Ogre Tyrant

Ogre Tyrant: Chapter 56 - Amongst the people - Part Two

Panting heavily to avoid using my nose, I felt a fresh shiver of fear and excitement as the events of the past few moments replayed in my mind.

“Holy shit...” I croaked and stared at the bloody devastation left in the Ironhide’s wake.

The Thundering Strike against the Boar’s side ruptured its internal organs and sent its bodily contents erupting out of every available orifice.

Skirting the stained grass, my curiosity was piqued by the abrupt disappearance of the Boar. To my immense relief, I could see Sarah’s spear laying in the upturned earth where the Boar had come to rest before its disappearance.

Headed straight for the spear, I tried to keep an eye out for more danger.

I had spent more mana than I intended with Thundering Strike but was glad that things had worked out as well as they had. Although, it did give me an idea. Assuming I had relatively free access to expandable spears. Which I do. I could charge the spearhead with Thundering Strike before burying it in something’s gut or flank and then the spearhead would explode.

Assuming the impact didn’t cause a premature detonation...

Picking up Sarah’s spear, I let out a sigh and pulled the waterskin out of my pack. I was about to start emptying water onto the spear to clean the blood off but stopped as another idea began to take shape in my mind.

Stowing my waterskin again, I channelled an incredibly small amount of mana into the spear, activated Thundering Strike and waited.

After a few moments, there was a faint rumble and the blood and gore spattered off the spear, leaving it almost as good as new.

My first warning of the approaching danger was the agitated swaying and rustling of the not-so-distant bushes.

My second warning was a cry of alarm from the group.

My final warning came from the twang of Tanner’s crossbow.

Ducking low, pivoting on the spot and bracing the spear, I was momentarily confused by the lack of immediately visible danger.

*Thwack, Crunch.*

Just as the rodent-featured canine leapt out of the grass, the bolt from Tanner’s crossbow smacked into the side of its skull and killed it instantly.

Recognising the Beast for what it was, I burned ten mana into forming a Ward on Sarah’s spear.

Five more paths began trailing through the grass toward me as the remaining members of the Bloodhunter’s pack began their attack.

Disoriented by the effect of the Ward, the pack lost its cohesion and slowed its approach.

Berating myself for doubting Ward as a viable selection for Grimoire of Flesh, I resisted the urge to remain on the defensive. There was no telling if there were more Bloodhunters in the immediate area, and I was not going to let them swarm me.

I had enough nightmares about the Vrabbits as it was.

Despite being disoriented, the Evolved Bloodhunters looked far more vicious than the ones I remembered from the first floor of Hurst’s Labyrinth.

Trying to temper aggression with restraint, I elected to worry at the Bloodhunter on the rightmost flank with the spear. Unfortunately, I only managed to land a glancing blow that scraped along the Bloodhunter’s right side before its fellows circled to my left and pounced.

Pushing mana into the grass I willed the vegetation to bind and pin the Bloodhunters. I managed to bind the wounded Bloodhunter outright and the hind legs of two of the other Bloodhunters just as they were about to attack. However, the final Bloodhunter was fast enough to evade the magically animated vegetation and leap toward my face with its chisel-toothed jaws opened wide.

Fighting off the urge to flinch, I stepped back and tried to smack the airborne Bloodhunter with the shaft of the spear but missed its centre mass.

Knocked slightly off course as I struck its legs, the Bloodhunter scrambled frantically in the air as it began to tumble. The Bloodhunter’s clawed feet scraped across my left arm and drew blood before it fell into the grass.

Refusing to allow the disoriented Bloodhunter to rejoin the fight, I swarmed its body with corded lengths of the coiling long grass and stabbed it in the chest.

As I twisted the spear and pulled it out of the fallen Bloodhunter’s chest cavity, I sensed the mana holding the bindings on the two uninjured Bloodhunters give out violently as they tore themselves free.

Sparing only a fleeting glance to confirm the first wounded Bloodhunter was still bound, I was relieved to find it appeared to be firmly constricted by the animated vegetation.

A javelin flew past my right shoulder and buried itself in the belly of the prone Bloodhunter.

Reminded that I wasn’t alone, I took a hasty step backward before sweeping the spear wide to buy time and distance from the two healthy Bloodhunters.

“On your right!” Sarah called from nearby.

I heard the three new arrivals before I saw them and couldn’t react fast enough to do anything besides brace myself for the attack.

“Woo-up!” The strange call forced the two new Bloodhunters to abruptly shift their focus, causing them to crash into my shins and snap at my greaves as they attempted to reorient themselves.

Gathering mana into my right foot, I gave one of the new arrivals a vicious kick that caught it on the left hip.

*Bang.*

The Bloodhunter screeched in pain as it smacked into one of its fellows and tumbled violently back into the tall grass.

Another javelin fell just short of the two momentarily distracted Bloodhunters, causing them to backpedal in momentary confusion.

Catching sight of Sarah in my right periphery and well aware that the Bloodhunter next to me was too close to attack effectively with the spear, I made a decision. Releasing my hold on the spear with my left hand, I threw the spear sideways in the air toward Sarah, “Head’s up!”

Capitalising on my momentary distraction, the Bloodhunter reared up on its hind legs and snapped its jaws onto my left forearm. My bracer held against the Bloodhunter’s foremost chisel-like teeth, but the sharp teeth on the right side of its mouth drew blood as they scraped my flesh.

With my right hand free, I raised my left arm and grabbed the Bloodhunter by the neck with my right hand and squeezed.

*Crunch.*

The Bloodhunter went limp but didn’t die.

Removing the Bloodhunter from my left forearm, I used its limp body as an improvised club and knocked aside one of the two remaining Bloodhunters as they charged from my flanks.

The other Bloodhunter was caught unawares as Sarah’s spear returned and caught it in the back, causing it to trip and tumble to the ground.

I stomped the temporarily downed Bloodhunter’s neck, dropped the Bloodhunter from my right hand and drew a throwing axe from my belt.

The final Bloodhunter left standing snarled and charged, too overcome by its bloodlust to comprehend the dire situation it now found itself in.

Widening my stance, I prepared to counter the Bloodhunter’s charge.

A throwing knife whistled between my legs and buried itself in the left foreleg of the charging Bloodhunter, causing it to lose its balance and tumble.

Choosing not to think too hard about what just happened, I raised my throwing axe high and brought it down on the fallen Bloodhunter’s skull.

*Crunch.*

Glancing over my shoulder, I found Fione laying on her back with another throwing knife at the ready.

Continuing to choose not to think too much about what had happened, I set about dispatching the remaining Bloodhunters.

“We need to return to the group!” Sarah insisted, while hurriedly retrieving her spear and javelins.

I nodded in agreement and pulled Tanner’s bolt from the first Bloodhunter’s skull.

As I did so, the body disappeared.

Curious about the particulars of the ‘Autoloot’ Contract, I made a mental note to ask about it later.

“You gotta admit, that was a damn good throw!” Fione boasted while retrieving her throwing knife.

“Damn risky!” Sarah countered, “You could have gelded him!”

“Pffft, I’m not that bad a-” Fione began to reply.

“She couldn’t have,” I interrupted, “I have protection,” I yanked out some grass and used it to wipe at the blood on my forearm and upper arm while moving to rejoin the rest of the group.

Fione and Sarah hurried to catch up.

“What do you mean you have protection?” Fione asked curiously.

“Magic item,” I replied glibly, somewhat regretting that I had revealed anything at all. Especially since there was no telling who would learn of it in the future.

“Where did you get a magic item like that?!” Fione demanded incredulously, “Don’t get me wrong, but I’d bet every man-Jack would want one of them.”

“Wedding present from my wife,” I lied, deciding to shift the subject slightly and take advantage of it, “She earned it by maxing out the Tyrant’s tax and killing a whole mess of monsters.”

“Takesation?” Sarah interjected curiously, “We have been curious about how that works exactly. Jean insists that it's worth it and that he has done some snooping around the other groups, but it’s hard to take it on faith. You know?”

“Everyone I have spoken to confirmed as much!” Jean interjected with feigned disappointment.

“It’s an item drop chance multiplier,” I stated confidently while handing Tanner back his magical crossbow bolt.

“What’s that mean?” Fione asked warily.

“It’s a math-” I paused and reconsidered my audience, “-numbers term. In this case, the number you pick is that many more chances to get an item.”

Jean frowned, “Are you sure, brother?” He asked uncertainly, “I may not have been the most observant student, brother, but if it works as you say...”

“It does,” I insisted confidently.

“But that would mean...oh my!...” Horace wheezed and staggered slightly before raising his visor and flapping his hands in front of his face, “Oh my, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe!”

“What’s the big deal?” Tanner demanded, wiping his chin with his wrist to catch a stray dribble of brown juice.

“It means, brother, that while we have done well thanks to my leadership,” Jean earned a cynical scowl from Tanner, “We could have been earning almost three times as many magic items.

“Gurk!” Tanner nearly choked on whatever he was chewing on and violently spat it out, “What?!...” He gasped hoarsely.

“Oh fuck...” Fione cursed.

Sarah just drew her lips together and stared back toward the disappearing corpses of the Bloodhunters.

“I don’t mean to be rude, brother, but how certain are you that this information is on the up and up?” Jean asked while making an effort not to sound overly sceptical.

“The Tyrant told me,” I lied, “And I have observed it firsthand many times.”

Jean stared intently at me for a few moments before slowly nodding his head, “Right. I think it would be best if we all set our Taxation to the highest level from here on out.”

Except for myself, everyone gave murmurs of assent before changing their choices.

“No wonder he has such a unique magic item,” Fione grumbled saltily, “I’d kill to have an item that would protect the girls in the same way!” She declared while exaggeratingly adjusting her breasts beneath her armour.

I was inclined to doubt such a magic item existed since it would presumably also indirectly protect the heart. However, considering the femoral artery protection provided by my item, I had to admit that anything was possible.

I took my axe back from Jean. Sarah had handed it off when she came running to help me fight the Bloodhunters. Not that I was inclined to complain about it.

“Well, with Bloodhunters prowling around, we will need to stay doubly alert from now on,” Jean ordered as he motioned the group to begin moving again. “Brother, that was impressive what you did with the Ironhide, but I think it would be best if you stuck a little closer to the group next time. Alright?”

“Alright,” I agreed. The sudden arrival of the Bloodhunters had been a good reminder not to be so cocky.

“From where I was standing, you looked like you got mauled,” Tanner commented idly, “But it looks like your armour took the worst of it.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong. My cuirass had shallow scrapes in it from the Bloodhunters' claws and my braces had a mess of tooth marks in them. The truth of the matter was that the cuts on my upper arm and forearm were still healing but had regrown enough skin that I just looked bruised instead.

I chewed on a stick of dried meat while we continued travelling.

The volume of monsters in my Labyrinth was directly linked to the number of people on each floor. With so few people out and about, the monsters seemed to be thin on the ground. Of course, that could also be the result of other groups encountering and otherwise drawing away monsters, so it was difficult to be sure.

However, as we began our approach to the hills in earnest, I recognised familiar-looking rocky formations and motioned for the group to stop.

“Carnifexes use those large rocks as ambush locations,” I pointed to the large formations of stones scattered over the nearby hill.

“Carnifex?” Jean asked with a mixture of concern and interest.

Tanner spat on the ground and nervously eyed the hill, “Big furry buggers with jaws big enough to bite a Bloodhunter in two...”

“You have fought a Carnifex before?” Jean looked genuinely surprised.

Tanner shook his head and nodded toward the hill, “Naw, but I can see at least one of the buggers up there and I doubt it’s gonna just let us pass.”

I couldn’t see the Carnifex in question, but Tanner’s description fit well enough.

“Don’t let them knock you down or establish a hold on your shoulders!” I warned from experience, “They will try to rake your guts out with their hind claws!”

“They? Tanner only saw one...” Fione grumbled nervously.

I was about to explain that Carnifexes commonly hunted in pairs, but Tanner was already pointing at a different section of the hill.

“I see three of them,” Tanner grunted anxiously, “One up the middle and two off to the far right.”

“Should we perhaps choose an alternate route?” Jean wondered aloud, “You’re the one with the most experience, brother. What do you think?” He asked me seriously.

“It depends...” I hedged while considering our options. “If we can stagger their approach and concentrate our attacks on one target at a time, then we should be able to handle them.”

“I don’t think there is enough grass on the hill to do that trick again,” Sarah hesitantly commented. She was guessing since she hadn’t called the Spell by name, but still had a point.

“If I drive the two from cover, do you think you can land at least a disorienting or blinding shot on one of them?” I asked Tanner.

Tanner looked surprised for a moment, scanned the hill again, and after a few moments slowly nodded, “I reckon so,” he agreed tentatively, “Will cost some mana though.”

“This is the kind of fight you want to spend mana on,” I replied firmly, “These Beasts are vicious in a melee.”

“So we unleash everything if they get close then?” Jean asked cautiously.

“We should be okay with just one,” I hedged again, “But if two look like they are going to make it, then it is better to burn through mana than lose a limb.”

“Right,” Sarah agreed and stabbed the butt end of her spear into the ground before swapping to a javelin.

“Their bones are big and thick, so you want to strike larger exposed areas,” I continued, “Don’t aim for the skull unless you are confident in being able to strike a weak point.”

“Figures...” Fione sighed exasperatedly as she drew a fistful of throwing knives.

“Which rocks did you see the pair of Carnifexes hiding behind?” I asked Tanner.

Tanner pointed to a cluster of rocks on the right side of the hill.

“Okay...I’ll do a countdown from three, but I’m not sure which direction the Carnifex will jump out from,” I warned.

“Can’t do everything or I’d get no respect,” Tanner chuckled nervously, “You do your thing and I’ll do mine.”

I nodded and began gathering my mana. Concentrating, I directed the mana into the stones the Carnifexes were using for cover. When the last of the mana was transferred I willed the stones to violently alter their shape and form long thick spikes in the direction I imagined the Carnifexes to be hiding.

A pair of startled savage cries echoed up and down the hillside as both Carnifexes leapt out from behind the rocks of their ambush site. Both were bleeding but didn’t seem particularly injured until Tanner’s crossbow bolt slammed into the ribcage of the closer Carnifex.

While it didn’t seem to be immediately fatal, Tanner’s attack had a visibly slowing effect on the Carnifex.

The less injured of the two Carnifexes yowled in anger and was joined by the uninjured Carnifex that had been laying in wait further up the hill. Without further warning, they both began charging down the hillside.

Larger than those I had encountered previously, the Carnifexes were the size of grizzly bears and considerably faster.

Their increase in size made them easier targets, but I strongly suspected that their hides were likely that much thicker to compensate for it.

Sarah and Fione were fast off the mark and began their attack the moment the injured Carnifex came into range. Unfortunately, despite burning mana on offensive Abilities their weapons failed to deeply penetrate or land lethal blows.

Hurling my first throwing axe, I very nearly missed but scored a deep gash on the wounded Carnifex left forelimb.

The wound almost caused the Carnifex to stumble but it managed to right itself.

Deciding I didn’t have the time to make another attempt with a throwing axe, I swapped back to holding my axe with both hands and moved forward.

Instead of firing on the approaching Carnifexes, Tanner sent another bolt into his earlier target, catching it in the neck just as it looked like it was about to rally and join its kin.

“GO DOWN DAMMIT!” Fione cursed as another fistful of daggers slashed across the oncoming Carnfex’s hide.

“Last javelin!” Sarah called out a few moments later as her third and final javelin struck the Carnifex back and stuck there.

Enraged by its injuries, it was impossible to tell if the Carnifex was affected by the Ward still active on Sarah’s spear. What was obvious was that it had chosen me as the target of its vengeance.

Bracing myself to make a counterattack, I could only hope that those behind me had the sense to move out of the Carnifex immediate path and off to the side. Even if I killed the Carnifex in one blow, it had built more than enough momentum and possessed enough weight to be a lethal object even in death.

Slipping my hands down the shaft of my axe, I took a long-hafted grip, stepped wide to the side and swung hard into the jaws of the Carnifex. Assisted by the Beast’s own momentum, the edge of the axe hacked through the side of the Carnifex mouth and into the back of its throat. Unfortunately, I lost my grip on the axe in the process.

With only seconds until the lone Carnifex from higher on the hill would join the fray, I spared a moment to confirm that everyone had gotten out of the path of the heavily injured and hopefully dying Carnifex.

Satisfied, I grabbed a throwing axe from off my belt and began a strafing counter charge toward the left of the oncoming Carnifex. Keenly aware that I would only get one opportunity to strike before being overrun, I began channelling mana into the steelhead of the throwing axe.

As the Carnifex was about to come into melee range, it seemed to reconsider and select a new target.

Deciding to take a risk, I elected to hurl my throwing axe into the Carnifex side as it passed me by.

The head of the throwing axe bit deep into the muscle of its right shoulder, but the Carnifex continued its charge.

Sucked in a deep breath and gathered half of my remaining mana, “HEY!!!” I roared, demanding the Carnifex immediate and undivided attention.

Time slowed and I felt the Carnifex’s will crumble and collapse as it attempted to resist the Compulsion.

Flailing and scrambling awkwardly with its claws, the Carnifex narrowly avoided tumbling end over end as its head and neck arched violently back in my direction.

*BANG!*

The Carnifex staggered as my throwing axe exploded and sheared bloody chunks of meat and fur from its shoulder.

Before it could react, Sarah darted forward and stabbed her spear into the Carnifex haunches before quickly leaping back again.

Tanner fired a third bolt into his target and continued slowly strafing away from the Carnifex with the mutilated shoulder, taking care to match pace with Horrace and Jean.

Fione was throwing knives at the collapsed Carnifex that had eaten the axehead. Despite being prone, it was still showing signs of trying to get up.

Left with little choice, the Carnifex I had cast Draw Focus on began scrambling back up the hill and toward me.

Reaching for another throwing axe, I was surprised to find that I was bleeding from my right thigh. Judging the wound to be relatively minor, I drew the throwing axe and considered my options.

The Carnifex had lost a considerable amount of speed due to its injuries, and it was currently Compelled to focus on me. Unfortunately, it had also entered an Enraged state. It wasn’t going to stop moving until it was dead or lost the limbs needed to do so.

Carefully backpedalling away, I allowed the Carnifex to slowly gain on me while Sarah continued to stab at it from the rear. Each strike from Sarah’s spear made the Carnifex wounds bleed a little more freely, accelerating its inevitable death from blood loss.

I stumbled slightly as my heel rolled in the upturned earth from the Carnifex charge.

Seeing its chance the Carnifex roared and surged forward.

“Over here!” Jean called, his voice thrumming with mana.

The Carnifex twitched but remained undeterred.

I waited for Sarah to dive clear and terminated my Compulsion.

The Carnifex stumbled to a halt and swiped its left foreclaw as it struggled to maintain its original facing, missing my shins by inches.

Rolling to the right, I scrambled to my feet and turned back to face the Raging Carnifex.

Jean was staggering and Fione was retreating to his position to help him.

The Raging Carnifex continued to roar in frustration and pain as it slowly clawed its way up the hill toward me.

Knowing that Jean’s Compulsion might break at any moment, I took a deep breath to steady myself and then stalked determinedly toward the Carnifex. Throwing axe at the ready, I viciously hacked at the Carnifex’s right paw as it took an opportunistic swipe toward my waist.

Taking advantage of the Carnifex inability to properly follow my movements, I continued down the hill and to the left of the Carnifex.

“We got trouble!-” Tanner called out but his voice was drowned out by the Enraged roar of another Carnifex.

On the other side of the wounded Raging Carnifex, Sarah raised her shield, couched her spear and positively brimming with mana, she surged up the hill with unnatural speed.

Recognising the danger we were in, I decided to take another risk. As Sarah’s spear thrust toward the Carnifex neck, I momentarily reenabled my Racial Synergies for the group.

The tip of the spearhead peeked through the opposite side of the Carnifex neck and as it retracted, blood began to slough onto the hillside.

Even as she backed away, Sarah looked surprised by what had just occurred. No doubt incredibly familiar with her Strength and capabilities, it wasn’t difficult to understand that she would recognise something was amiss.

Leaving the Carnifex for dead, I continued down the hillside to retrieve my axe.

The final Carnifex was charging downhill as well, bloody foam gathering at the corners of its muzzle and bloody saliva trailing down its jaw.

“Need some help!” Tanner called anxiously as he slowly backed away and fired another bolt into the rapidly approaching Carnifex shoulder.

“A champion of The Lady will always answer the call!” Horrace roared and positively erupted with mana. Bathed in amber-gold light, Horrace’s plate and mail armour shone like the sun, “In her service! I fear no evil!” Scythe-like wings of solid light erupted from Horrace’s back, lifting him a full foot off the ground and propelling him toward the Enraged Carnifex. Orchestral chanting echoed across the hillside as a thorned halo of the same amber-gold light manifested above Horrace’s helmed head. “The Lady is with me! I shall prevail!” Horrace roared.

The Carnifex leapt off the hillside, its jaws wide and claws seeking Horrace’s flesh. However, its movement was halted abruptly as four bladed wings of light impaled its body, pinning it in place.

“In the name of The Lady! I REMOVE YOUR TAINT FROM THIS WORLD!!!” Horrace pointed an accusatory finger toward the Carnifex.

A bright flash of light momentarily blinded me. Once it passed, I found Horrace slowly descending toward the ground, his mana all but spent, and the Carnifex reduced to a smouldering mass of burnt meat and bones.

“I...I am spent...” Horrace coughed and collapsed to the ground.

Jean was already staggering toward Horrace with a mana potion in hand and Fione hot on his heels.

Tanner and Sarah both took on the role of lookout from their respective positions without being asked.

With everyone else otherwise occupied, and low on mana, I breathed a great deal easier once I had my axe back in hand. For good measure, I hacked at the Carnifex neck and severed its spinal column.

The Carnifex was already dead, but taking the precaution gave me a sense of profound relief all the same.

Looking down at the thoroughly dead Carnifex, I noticed a small pendant laying in the grass. Picking it up, I wasn’t surprised to find that it was a magical item.

Squire’s Salvation.

The name made me smirk despite myself and my amusement continued as I read the description. In effect, Squire’s Salvation allowed several weapons to be marked. Marked weapons could be magically recalled to hand for a cost in mana based on the weight of the weapon.

I found the description amusing because it reminded me of the fairs and fates I had attended with my mother as a child. There had always been at least one stall salesman, usually three, who would showcase all manner of plastic boomerangs. A large part of their sales gimmick was to demonstrate the boomerangs in action and under the pretence of their product always coming back. Most salesmen had been rather good with the plastic boomerangs, but I still remembered one salesman in particular who just couldn’t quite get the hang of it. A particularly mean-spirited group of teenagers had been blamed for the unprovoked attack on the cake stalls, and the salesman had rather conveniently disappeared.

“What ya got there?” Fione asked, leaning in to look at the magical pendant.

“A magic item,” I replied bluntly, “You didn’t drop anything, did you?” The pendant seemed like the sort of item that would fit her fighting style, so it might have been lost during combat.

“No,” Fione replied honestly, “What does it do?”

“Recalls weapons to hand,” I explained and offered Fione the pendant.

“A custom?!” Fione exclaimed excitedly only to moan in disappointment when the pendant disappeared a few moments later, “Stupid Auto Loot!” She cursed dispiritedly.

The bloody carcass of the Carnifex had disappeared as well, leaving Fione’s throwing knives scattered on the ground.

“Oh! You got something sticking out of your leg!” Fione insisted urgently and pointed down at my leg.

Looking down, I saw that she was right. A small piece of steel was peeking through a matted mess of blood in my right thigh. Kneeling so I could take a closer look, I winced as the shifting muscles in my leg shifted and aggravated the foreign object.

Pulling the waterskin from my pack, I washed away as much of the blood as I was able so I could better inspect the wound. Relieved that the piece of steel seemed to have missed an artery, I gingerly pinched the metal between my forefinger and thumb and then slowly removed it from my thigh. With confirmation that it hadn’t damaged an artery, I dropped the shard of steel onto the ground and pulled a wad of clean cloth from my pack.

Fione bent down and picked up the shard of steel while I applied pressure on the wound and fished out a piece of dried meat to chew on.

“What’s this from?” Fione asked curiously, “It couldn’t have come from one of the big fuzzies...”

“Broken throwing axe-head,” I mumbled while chewing through the dried meat and trying not to feel too embarrassed. It wasn’t the first time I had injured myself with Thundering Strike and I doubted it would be the last.

“...” Fione stared at me blankly for a few moments before narrowing her eyes sceptically, “I was fairly certain your axes were all magical...”

“They are, or were,” I confirmed defensively.

Fione made a point of looking up the hill where the Carnifex with the mangled shoulder had been, “Your Ability can break magic items?...” She defensively interposed herself between me and her scattered throwing knives on the ground.

“Costs more mana, but yeah,” I lifted the wadded cloth to check on the puncture wound, “We were in a tight spot, so I figured it was worth the risk.”

“You know the loot split doesn’t cover lost gear, right?” Fione asked with a measure of sympathy.

I shrugged, “Better to lose a basic magic throwing axe than the alternatives,” I reasoned.

“That...Hrm...Yeah, I guess...” Fione didn’t seem quite as certain, so I assumed her financial situation probably wasn’t very stable. Of course, it could also be a result of her combat style requiring so many weapons. I could stand to lose a throwing axe without having to worry about it, but for all I knew, Fione might have exactly the right number of throwing knives.

“I have more at home, it’s not a big deal,” I reassured her, “Besides, I’m actually somewhat better with a bow.” It was somewhat sad but true. My time spent actively practising with the Asrusian army far outweighed my hours of unguided practice with thrown weapons.

“So why not use a bow then?” Fione asked curiously but then rapidly waved her hands, “Wait, I get it, your Abilities don’t work with a bow, right?”

“Well...Actually...They work just as well with a bow as the throwing axes...” I admitted with no small degree of embarrassment, “I guess I was just trying something new...”

“Something new?...” Fione stared at me like I was crazy, which was fair in the circumstances, “Do you normally use an axe? Or is that...Oh...Wow...” Fione looked shell shocked, “Just...I can’t even...” She began nervously pacing back and forth, “But I saw you! You smacked it right in the sweet spot!”

I shrugged, not sure what to tell her. Growing more comfortable with violence made me more confident with weapons and going on the offensive. Combining that fact with an enemy I knew wouldn’t try to dodge gave me a relatively prime opportunity so long as I held my nerve.

“So when you said you should have brought a club...” Fione stared exasperatedly at me, “You meant it, didn’t you?!” She demanded.

“A mace would have been better, but yes, some form of bludgeoning weapon would have been better in that circumstance,” I agreed.

Fione returned to her nervous pacing.

“Is everything all right?” Jean asked somewhat tiredly as he approached with Horrace leaning heavily on his shoulder.

“The new guy’s been holding out on us!” Fione complained bitterly.

Jean looked sceptical, “It doesn’t seem to be the case from what I saw,” he countered in a warning tone before stopping abruptly as he noticed the bloodied wad of fabric on my thigh, “You were injured?” Jean began to help Horrace down but stopped as I lifted the bloodied cloth.

“I’m fine,” I insisted, “Just a simple puncture.”

“Oh...” Jean looked at the cloth and then back to the tiny wound.

“That was in his leg!” Fione pointed to the shard of steel lying on the short grass.

Jean’s eyes widened in surprise, “You’re sure you are alright, brother?” He asked with genuine concern.

“It didn’t hit anything important and I heal fast,” I poured some more water and wiped at the site of the injury, revealing a raw layer of scar tissue, “See? All good.” Admittedly, I should have cleaned the wound with alcohol, but I was fairly confident that my constitution would fend off any minor infections.

“He did eat a whole strap of meat,” Fione grudgingly admitted, “But that doesn’t change the fact that he admitted to squiring!”

Jean looked surprised for a moment but instead of becoming upset, he looked impressed instead, “Is this true, brother?”

“I’m not familiar with the term, but if it means using different weapons than I usually do? Then I must admit that it’s true,” I confessed while rinsing out the cloth before stowing it away. “Oh! Because the squires have to practise with a whole mess of weapons as part of their training...Clever,” I chuckled dryly as I got to my feet and brushed myself off.

“Why would you do that, brother?” Jean asked with a hint of awe in his voice. No doubt vastly overestimating my true skills.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to try them in a real combat situation,” I replied simply. Practising was one thing, fighting monsters that barely reached my knees was another, but I hadn’t faced true danger in any consistent measure until now.

“Well, as interesting as this subject is, I think we had best retreat and recuperate,” Jean decided, “I’m damn near tapped out and Horrace is out completely.”

“Yeah, I have less than half,” Sarah called out as she slowly and carefully made her way back to the group while scanning our surroundings.

“A quarter, maybe,” Tanner joined in, similarly retreating to the group while keeping an eye out for danger.

Everyone could see one another’s mana, so calling it out wasn’t particularly necessary, but I supposed it was part of their routine.

“We should wait here for an hour or so then,” I insisted firmly, “Give the mana potion a chance to do its work.”

“Too dangerous, brother-” Jean slowly shook his head and was going to say more but was interrupted.

“You cast something on my spear before, what was it?” Sarah asked suspiciously.

I tried not to smirk, “Ward,” I replied simply before deciding to strike while the iron was hot, “Which is why we would be better off staying put and recuperating some before heading back.” It wouldn’t be safer just for them either. I was low on mana and profoundly confident that the Bloodhunters would catch the scent of blood on my armour the moment we tried cutting back toward the base camp.

“What’s a Ward?” Fione asked with equal parts scepticism and wary curiosity.

“It’s a Shaman Ability,” Tanner cut in before anyone else had a chance, “Keeps the wild ones out of their villages.” He gave me an appraising look before nodding respectfully, “Checks out,” Tanner insisted, “It’s not the sort of thing you lie about out here anyway,” he pulled a small pinch of dried leaves from a pouch on his hip and tucked it into his lip, “We would be two down if we got into a fight on the way back. It’s not worth it.”

“If it truly is a Ward,” Jean hedged, “Than taking our time to recover is certainly the better plan,” He sighed and scratched at his chin while considering their options. “Alright, we are hunkering down,” Jean decided. Rotating watch so we can all get some downtime. Tanner and Fione can go first.”

Fione groaned like a teenager and began collecting her throwing knives.

Tanner just shrugged and began to slowly wander around their vicinity while keeping an eye out for danger.

I was sorely tempted to Summon a Kobold so I could accelerate my mana recovery but ultimately decided against it. If the group thought I was holding out on them already, then revealing yet another combat-oriented Spell would only complicate matters further. All the same, I compromised by Conjuring a basic magic bow and a quiver of arrows under the pretence of collecting Quest rewards.

Now, at the very least, if more monsters attacked before the Ward took root, I would have the opportunity to fight them at a distance first.

***** Tanner - Tim’s Demi-Plane ~ Tim’s Labyrinth ~ Tenth Floor *****

Tanner watched the odd newcomer, Fharad, as he marked out a target on the hillside and began loosing arrows from increasingly greater distances. He wasn’t especially gifted, or even talented, so far as Tanner could tell. Just the sort of comfortably proficient people became after enough repetition.

Tanner could relate. He didn’t have much of a talent for anything either.

His dependence on magic items and the bitter Sentry leaves just to compete at the same level as the team was a testament to that fact. Tanner was also keenly aware that he wouldn’t have been able to unlock his Advanced Class at all without the detailed guides and alternate routes for progression provided by the Class unlock Quests.

Tanner had been too focused on his target during the fight to see much of what had been going on with everyone else. However, he had seen Fharad bury his axe in the first Beast and functionally take it out of the fight. So as far as Tanner was concerned, Fharad had done more than his fair share.

So with that in mind, he didn’t understand why Fione was making such a big deal about his choice in weaponry. Fharad had done his part and done it well, and for Tanner, that was enough. Besides, it wasn’t like Fione had done an exemplary job herself.

Maybe that’s why she’s so upset.

Tanner took note that Fione was still scowling in Fharad’s general direction despite the latter paying her no attention at all.

Fharad’s relaxed attitude made Tanner somewhat uncomfortable, but he had to assume Fharad’s confidence came from his experience with Wards.

Tanner had heard of Wards before, but knowing the theory behind how they were intended to work and trusting your life to one were two different things entirely. It didn’t help that if you weren't the Shaman who cast the Ward, the only way to tell if a Ward was working was that nothing bad was happening.

“Movement to our east!” Sarah called out, already on her feet and pointing roughly to their northeast and up the hill.

Raising his crossbow, Tanner paused as he noticed Fharad casually lining up a shot of his own. Curious to see how the newcomer fared against a living target, Tanner decided to wait.

“It looks like someone from another group,” Fharad called back. Although Tanner was careful to note that he hadn’t returned his arrow to its quiver.

Spending a small amount of mana, Tanner activated Enhanced Senses. Concentrating on the distant target, he was surprised to find that Fharad was right, “Looks like one of Morgan’s team!” Tanner called out warily, pausing for a moment as he spotted a second figure, “And Morgan himself, I think!... It’s hard to tell, but they look like they are in rough shape!”

Everyone but Horrace had gotten to their feet and were preparing for a fight.

They had no problems with Morgan’s group, but they all knew there weren’t any good reasons for a group to be running like that.

“Leave the spear!” Fharad warned, “Moving it too much will disrupt the Ward’s protection!”

Sarah scowled but firmly planted her spear in the ground.

“MORGAN! OVER HERE!” Jean yelled. The Compulsion carried by his voice made Tanner flinch, but he shook it off easily enough thanks to not being the primary target.

Morgan and his teammate appeared to have heard him and were now headed in their direction. After a few seconds, it was also revealed that another Carnifex appeared to be right behind them.

Taking stock of his mana, Tanner estimated that he would have enough for four more Penetrating Shots or two Far Shots without risking unconsciousness.

*Twang*

Tanner looked over at Fharad in surprise. So far as he knew, Fharad didn’t have any ranged combat Abilities to compensate for the distance. Of course, Tanner knew next to nothing about him, but it still didn’t sit right with him.

Fharad watched the flight of his arrow with intense and all too familiar focus as it sped toward its target.

Tanner focused on Fharad’s eyes and recognised the look. He was using Enhanced Senses.

The arrow fell a few feet or so short of the Carnifex, but Fharad didn’t seem put out over it. Drawing and loosing another arrow, Fharad slowly moved his bow to match the progress of the Carnifex. Before the fate of the arrow was known, he drew and loosed another, then another, and just kept going.

The arrows were missing more often than not, but the Carnifex had momentarily slowed its pursuit of Morgan and his surviving team member as it tried to locate the new threat.

In the time it took Fharad to reach for and loose the last arrow in the quiver, a whole brace of arrows had appeared in their place.

Fharad was slowly strafing across the open ground toward him, pausing only to loose an arrow before moving again. “Can. You. Hit. It. For. Sure?” Fharad grunted between draws.

Tanner nearly choked as some of the Sentry juice went down his airway, “Y-Yeah, I can hit it!” Tanner replied, uncertain of what Fharad intended since he seemed to have no trouble sending arrows at the Carnifex himself.

“A. Head. Shot?” Fharad grunted without breaking focus on his target.

“I can,” Tanner replied, this time more cautiously. With their last fight with the Carnifexes as a reference, Tanner knew he would need to use Penetrating Shot to even stand a chance at chipping the Carnifex's skull, let alone piercing it.

Fharad tightened his lips and grunted. Instead of reaching for another arrow, he reached for Tanner’s crossbow. More specifically, he reached for the bolt on top of it. Tipping the bolt off Tanner’s crossbow and onto the ground, Fharad replaced the bolt with another that suddenly appeared in his hand. Breathing heavily, Fharad closed his eyes and Tanner felt a dense mass of mana pass through his hand and into the bolt sitting in his crossbow.

“A. Head. Shot.” Fharad panted as a reminder.

Tanner nodded determinedly and took careful aim. Trying not to stress over losing so much mana all at once, he activated Enhanced Senses and Penetrating Shot, then after a moment’s hesitation activated Guiding Shot for safety.

*Click, Thwip*

The bolt launched from Tanner’s crossbow and raced toward its target. Adjusting its course midflight, Tanner guided it toward the Carnifex right eye socket. Despite the Beast attempting to dodge at the last moment, Tanner still managed to land his shot.

The Carnifex howled in pain and staggered to a halt, but contrary to Tanner’s expectations, it didn’t die.

*BANG!!!*

Staggering from critically low mana, Tanner could barely believe his eyes as the Carnifex head exploded.

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