LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

The forest loomed around Lyerin, thick with the oppressive weight of the darkened skies.

The air hummed with tension as the sixty humanoid beasts circled him, their eyes glinting with a hunger that went beyond mere survival.

These were no ordinary creatures; they were massive, twisted versions of the animals they once were. Wild horses stood tall on muscular hind legs, their hooves stamping the ground in impatience.

The Yaks were bulky and imposing, their horns curling menacingly as they snorted clouds of steam into the cold air. Argali with their spiraling horns were lean and agile, ready to leap at a moment's notice, while the Elk and Reindeer, though appearing more majestic, had a fierce edge in their glowing red eyes.

Wapiti stood among them, their once-graceful antlers now sharpened to deadly points.

The creatures varied in size and shape—some were hulking and muscular, others wiry and agile, but all shared the same vicious intent as they closed in around him.

Lyerin felt the sweat bead on his forehead, but he kept his composure. He knew that one wrong move would mean his death.

The strength of each was close to the second cycle and there were plenty of them, there were even females among them too.

As he stood there, surrounded by these monstrous beings, his mind raced through the possibilities. He was in the fifth stage of the second cycle as a Mana warrior, but even that might not be enough to fend off so many powerful creatures.

Yet, Lyerin had something they didn't—knowledge and preparation.

Reaching into his magical ring, Lyerin pulled out a small bag, holding it tightly in his hand. He could feel the power radiating from it, the essence of what it contained.

"Here you go!" he said.

Slowly, deliberately, he tossed the bag in front of the creatures.

As it hit the ground, the fabric stored slightly, and an aromatic grass began to spread through the air, carried by the gentle breeze that whispered through the trees.

Thud!

The beasts froze, their nostrils flaring as they caught the scent.

Their red eyes flickered with confusion, then with an intensity Lyerin recognized all too well—desire.

But one bag was not enough. Lyerin threw another, and then another, each one landing in a different spot around him.

"Here, take them all!" "Here!" "Here!"

He said as he tossed the bags.

The creatures' attention shifted with every toss, their heads snapping toward the new scent. He continued, his movements precise, methodical, as he spread the aromatic grass throughout the clearing.

Sixteen bags in total, each one releasing a potent wave of the intoxicating aroma.

The creatures were becoming frantic now, their massive bodies shifting and jostling against each other as they sought out the source of the scent.

Their eyes, once filled with rage, were now glazed with hunger.

The change was subtle at first, but Lyerin could see it clearly.

They were no longer focused on him; their attention was entirely on the bags.

Lyerin allowed himself a small smile. "The tribe begins now!" he shouted into the air, his voice carrying through the clearing with a mix of triumph and challenge. "Be prepared, Borgias, and everyone else in the real world. My revenge is near!"

For two minutes, he watched as the beasts tore through the bags, their sharp claws and teeth ripping at the fabric, trying to get to the aromatic grass inside.

It was chaos—a blur of fur, hooves, and horns as they fought to claim their prize. But as much as they struggled, the bags remained sealed, the grass just out of reach.

A notification appeared in his vision, the familiar chime of the system ringing in his ears.

[ Ding!

[ You have completed the mission: 73/20 members have stayed for two minutes! ]

Lyerin chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "Too many? I like it that way," he murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Another notification followed.

[ Ding!

[ Would you like to level up your Stonehooves Tribe to level two? ]

Lyerin ignored the prompt, "I'll do that later, for now, I want control," he said, focusing instead on the second notification that appeared beside it.

[ Ding!

[ Level up taming? ]

Lyerin's thoughts began to murder. He knew the system well, knew that he could level up aspects of the tribe, but taming was his priority for now. "Level up taming," he commanded, his voice firm.

[ Ding!

[ Would you like to level up your taming to the new members of your Stonehooves Tribe? ]

"Of course," Lyerin replied without hesitation.

A new mission appeared.

[ Ding!

[ Mission: Feed each with stalks of aromatic mountain flowers! ]

Lyerin smirked. "So that's what it wants," he muttered, glancing at the creatures still clawing at the bags.

The flowers were still inside, untouched. He reached into his magical ring once more and pulled out a small device—a simple piece of enchanted stone that, when activated, would release the locks on the bags.

With a flick of his wrist, Lyerin shattered the stone, and instantly, the bags began to unravel.

The creatures, sensing the change, let out a collective roar of excitement as the first whiffs of the flowers reached them.

Graaaa! Murraaaa!! Yorraaaa!!

They dove at the bags with renewed ferocity and scream, tearing them open and devouring the contents with wild abandon.

Lyerin watched with satisfaction as the creatures gorged themselves. "There's no need to fight, there's plenty for everyone!" he called out, though he knew the beasts couldn't understand him.

It was more for his own amusement, a final taunt to the world that had wronged him.

Another notification appeared.

[ Ding!

[ You completed the mission and managed to level up your taming to level two for the new members of your Stonehooves Tribe!

[ Congratulations! ]

Lyerin's smile widened as another prompt materialized in front of him.

[ Ding!

[ Would you like to level up your taming to level three? ]

Without hesitation, Lyerin accepted the mission.

[ Ding!

[ Mission: Feed each with two stalks of aromatic mountain flowers! ]

The process repeated, each time requiring more flowers, more resources, but Lyerin was prepared.

With every level, the creatures became more docile, more loyal to him. He could see it in their eyes—the hunger was still there, but it was tempered with a new recognition, a new understanding.

They were becoming his tribe, bound to him by the power of the aromatic flowers and the taming skills he had honed over years of survival and struggle.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Lyerin reached the twelfth level of taming.

The system chimed again, offering him the chance to advance even further.

[ Ding!

[ Would you like to level up your taming to level 1 second stage? ]

Lyerin's heart pounded in his chest.

This was it—another step closer to his ultimate goal. He accepted the mission, anticipation thrumming through his bloody veins.

[ Ding!

[ Mission: Satisfy the thirst! ]