Mediator (Level 1)
EXP: 3/5
Alexander - West Slums
There was little time to focus on the other participants, but from the corner of his eye he would see many. Having a Chocobo afforded him great mobility when changing his location - a capability that he used to rapidly move between spots with monster activity. While at first he would mostly have a clear line of sight and manage to aim his shots to his enemies prior to withdrawing, increasingly he would find other participants already engaging their enemies. As he shot down an already-wounded Coeurl that was about to strike down a fighter, the audience cheered and Rote beneath him let out a slight "Kweh".
"What do you mean "We don't get points for helping out others"?" Dyranor asked with a small laugh before pulling the reins to turn to another alleyway.
Sure this was a competition but the Elvaan probably felt less of a sense of rivalry than was expected. Perhaps even to an extent that his Chocobo would seem more competitive. The Chocobo with bright-red feathers in its crest did help attract some attention. Competitors had varying reactions to him, but then, most were finding their own methods of fighting monsters. Some formed parties. Some were perhaps even formed prior to the festival and entered as teams. Rote and Dyranor would probably be some form of the latter. The other participants that heard his rifle and noticed him turn his Chocobo prior to relocating seemed quite determined not to lose to this duo and fought quite bravely.
Still on the run, Dyranor reloaded his rifle. The center of Alexander certainly provided ample prey. The Coeurl must have become his seventh kill, if his estimate was correct. Still, many hunters had picked this area as their hunting ground. The greater number had to be released here, in Central Alexander. But the monsters' path wasn't likely to be completely blocked by the various fighters. A few wounded participants seen withdrawing or recuperating proved to Dyranor that the beasts had slipped by them and into other areas of the city. If he moved now, then perhaps he would still manage to chase down a few before the others got a drop on them. Sword, gun, spell, bow, lance - there was no limit to what those taking part in the festival were using to bring down monsters around here. And that meant no limit to those he'd have to compete with if he stayed in the place the majority of hunters was using. Relocation became a matter of keeping up.
Determined to pursue an advantageous position, the Elvaan directed his trusty Chocobo towards the West Slums. They stopped once there with Dyranor listening carefully to his surroundings. Of course the sounds of fighting were here too, but the onlookers were somewhat less interested in the narrow streets, their cheering becoming a somewhat more distant background noise. When he continued moving it was at a slower pace, both him and his Chocobo understanding the need for some more discretion right now. In a way the rhythm of the hunt became less frantic here... But not for long. A sound made Dyranor turn in his saddle, rifle primed and ready to shoot. However at the other end of the street was not a monster - he saw a youth. As he observed the mage hat he lowered his rifle, feeling some slight relief and even smiling briefly at a fellow competitor.
This moment of calm however was short-lived. An urgent and alarmed noise came from his Chocobo and Dyranor turned, distracted from the young black mage before they could exchange greetings. Luckily it was still in time to see an enemy he'd yet to encounter. With a lithe scaled body and an elongated muzzle full of needle-like teeth, it was a Verian Raptor. The creature showed up on the opposite end of the street. Needless to say its intents were clear. Dyranor was pretty sure Rote wouldn't be able to start moving fast enough to run from it. He could only see one for now, but others could have been coming too. Raising his rifle once more, he fired a shot, but the beast jumped to the side, hissing angrily and speeding up in its run towards the saddled Elvaan. Dyranor felt the tension increase as the distance between the lizard-like creature and himself rapidly decreased. Another shot caused the raptor to pause as the bullet hit the ground just in front of it. Luckily Rote didn't use this time to just stand in one place, moving towards the other end of the street and closer to the black mage. Another threatening hiss came from the raptor as it charged them with renewed vigor.