Huff… huff…
Theno ran madly, his speed increasing with every explosion he heard. His legs were aching and trembling, but he didn't dare slow down.
Damn it… damn it! How is that beast so powerful? I thought I was saved when I saw the Notorious Wind-Blade Captain and his team, but it seems we might all die here today. Captain Wind Blade, I am sorry for thinking you Chaos Seekers are useless.
Please hold that beast back—my family needs me! Oh, Divine Knight, please watch over him, Old Theno prayed in his heart.
Shwiss!
Thump!
"NEIGHH!!"
Dravok roared after barely dodging the swift wind blade. A long, thin cut appeared along his right side, and black blood began to flow.
Zzzing!
His dark-red Chaos Stone vibrated, and strong Chaos Energy rushed into his hooves. Flames surged. The charred earth exploded as he shot toward the Chaos Seeker like an arrow.
Damned bastard! Why won't you die?! Dravok roared, but only a terrifying neigh came out.
His red, maddened eyes reflected a resolute figure—charred all over but still standing. The figure leaned forward, and a powerful wind exploded behind him. Ashes flew into the air.
Swishhh!
Strong winds howled, and fire surged.
Just before Dravok's right hoof, bathed in flames, struck the approaching captain's sword, the captain's figure blurred.
Immediately, the captain appeared at Dravok's right side. His sword, bathed in razor-sharp winds, slashed horizontally across the previous shallow wounds.
Swish!
The blade went through the tough hide, stopping only after striking bone.
Finally, a real hit, the captain thought with satisfaction.
Then he slid past at uncontrollable speed. He barely managed to turn before crashing back-first into a distant tree.
"NEIGHHH!!"
Dravok's pained cry echoed through the forest. His mad eyes finally began to regain some consciousness.
Huff… huff… This hurts like hell, damned bastard. This is the first time I've been hurt like this since I arrived in this world.
Is my killing finally catching up to me?
The real bone deep pain made this cursed horse feel fear for the first time since arriving in this world.
Like hell… if I can't beat him, I'll just run away. I can still get revenge after killing more weak ones and getting stronger. I can feel the strange energy growing ever since that old hunter ran—even though it's very little, my idea was correct…
Just as the beast was about to leave—
"YOU BEAST! Don't think I'm dead yet! I won't let you go after my companions! I won't lose anyone else today! One sacrifice was more than enough! I will make you pay in blood for the lives you took—even if it costs me my own!!"
The now barely-standing captain screamed at the fleeing horse.
The trees in the forest began swaying from left to right. A small tornado started forming around the captain. The wind howled, echoing the rage in the man's heart.
What the hell is this guy screaming for?? I can't understand you, stupid!
The heck… is he going to explode? I really have to run now!!
Chaos Burn!
The empty, transparent Chaos Stone suddenly began to vibrate in a bizarre pattern. Immediately after, a small but condensed energy filled the empty Chaos stone, making his chest radiate heat.
Meteor Sword!!
Wush! The captain's figure disappeared.
In that instant, Dravok's heart trembled.
His red pupils constricted. The cursed blood in his veins surged, and a primal instinct to run awakened.
NIGHH!! Flames surged from his hooves. The dark-red Chaos Stone vibrated, and the bright red flames began to be tainted by pale blue. The air exploded, and his figure vanished into the distance, leaving a trace of blood.
Swish… BOOM!!
The charred ground where he had just stood Exploded, creating a pit five meters wide and three meters deep. A Deformed sword stood in the center of the crater.
The captain, floating twenty meters in the air, looked at his broken and shriveled hands, then at the fleeing ball of fire heading toward the depths of the Golden Fur Forest. I didn't win, but at least I won't be losing anyone else today…
With that, his completely empty Chaos Stone lost all its light. His vision went dark, and he plummeted from the sky toward the charred ground.
A few hours later…
"Achoo! Damn this cold weather! I think I might catch a cold. Old Donkey, sell me that old Wool tunic you don't use anymore. I need more layers," said one patrolling village guard to the other.
"Ha! Old Six, with what money are you going to pay me with? Didn't you lose all your money yesterday playing cards?"
"All right, I'll pay you later, damn it! After I get my salary. Just give it to me in advance before I get sick."
"Yeah, everyone knows that Old Six the Gambler pays back his debts on time," said the old guard sarcastically, with a smirk.
Before Old Six could retort, he heard rushed footsteps in the distance. Immediately, both guards lost their smiles. The long iron spears were raised, ready to take action at any moment.
Finally, a figure covered in weeds, wearing torn clothes, appeared in their vision. Upon seeing them, the figure seemed to lose all its strength and immediately collapsed face-first into the cold mud.
"Isn't that Old Theno, the hunter? What happened? Why is he in such a bad state? And where are the other members? Don't tell me..." Old Donkey exclaimed in surprise.
He rushed toward the collapsed old hunter, a bad premonition rising in his heart. Old Six hurried after him.
They reached the figure and helped him to his feet.
"What happened…?"
Before they could ask further, Old Theno screamed, "Water! I need water!"
Old Six immediately took out his water pouch and handed it to the trembling Theno.
Old Theno, with his shaking hands, gulped down the water from the leather pouch.
"Cough… cough…" Old Theno choked and finally put down the water pouch.
Old Donkey asked, "Spit it out, man. What happened?"
The old hunter, his breathing ragged and his voice cracked, only said one thing.
They are all dead!!