As the grim reality of the situation settled over the remaining hunters, Baelin, captain of the first hunter team, took charge. He knew that this was not a Grade 1 beast; it was something far more formidable. With a deep, steady voice, he addressed the rest of the team.
"This is not a Grade 1 beast," Baelin declared, his mind racing to formulate a plan. "It must be of a higher level. Outrunning it is wishful thinking. We need to face this threat head-on."
His gaze shifted to Seraphina, the captain of Fenrir's team, and their eyes met in silent understanding. There was no need for words since they both knew that their survival now depended on a united front and a strategic approach.
Baelin's gaze then shifted to the wound near the hind leg of the beast, where Sylas had managed to stab it. Blood continued to leak from the wound, not too deep but significant enough to be exploited. He turned to Lyra, the archer of the team, and spoke with a determined tone.
"Lyra, keep a watchful eye on that wound. We'll need that as our opening," he instructed. Then, he turned to Kaldur, a burly and experienced hunter. "Kaldur, wait for the right opportunity. We'll need your strength at the right moment."
With nods of obedience from both Lyra and Kaldur, the team was ready. Baelin and Seraphina moved to the front, ready to serve as the vanguard. The tension in the air was palpable as they prepared for the confrontation.
The beast, grunting and growling in pain, used its hind legs to brush against its fur, as if trying to dislodge the blade stuck in its side. But frustration and agony only fueled its murderous intent. It turned its malevolent gaze toward the remaining hunters, its eyes burning with a fierce and deadly resolve.
The hunters stood their ground, weapons at the ready, determination etched on their faces. With Baelin's strategy in place, they were as prepared as they could be to face the monstrous entity that had already claimed the lives of two of their own.
The beast sprang forward, its massive form hurtling through the air with a terrifying agility that belied its size. Seraphina reacted swiftly, her instincts taking over. She leaped to the side with a nimble grace that defied her stature, narrowly evading the creature's charge.
Baelin, a massive man with a physique that spoke of countless battles, was a fighter to his core. He moved with the pride of a warrior, a pride that showed in the moment he equipped his crossed swords, each attached to his back. With a determined grit, he crossed the blades, bracing himself for the impending impact.
Bam.
When the beast struck, the force was unlike anything Baelin had ever encountered. At first, he was knocked off his feet, his body being pushed back by the relentless force of the creature. The beast rammed its massive head into his crossed swords, the impact creating sparks that lit up the night.
But Baelin was not one to be easily overwhelmed. He fought to find his footing, digging his heels into the ground and gritting his teeth. With a stomp of his foot, the blades sank into the earth, and he began to slide backward. Slowly and gradually, he started to regain control over the situation. The momentum of the beast's charge began to die down until it came to a complete halt.
Baelin was breathing heavily, his muscles aching from the sheer effort. He raised his face, determination shining in his eyes, but the towering beast loomed over him, its eyes filled with disdain. It raised a claw, and with a violent swing, it lashed out toward Baelin.
In a split-second reaction, Baelin moved his crossed swords to intercept the attack. The impact was brutal, sending him hurtling to the side. He smashed into a tree, the impact reverberating through his entire body, before he slid to the ground, battered and bruised.
The beast, seemingly satisfied with its victory, looked down at Baelin with a hint of arrogance in its eyes. But its satisfaction quickly turned to confusion as it noticed a subtle smile hidden beneath Baelin's lowered face.
Baelin had something planned, something that would turn the tide of the battle. The beast sensed that something was amiss.
Swish.
Seraphina sprang forward from the exposed side of the beast, a glimmer of determination sparkled in her eyes. With a graceful spin, she propelled herself towards the monstrous creature, her body a blur of motion.
In an acrobatic display of skill, she executed a perfect kick. Her target was the knife that Sylas had previously stabbed into the beast. With the strength of a Grade 1 human, her kick was nothing short of superhuman. The impact was awe-inspiring, her foot driving the blade deep into the beast's flesh. Only the emerald top of the short sword's hilt remained visible, the rest buried within the creature's massive body.
Blood spurted out of the wound in a violent gush, painting the forest floor crimson. The beast let out a guttural cry of agony, its entire frame wracked with pain. It recoiled, its injured side searing with pain.
With fury in its eyes, the creature turned to face Seraphina, its massive claw swinging toward her in a deadly arc. But Seraphina was not so easily caught. She was quick to seize the opportunity presented by the bloodied body of the beast.
Using the creature as leverage, she propelled herself into the air, performing a powerful backflip that was nothing short of breathtaking. Her movements were graceful and precise.
In a matter of seconds, she landed safely, a distance away from the beast, her breathing steady and her gaze unyielding.
Lyra had always been known for her precision and quick thinking. As the beast recoiled from Seraphina's attack, she saw her opportunity and acted swiftly. With a fluid motion, she notched two arrows on her bowstring, her fingers moving with practiced ease.
She released the arrows simultaneously, and they flew through the air with deadly accuracy, aimed at the creature's wounded side. But the beast was no ordinary adversary. In a surprising display of agility, it shifted its massive frame to hide its injured flank and raised its clawed hand to block the incoming arrows.
The arrows struck with a resounding impact, shattering on the beast's formidable body. Lyra's expression soured with disappointment as she realized that her shots had been deflected. Her deep frown spoke of her frustration as she watched the shards of her arrows fall to the ground.
Turning to Baelin, who had just picked himself up from the previous clash, she spoke with determination in her voice. "I'll find higher ground to get a better view and better shots. This thing won't escape my arrows next time."
Baelin smiled, acknowledging her determination. "Go ahead, Lyra. We'll keep it distracted while you get into position."
With a nod of appreciation, Lyra quickly turned and began to make her way to higher ground, her bow in hand. Her eyes scanned the surroundings for a vantage point, where she could gain a better angle on the towering beast.