>>5821424The hiisi did not stand a chance. Though it raised a hand to strike back, it only presented the first thing to become severed completely. The arms ceased to be an obstacle, as Kiikoinen began hacking away at the shoulders. The pneumatic bursts filled the air with a rhythmic pulse as blood went flying across the vestibule.
The horrific shrieking stopped quickly, but Kiikoinen didn't.
He chopped.
And chopped.
And chopped.
And for a moment he stopped, using his axe to flip it over.
Only to find new places to start start swinging into.
Expelled hydrogen gas mixed with the oxygen in the air, forming a hot steam that trailed behind his axe covering himself and the hiisi in hot droplets of water. With each swing, a bigger and bigger cloud of steam formed, threatening to obscure Lalli's handiwork.
Your radio crackled. "Kiikoinen... Kiikoinen!"
Like a powerlifter hoisting five hundred pounds overhead, Kiikoinen dropped his axe upon the concrete and let out a sigh of relief from his heavy exertion.
The hiisi had become a steaming pile of mangled flesh and bone, wisps wafting off its numerous wounds as if it were a freshly cooked meal.
With a hankerchief, Lalli wipes his face of blood, sweat, and condensation. Shaking his face dry afterward, the finn recomposed himself and turned to you.
"In longer missions... hah, like those we have to walk back to base," he begins, as if he had merely done heavy yard work, laden with almost casual heavy breaths. "... such excess is detrimental. It's important to conserve your energy. But, we are right here, next to an outlet to the surface." Kiikoinen holds a finger to his ear. "We can return to base from up above, eliminating the risk of further dangers, if we receive permission to."
"These aren't extraction sites, Lalli," Sumika chastises. "But since you're right here and the troll was nested inside it, I'll allow it. Clean up, sheath your weapons and return when you can."
"Thank you," he replies, before picking up his weapon.
You're still a bit stupefied from the overwhelming display of violence.
"I apologize. Easy marks are... an outlet of mine." Your mentor pauses, before nodding. "You did well. Many rookies make the mistake of being very mild in their approach. You must understand we take an assertive role and take control of the situation as thoroughly as we can. Even if the battle is in your favor, do not yield back."
... Similar advice to what your father told you.
