A Level Zero's Struggle (part 4)
Qiao could notice some of their gestures, but could not make sense of them.
He cannot tell what was going on but it would most definitely be a trap like before. But he still need to follow as the leader instructed. He knew that leader or the chasers would not share their spoils even if he survived.
But the most necessary was points or what they called experience. He needed experience to level up.
To level up and kill the strong hunter whose voice frustrated him was his aim and not to become rich in this world.
He followed the direction and carefully walked, trying his best to sense any of the smallest and shortest movement.
Soon as he asked himself to get ready for experience, he could feel a different kind of strength empowering him.
He could feel his body little stronger than what he used to feel in the university time. In front of gym guy, he always looked helpless and frail but now he could feel that he was strong.
As the party moved into position, it started to rain. They all made irritated expressions but, they had already entered the monster's territory and retreating now might prove to be dangerous.
The strange monster on the other hand did not seem to bother with the change at all. It had a large body and pincer on its back. It eyed Qiao who was slowly moving towards it from the front.
It was aware that in this rain, while the hunters would have trouble moving and reacting quick, the monster itself was not affected much in anyway. It already knew that the advantage was in its hands so it was slowly closing down on the prey. And there was a strange aura that it sensed from this human coming towards it.
Qiao who was moving slowly forward with caution was alerted when it started to rain. But he already knew it would happen so he as prepared for it. He was trying his best to remain alert and look out for any quick attack from the monster. Strangely the monster had not yet initiated an attack.
At that moment he saw the leader signaling towards him. He understood that he was edging him forward to do his work as a bait.
Right then the monster breathed through its nostrils and jumped at him suddenly.
Qiao took immediately wrapped his palm around the nearest trunk and using its support he just made a sharp turn, managing to avoid the attack.
The monster met empty air.
Behind the monster, the group that was ready to attack stopped suddenly as they saw Qiao dodge. This was not according to the script. Wasn't that guy supposed to be struggling with the monster ready to kill it, when they would appear and attack the busy monster? To think that this brawler could still dodge on time?
They were stunned.
But they had no time to think about it anymore as the monster turned around, it also spotted them.
They were not in hiding anymore.
The rain made the ground muddy, the firefly seemed revitalized in the rain, it was energetic and would attack and kill them all.
The chasers wiped the drops of water from their faces and moved forward.
There was not a proper formation or any guidance from the leader. The leader also realized this and felt that he should guide the chasers else the hunt would look ridiculous. And if they took fatal damage
Qiao meanwhile stood at the side, between the trees. He did not directly let the chasers be aware of his position, as he knew that they would direct the monster toward him.
Right after the second attempt of the attack, leader located the brawler maintaining a good distance from the location of the battle. Strangely he had not run away but was observing them instead.
The leader gritted his teeth and felt anger rising in him. The fact that they were being rubbed with salt and vinegar while he was standing unscathed made him really burst with anger.
He did not wait for the chasers to move and instead turned to act himself. He jumped in front of the monster and then ran toward brawler. He was confident in his ability as a level two chaser.
He could run fast and dodge the monster of level one but the brawler was zero level.
Though it was raining but that would not affect his plans. When he was hunting the monster, no loser could benefit from it. He thought the brawler had not left because he wanted to reap the spoils after they all got injured dealing with the monster. So he wanted to make him suffer like this instead.
Qiao was truly unlucky as the monster again closed in toward him.
But he thought to not back down this time. He could see the attack coming this time and at it wasn't as quick as the last one. He kept his right-hand grip on the temporary stone weapon and swung his weapon towards leg of the monster.
Everyone present was surprised when they saw the newbie retaliate in such precision. They were stunned once again.
Since when did a newbie happen to learn attacking the monsters in his first mission? There was no fresh example for it in nearly hundred years.
Now they knew that this brawler was not clearly here to serve as bait, but instead worry about the experience they were losing.
This attack launched was not fatal and it only gave three experience points.
The leader was agape as well but hurriedly he composed himself again.
He should not let this brawler take the advantage no matter what.
He gestured two of the chasers to give him cover and he himself attacked the monster by using his sword.
It was a proper level two weapon and if correctly used, it could guarantee five to ten experience points in a single attack.
The attack and the experience were related to dexterity and strength behind the attack and the kind of the weapon used.
If a chaser was going to use a lower level weapon than the level of the monster then it was called an invalid weapon and it could not give the chaser any experience points. In most situations, it would shatter during the battle.
Not a single chaser or hunter would be willing to take such risk so they fight for spoils, through the exchange of spoils, they could buy a good weapon depending on the worth of the spoils.
Right now, the leader was able to face the monster but only he was equal to it in battle. The monster used the splashes of the mud to its advantage and truly mocked the hunters, it seemed to be a female firefly which often faced hunters.
The small wings which cannot help it to fly were used for the splashes instead. Despite its huge size it had amazing flexibility. The situation was troubling for the party of hunters.