The clearing fell silent.
Kael and the Razorfang Boar stood several paces apart.
Neither moved.
Blood dripped steadily from the wound on the beast's shoulder, staining the forest floor beneath it.
Its heavy breaths echoed through the trees.
Kael's own breathing wasn't much steadier.
His left shoulder burned where the tusk had struck him moments earlier.
Sweat rolled down his face.
His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword.
Both of them were exhausted.
The Razorfang snorted.
It scraped its hoof across the earth, throwing dirt into the air.
Then it began circling.
Kael matched its movement.
Step for step.
His eyes never left the beast.
At the same time, he studied everything around him.
A fallen log.
Loose stones.
A patch of uneven ground.
The massive oak behind the boar, its roots twisting above the surface like thick ropes.
An idea formed.
Without making it obvious, Kael shifted his footing.
Just a little.
The Razorfang adjusted its course, keeping him directly ahead.
Again, Kael moved.
Again, the beast followed.
Neither realized they were no longer fighting in the center of the clearing.
The old oak was now directly behind the Razorfang.
The beast squealed.
Its patience had finally snapped.
With explosive force, it charged.
The ground shook beneath its weight.
Kael remained perfectly still.
The distance vanished.
Twenty steps.
Ten.
Five.
Three.
Only when the beast was almost upon him did Kael move.
He stepped sharply to the right.
The Razorfang reacted instantly, twisting its body to follow.
Its injured foreleg landed on one of the oak's exposed roots.
The footing gave way.
Its balance broke.
Only for a heartbeat.
But a heartbeat was enough.
Kael lunged.
His sword flashed through the air.
SHHK!
The blade carved a deep line across the beast's shoulder.
The Razorfang screamed in pain.
Instead of retreating, it lashed out wildly.
One massive tusk caught Kael across the shoulder.
The impact lifted him off his feet.
He slammed into the ground several meters away, rolling until he struck a tree.
Pain exploded through his arm.
For a moment, everything spun.
His sword had almost slipped from his grasp.
Almost.
He forced himself to stand.
Blood trickled from the fresh wound on his shoulder.
Across the clearing, the Razorfang staggered.
Blood streamed from its injuries.
Its breathing had become uneven.
Its legs trembled beneath its weight.
Neither hunter nor beast could endure much longer.
The Razorfang lowered its head.
It gathered every bit of strength it had left.
One last charge.
Kael steadied his breathing.
His heartbeat slowed.
There would be no second chance.
The beast exploded forward.
Kael ran toward it.
The distance disappeared in seconds.
At the final moment, he shifted his body just enough for the tusks to miss him.
The Razorfang surged past.
Its own momentum carried it forward.
Kael planted his back foot.
His hips turned.
His shoulders followed.
His entire body moved as one.
The sword described a clean arc.
SHHK!
The blade sliced across the beast's throat.
The Razorfang stumbled.
One step.
Then another.
A third.
Its legs buckled.
With a deafening crash, its enormous body hit the earth.
Silence returned to Blackwood Grove.
Kael didn't move.
His chest rose and fell as he watched the fallen beast.
He approached carefully, keeping his sword ready.
The Razorfang remained still.
Blood slowly pooled beneath its enormous body.
Kael waited.
One moment.
Then another.
Not a single muscle twitched.
Only then did he lower his guard.
The hunt was over.
A long breath escaped his lips.
He wiped the blood from his blade before sliding it back into its sheath.
Looking down at the fallen Razorfang, a faint smile crossed his face.
"This one..."
"...I earned."
After taking one last look at the beast, Kael turned toward the edge of the forest.
Oakridge Farm awaited.
And beyond it...
The Guild.
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