A New Peril

[So, they’ve chosen to attack me first…]

Elise faced the simultaneous assault of three Bone Wolves without a hint of fear. This time, she chose to take the offensive.

“God, please guide me once more.”

“Roar…” A fist, shimmering with light, struck with the speed of a thunderbolt, impacting directly against the jaw of one of the Bone Wolves. The seemingly delicate fist unleashed a power that defied belief, sending the creature hurtling backward, a crimson spray of blood following its trajectory.

The two remaining Bone Wolves immediately launched a synchronized assault from her left and right, aiming to inflict a critical blow before Elise could even register their movements.

“Howl—” Yet, what greeted them was a devastating leg whip.

“Thwack!” Elise’s right leg, whistling through the air, lashed out, sending both Bone Wolves flying with such immense power that several of the bone spurs jutting from their bodies snapped and splintered.

The onlookers, who had been observing from a short distance, were now utterly dumbfounded. To witness someone gaining the upper hand in a melee with such monstrous creatures was entirely beyond their comprehension. In their experience, the might of monsters was an insurmountable force for humans, and the priestess before them seemed nothing more than a delicate woman.

‘…’ A faint frown creased Elise’s brow as she registered the lingering numbness in her fist and right leg. While these creatures were renowned for their formidable physical fortitude, she had not anticipated such resilience, even when pitted against her own body, now augmented by potent magic.

With a subtle shift in her intent, Elise extended both hands. The Bone Wolves, abruptly sensing the spiritual energy around them surge, were finally gripped by terror. They thrashed, desperately attempting to rise and escape, but it was already too late.

“Wind—” In that very moment, a ferocious tempest erupted without warning, raging through the forest. The Bone Wolves found themselves ensnared within a sudden, swirling vortex, thrashing frantically, yet utterly powerless to escape its horrifying grip. The rapidly spinning winds carved into their forms, stripping flesh from bone. The very bone spurs that had jutted from their bodies were pulverized. As the torment of being shredded overwhelmed them, the Bone Wolves shrieked in agony, their piteous howls gradually fading until silence reigned. When the furious winds finally dispersed, only three mangled, blood-soaked corpses lay motionless on the forest floor.

Elise, who had stood at the very heart of the maelstrom, was utterly untouched. Only a few stray strands of her hair, gently disarrayed, bore testament to the fury that had just passed. The fearsome creatures had been dispatched with such effortless ease, and after wreaking such destruction, she displayed not even the slightest hint of weariness.

“…………” The men, who had been watching from a short distance, only truly stirred from their stunned paralysis as Elise drew near. The monsters they had fought with such desperate effort, nearly sacrificing their lives to fell, had just been utterly annihilated with such chilling ease.

“There’s no need for such astonishment,” she calmly stated. “Having already sustained such grievous injuries, these creatures were at their absolute limit. I merely delivered the finishing blow.”

Explaining her actions with unruffled composure, Elise remained unwilling to fully unveil the true extent of her power. She knew that formidable strength often attracted unwelcome attention and unnecessary strife, a wisdom that had guided her decision to reside in the village, living as a simple priestess.

“…Nevertheless, we are deeply indebted to you, Priestess Elise. Had it not been for your intervention, we would never have found the courage to triumph over these malevolent creatures.”

“Is that so…” Gazing upon the men, who remained frozen in their daze, Elise perceived a deep, abiding reverence in their eyes—a reverence, she suspected, that would persist for a very long time.

“…But this is hardly the time for such discussions.” Pushing aside her lingering concerns, Elise reminded herself that far more pressing matters awaited.

“What is it, Priestess?” The men, still shaken from their narrow escape, exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with renewed apprehension. Could there truly be other monstrous creatures lurking within this vast forest?

“If creatures of darkness have managed to infiltrate this region, it’s highly improbable there are only these few. Every able-bodied fighter from our village is currently out here, leaving only the elderly, women, and children defenseless within its walls. Should the village be attacked now…”

“…………How could this be!” Their faces drained of color, and a fresh wave of dread seized the men’s hearts. Because of this autumn hunt, nearly every able-bodied man had departed. If, at this critical juncture, monsters were to seize the opportunity to assault their home, the repercussions would be utterly catastrophic.

“Village Chief… what in the world happened—what is this!” Just then, several other hunting parties finally arrived. Upon seeing the grotesque corpses sprawled on the ground, their faces, too, blanched in shock. Reed stepped forward, taking it upon himself to explain the grim circumstances to the newcomers.

“I knew something was amiss when we could barely find any game,” one man exclaimed. “To think there were actual monsters here! It seems we must return to the village at once!”

“Everyone, quickly gather your belongings! Forget the hunt for now; our immediate priority is to rush back to the village.”

“Yes!” Many of these men had wives, parents, and children still in the village. The knowledge that their loved ones might be in peril ignited a frantic urgency within them. They swiftly gathered their gear, and the entire group hastened back towards the village.

“Village Chief, I am deeply sorry. We arrived too late, allowing you all to fall into such peril.”

“There’s no need to blame yourself, Hank. None of us could have possibly foreseen such an occurrence. Indeed, we should all be offering our gratitude to Priestess Elise; it was she who saved us.”

“Priestess Elise?”

“Ah, yes, she used her magic to slay those monstrous creatures. Had it not been for her, I fear we would all have met our end here…”

“Killing monstrous creatures with magic… to think a priestess could wield such power…”

The old hunter, Hank, gaped, his eyes wide with disbelief. He could never have conceived that the gentle, seemingly frail priestess he knew could possess the might to slay such fearsome creatures.

“Don’t even speak of you, Hank; I myself never would have conceived of it…”

Shaking his head, Reed chose not to elaborate further. From the moment Elise had arrived in this village with South Creek five years prior, he had sensed that this seemingly unassuming priestess concealed many secrets. Now, it was clear the truth far exceeded anything he had ever suspected.

“The village, we’ve reached the village!”

“Thank goodness, everyone’s safe!” Having finally reached the village, several of the men who had raced ahead burst through its entrance, drawing puzzled glances from the villagers within. Hadn’t they only departed a few hours prior? Why were they returning just past noon?

“Is everyone alright?”

“What’s happened, Village Chief? Weren’t you all out hunting?” Mr. Lister, one of the villagers who had remained behind, was equally perplexed. He was keenly aware of the critical importance of this autumn hunt, a fact that only intensified his bewilderment at their sudden return.

“We encountered monsters during the hunt.”

“Monsters? How could that be? This place has been…” Mr. Lister’s eyes widened in profound shock. Yet, observing their grave expressions, he immediately grasped the dire seriousness of the situation.

“Everything in the village is safe, just as usual. Nothing has happened.”

“That’s good…” A wave of relief washed over Reed, and he decided to lead his men on a thorough patrol around the village’s perimeter, just to be absolutely certain.

“Wait a moment.” Just then, Elise, returning from the church, called out to them.

“What is it, Priestess?”

“South Creek… South Creek is missing.” Her face was utterly drained of color, an expression of profound distress that Elise had never once displayed, not even when facing terrifying monsters.

“I’ve searched the entire village, but I can’t find her anywhere… And it’s not just South Creek… Fanny and Jack are missing as well!”

“What!”