Conquering Half-human Hybrids!
In the shadows of the thickening night, a figure darted through the darkness, moving with remarkable speed. The twilight hung heavily, creating an atmosphere that blurred the line between reality and the unknown. To an unsuspecting passerby, the figure might easily have been mistaken for a mere animal, lost in the obscurity of the woods.
As the shadow glided silently through the underbrush, the figure paused to catch his breath, glancing over his shoulder. The weight of the night pressed against him, but he felt a flicker of relief wash over him. "I think I lost them," he thought, easing his tense muscles.
He stepped lightly to the side, his movements betraying a deep familiarity with the terrain. After a moment's pause, he slipped into a hidden cave, the entrance barely discernible against the rocky facade.
Inside, a low voice echoed against the stone walls. "Marlo, what's going on?" The speaker was a woman, but her voice had a rough edge that hinted at toughness.
"I was discovered," Marlo replied, his tone low and serious, "but I managed to evade capture. This new gamekeeper is sharper than the last."
At his words, the dimly lit cave seemed to grow heavier with despair. Flickering torches cast wavering shadows across the rugged faces of the group gathered within. Their features, a blend of human and orcish traits, gave them a powerful, imposing presence. They stood tall and broad, embodying the strength of both races while lacking the extremes that defined them.
Worry etched their faces as they exchanged glances, their fate hanging in the balance.
Suddenly, soft footsteps broke the silence from behind. They were faint at first but grew more distinct, reverberating through the cave. The sound stood out sharply against the hushed atmosphere.
A moment later, Harry stepped into the cave, his silhouette framed by the dim torchlight. Instantly, the mood shifted; the faces of the assembled beings turned pale, eyes widening in shock.
"I never imagined there was a group of h hidden in the hunting ground under my jurisdiction," Harry remarked, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and resignation.
"Human? Impossible!" one of the hybrid exclaimed, disbelief thick in the air.
Harry held up a hand, signaling for calm. "I'm not here to fight. I want to understand." His gaze swept over the group, taking in their wary expressions. "Tell me your story."
The atmosphere was tense, but Harry's willingness to listen began to thaw the ice of fear that gripped them.
Marlo's face twisted in disbelief as he stared at Harry. "I thought I was... well, you know..."
"You thought you could just get rid of me, didn't you?" Harry replied, a smirk playing on his lips. His eyes glinted with amusement. "But if it weren't for my skills, how could you have slipped away at all?"
Despite Marlo's innate talents, which made him stronger than the average person, he was no match for Harry, who was a top apprentice on the cusp of knighthood. The difference in their abilities was stark. Harry knew that in a contest of speed and agility, an ordinary person like Marlo wouldn't stand a chance against someone with his training.
From the moment Harry had discovered Marlo in the shadows, the outcome had been decided. Their initial game of cat and mouse had been a mere prelude to this moment, and Harry had cleverly orchestrated it all, revealing their hiding place without exposing himself too much.
As he surveyed the cave, his gaze landed on a gathering of figures; half-human. These were not the pureblooded beasts of legend but hybrids, a blend of beast and human blood. They were often rejected by both their parent races, forced to band together in small tribes, and the ones before him were a clear example of that struggle.
Harry took in the sight: fewer than fifty in total, most of them women and children, with only a handful of strong warriors like Marlo. The realization hit him: their combat capabilities were minimal. In truth, he could likely take them all down himself if necessary.
"I see now," Harry mused, his tone turning serious. "I was beginning to wonder why food from the hunting grounds was disappearing so frequently, and why I kept stumbling across dead animals. So it's you lot that have been taking it."
The loss of provisions had puzzled him for some time. Initially, he had suspected corruption among his own ranks, brushing it off as a minor inconvenience. Now, he understood: these half-hybrid had been the culprits, hunting in the grounds and scavenging what they could.
Marlo's voice was heavy with concern as he responded, "We're just trying to survive. We can leave this place and find somewhere else to live, I swear it."
Harry shook his head, his expression hardening. "You think you can just come and go as you please? Nothing in this world is that simple."
The tension hung in the air, a palpable mix of uncertainty and resolve. Harry's mind raced with thoughts of what this meant for the hunting grounds, for his own standing, and for the precarious balance between their worlds. He had a choice to make, one that could alter the fate of both the half-hybrid and his own people.
Harry fixed his gaze on Marlo and strode confidently forward. He didn't draw his sword; instead, he moved with purpose, swiftly knocking down several half-human warriors who had surrounded him. The sheer force of his advance sent Marlo crashing to the ground, stunned by the unexpected ferocity.
The air in the cave crackled with tension as the rest of the orc tribe shifted uneasily, their faces a mix of fear and confusion. Just as they began to stir, Marlo struggled to his feet, waving his arms to calm them. Unlike the others, he had spent time in the world outside, and he understood the power of the man before him.
"Stop!" he called out, his voice hoarse but commanding. "We can't fight him. It's pointless!"
Realization dawned on the tribe as Marlo's warning sank in. They recognized that Harry's strength far surpassed anything they had encountered before. Resistance would only lead to their demise.
"I'll give you a way out," Harry said, his voice steady yet firm as he regarded Marlo. "Surrender to me and serve under my command. If you do, I will spare your lives this time."
Marlo's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and hope. "And what will you do for us?" he asked cautiously.
"In return for your loyalty, I will provide stability and food," Harry replied, a confident smile breaking across his face as he raised a hand in a gesture of peace.
The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, the hybrid stood in stunned silence. Then, as if moved by a collective understanding, they began to kneel one by one, submitting to Harry's offer.
Harry surveyed the scene, satisfaction flooding through him.
"Simulation Energy: 203," he read from the glimmering display before him, a broad smile forming. "So this is what it feels like to gain power."
Subduing this group of hybrid had not only secured their allegiance but had also yielded a significant increase in his Simulation Energy; a feat he hadn't anticipated. The last time he had gained such a boost was after defeating Calvo and Mutan.
He reflected on the nature of Simulation Energy in this realm. Unlike other worlds he had experienced, the Simulation Coin thrived in the Dawn World, making it relatively easy to gather energy. Yet, the amount each individual could provide was often minimal. Only elite figures like Mutan and Calvo could yield substantial feedback.
However, he realized that even ordinary individuals could contribute to his growth, especially when their numbers were considerable. The orc tribe's surrender was a prime example; it not only altered their fate but also provided him with a significant influx of energy.
"It seems I need to connect with larger organizations, or perhaps even build my own power base," Harry mused, his mind racing with possibilities. "If I can influence more people, the potential for growth is limitless."
With newfound determination, Harry looked over the kneeling hybrid, understanding that this was just the beginning of a much larger journey.