Chapter - 27
Jacob, meanwhile, found himself deep in the Sennetois Forest, a few days' trek from Ironhelm. He sat on his bedroll in front of a small campfire he had set up with practiced efficiency, his thoughts drifting as he watched the flames dance. The forest's quiet and the fire's warmth provided him with a sense of calm. The familiarity of the scene brought him back to his time on Earth, where he had often found solace in the wilderness, away from the noise and chaos of a bustling town.
Before setting out on this mission, Jacob had made sure to purchase all the necessary supplies for camping: a sturdy bedroll, a small tent, cooking utensils, and enough food rations to last him several days. His experience with outdoor survival made setting up the camp a swift and smooth process. He had chosen a sheltered spot, arranged his campfire stones in a circle, and built a fire using kindling and logs he had gathered. The entire setup was second nature to him, a testament to the countless nights he had spent in similar environments back on Earth.
Jacob was on a mission tonight. His target was an Umbragore, a fearsome predator that prowled the forests near Ironhelm. Standing seven feet tall, the Umbragore's gaunt body was covered in mottled hide that blended seamlessly with its surroundings. Its most distinctive feature was its three glowing, crimson eyes arranged in a triangular pattern on its forehead, allowing it to see in complete darkness. Its elongated limbs ended in razor-sharp claws, and it moved with unnerving silence, thanks to its padded, retractable claws. The creature's wide, gaping mouth was filled with rows of serrated teeth, designed for tearing and shredding flesh.
Jacob had chosen this mission because the Umbragore was a solitary creature. He had learned from his first mission with the Seralisks that he was still inexperienced in group combat. The memory of that encounter was fresh in his mind, serving as a reminder of his limitations. But this time, he was determined to apply what he had learned and improve his skills.
His revolver was his most reliable weapon, but he knew he couldn't rely solely on it. He had to become proficient with other weapons, learn to harness his faerium better, and adapt to the combat styles of Mirntha.
He pulled out the mission parchment from his bag and reread the details. The Umbragore had been terrorizing the outskirts of Ironhelm, attacking caravans and occasionally venturing too close to human settlements. The guild had offered a substantial reward for its elimination, and Jacob saw it as both a challenge and an opportunity to earn much-needed money.
He had already scouted the area earlier in the day and found signs of the Umbragore's presence: large, deep claw marks on tree trunks, remnants of half-eaten prey, and tracks leading deeper into the forest. He knew he was close, and tomorrow he would begin his hunt in earnest.
Jacob made to sleep, his body sinking into the familiarity of his bedroll. Being an outlaw back on Earth had instilled in him the need to be a light sleeper, always ready to react to any threat that might creep up during the night. He had honed this skill to perfection, an essential quality for anyone living on the fringes of society.
It wasn't long before he was stirred from his slumber by a subtle noise, so faint it would have gone unnoticed by anyone with less acute senses. Instantly, his eyes snapped open. Since arriving in Mirntha and discovering his ability to harness faerium, Jacob had observed how his senses had significantly improved. His hearing was keener, his sight sharper, and his reflexes faster.
He lay still for a moment, every nerve on edge. There was something out there, he could feel it. Something had its eyes on him. Slowly, he sat up, tightening the belt around his pants as one of his hands instinctively reached for his revolver. His other hand moved towards the sheath of the short sword he carried, a precaution for when the enemy got too close or when his magic bullets ran out.
The night was still and silent, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the crackling of the dying fire. His eyes scanned the darkness, looking for any sign of movement.
Jacob had been practicing with his Gun-Gale ability and could now use it consecutively half a dozen times before needing a break. The blue energy shots, swirling with faerium, had become more precise and powerful. However, his new Thunder-Gale ability, a more potent and deadly version of his original power, was still quite burdensome on his body and faerium. The lightning-infused shots were incredibly powerful but left him drained after just a few uses.
"Come out, I know you're there," Jacob called.
A pair of glowing crimson eyes appeared from the darkness, and a shiver ran down Jacob's spine. It was the Umbragore.
The Umbragore prowled closer, its wide, gaping mouth filled with rows of serrated teeth. Jacob could see the hunger in its eyes, and he knew this was going to be a deadly encounter. He raised his revolver, his finger hovering over the trigger. The blue faerium swirled around the gun as he activated his Gun-Gale ability.
The creature lunged at him with incredible speed. Jacob quickly fired a shot, the blue energy bolt missing by inches as the Umbragore darted to the side. He fired again, this time hitting his mark. The creature howled in pain as the faerium-infused bullet tore through its shoulder, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
The Umbragore retaliated, pouncing at Jacob with its claws extended. He drew his short sword, parrying the creature's attack with a quick, practiced motion.
Jacob raised his revolver, firing off bullets in quick succession at close range. Some of the bullets missed, but others hit their mark, injuring the creature. Despite the hits though, the monster kept going. It swiped at Jacob with its claws and he barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side and evading the deadly attack.
Jacob summoned his remaining strength and activated his Thunder-Gale ability. The revolver crackled with lightning as he fired a burst of energy. Unfortunately, he missed, and the Umbragore saw its chance and pounced.
"Damn, damn, damn," Jacob muttered under his breath. As the creature's teeth were about to tear into him, he managed to get his short sword in the way. They crashed to the ground, the monster's weight pinning him as he struggled to hold it back from ripping him apart.
Jacob maneuvered his revolver between them, pressing the tip of the barrel against the Umbragore's abdomen. Desperation fueled his movements as he pulled on all the remaining faerium within him and reloaded his Thunder-Gale ability at the last second, firing at point-blank range. The monster's body was obliterated from the inside out, the devastating lightning tearing through it. Blood and gore splattered over Jacob as the creature collapsed. He lay there, breath labored and body trembling with exhaustion.