The Hunt 2

Gu Erin stared down the Valley Wolf, he already knew that it was going to wake up any moment now. So, without any hesitation Gu Erin charged at it. His movements would have given any Olympic runner of Earth envy, and a great feeling of depression. Gu Erin closed the distance between him and the Valley Wolf in a matter of a few seconds. Yet in that short time the wolf's eyes had shot open.

Its deep brown, nearly black eyes glared at Gu Erin hatefully as it sprung up to its feet, although still unsteady it was wide awake now that an intruder had entered its domain. It tried to react by leaping back from Gu Erin's first swing, however it still managed to leave along wound on its shoulder. As it had managed to shift its head and neck out of the way of the sweeping swipe.

Enraged the wolf struck out with its claws as Gu Erin was still somewhat airborne, as the Valley Wolf was the size of a small carriage. Gu Erin had very little time to react as the wolf's superior strength made him all the faster, as Gu Erin only managed to get his blade in front of him.

Gu Erin was launched back with force, flipping once before two long divots were formed in the ground after he landed, still managing to stay upright. However, Gu Erin felt that his hands had turned slightly numb. He was cursing himself for not biting the financial bullet and ordering an estoc, its superior reach would have allowed him to mortally wound it.

Now he was staring down a mid stage Rank 1 beast, that single exchange only lasted a split second yet it had taken everything Gu Erin had to withstand its counter attack. If anyone else had to fight with the beast they would have most likely ended up as a blood smear. Gu Erin hadn't planned on running into such a ferocious beast so close to the town.

However, Gu Erin wasn't alone, something the beast learned pretty quickly as five arrows flew out from the woods behind Gu Erin. Four of which managed to hit the beast. None of them really doing much damage, but still allowing the beast to bleed. Gu Erin braced himself for the long haul as the arrows kept flying, and others tried to join the fray, but were quickly stopped by Gu Erin.

"Stay back! Keep shooting it, I'll block its way, everyone else protect the ranged support!" Gu Erin ordered, all of his past experience taking the forefront of his mind.

The Wolf itself was not willing to stand idly by and let itself accumulate damage; its instinctual brain told it that the human before it was its biggest threat. However, the wolf also knew that the human wasn't its match, as long as it could get rid of the human's pack, it would be victorious.

The wolf tried to circle around Gu Erin, however found its way blocked by both Gu Erin and the arrows coming from behind him. It growled with annoyance and rage as three more pinpricks of pain stabbed into its pelt.

Gu Erin also didn't remain still as he charged the Valley Wolf once again, this time using his aura to trick the beast. The beast itself seemed to freeze slightly as its eyes told it the human was swinging at its flank, but its instincts were screaming that death was about to descend upon its neck.

Figuring to avoid the possible death and suffer the minor injury, the wolf did its best to avoid the strike from above. Only to find that nothing happened. Its short confusion was broken by the lance of pain that shot through its side as Gu Erin's sword cut deep into the monster's flank. As the beast's momentary hesitation bought enough time to cause greater injury to the wolf.

Arrows continued to fly, as the wolf's hide started to look like a pincushion. But, the wolf wouldn't go down without a fight, Gu Erin was sent flying back yet again as the beast tried to advance upon the group protected by Gu Erin.

In the end, the wolf could only roar loudly in frustration, as its fur stood up on end, as Gu Erin blocked its path once again. While the nearly twenty people behind him wiped away their cold sweat. They had long understood the difference in strength. They could hardly keep up with Gu Erin's movements. Let alone the extremely fast movements of the wolf.

Gu Erin himself was trying not to cough up blood and show his current helplessness, his hands were numb and it took all his strength to keep the cheap sword steady. Although he might be able to fight a few rounds with the wolf he estimated its strength to be equal to a 6th stage Blood Transformation Realm warrior.

Gu Erin however, did not allow himself to show his weakness to his enemy as he dashed forward once again, dreading the counter attack of the wolf. He knew that if he did not end it here he might as well retreat while he still had a chance, but Gu Erin was unwilling to do so. Finally, Gu Erin concentrated all of his aura, and sent it in three different directions as he slipped into the wolf's blind spot.

The wolf again froze as its eyes were told one thing while its instincts and mind was told another. In its eyes even illusory figures of Gu Erin appeared around it. It thrashed wildly trying to get away from the threat. Only to feel a great pain come from underneath.

With a great howl of unwillingness, the wolf attempted to jump away, but instead its legs gave out and fell to the side. Gu Erin was gasping for air his sword lodged deep in the underbelly of the Valley Wolf. Gu Erin immediately sat on the ground, his arms attempted to prop him up, but immediately gave in, making him fall to the ground.

The others slowly approached, only a few of them had solid steps, as if they were afraid the wolf would jump back up to devour them all. The few who were certain quickly approached Gu Erin, the foremost being Lee Shio Ming, and right behind him was Lucy. Although not many could see or sense what Gu Erin did Lee Shio Ming knew all too well.

Lee Shio Ming who watched that battle, had his horizons widened by the way Gu Erin fought. He even managed to see the illusory figures, although brief he knew that they were very much there. He thought and considered himself an aura control master, however he could only smile bitterly at this thought. If Nu Bin were to hear about this he was afraid he would not be able to convince him.

Lucy who was behind Lee Shio Ming was just annoyed, her talent was considered good enough to fight as well, yet she was held back. She wanted to fight, yet this bastard kept all the fun to himself? Needless to say, she wasn't relieved or happy about Gu Erin's victory, she was only angry and pissed off that Gu Erin didn't allow her to fight. Did he think she was a fragile existence? Just thinking about this matter made Lucy's fists itch.

Gu Erin himself did not know about the brewing storm called lucy, he simply waved to Lee Shio Ming who crouched down to his level to check on him.

"We'll take the beast back first, don't waste a thing, all can be sold. You'll find a black core, bring it to me. It will help us cultivate. Once we hand off the carcass we'll head back out." Gu Erin ordered tiredly.

Many who were close enough cringed, could they even carry such a massive beast, however a few remembering their new strength tested the weight of the Valley Wolf. To their shock they could indeed move it around with some effort. However, carrying it would be another matter. It would no doubt be a chore, but it was doable.

So, with a tired Gu Erin now following behind and slowly recovering his strength, the group had slowly made its way back to the campsite. There they took out the beast core with much effort, only to be told by Gu Erin that they would sell the whole thing in the town. A process that took another hour. By the time the group got back to the campsite it was a few hours past mid-day.

However, after seeing the eight gold they got from selling the corpse of the mid Rank 1 beast, they were in a hurry to go back out to hunt. One had to know, that if not for Gu Erin and Lee Tao's wind fall the day before the collective wealth of the camp would have only reached two gold. Nearly three hundred people could only obtain two gold? Yet, now that they could hunt they obtained four times that amount with a few hours of work. Only a ghost would be lazy at this time.

***

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