As they pressed forward to Ken inside the forest, a shadow had leapt and tackle Ken. He was able to guard himself and continued to bounce. His fist barely touched the unknown enemy.

Linda conjured ice magic block the way of the enemy. The ice crept and quickly formed into a wall in a circular way. The ice wall caught the light of the sun and as a result it reflects and phases through, revealing the enemy.

It was a beninghol.

“Son of a bitch.” Ken ushered those words under his breath.

Alastor draw his sword and gripped it hard. Linda conjured ice sword and they came to aid Ken. The forest in northernmost were the mountains inhabited has shook off by the destructive wind. All animals left and evacuated the area.

They braced themselves and waited for the right moment. The beninghol was roughly than they have known. Its height is speculated around 12 to 14 feet. The gray and dark skin were easy to distinguished from its dog-like family of creatures.

“A beninghol, huh.” Alastor started. “Oddly enough, it hunts alone. I guess the leader of the pack doesn’t need its lackeys.”

“You shouldn’t worry about it. We should prepare for the rest of the pack.” Linda replied.

The monster gritted its teeth and show its fangs. The sharp fangs are enough to threaten and scare away any kind of hostilities that pertains to disturb it. Ken isn’t likely any kind of people; he’s sharp nose had caught something unpleasant in the air that came back to the monster as the source. It was something familiar before, a rotting flesh that mincing and gulping in its mouth.

“Nah. The pack aren’t coming.”

“How can you say that?” Alastor asked, clutching hard to the handle of his sword.

“Because they’re dead. Look.”

Their eyes magnified to its teeth and saw blood few meat leftovers that stuck on it. It’s all clear now. The beninghol appetite might have grown stronger and expand its desire for more food, but the rest of the pack weren’t able to provide enough. There could be various reasons why they weren’t able to provide, but that’s none of their concern anymore.

The beast in front of them has the same instinct as to the humans, it calculates them, sizing them up and formulate the best way to break them apart. Just as hard as it gritted its teeth, its cyan eyes were also narrowed, mincing them on its thoughts.

Linda began to explain, “We will make opening for you Ken while me and Alastor will do our best to damage or cut its legs and then you will land heavy attacks on it.”

They nodded.

“Let’s go!” Linda shouted.

They divide while Ken was on the bench waiting for the right opportunity.

Alastor sprung forward. He jerked sideways and evaded its claws. Linda spun and went to its behind and managed to cut off its skin and flesh. The monster’s attention is completely disoriented when they simultaneously came after it. They retreated and began to encircle it around.

The monster didn’t wait for them and the beninghol went head to Alastor. It growls as its claws swung horizontally. Alastor managed to quickly conjure a wall, but it wasn’t strong enough to counter its attack, hence he was thrown away, but with no damage to bear.

Alastor pulled himself up from the rubble of branches of trees and logs. He was about to get back on his feet when the beninghol’s fangs stretches in front of his face. All thankfully to Ken, the beninghol was sent flying with his heavy kick.

The monster winced in pain for a moment and slowly with his dark gaze turned over to Ken. All of its murderous aura pointed into one single being.

“Don’t let your guard down, man.” Ken said.

Alastor coughed over the dust and gripped on his sword. He rose from kneeling and ignored Ken’s calling. Alastor began to sprint with his sword pointed on its target.

“Hey! Didn’t you hear what I just said?!” Ken shouted, but his words dissipated as ruffling noise of leaves scatter over the places. Ken went to the other direction.

The monster halted its movements and gazes over them, deciding which it will attack. With the given moment, the monster decides to laid its fangs to Ken. Linda and Alastor was completely ignored as beninghol dashed to Ken.

Ken paused and leaped backward. He was expecting that it’s won’t reach him, but clearly, he miscalculated it. Obviously, the best way to survive to shield his organ parts, but it would require to sacrifice his arm. He was prepared to his left arm to shield himself but Alastor’s parete invisible blocked the attack.

Ken rolled aside while the enemy breaks to pause on his tracks. Beninghol was prepared to leap. Linda’s sword grew shards and swung it to the enemy. The fractions of ice began to grow and produces another more as it shoots to the beninghol. With the glorious execution, the monster’s balanced cracks and held its breath. The beninghol felt a jolt of pain as most of the shards landed on its body.

It was an opportunity for them to kill it. It was well made decision, except that they have miss the vital part of its body.

They all sprung to the beninghol.

The monster endured the pain. Ken was caught on surprise when the monster motion and leapt sideward. Its body crashed Ken. Then, with all its might, the monster pushed its way forward. Linda quickly got out of its way, but Alastor wasn’t so lucky as the beninghol’s head tossed him aside.

Alastor felt excruciating pain swelling in his chest. He rasped for breath and in the sum of it, he manages to endure and in turn, the blood flowed properly and slowly eradicated the throbbing pain. He kneeled and shakes his head before glancing forward.

Linda broke and sped off to its legs. She successfully cuts two of its legs and immediately retreated before the claws reach her.

Alastor got on his feet. As the enemy turned around to set its attention on Linda. Ken and Alastor gather their strength. Alastor plunged his sword on top of the beninghol’s body, while Ken began to dashed. Ken’s fist flared and exploded the moment he hit the enemy.

As the monster tremble down, Alastor pushed deeper the sword and it croaks in grossing way. He dragged his sword up to its head. Blood and some chunks of its flesh spurted out and hang on Alastor’s body.

Alastor resides away, his body soaked in flesh and blood.

Alastor attempt to get closer, but Linda stopped him in midtracks.

“Stay right there.” She warned, her eyes mean it. “Gross.”

Alastor blankly stared at her.

Linda conjured a water and washed him with it. The repeating process took over 4 minutes before she was comfortable enough that he’s clean and doesn’t have unpleasant smell that would turn her stomach upside down.

“So,” Ken started, and lean his back against the tree. “What do you think? A stray or a fodder leader?”

“Both.” Alastor replied.

“A beninghol leader would only resort to cannibalism if there’s no food for it to eat, but then again it’s not an easy choice.”

Alastor heaved a sighed, “Likewise, we need more evidence to make sure we’re assuming right.” He continued and asked Linda. “By the way, since when did you learn how to use water magic?”

“Recently. I am exploring the horizons of my abilities. I found out that I’m capable not only water magic but also fire. It’s a long story.”

Ken observed the dead body of the enemy. His thoughts are on the same page of his grumbling stomach, but when laden image caught his eyes, his desires dissipated in instant.

“Guys, look what we have here.”

He rose and walk towards the humungous body. He cleared the blood and got a clear image of mark at its back. It wasn’t clear because of the cut, but it was enough as a hint to stitch their thoughts.

Again, they all drown on the same murky pool of thoughts.