Monster Breeder

144. Return to the Human Plains! (R-18)

I’ve done all I can to set my girls up for success at this point. No, rather, I’m depending on them to win through again. None of the missions I’ve sent them on are too crazy, this time, so I shouldn’t worry. It’s tough not having Flou with me to report on their progress, though. Anything could be happening to them the moment I turn my back.

But I can’t dwell on risks and danger. We’ll keep moving because giving up isn’t an option!

Fortunately, I have an excellent distraction. I’m going home! Home, home, at last. I can’t wait!

I decide to run through Charlatan Forest instead of flying, my pace a steady jog. My intention is to see if I can spot any monsters on the way, but nothing so far. The Elder Tree must have summoned most of his loyalists to his side after the attack last night, for all the good it did him. The battle may have gone differently without Lucinia keeping all the other Treefolk ensorcelled. We really had the run of the place and every opportunity to lay into him with everything we had.

As for my running speed, turning on my Flamestalker afterburners to boost me along doesn’t seem like a good idea with all the flammables about. I’d rather not waste time stopping yet another forest fire. It’s fine; I’ll be at my Hometown’s gate within the hour.

I pass some evidence of Fruit Nymphs—oddly shaped or colored produce that doesn’t match the host plant’s species—but those growths could be days old. Nothing worth deviating from my trek South. Ordinarily, as the Charlatan Forest peters out into the Human Plains, there’d be a chance of encountering a Goblinoid or Canine, but the Ogre Fen and Kennel Hills seem to have withdrawn all their combatants in preparation for tomorrow. The calm before the storm.

Trees and thick undergrowth thin to bushes and grass, then meadowy fields interspersed with rocks. It’s a lovely day with a clear sky and a cool breeze. I’ve got some pep in my step as my Hometown comes into view—its high, wooden palisade not quite blocking the tops of buildings from view. Our ancestors built their homes atop the ruins of ancient humanity, after all, so there are even some modest high-rises. Birdsong tickles my ears, elevating my mood.

My heart skips a beat. Birdsong? As in, not a singing Harpy, but actual real-live tweeting? I’ve only heard recordings!

Despite the urgency and importance of my mission, I slow to a stop and quietly hunt around for the source of the twittering. There! Atop a rock perches a beautifully bright-red cardinal singing his heart out. He’s got his work cut out for him searching for a female!

I sigh deeply, touched to my core by the sight of natural wonder. Despite loving Harpies to death and back, I have to admit there’s something pure and marvelous about a simple avian animal. The way he hops about on that rock, stopping to peck at a random speck before continuing, has me enraptured. So cute! Isn’t nature marvelous? He tilts his head to the side, peering at the world around him from a new angle before releasing another piercing tweet.

And then something furry and spotted pounces.

I blink, and the cardinal is caught, gripped in the mouth of a… a Catgirl!?! Her pupils are dilated, her expression feral as she breaks the bird’s neck with her feline fangs, but beneath the flurry of red feathers I can tell she’s uncannily cute. She has cat ears, humanoid hands covered with fur, retractable claws, paws for feet, a ruff of fur around her neck and the tops of her shoulders, and a long, expressive tail. The girl is sporty with a lean, runner’s figure, hunched over her prey while reveling in the hunter’s high of a successful kill.

I want her!

When I step forward, her slitted eyes track my movement, and her fur stands on end as she takes in my insectoid wings, four arms, green scales, dimly glowing purple Dark magic lingerie, and Slime hair. She hisses, drops the bird (Catgirls hunt for the thrill even when they’re not hungry, which explains why they drove most non-monster avian species to extinction), and pauses as an idea seems to strike.

“Nya~” The Catgirl’s eyes go even bigger, making them seem to sparkle as she gives me a shy smile and beckons with one hand—her fingers curled in imitation of a paw. Her eyelashes flutter as she strikes a cutesy pose and, I swear, an honest-to-God Beast tiny glowing heart appears when she winks—the floating pink symbol drifting up several inches before fading from view.

TOO MUCH CUTENESS!

I clutch my chest as my heart spasms, the vital organ missing a beat. Despite wanting to approach and touch her, I’m paralyzed. Most of my brain just wants to stand there and ogle her while waiting for whatever next insanely cute thing she does. It’s only my fourth multitasking focus that mentally takes a step back and analyzes the situation.

“OwO, what’s this?” the Catgirl asks herself as she notices the bulge in my luminescent purple panties, her head tilting to the side, her ears flicking in an achingly adorable manner.

This effect isn’t natural. I’m being affected by a magical ability of some kind. A sort of overwhelming cuteness that incapacitates the victim. I could allow her to have her way with me but…

“Weird tattoos?” Her voice is impossibly entrancing. Not exactly musical in nature, but a certain otherworldly quality to it reminds me of…

Sirens. Mind Fuckery. Flou had to silence Canary last time to snap me out of it, but I’m alone. This isn’t good. What are the chances this Catgirl knows about Echidnas, or someone she associates with does? I’m on a mission today, too. I can’t let myself get distracted with sidequests—especially ones that could end in disaster.

Just as things are getting interesting, the Catgirl approaching to investigate either my tattoos, the bulge in my panties, or both, my better judgment finally takes the wheel. The Catgirl tenses the moment my arm stirs from the cuteness trance. Then her hackles rise, the fur on the back of her neck standing on end as I manipulate my tattoo menu. I shouldn’t be able to budge while ensorcelled, and she knows it.

*Selected Siren Voice!*

*Selected Siren Charm Resistance!*

My body relaxes. The tension of perpetual anticipation melts away as her cuteness doesn’t diminish, no illusion that, but its vice-grip on my mind slackens. The Catgirl hisses with frustration and makes a break for it. She did not want to fuck with me, it seems.

Well, too bad, because I want to fuck with her! Wait, no, that came out wrong, I want to make sweet, passionate love with her~

“I come in peace! Hey, I’m not going to hurt you!”

Another loud hiss and she covers her ears while fleeing. Oh, my voice has a Siren quality to it now! I have a developing feel for how much ‘power’ to put into my words, though it's not equal to Lucinia's ability without further mark upgrades.

But, wow, can this Catgirl move!

Plan B: I fish the prick from my panties, start stroking myself off, and a bead of precum leaks from my tip. The powerful Lure of this (former) human’s arousal has an instant effect. She comes to a dead halt, pivots, and locks eyes with my cock. I perform the mating ritual of my people—the so-called ‘Helicopter Dick!’—and she’s the one mesmerized this time.

The flighty Catgirl inches closer, curiosity what killed the cat, so they say, but stays just out of arm’s reach. “What’s your name? I’m Alex!” Nothing. “You’re a long way from the Dark Woods…” I try to encourage, putting a little more juice into my voice. We have some rudimentary knowledge about the Human Plain’s neighbors, such as that Neko and Ursa make their home in the forest to the South.

Unfortunately, that comment breaks the spell. Another angry hiss, ears covered, and she turns to bolt.

Alright, fine, Plan C it is!

I run after the Catgirl, a confident smile on my face that doesn’t waver even as I fall behind. Instead, I pour on the afterburners. Jets of flame erupt from my back, propelling me forward at impressive speeds, but the Catgirl continues to gain ground.

Hey, wait a minute, I have Flamestalker Speed and Suka’s other abilities equipped. How am I losing a footrace?

That’s when I finally notice the fur coloration of the Catgirl I encountered: tawny fur with black spots. Oh, shit, she’s a Cheetah!

Wings buzzing, I take to the air, but I think that makes me slower? My insectoid Bee wings and large body aren’t exactly optimized for aerodynamics. Suka’s Flamestalker Speed buff doesn’t seem to apply to the idea of ‘flight’ specifically. Hmm, what if I…? Flames explode in bursts from the soles of my feet. I double-jump toward the Cheetah girl, but she’s already fading from sight.

Fuck!

I’m left alone with my dick in my hand, as the expression goes. I tuck myself back into my lingerie and return to the ground. Hmph, that was disappointing. And what was a Catgirl doing skulking around the Human Plains anyway?

…Unless? Well, normally, the Human Plains don’t get much monster traffic on account of a lack of accessible prey. My ancestors moved all the Lambies and Calvies behind the town walls ages ago. That’s not to say we don’t get the occasional Ogre or Dire Wolf, as evidenced by my first day as a Tamer, but that was bad luck on my part. Those sightings are usually rare. However, hypothetically, if the Goblinoid and Canine patrols ceased for several days, such as what happens in the leadup to a war over control of the Region, why should I be surprised to see the neighbors snooping about?

That’s one of the ways an Incursion happens, after all.

When a nearby group or settlement of monsters notices an uncontested area with abundant resources, they move in. It just makes sense. Why fight an opposing army to expand when you can be opportunistic?

That's when it hits home that this Ogre/Wolf war won’t just destabilize this Region, but the surrounding territories as well!

I finally spot my Hometown with that distressing thought still rattling around inside my skull. A heavy sigh of relief escapes me as I see no sign of damage to the palisade, no smoke aside from evidence of cooking fires, and monster guards standing watch in the guard towers as normal. Somehow, I thought for sure I’d randomly walk up during a raid or an attack on my home by feral Catgirls. But, no, everyone is safe. Thank God Beast!

Then another thought occurs to me. Do I just walk up like this and knock? I glance down at myself, still getting used to this strange new body. They might think me an exotic Mimic Slime that ate Alex or something…

I need someone to vouch for me. Sadly, Jonny is off on a mission with Brenda, but I don’t need his help. Or, rather, he gave me a clue yesterday.

My Hometown is weak to aerial assaults. The Harpies led a successful raid not too long ago. Sure, the guards’ guards will be up after that, but I’m no Harpy. I’m much stronger.

Wings buzzing, I ascend high into the sky above my Hometown until the residents are mere specs, the entire settlement laid out before me like miniature dollhouses. They won’t see me coming. Unfortunately, neither can I see where I’m going.

I can fix that, though. Burn a Slime mark for Mutability to Swarm Summon Goggles, or I could just…

*Selected Harpy Sight!*

Alright, now I’m in business! My sight sharpens, my gaze narrowing to enhance my vision of the scenes far below.

There’s the Hen House, a nunnery where Henlins lay unfertilized eggs to supply the whole town with omelets. There’s the Milk Barn, which provides every home with a wheel of cheese weekly; the Milkmaids visit each household daily to be milked to everyone’s satisfaction. (I heard once in history class that some ancient humans were lactose intolerant. Either the magic of Taurine milk fixes the problem, or coevolution with Monsters eliminated that sad affliction from the population, my teacher wasn’t sure which.)

Over there is the Minotaur Farm, where the big, sexy, hulking brutes till fields, sow seeds, and tend to our crops. I spot the Warg Guardhouse as well, and the Goblinoid Gymnasium. My eyes pass over the Monster Theatre, which has both G-rated kids shows and after-dark R-rated pornographic performances, as well as the Association complex where teenagers like me are given their education. Guard Doggins patrol the Doggin Park while scanning the skies for avian invaders. That’s a no-go.

Then there’s the Pleasure District, where men and women alleviate the stress of the monsters that work tirelessly day-in and day-out to support them (not to mention Breeding the next generation). Several apartment buildings house the families of monsters and humans that fall in love and live together. Should I try to sneak in and find my parents? They’d recognize me and help convince everyone I’m not a dangerous monster. I might have to smash my way in through the roof, though. That wouldn’t be good.

Or… wait, am I dumb—or a genius?

I happen to have an extremely potent, extremely vague brand of magic that I might leverage to help me through situations like this. Closing my eyes while hovering in place, I look inward to focus on the place inside my chest that I mentally tug on to activate my Luck Magic.

Normally, I’d have something in mind that I want to happen, like when I tossed my Air Blade at the Elder Tree blind and cut off his dick. This time, though, I draw forth my Luck Magic while concentrating on my problem. I feel my daily allotment of Luck burning away, consumed by my need, but nothing happens. Pushing harder, I continue spending Luck until it’s all gone. Not a drop left. My eyes scan my Hometown while searching for a sign of success to no avail.

Hmph. Guess I’ll have to brute force my way in…

And then the rooftop door in the Pleasure District opens as two young women walk outside to stretch their legs and get some fresh air.

It’s Jennifer Chartreuse and Julia Cerulean!