The Primal Hunter

Miranda sat on the small stairs leading up to the lodge. She watched the intricate patterns drawn on the ground by Neil as he was still trying to improve the magic circle – a massive formation covering tens of meters all around the lodge.

Hank was working with Christen to make him a better axe. She was a blacksmith and was more than happy to help when he asked. Though Miranda was pretty sure the young woman just felt terrible about the situation she had put him and his two kids in.

Silas meditated as he did most of the time. He had managed to finally get rid of Christen’s cursed wound the day before and was now able to rest for the first time since she got the injury. Mark had chosen to accompany him, as he had been following the man around to learn how to be a better healer.

Louise had spent most of her time making pits and overall warping the environment around them. She had a skill that allowed her to do some minor terraforming, but it was good enough to improve their natural defenses with enough time.

Eleanor hadn’t been seen for days. She was the de-facto scout of their party and had left to keep track of when the incoming party would come. They knew the direction they were coming from, and she had a few skills to locate people while keeping herself hidden.

Levi was the most useless of the bunch, just swinging his sword in the air, trying to get in every second of training possible. Maybe hoping for some miraculous last-minute skill upgrade or perhaps just a level. Whatever the case, the sense of urgency and desperation was tangible.

It was the fourth day since they arrived. The enemies could come at any point now. The time had been fruitfully spent overall as they had more or less prepared as well as they could in this time. Especially Neil, who had put down the large formation to defend them, had made many preparations. The lodge was to be their final stand.

The building was constructed by Hank, and his skills enhanced it. It was far more durable than regular wood and could perhaps offer some form of protection from weaker attacks. They knew the other side had many people, so hopefully, it could block some of their ranged attacks at least.

Miranda hadn’t yet shared her role as a City Lord. Nor even mentioned the existence of the Pylon. It wasn’t her place to do so. And she still didn’t entirely trust the party of five. Their cooperation was forced due to the circumstances.

But if their claims proved to be accurate, then maybe doubling the ‘city’ population was possible. She had already gotten three more levels in the profession and reached 60. This had earned her a few glances as they were surprised her race-level had gone up by two so fast. They hadn’t asked her, though. Likely they were too focused on trying not to die.

Upon leveling, she had also earned another skill. She had been offered the one related to creating quests but had decided to go with one that was a bit more immediate. Its functions were pretty simple. It was a purely defensive skill that allowed her to create a barrier in a small area.

She had chosen to share the functionality of this skill with Neil. Neil’s barrier was meant to do basically the same, but his used space-magic, while hers used pure mana. But from what she had gathered… hers was borderline impenetrable on its own already. As long as it held that was… and it could only be used around the Pylon.

So they had two defensive barriers and a lodge created by an evolved builder. Bunkering down did seem like a possible tactic if all they had to do was buy time. The problem was they weren’t sure if buying time would lead to anything.

The City Owner hadn’t appeared for several days. In fact, it had now been nine whole days since any of them saw him. Miranda knew that he still lived as he was listed as the city owner… well, with a question mark, but still.

All they could do was hope he returned in time.

Time slowly ticked by as they trucked on with their final preparations. Miranda had a weird feeling of both wanting them to come and get the torturous wait over with and for them to be as delayed as possible. Somewhere, deep in her heart, she still hoped that they could negotiate.

It didn’t sit right with her to hand over Neil and his party, but if that is what she had to do to protect Hank and his children, she was willing to do so. Reluctant, but willing. She had made a promise to help keep them safe to Hank’s wife, and she had never fancied herself a liar.

Her wish for the wait to be over came true not long after. Eleanor dashed into the camp, yelling, “They are coming!” as all the tension that had built up came fully to the forefront.

She hadn’t taken off her armor once since the wound had healed and was already ready to fight. Neil stood up from his kneeling position as he

while Levi simply stopped swinging his sword and turned towards where Eleanor had come from. His gaze was showing

beforehand. Louise had been given the task of pouring mana into some runes Neil had placed inside the house to strengthen it further, while Mark was their backup healer. Hank himself exited soon after with his

stood beside

that people had entered the area of the Pylon

fact that several pings came once must mean that several groups had entered - that, or one massive group too big for

they saw them. Several voices were heard as well as the sound of marching. Making it clear they didn’t even put up the façade of trying to hide. Their

19, but the system had made telling age quite a bit harder. Beside her walked a man with a shaved head and black beard. His

few centimeters off the ground. Overall she gave off an

smile as she looked at Neil and

agree?” Neil fired back with a

that,” Abby said, her

beneath his robe. It was a small black marble that, at first glance, was utterly unimpressive. He had fixed it on a chain to wear it around his neck, though

people also appearing all around them. She saw quite a few standing on the cliffs above looking down on them, while others jumped down

her gaze still cold. “My offer still stands. Give me

was tired of being ignored as she cut in. “Excuse me, miss, while I don’t mean to cut into your family dispute,

head off,” she roared at Miranda entirely out of nowhere before just as swiftly returning to having the smile she had before. “I am

so was Hank and the others observing from the house too. Neil’s party, on the other hand,

by someone else,” Neil said calmly. They had already discussed earlier to try and drag out time as

a slight hope that the City Owner would feel it when

sneered, clearly not taking him seriously. “Just cut the bullshit. Orb and all your stuff in a pile on the ground within the next minute. The

at all. Miranda was completely unable to string together any semblance

to strip, and then what?” Christen cut in, clearly

and then if I feel like it, I will let you live. I am sure that

her father

up, old man, you can have

worst offender being the damn father who had his eyes on her from the very beginning. Hank’s head turned red in fury as he barely managed to hold himself back from going on a futile rampage as the

you…” Neil sighed with genuine

lot of things, cuz. None of which is any of your damn concern. And by the way,” Abby said, raising her

the very space in front of Neil and Miranda was torn apart. But just as quickly as it shattered, it was solidified again by Neil, who also raised

Neil was outmatched. The attack also served as an

He was clearly already prepared to

was enveloped in an inferno of flames, and his body turned into a