Village Attack (I)

A few minutes ago.

Amidst the ink-black canvas of the night, where stars were sprinkled like diamonds on a velvet cloth.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, creating a symphony of whispers that caressed the land.

The moon, a radiant orb, illuminated the surroundings, casting elongated shadows that danced like ghostly wraiths.

At the entrance of the village stood two barbarians, both rugged in appearance and demeanour, embodying the untamed spirit of the wilderness.

Their muscular frames were wrapped in furs and leathers, garments that bore the marks of their countless journeys through the wilds.

One of them was tall and broad-shouldered, his beard unkempt.

The other barbarian, slightly shorter but no less imposing.

Both of them held long spears in their hands, their wooden shafts gleaming dully in the moonlight.

"Yawn~"

With a big yawn, the shorter one initiated the conversation, "Tonight's feast was quite tasty. The meat of SudderClaw's the best."

Phi rubbed his stomach as he said. "But to think Freya defeated a SudderClaw alone. She's really worthy of the leader's position."

Neo nodded in agreement, "Yeah, she'll become the leader in two days but she has to have a partner. Gusko was the best candidate but she rejected him. Who do you think she'll choose for the ritual?"

"Of course me!"

Phi, with eyes full of confidence proclaimed but was met with Neo's questioned eyes.

"What? I am literally the strongest after Gusko in younger generation and I am also a guard who stays up all night, guarding the village just to ensure the villager's safety. I am sure, she'll be so grateful to me."

"In your dream!" Neo's face curved into an amused grin. "You really believe she'd fall for an old dork like you?"

"Then who? You?!"

Phi's voice cracked with exasperation, his anger spiking.

"Nah, I think... what was his name again? Funk? Fra...right! Frank. I think Freya will choose him."

"And why do you think so, he's just a slave she caught while hunting. Besides, even if he wasn't, there's no way in hell Freya will choose him. He's only at Fifth Rank, I could easily defeat hundreds of him."

"I dunno man, I just had this feeling—"

– Guwaaaaahhh!

A deafening howl shook the entire forest, as a suffocatingly heavy air descended upon the ground.

"Phi!"

"I know!"

The two barbarians raised their weapons and stayed vigilant. There was something inside the woods.

Each passing second felt like an eternity, waiting for the thing to come out. It didn't take long before something popped out of the woods. It was just a non-poisonous snake.

"Fuck! That scared me!"

The stiffness in the air was gone, replaced with Phi's and Neo's relief and anger.

Both of them dropped their guard.

"For fucks sake, We were on high alert for a damn snake?" Their guard relaxed, and Phi couldn't hold back his annoyance. "Seriously?

As Phi nudged the harmless reptile, a sudden realization hit Neo like a ton of bricks. "Wait, the roar we heard—"

Before he could continue speaking, a ferocious figure swiftly appeared from the woods, lunging at Neo.

The creature looked like a wolf but way more fierce. Its eyes glowed like molten rubies, and its fur was a dark tapestry woven with scars, recounting its battles.

Fangs protruded from its snarling muzzle like death's own adornments.

The beast was known as Bloodfang. And without any further ado, he bite Neo's face.

Boring his sharp fangs deep inside Neo's face as if biting a cake.

"Kuwaaaahhh!!" Neo screamed in pain as he felt the BloodFangs teeth penetrating deep inside his skull.

"Kyuu!"

A guttural cry of agony tore through the night, a chilling chorus of pain and horror that seemed to resonate with the moon itself.

Phi's heart leaped into his throat, his blood running cold as he watched the nightmarish tableau unfold before him.

Bloodfang's attack was merciless, its grip unrelenting as it tore into Neo's face with a ferocity that defied nature itself.

Neo's own screams mingled with the creature's snarls, creating a symphony of terror that echoed through the forest.

Phi's grip on his spear tightened, a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins.

"Neo!" Phi's voice cracked as he roared his friend's name, his spear held aloft, poised to strike.

Bloodfang's eyes flicked toward Phi, its lips pulling back in a grisly grin, its maw stained with Neo's blood.

In that moment, the moonlight seemed to waver, the air heavy with the stench of violence.

"Uah...aaaahhh!!!"

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-Creak

Just as Freya swung the door open, a mixture of relief and excitement that Frank had returned quickly transformed into confusion and concern as she met her friend's urgent expression.

A shadow of disappointment crossed her crimson eyes, yet her gaze remained fixed on her friend, awaiting an explanation.

But her friend, still panting heavily, didn't waste a second. "F-Freya... Th-the BloodFangs are attacking the village!"

"What?!" Freya's voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and alarm.

Freya quickly flung into action, her heart racing as she grabbed her bow that was just beside the door, her fingers wrapping around the familiar wood and string. She turned to her friend, her determination shining through the uncertainty.

"How many of them are attacking?!"

"I think the whole pack has come to attack. But somethings weird, they are attacking almost as if someone's controlling them!"

"Huh...?" Freya's brow furrowed in confusion. The BloodFangs were known to be wild and uncontrollable, attacking with primal instinct. The idea of them being controlled was unsettling.

"What about Uncle and the other Elders?" she asked, her mind racing to figure out the best course of action.

"The elders are gathered at the east entrance, while the leader and Gusko are nowhere to be found."

"Argh?"

The situation was spiraling into chaos, and Freya's mind raced to process the information.

'What is happening?!'

-Graarghh!

The sudden snarl of the BloodFang behind Tynya sent a jolt of terror through her, but before the creature could strike, an arrow of remarkable speed pierced through its right eye, the impact sending it crashing to the ground.

Tynya gasped in shock, her heart racing as she turned to see Freya, her bow still drawn, a fierce determination in her eyes.

"Be careful!" Freya's voice cut through the chaos. "We need to go, now!"

Tynya nodded, her breath shaky as she followed Freya's lead.

Together, they made their way toward the outer side of the village, where most of the warriors were already present, during against hordes of BloodFangs.

One figure stood out among the others, a muscular man with a wild mane of hair and a long, unruly beard.

He was an Elder of the village, he was a Second Rank warrior, his eyes gleaming with a ferocity that matched the creatures he fought.

With a mighty roar, he lunged at a BloodFang, grappling with it in a brutal struggle.

His hands found purchase in the creature's jaws, and with a primal strength, he tore its mouth apart, a maniacal laughter escaping his lips.

"It's been too long since I had a fight like this!" he bellowed, his voice a mixture of exhilaration and madness.

Freya quickly assessed the situation.

Three BloodFangs were closing in on the crazed warrior, their snarls and bared fangs a deadly symphony.

Without hesitation, Freya raised her bow, her fingers expertly releasing three arrows in rapid succession.

The arrows found their marks, piercing through the hearts of the approaching BloodFangs. The creatures fell to the ground, their threat extinguished.

"You should be more careful, old man Geon!" Freya exclaimed at the man, her tone carrying seriousness.

The man reactively turned his head around. As he looked at the silver haired figure. His eyes widened, "Oh, leaders daughter! You're have grown quite well. To think you would be the one to help me! hahaha....!!"

"Now's not the time to joke! And be careful next time!"

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