Monster in the Woods [Job/Solo]

ingyi glanced at the empty bunk of Kasen, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. It was almost night-out, and the soldier almost never stayed out this late. Looking towards the other members of the room, one finally spoke up to answer the unasked question.

"There's this monster that's been terrorizing this one town.
It's right out on the edge of the empire, but it's in big trouble. They already sent quite the amount of soldiers over to deal with it, since it's the last thing we need. All of them either died or are too hurt to go back to work," She muttered, about to go quiet when she spotted the startled and worried look on Jingyi (and several others) face. "O-Oh! Kasen's just in the hospital, not dead." She hastily added, rubbing the back of her neck as the soldier turned her head away.

Knowing all that she needed to know now, Jingyi sat down on her own bed, clasping her hands in front of her. She was a good fighter, better than Bunta if you asked her, and Jingyi knew some stuff about beasts now. She figured that if she went against the beast, she could actually defeat it?

Smiling now, Jingyi nodded her her head in conviction. She'll find out first thing in the morning where the beast is and how to get there. With that thought in mind, Jingyi got up and followed the others to the shower to get ready for bed.

The following day, Jingyi could be found asking around about the beast. Most of her answers were, "on the edge of Kou" and, "don't do it, Jingyi". Though, most warnings against going out to face the monster were said half-heartily, seeing how almost everyone who knew the soldier knew that she wouldn't back down when her mind was set on something. Especially if it dealt with topics of fighting someone or something.

Spotting a good companion of her's, Jingyi walked over to a black-haired soldier and grabbed him by the soldier. The man in question glanced in surprise at her, before sighing softly. The redhead stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest, her smile curling into a proud smirk. She knew that he would tell her what she wanted.

"I know what you're going to ask, Jingyi, so don't bother." He began with a drawn-out sigh, his eyes half closing in annoyance. "The Beast is by some town named Okibura, down by the Jade Dragon Mountains. Not quite there, though the ride is still a trip," He revealed, his eyes opening as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Be careful, alright? The beast is real nasty and smart, so watch yourself. Anything else you wanted to know? Oh, and tell Officer Kurian that you're gonna be heading there so you don't get in trouble when you get home," Jozu finished, dropping his hand to his side as he looked down at the smaller girl, who simply thanked him and smile.

Watching him walk away to whatever paperwork that the soldier was heading off to do, Jingyi turned on her heel.  After a trip to Officer Kurain's office to talk to him, the redhead hurriedly packed a change of clothes and Windcutter before escaping the base.

First, Jingyi had to travel to the nearest town and find some sort of transportation that would take her to her destination. While there, most of the rumors were about the beast: some sort of monster with three heads. One of a goat, a lion, and a viper, if they were true. But, rumors are rumors, and people will always stretch a story to make it interesting. Jingyi supposed that it was probably some sort of huge lion and that some of the soldiers had overexaggerated the beast in order to explain their defeat.

There weren't many people who were willing to travel out to the area, and it took a while before Jingyi found a caravan that was heading to the Jade Dragon Mountains. While they wouldn't drop her off at Okibura's doors, they were willing to get her as close as they could. Jingyi rode with the group for a day or two before she was told that they would go no further, at which point she paid them for their trouble.

After spending some time walking through some open land, Jingyi eventually found herself at Okibura. The town had some walls hastily erected in meager protection, with the only opening guarded by a group of men dressed in shabby armor.

When she approached and informed them that she was there to slay the monster, there was an obvious look of both relief and worry. She had come alone to fight a beast who has been taking down groups of soldiers. But if the thoughts of her squadron wouldn't discourage Jingyi from fighting the beast, it was sure that a random group of villagers wouldn't stop her.

fter spending time talking around town for information about the beast, Jingyi finally set off to confront it. That's how she found herself batting aside shrubbery as she trekked through the forest. It was a rather dense one, and luckily for her the redhead found a path carved out by a previous search group.

Jingyi had her sword unsheathed as she traveled down the crude path, her red eyes peeled wide for any signs. While the forest wasn't extremely dark, it was dense in the sense that it was hard to see far off. While Jingyi was certain that she would spot the monster before it reached her, with her limited senses she could not tell if the beast had already found her and if it was stalking her.

The soldier came to a brief stop as she looked around her position, eyes narrowing in concentration. There weren't any signs of a monster tracking her, but there was a silence to the air. Most forests had some sort of noise occurring always. The sound of birds chirping, the creaking of the trees, the whistling breeze. Forests are meant to be alive and moving, but this one seemed to have its breath held in. While the trees were certainly healthy if Jingyi had to guess, she was no tree expert after all, but there was a dead silence. It was as if the very woods themselves were scared. Maybe the rumors about the beast were right?

"C'mon, Jingyi! Three-headed beasts? I mean, sure I have a lightning goat, but a monster with three heads? That can't be true." She told herself, the girl chuckling in amusement as she smiled good-heartedly. Jingyi looked down at her sword before raising her head. If she wanted to get this beast killed then she needed to get a move on, already.

Keeping Windcutter drawn, Jingyi continued to walk down the "path". She almost didn't spot it when she initially entered the forest, but luckily for her, she noticed the unnatural space between shrubbery and the kicked aside rocks. She wasn't sure how many people before her tried to defeat the beast, but they probably were the ones who cleared the path. And if she was right, it should lead her straight to its bedroom, no? Well, the monster's kitchen at least.

Jingyi turned her head from side to side as she kept a vigil watch about her. Of course, she was careful to watch her feet as well to ensure she wouldn't trip, but keeping an eye out for surprise attacks were much more important.

It was around morning time when Jingyi entered the silent forest, but now it was around noon to her. The sun was overhead, but that didn't make much of difference. There was more than enough light to see where she was going, but it wasn't as bright as it would be out in similar forests. But that wouldn't matter anymore, Jingyi realized as she saw the path "opening" up in front of.

She couldn't be sure if the monster was straight ahead, but walking out in the open probably wasn't the smartest idea, one would think. But Jingyi's thing was to fight, not to have foresight or think ahead. Hopefully, that would change about the girl future.

Following the path straight into a clearing like an area, Jingyi smelt the mess before she saw it. She wasn't sure how badly hurt those in the hospital were due to the beast, but if they were lucky if they didn't end up like those stuck in the clearing.

Their bodies hung from low-hanging limbs like meat from hook. Some of them were already chomped on, just the remains of food for the dangerous beast. The beast who was resting right in front, the arm of a soldier as its delicious snack. It spotted her before she spotted it, and with a roar, it jumped to its feet.

Looking ahead, the soldier could feel her stomach drop as she looked over her opponent. Its paws were probably the size of her head, and on its shoulders rested two awkward heads. One was that of a goat, though its teeth was sharper than what a goat should have for teeth, and from its head sprouted two painful looking horns. Its companion head was that of that of a massive lion, its mane tangled and its chin matted with dry blood. Its lips pulled back to reveal dreadful fangs. The worst part was its eyes. It was watchful, intellignet, and full of malice. As if he was a rageful king and she was a horrible beggar who dared approach him.

The beast, which Jingyi dubbed Chimera, roared once more. It seemed to vibrate the soldier herself as she held Windcutter in front of her, her knuckles white around the hilt. She wouldn't admit it, but she probably should have listened to those who advised her against going.

With a deadly speed, the Chimera rushed forwards, its claws primed to tear her soft body apart. But Jingyi braced herself, her heels digging into the ground and launched herself towards the charging Goat Ram. She used more energy than she usually did for Power Step, but it saved her as she outmaneuvered the beast's attack. With the speed of a Deadman, Jingyi turned around to face her opponent and raised her blade. She was not going to die here, in some lonely forest. Certainly not at the hands of some primal animal. She had better things in store for her, Jingyi told herself.

The chimera roared in frustration, angered that a lowly peasant at the gall to not drop dead at its paws. Turning around, it began to circle Jingyi, its three dark eyes watching. There, Jingyi spotted the third head; a head of a viper. Its maw parted to hiss threateningly, a hood popping as it revealed long fangs. No doubt, it dreamt of using them against Jingyi, to poison her and make her body drop and writhe from its venom.

Again, the lion lunged forwards, its jaws spreading in preparation to chomp down on its meal's pretty red head. Though, Jingyi was ready. Her knees were bent, her feet shoulder-width apart, and her sword held in her clan's iconic Mamushi Stance. The chimera soared nearer, and then Jingyi spun. Windcutter's tassel blurred, catching the beast's eye as the blade stretched outwards. The chimera's throat caught on the edge of the sword, and due to Spinning Tassel's momentum, the beast was thrown aside. It fell, sliding briefly and coming to a stop. Its mighty legs stretched out in front of it, its body shaking as it rapidly bled. The goat head gave a feeble "baaa", the lion remained quiet, and the snake hissed and dropped into the dirt. With final trembles, its life ebbed away, leaving the creature. Now its own blood matted its mane, and Jingyi left there with its uneaten meals. Strong as she was, she doubted that she could drag the beast home to prove her victory.