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.

the ground. 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

and turned towards where Eleanor had come from. His gaze

pouring mana into some runes Neil had placed inside the house to strengthen it further, while Mark was

us,” Neil said as he stood beside Miranda in

feel it,” she said. And she could. She had felt that people had entered the area of the

several pings came once must mean that several groups had entered - that, or one massive group too big for even her vague skill to

clear they didn’t even put up the façade of trying to hide. Their scouts, without a doubt, already having relayed that only nine people

of the entrances, Miranda finally saw them. In front was a relatively small woman. Or teenager. She didn’t look any older than 18 or 19, but the system had made telling

few centimeters off the ground. Overall she gave off an

with a big smile as she

a waste to ruin it, wouldn’t you agree?” Neil fired back with a similar smile. However, Miranda could feel

Abby said, her

from beneath his robe. It was a small black marble that, at first glance, was utterly unimpressive. He had fixed it on

saw quite a few standing on the cliffs above looking down on them, while others jumped down to surround the

you aren’t going to run this time?” she asked, her gaze still cold. “My offer still stands. Give me the orb and all of your equipment. The same goes for your comrades, too, of

in. “Excuse me, miss, while I don’t mean to cut into your

at Miranda entirely out of nowhere before just as swiftly returning to having

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

by someone else,” Neil said calmly. They had already discussed earlier to try and drag out time as much as possible. Not that

hope that the City Owner would feel it when so many intruded upon

where is this owner of yours?” Abby sneered, clearly not taking him seriously. “Just cut the bullshit. Orb and all your stuff in

plan of buying time was not working at all. Miranda was completely unable to string together any semblance of a plan.

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

feel like it, I will let you live. I

joke like that,” her father said in a playful

man, you can

her body, but she didn’t feel any lecherous intent or lust, just… pity. The worst offender being the damn father who had his eyes on her from the

to you…” Neil sighed

which is any of your damn concern. And by the way,” Abby said, raising

Neil and Miranda was torn apart. But just as quickly as it shattered, it was solidified again by Neil, who also raised his hand, a white

Miranda could see that Neil was outmatched. The attack also served as an

the first to move. He was clearly already

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