A Goddess

The life in the outskirts was normal—as normal as being in a nightmare is. The skies, which were bleak, started to become even bleaker because of the retreating sun. Hunters chatted as they returned from hunting nightmare creatures. They were in groups of 7 to 10, some injured and more beaten up than others. They looked very tired, only returning with 1 or 2 nightmare creatures to split among 7 people. Obviously, it wasn't enough, but they had to make do with it, otherwise, they would starve to death.

"They look so beaten up," one person said while looking at the hunters.

"The Dark City doesn't lack nightmare creatures; it's the opposite. There are so many that they have to be careful at every turn, especially since they don't have a proper pathfinder like Gunlaug's cohort," a man beside him answered.

"Another thing is some of the nightmare creatures that are of a certain rank are hunted and scouted by Gunlaug's men first, so there are hardly any that can be killed by this group of hunters," a feminine voice chimed in.

The rest of the healthy-looking hunters went ahead and looked for those who could skin the abomination they brought. They gathered around the butcher to get their own share, afraid that someone would snatch it away. By now, the sun had fully set, and the gloomy skies of the Forgotten Shore became even bleaker.

One hunter among those that gathered, after getting his piece and carrying it with his two hands, eagerly ran towards his hut to cook and eat the meat he craved for the first time in a while.

"I will devour you," he said, grinning at the meat he had in his arms as he ran until he bumped into something, causing him to fall onto the ground.

A huge shadow cast itself against him, looking down with its red and maddened eyes. It swiped its claws.

"ARGH—"

The poor sleeper didn't even have enough time to fully scream as his throat gushed with blood, spilling onto the ground.

The rest of the hunters and people of the outskirts heard the short scream, and what they saw chilled every one of their bones, sending shivers across their whole bodies.

A bear-like creature stood 4 meters tall on its hind legs, its fur splattered with blood, its claws drawn longer, and each breath screamed madness and corruption.

An experienced hunter was the first one to grasp the situation. With trembling hands, he summoned his sword and quietly whispered, "Run…"

At that moment, all hell broke loose.

"RAAGHHH!"

The abomination's scream stunned the hunters and the rest of the inhabitants as they ran like ants in all directions. A good portion of the hunters who were closest peed themselves right then and there, their legs feeling like giving up at any moment. But some stood still; they hadn't survived in the Dark City, no, in the Forgotten Shore for so long with such a weak mindset. They each summoned their respective weapons and charged!

And so did the abomination.

"RAGHHH!"

The experienced hunter was the one who faced the monster first and sent a slash through the air, sending arcs of wind full of intent to kill. It was his aspect ability; he could send slashes like arcs towards his enemy at the cost of essence—a significant amount. Unfortunately, the monster's hide was too thick, and it seemed to ignore the arc's damage. It opened its mouth wide, ready to devour the hunter, but was interrupted by another hunter coming from its side, diverting the monster's jaws away from the experienced hunter. This time it flinched and was sent a couple of steps back.

It shook its head and looked at the person who caused it pain, this one muscular and taller than any other in the group. It determined that this guy, who was only half its size, was someone it should prioritize and kill first. Enraged, it charged towards the bald muscular sleeper, who summoned his shield and braced for impact. He took a couple of steps back but thankfully stopped the creature's charge.

He then shouted, "How much longer?" struggling in the battle of strength even with the enhancement of his aspect. Fortunately, he didn't wait long for a response as a huge green slash rushed towards the monster's torso, finally drawing blood. Feeling that his now dented and shattered shield eased and the weight disappeared, his tensed body relaxed, exhausted, and consuming all of his essence using his aspect, which made him stronger than normal and able to exert abnormal strength a normal sleeper couldn't. He was thankful he trusted his partner, Ronan, to deliver the final blow.

He looked towards his partner, the leader of this hunter team in the outskirts, waving his hands frantically in his direction. He didn't get it at first, but as a huge shadow cast over him, he looked at his partner's eyes for the last time as his head separated from his body.

Ronan, the experienced hunter, looked at his buddy's headless body trying to reach out for him. He failed. He failed to deal the killing blow; the monster's fur was too thick to slash. This isn't a monster they can fight. No one can. He was too exhausted to even stand up right now. His stamina and essence were nearly zero, and the other members of his hunter party ran like ants. He couldn't blame them, though. At least they recognized a wall when they saw one, while he foolishly charged, causing the death of his dear friend.

He just knelt there, ready to receive divine punishment as the monster charged towards him, jaws opened.

Wosh*

A spear landed between him and the charging monster.

Wosh*

Wosh*

Wosh*

Followed by three shadows. One picked up the spear with lightning speed and pierced the monster's right shoulder in one precise motion stopping its mad charge, while another sent a quiet, sharp stab to its neck where its skin was exposed it looked graceful and elegant. Finally, the last shadow jumped and sent a stab towards the monster's brain, and just a second later, its fur burned with white flames. Ronan looked up and saw a beautiful young lady standing atop the monster, whose body was now burning in white flames. His last thoughts were;

"A goddess."