The beast emerged from the depths of the forest. Its colossal form, resembling a nightmare made manifest, cast an eerie presence under the dim light of the moon.

Its mouth bristled with sharp teeth, and two massive fangs extended from its upper jaw, their shadows stretched long over the snow, signaling the creature’s lethal intent.

A thick blanket of snow clung to its immense frame, creating a deceptive layer of purity that contrasted sharply with the harsh, rocky texture beneath. The beast's colors shifted between earthy browns and hints of reddish hues.

Each stride resonated through the snow, hissing sharply as if daggers were slicing through its softness.

"There's a lesson in every shadow," Raffin mused, his voice a whisper against the night's stillness, "Let's see what this one teaches."

He called out to Asdras and Brian in a measured tone, piercing the tense silence.

"Boys, time to earn your keep. A nice little test awaits you, my friends."

Pointing toward the dwindling bonfire, its feeble light casting vague shadows, he added, "You've got half the time it took for our rabbit meal to finish. Make it count, boys."

"Will they be okay, my good sir?"

"Oh, they'll be just fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a front-row seat to the show."

With that, he led his horse to a nearby corner nestled between two towering trees, positioning himself to observe the fight.

"Use your brain more than your fists, boys. Find the creature's weakness." Raffin's final piece of advice echoed in their minds.

Asdras and Brian drew closer to the monstrosity that lay before them, the frosty night air was filled with the tense energy of their first battle without being tutored by Joe.

Asdras’s gaze was analytical, piercing through the darkness as he tried to decipher the creature’s behavior — its every move, every twitch. The snow underfoot gave a soft crunch with each step, the only sound in the stillness of the forest clearing.

Brian, with the compact spear gripped tightly in his hand, was a stark contrast to Asdras's measured approach. He was eager to test his strength against the beast, his eyes constantly tracking the monster’s lumbering movements, waiting for an opening to display his prowess.

"Hey!"

Brian shifted his gaze to Asdras. "What?"

"I gotta a plan," Asdras said, smiling at him. "Wanna try?"

"Pray tell!"

"Keep your spear retracted," he pondered over a moment, then gave a nod before continuing. "Approach with speed, strike swiftly, then retreat."

"Ok!"

The beast, towering and abhorrent with its centipede-like form, had an uncanny sense of smell. It detected Brian’s rapid advance, turning its colossal body with a rustle of snow-covered segments, and issued a guttural growl that vibrated through the air.

Asdras, seizing his role in their plan, darted alongside Brian. With a swift motion, he scooped up a rock and hurled it towards the creature’s head, aiming to steal its attention and expose its vulnerabilities.

Brian, following Asdras’s earlier command, charged with the spear in its compact form. Just as he neared the beast, his thumb hit the button and the spear extended with a click. He lunged, targeting the creature's underbelly, but in a flash of fangs and fury, the beast countered, narrowly missing impaling him with its venomous tusks.

Simultaneously, Asdras initiated his attack, his blade gleaming under the lunar glow as he delivered a pair of strikes to the creature's armored dorsum. The chill metal of the sword parted the protective skin, eliciting a howl of agony from the beast, after which Asdras performed a strategic retreat with a nimble backward roll.

In its fury, the beast convulsed wildly, its segmented body twisting and writhing in chaos. It drew a deep breath, homing in on the smell of its foes, and fixed its vengeful gaze upon Asdras, maddened by the pain of the inflicted blows.

Asdras eyes wide open. "Oh shit!"

With a fearsome speed that belied its size, the creature shot forward. Asdras saw the rush of death barreling towards him, but with a practiced leap, he dodged to the left, the beast’s fangs snapping shut where he had stood moments before.

Brian, witnessing his spear thrust had done little more than anger the beast, bellowed, “Its eyes, Asdras, y'all! Aim fer its dang eyes!”

From a distance, Raffin couldn't suppress a grim smile at the suggestion, while Javier, watched with unwavering focus.

"They will be having a good chance at the nearby Eruption," Javier smiled as he watched.

"Oh, that's sure!"

Asdras, catching Brian’s intent, shouted back, “Get to higher ground — then strike its sight!”

Another vicious strike came from the creature, but Asdras was ready, deftly moving out of harm’s way. He positioned himself near the beast’s right, preparing for their next coordinated attack.

With a powerful leap, Brian mounted a nearby ledge. From this new vantage point, he descended upon the beast, his spear finding its mark on the creature's skull, even as he tapped the button to retract the weapon and prepare for withdrawal.

The beast, distracted by the pain, did not notice Asdras climbing up its back. Using the monster’s body as springboard, Asdras launched himself into the air, his sword aimed at the creature’s vulnerable eye.

"Take that, dammit!"

The gravity of his attack helped his blade drive deeply into the beast's left eye. The monster screeched an ear-piercing sound that filled the forest.

Thrown violently by the convulsing creature, Asdras tumbled through the snow, each roll having a jarring impact until he came to a stop, his breath visible in the frigid air.

In its death throes, the creature’s movements became erratic, its body contorting on the snowy earth, the darkness of night returning to calm as the life faded from its solitary, sightless eye.

"God bless Saint Rose," Brian said, breathing heavily. "This here was dang good!"

Asdras rose from the shimmering snow, his silhouette edged by the campfire’s glow, the moon overhead casting an pale light on the scene. He approached the fallen beast, its monstrous form less intimidating now, stilled by death's cold embrace.

With a firm grasp, he reclaimed his sword from the creature's eye socket, the blade making a sickening squelch as it was freed from the viscous, stinking fluids. "This stinks—"

  

Just then, a swift shadow flickered past them — Raffin. His movements were a blur, each step propelling him forward with superhuman velocity. His eyes locked onto a new threat — a secondary monster slinking through the darkness, its intent malevolent and clear as it neared the unsuspecting Asdras.

His experience against these creatures was apparent in every poised muscle, and he launched himself into the air. He soared towards the creature, which reared up, its deadly fangs aiming to impale him. But with the grace of a seasoned warrior, arched his body away from the impending death, a deft aerial dance that cheated gravity and fate alike.

As he neared the apex of his leap, his hands moved to his sleeves, drawing forth two gleaming daggers with the ease of second nature. In one fluid motion, he redirected his descent, blades first, towards the beast’s twin eyes.

His daggers sank deep, puncturing the creature’s vulnerable spots. Raffin's momentum carried him forward, his body sliding across the monster's chitinous head, tearing flesh and oozing ichor trailing in his wake.

With a graceful flip, he dismounted from the beast, its body convulsing as it collapsed into the snow, darkening the pure white with its corrupted essence. His landing was soft, the only evidence of his feat the blood that adorned his blades, glistening under the moonlight.

He straightened up, his breath steady, and began to walk back towards Asdras and Brian, who watched in stunned silence. The boys could only marvel at the lethal elegance of Raffin, whose prowess was both a spectacle and a stern reminder of their differences.

He leaned in closer to Asdras and Brian. "Boys, remember, knowing is the key. You should be proud of taking down a ranked creature like this."

As the boys nodded with pride, he paused, his gaze shifting to the lifeless body of the monster sprawled before them.

"But never forget, these creatures always hunt in pairs. Always stay vigilant for the other that lurks in the darkness."

He pointed at the creature's lifeless form, emphasizing its weaknesses. "Their eyes and hearing are their vulnerabilities. Aim for those. But be cautious of their armor, sharp teeth, and keen sense of smell. They're formidable foes."

With a nod, Raffin signaled for them to approach the fallen beast. He took his time studying it, his experienced eyes analyzing every detail. Then he shifted his gaze to meet the faces of Asdras and Brian. His voice softened as he asked, "Do you remember the story I told back at the village pub?"

"'Bout that cow and apples?"

"Tom and Daisy?"

Raffin pointed at the monster's head. "Yes, this here, hunts the creature that poised the cow."

Brian's eyes widened. "That's real?"

"Oh, yes, yes," Raffin said, drawing a long breath. "Them's what we call Apple Worms, they are. Got them red apples sprawled 'cross their hides, and their trick is to dig deep into the earth, blending with it like a shadow. And should a poor soul dare to feast upon that apple, a tiny worm hiding within shall take charge of the unfortunate soul's."

"And what about this one?" Asdras pointed over the centipede-like beast.

"Well, this one hunts the Apple Worms, they are named as Subterranean Wormreapers. The reason these critters have come sniffing 'round our camp, well, it's likely that apple feast you guys had along the trail and sharing with the horses."

"Really?" Brian whispered, lowering his head to stare at the beast.

"Now, help me here!"

Raffin knelt down on the snowy ground, his dagger in hand. He turned to Asdras and Brian with a serious look in his eyes.

"Remember, lads. Wormreapers, they've got two prized bits: their fangs and their chompers. Mighty handy for brewin' potions and crafting some potent charms."

With a nod, he began to carefully extract the fangs from the creature's lifeless body. Once he had them in his grasp, he handed one to each of the boys, who held them cautiously.

As he continued the extraction process, Raffin imparted his knowledge.

"Another important lesson, lads, is that the trick lies in harvesting their valuables while keepin' a sharp eye out for hidden risks. Them fangs, you see, they hold a bit of venom, not strong enough to take down a man, but it can surely give you a nasty spell of the runs."

He pointed toward the next carcass, and they set to work extracting the valuable parts. Raffin spoke again as they worked.

"My advice is, when you reach the city, invest in the Monster Encyclopedia of the North, Volume 1. Might set you back a few coins, but, as I'm fond of sayin', knowledge is your strongest weapon, and it'll put the odds in your favor."

After successfully collecting their spoils, they returned to the campfire.

"Y'all reckon we oughta keep them fangs in a different container 'cause of the venom?"

Raffin gave Brian an approving look and chuckled. "No call for that on this hunt, but smart thinkin' nonetheless. Some beasts out there do come with bits that need careful storage."

Javier approached them with a wide smile. "Amazing fight, my good saar!"

"Well," Raffin yawned while stretching his arms. "Let's sleep, tomorrow will be a long, long day."