Chapter 100: [100] The Difference Between Us
Xavier’s feet found traction on the packed snow as he sprinted toward the fallen dagger. The steel blade lay half-buried in white powder, its blue-tinted metal almost glowing in the dim light. Behind him, he could hear the Vorthak’s claws scraping against frozen ground as the massive predator wheeled around to pursue.
Fifteen feet. Ten. Five.
His fingers closed around the weapon’s leather-wrapped hilt just as the beast’s shadow fell over him. Xavier rolled left, the dagger clutched tight against his chest, and felt the rush of displaced air as six-inch claws swept through the space his head had occupied a heartbeat before.
The blade was heavier than expected, designed for someone with more muscle mass than his lean frame. But it felt right in his grip—balanced, deadly, purposeful. The metal radiated cold that bit through his gloves, making his fingers ache within seconds.
Gunnar’s crossbow sang. The bolt caught the Vorthak high on its left shoulder, punching through crystalline fur and drawing a spray of dark blood that steamed when it hit the snow. The creature’s roar shook ice from nearby pine branches, a sound that belonged in nightmares rather than waking reality.
"Nice shot," Xavier called out, circling away from the beast while keeping low. His Input Buffer registered the successful dodge, bringing him to 20 out of 250 points.
"I’ve got two more bolts," Gunnar shouted back, already working to reload his weapon. "Make them count!"
The Vorthak turned its attention to the trader for a moment. It took one step toward Gunnar before Xavier deliberately scraped the dagger’s blade against a nearby rock, the metallic screech cutting through the mountain air.
"Hey, ugly! Over here!"