The forest was unnaturally still, as though the world itself was holding its breath, no birds sang, no insects buzzed.
"If we kill the bear, sell the body and the crystal, we'll get a lot of blue coins," Mega murmured. His voice trembled not with fear, but with hunger and eagerness that bordered on greed.
Francis and Rose exchanged a glance, the corner of their lips curling into weary smiles,
They knew this look too well.
Whenever Mega set his sights on something, nothing short of death could drag him back, recklessness clung to him like a second skin.
Mega's eyes never left the creature in the clearing. "Let's sneak attack," he said, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword.
"Straight for the neck, we hit hard, hit fast, and finish it before it knows what's happening. Once it bleeds, the rest will be easy."
Before either of his companions could object, he slipped from the cover of the bushes, crouched low and silent.
Francis swallowed, knuckles pale around his trembling blade. He followed after a heartbeat, his breath shallow, his courage thinner than paper.
Rose brought up the rear, fingers wrapped so tightly around her white cane that her hands shook. She was no fighter, If the others fell their survival would depend on her healing alone.
The three of them crept forward, step by careful step, avoiding every twig, every brittle leaf.
[Inspect]
[Alpha Wild Bear]
[Level: 12]
[HP: 70/70]
"This is your kill," Henry murmured from where he watched, half-hidden by the trunk of an old tree. His voice was low, and his eyes followed every movement.
The adventures drew within striking distance. Mega raised a hand, three fingers lifted, a silent countdown.
Three.
Two.
One.
When his last finger dropped, the stillness shattered.
"Haaa!"
Mega sprang forward with a guttural cry, his iron blade arcing downward. Francis followed, their weapons flashing in unison, both strikes aimed for the beast's neck.
[-40 HP]
[Bear HP: 30/70]
"Howl" The beast roared In pain as the steel penetrated it's skin.
"Almost there," Mega muttered, triumph blazing in his eyes.
But the beast was still agile. With terrifying speed, its paw swung wide.
"Look out!" Rose screamed.
The blow landed before Mega could move, the massive paw caught him square in the chest, flinging him through the air. He hit a tree with a sickening crack, sliding to the roots in a heap of blood and groans.
"Mega!" Rose's voice shook. She raised her cane, words tumbling from her lips. A soft light burst forth, streaking toward him, weaving healing into his broken body.
From his vantage, Henry's gaze narrowed. His bow was already drawn.
"They won't survive this alone, I'll help and I won't take their reward." Henry whispered and loosed the arrow.
*whew*
It's made a slight whistling before burying itself deep in the beast's shoulder.
[-10 HP]
[Bear HP: 20/70]
"Howl"
The bear roared again, jerking its massive head around.
The sudden appearance of the white-haired boy caught the others off guard. Silver light brushed across Henry's figure as he stepped from the shadows.
Mega's eyes widened, not with relief, but with fury. "No, I won't let you steal our kill."
Henry ignored him, pulling his string, aiming for the beast's heart. But pain exploded across his back before he could fire.
Steel slid through flesh, his vision blurred and his bow slipped from his grasp.
[Critical Damage Received]
[Eat or Rest for 50 seconds to recover HP]
He staggered, turning in shock to see Mega standing behind him, blood dripping from the sword he had just driven into Henry's body.
"I only wanted to help," Henry gasped, his hand clutched the wound as he fell to his knees, blood pooling beneath him.
Rose's scream tore through the clearing. "What the hell are you doing, Mega? He's helping us!"
But Mega's face twisted with greed and rage. "Don't lie to yourself. He came for the crystal, I won't let him have it!" He raised his sword again, ready to finish Henry where he knelt.
Francis's panicked voice broke the moment. "Mega! Help me!"
The bear had turned its wrath upon him. Francis tried to dodge, his blade useless against the creature's relentless strikes. He slipped too slow.
The paw came down with crushing force, slamming him into the trunk of a jagged tree.
The sickening crunch that followed froze Rose in horror. Blood spilled down Francis's face, his eyes lifeless as his head lolled against the splintered wood.
"Francis!" Rose screamed, stumbling toward him. She whispered healing words over and over, but its was useless against the stillness of death. Tears blurred her vision. "No… no, please…"
Mega roared, grief and fury tearing from his throat. He abandoned Henry and threw himself at the beast, climbing its back, driving his blade deep.
"This is for Francis!" he shouted, stabbing again and again.
[-5 HP]
[-5 HP]
[-5 HP]
[HP: 5/70]
The bear bucked wildly, smashing its back against a tree. Mega's body broke free, slamming to the earth. He writhed, gasping. "Rose! Heal me!"
"I can't!" she cried, frantic. "I tried healing Francis, now the spell is on cooldown"
The beast gave no pause, Its paw caught Mega's skull, and with one brutal motion smashed his head against a tree. Bone splintered, blood streaked the bark. His body slid lifeless to the ground.
Rose's breath came in ragged gasps, her back pressed against a tree. The bear turned toward her, crimson eyes blazing. Her legs trembled so violently she could barely stand.
[You've rested for 25 seconds. HP is slowly restoring.]
Henry drew a breath, steadying his body. His wound was knitting, flesh closing.
The beast closed in on Rose, saliva dripping from its jaws.
"Run… I have to run…" she whispered to herself, terror clawing her throat. She turned and fled, branches whipping at her face as she ran.
"Time to die" Henry whispered as he lifted his bow, his fingers tightened around the string and then he released.
*Whew*
The arrow made a slight whistling before piercing the beast skull, causing it to drop to the ground dead.
[Five arrows fired]
[Stamina: 14]
[You've killed an Alpha Wild Bear +20 EXP]
[EXP: 395/500]