The morning sun high over the wilderness,its golden rays washing over the rolling dunes.
Across this gilded hellscape, a black speck erupted—growing larger, faster. An Overload Juggernaut with two riders. Its thundering gait shattered the desert's hush, kicking up a swirling wake of dust as it charged.
"Told you this fat bastard could move," Hank barked over his shoulder, grip steady on the reins. He sat rigid as a stone despite the beast's lurching stride and its broad, flat back. Behind him, Ryan clung to his waist, face cycling between green and white.
Scattered across the dunes, sparse vegetation clung to the shifting sands. A few dried-out shrubs swayed in the breeze, and small Wild Beast scurried in and out of sight, their movements quick and wary.
A Wild Beast—like lizard, no bigger than a house cat, poked its head out from beneath the sand. Before it could dart away, the Overload Juggernaut's massive foot came crashing down, reducing it to a smear of blood and bone, quickly swallowed by the churning dust.
Ryan, still gripping Hank's waist, had started to adjust to the beast's relentless pace. "None of these little ones have Lumin Cores?" he asked over the rush of wind.
Hank didn't even glance back. "Most of 'em don't. Only the special ones."
No sooner had Hank spoken than he yanked the reins hard. The Overload Juggernaut reared, skidding to a halt in a storm of sand.
"The hell—?" Ryan leaned around Hank's bulk, squinting through the settling grit.
Not fifty yards ahead, a company of riders had halted their march. Ryan couldn't suppress a hushed exclamation: "Wild Huntguard!"
Hank gave a curt nod. "Frost Hunt." With a subtle tug of the reins, his Overload Juggernaut obediently lumbered forward toward the Wild Huntguard.
The Huntguards astride their Benthior mounts turned briefly to assess the newcomers before dismissing them, their attention snapping back to the distant horizon. As they drew closer, Ryan noticed two other Overload Juggernauts standing at the rear of the formation. His eyes widened at the sight - one beast's freight dray carried four or five massive wild beast carcasses.
"Why aren't they using bloodveil bags for those?" Ryan whispered.
Hank snorted. "Idiot. They want the stench. Bait for more game."
With that,Hank guided their Overload Juggernaut to a stop beside the Wild Huntguard's Overload Juggernauts before swinging down with a grunt, motioning for Ryan to follow as he headed toward the rear of the formation.
"Captain Kraya!" Hank called softly.
The short-haired woman in the center of the Huntguards barely acknowledged the call with a slight nod, not even bothering to turn around.
"That's Captain Kraya of Frost Hunt," Hank muttered to Ryan."Only female captain in the entire Wild Huntguard. Hired me three times before."
Ryan gave a curt nod, his gaze following the Huntguards' toward the horizon. A sudden dust storm swirled in the distance, barreling toward them. Within the haze, a massive Wild Beast charged in a frenzy, its massive form growing clearer as it closed the gap. Four Huntguards on Benthior mounts pursued it relentlessly, herding it toward the main force.
The beast's silhouette sharpened—a lion-like creature armored in shimmering silver scales, its powerful limbs carving deep gouges into the sand with each stride. A pair of curved horns crowned its head, and a scorpion-like tail lashed behind it as it ran. Arrows already jutted from its hide, trails of blood streaking down its scales. Every time it tried to veer off, the Huntguards cut it off with precision, forcing it back toward the waiting kill zone.
"That's a Scorntail,"Hank said under his breath.
As the Scorntail drew nearer, a broadsword-wielding Huntguard licked his lips, eyes alight with anticipation. "Captain, let me take it."
Kraya gave a single nod. "Go."
The broadsword-wielding Huntguard leapt from his Benthior, landing in a crouch before surging forward. His calloused hand found the hilt of the massive blade strapped across his back. With a practiced twist of his torso, he drew the weapon in one fluid motion—steel flashing cold in the sunlight. Feet planted, he charged straight at the Scorntail.
Kraya's command cracked like a whip: "Dren, move up. Don't dawdle."
"Captain!"A twin-dagger Huntguard burst into motion.
The broadsword-wielding Huntguard had already closed the distance. The wounded Scorntail whirled toward this new threat, lunging with fangs bared. The Huntguard pivoted at the last second, two-handed grip angling his blade upward in a devastating rising slash. Steel met scale with a spray of sparks—the beast's massive form lifted clean off its feet before crashing into the dunes.
As the Scorntail struggled to rise, the broadsword-wielding Huntguard and Dren—twin daggers gleaming—struck in unison. Their coordination was flawless, the assault surgical: the broadsword's crushing arcs hammered down while dagger strikes flickered like serpent tongues, probing armored gaps. Three heartbeats. The beast collapsed in a dust cloud, its final mournful cry swallowed by the sands.
Ryan watched the scene in awe, his mind reeling.
So, this is the Wild Huntguard... They're incredible!
He couldn't help but compare them, and from their strength, speed, and swordplay, it was clear they far surpassed the guards he'd seen on the city walls.
It seems that only the best of the best can join the Wild Huntguard.
As he thought this,Dren drove his dagger through the Scorntail's skull with a wet crunch. A practiced twist, then he shook his head at Kraya. No Lumin Core.
Kraya gave a small nod, unfazed, as if she'd seen this outcome a thousand times before.
"Scavengers!" Kraya barked.
Two scavengers rode up on their Overload Juggernauts to the Scorntail's carcass. They yanked the embedded arrows free, wiped the bloodstains clean with practiced efficiency, and returned them to the Huntguards. With a grunt, they hoisted the three-meter-long carcass and heaved it onto a freight dray.
A scout from Frost Hunt came galloping up on his Benthior, kicking up sand. "Captain! Ironfang pack tracks spotted due west!"
A flicker of predatory gleam crossed Kraya's face. "Lead the way."
Frost Hunt mobilized instantly, riding hard after the scout. Within heartbeats, only Hank and Ryan remained in the settling dust.
Ryan smirked. "Captain Kraya didn't even glance your way. You sure she remembers you?"
Hank replied with a hint of resignation."She's just... not the warm type."
He glanced up at the sun, gauging the time. "Come on, we should get moving too."