Kenneth's Run

Farmer Amos' place was to the east, on the border between the farms surrounding Initial Village and the hill orchards. His land actually grew both corn and mangoes. Compared to Farmer Andrews' place on the west side, it was quite a bit farther, but there weren't any zebra-monkeys on the way.

There was, however, this reddish-looking snake lounged lazily beside the road in front of them. "What is that?"

"It's a Rust Boa. I think it's native to Minar V." Kenneth mused. "Definitely not a Floran serpent."

Of course not. If it were a Floran serpent, both Kenneth and Cody would be running for their lives already. Floran serpents were big. Very big.

"If it's a Boa, then it's the crushing type, right?" Cody hesitated. "I hope it's not hungry."

The creature wasn't too big, actually. In terms of head size, it was only the size of a fist. Cody doubted that snake could eat him without crushing him to mush first.

"At least its eyes aren't glowing green." Kenneth mused. "Oren tells me that those green-eyed types are stronger, fiercer and smarter than normal."

Cody shivered. "I saw a few of those on the west road. They weren't supposed to be there. I thought the monkeys usually roamed the north area, not the west."

"Well, they've obviously moved. I don't think we can assume anything about what 'should be' during Crisis Mode."

"Let's not disturb it." Cody suggested. As far as he could tell, the Boa was simply getting some sun. "The terrain around here isn't too rough. I think we can go off-road for a bit."

It was bumpy, but Cody wasn't keen on taking any risks. With no gear, and just the two of them, they really didn't need to make the journey any more dangerous than it already was. If their Security rating dropped any lower, things could go bad really quickly.

At any rate, the snake appeared to appreciate that they went out of their way not to disturb it. The sunbathing fellow remained right where he was, without raising a ruckus.

***

Farmer Amos, it seemed, had only half a barn's worth of fruit and corn stored up in crates. Cody and Kenneth loaded up their carts, then looked around for any extra loot they might be able to use.

After all, the fact that they got this mission here meant that Farmer Amos had already died and wasn't about to need any of his tools or equipment any more.

For example, the pruning hook, fruit picker, and yes, clean crop-friendly baskets.

For example, the wheelbarrow and the scythe.

For example, all his kitchen knives, especially the kitchen cleaver. Goodness, Kenneth even took the kitchen wok! Pot, pan, kettle… all of them went into an empty crate he'd pulled out from the barn.

"There's a basic toolbox too. Hammer, pliers, multi-driver, wrench… no power tools, but it's a complete set." Kenneth advised Cody. "Even if you don't want to use them, you could sell them to Specs. Or something."

Kenneth even took a can of insecticide.

"I don't think that's going to work against Zapper caterpillars or such." Cody mentioned.

"Not as it is, but a little flame and a spurt of aerosol together could do wonders." Kenneth hinted, and took the kitchen lighter.

As they left, Cody eyed the heap of loot Kenneth was bringing back from Amos' place and had to admit, Kenneth's slow take-your-time style certainly looked more rewarding than rushing around with Riki.

Happy with their loot, Kenneth and Cody made their way back towards the Village…

But the Boa who was still on the road didn't seem quite so happy. Cody tried to steer to one side again, but this time, the Boa rose up to shoulder height and hissed at him. He tried to go round the other side.

No dice. The Boa moved to block his way again.

"Think we should split? You go left, I go right?" Kenneth suggested. "One of us might make it."

"Can't risk it. If either of us dies, Security Levels might drop below Threat Levels. We can't afford to die." Cody reminded him.

Kenneth sighed and got off his tricycle. "Hand me the scythe. Do you want the chef knife? It's the nearest thing we've got to a sword."

"Pruning hook." Cody requested, getting off his too. Considering that Mina Style's Uta form used stabbing, lunging attacks more than slashes, a longer weapon with a sharp point was more suited to his needs.

It wasn't going to be easy. The pruning hook was basically a pole with a curved saw-knife at the top. It was a lot heavier than his Practice Sword, +1 or otherwise. Cody supported it with both hands, gritting his teeth and bracing his arms. Uta was supposed to be a light and natural style, but in this situation he was just going to have to force it.

"Can you kill it if you have a clear shot at its neck?" Cody asked.

"I think so. Maybe." Kenneth said doubtfully. "It'll have to be a pretty good swing, though. You?"

"I can't." Cody knew is limitations. Hitting a target that slippery with a pole-arm this heavy using a light form like Uta was just asking for trouble. "I'll draw its attention. You whack it from behind."

"Got it." Kenneth braced himself, slowly and cautiously stepping to the right.

Cody poked the pruning hook at the snake, then quickly jumped back, trying to use the spring-forward and spring-back motions that Cyril used. He almost stumbled, but managed to get clear before the snake hissed at him again…

Kenneth swung. From three feet away, he suddenly leapt forward and made a clean, graceful reaper's cut with the scythe as if he was harvesting wheat or corn.

It was well-aimed, well-struck, and probably well-timed, to the best of Cody's knowledge. It scored a direct hit on the snake's neck. There was a scraping sound as the scythe met the snake's scales and cut into it... and then got stuck.

"Uhoh." Kenneth gulped.

The snake spun around furiously…

Cody lunged. Psuche boosted his legs and his weapon was primed. With a desperate hope that he wasn't about to commit suicide, he charged forward and tightened his grip, his arms, using Psuche in his wrist to make absolutely sure the point would be driven into the neck of the Rust Boa.

The snake, perhaps sensing danger, turned back and snarled at Cody, fangs bared…

The sudden movement switched his target before his very eyes. What should have been the neck suddenly became an opened mouth. Cody almost stumbled, but it didn't matter. Weight, momentum and sheer clumsiness did the rest.

Before he knew it, there was a jerking feeling in his arms, and then the pruning hook was stabbed through the inner throat of the snake. Cody lost his grip, trying to spring back, but after such a powerful charge, the best he could manage was to stumble to one side as the Boa suddenly went crazy, whipping its body and tail around.

"Oof!" Cody was hit with a flailing tail and was knocked several feet away.

"Hiyaah!" Kenneth turned the scythe vertical and brought it down like a pickax in a wide overhand stroke. It drove straight through the snake's spine, pinning it to the ground despite its spasms. A moment later, he, too, was knocked away with that flailing tail.

But while the boys were knocked away, their weapons remained stuck on the snake. Despite its flailing and spasming, they did not come loose so easily. All of a sudden, the snake fell still, and flopped to the ground lifelessly.

"Is… that it? We got it?" Cody asked cautiously.

"I think so. But… let's not take any risks." Kenneth said, darting back to his tricycle.

They left the pruning hook and the scythe right where they were, stuck into the Rust Boa. They steered around the body of the Boa, and wasted no time heading straight back to the Village.