Chapter 46: A Hero's Challenge

The deer surged forward with explosive speed.

I bent my abdomen just at the last moment to avoid its charge. The deer's antlers struck the tree, shattering it completely. The forest echoed with a booming crash as the tree toppled.

Well, trying to stop it would be pointless.

The deer shook its head, dislodging the shattered pieces of wood, and lunged at me again.

It seemed like a massive 1.5-ton truck was barreling forward at full speed. Dodging on the ground, I barely avoided its path and managed to grasp its leg.

However, the injury caused was shallow. The deer's toughness and solid frame offered significant protection.

I rose to my feet, bracing myself for what might be its third charge.

Let's give it a shot.

Stopping its relentless movement seemed impossible. Dodging it completely was out of the question. Any failed attempt would result in my body being torn apart. Instead...

I positioned myself against the sturdy trunk of an arim tree.

With a dust storm surging behind it, the deer dashed forward. Each impact of its hooves made the ground sink, leaving deep imprints—a testament to its astounding leaping power.

Just as its twisted antlers threatened to sever my body, I swiftly sidestepped.

Thump!

The tusks of the Forest Sovereign speared the tree trunk. Even plunging a knife into such a thick tree was far from guaranteed, but the deer accomplished it effortlessly.

As the deer fiercely shook its head from side to side, fragmented pieces flew through the air. The tree, too, was on the verge of collapse. Leaping out of harm's way, I quickly moved away.

The immobilized deer kicked its hind leg, and although I blocked it with my shield, the impact resonated through me like the resounding blow of a demolition hammer.

Damn, it's relentless.

Sensation faded from my left arm.

Gripping my right hand firmly around the hilt of the iron sword, I propelled myself towards the deer's rump. Yet again, it lashed out with its hind leg. I contorted my upper body, narrowly avoiding it. My collarbone narrowly escaped shattering into pieces.

I thrust my sword into the deer's hindquarters, encountering considerable resistance akin to piercing through layers of sturdy fabric. Though the blade didn't sink in completely, I persisted, twisting it forcefully.

Enraged, the deer snapped the right half of the arim tree, turning its body to swing its antlers.

I had no intention to confront those lethal tusks head-on. Lowering my entire body, as if prostrating myself, I prepared for what came next.

Whoosh!

A powerful whirlwind brushed against my ear.

I quickly rose to my feet, readjusting the grip on the shield in my left hand. The sword blade remained embedded in the deer's rump.

Completing another rotation with its tusks, the deer seemed poised to turn again.

Stepping inward, I struck the deer's cheek with my shield as it turned, then forcefully withdrew the sword hilt firmly lodged in its rump.

Kii!

A fresh cry reverberated through the air.

Great, the sword remained intact. I promptly relinquished the shield, tightening my grasp around the sword handle. Though firmly wedged between the deer's hide and muscles, I managed to extract the blade.

I reinserted the blade into the same wound.

This time, deeper.

Whoosh!

I swiftly withdrew, creating a safe distance. The deer's tusks tore through my garments, leaving them shredded.

Once again, I charged forward, wielding the sword handle. Ruby blood sprayed forth, marking a freshly inflicted wound. The severed tissues allowed the blood-stained sword to fall from the widening gash. I caught it from the air and quickly minimized, if not entirely avoided, contact with the thrashing deer.

In agony, the deer thrashed wildly, leaping this way and that, its antlers swinging ferociously. Branches and rocks caught within its horns shattered into pieces.

I stepped back a few paces to observe the scene before me.

And just as it presented an opening...

I dashed forward and drove the sword into its forehead. With the blade penetrating through the skull, no colossal creature could endure such a strike. The Forest Sovereign's eyes lost their luster, and her body slumped to the ground.

Phew.

I wiped the sweat off my brow and gave my left arm a single rotation. It was a bit stiff, but I could still move it. Thankfully, it didn't seem to be dislocated.

I wiped the blood off the sword, retrieved my shield, and surveyed the fallen sovereign's remains.

Looking at her now, it was hard to believe she was once a deer. She resembled more of a mythical creature, perhaps even a bull. Only one leg remained in salvageable shape.

Now, what should I do next?

My priority was to retrieve the elemental stone.

But where could it possibly be?

I had expected the carcass to disappear, leaving behind an item. However, my expectation proved futile. Just as I wondered whether to call Jenna, the deer dropped something from its mouth.

It was a smooth, green bead.

[Inferior Windstone]

[Grade D-]

[An elemental stone imbued with the essence of the forest. Used for crafting various items and empowering certain heroes.]

Bingo.

I had retrieved the elemental stone.

Next, I needed to extract valuable components from the Forest Sovereign.

Her blood and scales.

Both were crucial ingredients for crafting superior items.

However, I lacked the necessary tools to extract them. I attempted to press a blade against the antlers, but it barely resulted in a scratch. They seemed harder than steel. Bringing a saw wouldn't suffice either.

I guess I'll have to take some blood.

After making several incisions with the blade, I finally managed to sever the carotid artery.

I pressed the back of the shield beneath the bleeding neck. With no means of taking it with me, I had no other choice. The blood began to collect on the shield.

I crouched down, observing the blood as it pooled from the neck.

Watching it silently became mesmerizing.

I rose to my feet, firmly gripping the sword. My focus now shifted to the deer's tusks.

Initially, I had considered discarding them, but my thoughts had changed. There was no telling when I would get another chance to obtain them.

I relaxed my body, sharpening my focus. With both hands gripping the sword handle, I prepared for a decisive strike.

I swung the blade down with force.

Clang!

Unbelievable.

Sparks erupted from the point of impact between the sword and antlers.

Beyond mere doubt, I was left stunned. Perhaps I was slicing through steel. It wasn't just breaking the tree like fragile lumber.

Ultimately, there remained only one option.

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