(This extra chapter is for our brother "Warm Wine Resignation," 4/5.)
By the time Flesh-ripper had dressed properly, slung the body bag over his back, and hobbled away from the "Land of Creation," the swamp giant serpent that the "Explorer" had banished to the Astral Plane had already returned to the Material Plane.
It had taken less than the thirty minutes the Explorer had claimed. This proved beyond doubt that even among the Dusk's minions, a group of villains who specialized in ending the world, there were some seriously unreliable workers.
And this "little mistake" had cost Flesh-ripper's gnolls and undead troops dearly. Seeing that the situation was turning against them, they withdrew beyond the forbidden zone. Fortunately, Flesh-ripper still commanded some respect, so they didn't all flee straight back to Plague Town. Instead, they left a contingent of undead behind to escort him back.
Even though, deep down, they all wished Flesh-ripper would simply disappear into the depths of the swamp.
With the silent assistance of the Netherworld Knights, Flesh-ripper made it safely across the battlefield, where the swamp giant serpent was wreaking havoc. A third of the assault zombies who had accompanied him had been sent out to lure the beast into venting its fury elsewhere.
As it turned out, their strategy had worked.
The roars echoing through the swamp mist were full of fury. The giant beast had been thoroughly enraged—which meant it had lost its calm and its wits.
"Is it hurt?"
Back in a safe area, Flesh-ripper looked back toward the battlefield. He marveled at the strength of a legendary creature, but he also felt a strange thrill of anticipation.
He could hear the serpent's roars, and the pain it could no longer suppress.
That meant the trip to the Astral Plane had caused trouble