As the hoards of boars finally ceased their relentless attack, the forest fell silent, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. The ground was scattered with the lifeless bodies of the boars, their blood soaking the grass underneath them. Lia stood amongst the carnage, a weary but resolute figure, her body smeared with the crimson evidence of the battle. She had emerged from the relentless onslaught triumphant, but exhausted and covered in blood. Over sixty sacks stood leaning on trees, each filled with left ears from the boars, hung from her belt was a massive grey ear and tusks from the boar king, a grim reminder of the ferocious battle she had just endured. Lia's eye's drooped from lack of sleep, and she felt a profound exhaustion deep in her bones. Her body ached from the constant combat, her hands blistered from the daggers she had wielded in the fight. She hadn't slept in days, her mind racing with the constant need to defend herself against the relentless boar attacks.Near her, a small fire crackled, the roasting boar she was eating held between her bloodied hands, providing her with some much-needed sustenance. But there was still no water to quench her thirst, leaving her feeling dehydrated and weak. Each bite of meat felt like she was chewing through dry leather, her parched throat burning with every swallow. Caring for her injuries or seeking refuge from the imminent threat seemed like luxuries she couldn't afford. Lia knew she had to stay alert, and in her sleep-deprived state, she found herself struggling to keep her eyes open, her surroundings blurring from sheer exhaustion. But even in her depleted condition, Lia's determination didn't waver. She knew she couldn't rest until she had secured her safety and pushed back the dangers of the forest. The fire cast a flickering light on her fierce and weary face, with a glint of defiance in her eyes, refusing to be defeated by the merciless elements surrounding her.As she lay down near the fire, the heat doing little to alleviate the cold seeping into her bones, Lia made a silent vow. She would survive this daunting forest, no matter the cost. And as she drifted into an uneasy and cautious slumber, her mind and body feeling the strain of the relentless battle, she knew that whatever came next, she would be ready to face it head-on, with all the strength and determination she could muster. Within a few moments, she woke up once more, swinging her blade into the shadow of night, paranoid. As night settled in, Lia's exhaustion deepened. Her eyes, heavy with fatigue, began to blur, dark bags forming underneath them as she struggled to keep them open. She fought against the weariness, the urge to close her eyes, the chilling reminder that to be caught off guard in this unforgiving forest could mean certain demise. But despite her valiant efforts, the relentless burden of sleep deprivation weighed heavily on her. She stood up.Suddenly, Lia's body gave out, her eyelids growing heavier by the second until they finally closed, her form collapsing face-forward onto the grass. The silence of the forest enveloped her, until a low growl ripped through the air, rousing her from her sleep. She jolted awake, her blurry eyes struggling to focus on the source of the guttural sound. As her vision slowly cleared, she was met with a sight that sent a shiver down her spine. Emerging from the dark shadows of the forest was a majestic and fearsome creature - or rather, creatures. The outlines of four huge black tigers, colossal beasts with a presence that could only be likened to first-class monsters, loomed before her. The very sight of one of them struck fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned adventurers, their well-built forms crackling with electricity as if they were imbued with the very essence of lightning itself. It was a sight that Lia knew should have sent her fleeing into the night, but a sense of grim determination and defiance held her ground.In that moment, Lia knew she was staring down a threat unlike any she had ever encountered. These tigers were known throughout the land as fierce and nigh-impossible to defeat. Only the most elite adventuring parties, equipped with the best equipment and armed with powerful spells, had even dared to face them. Lia knew that she stood no chance against them alone. Yet, despite the overwhelming waves of fear and doubt crashing over her, Lia remained resolute. This forest had not claimed her yet, and she was not about to let it happen. With her hands trembling and blistered, her body depleted by exhaustion and weighted by a burden of blood and battle, Lia steadied herself. She would fight, or she would die trying. This was the irrefutable truth she understood, and she was determined to see it through, no matter the outcome.As the black tigers circled her, their predatory eyes locking onto her with unyielding intensity, an overwhelming sense of despair washed over Lia. Though she had faced countless hardships and seemingly insurmountable challenges in the past, the sheer presence of these formidable creatures threatened to undo her. They were unlike anything she had ever encountered, and their very existence defied all logic and reason. As her vision blurred and her body faltered, Lia's mind succumbed to thoughts of defeat. "Hmmm, black tigers, should be one, I'm seeing four, I must be tired, I can't go on... I'm sorry my lord, you had faith in me and I failed," she whispered, her voice heavy with resignation as her power waned. The weight of her exhaustion and the burden of her fears became almost too much to bear, threatening to overwhelm her completely.In that moment, however, something within Lia stirred. The very core of her being rebelled against the encroaching darkness, and with sheer determination, she gritted her teeth and pushed herself upright. Her eyes, heavy and barely able to remain open, fought against the overwhelming urge to close shut. Summoning every last ounce of strength she possessed, Lia let out a guttural scream that pierced through the thick air. She willed her failing body to unleash a burst of energy, a raw and untamed force that seemed to embrace every living creature within her vicinity. A tremendous surge of power radiated from her, illuminating the darkened forest with a blinding intensity as she channeled every last thread of her waning strength.But as quickly as her energy had surged forth, Lia's efforts proved too much for her weary body to bear. With a final, ragged breath, she collapsed to the ground, her consciousness slipping away into the clutches of unconsciousness. The last thing she felt before succumbing to the overwhelming darkness was a profound and consuming emptiness, the weight of her failure pressing down upon her like an insurmountable burden. Yet, even as she lapsed into unconsciousness, a small ember of hope flickered within her, for deep down, she knew this was not the end.As Lia stirred from her unconscious state, the world around her came slowly into focus. Amidst the scattered carcasses of the defeated boars, she found herself clutching a dagger in her hand, the blade glinting in the faint light filtering through the trees. Yet, as she opened her eyes, she felt a newfound power coursing through her veins, an unyielding strength that surged within her. In the stillness of the forest, Lia stood her ground. She was confused, she should have been dead. She felt a surge of arcane energy stir within her, a power that seemed to emanate from the very earth beneath her feet. With a determined will and unwavering resolve, she whispered ancient incantations of summoning, opening the gate into the summoned beast world, her voice resonating with the strength of unspoken promises and untold determination.As she channeled the forces beyond the realm of mortals, an intense burst of magic coalesced around her, shaking the very foundations of the forest itself. With a deep sense of wonder and disbelief, Lia watched in astonishment as four majestic black tigers emerged from the shifting shadows, their eyes glinting with an unearthly intelligence. These powerful beasts, once her adversaries, now stood by her side, their powerful forms reflecting the formidable strength that Lia had somehow managed to tame. Shaken by the sudden turn of events, Lia swiftly leaped into action. With a sense of purpose and new allies at her side, she hastily tied as much of the spoils from the boar carcasses as she could manage, forming makeshift bundles of meat that she could carry back to her clearing in an item box. With her newly-acquired beasts at her side, Lia began the journey back to the meeting point. The tigers, now under her command, pulled some of the spoils of battle alongside her, their presence imbuing the forest with an almost tangible sense of awe and reverence. As they stepped into the clearing, Lia's heart swelled with a sense of triumph. She had emerged from the brink of defeat and despair, and now, with her formidable black tigers at her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With the spoils of her recent victories in tow, Lia knew that she had forged an unbreakable bond with these powerful creatures, and with their help, she would continue to carve out her place in this magical and unpredictable world.Everyone in the forest was astounded as the young woman appeared, surrounded by four enormous black tigers. The sight was so unexpected that the other adventurers paused and watched in awe as she rushed towards Benhilda. The young woman wrapped her arms around Benhilda, shaking with relief and fear. As Lia clung to Benhilda, she couldn't contain her excitement. She in that moment immediately explained to Lia that she had just killed three red dragons and had collected an immense amount of spoils from the other carnivorous beasts in the forest. The red dragons alone had yielded a total of 25 gold, a staggering amount. After their heartfelt reunion, Benhilda and Lia set to work collecting the corpses of the dead animals. They moved swiftly and efficiently, placing the boars, carnivores, and dragons' bodies into a small magic item box. It was astonishing to see how the tiny box was able to contain such large creatures.Once they were finished, the pair began their journey back to the city, their bodies aching from exhaustion and hunger. As they walked, they shared stories of their recent adventures and the challenges they had faced. Benhilda described the thrill of slaying the red dragons, and Lia recounted the terror of being surrounded by the ferocious tigers. The conversation flowed back and forth, weaving a tapestry of their courageous exploits in the forest. As they neared the city gates, both women felt a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie. They knew that they had faced incredible danger and emerged victorious, and they were ready to enjoy a well-deserved rest and a hearty meal.