Taxman

After burying the body, I noticed we got another skill point. Are we getting pity or trauma points? Maybe the points are just a mechanic to convince people to keep playing? 

I think I'll need to invest it in stealth. The panther tasted human meat and didn't even get to fill its belly. It will definitely keep its eyes on us, but with even more killing intent. We need to counter-attack. There is no other way, it'll have to be hunter versus hunter. 

I don't know what did the others get, but after feeling so powerless, I'm willing to bet the fact that Biel made a bamboo spear makes his choice pretty clear. 

Joy isn't much different, that sword is now adorning her waist. She was very shaken by the event, and she is still introspective.

"You think she is alright?" I ask Biel.

"It was hard on all of us, specially on her. But she doesn't look depressive. It looks a lot more like she is in meditation."

He is right, but I'm still kinda worried. 

I decide to talk to her, but before I take a single step, her posture gets erect and her facial expression changes. There is a new glow to her eyes, and she opens her mouth as if she is going to scream EUREKA or something. 

CRACK 

A sound to my left. My hand instantly moves to my back, where I was keeping the bow, as I jump away from it. Biel and Joy also ready their weapons.

It is nothing but an old man, though. Long white hair and beard. He is using a cane and moving slowly, but seemingly as a choice, since he still has proper posture and he got here barely making any sound. 

I haven't seen anyone that looked past their twenties, but this guy is at least in his fifties. This is definitely not just a feeble old man. 

I don't feel threatened, though. He is smiling, and his eyes are more curious than anything else. Maybe we were too surprised to say anything, so he starts the conversation while sitting close to a tree trunk.

"Oh, what do we have here, such an adventurous bunch. Oh! To be young and reckless. Didn't like the cities?"

My body is still stiff, my guard is still high. Cannot know if he is trustworthy. But I answer frankly.

"We didn't get the chance to visit."

"Oh, really? Fascinating. Good thing we met so early, then. I wish I met every single person in this world. Everybody has been so fascinating."

He says while gazing into the sky in a hopeful expression. And then continues.

"How have you been liking it so far? This world."

"Cannot say it was my favorite week." I answer, sarcastically. 

"Ohoohohoho" 

His laughter is heavy, but genuine. I'm glad at least someone is happy here. it does relax me a bit, and I manage a smile in response.

He looks around, as if searching for something between the three of us. He gets up and smiles at Joy. Is this one of those stereotypical perverted old man? 

"Oh, what a beautiful lady. You look like you realized something important. I love hearing about those."

She gives a charming smile. I won't disagree with him on that, she looks great right now. 

"I cannot say I realized something. There aren't words to describe, and I don't even know if it pertains to logic or moral. I think it is outside both of them. But I know it is truth, maybe not the whole truth, but it is true and beautiful, even though it might feel terrible and hurtful sometimes."

The old man looks as if he gets it. I have not a single clue of what she is talking about. She goes on, now tenderly looking at the sword. I feel moisture moving all around, and there is a somewhat sad, but protective feeling to it.

"It might not be rational or good, but isn't nonsense or bad. It is just another aspect of the things that simply are."

The old guy interjects with

"Maybe even a more genuine aspect."

And that seems to make her think even deeper. 

He pats her head and concludes while walking away. 

"Keep that up, I hope to hear your better developed thoughts in the future. I can see something is hurting you, remember tears can help with the healing."

He vanishes, making as much noise as when he arrives.

I hope the Jaguar doesn't get to him … Biel seems to be thinking like me, as he immediately remarks:

"I don't understand who that was or what you were talking about, but we have to do something about the Onça." 

Biel doesn't even look confused. I'm pretty sure he ignored everything after she said it didn't 'pertain' to logic. But he is right, and I won't waste my time trying to understand it.

We decide that they will walk east, to the river bank, while making some noise, to alert and bait it. 

I'll ambush it. I'll be ready to strike before it can pounce. 

I keep calm. I can hear them walking, they're breaking sticks and foliage. I cannot hear the Jaguar. I start moving. I look at the floor for the less brittle, more live leaves or bare patches. 

Each step is slow, deliberate. I know what to look for, but my body still fights the skill — every movement feels forced.

I cannot split my concentration, I need to sporadically stop to try to hear it. 

I'm getting further and further from the others, at least 400 meters right now. If they get attacked, will I be even close enough to help? Damn, I'm getting nervous, but I cannot right now. I have to nip these feelings in the bud. Concentration in the task at hand only.

Count ten steps. Stop. 500 meters from them. Hear for it. Nothing.

Ten steps. Stop. 600 meters from them. Hear for it ... 

It is following them! It is closer than I am by at least 300 meters. And it is moving faster than me.

Tsk … I cannot run. I'm alone, it'll get me.

At least I can go straight for them without stopping.

…

They stopped. They must have reached the river bank.

I'm at least 700 hundred meters far from them. Within two hundred, I probably would be able to see the Panther and try to take it out.

Please, I need to make it in time! 

600m

500m 

The Panther stopped moving. It's reading to attack? Cannot be ...

THUMP

They are making loud sounds. They must have realized I was very slow and are trying to scare and delay the beast?

400m 

300m

They stopped. Probably think I'm close enough. I am not ...

200 m 

I can see the panther between trees. It is readying itself. 

I'll have to hit it from here. It is a very hard shot, lots of natural obstacles.

Steady my aim. It is dead center. Move it a bit upwards. 

It stopped moving, found its angle.

Steady. Feel the wind. Left to right. Adjusting right. Front to back. Draw the string a little harder.

It is moving it's hips, ready to bounce.

Steady. Breath. Steady. 

Shoot.

SWOOSH

I hit its belly. It is not lethal. My heart is pounding. It looks at me. It knows, and it will not forgive. 

I need to reunite. I start running towards my friends, towards safety. 

I can see them. I am sa ...

RARWW

Oh shit! It pounced on me. My left arm cannot even delay it. I can feel the teeth puncturing my neck and its paw holding my shoulder down.

[TEAR FROM ANOTHER WORLD]

Suddenly, the floor below me becomes very muddy. Both me and the beast are sinking. My wounds are closing faster than the panther's closing mouth, my body is pushing its teeth out. Tissue being reformed, skin unbroken.

There is a huge dark blue water droplet above us, which is dripping, and everywhere it does I can feel rejuvenated, healed. 

The droplet explodes and Joy strikes. It is messy, desperate — but it digs deep into the panther’s neck.

I don't understand anything, but I'm pretty sure we won!