Gnome Meets It

Troikin was hiding behind a tree and observing a strange being. At first glance, it looked like a human female. But he knew this wasn't the whole truth.

He had seen the humans that came before, they hunted his brethren, smoked them out from their tunnels, and slaughtered without regard to gender nor age.

He had returned from the western dungeon where he exchanged the metals his clansmen mined for food and tools.

It was rare for gnomes to leave the range of their tunnels. That's why the adventurers didn't check around too meticulously. A mistake that saved his life. He noticed the fire when he returned from his errand and watched how they killed the stragglers.

Part of him wanted to run out and help even if it meant his assured death. The other part told him he was lucky to remain unseen and only by surviving could he repay his clan.

The latter part triumphed. With a bleeding heart, he turned his back and ran. From there he traveled back to the western dungeon. He knew that they traded with the other clans of the region.

It took him more than a day to get there and when he did he was told the bitter news.

Everyone had experienced more than one extermination sweep. The humans liked to do this every few years. They would exterminate anyone they deemed a threat.

Thankfully they had never seriously pursued the weaker monsters before. Also, the forest clans had a defensive strategy. They stationed patrols that would warn the others of the incoming raids by telling the friendly dungeons, which served as a news relay.

This way they could evacuate in time and if necessary seek temporary shelter inside the dungeons.

It was never good to stay in a dungeon for extended periods. If one didn't have enough resistance, it would cause mutations and all kinds of odd phenomenons and worst case, make one a denizen of the dungeon.

But this time the warning system failed. The extermination was so thorough, few lucky stragglers like him survived the sweep. All the clans were wiped off the map!

Troikin couldn't imagine the manpower that would be needed to pull off such a feat. He heard rumors that a rank surpassing adventurer had been involved. No one wanted to believe it and its implications.

After he swallowed such devastating news and realized that there would be no friendly clan coming and taking him in, he simply left for his clan's territory. The sweep was over and it was unlikely that there would be another attack in a long time.

He needed time to think. What should he make of his life now that he lost everything!

Back in the present Troikin observed the suspicious being closely. Yes, it looked like a human female, her armor was in bad shape, she didn't have any visible weapons, and was alone. She had long, mint green hair a tall build, and looked to be a young adult.

Several things made Troikin suspicious and wary.

Firstly, it was talking to herself in an annoyed voice. Gesturing into the air as if an invisible person was situated directly in front of her.

Secondly, its skin was pale to an unnerving degree. It looked purplish white. Troikin had excellent sight and could even tell that its teeth were much sharper than they should have been. And its eyes were the scariest of all. They looked black at first glance, yet whenever it became excited during its speech they would glow red from within. The eyes of a true predator.

Thirdly, and most importantly Troikin could feel its presence through the earth with which he had a close connection. Despite not mastering earth magic, he had a close bond with it. His senses extended through it giving him an additional sixth sense. He was painfully aware that anything touched by its bare feet wailed in agony. The being was a vacuum, sucking the energy from its surroundings without lifting a single finger.

Troikin shuddered in fright. Dangerous! This thing was truly dangerous. The humans before were strong. Strong enough to kill his whole clan. This thing wouldn't simply kill, it would obliterate through a simple touch.

"You've been staring long enough, no? Am I that attractive?"

It started talking in a gentle tone and turned towards him displaying its two glistening rows of pointy teeth with what was supposed to be a warm smile.

The color drained from Troikins face. He was starting to approach a hue, similar to the being's skin tone.

"No need to be shy. You can come out of hiding little friend. I won't hurt you!"

It said and displayed its empty hands as though to support its statement of meaning no harm.

He could see the clumps of dried blood beneath its nails.

It was too late. He was caught. It would finish the job the humans didn't complete. He was dead. He wasn't foolish enough to believe that he could escape.

There was little choice, he revealed himself and made his way onto the clearing on trembling legs. One could hear his chattering teeth.

He could smell it when he reached the three-meter distance. It smelled of dried blood, death, and decay.

At this point, he was sure that he was facing a powerful undead. No living thing could exude its smell and aura.

+++ +++ +++

Riva had noticed the gnome as soon as he approached the clearing. Her sharpened senses easily picked up his smell. She was hungry enough to imagine hearing his rapid heartbeat.

He had long since noticed her but didn't run immediately. She pretended that she didn't notice him and continued her conversation with the system.

Gnomes are said to be pretty intelligent, maybe he can be talked with? She wondered to herself.

Finally, she called him and decided to wait for him to approach. She didn't want to scare him. Her worry proved unnecessary. There was no way anyone could misinterpret the gnome's body language. He was already shaking in his boots with fright.

Despite looking like he'd have a heart attack at any second the gnome followed her words and approached her slowly. His face saying, that he thought he was walking into death's embrace.

Maybe he's this scared of me because he saw the humans kill his family? She guessed.

"Don't worry. I'm not like those awful adventurers!" The gnome grimaced at her words.

Her guess must have been spot on.

"I won't kill you, I promise!" Riva tried calming him a bit but she saw his disbelief written all over his frightened face.

She mustered him from top to bottom.

"From your actions, I gather that you do understand me. Are you unable to speak yourself?"

"N-n-n-n-o, m-m-m-mistr-res-s-s I c-c-can t-t-t-talk!" he answered her fighting his chattering teeth.

Riva frowned at the stuttering gnome. His stuttering was worse than a grade-schooler's with social anxiety disorder on his first day at school.

The gnome misinterpreted her frown as him having done something to displease him and began to bow in apology "I-I-I'm so-so-so-sorry! I w-w-w-will d-d-do a-a-anything!"

Riva paused. Her human part didn't want to take advantage of the small guy. The gnome was more intelligent than she could have predicted. He had thoughts and feelings…

Then there was her inhuman part. To it, the best option was eating the guy directly. He looked delicious. So much life energy in such as small body! He was sure to taste great. She salivated at the thought.

Riva shook her head and tightened her 'Self Control'.

No, I came here to test my new 'Taming' skill and that's what I'll do!