Chương 131: Chapter 115. Solo Hunt

We took off and made our way North. Skitz and Edmon were surprisingly swift on their feet, I was making my way through the swamp with quick steps, and they kept up just fine. In fact, it felt like they could go even faster. Regardless, it wasn't long before we ran into those Killer Squirrels. it was only a group of 3 of them and they were munching on what looked like brown-furred rabbits." Milord, are you certain you want no help from us?" Skitz spoke to me for the first time. His voice was deep and pretty loud."

It'll be fine, we fought some of them before, remember?"" Yes, with everyone helping, Milord." Skitz seemed to be worried. I decided to try to give him some relief." Relax, Skitz, if something happens to me, I can heal myself and we can work on the hunting as a group. Just put some trust in me, Skitz. Same to you, Edmon."" Y-Yes, Lord Drake!" I still wonder why they're acting like this. I mean, didn't I just kill a gator in one strike? Maybe they think I'm more of a Mage than a Swordsman...

Well, I guess they'd be right for now. Best to think about that later. Right now, the goal is to fight and finish this learning period for Angel's Swordsmanship." I'm going now, please do help if you feel the need." I turned to face the squirrels, who were continuing to eat their prey. I began to walk slowly towards them. step. step. unbalance. / CRACK! /"!" By the time I had stepped on a dead twig and alerted them to my presence, I had Scarlet in my hand and was prepared to fight them.

And to be fair, they were ready to kill me. With their claws and teeth aiming at different parts of my body, they launched themselves at me like a pack of rabid dogs. I felt Angel's Swordsmanship start to influence me. Only this time, it felt like I had a bit more input. It was like I was allowed to pick where to go, then the blade attacked in the most efficient way without any wasted movement. Twitch! / Shing! /" GYAH!"

With one flick of my wrist, the blade danced in the air and landed itself in the arm of the first squirrel who tried to attack me." HYAAAAHHH!" The 2nd squirrel was kind enough to alert me to his presence as he attacked me from behind his bleeding pack mate. Grip!

"!" Pivot! Spin! STOP! / Thump! / I aimed for his neck, but the Skill demanded I dodge the attack first. My body twisted and spun, almost like I was dancing. Using the momentum from the spin, the sword sticks straight out from my hand and with my hand gripping the handle with great strength and a tense arm, I come to a vicious stop from the momentum of the spin... And the blade of Scarlet had passed through the neck of the squirrel before I had even realized it.

The realization of what happened was accompanied by a sickening thump as the head of the squirrel landed on the ground, blood began to pool from its neck." 1 down." I stated the obvious from my observations. I then prepared to see what the remaining 2 would try. What I found was somewhat disturbing. / squelch! Crunch! Crack! / The squirrel who I hadn't hurt yet, was eating the dismembered hand of the injured squirrel. And the other squirrel began to take a step back and seemed to be putting pressure on the wound.

These creatures get more Human-like and uncanny at the same time." Milord! Quickly, kill the uninjured one! He's dangerous!" I heard Edmon yell from behind me. As I registered what he said, I saw the results of that squirrel eating his friend's hand. I thought I was seeing things, but the squirrel had grown twice its size and his muscles have grown bigger than the biggest powerlifter I could imagine from my old world." What the hell?"

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation." Its a last resort! They increase their abilities by consuming their brethren's flesh!" I feel like I could have used that information a bit earlier than now. I took my stance and prepared myself. I mean, how bad could it be? I killed 1 and injured a 2nd. How hard could the 3rd b..." OH SHIT!" /THWACK! / PAIN!" PWAW!" / THUMP! woosh! / Fly! STOP! / THUD! CRASH!

/ My breakfast came back up as I got pelted by a fist into my stomach and got sent flying back into a thick tree. I thought it'd be slow, but that thing is faster and stronger! It makes no sense! That much mass should make him slower!? What is this!? Magic? No, like that actually ex..." Fuck... I got hit harder than I thought, didn't I?" I looked down at my torso and I saw my stomach had a notable indent that looked like metal that got hit by a sledgehammer." Holy Heal." At least, I also have Magic." ROARRRRR!"

Great, it's howling and about to approach Skitz and Edmon. Can't have that. / woosh! / I activate Holy Mana Body and take a deep breath. I started running like an Olympic Sprinter and in less than 5 seconds, I cover the ground between myself and the squirrel." Hey, buddy! I'm fighting you!" Swing! I yell at him as I swing my blade towards his neck. Again, the blade moved nearly by its own will. However, I could feel a strange anger coming from it.

It must mean my emotions are influencing the Skill, instead of it influencing me. I wonder if this counts as progress? /THWING! / The squirrel guarded with his forearm, but Scarlet cut deep. The blade made it about halfway through his arm." ARRHHHH!"" Yeah! Worry about me, asshole!"

"!" Duck! / Swoosh! / Kick! / thump! / I yell at the squirrel as it swings its arm at me. I kick off of its back and land about 6 feet away from it." Milord! You're okay! You're glowing white!"" Lord Drake! Thank the Gods!"" Yeah, I have some tricks too." Time to cut the crap. I use Holy Mana Blade and Scarlet's red blade gained a sharp transparent white aura. The squirrel seemed to feel the power of my mana starting to leak from the blade, it changed its expression from rage to a strange calmness."

Oh yeah, pay attention to me."" RAWWWWRRRRR!" / Thump! Thump! Thump! / It howled and charged at me. Without much thought besides wanting to decapitate this charging animal coming at me, my body leapt into action. The charging squirrel approached with its healthy arm cocked and ready to slash at me with its giant claws. I felt the blade and my body move in tandem. The slash of the squirrel came at me with lightning speed. /CLANG! / slide... My blade had already moved to parry the claws, and it was successful.

While the squirrel was unbalanced, I nearly glided from his side to behind him with how smooth the movement of my feet carried me. Once I was behind him, it was a simple matter to pierce the back of its neck with Scarlet. For the first time, my Skill and I both wished for the same outcome. Stab! Retract! /CRASH! / The big body of the squirrel fell and made a small crater when it hit the ground. I ended my Spells and returned to normal. I'm breathing only as if I've had a light jog. My body really is changing.

From the Holy Mana strengthening me from the inside out, the training I've received so far and the fights I've had, I've undoubtedly have gotten in amazing shape." Milord!"" Lord Drake!"

"Yeah, guys?" Skitz and Edmon approached me. I guess they think it's safe now? Well, I guess it is." That was incredible, Milord, I admit, I thought you were more of a Sorcerer or a Doctor, but Paladins really do possess great Martial Prowess!"" I've only seen records saying that Paladin Swordsmanship is "Cowardly", but it's so far from it! It uses your own natural agility and dexterity to find openings based on your opponent's mistakes! How amazing, Lord Drake!" I crack a smile, so I was right.

They thought I was useless without my Spells." Well, I still had to use some of my Magic in the end. As for my Swordsmanship, it's not all me, my new Skill did a lot of work as well. I need more training for sure."" But, Milord, you were able to beat a Man-Eating Squirrel who had consumed its brethren's flesh! That's a great achievement! The only person in Paradise right now who has done that is Big Sis Ruby!"" Yes, that was amazing, Lord Drake!"" Thank you for your praise, but it's not enough.

There are enemies out there and I don't know who they are or how powerful they may be. I need to be as strong as King Warrick before I'd even think of taking a break from training."" As strong as King Warrick... What a goal to strive for!"" Trust me, I know. He beat me black and blue for 3 months straight!"" Ah, that was one of your rewards for saving Lady Sarah, right, Lord Drake?"" Yeah, that's right, Edm---""GUARRRRRR!"

"!" All of a sudden, the first squirrel I injured jumped at us! Damn I forgot about him because of the steroid squirrel! Luckly, my sword was still in my hand, and I moved to block. Hm? My sword is following my instructions. /THUMP! /"RAGHHH!" swing! / Clang! Snap! / Scarlet's blade broke the claws on the squirrel's good hand that attacked me. I then felt my blade glide up to its chest without any input from me. Stab!" AUARGGG!"

The tip of the blade dug deep into the center of the squirrel's chest and popped out of its back. The light of life left its eyes, and the body went limp. Like that, I took out all 3 squirrels without any help... Besides a warning..." Milord! Are you okay!?" Retract! / thump. / Skitz and Edmon were concerned for me. I pulled my blade from the squirrel and its corpse dropped to the ground." I'm fine, Skitz. Better than that actually! Let's keep going North and see what we find!"" You still want to hunt, Lord Drake?"

Edmon spoke with exacerbation in his voice. I turned and smiled." Yup! Just now, I felt something like progress with my Skill! I need to try fighting again and see if I can improve it even faster!" Skitz and Edmon couldn't believe my words, but they followed me as I walked without restraint. After Edmon picked up the bodies of the 2 squirrels of course. He said that the meat of the big one would be too tough to eat. I took his word for it and pressed on. I thought about that last exchange.

The sword did exactly as I wanted. I need to know if that meant that I had gained some control or my desires and my Skill's desires simply had the same goal at that time or not. Something tells me it'd want to parry, not block. I need to know quick and after some walking, I stumbled on some crabs moving towards a body of swamp water... This is perfect. I darted for them with my blade drawn, a smile on my face as I did.