Cronos stared at his status as they walked through a dense thicket of bushes, his fingers brushing over the screen in front of him.
His Hunting skill had barely gained any experience, a stark reminder that he had contributed nothing to the earlier battle.
The lack of progress stung, but instead of letting it discourage him, it fueled his resolve. He couldn't stay like this — helpless, weak, and dependent. No, he had to get stronger, faster. The next battle, the next hunt, he would be ready.
He gripped his spear firmly in his palm, feeling its weight. The familiar tension in his fingers calmed him for a moment as he recalled the fight earlier.
The BlackBoar had charged at him, its tusks bared, eyes full of rage. The moment it had closed in on him, fear had gripped his heart, so real and sharp he could taste it. The pulse of his heart had seemed deafening in his ears, his legs frozen for just a heartbeat too long.
He had only managed to dodge at the last second, barely escaping its deadly charge. Fear, pure and raw, had overwhelmed him, but now, looking back, that fear didn't seem so crippling.
It was just a reaction, a human instinct. Fear was normal, it was natural. But it was how you turned that fear into strength that mattered.
How you faced it, overcame it. That was what made the difference. Cronos clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on the spear. He wasn't going to let fear rule him anymore.
His eyes narrowed with determination as the group made their way through the underbrush. Then, as though fate had decided to test him, they stumbled upon another Black Boar.
The beast was grazing peacefully, unaware of the group lurking just beyond the trees. It was large, with dark, bristled fur that stood out against the vibrant green of the grass.
This time, however, Cronos had no intention of hesitating. This would be his test.
He quickly scanned the group. The others had already decided this would be their last hunt of the day, and with two members already taking the first boar's carcass back to the village, the rest of them were a bit short-handed.
That left one person to act as bait to draw the boar out. Cronos didn't need anyone to say it out loud.
Without a word, he stepped forward, emerging from the concealment of the bushes and into the open space.
His eyes locked onto the boar, a beast that had already shown once what it was capable of.
Fear flickered in the back of his mind for just a moment, but it was fleeting, like a shadow passing over the sun. His mind cleared, and he focused entirely on the task at hand.
His heart was steady now.
The Black Boar turned its massive head, snorting and grunting as it caught his scent. Its nostrils flared, and its body tensed in preparation for a charge.
Cronos stood his ground, feeling the wind rustle through his silver hair, lifting it in a wild gust that almost seemed to reflect the storm of thoughts in his head. But one thing remained crystal clear: he wasn't going to back down.
Confidence. That was all that mattered now. Confidence was the antidote to fear.
He planted both feet firmly in the dirt, grounding himself. His left foot was set a little in front of his right, his stance low, ready for anything.
His breathing was deep, calm — steady. He could feel the energy within him, the rush of adrenaline that spurred his body into action.
The spear in his hands felt like an extension of his own arm, every fiber of his being locked in to the moment.
The Black Boar snorted again, its breath hot and heavy, visible in the cool morning air. Cronos gripped the spear tightly, ready to strike when the moment came.
The boar's muscles rippled beneath its tough, bristled skin as it locked its eyes on him, its gaze fierce. It began to charge, its hooves pounding the earth with a thunderous sound.
"Bring... it... on!" Cronos muttered to himself, more a mantra than anything else. His voice was steady, his nerves sharp, and in that moment, the world seemed to slow down around him.
The boar was fast. Too fast. But Cronos was ready.
In the blink of an eye, the Black Boar lunged at him with an enraged grunt, its tusks aimed straight for his chest.
Cronos didn't wait. He didn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, he dove to the side, rolling and narrowly avoiding the beast's attack.
The ground beneath him was soft, and he was up in a flash, barely giving himself time to breathe.
The boar crashed into the spot where he had stood only moments before, its momentum carrying it forward, its tusks scraping the earth in a screeching sound.
The animal was disoriented now, momentarily thrown off-balance by the failed attack. It shook its head furiously, snorting in irritation, but it was still a formidable opponent.
Cronos took advantage of the opportunity. He sprang forward, thrusting the spear at the Black Boar's side. His aim was true, the tip of the spear sinking deep into the creature's thick, tough hide.
The boar let out a grunt of pain, and for a moment, Cronos thought it might turn on him, but he didn't give it the chance.
He twisted the spear, pulling it free as the boar staggered backward, now fully aware of the threat Cronos posed.
"Come on, then!" Cronos shouted, his voice full of conviction, a challenge to the beast.
He wasn't done yet. This wasn't just about survival. This was about proving to himself that he could do it — that he could stand his ground. Fear? It was nothing but a distant memory now.
The Black Boar bellowed in fury, its eyes glowing with a wild, primal rage. It charged again, this time more carefully, as though calculating its attack.
Cronos was ready this time. He planted his feet in the ground again, lowering his stance even further, his spear held in both hands, its tip aimed at the boar's chest.
The beast came at him with terrifying speed, its eyes locked on him, but this time, Cronos was prepared.
He waited for the perfect moment, watching the boar's every move, reading its body language, anticipating its next move. Then, when it was close enough, he sidestepped, barely avoiding the boar's tusks as they swiped through the air, inches from his side.
With a roar of triumph, Cronos thrust the spear forward again, this time striking it in the boar's exposed flank.
The creature let out a final, desperate squeal before crumpling to the ground, the life draining from its massive body.
Panting heavily, Cronos stepped back, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had done it. He had faced the fear and overcome it. The boar was dead, and he was still standing.