RUMBLE!
Thunder rolled, and lightning illuminated the entire forest for an instant, revealing the barrow-wight's tall, gaunt form.
The two Rangers couldn't help but step back together, expressions showing difficulty. Clearly regretting having provoked this troublesome creature.
But there was no retreat now. Only fight!
A sword cut through the rain curtain. One of them rushed forward desperately, wielding his weapon with all his might. He exchanged a few clanging blows with the barrow-wight, but each time was forced back by its iron-hard arms.
This thing really did deflect blades.
The barrow-wight seemed to have had enough fun. It laughed mockingly a couple times, then suddenly lunged forward without warning. No windup at all, floating like teleportation.
Thud!
The breastplate made the sound of being struck by something heavy. The breastplate, which could crack thick stone slabs in testing, served its purpose well, protecting the Ranger.
Even so, as he rolled on the ground, he still felt his heart and organs ache as if displaced.
"Cough cough... not ready yet..."
Swoosh.
A firework shot up, threading through gaps between leaves and branches, braving the rain to reach a high altitude before exploding in mixed orange and red sparks. It was particularly conspicuous above this pitch-black forest.
"Get away!"
The other arrived a step late, using his sword to block the barrow-wight's attacking hand. But how could human strength compare to a monster's?
Soon he was knocked down along with the fallen Ranger, both crashing into trees.
"Feel terrible... I think I'm sick..."
The first Ranger began coughing, his pallor so pronounced even the night couldn't hide it. Perhaps he would soon fall into a deathlike sleep like the village boy.
"Bah!"
The other spat out mud he'd accidentally gotten in his mouth and immediately stood.
"You still have your milk, don't you? Get it out, drink it, and remember to run quickly. I'll hold it off."
Without waiting for a response, he charged directly forward after saying this.
"In the name of our lord Levi Stonecraft, I will not retreat one step!"
Clang!
This sword strike used all his strength, colliding with the barrow-wight's withered skin. Its ferocity was less like cutting than smashing into the creature.
For a moment, the barrow-wight actually stepped back. The Ranger was somewhat startled.
Whether it was his imagination or not, after that battle cry, the barrow-wight's aura seemed much weaker. Enough that he could actually force it back.
But that was the limit. The barrow-wight looked left and right, then flew into a rage upon understanding, spreading its large hands to pounce.
Just as mortal danger approached...
Swoosh.
An ancient dagger flew from a tricky angle, plunging directly into the barrow-wight's ethereal black body.
"Ahhh!"
A piercing shriek rang out, nearly bursting eardrums.
"Courage, the very blade that cuts through fear."
A figure in a dark green robe drew an ancient-looking sword from his waist, cutting through the harsh noise and charging toward the barrow-wight without hesitation, treading through rainwater.
That strong, tall figure was deeply imprinted in the two trainee Rangers' minds. His form was swift as a hunting cat yet powerful as a fierce tiger. Each sword stroke made the barrow-wight stagger back, and several unexpected consecutive hits knocked off burial ornaments and dimmed its darkness considerably, making it somewhat transparent.
The faint light in the barrow-wight's eyes gradually reddened with rising fury. It swung its iron-rod-like arm, but the opposing sword displayed properties beyond its apparent quality, striking back like a heavy hammer.
A burning sensation rose from the surroundings, quickly extinguished by rain. This strange feeling made the barrow-wight's heart race.
Yes. The barrow-wight, the best embodiment of "strange," finally experienced this feeling itself today.
As the battle progressed, the darkness needed to maintain its form kept dissipating, while this suddenly appearing mysterious figure hadn't taken even one injury. No signs of fatigue either.
Whoosh.
The barrow-wight's form flashed as it retreated deeper into the forest. Strategic withdrawal.
Swoosh!
A firework shot horizontally, trailing white particles at moderate speed before striking the barrow-wight and producing a series of explosions. Kinetic energy transferred from back to chest.
If the light in its eyes could spread, the barrow-wight should have been glowing red all over by now.
The firework explosions caused no damage. After all, they weren't truly magical. But their impact strangely affected the barrow-wight, halting its movement momentarily.
The pursuer caught up.
"Cough cough..."
Everything happened in moments. The grounded Ranger hastily drank his milk bottle and stood, looking toward where the man and barrow-wight had vanished.
"Who was that?"
That agile figure and confident stride, plus superior swordsmanship and courage to hunt barrow-wights.
"Could it be our lord himself?"
Both felt excited, but this excitement was quickly dampened by falling rain. Cold droplets and various internal and external injuries helped them calm down.
"No, our lord isn't that weak. If he came personally, I'd say that barrow-wight wouldn't last two strikes."
"Good point, though I disagree with one thing. If our lord came, the barrow-wight would probably have run from the start."
"Exactly right." This time the other Ranger didn't argue. They were surprisingly unanimous.
"You two seem quite idle, having time to discuss this. Are your wounds healed?"
Pat.
Suddenly both felt their shoulders weighed down as hands silently grasped them from behind. Quite forcefully.
Both shuddered and immediately turned to see the person who'd been chasing the barrow-wight had somehow circled behind them.
The figure lowered his hood, revealing a weathered face.
"Thank you! You saved our lives!"
The two Rangers immediately changed topics and bowed to him.
"Enough of that. Use this time to check for remaining wounds or residual toxins instead. Running out of milk isn't critical. If you're lucky enough, try searching roadside weeds for a plant called Athelas that can also relieve Barrow-wight poison and curses."
"This grass may not be very common but isn't rare either. With some effort, you can surely find it somewhere."
Speaking thus, the tall man crouched and pulled up a grass with a somewhat curled tip from beside the tree roots.
"It looks like this. Remember, you two little sprouts from Roadside Keep."
Little sprouts? Hearing this term, both immediately perked up.
Isn't this what Ranger instructors call recruits!
"May we ask who you are?"
"Halbarad. An ordinary Ranger."
Knew it! Both brightened, relief washing over them like a tide.
But along with relief came a hint of guilt. Hope this instructor doesn't mind us comparing him to our lord...
"We'll remember, instructor!"
Whatever they thought, both trainee Rangers stood at attention and saluted.
Halbarad sighed and waved for them to relax: "Your fighting technique also has problems. Did you forget fireworks can be launched like crossbow bolts?"
"Though they can't truly harm creatures like barrow-wights, their inherent 'explosive' property can effectively cause 'knockback.'"
"Were you listening seriously during barracks training?"