It had been a long day, the sun was high in the sky as the old guard sat in the guard post. It was about the size of a small house, He and his fellow guards had been chosen to keep watch on the entrance to the fungal forest cave. It was getting closer to the day the cave sapiens would come up for trade but that didn't mean they could come and go as they wanted.
"Hey Gary when's the next cargo wagon supposed to be here we are running low on food."
One of the guards called to him, he was a new recruit so he must not know all the routes yet. I'm getting old going on about 45, sitting in my heavy plate mail armor holding my spear to my side.
"Shut it recruit the delivery gets here when it gets here, Now get back to your watch!"
I bellow out making him snap to attention and head back to his post. It was to hot out and I didn't wanna deal with all his whining, didn't have time for it since the other two guards and gone to the lake to try and get a few fish. The young lad had his chain mail on with a small sword in the sheath and a round shield on his arm.
"Why's everyone think since im the oldest i know every damn thing, I ain't no damn fortune teller"
Grumbling to no one in particular, sleep slowly crept up on me as my eyes closed. Not knowing how long I slept there, startled awake by the sounds of a loud bell being rang. Snapping up to attention i look up at the young man hammering the bells clapper inside it while he stares down at the cave entrance.
It was the ground rumbling that the old man felt first before moving his eyes to the cave catching a glimpse of the large arm that protruded out from the darkness. Then his eyes moved up to see the maw of the creature, it was open just enough for him to catch a glimpse of the jagged white bone like teeth that went all the way around at every angle. Skin pulled tight over it's muscles, spines sticking up from its back, it was bigger than anything he'd seen and had way too many eyes.
"Stop ringing that damn bell and get your ass down here, You and me will have to hold the line till the other to get back they shoulda heard you ringing that damn thing!"
Gary moved fast setting himself between the creature and the guard post. The young recruit got down drawing his sword and stepping up next to the old man. Both stood there with their weapons drawn up. Gary didn't know the young lads level or skills but he was sure this creature wasn't that strong since it was from the first layer, no way it came from deeper because they would have got a message from the guard post down there.
"Kid don't try and be a hero just keep your guard up block and poke it, I'll take the damn thing head on since i just reached level 30"
The young lad agreed with no sound only raising the shield. The old man watched as the creature made it's way outside and simple stood there not moving. Taking a deep breath mana charged in the air as Gary charged his skill with mana. Quickly he snapped forward at a speed not seen by many at 45 years old, light enveloped his spear as a small beam shot out. The air crackled to life with the energy of his thrust as the beam slammed into the beasts shoulder.
BOOM!!
The sound vibrated the air as the creature slammed back against the cave entrance wall, dirt and stone shaking free from the ceiling. The old man waited to see how it would react, blood streaming from the wound. The kid was the first to gasp followed by the old man as they both watched the creatures flesh squirming and wiggling stretching and knitting itself together stopping the blood from leaking out.
"Damn i guess this wont be easy this thing can heal at a speed we can see"
Letting out a huff of air he squeezed the spear tighter, mana charging on his spear tip. Seconds later his body glowed with aura as he drained his stamina strengthening his body so he could move faster and hit stronger.
"Kid back me up I'll take on attacking you make sure the damn thing doesn't get behind me"
Moving towards the creature that has now stood up on it's back legs claws stretched out, maw open showing the rows of bone teeth curved inward. It moved fast for a creature it's size dashing straight at them and swinging it's claws out in front.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The air ripped apart as it slashed with both claws, the old man ducked the first and back stepped the second. He then let out a loud yell as he thrust the spear into the creatures chest cavity, the sound of flesh ripping and tearing away was heard over the roar of the creature. The young man stepped up and slashed his sword into the things arm.
Swoosh, Crack!
The sound of sword on bone was heard, blood dripping down the sword. A big meaty hand hit the kid in the side sending him flying as the old man pulled the spear out and took another stab.
Boom!
The kid hit the ground crashing into the dirt. The mana infuse wasn't on the blade anymore as the old man attacked, so it only chipped away at the flesh as the old man backed off fast.
"Kid you okay over there that was one hell of a hit you took"
The kid curled on the ground feeling his bones cracked and broken all over, raspy breath leaking from his lips. The old man swung his spear over and over as he dodged the creatures claws, jumping back when it tried to bite him.
Scrape! Crunch! Crack!
The creature was taking damage, skin slowing with how fast it heals. Bones breaking and cracking, it's claws having scratched and cut through Gary's armor blood dripping in his armor from the cuts he has accumulated.
Over the hill came two more guards running down laying eyes upon the creature and the guard captain. They could see the damage each had taken and the blood pooled on the ground, the creature took notice of them and turned, dropping to all fours and taking off back into the cave.
"Great now it leaves after all this nonsense, Woulda been nice if'n it left sooner my old bones couldn't have taken much more"
Moving back to the guard post the two other guards ran down, one passing him and going to the kid the other stopping at him and helping him inside. Once inside he took a potion and drank it feeling his wounds slowly close, it would take a few hours to heal fully. Handing a potion to the guard and motion for him to give it to the young kid.
"Wonder where a thing like that came from" Letting out a sigh "Hey get a message ran back to the main camp and tell em to put together a group we can't leave it down there"
The guard nodded and took to writing it down as the old man recounted what had happened. After finishing the note the guard ran off and back up the hill. Gary sat there taking a sip of tea that was made for him, thinking back to what happened and glancing at the young kid.