Kurtan huffed after that combo. But even though he was exhausted after one moment, he was energized. That was when suddenly, another boar appeared in front of him.
'I forgot that there are two of them!'
He immediately propped up his shield. However, the boar's tackle was too heavy that even he, a fat man, lost his balance and fell on his behind.
"Ah...!"
Kurtan heard a groan before there were two swooshing sounds that traveled through the air.
An arrow pierced the back of the boar and a spear on its face. However, these two hits were not fatal enough to kill the boar. It only made it furious but knew it was in a situation it couldn't win so it tried to turn around.
"... sorrr...!" Tawn muttered before jumped forward. He tried to reach for the handle of his spear but failed as the boar turned its head away.
Kurtan wanted to shout something but acted first as he controlled the spear for Tawn to get a hold of it. Once he did, he used his full strength to turn the boar to its side, retract the spear, and pierced again.
He was not as experienced as Kurtan so Tawn needed two more stabs before the boar couldn't stand up anymore and eventually, died on the spot.
"Haa...!" Tawn breathed heavily not just because he was tired but adrenaline rushed through his veins.
"G-good job..." Kurtan huffed too before commenting, "But you shouldn't forget that you're an Imagi, use your power every time you had the chance."
Tawn nodded to Kurtan before offering his hand.
"Uncle Kurt... you should get up first..." he said in a low voice.
Kurtan then remembered he just fell on the kid they were trying to save. Immediately, he stood up with the help of Tawn. At the same time, Jarem came down from the air and fell on his back, trying to catch his breath.
They were just pups. They got easily tired from just that. Even though Kurtan is experienced, he had the same stamina. Just like increasing one's proficiency on being an Imagi, reaching upper stages, they also need to train to increase their "imaginative power" overall.
Since Kurtan had yet to reach the Reforming Stage, it is easy to tell that he had low talent. In other words, he had low imaginative power as well. He only got this proficient through experience.
Of course, he was still the strongest so he rested enough to look at the kid they saved.
"How did you get here?"
He said with a frown and an unwelcoming gaze.
"S-sorry, Mister Imagis! I am just a poor beggar. Recently, I was kicked out of my town and now, I have no choice but to hunt for myself. But I just realized that it would just cost me my death."
The child that seemingly had yet to reach the age of ten cried. This pulled some string of empathy towards Kurtan and Tawn. As for Jeram, he stood up and scolded.
"Are you stupid as well!? How can you just realized now that hunting is not something a disabled young beggar like you can do?"
"Calm down, Jeram, he's just a kid." Kurtan then turned to the child and asked, "What's your name?"
Although the unwelcoming faze was no longer there, he seemed still indifferent.
"M-my name's Elihim, Mister Imagi."
Obvious by now, the child is Elihim who was acting. He had lived more years than how many these people can count for days straight. He's an old fox and acting is like his second nature to him.
Behind his pitiful face, he was sneering.
'What a bunch of weaklings these people are. After just two boars and they're resting as if they did great. I thought they're the strongest ones among the Pups?'
'Also, this Jeram didn't shoot his arrow when I was being chased. He only did it when this fatty is in danger. And what is this fatty saying using your Imagi powers every time you can? What do they teach in that academy? That's the reason why you're exhausted right now. Do not get me started with this quiet guy who just made tons of mistakes.'
Elihim criticized inwardly. However, he was not angry. His patience and tolerance are not something these people can reduce.
"Elihim? What a good name your shitty parents gave yo- ah! What was that?" Jeram became vigilant after a stone was thrown towards his back.
Everyone was looking at him so no one saw how that rock hit him. Elihim only acted surprised as if he had no idea what's happening.
After learning that they were the only ones there, the three turned to Elihim again.
"Follow us, let's get out of here first."
Kurtan said and led the way. While their Puppeteering dragged the dead boars behind them.
"Is there additional points if we saved a child?"
Jeram asked under his breath.
When they reached their base back, they saw that Wey was almost finished.
"Who's that, Uncle Kurt?"
Wey casually pointed and looked at Elihim with both pitiful and belittling gaze. However, she was sweating too, making her less domineering.
"A kid who we found being chased by two boars."
"Woah... lucky him or unlucky him." Wey commented before sitting under the shed she created and rested while the two boars were dragged onto it with the help of four of them.
Puppeteering can overlap one another as this is just a type of force.
After talking it about, the four decided to place the kid under the shed first while they take more game into it. Of course, they gave him a job. That was to shout if there are even any carnivores about to approach.
Elihim agreed like an obedient kid and after they left, one unlucky panther saw the dead boars and one "weak" kid. Knowing that with little effort, it will gain a high price, it swiftly ran towards him.
Elihim rolled his eyes while shouting.
"Help! A predator, help!"