14 The challenge

Over the next month I grew considerably more experienced. I spent a week at a time in the forest. Following the same path I had taken the first time around, although I stayed clear of the ducks nest.

After returning to the village I would rest, meditate on my time in the forest and then go out to hunt a bounty. I caught several more bounties during this time. All with higher prices on their heads than the one before them. My last bounty was more than 800,000. More than ten times the number of my first bounty Joe the mountain Ape. And compared to them Joe seemed almost easy to beat.

I had quite a few more scars from this past month. I had also realized that of all the weapons I owned the one I liked fighting with the most was a hammer that slightly resembled Thor's from the marvel movies. It was something about the feeling of weapons breaking and bone cracking beneath my every blow that enticed me.

That doesn't mean I slacked with the other weapons at all though. My swordsmanship wasn't the best, but after a lengthy clash and a few wounds I bested a rather well known swordsman, claiming his bounty and his blade. The Katana I was using broke after the fight. Proving my lack of skill. Luckily my opponent had a nicer sword than I did. My staff skills weren't looking too shabby and my short sword and shield combo helped save my life, but it wasn't one I preferred. The short sword just didn't feel quite right. My skill with the nunchaku left something to be desired, but I was still improving nonetheless.

My spearmanship in particular was growing at a marked pace. I had just used the spear to subdue my last target. Since her weapon of choice was twin daggers I had the advantage of distance from the start. She was still the toughest opponent I had faced to date though and defeating her without getting injured was almost impossible. Lucky for me she tried to flee after I landed a particularly well timed blow to her thigh. Attempting to blind me by throwing her blades she tried to flee. I jumped back to avoid them. She took that chance to bolt in the opposite direction. Her opening that distance gave me the chance to use the spear like a javelin and made taking her down much easier than if she had stayed in close. It's not the first time a bounty tried to run.

I brought her to the back of the bar before going to sit down and stuff my face. This had become a habit of mine to help heal my wounds and ensure I could last longer in the forest without needing to eat.

As I was about to get up and head to the Inn for day of rest, I saw Lenora enter the bar. I hadn't seen her since our last encounter. She was dragging a 12 foot man by his ankle and went straight into the back room. That bounty was way more than 3,000,000 million. If it was who I thought it was that man was worth 6.4 million berries. The second highest bounty on this island. I expected her to head out with the bounty to meet the contractor as was required when they couldn't pay it here, but instead she just waved at Baona before sitting down at her usual table.

I thought now was as good a time as any, so I downed my last mug of ale and walked over to her.

"Good evening Lenora. I trust you've been well?" I said as I stoped in front of her.

"Evening James." She replied while motioning me to sit.

I took the seat across from her and placed my hands on the table.

"Heard you've been busy. Catching bounties and running around the forest been fun?" She asked with a playful smile.

"Totally. Earlier today I nearly lost my both eyes bring in my last bounty and two days before that I was attacked by a pack of badger wolves. I'm having a blast." I said with a cheerful smile.

She looked surprised for a moment and then laughed a little. "Seems you've got followers." She pointed to the window behind her and then to the door.

I could see a small shadow standing just beside the door frame with eyes staring at me. And from the window was yet another pair of eyes. 'Sigh'

"They've been following me every time I come to town. It's just Joe's groupie and some kid I saved. Their harmless, likely just bored. They'll probably get over it sooner or later and find something better to do." I said dismissively.

"I wouldn't bet on that." said Lenora mater of factly. "That look in their eyes is that of admiration. It's not likely to go way anytime soon. So anyway what brings you over here? I'm sure it's not just for a chat."

Ignoring our two eavesdroppers I went on "Your right! I'd like to learn how to draw and shoot the way you do. Simple as that. I've never seen anyone so fast with the trigger. I may be semi-decent at handling most weapons, but If I'm slow on the draw like I was against you, then I won't last very long out here." My voice was calm and direct.

She once again seemed surprised. She then sighed. "It's not something I can teach you. It comes from years and years of repetition. It's not just something you can learn overnight." Her voice started smooth, but I felt a little chill at her last words.

"I'm not looking down on you or anything. I'm not suggesting it's something i could pick up in a day, but the way you pulled out your gun and fired in one motion is something I haven't been able to recreate no matter how many times I try." There was a hint of annoyance in my voice, but it was drowned out by my desire to learn.

"Alright. I'll teach you the basic form of my technique. But you'll have to pay."

"How much?" I asked while looking into my bag.

"Not much. Just take out the bounty I tell you too and we'll call it even."

I smiled at the challenge "Which bounty?"

"Baona. Give the newbie copper faced Ruben's bounty." Yelled Lenora as she leaned back in her chair.

There was a collection of mild gasps coming from around the bar. Seems any newbie going after this 'Ruben' is just asking to die. My smile broadened. Seems this is a true challenge.

I left my chair and went to the bar where I found Baona Fae pulling out and old wanted poster from beneath a pile of plates. I wonder why it was their?

"Here. And try not to die." Said the barkeep as she handed me the poster.

"So same as always." I laughed and took a look at the picture. What I saw quite literally made tremble in both fear and excitement.

The bounty was 2.9 million. Much higher than any bounty I had gone after. More than two million higher to be exact. But I didn't care about the price. I had gotten bored of hunting low level bounties and this challenge seemed far more interesting.

See Copper faced Ruben was half-Giant! He was just bellow the bench mark of a typical giants height. Standing at 10 meters tall (around 30feet) he was a behemoth of a man. And was said to have crushed the last hunter who went after him into a literal pretzel.

Turning on the balls of my feet I looked right into Lenora's eyes "I'll be back the end of the week for my shooting lesson." And with that I left the building.

Ruben was last spotted around the small mountain range to the west of Grassroots town. So that's where I would start. Taking my bag of weapons with me I went through it to find what I was looking for. A round metallic shield, meant for use with a sword, and my hammer. (The one that looks like Mjolnir)

If I wanted to deal with a giant, even half of one, I need to use my best equipment. Not just any old weapon will do. I have to give this my all. If I lose, there can be no what ifs. I have use everything I've learnt in this past month of intense combat training. Looking back on every fight I began to meditate, calming my mind and opening my eyes, I set out to prepare for my greatest battle yet.

The small mountain range where Ruben was spotted was also the home of the largest animal on this island, the mighty cave bear. The younger ones will make nice sparring partners while I prepare for my fight against Ruben.

Carrying my weapon bag on my back I walked into the cave bears territory. I had just finished the long run to the border of the mountain range and should probably stop to catch my breathe, but Ruben would unlikely give me a moment to rest, so I move forward pushing away the fatigue. Trying to steady my breathing as I walked.

I could see the signs of a bear in the area and could smell its sent in the air. I just didn't know where it was. I was close enough to its den to pick up the scent, but I was down wind so it likely hadn't picked up mine. I put my bag on the floor and gripped my hammer and shield.

I moved closer to its den when I heard the roar. 'RRROOOOAAAAARRRRR'

It was ear splitting. It almost masked the sound of it charging towards me. I steeled myself and planted my feet firmly into the ground. Held my shield tight and took the full force of its massive paw head on. It knocked me clean off my feet and sent me soaring at least a half a dozen meters before I hit the ground.

Rolling to absorb the impact I stood and readied myself for its second charge. I would repeat this as many times as necessary. Until I could take the blow without falling. Only then would I feel ready to face the half-giant.

I repeated this foolish strategy until the bear started to wise up and use its huge fangs to try and change up the fight. I would the shift my weight and smash its lower jaw in a wide swinging arc with my hammer. Before returning the hammer in an opposite arc to bring it down on the bears muzzle.

This wouldn't knock them out, but it would daze them and piss them off enough to start charging again. At the end of the day, when I was almost to weak to stand, I dropped my weapons and jumped on the cave bears back. Forgoing brute force I wrapped my arms around its massive throat and began to choke it. Gripping my forearms as I squeezed. It thrashed around and seemed to go mad. But I dug my feet into its sides and tightened my grip. Eventually it started to slow. Even massive brutes need air after all. My arms were almost too small to choke it properly, luckily it was smashing into rocks and trees trying to shake me off. Which only worked to drain its breath faster. And after every exhale I would tighten my hold making it harder bring in more oxygen.

Eventually the beast tired and collapsed. My arms numb I dealt the final blow with my dagger before starting a fire and cooking the mighty beast.

I hunted 4 caves bears during my week in the mountains. Each one larger than the last. Though since I fought against 7 of them, the fact is that barely bested half that. The others either ran away or threw me off and forced me to temporarily retreat due to exhaustion.

Yeah those early days were really fun. Once I got used to the bears strength it got easier, but those life or death moments during my encounters were eye opening.

I didn't slack in my weapons training, nor my stretching while here, I simply prioritized the hammer and shield combo. my body was quite flexible now due to my constant use of Yogi Pathik's sacred posses. Though since I spent most of my time sparring with cave bears I could only train with each weapon slightly before I meditated and stretched or after every battle.

I wasn't 100% sure I could defeat Ruben, but I have less than 2 days to bring him back too the bounty hunters den. Otherwise I'll lose my chance to have Lenora teach me her draw-shoot technique. It might not seem like much, but I had honestly never seen hands move that fast before and if I learn it now and drill it into my muscles, over time I may eventually get to her level.

And when In a fight, every little bit helps. So I decided, it didn't matter if I was 100% sure of victory. After all, I'll still be risking my life and therefore I have no reason to hold back. If I die, it just means I wasn't determined enough. And I refuse to go out in anyway but my own.

I decided to fight in this lifetime and if I have to risk my life to do it then that's all the better. I mean can you really say your fighting for your dream if you aren't struggling?

I would have to reach his level one day, why not today! With that thought in mind I set out. It was time to face Ruben.