Hiding in the back of a large tree William noticed the group consisted of one boy, taller than the others with red hair, swung his greatsword wildly, forcing two beasts back.
A girl with black hair jabbed her knife at a lunging beast, barely fending off its snapping jaws. Another boy was bleeding from a wound in his arm, his own face white but set in resolute determination as he used his shield to guard a girl who was shooting a bow. The fifth was a thin boy with hot eyes, weaving between the others, his sword trying to find openings, his movements wild but curiously nimble.
But the rat like beasts stood on four legs. Their boby covered in black fur, their eyes were reptile like, cold and calculating. Long, whip like tail. They darted with frightening speed and harmony, chattering and spitting.
"Fall back to the rocks!" Red-Hair boy urged ,his voice breaking with strain. "Joren, cover Maya!"
Joren the spear-carrying boy nodded, pretending to attack a knot of monsters, diverting their notice. Three additional monsters broke off from the pack, moving wide to flank the bow-carrying girl, Maya.
Maya who had slain three beast with her bow previously suddenly got a cut on her thigh from an outstretched tail.
She cried out, falling, her arrow sailing wide. Now pale and shaking, she leaned against a rock. Her bow was out of reach, in the mire.
One of the flanking beast, turn its black eyes towards Maya, attracted by her helplessness. It charged forward, a low, clicking hiss trembling the air.
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William's POV
William went rigid, huddled against the heavy trunk of a large tree on the edge of the clearing. He watched the tactical default unraveling: the children were tired, outnumbered, and overwhelmed by the beasts sheer number.
He should assist. He was Tier 1, yes, but he didn't know the boundaries of his new ability. These weren't the single animals he'd encountered previously; this was a coordinated group. And there were so many. Charging in blindly could get him killed.
He pushed himself flat against the bark, merging with the shadow. His breath grew slower, his heart pumping steadily like well lubricated machine. His eyes, keener than ever, followed the fight with detached precision.
He noticed how the animals preferred to attack with claws and tail but were briefly defenseless as they charged, their bellies exposed.
He noticed the children's fatigue, the slowing of their swings, the fear in Maya's wide eyes as the flankers closed in.
One of the flanking beast with sensing easy prey, rushed at Maya with a shriek, its claws tearing into the ground. The girl pinched shut her eyes and pulled up her hand in a useless gesture.
William's fingers tightened around the hilt of his knife. All his muscles bunched, ready to burst from cover.
He stepped, his short sword flashing, intercepting the beast launched at Maya. His blade bit deep into the creature's belly, killing it one strike.
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Joren's POV
"No!" Joren cried in horror. Covering himself from other beasts,he stood in horror as the beast lifted its forelimb, to strike a killing blow on Maya.
Suddenly a wiry but powerful boy older than him rushed from behind a nearby tree and killed the monster in one quick stroke rescuing Maya.
Then the boy's short sword, struck the claw of a reaming beast. With a 'crack' sound, the blade snapped just above the hilt. The boy stumbled back, disarmed, facing the remaining two beast.
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William didn't delay. He backed away, boots skipping in the mud, his gaze wildly scanning. They landed on Maya's bow, which was close to her in the mud. With one smooth, practically automatic movement, he grabbed it.
William nocked an arrow from Maya's quiver with startling speed. He didn't aim carefully ; he simply 'drew' the string, his stance shifting subtly, his body aligning as if guided by an unseen hand.
The string sang. The arrow flew like a blur and punched a hole through the eye of the nearest beast.
It died immediately. Before the other creature could move, William already pulled the string again. His strokes were controlled ,strong, free of wasted energy.
The second arrow followed the first and hit the second creature in the exposed area between its head and thorax. Then he killed other beast one by one with the assistance of Maya's bow.
William stood in the mud, Maya's bow loosely clutched in his fingers. He stared down at the bow as if noticing it for the first time, confusion dancing in his eyes. He hadn't intended to draw the bow; it had just happened, as naturally as breathing.
As long as he remembered he never used a bow even his compalsary two years millitary academy course. Afterall bow wasn't a toy,it took years of practice.
Joren ran towards maya, disregarding his searing pain from a long fight, bandaged the wound in her thigh using a piece of white cloth.
"Maya are you ok?" The red hair boy asked concerned.
" Yeah, thanks to him ." She gestured towards William.
"Thanks," said the red haired boy John. "You have saved us. Maya's life in particular.
We are of Rekka. We went to get some medicinal plant. After collecting required plant and vine while we were coming back suddenly those Scutteler surrounded us."
"By the way who are you?" the black haired girl Ana asked.
"William" he said matter of factually."I was on my way to Rekka when i came upon you all fighting ."
"We should leave,more Scuttelers can arrive, attracted by the smell ."the wiry boy Matthew urged.
Jhon nodded while they hastily gathered the dead Scuttelers' body and handed William the bag filled with Scutteler.
He looked at William and said "Without you Maya can die today,also some of us can receive serious injury or worse die so accept these as a gift for your assistance."
"As we are all going in the same direction let's go together ?" He requested William.
William took the gift and nodded .
" Ana and Joren assist in Maya's walking.Matthew keep watch at the back and take the bucket ." Jhon instructed the group and began walking.
William trailed behind them muttering to himself "The usage of the bow..... it felt.... familiar."
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