The sudden noise of the scout shrieking in pain roused the wolves in front of them.
“Charge, kill the ones in front, and try to make your way towards the scouts.”
The leader roared, releasing a large arrow from his bow. Ray and a few other archers released their arrows, instantly killing the three wolves. The hunters quickly approached the scouts. A prickling chill crawled up Ray's spine as a low screeching sound he knew too well vibrated in his ears. It was the same horrible sound the shrieker had produced. The group of hunters froze when they heard the noise.
“Forget this. I've reached my level and I'm not risking my life for those scouts.”
Ray heard someone yell something as they ran toward the village. Most hunters quickly joined his retreat, leaving only Erith, Chio, the hunt leader, two more hunters, and Ray behind.
“This fight will probably be your last if you stay. The only chance of survival will be if this is not the main horde. If you still wish to remain knowing that, follow me.”
The hunt leader said before moving towards where they heard the scouts. Ray glanced at Erith, hoping that she would want to leave after the leader's speech, but he only saw determination in her eyes. Internally, he screamed, sighing outwardly. He was not ready to face those creatures again, especially when only facing one had almost cost him his life. But even if it was not always clear to him, Erith was his friend and the only person who tried to support him after his parents passed. He would not lose her just because he feared facing another shrieker. Ray steeled his resolve and followed the group deeper into the woods. It did not take long before they were upon where the first scout was screaming. A terrible stench reached his nose before they saw the carnage that had unfolded. Only some scattered body parts and a crushed torso remained of the man. Ray gagged at the gruesome sight and stench but was quickly on guard again. They still heard the dead man in front of them whaling nearby. A burst of movement caught Ray’s eye as a metallic form dashed straight at the hunt leader. He responded quickly by releasing an arrow after infusing his bow with the mana required to activate constrictor shot. As the arrow impacted the shrieker, it morphed, becoming a 10-foot-long python wrapping around the target. The snake's grip tightened and soon the creature was helpless as the leader drew a short sword and decapitated it. Black blood poured from its neck as it fell to the ground, lifeless. The snake soon dissipated, but the group did not have any reprieve as the scout's screaming stopped and three more metallic forms came into view, one carrying the scout's mangled head in one claw. The creature threw the head at the party, the screeching noise it emitted, seeming to imitate laughter as it saw the angered look on the leader's face. Ray was stunned by the display. A guttural, furious growl erupted from the hunter, his eyes blazing with rage as he launched himself at the creature. The creature smeared at the approaching man, readying its claws. A whirlwind of sword strikes claws and gnashing teeth followed. The two other hunters prevented the other shriekers from joining the fight. Chio and Erith dash in to assist the hunters. Chio joined the hunter on the left, attempting to weave his great sword around the beast's defenses while the more experienced man held its attention. Erith tried to assist the one on the right, but the ferocious battle seemed to have too quick of a pace for her to keep up. She instead opted to stand back and try to trip up the creature with her staff whenever the opportunity arose. Ray finally snapped out of his stupor and drew back another arrow. He quickly checked his mana and stamina, seeing that he had 130 mana and 36 stamina. Knowing that his stamina would likely be his limiting factor, he tried to end the battle quickly. He infused his bow, creating another constrictor shot, and fired it at the beast the leader was facing. But the quick movements of the battle caused him to miss the arrow striking a tree behind the creature. Following the missed strike, Ray engaged in the battle, his daggers brandished. To gain any advantage, he rapidly allocated his two remaining points to dexterity. Feeling the stat breach 20, he gained a fresh burst of speed that he did not think was possible. He heard the voice of the goddess in his mind. “Requirement threshold reached skill gained dual wielding.”
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Moving into battle like a blur, he slashed at the creature's back but could only leave shallow cuts with his lacking strength. He quickly compensated, infusing the blade with mana, causing it to extend and leave deeper wounds. He noticed that the length of the extension seemed to have grown by another inch since the last battle, which he guessed resulted from his weapon bond skill taking effect. The creature cried out in anguish as Ray and the hunter took turns slashing deep cuts into its body. The creature, defenseless, fell to its knees after a few more stabs. But just as Ray was about to land the killing blow, an ear-piercing scream emanated from the creature. Ray dropped to the ground, disoriented. He moved his hands to his ears, trying to block out the horrid noise. After a few moments, it finally subsided and Ray could get his barrings again. Ice-cold dread seized him as he stared at the leader, holding a bloody stump where his left arm had been moments before. Horrible crunching noises came from the bloodied creature standing near him as its gnashing teeth ground the missing appendage into a paste. Ray pushed through the dread and exploded in speed once more. The startled creature slashed out with its claws, but Ray raised his sword breaker to meet them and activated the enchantment. Upon contact with the weapon, the creature clawed and exploded, knocking it off its feet. It could only helplessly stare in horror as Ray closed the final distance, pointing his dagger at its neck. The creature did not even have time to scream as its vision faded to black. Ray checked to see if the others needed help. Luckily, it looked like the piercing wail had not affected the other four and the battle seemed to be in a stalemate on all sides. He took stock of his resources once more
Mana 40/160
Stamina 10/40
He visibly paled, seeing that they had already fallen so low.
“Hey, kid.”
The wounded leader called out, now sitting against a nearby tree called out. He held out two vials, one containing a blue solution and the other a yellow.
“Drink these. They will restore some of your mana and stamina. Then help the others.”
Ray ran over, grabbed both vials, and downed them.
“Thanks.”
He said. His face lit up with delight at the replenished 50 points. Reinvigorated by the energy rushing through his body, he dashed towards Erith’s fight.