled with worry. "It sounded like... like monsters."

Lyerin met their gazes, his expression calm and composed, though his mind was racing. He couldn't tell them the full truth, not yet. But he couldn't lie to them entirely either. "It's dangerous outside," he said, his voice steady. "More dangerous than you can imagine. I need you all to prepare, because something is going to happen soon, and we need to be ready for it."

The girls exchanged nervous glances, their anxiety palpable. Elena stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean, sir Lyerin? What's going to happen?"

"The city," Lyerin began, choosing his words carefully, "is about to become a battlefield. A terrifying one. I've seen things, things that you wouldn't believe, and I can tell you this—staying here is our best chance of survival. We need to fortify this place, make it as safe as possible."

Sophia, her voice shaky, asked, "Why not leave? We could find somewhere safer, couldn't we?"

Lyerin shook his head. "It's not that simple. There are humans out there, humans who weren't here just a few days ago. Someone is making sure that we can't leave, that no one can leave. We're being watched, and if we try to escape, we'll be caught in something far worse."

The girls' faces drained of color, fear now fully taking hold.

They bombarded him with questions, their voices overlapping as they tried to make sense of what he was saying. But Lyerin held up a hand, silencing them.

"Listen," he said firmly. "We don't have much time. I need you to gather as much dishwashing liquid or powdered cleaner as you can find. Spread it at the doors, the windows, anywhere there's an opening. We need to make sure nothing gets in."

Emily frowned, confused. "Dishwashing liquid? How will that help?"

"It's not just soap," Lyerin explained. "It's a barrier. It would stop a creature from coming in, they are very dangerous but fortunately, the hated cleanliness and chemicals that are used creating dishwashing liquids and cleaning powders "

Cornelia nodded, her mind working quickly. "We have plenty, but I'm not sure it'll be enough."

Lyerin paused, calculating. "How many hours do you think it will last?"

"Maybe half a day," Lydia answered, her voice uncertain.

Lyerin nodded slowly, considering his options. "That should be enough for now. I'll try to find more, but until then, do what you can. Lock the doors, secure the windows, and don't let anything inside. Understand?"

The girls nodded in unison, with their fear giving way to determination.

They had been through too much to falter now. If Lyerin said this was what needed to be done, they would do it without question.

As they began to move, gathering supplies and setting to work, Lyerin turned and made his way back to the street.

The air outside was cold, the night alive with distant sounds of destruction—the work of the eldritch horses he had unleashed. He knew the time was drawing near, the moment when he would have to face the true horrors that awaited.

"It's time to level myself up," Lyerin muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he set his sights on the path ahead.

The city would soon be drenched in blood and chaos, but he would rise above it, stronger than ever. He would ensure that he and those under his care survived, no matter the cost.

"I hope they'll be fine while I'm gone for a while," he muttered.

With one last glance at the sanctuary, Lyerin disappeared into the shadows, his mind focused on the trials to come.

The city was about to turn into a battlefield, and he was ready to fight.

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