The forest seemed to hold its breath as Xavier, bloodied and bruised, found himself locked in a deadly struggle with the relentless grade one King boar. The beast, driven by primal fury, had Xavier pinned to the forest floor, its massive form overpowering the hunter's resilience.
With a primal roar, the King boar sought to maul Xavier to his demise, its razor-sharp tusks inches away from the hunter's vulnerable flesh. Xavier strained against the beast's weight, struggling to ward off the impending doom. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he refused to yield.
'Am I really going to get killed by a pig?' Xavier cried out to the heavens in his mind.
The world narrowed down to a desperate struggle for survival, the forest echoing with the savage sounds of the battle. Xavier grappled with the beast, his arms straining as he tried to keep the deadly tusks at bay. The King boar's hot breath washed over him, a menacing reminder of the peril he faced.
Just when it seemed like the end was inevitable, a sudden interruption pierced through the chaos. An arrow, swift and true, embedded itself in the boar's side. The King boar, startled by the searing pain, let out a guttural scream, its focus momentarily diverted from Xavier.
Seizing the opportunity, Xavier's hand instinctively reached for one of his short swords. With a swift and desperate motion, he plunged the blade deep into the neck of the beast. The King boar writhed and convulsed, its unearthly screams of agony echoing through the forest.
For a harrowing moment, Xavier found himself entwined with the thrashing beast, its sheer power and ferocity a daunting challenge. The forest floor shook beneath their struggle, leaves and debris swirling around in a frenzied dance.
As the King boar's struggles intensified, its movements grew weaker. With a final, bone-chilling scream, the beast collapsed on Xavier, lifeless.
Ding.
[King boar killed]
[+100 exp]
[Name: Xavier]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 10]
[Number of Lives: 1/3].
[Abilities]
[Enhanced Vision: Host's sight is superior to that of the average human.]
[Territory: Host gains strength in hotter environments]
[Basic Fire Manipulation: Host is capable of generating and manipulating a fairly limited quantity of fire.]
[Experience points: 150/5,000]
Gasping for breath and covered in sweat, Xavier pushed the massive carcass off his body, his senses reeling from the intensity of the encounter.
As he struggled to regain his bearings, Xavier's gaze shifted to the figure approaching him. Aria, her bow still in hand, dashed toward him with urgency etched on her face.
"Xavier! Are you alright?" she called out, concern lacing her voice.
With a mixture of relief and exhaustion, Xavier managed a half-smile, his voice tinged with humor despite the ordeal.
"Well, I've had better days. Just a casual wrestling match with a King boar, you know."
Aria couldn't help but chuckle at Xavier's lighthearted response. She reached out to help him up, her eyes glinting with a mixture of admiration and amusement.
"You never fail to surprise, Xavier. Let's get you patched up. You've earned a break after this one."
With Aria's support, Xavier rose to his feet, leaning on her for support. The aftermath of the intense battle with the grade one King Boar left Xavier in a state of disorientation.
As he turned around, his eyes widened in surprise to witness the fallen bodies of the other King boars lying motionless on the forest floor. The rest of his team had defeated the formidable creatures without his help.
Garret and Felix approached Xavier, their expressions a mix of relief and amusement. Felix, always the jester of the group, couldn't resist the chance to tease Xavier in his moment of vulnerability.
With a smirk, he chimed in, "Hey Xavier, looks like those pigs had a real field day with you! Didn't know you were into wrestling with swine!"
Aria, unable to contain her laughter, chuckled at Felix's cheeky remark, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Xavier felt a rush of embarrassment washing over him, a blush creeping up his cheeks at the teasing.
However, before Xavier could even respond, Garret intervened. With a playful yet firm demeanor, he delivered a light knock on the back of Felix's head. Felix winced, rubbing the spot with a dramatic pained expression, causing the rest of the team to burst into laughter.
"Come on, Felix, give the guy a break," Garret chided with a grin, his tone carrying a hint of camaraderie. "We all know Xavier held his ground out there."
Felix, still nursing his mock-injured head, shot a playful glare at Garret before grinning.
"Alright, alright! Can't blame me for trying to lighten the mood after all that, can you?"
Xavier, grateful for Garret's intervention, couldn't help but smile sheepishly at the banter. Despite the embarrassment, he appreciated the camaraderie within the team.
Suddenly a carriage drawn by sturdy horses rolled up to the scene of the intense battle. The carriage was adorned with symbols of the mercenary guild, indicating its affiliation with the mission at hand. Seated atop the carriage were a group of handymen, their attire a blend of practicality and ruggedness befitting their line of work.
The handymen had been waiting from a safe distance, ready to assist the hunters upon completing their task. As the carriage came to a stop, the handymen dismounted, each carrying a variety of tools and implements suited for the task ahead.
Their leader, a weathered man with a no-nonsense demeanor, surveyed the scene with a keen eye. He gestured to his team, and they swiftly set to work, their movements precise and practiced.
The handymen approached the fallen King boars, their expertise evident in the efficient manner in which they went about their task. With expert precision, they began the process of dismantling the creatures, their tools slicing through tough hide and muscle with practiced ease.
Each handyman had a specific role. Some focused on carefully cutting open the beasts, while others extracted valuable parts of the creatures' bodies. The sound of blades slicing through flesh and the occasional metallic clink of tools against bone echoed through the forest, creating an eerie symphony amidst the fading light.
They meticulously harvested the valuable components of the King boars, recognizing the significance of each part. The hides were carefully skinned, the tusks were expertly removed, and the meat was sectioned for later use.
The leader of the handymen team oversaw the entire operation. He ensured that nothing went to waste, giving precise instructions to his team as they worked tirelessly.
Despite the intensity of their work, the handymen carried out their tasks with a sense of professionalism and respect for the creatures they were harvesting. They understood the importance of these beasts in providing valuable resources for various purposes within the guild.
As the handymen continued their meticulous work, the forest seemed to settle into a solemn silence, punctuated only by the sounds of their labor.