The journey through the Forest had been an arduous one for Xavier and the team of ten handymen. They had followed behind the skilled hunters, the scent of blood and sweat in the air serving as a constant reminder of the beasts that had met their end. The group finally arrived at the first spot where the hunters had just finished their grim work.
The scene was both awe-inspiring and gruesome. The bodies of the slain beasts were strewn across the clearing. Massive, furred creatures with gnarled horns and sharp claws lay motionless, their once menacing presence now reduced to lifeless hulks.
Fenrir, the beastmaster, stood at the center of the carnage, his loyal wolf companion by his side. His rugged appearance seemed almost at home amidst the blood and gore. He raised a hand in greeting as Xavier and the other handymen approached.
"Good to see you all made it," Fenrir grunted, his voice rough yet welcoming. "We've got plenty of work ahead of us."
Xavier and Travis joined the ranks of handymen who had gathered around one of the fallen beasts. The smell of blood was overpowering, but they had grown used to it over time. Armed with sharp knives and tools, they began the grisly task of skinning the creatures under the watchful eyes of Fenrir and his wolf.
As Xavier deftly worked his knife through the thick hide of the beast, he stole a glance at Travis, who was beside him. The two had become close friends during their time in the mercenary guild, and their bond had only grown stronger since Xavier's encounter with the mysterious system.
Travis, focused on his task, finally broke the silence. "You know, Xav, this might not be the most glamorous job, but it's putting food on our table."
Xavier nodded, his hands continuing their work. "True, but sometimes I wonder if there's more to life than just this. Don't you ever feel that way?"
Travis paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "Yeah, I do, but we've got to take things one step at a time. Who knows what the future holds?"
Their conversation was interrupted as Fenrir approached, his keen eyes inspecting their progress. "Good work, lads," he grunted, nodding in approval. "Make sure to collect the valuable parts carefully. We'll be moving on to the next kill soon."
Xavier and Travis exchanged glances, their hands still busy with their gruesome task. They may not have had all the answers about their future, but for now, they would continue to do what they could to survive in the unforgiving world.
With the valuable parts of the slain beasts carefully collected and loaded onto a sturdy carriage, Xavier and the team of handymen were ready to move on to the next hunting spot. The sky, however, had different plans. Dark clouds gathered ominously overhead, casting a shadow over the clearing.
As they set out, the first few drops of rain began to fall, followed by a steady drizzle. Xavier couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as the rain intensified. He cast a skeptical look at the gloomy sky, muttering, "What's better than looting stinking beast corpses? Looting wet, stinking beast corpses."
Travis, who was walking alongside Xavier, shot him a reproachful glance. "Don't jinx the mission with your attitude, Xav," he chided. "We've got a job to do, rain or shine."
Xavier sighed, realizing that Travis had a point. Complaining about the weather wouldn't change anything.
The new kill site was an eerie clearing nestled deep within the dense forest. The handymen had just begun the grim task of extracting valuable parts from the beasts they had slain, their movements swift and efficient.
Xavier, wielding a sharp knife, carefully worked on a massive beast's hide, his eyes scanning for any valuable materials.
Amidst the systematic dismantling, the silence was suddenly shattered by a low, ominous growl. It was Fenrir's wolf, a loyal and usually composed companion, but now its hackles were raised, and its eyes blazed with primal intensity.
Fenrir instantly picked up on the warning signs. His brow furrowed in concern as he strode toward his wolf, his hand resting on the hilt of a well-worn blade at his side. The other handymen paused in their work, casting nervous glances at one another.
The wolf's growl intensified, its ears flat against its head as it stared intently into the dense underbrush at the edge of the clearing. Fenrir followed its gaze, and his eyes widened in shock and dread.
Emerging from the shadows of the forest was a nightmarish creature, unlike any beast they had encountered before. It stood on four legs, its fur a deep, iridescent black that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. Long, jagged spikes adorned its back, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural, eerie green light.
Xavier's heart raced as he beheld the terrifying beast. Its presence alone sent shivers down his spine. He exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Travis, and they both knew that this was a situation unlike any they had faced before.
"I didn't jinx it, I swear." Xavier proclaimed with his hands raised as if to prove his innocence.
Bang.
Fenrir raised his hand at lightning-fast speed tossing something into the air. A loud bang echoed across the sky, mixed with a red gas coming from what was tossed into the air.
With his cold eyes never leaving the menacing creature approaching them, Fenrir contemplated their options. He knew what this beast was capable of. It was no ordinary Grade 1 creature; it was something strong, something that had strayed far from its usual territory.
His mind raced, calculating the risks. The temptation to retreat was strong, but he glanced back at the handymen, laden with the valuable organs and materials they had already harvested. Retreat would mean losing all that they had worked for.
Fenrir clenched his jaw, making a tough decision. They would stand their ground.
With a swift motion, Fenrir raised his arm, releasing his wolf with a soft command. The loyal companion, usually a fierce force to be reckoned with, snarled and pounced forward, teeth bared. The beast, however, moved with an unnatural swiftness, casually swinging its claw like a battering ram.
The impact was brutal and instantaneous. The wolf was smashed into the ground, and its skull was crushed with a sickening crunch. Fenrir's heart sank as he realized the true magnitude of the threat they faced. This was no mere beast; it was a monstrous entity.
Xavier felt his breath catch in his throat, his eyes locked on the horrifying scene. The loss of the wolf, a creature as loyal and strong as its master, was a chilling reminder of the danger they were in. This was no longer a hunt; it was a fight for survival.
Fear surged through him, and he turned to Travis, his voice trembling. "Travis, we have to go. Now!"
Travis, wide-eyed and pale, needed no further encouragement. Without looking back, they turned and fled deeper into the forest, not caring where they were headed as long as it was away from the looming menace behind them. Their footsteps were frantic, hearts pounding, as they left Fenrir and the other handymen behind, hoping desperately to escape the terror that had descended upon them.