The Belly Of The Beast (1)

"You kids are really making a killing on these." Shelly greets us with a smile just like she always does.

"Thanks; I never thought things would work out this well."

"I've never seen anything like this before; more merchants have even started coming to the town to buy the cheap hides. Plus, all the extra monster cores are allowing people to use more magic tools."

"Wow, I had no idea we were affecting the town like that."

"Yes, everyone is very excited about this."

"You're here." Jezabel's cold voice digs into the back of my neck. I'm getting used to people popping up behind me, so I don't jump out of my skin this time.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You act like you had nothing to do with Shinobu's disappearance."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You really are a terrible liar."

"Well, you are my teacher."

"Very well, be that way." Jezabel walks away, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I was worried she would snatch me up just then. There isn't any real justice system in this city, so I couldn't do anything to stop her. We finish our transaction at the guild without any further problems and head home for the day.

I run some errands the next morning and arrive early at the butcher shop.

"You sure are buying a lot of food lately." The butcher fills up a bag with dried fish. It doesn't smell very good, but it's better than nothing.

"Yeah, I've just been really hungry. Working in the forest takes it out of you."

"I'm sure it does." I pay for the food and take a few steps toward the door. "You be careful out there. The world is a dangerous place."

"Thanks, I will." I smile and wave goodbye. This was my last stop of the day before going back to the forest. I run to the gate where the kids are waiting for me.

"Hey!"

""Hi, Nick!"" I can feel the excitement in the air now that we have a new friend. The banquet where we all met new fairies is also on our minds.

"Do you want to run some laps or just head straight to the forest?"

"I'm a little worried about Shinobu alone in the woods, so let's go to the forest first," Sakura replies. Josh nods as if they have already discussed what they want to do.

"Sounds good; let's go." On our way to the den, Sakura talks almost non-stop about everything that happened yesterday. The fairy banquet was a very unexpected surprise, and we all hope that it will lead to more in the future. We arrive at the den in no time flat. Just as we head downstairs, we hear a voice."

"AAAHHHHHHHH!" Shinobu's earsplitting screams emerge from the mouth of the cave. Without a word, we all sprint towards the basement. "HEELP MEEE!"

We follow the loud crashing noises and find a Metapardus staring down a battered Shinobu. Her clothes are torn, and blood is running down her cheeks. A look of abject horror is slapped across her face. The whole area is riddled with the signs of battle. Some of the equipment is destroyed, and several chunks are missing from the stone walls. Three used magic rods are lying at her side while she is gripping the last one with both hands. The Metapardus isn't in very good condition either. Blue blood is dripping from several wounds likely caused by the spell rods, and it has a limp on one of its hind legs. This is a life-or-death situation, so I run at the beast as fast as possible.

"Drink all your potions!" I give an order to the kids behind me. I don't have my spear or armor, but I should be able to survive at least one hit with my Ironflesh skill. I jump on the Metapardus's neck just as it's about to leap at the defenseless girl. It reels back and screams as it tries to throw me off.

'BreAAAAAARRRHHHH!'

A white magic circle forms at its snout, and the noise pierces my bones. A deep fear overtakes me. All the bravado that led me to run into battle melts away like snow on a warm day. I grip the monster's neck as hard as I can. I can feel tears pooling in my eyes. The cold dread of death rises to consume me.

[This is what fear magic is like? I need to calm down.]

For some reason, the words of my therapist from my past life float through my mind at this moment.

'Our minds are designed to produce thoughts. Those thoughts don't mean anything. Who we are is what we choose to do with them. We are not our thoughts.'

I create some distance in my mind between myself and the fear threatening to control me. The distance creates a vacuum in which pure blinding rage rushes to take its place. Fear and anger are very close on the emotional spectrum, and the amplitude of fear I felt earlier is replaced with an equal amount of anger.

"AAHHHHHH!" a hoarse scream escapes my throat. My mouth wets with blood as my vocal cords tear themselves apart. The only thought left in my mind is how much I want to kill this thing.

'Crunch!'

I bite into its flesh as hard as I can. The red color of my mouth becomes purple with the introduction of the beast's blue blood. Its skin is pretty thick, so I don't dig very deep with my primitive attack, but I'm sure it hurts.

'ARRUUURRRRRR!'

My efforts are rewarded with a pained howl. The Metapardus raises its long tail to strike me.

"Ironflesh!" I absorb the attack with my skill, but my stamina decreases by about half. It doesn't absorb all the damage either; my health drops by a significant chunk. My blood is pumping like crazy by this point. I wrap my legs around its chest and grab the top of its head with my hands. It starts sprinting at a wall, presumably to slam me into it. Before it gets there, I dig my thumbs into its eyes.

'ARRHOOOOOOO!'

The Metapardus lets out another satisfying howl. Warm blood oozes out over my hands. Despite the damage it's taking, the beast only increases its momentum.

'WHAM!'

My Ironflesh skill is still active, so the hit doesn't outright kill me, but my right leg is thoroughly smashed. Pain erupts from my damaged leg. I wrap my arms around its neck as I struggle to stay conscious.

"Nick!" I hear Sakura's voice, but I can't see her.

'Whoomp.'

An arrow is suddenly sticking out of the monster's flank.

'Whoomp.'

Another one lodges into its side.

'Shiing.'

Blood spurts out of its chest. Having taken all of the potions as I asked, the kids are not only invisible but significantly stronger as well. Fearing I may get caught up in the crossfire, I roll off the Metapardus. My battered vessel slams heavily onto the ground. I manage to drink a couple of potions which help keep me awake. Vitality returns to my body in seconds, and I struggle to my feet. I put weight on my right leg to test it.

[At least it's not broken.]

My leg hurts like crazy every time I move, but I can move a little. The monster flails at the kids in a desperate attempt to survive. I turn my attention to Shinobu, who is huddled behind some damaged equipment.

[Fuck, she isn't safe anywhere.]