We went outside, and the sun was already setting in the west. I looked at the two strangers. The red-haired girl seemed energetic and cheerful, while her companion appeared calm and quiet. Such a contrast in personalities! Pyrrha and I decided to talk to them.
The red-haired girl introduced herself with a bright smile. “I’m Nora Valkyrie!” she said enthusiastically. Then she gestured toward her companion. “And this is Lin Ren. We’ve known each other forever!”
Ren nodded politely. “It’s just Ren,” he said softly, his voice calm and measured.
The way they interacted made it clear they were best friends. Despite their differences, they fit together perfectly.
Our conversation revolved around being hunters.
“What kind of weapons do you use?” I asked.
Nora grinned and hefted her massive hammer. “This bad boy is Magnhild. It’s a hammer and a grenade launcher!”
Ren pulled out his twin weapons. “StormFlower,” he said simply. “They’re blades and guns.”
Pyrrha smiled, resting her spear on her shoulder. “I use a combination of a spear,sword and a rifle. It’s versatile in both melee and ranged combat.”
Before I could describe my own gear, something strange happened. Birds nearby suddenly flew off in a panic.
“What’s going on?” I asked, looking up at the sky.
A deep rumbling sound came from the courtyard, and the ground began to ripple, chunks of dirt and roots rising into the air. Suddenly, a huge Grimm scorpion, as big as a truck, emerged. Its long, menacing tail lashed dangerously as it roared and turned toward us.
Nora and Ren didn’t hesitate.
“Let’s go, Ren!” Nora shouted, already charging forward.
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Ren followed close behind, his expression focused.
Pyrrha grabbed my arm. “Find shelter!” she commanded before running to join the fight.
I stood frozen, my body refusing to move, as I watched the battle unfold in disbelief.
Ren darted between the scorpion’s pincers, striking with his blades. dodging a deadly swipe.
Nora clung to the Grimm’s back, swinging her hammer.
“Time to break this thing wide open!” she yelled, smashing through its armor.
Pyrrha stayed at a distance, firing precise projectiles to support them.
“I’ll cover you!” she called, her shield raised to intercept a strike.
The Grimm was terrifying its massive pincers could crush trees, and its dark eyes gleamed with malice. Its tail lashed dangerously, and its legs somehow supported its enormous body.
Suddenly, an idea struck me. I swallowed hard and shouted, “Nora! Aim for the legs!”
She glanced at me and smiled. “Got it!” she said before jumping off the scorpion’s back to strike its legs. The Grimm staggered, its tail swinging wildly.
“Pyrrha, handle the tail! Ren, go for the eyes!” I yelled.
Pyrrha threw her spear high into the sky. For a moment, I thought she hadn’t heard me, but then the spear came whistling down and pinned the scorpion’s tail to the ground. Ren switched his weapons and unleashed a hail of bullets on the Grimm’s head, forcing it to shield itself with its pincers.
The Grimm was trapped, but I knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long. We needed to finish it. My mind raced.
Maybe I could find a weak spot in its armor and pierce it with my sword? But fear held me back—I couldn’t move.
I clenched my fists. “This isn’t right,” I muttered to myself. “I can’t just stand here giving orders!”
Then I noticed Nora running toward Pyrrha. They whispered briefly before Nora sprinted toward the forest. Pyrrha raised her shield, bracing herself.
I watched, confused, until their plan became clear.
Nora turned and charged back toward Pyrrha.
“Let’s do this!” she shouted. At the last moment, she leaped onto Pyrrha’s shield. Pyrrha launched her into the air with a mighty push.
“Incoming!” Nora bellowed as she soared through the air. She brought her hammer down on the scorpion’s skull with the force of a thunderbolt.
The Grimm thrashed violently but stopped after a moment, collapsing as its body began to disintegrate.