Chapter 6

The man reached out his hand and helped Yori to his feet. Staggering slightly, Yori followed close behind and entered the weapon shop with gusto. As he looked around Yori was once again disheartened by the prices he saw. There was one that caught Yori’s attention though. A small dagger. The hilt was simple and wooden, and the blade held no ornate carvings, but it looked sharp, and that is what mattered. In fact, it looked much like the kitchen knife he had slain the goblin with. Perhaps it was the fact that he slew a creature with one once before that he almost felt comfort from seeing the humble weapon. It called to Yori as if it wanted him as much as he wanted it. Yori inspected it but could not find a price on it. Jorgga caught Yori eyeing up the dagger. He walked over smiling at Yori, picked it up, and began polishing it as his typical post-purchase practice. He looked up from his work and eyed Yori’s appearance, seemingly scrutinizing his apparel.

 

“You don’t seem to have a holster for this weapon. Here, you should probably buy this leather holster to attach to your belt to make this weapon easier to carry around.”

 

“But sir, I don’t have much money. I’m really sorry, but I don’t know if I afford this.”

 

“The dagger is 48 copper pieces, the holster is 3.”

 

“I’ll just take the knife, I only have 50 copper.”

 

The man waved the towel in his hand he was using to clean Yori’s new weapon towards the boy.

 

“You can have both for 50 copper pieces. Just put it to good use, alright?”

 

Jorgga continued cleaning the blade and oiled the wood hilt to protect it while humming a tune. Yori knew he was getting more pity, mostly based on his appearance this time, but was grateful to the shop owner. It cost him every coin he had; he would have to make money today or go hungry. He also made a mental note to return here and pay back the one copper he owed. It may be much to the shopkeeper, but Yori was resolute in his vow to pay everyone back what they had given him.

 

Bolstered with a new determination to succeed, he headed for the gates of the city. He would once again pass through the barrier and into the world he had only been in twice before. He would become an adventurer no matter what, even though it meant willingly throwing himself into danger.

 

It was still early in the day as he set out towards the blue sheen given off by the city’s enormous barrier. The trees and tall grasses seemed muddled behind the azure haze. As Yori stepped beyond it, much to the chagrin of the guards, he processed the scenery around him that he had not had time to notice when he first entered the city of Esaron. To the north was the forest that he had run through in his mad dash to save his village. To the East and West were plains, much of them had been converted to farmland. To the South of the city were rolling, forested hills that lead to the mountains, barely visible on the horizon. On a clear day they stood as ghostly visages to remind everyone how small they really are in this world.

 

Yori had taken several things into consideration before deciding on which direction to go. He remembered the eyes in the forest and the feeling of being watched, maybe even stalked. It sent shivers down his spine just thinking about it and quickly ruled out the forest. Plus it was easier to trip if he needed to run due to the ground litter and roots. The hills to the South were dangerous as well as he would have less visibility from potential attacking monsters, so Yori decided to remain in the untilled plains to find something to fight. It felt more comfortable anyways, more like a farm.

 

The sun warmed the breeze that drifted through the fields, brushing the hair from Yori’s forehead. He crept cautiously through the plains, one foot in front of the other with his knees slightly bent. The dagger he purchased was ready in his right hand. He held it out in front of him in preparation for the worst. Around midday he spotted a familiar sight. One that gave him a mixture of fear and excitement. A little white rabbit hopped lazily about. That is, a little white rabbit with antlers on its head. It was just like the monster he had run from with his best friend. Yori once again faced a jackalope.

Yori gripped his dagger a little tighter and crouched a lower to the ground. He had felt powerless against the creature when he faced it before, but now he was prepared. Yori was aware that while he and other villagers feared the monstrous jackalopes, adventurers saw them as small fries. This seemed like the perfect first step in becoming a real adventurer.

Hoping to get the jump on the monster, Yori got as low as he could go while still on two feet, and slowly stepped towards the jackalope. His slow, deliberate movements made very little sound to his human ears. Although he did his best to be silent, the creature, twitched one of its large, highly sensitive ears in his direction. Yori panicked and took half a step backwards, carelessly causing the grass to rustle below his foot. Its head snapped to attention, quickly spinning to face Yori. The creature’s powerful back legs propelled it into a pounce. Before Yori could react the jackalope smashed into his left shoulder, knocking him to the ground. He fell backwards, the grass cushioning his back’s collision with the terrain.

Yori’s heart jumped into his throat. Panicking, he scrambled to his stomach and faced the rabbit. His shoulder throbbed in pain. Yori resisted the urge to grab it, keeping his stance with his dagger trained on the creature. It was cocking its body back again.

I was wrong, I can’t fight this thing. Should I run?

 

Yori was afraid. The jackalope’s attack had hurt a lot and he was unsure if he could take another hit like that. Yori’s hand was tingling and numb, his fingers were difficult to move. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and remembered his determination just in time to attempt to dodge in order to avoid the monster’s next attack. The jackalope dove forward, looking to ram Yori in the same shoulder, but Yori was ready for him. As his head and torso were pulled out of harm’s way, Yori’s leg did not move fast enough. The rabbit-like creature collided with his shin, throwing it back behind him. Since he was more prepared for this second attack, he caught himself before being splayed on the ground, recovering faster than before. He landed with his stomach facing the ground with his legs firmly under him, putting him a position to pounce himself. His leg was painful to put weight on from the new bruise on his shin. Without wasting time contemplating, relying on his reflexes and instinct, Yori sprinted at the jackalope. The creature was once again in a crouched position, preparing for a third attack.

 

Through all of this Yori had maintained a firm grip on his dagger. He extended his arm that bore the weapon towards the monster, diving and letting out a yell as a determined battle cry. The jackalope was a small, nimble creature, and despite his determination, his inexperience was easy for the creature to take advantage of. The sheer act of aiming at a moving target with no practice was far more difficult than he has anticipated. The dagger missed its mark, harmlessly whistling passed the jackalope, nicking one of its antlers on the way by as it jumped to Yori’s left.

 

Yori had put all of him momentum and force into that assault. He fell sprawled on the ground on his stomach. He was in trouble. The jackalope was right in front of him while he lay in a vulnerable position, unable to defend himself from the next pounce.

 

D****t. I’m done for. It’s going to aim straight for my head.

 

Yori scrambled while simultaneously bracing for a painful, and potentially fatal, impact. However, the creature did not attack. Instead, it jumped backwards, not forwards. Yori was perplexed, but thankful for the monster’s mistake. Taking the opportunity he rolled yet again, trying to get his feet under him as fast as possible to either dodge or lunge. This action took too long as the horned rabbit slammed into his left shoulder once again before he could get up from on all fours. The pain was immense, but adrenaline was giving him much needed aid and masked it slightly. Unlike before, he did not fall to the ground on his back or stomach. He was already firmly planted on the ground on his hands and feet. When the jackalope hit his shoulder it was met with an opposing force and landed directly in front of Yori once again.

The jackalope’s red eyes bulged and its muscles flexed. Yori could tell it was preparing to retreat. He could not miss this opportunity! Gripping his dagger with his right hand and balancing his weight on his other three limbs, he stabbed his dagger down aiming for the torso of the beast.

 

If his aim was poor then he would simply aim for the biggest part of the monster’s body. As he thrust him arm forward the jackalope jumped backwards again, accidently directing the knife into the back of its own neck in its frantic attempt to retreat. The combined momentum of Yori’s arm and the creatures jump drove the blade deep, severing its spine.

Its red eyes went blank.

 

Yori loosened his grip on the dagger in shock.

 

Yori had killed a monster. A villager had killed a monster!

 

For the first time since the murder of his family and the people of Oseford, Yori smiled and let out a triumphant shout. He had taken his first step towards leaving his past behind and starting his new life as an adventure. To him it was his first step towards throwing his weakness away.

 

He straightened up to a kneeling position in front of the creature and dislodged his bloodied dagger. Crimson leaked from the mortal wound, staining the grass below it. He brought his right hand to his chin in a pondering manner, muttering to himself.

 

“I know jackalopes are worth money, but I don’t really know how to go about selling this thing. I’ll bring it with me, but there’s blood everywhere.”

 

He needed a way to carry the beast away from his body to avoid getting blood on himself. He never thought of himself as squeamish, but he was not exactly thrilled about the idea. Yori tied a rope around its legs, lifting it off the ground and holding it at arm’s length. Tying the rope proved more difficult than expected though as his left arm was still tingling and it was difficult to move his fingers. He eventually managed. He was forced to choose to push his luck and go for another, or to go back to the village and call it a personal victory. He glanced down at his slightly limp left arm, bruised and sore now that his shock and adrenaline was weaning.

 

I should probably get some rest and let my arm recover, but it’ll take centuries to get strong if I’m that cautious. I need to get strong now!

 

Yori shook his head in frustration, conflicted between doing what he should and what he wanted. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. Looking for the source Yori spotted a new enemy not far from him, another jackalope. He took this as a sign to push his luck. It was the perfect opportunity to test what he had just learned about this creature.

 

He lowered his head and crouched, gently laying the lifeless body on the ground as silently as possible. Readying his weapon in his right hand, Yori approached the monster cautiously. However, he would learn from his mistakes this time. This jackalope was not the pure white of snow like the first two he had encountered. This beast had a mottled grey coat, with black spots emblazoned across his fur.

 

One step in front of the other, slowly and deliberately placing his feet on the soft grass below them, hoping to get the drop on the creature this time, Yori proceeded. As he crept ever closer the jackalope’s ear twitched in Yori’s direction, just as its companions' had. And just as suddenly, the antlered head swung towards the boy, instantly followed by a jolt propelled by its powerful back legs. Even though he was expecting the attack, Yori was unable to dodge in time, receiving almost the full blow to his left shoulder once again. It seemed that they all had the same tactic, which was painful at the moment but predictability made it easier to find an opening.

 

The creature’s head hit him in the same area as the last, once again launching Yori onto his back. There was a difference this time though, and not in a good way. The pain was much worse. Yori’s eyes teared up as his entire left arm went numb. He tried using it to push himself up but he was unable to move the limb. The pain was unbelievable, but he knew he had to move. He was once again at the mercy of this small creature.

 

Through sheer willpower he rolled to dodge the next attack, like before, but learning his lesson he tucked his leg in to avoid it getting hit. The jackalope missed completely, landing behind his left leg. Yori gripped his knife tight in his hand and spun around. Using all the speed he could muster, he shot towards the monster.

They always jump away if they get too close. They must hate close proximity.

 

Using this logic Yori closed the distance immediately, not giving the jackalope time to recover and ready another attack. He was right, the jackalope jumped backwards. Yori kept dashing towards it, wanting to keep it on the defensive. He had always been a fast sprinter, so he would put that talent to good use. Just before it could make another jump back Yori dove, the sun glinted off of the dagger in his outstretched arm. As it did in his previous battle, his knife came down as the jackalope hopped backwards, impaling itself on his knife and severing its spine.

 

The knowledge he had gained from his first fight had proven itself invaluable in his second. Although he did take a hit, he learned a lot about the jackalope’s behaviour. The price he had paid for his victory was great though. His left arm laid limp at his side. It felt unfair that although he could not feel his arm to move it, he could very clearly feel the pain throbbing through the limb. An image of silver hair flashed in his subconscious.

 

Maybe I should go see Lady Kana at the Church of Light, she could probably fix my arm… but that just adds to my growing list of favours and debts. I want to keep going, I want to get stronger.

 

Yori could not help but think as he looked towards the city that he needed to keep going. It seemed insane considering how injured he already was. With even more difficulty than before he tied his latest victim to his former.

 

Perhaps growing up on a farm doing physical labour every day had made him tough. Maybe it was his sheer determination. Whatever it was, something was making Yori able to push passed the pain and keep fighting. Scanning his surroundings, Yori searched for another jackalope. A warm breeze blew the hair out of his eyes, which his hands were not free or currently able to do. Quickly inspecting his bloodied targets tied and carried on his right-hand side, he smirked a bit thinking back to the jackalope that him and Naoki had run from. The both of them got their butts kicked by one, and he had defeated two. Confidence bolstered his thoughts.

 

If it’s another jackalope I can fight it. I know how to defeat them now.

 

Yori’s search for a new foe continued. When he did happen across another jackalope grazing, he realized there was a new issue. He still had not figured out how to sneak up on them. Their hearing was too acute for his movements to go unnoticed, no matter how slowly he went. He would have to keep trying though. Surely there had to be some sort of solution. Adventures slay these kinds of creatures effortlessly.

 

Yori positioned himself so he could approach from behind the jackalope, about fifteen feet away.

 

Step.

 

The creature flinched slightly but did not turn towards him. Yori shallowed his breathing as much as possible, being conscious of each and every breath he took. The effort was painful but he tried to ignore the ache.

 

Step.

 

The small horned creature in front of him abruptly twisted his head, and then body towards Yori. The boy’s eyes went wide. The attention of the jackalope caused a pressure in his chest, dreading what he assumed came next. Despite all his effort, the cycle seemed to be repeating itself. The jackalope’s superior hearing was too much for Yori to overcome at this point. The monster launched itself, pouncing towards Yori’s left shoulder.

 

Purely by reflex, Yori raised his right hand, holding his knife in front of his injured left shoulder, blade pointed away from his body. It was his the only way he could think of to protect his already heavily bruised limb. Eyes squeezing shut in preparation of intense pain, Yori braced for the contact. He wondered if he was going to lose his arm due to his own stubbornness. The pain came swiftly, but in a form that briefly confused Yori. He had expected to feel the jackalope’s horns hit him, but it had not been horns that he felt. It was the hilt of the blade in his hand. Pain and confusion blended in his mind, making him dizzy. There was no further movement. His blade felt heavy.

 

Opening his eyes he realized that the rabbit had impaled itself face first on the dagger.

 

Yes! I did it, and so fast this time! This strategy could work.

 

Yori allowed himself to feel excited and maybe a little jubilant at his accomplishment. Not only had he not sustained any more injuries from this victory, but he also did it quickly. It seemed that intuitively predicting a creature’s path based allowed him to deliver a fast, fatal blow. If he could keep up this efficiency then he would be able to gain experience and bodies to dismantle with minimal effort. This meant getting stronger faster, and hopefully money to repay his debts.

 

Yori continued applying his strategy and defeating the jackalopes. Rather than sneaking up, he began rushing the creatures, purposefully provoking their attack. Since he knew where they would aim for, he easily lured them into his trapped and dispatched most of them quickly. He did have to use his left shoulder to bare the brunt of the impact. The pain in his shoulder grew worse and worse. Although his strategy was effective, occasionally his blade would not strike true and would instead deflect off of the creature’s horns. This meant the horned rabbit either fell to the ground or it would deflect and bhit Yori, but with much less impact than a direct hit. Regardless, in these situations he would have to reposition and prepare himself for a second attempt.

 

As the hours ticked by an orange hue was cast across the field that had become Yori’s hunting ground as the day was coming to a close. The sun tucked itself behind the walls of Esaron as night crept closer. Yori knew he had to turn in now. His vision would be compromised at night and he very much needed to get some food other than the dried meat and preserves Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford had given him after his first, and only, day of work. He wondered if they and the Guild Master were upset with him for not appreciating the job that was provided to him. It was not that he did not appreciate it, it was that he felt there was something else he wanted to accomplish.

 

Besides the physical pain itself, the task that seemed most difficult to overcome at this very moment was tying up the slain jackalopes. With only one good hand, Yori managed to very crudely rope the creatures together. Even after he was finished with his fighting for the day Yori’s arm continued to get more and more painful as it laid limp at his side. He had managed to kill and capture ten jackalopes in total. His first step towards shedding his weakness was a success. He defeated, and subsequently, lost his fear of, a monster.

 

An image of a toothy grin outlined in green skin came to mind. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.

 

One step at a time.