I had previously considered our action plan upon reaching the ground, with the initial goal of finding a safe place to set up camp. The artificial sun in the sky seemed to have moved slightly during our brief stay, indicating that the day-night cycle was underway.
Xavier had guessed that the night would be even more dangerous than the day. If beasts ruled this forest, I imagined that some of them must be nocturnal. We couldn't ignore the possibility that other humans might take advantage of the darkness as well.
After leaving the clearing where the pillar had sunk into the ground, we began to wander through the forest. The tension increased when we found ourselves in a much more confined space. The initial goal was, hopefully, to find a water source to set up camp nearby. Due to the dense tree canopies, it was impossible to spot anything from atop the pillar, so we had to move in blindly.
As we walked, in awe of the environment, I felt strangely relaxed. Despite keeping my guard up against whatever might be lurking behind the trees around us, I had the sense that nothing would catch us by surprise. Of course, I was still listening for potential dangers, but that wasn't an easy task, since it wasn't exactly a quiet forest.
Birds were singing, distant roars of beasts were heard often, and the rustling of leaves as the wind blew was louder than I was used to. This was probably related to my slightly sharper perception.
When Xavier, our front-line warrior, passed by a small hill, he suddenly stopped. Lucas quickly moved up to stand beside him. I was right behind, but I could still hear them due to the proximity.
"What are those things?" Xavier asked as he looked down towards another small clearing. I walked over to them, being the last to arrive. I looked at the group of creatures, which I assumed were the beasts mentioned, of some kind.
"They look like big badgers. Although, judging by the deer-like thing they're eating, I think they've greatly expanded their diet," Lucas replied, turning to the rest of the group. "We already agreed we might need to hunt. These things don't look very dangerous, so we should be able to handle them. Any ideas?"
I looked at the large badgers. Four of them, each the size of German shepherds. By the way they were eating the deer-like creature, there was no doubt they had sharp teeth and claws, tearing the flesh with voracity. The perception of the surroundings seemed somewhat dull, though, to say the least, since none of the creatures had noticed us yet, despite us being only 30 meters away.
The feeling those creatures gave me was not one of danger at all. In fact, I had the sense that dealing with them would be easy.
But, interrupting my thoughts, Wyatt, the other archer, spoke up:
"I vote for hunting. From the distant roars, it seems there are much more dangerous things out there, and they might even be our dinner tonight. They seem to be low-level beasts," he said, receiving a nod from Lucas. Hearing the word "level," I mentally slapped myself, wondering why I hadn't tried using the Identify skill yet. That's what the damn skill is for, I thought, irritated.
Focusing on the beasts one by one, while trying to finish the conversation around me, I got what I expected, a little:
[??? - Level 3]
[??? - Level 4]
[??? - Level 3]
[??? - Level 3]
"… I'm just saying, maybe they're closer to ferrets than badgers!"
"I'm not saying they're not a little like ferrets, I'm saying you're confusing ferrets with weasels!"
Finally, I turned back to the conversation, hearing Bruno, the light warrior of our small group, and Gabriela, one of the spellcasters, arguing about something completely nonsensical. It wasn't exactly surprising. They were cousins and had a constant back-and-forth of endless arguments, some lasting days or even weeks before they finally decided to "agree to disagree."
I had to admit that I couldn't see the resemblance to any of the creatures... but, on the other hand, I didn't know the difference between the two anyway. But one thing I was sure of: ferret or weasel, an arrow to the heart or head would be lethal either way.
It was then that, interrupting the insane argument between the two cousins, Evan, the other mid-tier warrior besides Lucas, seemed to have had the same idea as me. "Guys, I just tried using Identify on one of them, and it was level 3. But I couldn't see the name."
"Oh, great initiative! Why didn't I think of that earlier?" Lucas cheered, giving Evan a pat on the back. Turning to me, he asked, "Hey, Alexander, any idea what to do?"
"No, but I also tried identifying them. Three of them are level 3, and one is level 4," I added. I was never good with large groups like that, especially when all the other nine turned to look at me. Seriously, I just hoped that useless conversation would stop soon and the fight would begin.
It was ten against four. We had the numerical advantage. Every advantage was on our side, so that posture seemed... pointless.
"Okay then, looks like fighting them is the decision. Now, for our tactical approach…"
Several minutes passed as we developed a strategy and decided exactly how to face the beasts. After the discussion, we retreated behind the hill again to avoid being spotted. Peeking over the hill occasionally, the badger-like beasts — or maybe weasels, maybe ferrets — didn't seem to be in any hurry with their meal.
The plan was simple: fire ranged attacks, trying to damage or perhaps kill one or two, with Xavier moving forward with his shield to draw their attention, while Lucas and Evan flanked him to cover his sides. The plan was based on the assumption that the beasts were stupid and aggressive when attacked.
Planning so much might have been a bit much for grown badgers, but no one seemed willing to take risks. A feeling I could even understand, but disagreed with. A risk-free fight wouldn't be a little... boring?
The only problem with the plan was that, apparently, the spellcasters only had about 10 meters of range with their darts. Beyond that, they disappeared, according to what Henrry, the last of the group's spellcasters, had heard during the introduction.
This left Wyatt and me, easily dismissing Bruno with his throwing daggers — no faith in their accuracy at 30 meters, or even 10 meters, if he could throw them that far. As for Wyatt... the first time he held a bow was earlier that same day, when he chose it while selecting the archer class.
"So, Alexander. Do you have confidence in hitting one from here?" Lucas asked, seemingly not too sure about the plan they'd spent the last 10 minutes formulating. That the planning had been a waste, I agreed. The beasts would already be dead if it were up to me.
"Of course," I replied, a bit less awkward than before, with everyone watching me. My frustration with the passive group was easily surpassing my social anxiety.
I took an arrow from the quiver on my back and inspected it. Wooden shaft, steel tip, with feathers made from some kind of feather I didn't immediately recognize. The weight was good and balanced, the tip sharp, and overall, it seemed to be of good quality.
"Okay, ready when you are," Lucas said, getting ready along with the others. From the looks of everyone, the lack of confidence was everywhere. They weren't fighters. The only one who seemed to have any kind of proper training was Xavier.
I climbed the small hill, followed by the others right behind me.
I looked at the beasts and nocked the arrow. I raised the bow as I focused. My vision sharpened instantly, instinctively knowing that Archer's Eye had been activated. Time seemed to slow a bit as I drew the string.
For the first time today, something felt right. The morning routine, the work, the introduction, and everything else had simply... felt wrong. But in that moment, while holding the bow, everything seemed to be as it should be. I smiled, aimed, and released the arrow. Even before I saw the result, I had already nocked another arrow, preparing to shoot again in one fluid motion.
The arrow was aimed at the neck of the strongest beast, the level 4 one. I briefly considered aiming for the heart or the head, but my knowledge of its physiology was limited. The heart didn't seem to be where I expected, and the hardness of the skull was too unpredictable. The arrow flew straight, with more speed, power, and precision than I had ever shot before.
The arrow hit the beast directly in the throat, just as it was lifting its head from the carcass of its prey. It fell back, and before the other badgers registered what had happened, the second arrow arrived, striking the badger on the left in its chest, piercing deeply. The remaining two badgers looked up at the hill and immediately attacked, showing no regard for their lives.
Even before they had moved 5 meters, another arrow arrived. This time, though, they were ready, and they dodged the frontal strike, leaving only a superficial scratch on the right arrow as it swerved. I managed to fire two more arrows before they reached the group, both only inflicting light wounds on one of them.
Before the beasts could sink their teeth into me, a huge figure moved in front of me, carrying a large shield and a short sword, followed by Evan and Lucas on each side of him. I flanked around, still keeping hidden behind the three men in front of me, trying to see if I could make another shot.
The first badger to reach us was the unscathed one, slamming against Xavier's shield, thrown back by the impact. Right behind it was the wounded one, a bit more cautious as Lucas tried to keep it at bay, pointing his sword at it and making threatening moves.
...
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