Chapter 4: Pupil 04

Zara arrived at the park at the usual time, waiting for Aritimi. She didn’t know what they would do or who she would encounter this time.

She checked her phone to see she had a message from Akemi.

“Party tomorrow? I know a good place”

“Maybe” Zara texted reluctantly. Akemi was a new friend and Zara felt weird about it. She wasn’t used to having friends.

As the course began, barely a handful of people stayed in the park, but one particular girl caught Zara’s attention. She looked like a stereotypical bimbo. The type that appears in horror movies just to show off her tits before the villain kills her.

Zara took a sip from her water bottle, eyeing the newcomer. She looked dressed for a beach party rather than monster hunting. Her skintight white dress stretched across her perfect hourglass figure, revealing most of her voluptuous breasts and her shapely hips. It barely covered her thighs, exposing her long, tanned legs. Her hair was platinum blonde, matching her dress’ color, and she had bright blue eyes that sparkled in the morning light.

“Are you also waiting for Aritimi?” the bimbo girl asked.

“Yes,” Zara replied, “You too?”

“Yeah, I’m one of her pupils too,” she answered.

“Ah, okay,” Zara looked at her in disbelief, “Zara Cromwell, by the way,” she stuck her hand out. The bimbo took it with a firm, surprisingly strong yet gentle grip.

“Bambi Sinclair,” she giggled, her voice as sugary as her look, “But you can call me “Bam” if you like.”

“Okay, Bam, nice to meet you ... I guess,” Zara said awkwardly.

“Oh, my God!” Bambi said semi-loudly with dramatic pauses between the words, “I remember who you are! You are the hunter who caught that monster girl. What was it, a Lady Bug? A Queen Bee?”

“Um, it was a Bug Queen, and no I missed her. I just defeated her but the arriving backup team caught her, not me,” Zara clarified.

“It’s so super to meet a famous person,” Bambi continued, “What’s your augmentation? Mine is gold gland implants from a Golden Goliath. It wasn’t cheap but Daddy paid whatever he needed for his princess, as he usually says,” Bambi chuckled. Zara fought the urge to ask if “Daddy” was her father, lover, or both.

“I can generate this liquid gold thingy from my body,” Bambi said as her golden-colored fingernails began to elongate and move freely, “I can produce it from my body anywhere and can move it like an actual body part. I can also use it as golden makeup. Oh, and I can make a golden replica of small objects,” she produced a small golden coin from her nails, “Sadly, it cannot be used to pay for things like real gold. Marge said it’s not real but an organic gold-like thing that can decay after it leaves my body.”

“Cool. I got my cells rewritten by a Flesh Fiend,” Zara explained her augmentation, “I don’t have too many abilities so far but my body can regenerate and adapt to things quickly, plus I’m much stronger than before. I’m still just trying to awaken my full potential though.”

“Wow! How are you still alive? I heard Flesh Fiends casually fuck and eat everything that moves, usually in this order,” Bambi gasped.

“I don’t know, I was super scared,” Zara admitted, “Are you not afraid of monsters?” she asked as she kept scanning the bimbo, she looked nothing like a monster hunter should.

“No. Why should I? One of the top hunters is our mentor. We don’t have to worry,” Bambi beamed.

“Did you fight monsters before?” Zara asked.

“Wild ones? No, but I did a little training before this course,” Bambi giggled.

“Good morning pupils!” they heard Aritimi’s voice from above.

Aritimi was standing on the top of a lamppost near the duo. She was barefoot, only wearing her usual jumpsuit. She stood up there with a perfect balance.

“I see you’re both here,” she said as she landed before them with an acrobatic jump.

“Are we waiting for anybody else?” Zara asked, hoping to have someone else beside this bimbo.

“Nope. Today just only two of you will be needed,” Aritimi answered.

“What we will do this time? I hope there will be no bugs,” Bambi said.

“No bugs, I swear,” Aritimi opened a bright pink portal, “Follow me, pupils.”

To Zara’s surprise, they ended up on a beach.

“Whoa! We’re going to have a beach party?” Bambi asked, her eyes shining with joy.

“No, we’re here to do our job,” Aritimi shook her head.

“Oh!” Bambi’s smile faded slightly, “By the way, when did Crowsend get a beach? I thought we were too far from the Ocean.”

“Because that’s not the Ocean. That’s the Wolf Lake. A big lake near Crowsend which formed when my mother fought a powerful monster here decades ago,” Aritimi explained.

“Whoa! They built Crowsend as a memorial for your mother’s fight?” Bambi asked awestruck.

“No. The lake was the result of the fight. It was a crater that got filled up by a nearby river,” Aritimi explained calmly, though her eyebrow twitched slightly. The fact that she wasn’t douchy toward Bambi made Zara think about who she can be. She must be someone important’s loved one because there’s no way the HSA and Aritimi would waste time on Bambi otherwise.

“And what are we going to do this time?” Zara asked.

“We are going to patrol around the beach, searching for potential threats,” Aritimi revealed, “I know this doesn’t sound big or epic, but that’s a job someone has to do as well. Public places like this can attract the attention of monsters easily. So many civilians and so many potential victims. And that’s just the beach of a big lake. Public beaches at the Ocean’s shores have to be guarded by the navy at some points.”

“I thought the aquatic monsters were not as big as a threat they were decades ago. Since the HSA made a truce with Cthulhu, most of them avoid the shores,” Zara said.

“That’s the problem at some beaches. Because of the fewer monsters there, the number of dolphins began skyrocketing. Those hellish creatures rape and murder more people each year than any monster species known to mankind. In the beginning, the HSA was concerned that they were monsters as well,” Aritimi said.

“What? There’s no way those cuties would do something like this,” Bambi gasped.

Zara just rolled her eyes and kept talking to Aritimi, “And who’s the boss here?”

“She should be here now,” Aritimi said.

“And I’m here,” they heard a playful voice from down below.

A beautiful blonde woman’s head was peeking out from the sand. Then slowly and gracefully she emerged from the sand as if she was just emerging from a swimming pool.

“Lana Delmar, Crowsend’s Senior Beach Patrol Officer” she introduced herself. Lana was fit and athletic, with a toned, muscular physique, like an Olympic swimmer. Her long, flowing blonde hair was peppered with a few elegant streaks of silver and white, giving her a distinguished yet not less attractive look. She was wearing a tight red one-piece swimsuit with “HSA” written on it instead of a brand name.

The girls introduced themselves to her.

“Oh, I heard about both of you,” Lana shrugged, “Zara the Flesh Fiend’s chosen hunter, and Bambi, the daughter of our greatest local sponsor. Looks like your father chose to contribute with more than just money this time.”

“It was Mum’s idea. She said I should try to get a job,” Bambi said.

“Either way, we’re happy you are here,” Lana smiled at her.

They followed Lana to a tent with “HSA” written across its surface.

“This is not a busy time of the year here, the locals don’t spend too much time here and the tourists only arrive weeks later. But it doesn’t mean that the monsters are on a vacation,” Lana said, “These are the last two of your pupils, Timi?” she turned to Aritimi.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Okay, I guess it will be fine just with them. You can go if you have something urgent to do, we’ll be fine,” Lana said, a little bit nervously. She probably knows what will happen if Aritimi stays there, Zara thought.

“Nah, Zara is one of my most important pupils. I have to keep an eye on her,” Aritimi replied with a smile.

“Oh, that’s just a boring day on the beach. A top huntress like you shouldn’t waste their time here,” Lana tried again.

“I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be a boring day on the beach if I’m here,” Aritimi smirked.

“I’d bet on that,” Lana murmured.

“Alright, pupils and Lana,” Aritimi started, “Before we begin our work here to keep the place safe from monsters, we have to revert back spiritually and become one with the ancient hunters. The great ones who founded the HSA. We will hunt like them, without the shackles of conformity on us. Take off your clothes girls.”

“What?” Bambi gasped. Lana just rolled her eyes. Zara was already half-naked. She started to undress when Aritimi began her speech. Her round breasts bounced free as she took off her bra and then slipped off her thong.

“That’s the spirit, Zara,” Aritimi exclaimed proudly as she unzipped her jumpsuit. Zara hasn’t seen her wearing it for more than five minutes so far. Aritimi’s huge breasts bounced stronger than Zara’s as she released them from her tight jumpsuit. Her nipples were two dark towers standing erect in the middle of her wide and dark areolas. The crescent moon-shaped patch of hair above her pussy was still absent but small stubbles could be seen from closer.

“But why do we need to get naked?” Bambi asked nervously, clutching her dress.

“To become one with nature, to let the ancient hunters’ spirits flow through us,” Aritimi said like a sage sharing some sacred sagacity, “You are going to be a much more powerful warrior by doing this.”

“For real?” Bambi gasped, she seemingly believed what Aritimi just said.

Aritimi visibly enjoyed that someone believed in her views and began lecturing Bambi about all the benefits of hunting naked.

Zara and Lana stepped aside.

“Can I have a question?” Zara asked Lana.

“Of course.”

“I noticed that both you and Inez called Aritimi, “Timi” although she doesn’t like using nicknames. Why?” Zara asked.

“Nostalgia,” Lana chuckled, “When she began her career as a hunter she was very young compared to us. She was a prodigy of her generation. Although we only looked at her as a newbie with the eggshell still on her butt. We gave her the nickname “Timi” because we always struggled to say her weird name out loud. Later she became famous and her name was known in every household, while we began working around Crowsend in different fields of the HSA. She is maybe a top hunter, but she always stays “Timi” for us,” Lana explained, “She only admitted it once and only when she was drunk, but we with the girls were technically her sisters since her actual sisters only acknowledged her after she became famous. Sadly, that’s a common thing in famous and prestigious monster hunter families.”

“And ... khm ... she was always you know a...” Zara stammered.

“A pervert? Sort of,” Lana said, “We often caught her doing something naughty, although she always tried to keep a low profile before her rise through the ranks. She loves us but she showcases it in a weird and perverted way. I’m pretty sure her deranged family has a hand in that,” Lana sighed.

“Whoa!” they heard Bambi, “I can be as super as you by hunting naked?”

“Not immediately, but it’d be a good first step,” Aritimi nodded.

“Oki doki, I leave my clothes here,” Bambi announced and started to undress clumsily. She slipped out of her skintight dress, revealing that she was going commando. Her breasts were even bigger than they looked in the dress. She had gold piercings in her navel and around her nipples, which were large and perky. She had a golden butterfly tattooed on her hip, which sparkled in the sun.

“You can leave your clothes here,” Lana opened a metal chest for them, “They’ll be safe.”

Bambi put her clothes and stiletto shoes into the chest which were followed by Zara’s clothes and boots, and then finally Aritimi’s jumpsuit was placed between the two heaps.

“Khm,” Aritimi cleared her throat, looking at Lana and then at the chest.

“Come on Timi. People know me here. I cannot walk around here in my birthday suit,” Lana tried to argue.

“I am your superior. If you don’t comply I’ll come back to do this again when there are hundreds of tourists here,” Aritimi smiled smugly.

“Okay, but promise that you won’t harass me with this shit for the rest of the summer,” Lana sighed and began to unzip her swimsuit.

“Maybe,” Aritimi smirked.

Lana unzipped her swimsuit with a huff, revealing her equally toned body. Her breasts, just as big or even bigger than Aritimi’s, were firm and capped with pink nipples that tightened as the cool air brushed against them. Her butt was round and firm, and her hips swayed as she stepped out of the suit. She tossed it into her chest and turned to face them, crossing her arms over her breasts self-consciously. Her pubic hair was trimmed short, though Zara could see that she was a natural blonde.

Zara could feel the embers of her horniness heating up as she took in the sight of the naked hunter. She quickly turned her head away but then she was staring at Aritimi’s bare breasts, and then at Bambi’s naked body.

Bambi’s pubic hair was surprisingly neat and trimmed into the shape of a heart. It was blonde and sparkled with the same organic gold that she could produce and manipulate. It was as if someone had painted a delicate golden heart on her with glitter. The sight was so unexpectedly erotic that Zara felt a flush spread across her cheeks and wetness getting stronger between her legs.

“By the way, you will have to keep an eye on the other two you brought here previously, Timi. They keep stealing food from the beachgoers,” Lana said.

“Who are the other two?” Zara asked but then she heard noises from outside of the tent.

The tent’s entrance opened and walked in two people. At first, Zara thought they were riding on horses as the light from outside only allowed her to see their silhouettes, but as they got inside it turned out that they were centaurs. Lun and Lin stood in front of Zara who instinctively gulped as she noticed the twins’ horsecocks dangling between their legs.

The twins were both naked as usual. Their weighty freckled breasts bounced with each step they took. Only one thing was different. They both had a metal collar on their neck.

“Whoa!” Bambi exclaimed with a childish expression as she noticed the centaur twins, “Male centaur lower bodies? This probably cost you a fortune! Your father must be super duper rich if you got these augmentations.”

“No, they are futanari centaurs for real,” Aritimi revealed, as the twins introduced themselves.

“But why are they here? The HSA knows about this?” Zara scanned them stressfully.

“Yes. Besides being a mentor for my normal pupils. I also take care of the HSA’s new project,” Aritimi turned to Zara, “In case of good and cooperative behavior, we often reward the captured monsters.”

“Yay! Lun and I were always good girls,” Lin giggled.

“Initially, we only give them something small but good stuff, like special food they like. Later they can get some other rewards, like comfortable beds and other furniture,” Aritimi continued.

“Yeah, we got a huge TV so I can watch the reruns of that documentary show about those colorful horse monsters whenever I want,” Lin nodded.

“Lin, I already told you that “My Little Pony” is not a documentary show. Those ponies don’t exist,” Lun clarified.

“Khm,” Aritimi cleared her throat, “As I said, we give the monsters more and more rewards, depending on how cooperative they are. Our new project is to let the most cooperative ones out for missions. Lun and Lin our first test subjects to see if the Crypt Commando project can succeed or should be shelved.”

“What did you mean by cooperation?” Zara wondered what the twins could contribute to the HSA.

“Giving us useful pieces of information and most importantly, letting us use them for augmentations of other hunters. Because of their regenerative powers, it’s hard to render monsters unconscious for a long time so it’s easier when they let us do this willingly,” Aritimi revealed.

“Yeah, we gave them a bunch of eyes, inner organs, limbs, and other body parts if needed,” Lin nodded again.

“But you have all of your body parts,” Bambi said, examining the centauress.

“They grew back,” Lun said.

“Super,” Bambi gasped.

“Thanks. I don’t want to brag but we can even survive a decapitation,” Lin smiled.

“That sounded bragging to me, sis,” Lun replied.

“And how do you keep them under control? Not even the monsters can control themselves. No offense girls,” Zara pointed to the equine duo.

“That’s why they wear those collars,” Aritimi pointed at lun’s collar “Lun Callahan” written across its surface, “The collars contain energy harvested from my portals and they each connected to an empty containment unit back at the Crypt. The collars had been equipped with super-advanced artificial intelligence that could send them back into the Crypt if needed. We originally planned to use these collars to teleport the freshly captured monsters into the Crypt, but they are hard to mass produce because the mechanism needs my energy inside them.”

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Zara was still skeptical.

“Yes, the AI in the collars checks their vital signs and if it sees the signs of hostility in the presence of humans, it teleports them back into the Crypt immediately,” Aritimi answered.

“Wait, how does it know that there are humans nearby? Are there any cameras in them?” Lana asked, covering herself with her hands as the twins were facing her.

“Nope. The eggheads back at the labs managed to explain it but it was hard to understand because of the technobabble. In a nutshell, the collars’ AI is aware of the surroundings through sensors and makes quick decisions because of that, but there are no recordings,” Aritimi explained which calmed Lana’s nerves.

“Whoa! Your claws are made of gold?” Lin exclaimed, examining Bambi’s gold-colored nails.

“They are calling it fingernails. Animals and monsters have claws,” Lun corrected.

“Yes, they are indeed made of some kind of gold. I can produce a lot from my body,” Bambi said, showcasing her power by making her nails longer than her arm. They moved like ten thin golden tentacles.

“Yay! I wish I could have golden claws or golden hoofsies. I could look like a princess,” Lin said.

Lun swallowed, it was a tough fight but her inner grammar nazi didn’t take control.

“I can’t give you golden hoofsies but I can lace your collar with gold,” Bambi reached out to touch Lin’s collar with one of her golden nails. The collar’s grey metal started to turn into a golden one.

“What are you doing? Don’t temper with the collar!” Aritimi shouted.

“Ouch!” Bambi yelped as sparks flew from the collar, and the golden nail retreated to its normal size.

“It shocked me!” Bambi shook her hand, her nail was smoking.

“You are lucky it didn’t explode,” Aritimi scolded, examining the now golden collar on the smiling Lin, “Damn it! Half of the battery’s power is gone.”

“Sorry,” Bambi mumbled, clearly embarrassed by her mistake.

“Look girls, you don’t have to do anything big today. Just search the area for any suspicious activity and repost it to me,” Aritimi gave an earpiece to Zara, “Do you know how to use it?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Oh, and always keep an eye on Bambi,” Aritimi whispered to her.

“Lun and Lin. You two will go to the other side of the lake and check that no monsters are coming from the forest. Oh, and stay away from the woods. If the collar can’t find a signal, it will automatically trigger the teleport mechanism,” Aritimi instructed.

“Zara and Bambi, you two will stay here between these points around this tent,” Aritimi pointed at some markings on a map depicting the lake and the beach, “There’s a mermaid population that often visits the Wolf Lake through the river. They are not dangerous but they can be if humans keep bothering them. There was a guy who thought it would be funny to offer them some sushi. He got punched so strongly that he technically evaporated.”

“I’ve seen it,” Lana said, “It was like that scene from One Punch Man when that bald guy slapped that mosquito monster and painted the surrounding buildings red with blood.”

“When did you become a weeb, Lana?” Aritimi smirked.

“My daughters love anime and I occasionally catch some episodes with them,” Lana explained.

“Can we continue?” Zara asked.

“Oh, yep. So the Merfolk. They are super strong, regardless of their gender, age, or subspecies,” Aritimi continued, “Just make sure that if you see Merfolk they will leave the humans alone and vice versa. We try to stay peaceful with them. We already have way too many deadly enemies.”

“Can we go now?” Lin asked excitedly, her tail wiggled like a dog’s.

“Yes, but leave humans alone, and don’t steal their food,” Aritimi warned her.

“Oh, come on!” Lin sighed, “In nature, the only food you own is the one inside your tummy. Plus I need to eat often because of my blood sugar.”

“I’m pretty sure nature’s law is not about tortilla chips, chocolate bars, and ice cream. Also, your blood sugar level could kill at least two Dire Horses and an entire herd of normal horses. Your regenerative power is the only reason you are still alive,” Aritimi lectured the voracious centauress.

“I’ll make sure she’s not stealing anything,” Lun replied as they galloped out of the tent. Their hair like two red flags waved behind them in the wind.

“Zara, good luck with Bambi,” Aritimi said as she walked out of the tent with Lana. Zara and Bambi followed them.

The sun felt weird on Zara’s skin, she hadn’t visited the beach since she was a kid.

“Oh, Miss Aritimi, can I use my gold to replace my shoes with it? I can barely walk without high heels,” Bambi said, she indeed struggled to walk.

“Hm, since this organic gold is technically a part of your body, it doesn’t count as clothing but only use it as shoes. Don’t cover your whole body with it,” Aritimi warned her.

“Oki doki,” Bambi promised and the liquid gold began oozing from her toenails and from some spots on her heels. Within a few seconds, the golden material assumed the shape of a pair of stiletto shoes around the girl’s feet.

“Nice, you have good control over your power,” Zara admitted. For a moment, she forgot that she was completely naked, publicly.

Not even a minute passed before they heard the first whistles.

“Um ... can we have some equipment?” Zara asked.

“Nope. The course’s main focus, aside from bonding with your fellow hunters, is to master your augmentations. You are the one who needs this the most, Zara. Your enhanced strength is barely enough if you want a great future in the HSA.”

Zara had to admit that Aritimi was right about this one.

“Also, the authorities rarely allow us to use something more dangerous than a crossbow. There are too many civilians in a place like that,” Lana added.

“Hey, Lana,” Aritimi called, “What about a little race to the other side?”

“Only if you will just run,” Lana replied.

“Fine,” Aritimi said and broke into a sprint, her shapely ass bouncing hurriedly “By the way, the loser will have to walk home naked!”

“Oh, shit,” Lana began to run. She was fast, super fast even for a young lady let alone someone in her age. Her breasts bounced heavily. Then she jumped and dove into the sand which somehow softened beneath her and she began to swim as if the sand was water.

“Hey! If I can’t use my Riftwalker powers then you can’t use your Sandshark augmentations either!” Aritimi shouted back at Lana who closed the distance by swimming.

Zara and Bambi stayed near the tent alone.

“So, what are we gonna do?” Bambi blinked at Zara.

“Searching for monsters,” Zara answered. This one will be a long day, she thought.

“And what kind of monsters can be at a beach? Werewolves?” Bambi asked again.

“No. You didn’t read the books on the course’s list? There are lists about the potential monsters we can encounter at such public places like this,” Zara said, trying to sound calm.

“Oh, I read them once,” Bambi said with a dismissive wave of her hand, “But I don’t remember much.”

“That’s why you usually have to read things multiple times to remember them,” Zara responded with an annoyed look.

They heard somebody whistling as they began walking.

“That’s just so fuckin’ awkward,” Zara lamented, although she could feel the dampness between her legs getting stronger with each whistle and catcall she heard. Luckily, there weren’t so many people on that portion of the beach.

“Nah, it’s not that bad, you just have to trim your bush more often, like me,” Bambi said, stroking Zara’s pubic hair.

“No, Bam, I wasn’t talking about my bush. Also, it’s the right size already. If I try to cut off more, my Flesh Fiend regeneration will kick in and regrow everything. The best I can do is only cut around the edges to at least give it an acceptable shape,” Zara said, pushing away Bambi’s hand.

“Sorry, I thought you could control your body like a Flesh Fiend,” Bambi said which a little bit angered Zara. However, she was more angry at herself because she lacked control over her body and abilities. Even Bambi of all people had better control of her powers than Zara.

They were walking for a few minutes when Zara noticed an abandoned towel on the ground. It had various shades of blue in a zigzag pattern.

“Hey, Bam, look! We found a monster,” Zara pointed at the towel.

“Yeah, this design indeed looks monstrous,” Bambi smirked.

“No, that’s a monster. A Towel Snake,” Zara pointed again. From a closer look, it was visible that the zigzag pattern was because the “towel” was covered with scales.

“Oh, we should call Aritimi? I don’t like snakes!” Bambi panicked.

“No need for her. Even you can hunt down this monster,” Zara said.

“Really?” Bambi’s eyes gleamed.

“Yeah, just stab it with your golden claws in the head,” Zara instructed.

“But where is this thing’s head?” Bambi asked.

“Look at the little bump. This is where its brain is located. Aim at this spot,” Zara pointed at one end of the creature which indeed had a little bump on there. It was only visible because the rest of the body was completely smooth, “Just be quick. The mouth is on the underside like a stingray’s but it can latch onto you swiftly if you are careless.”

“Oki doki, I’ll be quick,” Bambi said, running toward the towel monster.

“Hey! I said to be quick, I didn’t say to rush!” Zara shouted at her but it was too late. One of Bambi’s golden high heels stepped on a small rock and she lost her balance, falling face-first towards the Towel Snake. The creature hissed and reared up, its mouth gaping wide, revealing a row of needle-like teeth.

Within one second, the beast wrapped itself around Bambi, its mouth latching onto her right breast. She shrieked in horror as its needle teeth pierced her areaola.

“Fuck!” Zara shouted as she closed the distance with one big jump grabbed the other end of the creature and began to unwrap Bambi from the monster’s embrace.

“Calm down, I’ll get rid if this just doesn’t move,” Zara said, but the monster suddenly ceased moving.

Slowly, Bambi managed to stand up with Zara’s help. The monster was hanging from her body, its head pierced with a golden spike protruding from Bambi’s nipple.

“Wow! You did it!” Zara exclaimed.

“I told you I can produce this from anywhere,” Bambi smiled. The spike retracted into her nipple, and the dead monster fell to the ground. Bambi’s nipple seemed to be mostly intact. The wounds didn’t look more than mere mosquito bites.

“Nice job, Bam,” Zara felt bad for underestimating her fellow hunter. She forgot that the course is partially about bonding and camaraderie.

“By the way, that’s yours,” Bambi said, lifting the dead monster with her hand, using her golden nails as pliers so she didn’t have to make skin contact with it.

“Oh, I’m not collecting trophies, plus it was you who slain it, Bam,” Zara rejected the offer.

“I don’t need it, it doesn’t fit my style, plus I noticed that you are uncomfortable because of your nudity,” Bambi smiled. Zara was surprised by her kindness and grabbed the monster then wrapped it around herself like an actual towel. It felt like using someone else’s still wet and cold towel but at least she didn’t have to be nude all day.

“Thank you, Bam,” Zara said, then suddenly, the creature began to tighten around her and before Zara could react, it was absorbed into her body through her skin.

“It disappeared,” Bambi pointed at Zara’s once again nude form.

“I guess my body instinctively absorbed it for nutrients. It can happen when I’m hungry,” Zara explained. This wasn’t completely new for her. A day ago she wanted to slap a mosquito on her shoulder but before her palm could reach the little bloodsucker, it sank into her flesh.