After the meeting with his cousin, he had experienced a feeling of weakness and had to buy his way out. Although he hated what he had done, he didn't see any possible way in getting out from the situation at that time.
The incident had increased Will's hunger for strength as each day he trained harder, honing his skills at day time and then at night would head out to hunt beasts. But today was quite different as he had encountered a beast way above his level.
With just two hits, it was able to deplete his health points, putting him at a dangerous state.
Will couldn't stand upright, staggering forwards with his vision getting blurry with each second.
"Shit! It's time to go. Activate invisibility skill," he commanded mentally.
[ Invisibility skill activated ]
[ Emergency healing has commenced ]
[ Host has broken both hands, damaged rib bones, fractured sternum and neck, a deep head cut and a wounded heart ]
[ Energy needed for full restoration - 7000 ]
[ Energy needed for healing critical wounds to a safe state - 4000 ]
[ Host bleeding has been stooped successfully ]
Running through the large forest he avoided places crowded with beasts. Once again he felt the energy swirling wildly. "What's that again," he thought twisting his body in an odd angle. Once again the large paw had appeared but this time around he avoided it fully.
He could see the trees getting blown to smithereens along with the ground rumbling with little craters. "F*ck! The attack was stronger than the previous one! What I've I gotten into."
Flipping sideways he stepped on a destroyed tree and channelled the little energy to his legs. Flames erupted sending him forward, also he channelled his qi to his legs, trying his possible best to out run the beast.
"I can't die here anything! How did it get to my side instantly. My energy pool is almost emptied, I need to make better use of the little left."
"System, activate dash skill!"
[ Dash skill have been activated ]
[ Time left before cooldown: 30secs ]
With the increase in speed, he sped across changing his route. "I don't want the beast to destroy our little base, I think I should first find out if I lost..."
Same thing occurred once again, a large claw appeared about hitting his chest. Twisting his body, he pushed himself upwards holding the tip of the claws. The effect from the attack pushed him forwards and unto a tree.
"Ugh..." he groaned getting off the ground. Continuing his previous actions, he passed through a high mountain and with a leap made a platform which he used in pushing himself upwards. He appeared before a little opening, quickly he sat on the ground, feeling his chest for the mark.
"I've finally gotten the time of attack from the beast. I barely have less than two minutes before the next attack."
"Ughh," he groaned again, struggling to lift his hands, he found it impossible, dropping both hands back. "Before the beast attack, I would feel a slight pain from the spike in my chest. I think both are related, if I could somehow get this spike out..."
His damaged hands lay beside him. With every strength he mustered the hands never move from their position, it seemed it wasn't part of his body.
"Aarghhh! If it can't be done, I need to leave here quickly, this place is tight with no space to manoeuvre," he thought struggling back to his feet.
"Ughhh!" Blood trickled down his lips as he felt a pain in his chest momentarily disrupting his movements. Jumping out from the cave, he saw the claws materialising before him, swiping down at his figure.
[ Host is low on energy ]
[ Energy had been blocked for now ]
"Damn it! I can't activate my ability. Also the cooldown time for the [ Dash skill ] have elapsed."
He tried his possible best in avoiding the beast attack but was sent clashing into the cave entrance. Slowly the ground rumbled as the beast emerged from the dense canopies of trees.
Destroying everything in its part it finally got to the weakened Will's position. Opening its mouth Will could see the deadly rows of teeth looming above his little frame.
The beast had clamped down on him, but felt its prey had evaded him once more. Looking round, it saw more figures with its prey in the hands of one of them.
Roarr! A loud roar shook the forest as the beast charged forward.
"You guys remove the spike on his chest quickly, and then run as far away from here," Issaiah said, bringing out a large broad sword.
He didn't underrated the enemy before him as he was prepared to go full out. Although he knew it was going to be a tough one, not a shred of fear was seen on his face.
"I've seen auras a lot stronger than yours!" he exclaimed as he dashed forward his body wrapped in blue lighting down to his sword. With a battle cry he brought down the sword on its head, diverting its attention.
The beast angered, retaliated with a swipe of his paws sending him crashing through the trees.
Looking at the spot where its prey was, it saw an empty space with its spike on the ground. Slowly the spike rose up amd shot towards its body, embedding itself back to its initial position.
Running across the forest was Belle and Dren, with Dren carrying Will on his back. "Do you think Issaiah would be able to hold the beast back?" Dren asked with a worried expression. Looking at how Will was in a battered state he couldn't help but guage the strength of the beast.
They had seen Will in battle, and even see him take down group of beasts stronger than his level. But for just one beast to cause this damage, they were sure the beast wasn't an ordinary one.
~~~~
Minutes ago, Dren and Belle had just finished absorbing the last of the crystals from their last hunt and were getting ready for a nice rest when they felt the little cave rumbled as a small opening gradually increased in size.
Readying themselves for a fight, they saw a figure passing through the opening. One they recognised instantly, "Issaiah! what are you doing here?"
"How did you find us?" they both asked, slightly surprised.
"It wasn't that hard," he said walking deep into the room. Looking around, "Where's Will," he asked with a frown forming on his face.
Both of them were quite aware of Will's rigorous training and after the first day of him coming back without getting harmed from the night hunt, they had decide to let him be.
"He went out for a night hunt," Dren said, without much thought.
"Dammit! That idiot!" Even Issaiah had seen the strange changes of the beasts and had encountered some on is way here. He knew something was wrong and now hearing Will was out there alone, he couldn't help but panic.
"C'mon, we need to find him," he said to the duo as he quickly walked out through the opening. They had followed Issaiah and was surprised on the method he used.
Sniffing the air, he would run forward with them finding it hard to keep track. Finally they got to a sight, where a large snake beast lay, its form battered and bloody with its crystal dug out.
Shaking his head, he urged them forward and finally they caught site of a large pool of blood close to a tree with a human figure dent.
"I thought as much," he muttered as he increased pace. Following the tracks they finally appeared before a high mountain with a humongous beast swooping its mouth into a partially destroyed cave.
With her keen eyesight she caught sight of a human lying helplessly on the ground. She didn't waste time in sending her whip forward. "Extend!" The whips stretched endlessly wrapping round Will's leg and with a pull, dragged him out from harm's way.
~~~~
[ Present ]
"You idiot, why do you like doing things on your own."
"Do you have any energy crystals with you," Belle asked Dren as they stopped at a tree with floral flowers underneath.
"I don't think so, hold on a minute." He said checking his storage ring. "I think I have a few, already getting on to what Belle implied to do with it."
"Lie him down," she said as she collected the crystals. "Help me open his mouth a little." Crushing the crystals she poured the particles into his mouth.
[ Host energy is being replenished ]
[ Energy is being used to heal Host ]
With each particles that entered the energy was used in healing his battered form. Slowly, his pale face started regaining colour but he was still unconscious.
"Watch your back," Dren shouted as he created a large shadow dome, blocking the little energy ball flying towards them.
Exploding on impact, they were thrown across, getting separated from Will.
"I'll take care of both of them, you can finish the Job," a guy said, standing beside a red haired figure, his eyes covered by a cloth.
"Alright, let's do this quickly," Ezekiel said with a sigh.