The Jingo

The Jingo Part 1

Being an adventurer meant exploring the world and slaying giant monsters. The upstart knight Clyde held that ideal close to his heart as he enters his first guild. The Holy knight guild was one he had his eye on since he was a child. Fawning over the many knights, lancers, and warriors that were employed there. Now he was finally living that dream. Wearing his standard armor and an iron sword, Clyde entered the guild. His team consisted of a mage, a priest, and a hunter. The mage was his childhood friend Hamil, a boy of shorter stature and thick-rimmed glasses. He followed Clyde's dream and wished to see it come true, so he joined the same guild. The priest was from a local church, her name Marybelle. She was proficient in holy magic and healing, making her a great asset to the team. Their hunter was the daughter of a well-known mercenary, knowing the lay of the land better than all three combined. Her name was Robin and she only agreed to help for the guild pay. Today, they planned on taking on a Demon boar. It had been sighted on the outskirts of town preying on local merchants. Because of its intervention, supplies weren't making it to town. It was only a matter of time before the boar decided to attack the town or the townspeople died first. Not many guild members wanted to take the job because it was low pay, due to the fact the merchants were the only ones at risk for now. There wouldn't be much of a reward, but Clyde couldn't ignore the townspeople needing help. "We cannot let this continue, let's protect the town!" he cheered.

His group followed along the trail leading to the forest. The Demon Boars tracks led deep into the forest. The trees became taller and the leaves thicker. With the lack of sunlight, everyone was on edge. "Stay close, this boar will pick us off if we aren't careful" Robin warned. Her sharp eyes scanned the perimeter for any sign of the beast, but nothing appeared. Hamil prepared a defensive spell, in case the beast charged them. Marybelle hung close to Robin, she wasn't trained in aggressive combat and was the perfect target. Clyde led the group with his shield raised, he would protect his team no matter what. There was a rustling sound in the distance, and everyone turned to the sound. Another rustle, this time closer made them jump. Robin could feel the ground shake slightly, the boar was close! "Look alive, this thing will kill us!" Robin warned. Hamil raised a barrier around everyone, preparing for the attack. Everything was silent, the trees, the leaves, and even the wind had gone silent. No one moved, let alone breathe. A loud growl echoed in the forest clearing and the earth shook under them. A strong breeze blew by, but it smelled bad. "Ugh, what's with this wind?" Marybelle covered her nose in disgust. "That isn't wind, it's breath" Hamil warned. The trees made way as a large black boar entered their line of sight. Red marks stretched around its body and its horns were blue. The beast kicked back it's leg, pushing back the earth. A sign of attack. "Everyone, get ready to attack!" Clyde ordered. The boar charged them with its horns low to stab them.

Hamil's barrier withstood the attack, stunning the beast for a few moments. "Now!" Clyde yelled. Marybelle reinforced them with defensive magic, stepping back from the fight. Clyde swung his sword to cut the front leg of the beast. Robin shot an arrow into its eye, blinding it for the moment. The boar staggered backward, trying to shake the arrow from its eye. Hamil cast a fireball at the beast, making it squeal loudly. Clyde and Robin both cut the other legs, rendering the Demon Boar lame. "Now the finishing kill" Clyde struck the underbelly of the boar, killing it instantly. "We did it!" Marybelle cheered, healing her friend's wounds as they gathered around it. "I'm glad that went well, I was worried for a moment" Hamil confessed. "Let's just cut the head off and get back to the guild. We're not getting paid to stand around" Robin complained. "Yes, the townspeople will rest easier tonight once they know we have slain the beast" Clyde agreed. Before anyone could move, slow clapping began. The clapping became louder as the person clapping drew closer. "Well done, you killed my little experiment" a voice announced. Clyde and his group turned to a man who walked out of the forest shade. "I was worried it would have made a terrible mess, but I have you to thank for quelling it" he continued. "W-who is that?" Marybelle cried out as she hid behind Robin. "Back off, it's our kill" Robin warned. "Your kill? If I wanted it dead, I would have killed it a long time ago" the mysterious man argued. "Then, did you mean to terrorize our town?" Hamil asked. "Terrorize your town? Was that what it was doing? That would explain the bones..." the man mumbled aloud. Clyde stepped forward, brandishing his sword. "You fiend, how could you do something like this?" he asked. The man stared at Clyde's sword with little interest.