24 Chapter 24 (2/2)

Wilfred muttered a low [a.n.a.lyze], hoping to glean useful Information but the creature kept moving in and out of his sight.

”Can we not just...kill it?”

Fig shook his head negatively.

”They're very agile and their pelt is tough, hard to penetrate.”

Reaching into his bag as he walked backwards slowly, keeping eyes on the Coiled Stalker, Wilfred withdrew a small round shape and kept it in his hand. Seeing how the adventurers were happy just retreating, he decided to take this into his own hands.

”I'm going to count from 4 okay? I'll throw this thing at it and then begin counting. When I say zero, close your eyes alright? You'll heard a...weird sound, then you can open them again and we're going to kill this thing. It's going to trash violently though.”

Wilfred removed the safety pin and pulled the main latch pin, priming the M84 grenade, also known as a stun grenade or commonly referred to as 'flashbang'. Keeping his eyes on the beast, he lobbed it a safe distance in front of him but not too far so that it would end up behind it.

”Four, three, two, one, ZERO!”

Wilfred closed his eyes and waited to hear the distinct sound of the grenade exploding before opening them. From the screams behind him, he guessed that either Halam or Alcot did not manage to close their eyes in time or opened them too early, there was nothing he could do for them now however.

The creature trashed wildly, striking with both it's claws and tail at anything around it. Obviously disoriented from the flash and the loud noise, it's balance was also unstable and it fell all over the place.

Fig reacted fast and notched arrows to his bow, firing into the Coiled Stalker as fast as he could. Wilfred also helped, unleas.h.i.+ng [Wind Blade] as fast as he could. Halam joined the fray slightly after, once the beast was already wounded and most of its energy was spent. He parried a few swipes with his spear and drove the spearhead home into its heart.

Everything was over in a matter of a dozen seconds.Still, Wilfred's heart raced, it was one of the first real fight he was in since coming to this world where it was a life or death situation. Alcot cursing out loud drew Wilfred's attention and he walked over to help him.

”Ahhhh! My f.u.c.king eyes!”

Grabbing the big man's hand, Wilfred lifted him up.

”The effects are temporary, you'll be better soon, don't panic.”

Alcot clenched his fists but refrained from doing anything.

”That's twice now that you p.i.s.s me off! I know I said I like you but even the G.o.ds have limits!”

Halam stepped in to calm Alcot.

”The Coiled Stalker's dead already Alcot and it's all thanks to Wilfred, show some grat.i.tude.”

Alcot spit on the ground and sat down on a tree trunk with Wilfred's help.

”Easy for you to say, you ain't been blinded.”

Fig and halam started skinning and cutting up the carca.s.s, slicing strips of meat off of it and keeping some of the body parts. Once most of it was done, Halam came towards Wilfred and Alcot.

”We'll set up camp here tonight. It's late enough and the Coiled Stalker's presence will have scared off most of the other wildlife around here. Fig, start a fire and we'll eat. Afterwards we'll set up turns to sleep and keep watch.”

Having recovered from the effects of the stun grenade, Alcot got up and headed into the woods to grab some kindling and dry wood. Feeling left out, Wilfred asked if he could do anything.

”I can help if you need anything done.”

However Halam waved negatively.

”No, it's okay. You just relax and recover. We need you at your best for tomorrow when we reach the bandit's cave.”

It did bother him when adults treated him as a child but it would be very awkward to try and explain to them that no, he was an adult and could do all these things. Therefore he let it slide, he could enjoy the break.

”Is that really safe to eat though? Fig said it was venomous.”

”Oh, yes very. Delicacy even. We don't eat the tail or the glands. Venomous means its bad when it stings you, poisonous its bad if you eat it.”

The adventurers went about their tasks and soon a small camp was erected. The scent of meat grilling on the fire filled the air and Wilfred shared in the meal with the trio before going to sleep.

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