"Adrian… be careful, that's a Grizzlejack and a full grown one at that," Celeste whispered as she grabbed for her bow. "They aren't super dangerous but if they get the jump on you… let's just say you better hope you have a friend nearby,"
When we walked into the clearing where the manor sat, a large bear-like creature was out front grazing, it had not noticed our approach from the wood line.
As it grazed the sunlight that filtered through the tops of the tree, glimmered off of its two short horns, each sharp like a sword with a tight zigzag in the middle.
"Should I charge… keep its attention?" I asked as I tightened the grip on my spear, ready to pounce on the word.
"Think you can handle it?" She asked, pulling an arrow back. "I can cover your rear… don't hesitate, or you'll end up food."
Nodding her way in assurance, I started walking slowly toward the creature, watching every move it made as I walked; the closer I got the harder my heart slammed in my chest. Once I was close enough, I lowered myself into a rushing stance, spear pointed forward straight at its head.
I imagined every possible scenario, most led to me taking some kind of blow from the beast. Knowing my new cute elf companion was behind me I had to choose the best one, to make sure we both were safest.
I ran forward yelling as loud as I could, my nerves forcing the air from my lungs. Noticing me it raised up on its hind legs, doubled its size and roared.
"Take this!" I yelled as I jabbed at its head.
My spear finding flesh but stopping at the bone, I pulled it back quickly waiting for some kind of retaliation. The Grizzlejack had raised its paw in the air, readying a strike.
Something whooshed by my head, landing square in the center of the bear's paw. An arrow shot from behind.
"Get back!"
Rolling out of the way using the brief opening Celeste gave me to regroup, backing myself up to Celeste.
"Thanks… I thought he was gonna hit me with those claws!" I shouted, steading my nerves further. "You're a really good shot Celeste, you saved my ass,"
Running back in for another attack, I planted my feet hard with every step. The beast responded to me by rushing in my direction, head bowed down and its horns pointed forward.
The distance closed in a blur of gray fur and kicking dirt. The Grizzlejack didn't just charge; it threw its entire massive weight behind those zigzag horns. I didn't flinch. I gritted my teeth, planting my feet as the beast's shadow swallowed me whole.
At the last possible second, I twisted, aiming my spear for its throat, but the creature was faster than its bulk suggested. It jerked its head, and instead of a clean kill, I felt a white-hot explosion of pain in my left shoulder.
The serrated horn tore through my leather guard and sank deep into the meat of my arm. The force of the impact sent me stepping backward, my feet leaving the ground as I was tossed aside like a ragdoll. I hit the grass hard, the air driven from my lungs in a ragged wheeze.
"Adrian!" Celeste's scream was sharp, cutting through the roar of the beast.
I rolled onto my side, clutching my shoulder as the Grizzlejack skidded to a halt, turning its massive body to finish the job. My blood was already hot and sticky, soaking through the fabric of my tunic.
I didn't give it a chance to charge again. I reached into that pool of warmth at my center, ignoring the sharp spike in my head as I burned the mana. A faint, golden light flickered around my palm, and I felt the jagged tear in my shoulder begin to tingle and knit.
I scrambled to my feet just as another arrow hissed through the air, thudding deep into the Grizzlejack's neck. The beast let out a wet, gurgling sound, its legs buckling.
I didn't hesitate. I lunged forward, sliding low across the grass and driving my spear upward, right through the soft underside of its jaw. The tip crunched into bone and stayed there. The creature gave one final, violent shudder before its head slumped into the dirt.
Silence returned to the clearing, broken only by my heavy, ragged breathing.
"You idiot! You absolute, reckless idiot!" She screamed as tears formed in her eyes.
Celeste was a whirlwind of movement, skidding to her knees beside me before the dust had even settled. She reached out, her hands trembling as they hovered over the bloody mess of my sleeve. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and a growing, flickering anger.
"I told you not to hesitate!" she hissed, though she looked like she wanted to pull me into a hug as much as she wanted to slap me. "You almost let it gut you!"
I let out a shaky, triumphant laugh, leaning back against the cooling carcass of the beast. "But I didn't. And hey... the manor's all ours now, right?"
I looked up at her, and despite the pain, I couldn't help but notice the way her chest heaved with every panicked breath, her focus entirely, desperately fixed on me.
"Check your shoulder," she said, her voice softening just a fraction as she realized I wasn't going to bleed out in the grass. "And do it right this time. I'm not carrying you into that house."
As I healed my shoulder the rest of the way, a dick shaped panel appeared in my vision.
[ QUEST: Clear the Harem Manor: COMPLETE ]
[ Grizzlejack Killed +100XP ]
[ Level Up! ]
[ Adrian Bater LVL. 5 ]
As I dismissed the flaccid system screen, a soft voice called from inside.
"That's my bedroom!"
Laughing as I followed her voice inside. The manor on the inside was massive, two floors, multiple bedrooms and a long table sat in the center of what would become the dining hall. Dust covered every possible inch of the structure and multiple pieces of wood looked rotted.
"Guess this is home now…" I said as I took the sight in, my excitement building by the second. "Where are you Celeste? I don't see you."
She popped out of one of the rooms upstairs and leaned over the railing, a bright grin on her face as she looked down over the floor. She repeated herself while pointing at the room she had come from as she walked down the steps.
Unannounced my penis pal system panel sprang back into my view.
[ New Harem Candidate Near ]
At that very moment a noise came from the front door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK