their tusks gleaming dangerously as they rushed toward the source of the threat. Kaito's heart raced as he realized the situation had escalated quickly.
"Get ready!" Garret shouted, brandishing his axe. "We need to hold our ground!"
Kaito instinctively drew his dagger, feeling the adrenaline surge through him. He glanced at Finn, who was already preparing a spell, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. "Stay close!" Kaito urged, positioning himself between Finn and the charging boars.
Elara quickly nocked another arrow, her aim steady despite the chaos. She released, and the arrow found its mark, striking another boar in the shoulder. The creature stumbled but continued its charge, angered and relentless.
"Now!" Garret shouted, swinging his axe at the nearest boar. The weapon connected with a solid thud, and the boar grunted in pain, but it was still on its feet, its ferocity undeterred.
Kaito's instincts kicked in as he saw the boar veering toward him. He sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of wind as the creature barreled past. He quickly turned, thrusting his dagger toward the boar's flank. His strike landed, and he felt the satisfying resistance of flesh, but the boar only roared in fury, turning its attention back to him.
"Watch out!" Elara called, firing another arrow that struck the boar in the neck, finally bringing it down. Kaito felt a rush of relief, but he knew there were still more to deal with.
"Finn, now!" Garret commanded, and Kaito glanced over to see the young mage channeling his energy. With a flick of his wrist, Finn unleashed a blast of magical energy, hitting another boar squarely in the chest. The creature staggered back, clearly weakened.
Kaito seized the moment. He dashed forward, dagger poised, and delivered a swift strike to the boar's underbelly, ending its threat. As he stood over the fallen creature, he felt a surge of triumph. He was doing it—he was fighting alongside his new companions and holding his own.
The remaining boars, seeing their comrades fall, began to retreat. Garret raised his axe, ready to pursue, but Elara held up her hand. "Let them go! We've done enough damage. We need to regroup."
Kaito nodded, panting slightly as he caught his breath. The adrenaline was still coursing through him, and he felt exhilarated. "Did we get enough?" he asked, glancing at the fallen boars.
Garret surveyed the clearing. "We've taken down two, and that should be sufficient for the villagers. Let's gather what we can and head back before more come."
Gathering the Bounty
The group moved quickly, working together to harvest the boars. Kaito felt a sense of camaraderie as they shared tasks, each member contributing to the effort. He helped Elara skin one of the boars while Garret and Finn prepared the other for transport.
As they worked, Kaito couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. This was what he had signed up for—adventure, teamwork, and the thrill of the hunt. He was learning valuable skills, not just in combat but also in survival and cooperation.
Once they had finished, they secured the boars and began their trek back to city. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Kaito felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him as they walked, the sounds of the forest surrounding them.
"Good job out there, Kaito," Elara said, walking beside him. "You handled yourself well."
"Thanks! I was nervous at first, but it felt great to fight alongside you all," Kaito replied, feeling a warmth in his chest.
"You'll get used to it," Garret chimed in. "Just remember to stay focused and keep practicing. Every hunt is a chance to learn."
As they approached the city, Kaito felt a sense of belonging. He was part of a team, part of something bigger than himself. The camaraderie they shared fueled his desire to grow stronger and become a true adventurer.