Red Snow [Monster Hunter Story] /english ver.

Chapter 8

The pressure weighing down on her almost made her knees give in.

She felt as if her heart would burst out of her chest at any moment. Runa's mind was filled with thoughts of what would happen should she miss the arrows...

She was about to break down before she remembered what Brandon told her earlier. How he always knew what to say to push her confidence and make her feel better.

Even though he wasn't with her right now, his words still echoed within her head. It suddenly became clear to her that there was one thing she could always be sure of.

Brandon was trusting her.

Finally understanding that there were people relying on her gave her the edge to overcome her insecurities. After all, she didn't become a Huntress to let her friends down, now when they needed her the most.

With her newfound courage she took a deep breath and clenched her teeth. Then she fired the first arrow.

Direct hit! Right in the beast's left arm.

The monster roared in pain and slightly shifted to the side, but it wasn't enough to stop its charge just yet. The neurotoxin needed some time to take full effect.

She aimed for her second shot.

Another hit! This time barely bellow the Blangonga's throat. Regardless of the pain, the creature still kept on running. The distance between Tess and the monster kept getting closer by the second.

"Come on..." Runa gritted her teeth as she drew her bow for the next arrow.

She hit again, but still no reaction.

"Come on..!"

She missed. A strong gust of wind knocked her arrow off path. The monster was now dangerously close - her next shot would be her last chance.

"COME ON!!"

As the arrow darted off the bowstring, Tess dove right past Runa and landed in the snow behind her.

The tip of the arrow burrowed itself straight into the open wound Brandon's greatsword left on the beast's shoulder.

The yellow liquid merged with the monster's blood, which caused it to let out an agonizing scream.

The Blangonga's muscles cramped up and within a few seconds it was lying on the ground howling.

Its whole body was writhing inpain.

"I... I did it."

==========

Brandon gently shook his unconscious comrade and tapped him on the cheek. A wave of relief overcame him when he saw Donniel finally opening his eyes.

"Wha- what happened? Where..?" he gasped as Brandon helped him sitting up.

"Careful partner," he supported him with his arm, "It really got you this time, man. Straight hit in the back. Honestly, I'm glad to see you still in one piece after that."

Donniel turned his head away before spitting out beside him. He left a slightly red spot in the snow, that didn't go unnoticed by Brandon.

"Ha! You know me! Since when is that enough to stop me, huh?" he put on a smug smile, but the pain was still obvious on his face, "I've had worse."

"I know Donniel. If it had been any of us... Well, the situation would be very different."

Brandon reached into his pocked to reveal a small leather bag, which he promptly handed over to Donniel.

"Still, take these. Just in case."

Donniel opened the bag and poured its contents onto his glove.

"What's this stuff?" he questioned as he examined a couple of small white stones in his hand.

"Those are lifecrystals. Hard to get a hold of, but they work wonders to numb the pain. Just chew them up, effect kicks in pretty fast."

"Ah it's not that bad," he waved it off, "My head's spinning a bit, that's about it. It's so damn cold here, I don't feel a thing anyways."

Brandon secured the barrel bombs under his arms and turned to follow Tess.

"Decide yourself. The girls are currently occupying the monster. I'll head back to them; make sure to catch up as soon as you can. I know we're so close to beating that thing."

The next moment he was already gone, into the chaotic mess of the blizzard.

After Donniel picked himself up, he was shocked to see how far the Blangonga actually launched him. He hastily began searching for his equipment, which he luckily had no trouble finding scattered around him.

He attached the shield to his arm and threw the lance over his shoulder.

The instant the heavy weapon weighed down on him, a stinging pain ran through his entire body.
He immediately dropped the lance and fell down on one knee.

"Argh, fucking hell!"

Heavily breathing, he pulled out the small bag once more.

"Ah, whatever... Got me good that little fucker, eh?"

While throwing the crystalline medicine into his mouth, he picked up his lance again and followed Brandon's footprints through the storm.