They weren't too different from the pigs he was used to, except for one glaring detail: each of these pigs had a weapon attached to their tails. Each pig's tail weapon was different from the other. One pig wielded a spear, another had a hammer and one other had an ax. The pigs were not grasping weapons using their tails, the weapons were actually part of their tails, seamlessly integrated and matching the same pinkish color of the rest of their bodies.

The monsters had spotted Axel and were slowly advancing towards him, with the weapons on their tails curled up, ready to strike. Axel was ready for their inevitable attack. The one with the hammer let out a grunt and the other two pigs began to fan out, evidently aiming to surround and overwhelm him.

Refusing to let the pigs gain the upper hand, Axel dashed straight at the one with a hammer. The hammer pig swiftly spun around, leveraging the momentum to swing his weapon at Axel. Ducking beneath the wild swing, Axel pressed forward toward his foe. Before the pig had the opportunity to recover, Axel struck it with his sword using [Slash] and [Strength Boost] hoping to end the battle swiftly.

Axel's sword struck its target, but the wound inflicted was far from fatal. The wound caused by his sword was a shallow gash across the pig's flank, oozing blood but not deep enough to incapacitate the creature. To make matters worse, the remaining two pigs had begun to close in, surrounding Axel just as he feared they would.

Axel started backing up, his eyes darting between the three enemies as he tried to maintain them within his line of sight. The three monsters had grouped up again and were closing in on him. They did not spread out this time but marched forward side by side, with their tails pointed at Axel.

The trio advanced steadily, whilst Axel tried to maintain the distance between them. It was for naught as all three, under the commandful grunt of the hammer pig, began their charge. They were coordinated, far more coordinated than what he expected a bunch of pigs to be capable of.

They attacked by swinging their bodies and letting the momentum carry their tails to deal devastating blows. The onslaught was relentless, with one pig attacking after another, leaving Axel with little opportunity to counterattack. Pressed on all sides, Axel continued his retreat, relying mainly on [Strength Boost] enhanced [Blocks] to fend off the relentless assaults.

The pigs were annoying, far more annoying than the blasted foxes from the day before. At least with the foxes, there was a chance for Axel to fight back.

Having to defend against an onslaught of blows, coupled with the inability to retaliate was starting to take its toll on Axel. He was exhausted and sweating profusely. It was clear that he would need to do something fast if he wanted to get out of this predicament alive and preferably uninjured.

Axel could feel his muscles tensing up, the fatigue weighing heavily on his body. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to endure. During their tango, Axel had come up with an idea, and as always it seemed like a genius idea. However, when it came time to execute, doubt showered his mind. If he was going to act, it would have to be now.

Gathering up courage, he waited for the hammer pig to swing its body. The moment it did Axel leaped into the air, crossing his swords to form an 'X' while simultaneously activating [Block], and [Copper Body]. The hammer-like tail of the pig slammed into the crossed swords launching Axel backwards.

Axel landed on the ground, rolling to break his fall. Miraculously, he emerged from the tumble unscathed. He got to his feet and wasted no time sprinting away, towards the dirt path. A tactical retreat was better than endlessly blocking till his death. Right now, he needed some time to recuperate and think about how to best deal with the situation.

The Pig O' Battles gave chase, but the moment Axel entered the sanctuary that is the dirt path, they let out a huff of frustration and slammed their tails to the ground before turning back from whence they came. Axel slumped to the ground, his chest heaved as he panted heavily. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he took a moment to catch his breath and collect himself.

During the blocking fiesta, his [Block] and [Basic Duel Wielding Proficiency] skills had apparently ranked up from Rank F to Rank E.

At least that's something to celebrate. Now how do I deal with these pigs? he thought as he glanced upward at the cloudy sky.

Taking refuge in one of the many trees, Axel aimlessly watched people pass by under him, totally oblivious to his presence. It was calming. The rhythm of the wind and rustling of leaves as people walked beneath him. He lay there on his stomach, dangling his legs over the branches, fully immersing himself in the peaceful scene unfolding before him.

Whilst observing those crossing beneath him, he racked his brain trying to come up with a semblance of a strategy, but it was not exactly a walk in the park. It was not the first time Axel had to combat against a group before, but such coordination was something entirely new to him. Then again, so were pigs with weapons. Nevertheless, normally, he would attempt to isolate them and pick them off one by one, but how would he even go about doing that was proving difficult.

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His gaze drifted from the dirt path to his surroundings, in search of any inspiration for ideas. The environment offered little assistance, as it mostly consisted of the usual assortment of trees, shrubs, rocks, and fallen branches. Perhaps he could use them to distract the pigs? Axel doubted that would work, but then again he doubted that it would work on the Duo Hound, and lo and behold it was his main strategy in defeating them. So it couldn't hurt to try.

It wouldn't be his smartest move, but if it does not work he could always run away, I mean, perform a tactical retreat, again.

With that idea in mind, he collected several stones and sticks scattered across the forest floor and stowed them in his [Inventory]. Feeling prepared with a plan in place, he resumed his hunt.

Somehow, he encountered the same trio of pigs again. He was sure of this when he noticed the gash on the hammer pig's side from when he struck it earlier. How they had not been slain by the others, who were fighting monsters in the main world, was beyond him. Right now, it was not that important, because now he would have his revenge.

The pigs remained unaware of his presence, so he seized the opportunity to put his strategy into action. Taking out a few pebbles, he aimed above the hammer pigs and let them fly. The pebbles scattered in the air, hitting all three pigs.

Instead of distracting them like he hoped it would, all it did was make them huffy. They snorted and turned to face Axel. Under the commands of the hammer pig, they charged at him. Axel tossed the remainder of his sticks and stones at them, hoping they would break some bones or something. Alas, it was for naught, as the objects merely bounced off of their sturdy hides.

Deep down he was hoping that this stupid plan would succeed, but he had already expected such an outcome.

Once again, Axel readied his swords, aiming to glean more insights about his foes from this little skirmish before considering another tactical retreat. It played out exactly like the previous encounter, the three Pig O' Battles gathered in front of Axel each taking turns to wail on him, one after another. All Axel could do was [Block], and wait for an opening, but once again the opening never came.

I could try dodging them, but then I'd basically be stuck in an infinite dodging loop instead. There must be something that I can do to shake things up. What if…

A ridiculous idea formed in his head, one that involved a risky gamble and a lot of luck—one that may just lead to his victory.

The moment after Axel [Blocked] against the blow from the hammer pig with his [Wooden Training Sword], he threw his [Iron Training Sword] towards them while activating a precautionary [Copper Body] in anticipation. Instantly, the remaining pigs changed their target to the flying sword, using their tails to swat the weapon away.

This was the opening Axel had been waiting for. He swung downwards using [Slash], the wooden sword gaining a soft blue hue before it met the pink flesh of the hammer pig. A huge gash appeared on its head, blood dripping onto the dirt below, accompanied by a deafening squeal. The other two pigs, distracted by the squeals of their comrade and leader, momentarily ceased their attacks and turned to look.

Axel moved quickly. Using this opportunity to bring his sword up in an upwards [Slash] towards the wounded pig. The sword continued to glow a faint blue, as it struck the pig’s chin. Another agonizing squeal erupted from the creature before it dissolved into more items for Axel to collect later.

[Pig O' Battle - Hammer was slain. Gained 18 points]

The disappearance of their leader and friend led to even more cacophony. The two remaining pigs squealed and grunted in confused distress.

Without hesitation, Axel immediately turned his attention to the remaining beasts, targeting the ax-wielding pig this time. The pig, too distracted, was met with a barrage of [Slashes] to its body and head before it too faded away. With only the spear-wielding pig left, Axel braced himself for the final confrontation.

[Pig O' Battle - Ax was slain. Gained 17 points]

Driven by a desire to avenge its fallen comrade, the spear pig let out a warcry-like grunt as it began its assault on Axel. Long gone were the precise and coordinated movements it had displayed at the beginning of the fight, now replaced with erratic swipes and thrusts of the spear.

Axel managed to [Block] the spear pig’s frenzied attacks. Although more unpredictable, it was still far easier than dealing with three pigs all at the same time. Once the spear pig began to slow down, fatigued from the ferocious assault, Axel went on the offensive. With precise [Slashes] from his sword, Axel allowed the pig to join its comrades.

[Pig O' Battle - Spear was slain. Gained 15 points]

With victory assured, Axel collapsed to his knees panting.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Axel then walked over to pick up his fallen sword and his spoils of battle: 3 [Pink Pig Hides] and 17 [Gold Coins].

I got so lucky there. I'm not sure if this strategy would work again. I don't mind throwing a stick, but throwing my weapon at them? What was I thinking? It worked out in the end, but wow I hope it works out again in the future.

***

After a short rest atop his perch in the trees, Axel leaped back to the ground determined to continue his hunt for more Pig O' Battles. Following the squeals and grunts, Axel soon came across another pack. However, this time, it wasn't just a group of pigs. There was also a large man among them.

That large muscular man was being ganged up on and fighting the pigs barehanded. Wait, he recognized that man. It was Bernhardt from the inn yesterday. Gone were his simple clothes, instead replaced with bright red fur armor. He looked more like a beast than a person, a beast that was currently getting ganged up on by pigs.