I was very excited. My first time going hunting. I couldn't wait.
My master snorted, but his eyes shone with something like amusement.
"Don't get so excited, kid," he said. "Hunting isn't like in the stories. You need patience, stealth, and knowing how to choose your prey."
"I know, master," I replied. "But still, I'm excited."
Lilia approached, adjusting her staff. Her expression was serious, but there was also a gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
"I want to help too," she said. "With more eyes, it'll be easier to track the animals."
Zekin nodded, approving the idea.
"Alright. Aito and I will go one way, you go another. But don't wander too far, and if you see anything dangerous, notify me immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, Grandpa," Lilia replied obediently.
And so, as the sun completely set and the first stars began to appear in the sky, we ventured into the forest.
I, Aito Greymont, a prince, disciple of the best warrior in the kingdom, friend of a talented mage, was about to experience another first.
My first hunt.
---
But suddenly, something crossed my mind. Something I hadn't thought about at all, but it was there, waiting to be remembered.
And because of the excitement of my first hunt, I had completely forgotten about it.
How could I overlook something like that? I thought, frustrated with myself. I really don't understand.
I turned my head and pointed with the index finger of my left hand toward the pile of meat lying a few meters away.
"But... master," I said, and he turned toward me.
"What's wrong, boy?" he replied, raising an eyebrow.
"What's wrong, Aito?" Lilia asked, and her face was covered with a veil of concern. "Are you in pain? Is it hard for you to walk? If you want, you can stay here and rest."
"No, it's not that," I quickly replied. "Nothing like that."
I pointed at the pile of meat with more emphasis.
"Master, why are we going hunting when there's monster meat here?" I asked, still pointing at the [Giant Gray Wolf] corpse.
"That's right!" Lilia exclaimed, slapping her forehead. "I forgot we killed the [Giant Gray Wolf]."
"What meat?" Zekin replied, with a strange smile.
(What do you mean "what meat"?) I thought, confused. (We're seeing all the meat from the [Giant Gray Wolf] right there.)
Are we not even going to have dinner?
How cruel, master.
But then I understood.
Maybe he was doing all this to teach me how to hunt animals. So I would learn to do it on my own in the future. A practical lesson, not a theoretical one.
"On guard, everyone," Zekin suddenly said, and his tone completely changed. "We have company."
And on his face appeared a smile. But it wasn't a kind smile. It was the smile of a predator recognizing other predators.
"Where?" I asked, looking around. I couldn't see anything within my range of vision. Only trees, shadows, and more shadows.
(Wait...!) I thought. (Could that be his [Super Sense]? That ability he has to perceive enemies regardless of distance?)
"Get ready, Aito," Lilia said, adjusting her grip on her staff.
I nodded, drawing my wooden sword.
---
The nighttime forest was different. The sounds changed, the shadows lengthened, and every crack of a branch made my heart race a little.
But I wasn't scared.
Well, maybe a little. But it was a good fear, the kind that keeps you alert, that sharpens your senses.
Shadows approached slowly, as if they didn't want to arrive but had to. And the air tensed with every branch on the ground that crackled under their footsteps.
And then, they emerged from the shadows.
They were hyenas. But not normal ones, the kind I had seen in books of common beasts. These had a different tone: dark and reddish, as if stained with dried blood. Their eyes glowed with an intense red, and they didn't even try to hide their murderous intent toward us.
They were simply hungry.
And we were the food.
The most disgusting part: a viscous liquid dripped from their mouths in repulsive cascades. They drooled as if they were already tasting us.
(Disgusting,) I thought.
Although, to be honest, I think they chose the wrong prey. Boy, did they ever. My master could take all of them alone easily, without even breaking a sweat.
Lilia and I could also handle some.
Sorry for them, but they wouldn't leave here. Not after appearing in front of us.
"Hey, kid," my master said, looking at me while smiling that predator's smile. "Weren't you asking about the pile of meat? Then you have to protect it if you want to eat. Or else..."
He made a dramatic pause.
"You'll starve to death."
(So that's what he meant by "let's go hunting,") I thought, as excitement began to invade my chest. (I didn't think it would be like this, but... what can I say.)
My dinner was at stake.
I had to prove I was still worthy of eating.
---
My wooden sword became enveloped in my wind magic. A greenish light danced around the blade, and the leaves on the ground began to part as I walked. I advanced as if dragging the sword, leaving a clean trail behind me.
I counted.
One, two, three, four... seven.
"There are seven hyenas," I said in a low voice, still advancing.
The first one ran toward me. Its first steps were zigzag, as if it were drunk, trying to confuse me.
Then it opened its mouth.
Showing its fangs. Its claws. And that disgusting viscosity spilling everywhere.
Very, very disgusting.
I moved to the side with a smooth motion, pivoting on my left foot. The wind moved the leaves around me, creating a small dance.
[Ascending Tornado]
I traced a perfect arc. An upward vertical cut that made its way through the fallen leaves, leaving a perfect line in the air.
Blood splattered.
The head fell to the ground. Lifting the dry leaves.
The magical beast collapsed without a sound.
One down.
Another hyena was already running toward me. It repeated the same pattern: it jumped, showing its fangs.
I dodged it without much effort.
It was about to turn and attack again, when suddenly it saw a light in the middle of the darkness.
A ball of fire.
"Take that!" Lilia shouted.
The ball of fire shot out like a meteor, hitting the hyena square on. The smell of burnt meat filled the air, mixing with that of the leaves also burning under its feet.
The beast fell, enveloped in flames.
Two down.
Now only five remained.
This time, three lunged at me at the same time. They ran in zigzags, moving erratically to confuse me, to make my life impossible.
And they jumped.
Three mouths. Dozens of fangs. Dozens of claws. And more of that disgusting viscosity.
[Perfect Evasion]
I dodged the first one easily. But the second one attacked me with its claws.
I tilted my head back just in time. I saw the claws pass in front of my eyes, felt that disgusting smell of dried blood on their edges.
And at that very moment, I counterattacked.
[Diagonal Ascending Cut]
A clean cut that severed one of its legs. Hot blood splattered.
"Gyaaou!" it screeched, writhing in the air.
With the same motion, I twisted my wrist.
Another [Diagonal Descending Cut].
Straight to the head.
A clean cut.
The beast fell lifeless before hitting the ground.
Three down. Two of the ones that came at me remained.
But the third one... the third one was already gone.
I looked around, confused. Where had it gone?
Then I saw it. Or rather, what was left of it.
Lilia had taken advantage of my fight to eliminate hers. Her staff was still smoking.
Four down.
Only one remained. Well, come to think of it, I should leave it for Lilia.
I looked at her.
She looked back at me.
She nodded.
(Alright,) I thought, and I stepped back, positioning myself beside her.
From the tip of her staff, a sphere of fire began to form. It grew, grew, until it became a ball of fire the size of her head.
The last hyena didn't have time to escape.
"HAAAAAA!" Lilia shouted, launching the spell.
I felt the heat warm my skin, but it didn't burn me. My mana protected me, creating an invisible barrier against the flames.
The ball of fire hit it square on.
Charred flesh.
"Gyaaauaa!" was its last sound of agony.
Five down.
Now only...
"IT CAN'T BE!" I shouted.