Afternoon light pierced through the woods to the forest floor. Midok leaned against the wooden doorframe, the light illuminating his rugged face. He handed Whiskey-Jack a basic training bow and a quiver filled with arrows.
"You can keep that," Midok said casually, nodding towards the bow. "It's standard for trainees. If you want something better, you'll either need to craft it yourself or find a way to acquire it." He flashed a smile, knowing the his journey had just begun.
With his sword strapped securely to his back and the bow in hand, Whiskey-Jack felt confidence, the two were formidable, and prepared to face whatever lurked in the brush of the forest floor.
Midok led the way down a narrow path that wound deeper into the dense forest, "There hasn't been much game since those creatures appeared, but we might still catch a rabbit or two," Midok remarked, keeping his tone hopeful
After walking along the trapline for a couple of hours, suddenly, they spotted movement, a rabbit ensnared by one of Midok's traps.
"Today's a good day!" Midok exclaimed, a grin spreading, his excitement fuelling him as he dashed forward.
With a fluid movement, he took out a small hunting knife and plunged it into the rabbit's heart, ensuring a quick end to the rabbit's suffering. Just as Midok began to undo the trap, a monstrous growl shattered the two's joyous attitudes.
The two turned, their eyes widening in horror as a beast stood at least nine feet tall, its body, a mass of bulging muscles and scales that glistened ominously in the sunlight.
Its glowing red eyes bulging from its sockets, fixated on them with an insatiable intent.
[An Atahsaia has appeared, a cannibal creature in nature]
[Quest: The hunters have become the hunted! Kill the Beast]
[Reward: 500 XP]
Panic struck Midok, leaving him paralyzed in fear, fight or flight had taken over. But Whiskey-Jack, his heart racing with fear and determination, sprang into action.
"This is how I get stronger!" he thought
He grabbed an arrow and drew his bowstring, aiming for the creature's heart. As he released the arrow, the arrow found it's mark, embedding itself into the beast.
The impact was less than he had hoped; the Atahsaia's tough hide dispersed most of the force, and the arrow only penetrated an inch.
Enraged, the beast charged, its hulking form moving with slowly, almost lethargic. Midok quickly retreated, with Whiskey-Jack becoming its primary target.
With a clawed hand the size of a tree trunk, the Atahsaia swung, narrowly missing the boy as he rolled away, the ground beneath him shattering by the force of the strike.
"Just one hit, and I'll be shredded into pieces!" Whiskey-Jack thought, quickly examining his body for injuries. "I need to be extremely careful."
Observing the beast's slow, lumbering movements gave him hope.
With a determined grip, he drew his sword, ready to join the fray. Midok, realizing the stakes, notched an arrow and prepared to fire.
He aimed carefully, focusing on the beast's massive head. The arrow flew, finding a direct hit to the right eye of the Atahsaia.
"Arrrghh!" The monster let out a terrifying scream, clutching its eye with a massive claw. Seeing its moment of weakness,
Whiskey-Jack rushed in, slashing at the creature's side before darting away from danger.
"Damn, it's tougher than I thought!" he panted, noticing the scratches left by his blade failed to draw blood.
Midok fired another arrow, this time striking the Atahsaia in the shoulder, buying Whiskey-Jack time to think. "My arrow is still lodged in its body… if I can drive it in deeper…"
Whiskey-Jack circled to the beast's right, it's now blind spot, and charged. Turning his sword on it's flat end to strike the embedded arrow, he swung with all his might.
*Ting*, sound of his swordl clashed against the arrow, driving it deeper into the beast's flesh.
The Atahsaia screamed again, thrashing wildly as it stumbled. It swung its enormous claws in a desperate attempt to make contact, but after a moment of wildly flailing, the creature fell to its side, lifeless.
[Quest Completed]
[Rewards Granted: 500 XP]
[New Creature Slain Bonus]
[Additional 1000 XP has been granted]
[Find a new beast and be the first to kill it for additional XP]
Breathless the two young hunters examined the fallen beast.
Whiskey-Jack felt another rush of adrenaline, knowing this was just the beginning of his journey.
Together with Midok, he was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead, his true adventure awaited at every turn