Beast

*Inside the tavern* 

Everyone greeted each other and said their pleasantries. 

However, there was something in the air today.

The short guy, the normal height, and the tall dude all shared a look. Indistinguishable it was, but there nonetheless. They had noticed Soren's sword. 

Their conversation moved on, no one speaking about it. Only talking about pointless topics.

Roz spoke up, "Alright everyone, let's head out. We can't live our whole lives here can we?"

They all carried the same goal. Becoming stronger and they needed people to do it safely and not die.

'But what if I killed myself 50 times? I would have all the abilities then, but what are the odds that nothing happens after World 50?'

'I should take my training somewhat seriously. Besides, I can steal the abilities of other people and basically choose what I want my set of abilities to be.'

Soren was more confident because of the sword, but he still didn't know how to use it properly. Basic swings one could do without much practice, but it still wasn't ideal.

They headed out and towards the gate leading into the forest. People were hustling around, doing their tasks for the day. 

The group of five passed everyone while heading to the gate, receiving unimpressed glances. Parties like these grouped up occasionally because they didn't want to stay in the city, nor were they accepted into other hunting parties. 

The new parties usually all died. With only a 14% win rate against anything in the forest, be it demonic forces or monsters.

A singular guard was standing at the gate, his job was to inform everyone if there was another attack approaching. 

He said with no remorse, "Try not to die, but if you do at least kill one of those demons would ya?"

They all ignored his comment and carried on out of the gate. There was a forest around 30 meters away from the city walls with nothing but flat grass between them.

Soren was still not happy with his lack of information regarding everything. The book told a lot, but it was only a summary and not even all the content of the book. 

He hadn't seen a map of this world or the previous one. 

If anything, he was moving too fast, but how could someone grow strong by staying back and not fighting to gain power?

The old man, that's who. 

Irrelevant he was, the Sunburned Mosquitos ventured on. 

It didn't take them long to enter the forest. 

Continuing onwards and changing directions more to the right. 

Soren was glad it didn't look like the forest when he met that Lir guy. That was the definition of ominous. 

'Wait, that tree was blood red. Almost demonic looking? I wonder if that's a stronghold of theirs.'

He sighed, 'Not like I'll know anytime soon."

Roz noticed this and questioned, "You alright? Or are you just getting nervous?"

"Of course not. I believe we can at least take on a beast."

Whispering to himself, Roz said, "I hope you're right."

They carried on through the forest, seeing many unfamiliar plants. The Sunburned Mosquitoes were looking to set up camp to the right of the forest. 

If they had got a map, this would have been easier and they could have chosen a specific spot instead of relying on what they have heard from others.

But they didn't. 

Walking around, the forest slowly got quieter. No one being an experienced hunter or fighter, this went unnoticed. 

Finally, there was movement in the brush in the distance. 

"Everyone stop." Ushered Roz. 

They did, no one making a sound, but it was too late. The beast walked out of the bush with a large shell on its back. 

Soren was amazed. Once the monster came into the light he could see it fully. A large turtle beast, but it had two six-inch long fangs coming out of its mouth. It was large. 

'How much does that thing weigh? Has to be above 300 lbs at least and it has fangs?'

In the next moment though a strange sight appeared.

The turtle, which was menacing, started vomiting. Repeatedly. 

It wasn't natural either. A forced vomit that you couldn't refuse. The turtle's entire breakfast, lunch, dinner, or however much he had eaten was now on the floor. It didn't stop though. Soon distasteful water made its way out and then nothing.

There was nothing more to get out. The turtle still felt the urge to vomit, but it didn't have to this time. It was furious and ready to refill its emptied stomach.

It started charging, fast even by human standards. It only covered a few feet before it stopped, and its eyes widened. It immediately defecated with no shame in the open, being observed by its "attackers" who had only stared at it so far. 

This was possibly the turtle's most embarrassing moment of its entire life. 

It was mad, disoriented by all the fluids in his body being drained, and utterly humiliated. 

The turtle continued its tasteless actions. Anything that was coming out had to have been what was already on its way there from earlier. Just with an added boost of explosion. 

The group had split into three parts. Two people went left, two went right, and Soren with the sword went down the middle. 

The turtle bared its fangs in anger. It had survived many battles and strengthened itself to contend against all challengers, but never was it this humiliating. 

The group grew closer to the turtle ready to fight it. 

The turtle ignored its need to vomit and have diarrhea. It looked ahead and focused on the tall dude. Not at Soren who had the sword, was in the center of the formation, and looked the most fashionable. 

Soren was insulted by this and decided to end this in one strike, or at least try to. 

He got close to the turtle and raised the sword in his single hand. Trying to get as much momentum as he could before swinging down. The turtle had not forgotten him though, and had turned its body so that the shell would receive the impact and wouldn't be cut.

If Soren was fast enough or proficient enough, he would have changed the direction of the sword aiming at the legs of the beast but he wasn't. 

The sword hit. 

A resounding clang spread throughout the forest, sending the sword flying back to where it had swung from, almost escaping Soren's hand. 

Soren grimaced, 'That hurt. I need to be faster, but my stats keep holding me back.' 

'This is why I'm fighting to kill this creature right? So much work. Time to try out my item now.' 

Tightening his grip on the sword he pulled back, allowing the turtle to focus completely on the tall man with a miniature knife in his hand. 

Meanwhile, the normal-height guy from the other side threw a purple string, attaching it to the side of the turtle and setting the end of it in front of him. 

This move should block the turtle from moving forward. 

The tall man saw the plan coming through and decided to do his part. He lunged and tried piercing the turtle's eyes with his dagger. However, the turtle did something he hadn't expected. 

It stepped forward, snapping the sticky string, and bit the knife between its fangs and teeth, trying to crush it. 

Before the knife ceased to exist, Soren closed in again and swung at the leg of the turtle forcing it to step back, releasing the knife. 

He didn't stop though, activating his item, which was something done instinctively. His whole body became engrossed in yellow electricity which flowed onto the blade in his hand.

His speed doubled and moved to the side of the turtle's head and swung at its neck. The turtle saw this situation and was a little surprised that one of these people had an actual ability.

It reacted swiftly pulling its body backwards and trying to use the shell again as a shield. 

Soren saw this and swung at its leg again, but this time, the turtle couldn't move as it had done so a second prior. 

The blade struck the leg only digging into it slightly, leaving a shallow mark. A single drop of blood dripped out. 

Soren stepped back and thought to himself, 'Disappointing, my strength still hinders me. Whatever, it cut and that's all I need for the effect.'

The turtle was shocked by the human's actions and as such couldn't react, but seeing it leave only a shallow cut, it was relieved and cocky. 

That emotion didn't last as it froze uncontrollably and felt the tall man once again descend with his short knife. 

"Die fat turtle!"The tall man yelled.

The turtle couldn't move and therefore couldn't fight back or cry for help if it even had the option. 

The knife pierced into the eye going into the brain like butter. 

Soren felt like this situation had happened to him not too long ago, but he wasn't dying this time. He was already stronger than before. 

The turtle's other eye was filled with disbelief and unwillingness. A bunch of no-bodies had killed him, how disgraceful. 

Its eye finally lost all shine to it and dropped to the floor, dead.