Red already had an idea of how he should handle this group of kobolds. There were two ideas. First, it was to take down the highest-level kobold, the most dangerous one. He eliminated the most dangerous one, then hunted the rest.
The problem was that he was not confident about taking down the highest-level kobold with a spear. He needed at least two, maybe even three, spears to take down one. In the worst scenario, the highest-level kobold would survive. If he stayed too long for one kobold, he would be surrounded. Fighting a kobold that was higher level than him was a bad idea.
The second idea was to take down the archers. He was confident enough to take down the two archers with one spear. He could take the two archers in one ambush since their armor was not as tough as the others. The problem with this is that he would have fewer spears to take down the level 11 and level 12 kobolds.
Red didn't have the confidence to fight them head-on. That was out of question, and his slingshot might not be enough for someone with that kind of armor. He needed the spear to take them down.
Another issue was that the archer would be a pain in the ass to take care of. Especially when he was trying to take down the level 10 and level 9 kobolds, if he ever successfully killed the level 11 kobold.
For the first time in a while, the hunter hesitated to pick his strategy. The armor truly had become an annoyance, and he might need to revisit his plan for tomorrow's hunting.
Tomorrow is for tomorrow for me to take care. Focus on what's ahead of you, you fool!'
He took a deep breath and made his decision. With his silent movement from tree to another, he tailed the group. He patiently tailed the group even though he had already made the decision. The hunter was no longer hesitating; he wanted to find the best timing to deliver the fatal blow.
His patient was paid off as the group took a short break. The level 11 and level 10 kobolds were in a conversation, not that he understood their language. He closed the distance, but it was safe enough for them to notice. The helmet was the reason why he was not confident in taking the level 11 kobold down with just one spear.
Red needed to look for another target, and it was the back of its neck. He slowly crept his way to the tree where they rested. He was right above them, but remained unnoticed. His left hand was holding the metal ball, the smooth ball. This was the moment.
Red took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The moment he opened his eyes, he quickly threw the metal ball. It was toward the tree that was three trees away from where they were.
Thud!
The loud thumping sound attracted the kobold's attention. The seven kobolds snapped toward the same direction. At that moment, Red jumped down with a spear in his hand. That was right, he didn't plan to throw his spear, but struck the kobold directly with it.
He impaled the kobold from the back of its neck, inserting the spear down to the body. That should be enough to kill, but he played it safe. He pulled the blade from his waist, turning the kobold toward him. Then he stabbed the kobold's neck from the front.
Blood sprayed all over his face and body as the kobold made a gurgling noise. The other six kobolds already turned toward him when he landed with a thud. But they were too stunned to react.
Red didn't even take the blade from the neck as he turned around and started to make a run. They only moved after seeing him running away. The first one to react was the two archers, nocking an arrow into the bow and aiming at Red's back. However, Red used the tree as a shield, quickly covering himself from the archer's eyes.
The other four kobolds quickly chased after Red. They were quick, but not quick enough to catch him.
His experiences in the jungle for weeks paid off. Using the massive roots as obstacles, he weaved through between the trees. He was far out of their reach; the archers would not be able to shoot him as well as he weaved through all the obstacles.
He could escape from them, but he didn't. He was luring them further, and when it was far enough, he climbed to the tree and disappeared.
Red was stabilizing his breath, watching his prey through the gap of the tree canopy from above. It seemed the kobold didn't have a sharp nose, or else they would discover him because of their kind's blood on his leather armor.
The level 10 kobold ordered the two level 8 goblins to search him. Then he ordered two level 8 kobold archers to be on guard. Meanwhile, the level 10 and the level 9 kobold were catching their breath.
Red's eyes glinted in glee as the kobold made a mistake to order two level 8 kobolds to look for his track. The two were moving away from the group. It seemed they were in a panic to make such a mistake, considering they never split during the patrol.
'This is my chance!'
He positioned himself on the back of the level 10 kobold. The back of his neck was in sight, but it was too small for a target. The reason he jumped to the level 11 kobold was that he was not confident in his aim.
Throwing the spear was completely different from using a slingshot. On top, he didn't get Aim in spear throwing, like when he used Slingshot.
Nevertheless, he readied himself with a spear in his right hand. Taking a deep breath, he shot the spear as he breathed out. The spear whistled through the air with "whoosh". It landed right where he wanted to, right behind the kobold's neck.
The level 9 kobold was in shock, quickly looking up where the spear was coming from. The two archers were also looking in the same direction. They saw a second spear, flying down and piercing the level 9 kobold's face.
The canopy was a perfect cover for him because the two archers didn't actually spot him. They just saw where the spear was coming from. They shot in that spot, but Red was no longer there.
He already moved right after his second shot, moving to the side, positioning himself right above the two archers. That was when he threw the third spear, still aiming for the head. The moment the spear pierced the head, the archer's body went limp.
That was when Red jumped the second archer. He landed right behind the archer with a thud. His blade pierced the leather armor. He felt a slight resistance from the armor, and fortunately, the leather armor was not as tough as the blade pierced through it and plunged into the back of the kobold.
He tried to pull the blade, but he met with resistance. It was hard to pull the blade, and he quickly decided on the next course of his action.
Red pushed himself forward, taking down the kobold to the ground. He quickly positioned his knees on the kobold's back with his weight, then he pulled the last spear from his back with his two hands. Then he drove the spear into the kobold's back of the head.
The cracking sound of his breaking the skull resounded, and blood splattered into his hand. He quickly pulled the spear from the head. Then pulled the blade as well, using his right foot to pin the body down while pulling the blade. It was much easier now.
He was ready for the next hunt because it was not over yet. There were two more kobolds that must be hunted.