Both Lorna and Billy were exhausted by the time they had stopped running. They had probably left the monster behind a long time ago but who wanted to take the risk.
“Do you know where we are?” Billy asked.
Lorna looked around and shrugged.
This area was more heavily forested then their own best and it was difficult to see in any direction. If it wasn’t for the minimap Billy would have been lost.
They had run away from the camp not wanting to lead the creature there. Billy had a feeling his wards would mean little to this monster.
When he had about the tutorial ending he had envisaged creatures slightly stronger than them not anything like this. And this creature was not even an elite.
“Did you hear something?” Lorna asked.
Billy stood and listened but could not hear anything. He was just about to move when the branch of a nearby tree moved.
“I think we should..” his words cut off as a foul smelling creature landed in front of him.
“Well a tasty morsel,” the creature said.
The creature reminded him of a humanoid vulture, but instead of a beak it had a fanged mouth. It’s wings were folded behind it as it rocked from side to side.
“There’s more than one,” Lorna whispered.
The thing turned to look at her. “Two tasty morsels.”
Billy was not sure if this was a monster or a player. None of the other monsters had talked like this. The rat fiends were the closest to intelligent they had met.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
He suspected that this creature was more intelligent than them.
The creature’s eyes were mesmerizing. Billy felt lethargy overcome him.
“Hello,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
He circulated his mana to try to fight the drowsy feeling. He found his mind clearing a little.
“Oh, the pretty talks. Hello, pretty. Why don’t you put down your little weapon?” The creature hopped forward.
Lorna’s spear flashed out piercing its breast. Billy stood in surprise for a moment before stepping forward and lashing out with his hammer smashing into its shoulder.
The creature cried in pain but Lorna’s spear flashed out three times cutting into its throat.
Billy turned as another creature landed behind him. He swiveled and a talon cut across his cheek. The creature’s eyes started to glow red. His mind started to reel. He could sense waves of air mana emanating from the creature. He cast void pulse. A black hole emerged in front of him for a second.
The dizziness stopped and he regained his balance. He stepped forward and smashed it across the head. The creature squawked. He hit it again and again until the light dimmed and it dropped to the ground.
“Let’s go,” he said, worried more would arrive.
They ran again. This time checking more carefully their surroundings. The mirefang was not the only dangerous creature around. Danger now lay everywhere.
He checked his notifications as he ran.
Well damn, he thought, that is a lot of experience.
###
They returned to camp. The others looked worried but had not left the camp.
After Billy and Lorna had explained their encounter the worried looks increased.
“You think they are people?” Yuki asked.
“I think so,” Lorna replied. “They didn’t act like the other creatures.”
“I agree,” Billy said. “They were almost human. More importantly they were hostile. They would have killed us.”
Trevor looked sickened at the thought. “Why would they do that? Better to survive together.”
“Power is seductive,” Billy said. “They seem to rely on their powers to mesmerize. Looks like they didn’t have much else to fight with.”
“They were hungry,” Lorna said. Everyone turned to look at her. “Hey, I am not excusing their actions. But they were hungry and weak. Probably the last of their group who were brought here.”
“Makes sense,” Billy said. “If your usual prey is gone it would be difficult to adapt.”
“So what next?” Trevor asked.
“We proceed as normal,” he replied. “We knew we were not alone. Now, we also know that not every race will be friendly. Maybe, not even other humans. We can only trust each other, for now. We cultivate, craft and get stronger. Scouting will be done in pairs. We need to know as much has we can of the area around us.”
The others agreed.
They were not the same group who had arrived on this planet.