Going Hunting (4)

The boar looked at his enemies with hatred in his eyes, they dared disrupt his slumber.

It looked at them a little, hesitant for a fight as it knew that it needed rest for now so the boar tried to look intimidating to scare them away. He watched them get closer and, seeing they won't retreat, it charged straight towards them.

Max and the others were already ready, they got in position as soon as they saw the boar getting up, so they weren't taken by surprise by the sudden charge.

Anna helped Ashley retreat into the forest successfully and shortly after she began strengthening the rest of her team with magic which would help them move sharper and swifter.

She had another reason for not agreeing into fighting the boar. She was too weak. She wouldn't be able to damage it or help her team with the defensive spells she learnt so far, so other than the small mobility bonus she gave them she wasn't of any use anymore.

She backed down a few meters, leaving more space for the trio to move in as she began feeling exhausted the reason being her use of magic from before. She wasn't supposed to be picked as a target and she wouldn't take any chance in this situation.

While she was doing her part the others were getting into position as well. Ken retreated a bit more to the rear as from his judgement he can't fight that beast up-front while also not being able to get close and personal with it for a long time, risking to being hit.

Rya moved behind Max, wielding her sharp long sword with both hands, she was ready to assist Max with his actions.

Max stood in place baffled at what to do, the boar was fast but the distance between them wasn't small so they still had some room to think before the first contact. He didn't know what to do and now it was too late.

The boar was getting close and he had to make a decision fast. He knew that if he backed down now Rya could get hurt so he dropped the spear in his right hand and grasped the shield with both hands. He clenched his teeth, ready for a heavy impact. He buried his feet into the ground, and a moment later.

*Thump*

An impossible amount of force came through his shield into his arms, almost getting him flung off the ground as he felt a pair of hands on his back. Pushing with all her force was Rya which bore the impact alongside Max helping him not fly off into the distance, but as a result of that she dropped her weapon on the ground.

She looked at Max, seeing him drop his spear. She knew what he wanted to do so she dropped her weapon as well, but before she could reach him the boar hit, it flung Max a bit backwards, just enough for her to be able to help him from flying off.

Max thanked the gods and with shaky hands used the bottom part of the shield to thrust towards the boar.

*Crash*

A loud bang sounded and with it the boar backed down for a few steps. Even though it had his big tusks Max had gone for his head and hit it right in the center of what could be considered its forehead.

"Ramp!" Rya shouted after reaching for her sword which was on the ground. She began running towards him right after.

Max heard her and in response he grabbed the shield with both hands once more, assuming a defensive pose, planting his shield hard into the ground. As he pressed forward and leaned on the shield, a *thump* sound brought force onto his arms again, the boar hit the shield. Max then felt pressure on his back.

Rya reached Max and placed her foot on his back jumping over him and the shield. As she was above the boar she turned her body mid-air and with the tip of her sword she slightly dug in the back of the boar, making him squeal in pain. As she landed back on the ground blood began gushing from the boars back, spilling everywhere as red began to fill its surroundings.

The boar turned, his eyes were filled with a scarlet red color. They didn't know if it was because of the blood got in his eyes or if he went completely insane but he looked forward, with a mad look at the human that dared to hurt him.

He wanted to charge, rip her into shreds, but just when it tried to charge it felt a piercing pain on one of his legs.

Ashley shot her arrow precisely, even at a range of about 50 meters, it hit its legs stopping him from advancing and hitting Rya.

Max hurriedly pulled the shield out of the ground at that point. He went for another strike with the shield, this time aiming at the boars bottom. Blood flew off and squeals of unreal pain began filling the surroundings when the shield hit. The boar jumped right back, forgetting about Rya and looking at Max with an incredible amount of pain and anger.

That was when Ken kicked in. He was forgotten by the boar, being payed no mind while it began flanking him. It slid under him, using his parangs he cut two deep gashes on his stomach.

The stomach is a boars weak point, being more sensible, but more hard to hit. What Ken did was a risky move normally but the boar has been kept almost on the spot for a while now so he tried it anyway, giving them a huge advantage from him succeeding.

The boar knew he didn't have long to live. Blood flowing out of multiple orifices of his body, he dashed into Max as an arrow missed its mark because of the desperate attempt.

"Max!" Ken, up on his feet from the crouched down position yelled.

Max laid low, grabbing on his spear, waiting for the chance to strike. He put the shield in front of his body.

*Crack*

A sickening cracking sound was heard followed by a splashing sound. Everyone looked alarmed after seeing Max falling on his back, holding his arm.

Anna, using the last bit of wind magic she had, sprinted across to Max.

"Argh! it hurts!" Max yelled in pain, strongly holding on his broken arm.

As he said that a thump was heard. The boar fell over on his side, dead, with a spear gushing out of the front of its skull.