Chapter 2: Monster Part 1

The next morning…

“Granny Ma, May I’m off!”

River waved his hand as he was about to leave, he was in a very good mood and energetic today. As he recalled the event last night which made him happy, he was so eager for a hunt today and wanted to get some prey to serve as a prize for May and he wanted it big and extravagant. 

However, he noticed that May was still angry at him because ever since this morning she was avoiding him for no reason the whole time which made him a little dejected.

“River, don’t forget to be careful. May why are you hiding? You usually sent River off before he goes”

“I…”

Meanwhile, May on the other hand was hiding inside the house that only her head was sticking out. She wanted to see him off but because of what she said and did last night was still lingering inside her mind which made her so embarrassed that she didn’t even slept well last night due to that she woke up pretty late. Yet, she suddenly sprang out of the bed as if she subconsciously knew that River was about to leave which alarmed her to wake up. 

May was so eager to see him but then when she saw him, she found out that something has changed. 

She saw River topless naked body of his muscular torso, broad shoulders and well build biceps. Also because he had just finished his morning training, the sweat droplets from the intense exercise made his body more refined not to mention his handsome face was even more handsome than before which cause her to quickly run back to her room while her face was extremely red. 

May usually saw him topless every day after his training but she didn’t feel anything like this before to the point that she even casually offers River a towel and a new clean dry clothes.

“But why did I…”

Therefore, when River left she could only see him off when he was already far ahead while she hides herself inside.

…

…

Going to his usually haunting ground, River concentrate his senses to track some prey at his surroundings. Even if he can’t use spirit force to aid him he still has his sharp senses and basic knowledge as a hunter. He was taught by the elders who used to be hunters during their youthful days hence he’s very confident of his skills. 

However, no matter where he go, his luck was not by his side as he didn’t find any good large prey, after 3 hours he only caught two Dusk Sparrows from the trap he set up earlier and a long eared Wind Fox.

The long eared Wind Fox were rarely seen and caught since they run very fast, they have the ability to slyly avoid their predators by jumping high in every direction. Even a 7 Level Earth Spirit Rank will have some difficulty on catching it but these foxes likes to eat birds especially their favorite the Dusk Sparrow which has good quality meat.

 River used his caught birds as baits and patiently hides while concealing his presence. Once he heard some movements nearby, he focused his mind to sense the prey and since his it has a target also it was easy to know where the fox will be. Not long a small shadow jumped out that he quickly threw his spear causing it to pierce the fox before it could touch the birds.  

The prey he caught are already good enough but he really wanted to hunt much bigger prey and while he was walking he didn’t noticed that his feet had already taken him to the boundary towards the heart of the forest. 

In order to remind the villagers the previous hunters tied a long rope with red cloth which signify ‘Danger’ because once you step pass it you just entered the magical beasts habitat.

These beasts are not like the ones that River had caught in the past. Beyond the line the weakest among the beasts were at Elemental Spirit rank and it is said that the highest was at the Saint Spirit Rank.

“What to do? I can’t break my promise to Granny Ma but I really want go in”

River mumbled while pondering on what action he should take. He was a man of his words but he also weights advantages. 

“I guess it will be fine as long as I don’t go far if I encounter a magical beast stronger than me then I’ll run back”

And so he finally made his decision to crossover.

…

…

In a distance far away from the Wind Leaf Village, there was also a village known as Rock Mine village the traveling distance was about 3-4 days by common horse and just from its name the village has an abundantly source of precious ores such as Cyan Iron Ore and Fine Steel Ore which are raw materials in making utensils especially weapons and armors, hence the Rock Mine Village had a pretty good income since they supply the Military Army with these ores but now…

The village that used to stand high has now been destroyed from the black burned woods and smokes the house were burned down and the villagers that used to live happily were now lifeless corpses. 

Both men and women even the elders and young innocent children were all dead their bodies were laid on a wet bloodied ground while some of them still have their eyes open and faces with anguished misery. 

The poor villagers were cold-bloodedly killed without mercy…

With such horrifying scene was witness by a tall bulky man who wears red battle armor with a tiger skin while steadily walks as he passed the road with puddles of black dry blood and from the remains he estimates that they were killed 2 days ago.

He was not bothered by the pungent foul smell of the rotten flesh and blood that spread around the area neither any reaction nor any changes on his face when he looked at dead tattered bodies.

He was only looking at them with stoic expression while his fists were clenching tightly. 

“General!”

The man was actually a mighty general, as he was approached by a man in blue battle armor.

“How is it?”

“General I’m afraid that there are no survivors and the mines over the hill are now shut blocked. It will take months for it to reopen again”

The man in blue lowered his head as he carefully chose his words to state his report to avoid any provocation. He knew that his General was not feeling well because he was very furious right now that his nails were already digging down to his flesh.

“General…”

“Order some men to stay and bury the villagers. We will live immediately”

“But General you haven’t rested yet it’s already 3 days and night since we left the frontline. Let me go instead”

“NO!!! “

When the man in blue heard his terrifying angery roar he shivered in fear from its heavy pressure.

“I will lead and you will follow! Do you understand!”

 As he saw the General’s eyes were burning in rage he understand that if he defies him he knew very well that he will be severely punish.

“Yes General!”

After he made his solute he quickly left to deliver the General’s order. Not long after he left, the General glanced back at the dead silent village for one last time before turning back as he walks away to leave.

‘Those low-life scums! They will pay dearly for every blood they spilled that I, General Vandolf will make sure to give them the taste of hell from all they have done!’ 

…

…

Back to the forest were River was now currently at the top of a tall tree. He was currently looking around on top view. After he passed the border he finally knew the difference.

There were more tall and thick trees, rich with varieties of fruits and rare herbs but the most prominent was the heavy pressure coming from within which surely came from the hostile intent of the magical beasts that lives here and all of them are stronger than him. 

“Looks like I need to go back if I wander off far I might end up food for those beasts out there but once I build up my strength I will return here one day”

He then slowly climbed down but once he set foot to the ground. He was suddenly alarmed when a huge shadowy figured came jumping out of nowhere towards him.

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With a quick reflex, he quickly rolled to his side just in time.

“ROOAAARR!!!”

Once he had a better look, it was actually a large Silver Claw Lynx which more than his size and the worst part is it’s at the 1 Level Elemental Spirit Rank.

“This is bad”

River prepared his spear while watching the Lynx as it strolls around him.

“ROAARRR!!!”

Not long the Lynx attacked with its two sharp paws it aiming towards him.

River didn’t dare to block it because his spear could not handle such a strong attack so he swiftly jumped back to dodge it and once he was successful he aim his spear through the Lynx head.

However, the Lynx saw right through his action and avoided the pointy blade that the Lynx soon followed up with a quick tackle to bring River down.

In that moment, River could not dodge the beast so he directly used his spear to protect himself until he was pushed to the ground.

With the heavy large body of the Lynx, River was pinned down while his spear was caught between the beast jaws which tried to bite him.

“Guaahh, stupid cat get off me!”

River kicked the Lynx belly letting the beast growled with fury that it bites down the spear causing it to split in two.

“Shit! I’m dead!”

Leaving unprotected, The Lynx took the chance to open its jaws widely to bite down his neck.

River was now in trouble but he then quickly held the broken stick and thrust it to the open jaw making it stuck to the Lynx mouth.

But because the Lynx has a powerful jaw muscle it's only a matter of time before it breaks. Therefore, River gripped the other broken spear to stab its eye.

aagGRROOAAHHH!!!

The Lynx growled in pain that it moved away from River. It was trying to remove the spear from its bloody eye while swing its head.

Meanwhile, River was now safe but without his spear his life was now in peril even if he still have his dagger it’s still not enough to defeat the Lynx, he knows that his strength was no match for it, he could only be equal at 5 Level Earth Spirit Rank and defeating the Silver Claw Lynx at the 1 Level Elemental Spirit Rank is impossible.

Hence he decided to ran, it is better to live than to become a meal for a cat.

Even if it’s stronger than him, he can still have a chance to outrun it since he had already injured it.

So while the Lynx was busy taking the broken spear off, River run to the opposite direction but as soon as the Lynx had thrown off the broken spear it quickly runs and followed him since it was injured the Lynx was furious.

After a while, River had the worst bad luck ever he was cornered into a dead end there was cliff right in front of him, it was very deep that jumping was a very bad a idea.

Roarr….

When River heard that the Lynx was getting closer. He then started to think about his situation more carefully as he finally thought of an idea.

River hurriedly draws out his short dagger and took off his green coat. Next he hides the coat to his back. He then moves away from the cliff in a little distance while waiting for the beast.

Afterwards, the Lynx came as it emerged from the bushes and when it saw River it growled baring its fangs.

‘I need to be careful if this didn’t work then I’m really going to die’

River held his dagger towards the beast and eventually swinging it side to side to circles. The Lynx followed it with its single eye and head looking at the dagger. 

The Silver Claw Lynx didn’t know what he was doing but its instinct knows that the thing he was holding was a weapon.

RAORRR!!!

It roared once more as it was getting impatient.

The Lynx swiftly runs and pounce off the ground to strike.

Meanwhile, River was already prepared for the Lynx attack. He made sure to wait for the perfect timing and when the Lynx came closer to him he hastily took the opportunity he needed. He immediately threw his coat that has been hiding until now to the Lynx vision.

The Lynx was caught unprepared since its eyes were following the sharp dagger at his right hand and when River moved his other hand. The Lynx eyesight were blocked.

River took this little time to avoid and encircle the Lynx as he quickly climbed to its back.

GROAAR!!!

As the Lynx was about to remove the coat which covered it’s eyes, the beast furiously growled but River didn’t care and didn’t stop as he used his sharp dagger to strike down the remain eye of the beast.

gggGGRRoaahhh!!!

The Lynx wailed in agony as its eye were pierce through that from the eye socket the blood slowly flows down.

When River was going to strike again, the Lynx somehow caught his arm and bites it.

 “Aarhh!”

River tolerate the pain as he tightly gripped the dagger at his hand like his life was depending on it but then he quickly thought of passing his dagger to his other empty hand. 

While being bitten, the sharp teeth had already crashed through his bone but instead of crying in pain he put all his might to pierce deeply to one of its ear causing the Lynx to let its mouth open to cry.

aarROAAAhh!! 

The Lynx has suffered in pain losing its eyesight and weaken its hearing the Lynx forcibly staggered backwards and rolled to the ground to get River off its back.

Then again River held tightly as they started to wrestle but none of them wants to lose.

Even after being trampled many times River didn’t let go until he’s done with his objective. Therefore without wasting time, he quickly gave another strike towards the other ear. He also twisted it to vent his anger. 

The Lynx loudly roared as it was helpless but it was still standing even if its head was bleeding it was still not enough to kill it.

But River had already accomplished his goal that he immediately let go of its head and eventually walked near the cliff.

When the Lynx was freed it quickly searched for River scent. River had already planned this. The Lynx was intelligent and has keen senses. That's why River disabled its sense of sight and smell and because it was in agony that it will also disturb its way of thinking. It will not know that there was a cliff nearby all he have to do was to lure it and if his plan didn’t work then he’ll have to fight till the very end.

Gradually the Lynx blindly followed his scent, it was very furious and wretched that it wants to tear River piece by piece and when it knew that River was near. Without waiting any longer the Lynx runs towards him and with its huge body it jumps forward and ready to bite River once again

During that time, River was prepared for it, he was two feet far from the end of the cliff and when the Lynx pounce to his direction. He crouched down and rolled forward averting its attack.

Once the Lynx noticed that it missed its target it was already too late.

They have already switch position that River reached out both his hands up high and hammered the ground with all his strength making a quake on the ground.

Earth cracks quickly spread that the ground where the Lynx stand instantly crumble and with its huge heavy body the ground cave in to the bottom of the cliff.

ROAAARRRHH!!!!

He had finally got rid of the damn beast but because of his injuries and fatigue River collapse at his backside.

“Darn it…not only did I got myself injured, I also lost my prize…”

River was panting heavily, looking at the sky which is about pass lunch already. He feared that May will get worried and angry at him if he don’t quickly get up and return home.

But due to his body condition he can’t get up, it was already a miracle for him to survive then again he really needed to be going home that somehow.

He had a very strange bad feeling...