Chapter 1 – The Mud That Shouldn't Exist
The battlefield of Bizokar lay silent under the pale moonlight. No humans came here anymore—only broken weapons, dried blood, and one thing that should have never been left behind: Bizokar's black stone, cracked but still faintly pulsing with a dark purple hue.
A drizzle began, turning dust into patches of wet mud. That cursed stone pulsed once… twice… then shattered completely, releasing a faint purple glow into the ground.
The Birth of Grudlok
The wet soil bubbled unnaturally. First, a small muddy hand broke out of the ground. Then another. A deformed little head pushed up, eyes glowing bright yellow, a slimy purple tongue flicking out as if tasting the air.
???: "...Hhhhhh… I… exist…"
The creature, tiny and barely knee-high, crawled out fully, mud dripping from its forming body. Its surface constantly shifted, reforming cracks and lumps as it stabilized.
It sniffed the ground, its tongue whipping out. Then, like a starving animal, it pressed its mouth into the dirt—slurping soil as if it were soup.
Creature: "Mmmhh… tasty… I need more…"
It shuffled clumsily, its body wobbling like a half-melted statue, yet every second it seemed… bigger.
Creepy Growth
The more dirt it consumed, the more solid and heavy its body looked. It paused near a cracked rock, pressing its muddy hands into it, slowly absorbing the dust from its surface.
The creature looked at its hand—now slightly bigger—and laughed, the sound wet and gurgly:
Creature: "Heh-hehhhhh… I'm growing… growing… till they all see meee…"
It looked up at the distant village lights flickering faintly in the valley below.
Foreshadow
The creature—soon to call itself Grudlok—dragged its dripping body toward the mountainside. It moved slowly because dry dirt slowed its growth, but it didn't matter.
Rain clouds were rolling in.
[Cliffhanger →] In the distance, thunder echoed. One drop of rain fell… and the creature smiled wider.
Chapter 2 – The Mud Hungry Fool
The Growth
Hours passed since the muddy creature's birth. Grudlok—though it had no name yet—kept crawling across the barren ground, scooping dirt into its gaping maw. Every handful made a disgusting squelch sound as its form expanded.
At first, it was 3 feet tall, then 6 feet—its arms thickening like tree trunks. After hours of endless munching, it finally stood at an 8–9 foot height, glowing yellow eyes shining through the night.
Grudlok: "Hehhhehhh… look at me now… strong… tall… still hungry…"
It looked around at the silent hills, then toward the faint torches of a far-off settlement.
Grudlok: "...So many little houses… so much tasty dirt… and… meat…"
The First Village
The village was far from Astrid's home or Strom's patrol route, meaning no one would notice… at first.
As Grudlok stomped into the farmland, his huge muddy footprints left deep craters in the soft soil. He paused near a fenced area, head twitching like a confused dog, then reached down and picked up a goat.
Grudlok: "Hmmmm… little moving dirt bag… tasty…?"
It tossed the goat into its wide mouth. A loud gulp followed, and for some reason, it burped purple steam.
Grudlok: "TASTY FOODS! …SO MANY VARIETIES!"
It laughed wildly, arms flailing like it was celebrating its first meal. Then it moved to the crops, ripping fences, pulling out dirt with the roots attached, eating everything—dirt, vegetables, even wooden fence posts.
The Houses
A villager peeked out of a small clay hut, eyes widening.
Villager: "By the gods… what is that thing!?"
Grudlok spotted the house, its eyes glowing brighter.
Grudlok: "Mmmm… little square dirt… edible square dirt… tasty?"
It walked up, wrapped its muddy arms around the entire hut, and slurped it into its body, leaving only broken roof tiles behind.
The terrified villagers screamed and ran, but Grudlok didn't chase them—it focused only on the materials, the dirt, the mud, and any water source it could find. It bent down at a well, scooping water into its mouth.
Grudlok (gargling): "WATER! MUD SOUP!"
Goofy but Creepy
Despite its ridiculous speech and clumsy movements, its sheer size and strength terrified everyone. Every time it moved, more dirt stuck to it, slowly making its shape bulkier and heavier.
By dawn, the once peaceful village was a wreck of broken houses and empty fields.
The Goofy Threat
Grudlok stood at the edge of the destruction, arms raised like it had won some contest:
Grudlok: "HAAHAHAHHA! MORE FOOD… I NEED MORE! MUD KING! I'M THE MUD KING NOW!"
It stomped away, heading deeper into the valley… straight toward another settlement.
Chapter 3 – A Rare Peaceful Day
Strom's House – Cozy and Calm
For once, the morning sun felt gentle, and birds chirped near Strom's small wooden home. The Dragon Knight, usually busy dealing with monsters or random world-ending problems, leaned back on his chair.
Strom (sighing): "Ahhh… don't know why, but I'm loving this peace."
Wraith's Immediate Roast
Wraith, sitting on the windowsill and casually polishing her dagger, raised an eyebrow.
Wraith: "You always say stuff like that… and boom… we're cooked within a day."
Sam laughed from the corner where he was magically heating tea.
Sam: "Yeah, bro, seriously—please keep your mouth shut when things are peaceful. Last time you said something similar? Remember the Phoenix incident? My robe still smells like burnt chicken."
Astrid's First Time Visit
Astrid, who had never been to Strom's place before, looked around with genuine curiosity.
Astrid: "This place is small… but feels cozy as hell. I kinda like it."
Strom smiled faintly, scratching the back of his head.
Strom: "Yeah… it's nothing big. Just enough for me."
Astrid: "You live alone here? No wonder it's so quiet… and clean… except for that corner." (points at a messy pile of broken practice swords)
Wraith chuckled.
Wraith: "That's the 'Strom Zone'—where swords go to die."
A Chill Meal
Sam placed mugs of hot tea on the table while Astrid opened a packed loaf of bread she had brought.
Astrid: "For once, we're not swinging blades or running for our lives. I almost don't know what to do with my hands."
Wraith: "Eat. It's the one skill even you can't mess up."
Astrid smirked, flexing one arm.
Astrid: "Keep talking, princess, or I'll show you where my hands do work—on your face."
Wraith: "Try it and see what happens, muscle mommy."
Strom facepalmed.
Strom: "You two… can we just enjoy breakfast for once?"
Sam leaned back, sipping tea, whispering to himself:
Sam: "This is nice… too nice… and I don't trust it."
The Rare Quiet
For the next hour, they just talked—about nothing dangerous: silly travel stories, Wraith roasting Sam about his failed love spells, Astrid joking about how she could "bench press Strom's house" if she wanted, and Strom smiling like he hadn't in months.
It was one of those rare moments where they were just… friends, not warriors.
Chapter 4 – Mud Trouble Incoming
After Dinner Walk
The group stepped outside under the cool night sky. Fireflies danced around as they walked along the village path, enjoying the calm.
Strom (stretching): "Eating too much is not good. I feel heavier already."
Sam, walking behind and still chewing an apple, responded casually:
Sam: "Keep talking, bro, I'm listening." crunch
Astrid stopped mid-step, glaring at Sam.
Astrid: "He's talking about eating too much, and you're still eating? Listen, you little mage, if you get fat… I'll leave you."
Sam almost choked.
Sam: "What?! You'd leave me over an apple?"
Astrid (dead serious): "Over ten apples… yes."
Wraith laughed so hard she nearly tripped.
Wraith: "Fat Sam chanting spells… oh man, I can already see it—'Fireball… wheeze… wait… let me breathe…' "
The Emergency
Suddenly, a man sprinted toward them, panting and shouting.
Villager: "Help! Please! There's… there's a thing—eating our houses, our animals—it's like… mud but alive!"
The gang froze.
Strom: "Are you serious? A mud… really?"
Sam: "What the hell is happening in nature these days? First phoenixes, then shadow freaks, now mud?"
Wraith sighed, crossing her arms and glaring at Strom.
Wraith: "See? This is why I told you to stop saying 'I love peace.' You're like… cursed."
Strom shrugged awkwardly.
Strom: "Okay, fine, maybe I am cursed."
Astrid cracked her knuckles and grabbed her massive sword.
Astrid (grinning): "Good. I was getting bored anyway. Time to put this sword to work after months."
The Mood Shift
The peaceful night turned tense in seconds. The gang exchanged looks, already knowing this wasn't going to be a small problem.
Strom: "Alright… show us where."
Villager: "It's in the next village—eating everything in sight!"
Wraith muttered under her breath as they started moving:
Wraith: "A mud monster… what's next? Talking trees?"
Sam: "Don't say that, you'll curse us more than Strom already does."
Chapter 5 – Mud, Rain & Chaos Incoming
The Rain Buff
As the gang neared the village, the drizzle thickened into heavy rain.
Wraith (grinning): "Too good… water's a buff for me."
Sam raised his arms dramatically and then slipped on the wet dirt, landing flat on his back.
Sam: "Rain… ohhh come on! In rain, I always… sleep on roads…" thud
Strom (laughing hard): "Bro, you're the best mage I've ever seen."
Sam extended his muddy hand.
Sam: "Thanks for the compliment… now, help me up."
Astrid grabbed him by the collar with one hand, easily lifting him.
Astrid (staring at him in disbelief): "How… can someone fall in love with a guy who falls in mud on his own?"
Sam grinned sheepishly.
Sam: "Talent?"
First Look at the Villain
They finally reached the village and froze.
Grudlok—now almost 12 feet tall thanks to the rain—was squatting in the middle of the main street, scooping up entire chunks of mud and livestock into his gooey mouth.
Strom (blinking twice): "Really… a mad mud thing? This world can't be serious."
Wraith (covering her mouth): "Ew. Why… God… why would this exist?"
Astrid (gripping her sword): "This is what we've been training to fight? A… puddle with arms?"
Sam, still covered in dirt, pointed at Grudlok.
Sam: "Guys… is he eating like a pig 🐖 or something way more goofy?"
As they watched, Grudlok grabbed an entire cart, sniffed it, and mumbled with his weird gurgling voice:
Grudlok: "Tasty wood… good with… mud sauce…" slurp
He licked the muddy road like it was a dessert.
The Mood Change
The villagers were hiding in terror, peeking from broken windows, whispering prayers. But the gang? They were… confused.
Strom: "Okay, team. Rule one: don't let him near water. Rule two: don't laugh at him."
Wraith: "Too late for rule two." snickers
Astrid (stepping forward): "Alright, mud boy, meet steel."
Sam (still wiping mud off his face): "Can I sit this one out? I already fought mud today…"
Grudlok turned his giant dripping head toward them, yellow eyes glowing.
Grudlok: "New food… four flavors!"
Chapter 6 – Mud vs Muscle Mommy
First Strike
Astrid dashed forward, swinging her massive blade down with enough force to split a boulder in half.
Astrid (yelling): "Alright, mud shi#, take this!"
The sword slammed into Grudlok's torso… and simply splashed through him.
Chunks of mud flew everywhere—only to slither back and reattach instantly.
Astrid (staring in disbelief): "WHAT THE FUC# IS THAT?!"
Grudlok tilted his dripping head, yellow eyes glowing faintly.
Grudlok (weirdly happy): "Yes… a lady in red… yeah…" slurps mud arm back together
Sam & Wraith Roast Hour
Sam tightened his grip on his staff, glaring.
Sam: "Why is everyone trying to rizz my almost-girlfriend? First knights, now… literal mud!"
Wraith smirked, spinning her dagger casually.
Wraith: "Because you can't."
Sam gave her a death stare, but Strom interrupted.
Strom Joins In
Strom summoned his glowing spear, spinning it in one hand.
Strom: "Alright team… time to rock."
Astrid swung again, Sam threw a fireball, Wraith slashed from behind, and Strom impaled the spear right through Grudlok's chest—
—but every hit just made mud fly before reattaching like clay.
Grudlok (laughing hysterically): "Tickles… tasty pain… more!"
The Counterattack
Grudlok suddenly spun his elongated arm like a whip, catching Astrid by surprise and launching her hundreds of meters away.
Astrid (in mid-air): "OHHH YOU PIECE OF—" vanishes into the distance
She crashed into a mountain slope, leaving a crater behind.
Sam (frozen): "…Did… did we just lose the muscle mommy?"
Wraith: "Yup… she's gonna kill him when she gets back."
Strom (calmly): "Focus. She's fine… probably. Just don't get hit."
Astrid's Return
A massive shockwave erupted as Astrid kicked off the mountain wall, carrying a chunk of rock bigger than a house on her shoulder.
Astrid (furious): "HEY YOU MUD SHI#! TAKE THIS!"
She hurled the entire rock at Grudlok like a meteor.
It smashed him flat—only for his form to regenerate instantly, now even bigger thanks to the additional mud.
Strom (facepalming): "Ohhh great… she just fed him."
Wraith (snickering): "Best strategy ever… 10/10."
Grudlok raised both hands, laughing creepily:
Grudlok: "More mud… more me… YEAH!"
Chapter 7 – Ranged Chaos
The Tactical Shift
Strom stepped back, wiping mud from his shoulder, his tone turning serious.
Strom: "Okay, everyone… stay away from him. We go range attacks only. Don't let him touch you."
Astrid frowned, clutching her massive sword.
Astrid: "What? I only have one blade! So what about Sam instead?"
Sam froze mid-chant.
Sam: "Why… me?"
Wraith smirked and started pulling small throwing knives from her belt.
Wraith: "Lovebirds, fight later. Right now—RUN!"
The Retreat
They dashed back to a safer distance.
Grudlok, now over 15 feet tall, stomped after them, his muddy feet squelching with each step, but his massive size made him sluggish.
Strom (grinning): "Good. He's slow now. Astrid… these are yours."
The Blue Blades Moment
Strom raised his hand, summoning two glowing blue blades—weapons forged from his shop's enchanted stockpile. He tossed one to Astrid.
Strom: "These will cut anything… even mud."
Astrid caught it effortlessly, giving a small smirk.
Astrid: "Fine. Long-distance slicing it is."
The Ranged Assault
Sam finally finished his chant, launching a streak of lightning.
Wraith darted in and out, throwing daggers with perfect aim, while Astrid hurled the blue blade like a spinning buzzsaw—each attack slicing huge chunks off Grudlok.
Grudlok (laughing): "YES… MORE… TASTY… HITS!"
The chunks simply rejoined, his form regenerating even faster because of the rain.
The Realization
Strom growled under his breath.
Strom: "This isn't working. He's feeding off the water… and the mud we're cutting away is just giving him more mass."
Sam (panting): "So… so what? Do we just… wait for him to starve? He's a mud monster, Strom!"
Astrid (angry): "Forget starving—let me just throw the whole mountain at him."
Wraith, deadpan as ever:
Wraith: "Yeah, because feeding him more mud definitely works. 10/10 logic."
Strom's eyes narrowed as he turned to the team.
Strom: "Alright… new plan: we need either fire or deep water. This thing's practically immortal here."
Grudlok roared, slamming his arms into the ground and sending a wave of mud toward them.
Strom: "MOVE!"
The team leaped aside as the mud wave crashed into a nearby house, completely flattening it.
Chapter 8 – Calling the Portable Sun
The "Are You Dumb?" Moment
Wraith stared at Strom with her classic side-eye of judgment.
Wraith: "Okay Strom… tell me, on a scale of idiot, where do you stand right now?"
Sam leaned on his staff, grinning.
Sam: "He doesn't even have a level. He's beyond ranking."
Strom (confused): "Why are you both saying this?"
Wraith threw her hands up dramatically.
Wraith: "If heat can kill that mud freak… WHY haven't you called your mom yet?!"
There was a moment of silence. Strom blinked… then facepalmed.
Strom: "Right… I almost forgot I have a portable sun."
The Call
Strom slammed his spear into the ground, sending a dragon-mark signal into the sky. Within moments, a massive blue-scaled shadow streaked across the clouds.
Dravyss (landing, voice like thunder): "Strom… what did you wake me for?"
Strom pointed dramatically at Grudlok.
Strom: "Big mud problem."
Dravyss's glowing eyes locked on Grudlok.
Dravyss: "Everyone step back. This place is about to get really hot."
Dragon vs Mud
Dravyss grew in size, her body shifting into her full dragon form, towering larger than Grudlok himself.
Grudlok (innocently pointing): "WOW! A big blue lizard!"
A silence so sharp it could cut steel hit the battlefield.
Wraith (whispering to Sam): "…he's dead."
Dravyss (furious roar): "WHAT… did you call me? Foolish MUD!"
A wave of pure blue fire erupted from her mouth, engulfing Grudlok completely.
The Shocking Twist
When the flames cleared, Grudlok was… still there—his body heavily melted but rapidly reforming with every drop of nearby mud and rain.
Sam (mouth open): "He's… regenerating even through dragon fire!?"
Astrid (clutching sword): "You've gotta be kidding me…"
Dravyss's eyes narrowed, smoke curling from her nostrils.
Dravyss: "Impressive for… mud. But you're still a fool."
Grudlok giggled in his muddy voice.
Grudlok: "Tasty heat… good flavor… MORE, BLUE LIZARD!"
Dravyss's claws dug into the ground.
Dravyss (growling): "Strom… this thing isn't normal. It's feeding faster than I can burn it!"
Chapter 9 – Mud vs Flying Lizard
The Airborne Escape
Dravyss crouched, wings spreading wide as she barked:
Dravyss: "Okay team… time to fly!"
The gang didn't hesitate—Astrid hooked her massive sword to her back, Sam clutched his staff tight, Wraith practically glued herself to Strom's waist, and they all climbed onto Dravyss's broad back.
With one powerful push, they shot into the air, the earth trembling from the force.
The Ranged Provocation
Even while airborne, the team didn't stop attacking:
Astrid hurled her blue blade like a spinning saw, slicing chunks of mud off Grudlok.
Wraith launched throwing knives with insane precision.
Sam kept chanting small fire bursts, hitting Grudlok's "face" repeatedly.
Sam (mocking): "Hey, you goofy mud… can you run faster? We're getting bored!"
Grudlok roared, his entire muddy body vibrating like liquid.
Grudlok: "TASTY… ANNOYING… PEOPLE!"
The Transformation
Grudlok suddenly collapsed into a massive moving wave of mud, almost losing any humanoid shape.
Grudlok (echoing): "NOW TIME… CATCH FLYING LIZARD!"
Dravyss tilted her head mid-flight, tail whipping in disbelief.
Dravyss: "…Did this mud just threaten me?"
The Chase
She banked left sharply, wind slicing their faces as the mud wave chased them—rolling and crashing like a dirty tsunami.
Dravyss (grinning): "Catch me if you can… bitc#!"
Strom burst into laughter behind her head.
Strom (laughing): "Okay, okay… I'm not saying anything this time, Wraith."
Wraith narrowed her eyes dangerously.
Wraith: "Say it… and see what happens, knight boy."
Sam almost slipped off the back from laughing.
Sam: "This is so stupid! A dragon vs… wet dirt!"
Destination: Sea Cliff
Dravyss flapped harder, speed increasing as she spotted a massive cliff overlooking the open sea. The perfect spot.
Dravyss: "Hold tight… we're ending this near the water!"
Chapter 10 – Mud Downfall
The Final Stand
Dravyss planted her massive claws at the edge of the cliff, tail swaying like a whip, blue eyes locked on the rapidly approaching mud wave.
Dravyss: "Now… water time."
Behind her, Strom tightened his grip on his spear.
Strom: "Hope this works…"
Sam (shrugging): "We've already tried everything…"
Strom smirked at him.
Strom: "Dude, you're still the best mage I've ever seen."
Sam blinked.
Sam: "Thanks… but I didn't even trip this time, so what's up with the—"
Strom leapt down, picked up a small stone, and grinned.
Strom: "Almost forgot… sometimes small things make big noise."
The Signal Strike
Wraith folded her arms.
Wraith: "You're throwing rocks into water? That's your plan?"
Strom (laughing): "Not water, idiot… sky!"
He hurled the stone high, shouting:
Strom: "FIRE STRIKE!"
A blue lightning bolt erupted from above, crashing into Grudlok's chest. The mud monster stumbled but instantly regenerated, chuckling.
Grudlok: "Tasty heat… again!"
Astrid's "Confession"
Astrid stepped forward, sword glowing faintly, voice serious.
Astrid: "Sam, because this might be our last time together… I need to say something."
Sam's eyes widened.
Sam: "Yes Astrid, say it…" (already imagining romantic music)
Astrid (deadpan): "You need to glow up… seriously, you're too short."
The whole group exploded in laughter—even Dravyss snorted blue smoke. Sam just stood there, betrayed.
Sam: "…I hate all of you."
The Fall of Mud
Grudlok lunged like a muddy tidal wave at Dravyss. She simply jumped aside, wings spreading.
Dravyss (mocking): "Too slow, mud shi#."
The monster missed completely, momentum carrying him off the cliff.
Grudlok (falling): "Don't worry guys… I'll be back!!"
The Goofy End
A massive splash erupted as Grudlok sank into the open sea.
Sam (yelling): "Fuc# you man! But don't come again!"
Strom (laughing): "Even while dying, this guy is unreal."
Astrid: "He can rizz better than Sam."
Wraith: "Sam, you should take lessons from him."
Sam stomped his foot, pointing at everyone.
Sam: "WHY always me?! I'm the second eldest here! I'm 22! Show some respect!"
Strom casually leaned on his spear.
Strom: "Bro… I roast villains 1,000 years old without hesitation. You're nothing."
The whole group laughed as Dravyss turned, wings spreading.
Dravyss: "Come on, clowns. Let's go home before the sea spits him back on us.
Ending – The Flight Back
The team rode on Dravyss' massive back, wind whistling past their ears as they left the coastline behind.
Strom leaned back, arms crossed.
Strom: "I swear… I'll kill anyone who even tries to make a clay pot near me from now on."
Wraith groaned, looking at the muddy fields far below.
Wraith: "Forget clay pots… I don't even wanna step on roads anymore."
Astrid tightened her grip on her giant sword.
Astrid: "Next time we fight something like this, just tell me upfront if it's not from nature."
Dravyss tilted her head slightly, her voice calm but heavy.
Dravyss: "It wasn't natural. I could feel Bizokar's aura radiating from that thing."
Strom blinked, realizing it.
Strom: "So the mad mud… was literally made by the mad shi#."
Sam looked down at himself, still covered in mud from earlier.
Sam: "Okay… I'm done. I just want a bath."
Dravyss' eyes gleamed mischievously.
Dravyss: "What about… a fire shower?"
Sam froze.
Sam: "Aunt Dragon… now you too?!"
The group erupted into laughter as Dravyss roared into the sky, carrying them back home.