The sun hung low on the horizon, its fading rays casting long shadows across the training field as Elijah and Taelia trudged back, accompanied by a handful of other recruits.
As the clock struck four, Sergeant Vren greeted them with a grin so wide it threatened to split his face. Standing beside him, held by thick, reinforced chains, was a creature that could barely be called a bear by any natural standard.
The beast's hulking frame was covered in jagged, black fur that seemed to ripple unnaturally, its blood red eyes glowing faintly. Vren slapped the beast's side with an unsettling camaraderie, like a proud father showing off his child.
Sergeant Vren announced with relish.
"Behold the Duskmaw Bear... Perfect for your hand to hand combat training. If you can hold your own against this big fella, any human opponent will feel like a picnic!"
A nervous murmur broke out among the recruits. One of them, a lanky boy with perpetually quivering knees, raised a hesitant hand.
"Uh, sir... aren't we supposed to be fighting each other? Y'know, humans?"
Vren shot him a withering glare.
"Do you think the enemy will coddle you with predictable combat? No! They'll throw everything at you, monsters, Technological advanced weapons, and even pure madness. Consider this a gift, maggots."
Elijah's gaze flickered to the bear. Its claws were as long as daggers, and its jaw looked capable of crunching through steel. A voice whispered in the back of his mind.
"Yeah, this is going to be a disaster".
Taelia leaned toward him, whispering, "Please tell me we can still fake stomach cramps and bail."
Before Elijah could respond, Vren clapped his hands together.
"Now, I'm feeling generous today. Let's make it fair, draw lots to decide who goes first!"
The recruits exchanged wary glances as Vren produced a small box filled with wooden slots. Elijah grabbed his with little enthusiasm, holding it up to see the faintly etched number one, it even had a smiley face that resembled Sergeant Vren sketched on it.
His stomach sank.
The Sergeant's grin widened, a little too knowingly.
"Well, well, well! Looks like our brave Elijah gets the honor of the first match. Don't worry lad, this is a fine opportunity to distinguish yourself once more".
Elijah's mouth opened, but no words came out. His hesitation lasted only a moment before the telltale ding of the Demon Lord Revival System echoed in his mind.
…
[NOTICE]
Fight an opponent of significant strength to increase Weapon Mastery.
Elijah blinked, momentarily forgetting the monstrous bear in front of him.
Weapon Mastery had been one of the most stubborn stats to level up, no matter how many hours he'd spent swinging training with his gun or practicing stances, it only barely got to 0.22%.
Not to mention, monstrous beast flesh and blood doesn't raise it as well. Apparently it requires actual combat to be raised properly.
"Well?" Vren barked. "Don't just stand there, boy! Get in the ring before Duskmaw here gets impatient… And of course seeing as I'm always fair, you can even use a weapon if you have one".
Elijah clenched his fists. His heart hammered, but when has he ever taken a step back, the only way to survive has always been to move forward, Elijah was painfully sure of that much.
Just as he stepped into the makeshift arena, he put his hand into his shirt and said quietly. "Equip",
The other recruits whispered behind him. Taelia's voice cut through the noise.
"Don't worry Elijah, If you die… I will make sure you get a proper burial, fitting for people from a noble family".
The bear roared, the sound reverberating through the field and shaking the ground beneath Elijah's feet.
"Yeah… that's awfully ominous of you Taelia," he muttered, but just loud enough for Taelia to hear him, raising his fists. "Ain't nurses supposed to be positive to their patients' plight".
Taelia smiled in response, holding back a laugh in order to avoid Sergeant's Vren's attention.
…
The Duskmaw Bear charged with terrifying speed for its size, swiping a paw the size of a wagon wheel. Elijah dodged, barely, feeling the rush of air as the claws whizzed past his head. His mind raced, searching for a weakness in the beast's hulking frame.
…
"I need a strategy".
Elijah thought bitterly, ducking under another swipe, after almost being flung away just by the force of the bear's claws, Reality hit Elijah.
"It's a freaking bear, the only strategy is 'don't die.'".
Finally, the Duskmaw's claws caught his side, ripping through his shirt and leaving a shallow gash. Pain flared, but the system dinged again.
…
[NOTICE]
Weapon Mastery has increased by 0.09%.
Gritting his teeth, Elijah latched onto that small victory. If this was going to work, he needed to push harder. He rolled under the beast's next strike and aimed a kick at its knee. The bear stumbled slightly, giving him just enough time to leap onto its back.
Elijah pulled out the dagger Sarah gave him in an attempt to kill the bear in a swing, but he underestimated the thickness of its hide.
Elijah clung to the beast like a barnacle, dodging its attempts to shake him off while raining strike after strike with his dagger. But it only made several bruised dents against the creature.
With a final roar, the Duskmaw reared up, its movement wild and uncoordinated.
Seizing the opportunity, Elijah drove his dagger into its eye with all his strength. The bear howled in pain, staggering before collapsing with a heavy thud.
Elijah rolled off, gasping for air as the recruits erupted into stunned cheers.
Sergeant Vren strode over, his grin shivering as he felt it hard to pretend to enjoy Elijah's victory, but unfortunately for him, it was part of the job description.
"Congratulations young Elijah, you live to see another day, But you ended up killing the whole platoon's sparring partner, How unfortunate".
The other recruits seconded sergeant Vren with sad faces that couldn't be anymore fake.
Barely managing to keep a straight face, the boy with flaming hair said what was in everybody's mind.
"How unfortunate indeed... Now we'll have no choice but to skip today's sparring match. Truly, a tragic loss for our training."