Spirit Hunting Union

Mere ten mana points won't last him even a few seconds. Even if it did, it's still not enough to block the incoming attack.

Quinn did activate it. But he was left with a stark validation of his assumptions.

That wasn't enough at all.

The flames died down quickly.

Quinn gasped.

He was cooked.

In a matter of seconds, the arrows stuck on him. But thankfully, he had gears on. Able to repel most.

Yet, some hit his arms and neck.

Quinn screamed as he slammed into the ground. Rolling non-stop. The arrows kept coming, tearing his flesh.

Quinn cried harder.

But he couldn't still his body either.

As a matter of fact, he soon got pushed to a point where the slope was no longer regular. A fucking downhill.

By that, he definitely would not be able to stabilise himself at all.

Quinn toppled down the hill. And at a moment that felt like an eternity, he finally stopped.

Yet, that makes no difference.

Quinn gently pushed himself up. Each retraction of muscle triggered an electric-like shock from the arrow stabs. The attack was so intense that even his neck wasn't safe.

It hurt. It stung!

But the reason why Quinn was still standing was that those things weren't sharp enough to pierce any deeper into his flesh. And that makes sense. Because the attack was made by a low rank creature.

That was a bit of a safe stance for Quinn.

He breathed erratically.

Suddenly, the fox rose above, right at the mouth of the hill. Quinn felt his heart race. Even his body knew to fear what had almost killed him.

… But his breathing stalled when the fox started vomiting blood.

Quinn muttered,

"What…?"

But then the curiosity was replaced by instant defence. A huge sense to protect himself.

The beast makes the arrows with its own blood? That's crazy!

Right above, what one would call a normal animal blood was what solidified. And morphed into another set of short arrows. Dancing mid-air before the beast.

Manipulating its own blood, eh?

Then they rained down at Quinn.

He crossed his arms before his face…

"Will this ever stop?!"

The arrows stuck in his body second by second. Some drew sharp cuts on his arms. Neck. As a matter of fact, one shattered his gear's harness. Then it bit into his shoulder too.

Quinn fell to his knees. He gasped non-stop.

He couldn't bring himself to pick up his dagger just yet. Moving a limb felt as though trying to break a thousand bones.

But he forced himself to grab it anyway when the fox rushed towards him.

Quinn yelled as he forced himself to stand.

His back shook.

Body begging to take a rest.

But his heart raced, asking him to win.

"Geez!"

In a split second, the Curse informed him that:

[Fatigue: 62/100]

Always the one to give bad news!

Like that actually matters right now!

Quinn braced himself not to move. Once the fox was fully onto him, he made a slight turn at the hips. Sidestepping with practiced footwork.

Brilliant. He was just one step away from being at a safe end.

And that was running up the hill!

Quinn cut to the chase immediately. Yet, the fox chased after him. Quinn clenched his jaw while sprinting with all his strength.

If he gets up there, he might be able to use a hand from those guys. He hated to admit it.

But yes!

Even when the beast's claws scratched his calves, he didn't stop. Rolling back down the hill was very likely if he did.

Thankfully, he made it to the upper ground.

Then paced a couple of times before turning at the fox.

Quinn could have sworn the creature itself was left with wonder. Pacing here and there with caution, its eyes stuck on him.

Nonetheless, Quinn held his dagger straight.

He swallowed.

Keep your eyes open; that's what he told himself.

To not fall asleep or fucking lose consciousness! From now on, he must make sure to put up a good fight.

He frowned. Glancing at the distant mountain's peak, those two guys were still fighting the other foxes.

No way he expected them to be any stronger than that.

Damn it.

He faced the fox.

"Come at me then!"

As if a beast would understand English…

But maybe it did.

"Cursed bastard!"

The fox pounced into the air, descending towards him. Right as its claws shot down, Quinn sidestepped again. Making the fox itself land rightwards.

That was when Quinn closed in.

He stabbed its neck straight…

Immediately, the monster turned aggressively. Yanking Quinn's grip off the dagger. Instantly slamming its head into his chest.

His breath escaped his lung.

Metals shattered; the gear slowly washed down his body.

His body travelled backwards. Then - slam! - he hit an ice wall again.

Quinn moaned in pain.

He dropped hard onto the ground.

That made his stomach ache.

He took slight breaths. Soon, he struggled to look forward.

… The fox roared aloud in agony, its voice cascading through the mountains. Quinn's dagger was still stuck deep in its neck.

The beast dies if the weapon is removed.

Quinn felt his chest pound.

Almost immediately, it sprinted towards him.

Got closer.

Much closer.

Quinn readied himself.

To remove the dagger soon.

… For a second, time seemed to have taken a breath.

Then it dropped.

The creature's head connected with his chest, pinning his back against the wall. Quinn clenched his jaw. Driving his hand upward to grab the dagger.

But little did he know, he didn't have as much energy to do that.

***

On the mountain peak…

One of the two red-furred foxes loomed before Kael.

Kael stared up with watery eyes. Shaky breaths!

The monster stared back with neutral cruelty. The kind that sends shivers down the spine.

And so, it bit Kael's shoulder. The fangs sank deep inside. With a sickening squelch.

Kael could only feel the fiery pain. But too numb from the horror to shout.

His body slopped onto the icy ground. Which soon got diffused by his blood.

Doran suddenly shouted,

"Kael!"

But even he himself looked away almost immediately.

The creature before him wasn't any different either. As a matter of fact, both creatures were onto him now.

Doran gritted his teeth. And cried,

"Don't come ganging up on me! You bastards!"

As Doran jumped off the mountain, he heard Kael's gentle whisper:

"Please… help me."

Tears streamed down his face as he knew he couldn't.

Even after getting down the mountain, the foxes didn't stop. Both teamed up against him. Pushing him till he couldn't move anymore. And could only say: "I don't want to die."

—

Pain

Suffering

Cries!

... the pain of your teammates. The more cries, the merrier…

Those words echoed in Quinn's head.

He could feel his heart drumming hard against his chest. As he weakly leaned against the wall. Eyes closed. His last breath slowly slipping out through his lungs.

Everywhere within three metres to both his left and right had been diffused red.

White stuff that looked like intestines crept around him.

The fox's mouth? Covered in blood, like a vampire that has just finished feasting on flesh.

The words echoed again.

... the more cries, the merrier!

Cries.

Cries.

Cries.

Quinn could faintly hear them.

That of a person… asking for help.

Of another that doesn't want to die.

Quinn could hear them all.

And by the power of heaven and earth, the system flashed before him:

[Ability Activation]

[Evil god's ordeal.]