"Enter Position!" Cronos's voice rang through the air, sharp and commanding. Without hesitation, the group of Hunters spread out in a practiced formation, their weapons clenched tightly in their palms. T
heir eyes never left the massive boar in front of them, each of them silently sizing it up, calculating their next move.
Cronos stood at the front of the group, his expression stern as he observed the creature.
The boar's eyes were focused solely on him, the beast's tusks gleaming in the fading light of the forest. It snorted, pawing at the ground, as if deciding how to approach him.
A ripple of unease traveled down Cronos's spine as the creature seemed to lock onto him with an unsettling intensity.
The other Hunters remained still, but Cronos could feel their anticipation. He swallowed hard, his thoughts racing.
The boar was not distracted by the rest of the group — it was targeting him. And for a moment, Cronos wasn't sure whether to be proud or terrified.
Suddenly, the boar roared, a deep, guttural sound that seemed to shake the air itself. The birds perched in the trees nearby fluttered in panic, taking to the sky in a frantic cloud of wings.
Cronos felt his heart thud in his chest, the sound almost deafening. Without warning, the boar charged, its hooves pounding against the earth as it closed the distance between them in a heartbeat.
Cronos's instincts kicked in just as the monster began its charge. His heart raced, but his training pulled him through.
Despite the surge of adrenaline, doubt flickered in his mind for an instant. This was real. The boar wasn't a training dummy or a sparring partner — it was a living, breathing creature that wanted to kill him.
His body reacted before his mind had time to process. He dove to the side, rolling across the ground just as the boar slammed into the spot he had occupied only moments before.
The creature's tusks scraped the air where he had been, and it let out a frustrated grunt as it collided headfirst into a nearby tree. The force of the impact reverberated through the ground, shaking the earth beneath Cronos's hands as he scrambled to his feet.
The boar staggered back, its head spinning from the collision. Cronos could see the confusion in its eyes, but there was no time to waste.
His heart was still pounding in his chest, but his mind had cleared — instinct and training taking over. He could hear the quick, synchronized movements of the other Hunters as they closed in, working as one.
One of the Hunters, a tall man with a weathered face, wasted no time. He raised his crossbow, the steel weapon gleaming in the fading light. His fingers pulled the trigger with practiced precision, and the bolt whistled through the air, striking the boar square in the backside.
The creature shrieked in pain, the sound echoing across the clearing.
Cronos's eyes shifted to the other Hunters, watching as they moved with the kind of coordination that only years of experience could bring.
A Hunter with a pair of short swords dashed in, distracting the boar with a series of well-placed slashes while another Hunter with a spear closed the distance, aiming for a critical strike.
It was clear they had all fought together before, working as a well-oiled machine.
Cronos observed in awe, taking note of the speed and efficiency with which they worked.
The fear that had momentarily gripped him began to subside, replaced by a growing respect for the Hunters around him. He knew this was only the beginning. They weren't just fighting for survival — they were fighting to protect each other, to ensure that they all made it out alive and for food.
The boar, now wounded, charged again, its movements slow and erratic from the pain. It was desperate, thrashing with rage as it tried to shake off the effects of the attack. But the Hunters were undeterred.
At the forefront was the Head Hunter, a middle-aged man with streaks of white running through his dark hair. His face was weathered, his eyes sharp and calculating. He held a long, broad sword that shimmered in the light as he swung it with practiced ease.
The other Hunters parted to make room for him as he moved forward, his eyes locked on the boar.
With a single, precise swing, the Head Hunter's sword cleaved through the boar's side, severing its spine in a single motion. The beast let out one final, earth-shaking screech before collapsing to the ground with a thud, lifeless.
The clearing fell silent for a moment, the only sound the wind rustling through the trees. Then, as one, the Hunters released their breath, their tense muscles relaxing. The boar was dead.
The Head Hunter raised his right fist into the air, a victorious grin spreading across his face. "Yes! We did it!" His voice rang out, filled with relief and pride.
The other Hunters cheered in unison, their faces bright with satisfaction.
Cronos stood back for a moment, absorbing the scene before him. He watched as the team celebrated, each member sharing in the victory, their camaraderie apparent in the way they joked and clapped each other on the back.
There was no arrogance in their victory — just a shared sense of accomplishment, of having completed the task they had set out to do.
Cronos took a deep breath, his heart still racing. This was what real combat felt like. The thrill, the adrenaline, the raw emotion that surged through him. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced in training back in his old life.
There was no room for hesitation here. No time to second-guess yourself. You either adapted, or you didn't.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he looked around at the other Hunters. This was just the beginning for him. He had a lot to learn, but now, more than ever, he knew he was in the right place.
There was a part of him that had always wondered if he could be a leader, if he could carry the weight of others' lives on his shoulders.
Watching these Hunters work together, so seamlessly, made him realize something — leadership wasn't just about giving orders. It was about being part of something bigger, something that couldn't be done alone.
Cronos clenched his fists, feeling a fire stir within him. He wasn't going to back down. He was going to rise to the challenge, not just for himself, but for everyone around him.