The village was just beyond a small hill. They had been following the path next to one of the rivers of Storms Lake. After a not so exciting 6 days. Excluding the Gremlin attack. Xane was hoping for something more interesting. What he saw wasn’t something he wanted to see. Fire. Smoke. The village was burning. Xane wanted to run to help but Calrin held him back without Xane moving a muscle. Lyenn gasped in his mind but didn’t speak. Calrin spoke first, “We can’t rush in. Anything could be there. We need to be slow and ready.” Xane agreed hesitantly.

For one of the first times Xane had known them Hatchet didn’t sound snarky. “What should we do boss? They were only supposed to be harried by a few rampant beasts right? Not a full on destruction event.” Huntress gave a nod of approval for Calrin to go ahead.

Calrin sighed, not having expected this. “Like I said, let's move in slowly. Leave the cart here. Stash it. Put the horses in the cages. We might need a faster way to escape if things go wrong. They did so the horses disappearing into the small portable cages. “Keep the animals on a short leash. Don’t want them attacking prematurely, okay?” Both Xane and Huntress gave orders for their respective pets to stay back a bit. Huntresses just being a hand movement.

“Everyone armed?”

Xane made sure both guns were loaded and the others took out their weapons of choice. This time Calrin had out the large greatsword putting it over his shoulder. Huntress had out her bow and arrow ready to fire. With a signal Calrin and Huntress ran forward. They were fast. Xane knew they rarely used their full strength but they were insanely powerful compared to Xane. He was meant to stick with the pets in the back and be supporting fire again. Calrin didn’t want to rely on Xane’s growing melee strength knowing that his guns were much better.

It was about 60 ft from the village when they first spotted what was attacking. Of course it was a giant bunny. It was way bigger than the ones he had fought before. While the first two were about about 10ft tall on both legs this one was massive, coming at least 18ft. Fire wreathed its skin. Sparks of fire fell from it, lighting everything on fire. There were a few people throwing water from the nearby river onto the bunny and flames. It was a mixture of spell casters and bucket wielders. Xane didn’t have faith in them putting it out.

“Aren’t special versions supposed to be rare?” Hatchet complained. “I think we should just leave while we still can.

Xane and the others inspected the fire fluff.

Giant Rabbit(Fire):

Level: 53

Strength: 112

Con: 99

Agility: 90

Information: You get the jist already. Big bun bun. Don’t get burned.

“53 damn you guys are fucked. I advise for the best of us both that we just run.” begged Lyenn. Even with that Xane could feel a sense of reluctance in that idea. She too wished she could help the village. Xane knew that his companions were both around level 40 but knew that the later levels was where the disparity in power started showing.

“As long as it's just-” Hatchet was about to say. “Never mind there are more.” Hatchet jinxed the group as a multitude of smaller white and fluff balls came pouncing into sight. They were only levels 10-20 with significantly lower stat pools and not elemently aligned. They were still dangerous though.

“Did you have to open your big pointy mouth” Calrin asked slowing to a light jog.

“I don’t have a mouth but I get your point. Plan run?”

“We won’t just run away. Ok here's the plan. Me and Huntress will distract the big one while Xane, Garry, and Mutt will take out the weaker ones. You better be fast because I don’t know how long we can fight it.” Calrin said this taking out an orb and throwing it towards the fire bunny at high speeds. The thing didn’t even try to dodge it as it wasn’t paying attention to the group running towards it. As the orb got closer it glowed and few bathtubs worth of water exploded in the vicinity.

This was the opening move as it drenched the area of fire and quenched the flames of the rabbit for a small amount of time. Calrin used a skill Xane never saw him use before as he was rocket forward at immense speeds sword pointed forward. Man and rabbit collide the blade going all the way to the hilt. Calrin was fast but not fast enough as the rabbit reacted a paw slamming into the man sending him careening into a burnt building, the walls giving away.

Huntress wasn’t to be outdone as she shot an arrow into the air; it multiplied rapidly till one turned to thirty. They seemed smaller than the original but with so many on such a large creature that didn’t matter. As the arrow was flying a rapid fire strum of Huntress’s bow could be heard as she shot arrow after arrow as she got closer. When within range she slung her bow over and grabbed her spear. She dodged out of the way of a turrent of fire getting her left flank singed.

Through the pain Huntress bolted forward stabbing the leg of the beast. It tried to do the same thing as it had done to Calrin but she deftly rolled back. The water was spent and the rabbit burned anew. This forced Huntress to move back more from the intense heat.

Xane had his own job than watching the fight. He took aim and fired as fast as he could into the creatures attacking villagers. He saw burnt corpses and bloodied messes where one must have been once. It was almost enough to make him lose his lunch. He persevered firing and reloading in a rhythm. 1 dead, 2 dead, 4 dead. He counted his kills but also counted those he saw slain. 1 dead, 3 dead, 6 dead. He wasn’t fast enough.

Luckily he didn’t need to be. The pets moved in. Mutt was a large creature with the weight to match. He pounced on one with more alacrity than the rabbits themselves and quickly tore the head off of those it attacked. Garry wasn’t as high leveled as Mutt but did his part. With quick slithering the snake went up to a rabbit that was preparing a jump towards someone with a wooden shield. It didn’t have the chance while in mid air Garry snatched it. His strength is capable of pulling it out of the air and reeling it in. Garry wasn’t able to as easily kill its foe but Xane knew it would die.

“We are here to help.” Yelled out Xane, his voice barely carrying from the sound of combat. “Don’t attack the dog or the snake.” He added just in case.

The numbers were smaller but Xane could tell that there were way more than previously thought. He took a glance towards his comrades to see that the fight had taken them elsewhere and he had no idea what was happening. With determination that they would do their part if he did his, he went back to the slaughter. Bang, bang, bang, 7 dead. Bang, bang, bang, 9 dead.

His mana was quickly draining. He had more than enough to spare though. 10, 11, 12. His mana drained as he tore through the lower level creatures. He felt his experience was barely going up due to the power disparity but he didn’t care about that. With his deeds came a cost. The rabbits weren’t smart but instincts were in all creatures. They knew what the true threat was. It was him.

With screeches that sounded more like a horn than what a fluff should make they rallied and quickly went for Xane. He stopped bothering to aim as the horde went for him. 13, 14, 15. Reload. 16, 17. Dodge. 18. Dodge. He at least attempted the dodge. He wasn’t fast enough as the feet slammed into him, sending him reeling. His enchantments held so he took less damage than he should have. He felt though that they would fail with only a few more hits like that. The kick wasn’t the end as one landed right on top of him as he was trying to get back up. The weight was heavy and he felt the armor barrier starting to crack.

Xane tried to lift up his arm but that arm got a foot on it. Pain erupted in him through his arm and he screamed. The weight lifted as Garry struck. A tangle of snake and fur rolled away. Mutt barked and teleported in front of him taking another hit meant for Xane. The big dog hardly budged. The offending rabbit got a chunk of flesh ripped away as it was sent flying through the air. Xane used one of the few healing potions he had and staggered back up Mutt giving him time.

His bones mended as the flavorless mixture coursed through his veins. Xane had an idea and jumped on Mutt. The dog understood and they reappeared a bit away. Xane starting his rain of bullets again. Everytime the creatures got close they would disappear to have the shots come from another direction. The beasts were stupid and just charged back in. 22, 23, 24. Teleport. Reload. 25, 26. Garry caught another right on the head and whipped the thing around till an audible snap could be heard.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Most of the villagers had stopped helping in the fight itself instead carrying the injured away as Xane fought on. He drank a potion his mana near bottom. Mutt seemed tired after all the teleports and Xane jumped off thanking him with a pet pellet he bought. They were similar to potions but for creatures. Not that animals couldn’t drink potions though. Mutt looked revitalized but not enough to keep going like they were.

Xane saw that only a few were left. He killed one more with his colt putting the other pistol away and taking his rapier out. Xane ran into the 5 remaining rabbits and started slashing and dodging. He knew it was dumb but knew he needed true experience in fighting close quarters rather than just the training from Calrin. He cheated anyways taking pot shots into flanks and stopping charges dead in their tracks with a well placed bullet. He was a menace in their midst. That wasn’t to say he didn’t take damage. Cuts and bruises formed all over his body as he fought. In the end though he was the victor.

Xane didn’t have much time to reflect on the battle. He knew that his companions were also fighting their own battle. And most likely losing. He needed to find them. Luckily it wasn’t hard. Bursts of flame could be seen lighting up the sky. He even saw Calrin get launched through the air smoking and not moving. Xane saw a massive form appear mid air and catch Calrin. Mutt with Calrin in his mouth ran and hid behind a building.

Xane ran forward in hopes of helping out before Huntress had a similar fate. He got there to see a half burnt alive Huntress leaning heavily on her spear dodging attacks. The Rabbit however looked far the worse. It was profusely gushing blood from numerous slashes and holes. Arrows scored its body. He saw Calrin’s massive sword sticking out of one of its legs. The flames that had covered it before were heavily diminished like a candle on its last few moments of light. This only took Xane moments to process. As it went to lunge towards Huntress in a last ditch effort to kill its opponent, Xane fired all his rounds in quick succession at the leg joint of the creature.

The heavy beast couldn’t support itself as the limb was nearly cut off. The leap that would have sent it forward sending it straight to the ground in a verbal crunch. Huntress didn’t waste the opportunity as She lunged forward at remarkable speeds for her injuries. Her spear going deep into the eye socket and to the brian. Notifications poured in as the battle came to an end.

Mutt appeared moments later next to Huntress with Calrin barely holding on. He fell from Mutt in a loud thud. Xane ran up to find the ruined body of Calrin. His arms were mangled to the point where he could barely move them. Huntress ran up with a vial in hand forcing him to drink it. Quickly Xane saw the body of Calrin mend. Even so it wasn’t nearly enough. Huntress took out another bigger vial. It was a darker red and glowed. Calrin’s face said,”No not that one” Horror on his face. However, with his arms still damaged he could raise them to defend himself.

Hatchet was a chery as ever, “you look like shit my friend.” No one gave him any mind though.

This potion did way more than the last one, skin visibly mending at speeds that Xane hadn’t seen before. Calrin’s arms which were bent at odd angles forcibly snapped into place as he grunted in pain. He coughed and spat in a way someone would after eating something they just realized they hated the flavor of. He spoke but was obviously still in pain. “Hell Huntress you know I hate those things. I’d rather-” He coughed again blood coming out. “-rather just wait to heal. God those things are awful. AND expensive. That was our last one. We need it for an emergency.” Huntress just gave him a look that just said “This is an emergency.”

Xane had learned that potions didn’t just magically heal you. It just sped up natural healing by a massive amount. You shouldn’t really take too many in quick succession as Calrin just had without a massive pool of constitution. It used up your natural resources at higher rates. This caused a higher need for food and water. Calrin could probably eat a quarter of the rabbit after this battle and the potions he consumed.

“Really I thought we were dead there. We should be more careful what we tangle ourselves in. Getting stronger is one thing but being suicidal is another.” Lyenn half burrated Xane

Xane looked over his notifications as they rested. Sadly he hadn’t leveled up. He felt he was getting really close though.

Congratulations! You have gained a new feat.

Mass Killing: Kill 10 or more creatures equal or higher level than you in 1 minute or less.

+5 stats to any stat.

That one was easy; he shoved them all into luck since he couldn’t naturally do so. He would so any time he got a choice believing the 100 luck feat would be something special. The next was more confusing.

Bane of Cute Fluffy Bunny Kind: Kill 200 levels worth of bunny species. (This is an upgradable feat)

+5% to all stats when fighting the bunny species.

+5% to all damage when fighting the bunny species.

With a quick question to Lyenn he got an answer to what this feat exactly was. “Well you get a similar achievement for all creatures. It is different depending on how many levels worth you need per species. They are one of the most common feats out there. Most of the army of Zakor probably has it by now if they’ve been killing the bunny population.”

He also got an additional rank in conjuration, gunmanship, and small arms. As Xane looked over his stats he used something he had forgotten about and really shouldn’t have. It was one of his most powerful things he had. He kicked himself for not using it more. He started to cultivate. He forced most of the energy to heal him instead. Time flew by him as he did so. He barely noticed when Calrin tried to get his attention. However, the time was enough to get him that last bit of experience needed to get to level 19.

Congratulations! After trials and tribulations you have gained a level. You are now level 19.

You have gained a level, as a human you gain 6 attribute points per level.

This time he put 2 into agility getting that up to 100. He put the last 4 into endurance. Yes, wisdom was next in line to get to 100. But he could gain the last few through upgrading his enchanting profession. Endurance was going to be harder to get points for. Same with dexterity. So he chose endurance. Also he was starting to use up his stamina more and more lately with longer fights. He also knew later skills for martial classes used up stamina. He was preparing himself for that day.

With agility to 100 he got the feat he was expecting.

Float Like a Bee, Sting like a Butterfly…wait: Have 100 in agility. This is the first milestone in stats. This is an upgradable Feat.

Can more easily move on difficult terrain.

-5% stamina cost to all movement based skills.

Xane didn’t know if it was trying to be funny or not. He just expected it like always. With the end of his stats he paid more attention to Calrin. “Yes sorry I was just resting for a moment and looking over notifications. Whatcha need.” Calrin just looked around and Xane too looked around. Apparently a crowd had formed while he was cultivating. Xane needed to choose better places to do so. If it wasn’t safe here he could have died. “Ohh..hello” He awkwardly waved.

They all started at once a cacophony of sounds. He could tell what they were saying though. “Thank you.” “We appreciate your aid.” “We could have all died if it weren’t for you heroes.” And it went on with similar praise. There were also a few people angry and blaming them for not being here earlier.

“Don’t let all this go to your head ‘hero’.” Lyenn laughed.

Calrin spoke, dispelling the praise. “Who here is in charge? We have a bounty to come kill the threat plaguing you. I’m assuming it wasn’t that fire rabbit though.”

Someone did come forward. He was a large brawny human with an even larger wood cutting axe on his back. “Sadly she died. I am…was her companion Rok.” Xane could see the sorrow in his eyes. Not just for his loss but all of their losses. It was a wait he would bear though. “I’m for now taking control. And yes that wasn’t originally what was attacking us.”

“Wish we were meeting at better times Rok. What did you mean by originally” The man answered a bit hesitant.

“Indeed. It was the scaled creatures. Croctors we now know them as. However as we were defending a large attack from them the rabbits came in and killed them off and started to attack us. The threat of the original creatures is probably still there but I’m not sure. The rabbits killed a lot of them in that attack.”

“We'll still check it out.” Xane didn’t know how the quest worked. If it hadn't been updated did that mean they didn’t complete it? “Would you happen to know where they are coming from? Sadly we can’t leave immediately but first thing tomorrow we will figure it out.”

“Sure they just pop out of the river. So I assume up or down stream.” The axe wielding man answered obviously thankful that the trio in front of him was still willing to help.

“We came down stream and didn’t spot anything.” Calrin mostly said to himself. “For now let's just make sure this place won’t burn down completely. They did so. This was already a small village made even smaller by the flames devouring a large portion of the houses. The only salvation being that the buildings were built to be repaired or rebuilt quickly. They managed to actually build 3 before nightfall. There was magic that helped in construction as well as professions. They were also fairly small and just meant for a place to sleep. By chance the mess hall wasn’t touched just a few burnt spots speckled it.

He knew that his enchantments could also be used on much larger objects like buildings and thought about helping them by enchanting the buildings with the durability enchantment. He didn’t know how much mana that would cost though and pushed back the idea for later.

They set up camp again. Xane took first watch as his friend's injuries were still worse than his own and they needed rest to regain energy spent on healing. After his turn was over he went to bed.