Hunters: The Prequel - Chapter 296

“Now do you have any qualms about us teaming up,” Rash Tiger turned to Beastly Tiger and said. The man tried to smile, but all that could be seen was an ugly grin etched across his face. It was clear that the pressure that the Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast was radiating affected him greatly. Although he wasn’t shaking in fear, his cells screamed in frustration as they were subjected to power they had never felt before.

“Wanna fight,” Beastly Tiger was drenched in sweat from the aura that was locked onto him. The scariest thing was that he wasn’t the one the beast was paying attention to. But just standing before the dastardly creature was stressful. It was no walk in the park to keep his cool whilst looking at its magnificent frame.

“I don’t think this is the time for petty squabbles,” Domineering Tiger had a look of pure concentration on his face as he tried to push down the feeling of unease that had never been a part of his life into the deepest part of his soul. He knew that he couldn’t afford to be disheartened here. If he was, then he would have already lost the fight. And he didn’t feel like losing again today.

“It is strong,” Frowning Tiger was the weakest amongst the four. Although it wasn’t by much, he was still the weakest in the group, and that was why he could clearly feel the dread that this creature brought.

“All cat-like beasts are usually stronger than their counterparts. Samoa told me this.” Arthur stood before the group. His words weren’t as leisurely as they were before. They were slightly strenuous, and even he could feel the pressure of the being in front of him. Durandal kept ringing in his head, attempting to keep him awake and prime for battle. Yet even its ceaseless ringing didn’t stop his nervous muscles from tightening and his formerly battle hungry blood from cooling down.

Frowning Tiger nodded at his words. It was true. Cats were usually the strongest of the Magical Beasts. As long as they were on the same level, cats were always bound to be stronger than their counterparts. The Shadow Leopard was a perfect example of this. Only Magical Beasts like the Mythic Golden Eagle, and the Mythic Diamond Peregrine Falcon could match up to the Shadow Leopard. But these beasts were solitary beasts and seldom worried about territories. So in other words, the cats were the true overlords on the same level. The worst case scenario for them was for the Pseudo Legendary Class to either be a powerful bird, or cat. Unfortunately, this worst case scenario had come to pass.

“But it wasn’t like we didn’t see it coming,” Frowning Tiger thought to himself. When Samoa brought back his findings, he mentioned that they came across the print of the Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast. In order not to overwhelm the elders who were showing signs of breaking, he didn’t share his suspicions there, but waited until later to inform Village Head Fan about his findings. Samoa believed that the prints belonged to a cat. As a scout if he couldn’t identify something so basic then there would be no reason to belong to the best scouting party in the village. So Frowning Tiger had mentally prepared himself for the test. But when the moment came, he realized that no amount of preparation could truly make him ready for what was in front of him. The massive pressure the beast gave off was overwhelming. And Frowning Tiger knew that under this kind of pressure, none of them would be able to bring their all. Maybe 70 or 75% at most, but nothing more. Of course the stronger one was, the greater amount of fighting ability they would be able to draw out.

“Should we make the first move, or…” Frowning Tiger thought to himself.

*Boom*

“Never mind,” he smiled seeing the explosive figure of Arthur darting towards the Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast. He willed his unwilling muscles to listen to him and went after his student. Domineering Tiger wasn’t slow to react either. He exploded with speed uncharacteristic of a Tiger and rushed right after his future chief. The figures of Beastly Tiger and Rash Tiger weren’t far behind. They moved at almost the same time.

Seeing the approaching figures, the Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast gave a loud roar, and the Mythic Classes that were planning to intercept the enemies shivered and cowered in fear. Even the Shadow Leopard, the beast that was hailed to have been born to rule was no exception. Its powerful bloodline made it especially s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e, and it could feel the dreadful power of the beast that had pushed them to leave their comfortable homes to face the humans. It also stepped back quietly, the arrogance that was in its eyes displaced by the unease it was experiencing. The large beast gazed at the incoming Tigers with a look of scorn and snorted in disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. Its green eyes swept past the 5 men, and lingered on Arthur’s figure just a bit longer. But that was it. To this beast, Arthur didn’t seem special to it. It took a single step forward, and dashed forward to meet them.

*Boom*

Arthur hurriedly jumped several meters to the side to avoid the powerful paw that descended upon his location.

“Fast,” the young man gasped upon witnessing the amazing speed of the Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast. Although the earth shook with every step it took, its movements wasn’t lethargic and slow like its frame would have suggested. For instance, just now it only took simple step forward, yet it had appeared above Arthur. And its paw was sent downwards in astonishing speed. It seemed even faster than the far smaller Shadow Leopard! Luckily for Arthur, once the beast disappeared he felt a strong sense of unease and his body moved on its own to avoid the otherwise fatal blow. And this wasn’t because Arthur was a battle-hardened man. After all, he hadn’t been in any major fights, and had hardly experienced any life or death situations. The reason he was saved was because of Durandal. It was Durandal that was uneasy, and it was Durandal that pushed him to dive out of harm’s way.

The Pseudo Legendary Class had a look of surprise in its eyes when Arthur evaded its blow. It planned to take him out first because it recognized that he was the strongest the humans had to offer. That was its way of showing him the meagre respect he deserved. But surprisingly the boy had escaped his death. Its eyes gleamed in excitement, like it had found a new toy to play with, and it disappeared from its position and reappeared before Arthur.

Again, Arthur was able to evade its paw by the skin of his teeth. The huge hole in the ground served as the reminder that Arthur would definitely die if he was hit.

“It’s toying with him,” Frowning Tiger observed upon seeing the beast pursue Arthur all over the battlefield. With every failed attack, a new hole large enough to accommodate a small spring was born. Domineering Tiger also frowned upon seeing this. The fact that the deadly beast had retracted its claws and was only stomping was enough to convince him that the beast was toying with Arthur. Besides, the speed it was displaying was beyond any of them. Even Arthur, who was far faster, was having a hard time avoiding its blows. And the scariest thing was that it didn’t seem to be using its full speed!

*Boom*

Once again Arthur avoided another fatal blow. But no sooner had he dived out of the way, did another large paw come crushing towards him. Arthur hastily held the heavy Durandal before him and attempted to block the blow.

*Bang*

With a loud bang, the one hailed as Durandal was sent flying back several yards. Upon landing on the ground – feet first luckily – Arthur spat a mouthful of blood. This was the first time he had been injured since he started fighting!

“Arthur!” Frowning Tiger screamed in fear and carelessly rushed towards the beast.

“I’m okay,” Arthur quickly stated, trying to stop his master from doing something stupid. Frowning Tiger wasn’t the beast’s opponent. Taking it on directly was suicide. Luckily for Arthur, Domineering Tiger held Frowning Tiger back and stopped the man from making a grave mistake.

“So strong!”

*Boom*

Arthur felt the dam that was holding his power break free, and the unrestrained might of Durandal filled his entire being. Every part of his body hurt from the baptism of power, but he was too furious to worry about that. Filled with unprecedented power, Arthur decided to repay the favor.

*Boom*

The beast was wide-eyed as Arthur suddenly disappeared from his position. It had no problem following his movements until now, so it was naturally startled by the insane burst of speed that wasn’t present before.

“Over here,” Arthur reappeared behind the large beast and said. Feeling the huge aura behind it, it tried to escape, but Arthur wouldn’t have said anything if he wasn’t confident he could deal some damage. Besides, he had already began to make his move even before he spoke. He span powerfully and hacked at the paw that slammed into him earlier, seeking some sweet revenge.

*Bang*

*Roar*

Along with a roar filled with pain, the large paw was hacked by Durandal, and the sword sliced off one of its toes cleanly!