The next day, by the river.
"Now, Ores!" Shui Yanqing gripped her sword with both hands, fiercely slashing the hippo in front of her before quickly dodging another hippo's charge.
"I know, you don't have to shout."
Ores glanced at the double-bladed axe in her hand, took a deep breath, sprinted three quick steps, and leaped into the air. As the magical patterns on the axe blade activated, a gleaming chill flashed, and she swung down, creating a massive gash in the hippo's tough, tenacious hide.
The injured hippo let out a terrified shriek, spurting blood as it ran, knocking Ores down in its path before charging straight into the water. The other two hippos, seeing what had happened, grew fearful and, chased by the other girls, escaped back into the river and raced toward the opposite bank.
The remaining few couldn't catch up and could only watch as the three hippos crossed over the hill on the other side of the river and disappeared from sight.
