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"Nevermore: a species of avian Grimm with features akin to those of a crow or condor. Size may vary from specimen to specimen, but the average adult is well above three times the height of a human. The exoskeleton covering the body has repeatedly been estimated to be of category three, one of the most durable and resilient among all varieties of Grimm. Often, the Nevermore has been observed to exhibit traits of intelligent behavior when hunting its prey. There are recorded instances of this species implementing complex strategies and adapting to the movements of perceived threats with striking resourcefulness. Due to these reasons, the Nevermore has been classified as a B-tier in the HAS."
"The Huntsmen Association Standard (or HAS) ranks Grimm according to the level of danger they pose to the safety of humans and civilization as a whole. D-tier Grimm are generally weak enough that a single trained huntsman should be able to take them down with relative ease; C-tiers are significantly harder to dispose of, but a skilled enough huntsman should still be able to do it on their own. Starting from B-tier, the species registered are considered to be far too powerful for a single person to defeat. Therefore, it should be clearly stated that, according to the professionals of the field, to confront a Nevermore alone is highly likely to result in an unfavorable outcome."
When she had stumbled upon a journal entry detailing the characteristics of such an imposing creature, Ruby had been utterly captivated. The glory of a hero's tale, she thought, could only match the magnitude of the perilous trials and tribulations they could overcome. Thus, as she gazed at the horrific silhouette lunging forwards with its crooked beak and sharp talons, the girl felt a profound sense of gratitude. However, Ruby's prodigious composure was ever so slightly perturbed by Jaune screaming right next to hear ear.
"So THAT's a Nevermore?!"
The group of candidates, bar Jaune, had fully prepared for battle. They were all, except for Jaune, facing toward the oncoming target with expressions of determination, concentration and, in the case of Yang and Nora, giddy excitement. Meanwhile, Jaune was struggling to figure out what to do with himself. Ruby had all but stopped acknowledging his presence and everyone else seemed in too serious a mood for him to just casually approach. More importantly, a creature straight out of his worst nightmares was moving toward them very quickly with what he correctly assumed to be murderous intent.
The young man took a look at his weapons: a traditional sword and shield, which, unlike most other weapons in the modern era, were NOT also guns. Though he had always considered the practice of turning every mundane object into a gun to be ludicrous and unnecessary, at that particular time the lack of a projectile had left Jaune in a very difficult situation. Going for a melee strike on an enemy that large and dangerous might have very well been the equivalent on dancing on the edge of one's own grave. No. There had to be some other alternative. Jaune stood back and took note of his companions' equipment.
Luckily, most of them carried 'also-gun' weaponry, though he was unsure whether Weiss' rapier could attack at a distance. Pyrrha also seemed to be limiting herself to traditional weapons, even if her immaculate combat prowess practically overwrote any possible downsides stemming from that fact. As he was still trying to figure out some sort of strategy, the Nevermore finally got close enough to where the flapping of its wings created strong currents of air that made the forest (and Jaune's legs) tremble. The young man was paralyzed by a mixture of fear and awe, but the aspiring huntsmen and huntresses in front of him did not hesitate.
