YM778.TV Chapter 6: Hunter
King Raden says, "Tarrik, what have you to report?"
Knight Commander Tarrik replies, "Your Majesty, recruitment has been concluded and all the new recruits have been moved to the training camps. We have even exceeded the required number, anticipating possible casualties during training. We are on schedule, and by this time next year, you will have a fully trained army of 10,000 men, of which the other nations will know nothing."
King Raden says, "Good, very good! Quill?"
Spymaster Quill says, "Your Majesty, as you ordered, all those who witnessed the recruitment have been silenced, making it look like bandit attacks. In addition, my men are patrolling the areas near the training camps to make sure no one discovers anything. I have also sent agents to the borders and the port to ensure that no spies can enter or leave the country."
King Raden says, "Excellent! Good work, both of you."
At that moment, several shouts are heard at the back of the throne room and everyone turns their eyes in that direction. The courtiers, who were waiting to speak with His Majesty, huddle against the walls, clearing the center of the hall.
Along that path, the chief court magician, Zamart, advances, followed by a huge wolf. The beast, about five feet tall, has dark gray fur and moves with the confidence of one who fears nothing and no one. The royal guards quickly form a line in front of the king with weapons in hand, though they all seem nervous at the thought of fighting such a creature.
Zamart\'s point of view
King Raden says, "Zamart! What is the meaning of this?"
I stop a few feet away from the royal guards and bow to the king as the wolf leans back behind me.
"Your Majesty, this is a level ten Terrible Wolf that I plan to send to the well to hunt the beastman as we discussed earlier."
King Raden says, "Hadn\'t you said you would send a summoned monster to hunt him?"
"After consulting with my specialist summoning mages, I came to the conclusion that none of your summonings were strong enough. So I went to the northern defense line and captured this beast to get the job done."
Best not to mention that it\'s at the edge of what I can control, everyone looks pretty nervous already. Although the look of terror on Tarrik\'s face is priceless!
Knight Commander Tarrik says, "Don\'t you think that\'s a bit of an exaggeration, Zamart? This wolf is as strong as a squadron of knights."
"There is no exaggeration when it comes to ensuring that His Majesty\'s plans are not compromised. Besides, Tarrik, unlike you, I know never to underestimate an opponent."
King Raden says, "Enough, you two! Very well, Zamart, send the beast to hunt in the pit."
I bow again and, with a gesture, order the direwolf to head for the well. Everyone watches as the creature leaps into the well and disappears. The royal guards sigh in relief and return to their posts, as court resumes.
At the Well, Klein\'s point of view.
Girl\'s voice: "Wake up! If you want to live, wake up now!"
I come out of my meditation - did I just hear a voice? Or was it a dream? It sounded familiar!
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- EMERGENCY SEARCH!
- Defeat the dire wolf that is hunting you!
- Objective: Kill the dire wolf 0/1.
- Reward: unlock combat skills, get a new skill.
My head spins at the sound and I look at the mission. I jump up and look through the illusory wall. As soon as I see the five-foot wolf, I know I\'m in the right place.
As the creature stealthily approaches, I brace myself, clutching my two daggers tightly.
\'Sigilo!\'
MP: 30/50
I hope to finish the wolf off quickly with a double sneak attack, so I crouch and wait for it to cross the illusory wall. As soon as its head passes over the barrier, I make my move.
\'Sneak attack!\'
MP: 25/50
I pounce with both daggers and stab the wolf\'s neck, but the creature is quicker than I expected and manages to turn, causing me to only wound it in the shoulder. Before I can retreat, the wolf bites my side.
- You have suffered a bite attack. 53 HP damage!
- HP: 94/147
\'Damn, fifty-three points of damage? Two more attacks and I\'m dead!\'
I duck and, as the wolf lunges at me again, I step to the side, push it against the wall and stab it in the stomach with both daggers. I then twist them around before pulling them out and jumping. Once again, the wolf is too fast and manages to bite me in the thigh as I jump.
- You have suffered a bite attack. 47 HP damage!
- HP: 47/147
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- Congratulations, the Pain Resistance skill has advanced to level 3!
√ Resist pain
√ Level 3.
- You feel 40% less pain.
- Physical damage reduced by 2%.
I land badly and stagger backwards until my back hits the wall. With my leg injured, my mobility is compromised, but the wolf also seems quite weakened.
\'One more bite and I\'m finished - I must finish this with the next attack or it\'s game over!\'
I lunge towards the wolf and feint, then duck down to try to punch it in the throat. The wolf falls on the feint, but quickly recovers and bites my shoulder as I drive both daggers into its throat. The wolf throws me across the room and then staggers off.
- You\'ve suffered a bite attack. 48 HP damage!
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩.
- Congratulations, the Tenacity skill has advanced to level 3!
√ Tenacity
√ Level 3.
- Your strong willpower allows you to attempt to resist death.
- End +6 HP +20%.
HP: 1/157
With my last bit of strength, I throw both daggers at the wolf.
\'Dagger throw! Dagger throw!\'
Then, I slide into the darkness.
HP: 15/50
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- Congratulations, you have completed the emergency mission!
- Objective: Kill the big bad wolf 1/1.
- Reward: unlock combat skills, get a new skill.
"DIZ" "DIZ" "DIZ" "DIZ"
- Congratulations, you can now learn combat skills!
- Congratulations, the Dagger Throw skill has advanced to level 2!
√ Dagger Throwing
√ Level 2
- MP cost 5
- You can throw a dagger with speed and accuracy. Hits
- +2 Damage +4
- Congratulations, you have acquired the Beast Hunter combat skill!
√ Beast Hunter
√ Level 1
- All stats +1
- You cause 5% additional damage against beasts.
- Congratulations, you have acquired the combat skill Dagger Fundamentals!
√ Dagger Fundamentals
√ Level 1
- Agility +1
- You cause 5% additional damage with daggers.
- Congratulations, you\'ve acquired the Dual Wielding combat skill!
√ Dual Wielding
√ Level 1
- Agility +1
- You can fight with a weapon in each hand.
Castle Throne Room from Zamart\'s point of view.
I stood off to the side, listening to the king discuss the tax rate with one of his nobles. Suddenly, I felt a stabbing pain and clutched my chest, letting out a scream.
I groaned and fell to my knees. Everyone, including the king, turns to look at me.
King Raden says, "Zamart, what\'s wrong?"
Chancellor Marvok exclaims, "Quick, get the healer!"
I gasp as I try to focus on the pain and put it aside as I was trained to do.
"No, I don\'t need the healer, it\'s a reaction spell."
Chancellor Marvok asks, "Reaction of what?"
"I\'m sorry, Majesty, I have failed. The Terrible Wolf has been killed."
Even I underestimated the beast man. Everyone around the king, and the king himself, are stunned by my news.
King Raden exclaims, "What?!"
Knight Commander Tarrik suggests, "Well, maybe he was killed by goblins or some other monster?"
Chancellor Marvok shouts, "You\'re an idiot! There aren\'t enough goblins down there to kill a terrible wolf! And there aren\'t any other monsters down there!"
Knight Commander Tarrik retorts, "So you\'re saying that a measly zero-level beastman defeated him? Ridiculous!"
King Raden shouts, "Enough!"
They both bow to the king and say, "We apologize, Your Majesty!"
King Raden asks, "Zamart, can you be sure he killed him? And the beastman?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I saw through the wolf\'s eyes at his last moment and watched as the beastman threw the dagger that ended his life.
I also saw the beastman on the verge of death, but I think you should be prepared for the unexpected. I would say he will die for sure, but I already underestimated him once and I will not make the same mistake.
King Raden reflects, "This is worrisome to say the least. For now, we will assume that he is indeed the Great Summoner and that he is still alive. In time, he will surely find a way out of the pit. Tarrik, I want guards at the well at all times and all forces in the kingdom alerted. If he is detected, he is to be killed instantly."
Knight Commander Tarrik replies, "It shall be done, Your Majesty!"