The Box: Fate
Chapter 6 — The Silent Hunter
The armored beast roared again as it slammed its claws into the ground Dust and broken earth flew into the air while the seventeen players surrounded it from different sides
Akira moved first again
He rushed forward and struck the monster's side with a fast and powerful blow The creature staggered slightly
Axel Hatanaki jumped in immediately after
"Move aside!
His punch landed directly on the monster's head The impact echoed through the forest
Aaron Moses grabbed the monster's arm and forced it backward while Murasaki released another burst of purple energy that hit its shoulder
Sharky Bee quickly moved behind it
"There's a weak point near its back!
Mikochi rushed in with excitement and attacked the spot Sharky Bee pointed at
Kuro moved like a shadow again and struck the monster's leg
Kyoshiki followed with another precise attack
Joel and Monk Fish attacked together their strikes perfectly timed
Zanaki jumped high into the air and slammed his attack down onto the monster's head
The monster roared loudly and tried to swing its claws again
But the players kept attacking from every direction
They moved with surprising coordination
Almost like they had fought together before
Far away from the fight someone quietly walked deeper into the forest
Kataki
He had left the battlefield without saying a word
His calm eyes were focused ahead
He had already noticed something earlier
Something inside the jungle was watching them
Kataki stepped carefully between the trees until he reached a darker part of the forest
Then he stopped
From the shadows a large creature slowly appeared
It looked similar to the other monster but slightly smaller and faster
Its glowing eyes locked onto Kataki
For a moment neither of them moved
Kataki sighed quietly
"So you were watching the whole time
The monster suddenly lunged toward him
But Kataki moved instantly
Two small knives appeared in his hands
His movements were smooth and precise
He dodged the monster's claws and slashed across its side with one blade
The creature roared and tried to attack again
Kataki stepped back calmly
"These players really are anime fans he said quietly to himself
"That's why they can use their power and moves so naturally
The monster attacked again
Kataki moved forward this time
His first knife struck the creature's arm
The second blade cut across its neck
The monster staggered
But it wasn't finished yet
It charged at him again with full speed
Kataki eyes remained calm
He moved to the side at the last moment and drove both knives deep into the creature's chest
The monster froze
Then its body slowly began to dissolve into glowing particles
The fight ended silently
Kataki pulled his knives out and looked toward the direction of the other players
Back at the battlefield the group had finally defeated the armored beast as well
The monster collapsed and turned into glowing particles just like the others
Zanaki wiped some dust from his clothes and laughed
"That thing was tough
Akira looked around
"Wait…
"Where's Kataki?
At that moment Kataki calmly walked out of the trees
Axel Hatanaki crossed his arms
"You disappeared"
Kataki simply looked toward the deeper forest
"There was another monster
Zanaki raised an eyebrow
"And you killed it alone?
Kataki didn't answer
He just started walking forward
"We shouldn't stay here
Akira nodded slightly
"He's right"
Joel looked at the horizon
"If this world has monsters then there must also be people"
Monk Fish agreed
"We should find a village
The seventeen players looked toward the endless forest and mountains ahead
Then together they began moving forward
Their next destination
A village somewhere in this strange world