However, there was a problem. There was no chunks of flesh flying about the forest. There was not anyone standing behind the tree at all, as if the boot had been abandoned in the forest.
Meanwhile, Hagan stepped through the shadows and appeared below the towering beast, before he had even fully manifested, the light blue fang tore through the demons body. A deep cut beginning just past the base of the beasts neck ran across its abdomen, spilling enough black blood to shower everything below it. As the beast continued forward, a blade appeared from the rear of the beast, its blood gliding down the blade.
"You have purified the land. You have slain a Tier 2 Advanced Demons Hound."
"You have received a Keepsake."
'Gods. I, I really did it. I killed it. My plan worked!'
Hagan's plan was simple, he swiftly removed the boot of the [Gift of War] and placed it slightly aside, enough to appear in the beasts line of sight but still mostly hidden to not reveal its vacancy. Hagan then moved through the shadows to another nearby tree, waiting for the beast to make a move.
As he noticed it leap, he swiftly appeared through the demons shadow while thrusting his sword upward, slicing the harrowing creature open.
There was one unexpected variable however, he had received a new Keepsake. Sadly, he had decided against studying it and instead ventured out to find a source of water. He harvested some of the demons meat and hide, storing them in the time pocket and ventured out.
The aftermath of the fight was… unpleasant. Hagan was drenched in the Demon Hounds blood as he had been below it when he pierced its hide. It took him nearly two hours of walking before he heard the sound of rushing water. He quickly darted in the direction of it despite him being utterly spent after the running and the battling he'd done.
He approached the river and quickly dove in, as he did, the water blackened around him and he sunk down. He was exhausted and wanted to be rid of the terrible scent the demon had doused him in.
Hagan admitted that he was acting rather rash, considering that he was now in the Second Trial and was now inside a river where if any aquatic creature attacked, he would be in trouble. Hagan dismissed the armor and floated in the water for a few minutes, he eventually crawled out and played on the bank.
There was much to be done, he needed to make a fire and cook some food in order to regain strength, he had to study his new Keepsake, and most importantly, he had to study his surroundings. Whilst unmoving, he studied the surrounding area through the shadows. Once he confirmed the area was clear, he began gathering rocks, twigs, leaves, and dug a small hole. Hagan surrounded the hole with the rocks as threw the twigs and leaves inside and summoned his armor. He chose the sturdiest rock he could find and began the strike his vambrace with it. Eventually, he managed to ignite the dead leaves and produce a warm fire.
He took of his shirt and pants and hung them on a nearby branch to dry, the armor was mostly uncomfortable but the chain mail underneath made it somewhat bearable against his skin. He began to cool some of the demons meat he'd stored in his time pocket and feasted. It wasn't exactly a delicacy, but alas, it was real meat. Something he'd only jad the luxury of tasting for the first time a few weeks prior.
As night approached, Hagan summoned his Divine masked once again. He masked his presence and soon fell into the sweet embrace of sleep.