It was cold. He could see his breath as he tried to keep it steady. Snow fell gently like rain.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT7XQbytNa
He was with his father and two other hunters deep in a hunt. They were covered in heavy furs to blend in and keep warm.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSi9qLsHuT
They were tracking a monster. They were rare, but rumors of a dungeon bringing magic to the area birthed them or attracted them. He wasn't sure. It seemed to be both.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFghOQcNBc
"You find anything, son?" A voice from his side spoke. His father.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ePGspPqHS
"No, Dad. I lost the trail. The snow's covering its tracks."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F07nA1abw
"Hmmm." His dad turned to look past his son to the other hunters with them. "Jim, Kyle, let's set camp. We're deep enough in. This should be around where it hunts. We'll wait it out."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPltPDqE1g5
Coby was disappointed. Another cold night.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3y0zU06dh
This beast wasn't like the others, which worried his father. The rest were mindless beasts, but this one was more cunning. Too cunning. It knew it left a trail and took steps to cover it.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu7i7WwueM
So far, there were no reported deaths or injuries. But they knew if they ignored this beast, there would be.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG80jK7ltHk
He reached out to the wind, seeking it, trying to touch it. He'd been practicing using it to track. It was fickle. It did not like his control. But he could get it to listen if he tried.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfotdpQWhsq
The cold distracted him as the wind blew, but he focused once more. He could sense things in the distance. Maybe to a mile? He wasn't sure. It was vast.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqOE3I7YO6
But he felt... nothing.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4tmEvsYN2
It seemed there was no beast close, despite his dad's belief. So he helped set up camp, planning on taking first watch.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeyZbhpM0a
The night passed uneventfully. Even with a rotating watch, nobody saw anything stir before daybreak.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2vCwokBU2
When they broke camp and cleaned up, he and his father stayed behind resting while the two hunters scouted nearby. Dad wanted them to go in teams of two but keep people rested if things went bad, so they could be ready for a fight.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxx6rmIm3G
"Are you still seeing Wolf?" his father asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoXZeA4M2S
"Yeah, Dad. He's doing well. Got magic power like me too."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RMpGL85UZ
His father chuckled. "So wind-based too? Interesting."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNygYo9m8Y5
"No, Dad. I meant he has magic like me. His is Balance, it seems."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qd4Q75dMT
Curious, his dad started fishing out a ration from a side pack and handed one to his son. "Balance?" He asked before taking a bite of a ration, then spoke more. "Not familiar with that blessing."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5clKNaD47
Coby shrugged. "Not sure. They told him he can't use it like others, but it was a strong blessing."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1tsmmTB0q
His dad nodded at that but was more focused on the hunt.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHgSp1remd
As his father stared into the distance, he spoke. "It's got to be a level two beast."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kt9jxJUZm
Level two.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXrGm66F2X
Coby was surprised. So far, they'd only hunted level zeros or ones!419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJtTFTPYGf
"So its magic is stronger?" It made sense if they followed human rules.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CoQks4cp4
His dad shrugged and tilted his head slightly. "Kinda. A level four can have no magic, so it's not the same."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNMYksxcF2
"Um..." Coby wasn't sure he followed.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSlwYCdf82
"Aha. I forgot when training you what I taught and did not. It seems I assumed too much about what the church teaches." He pondered, watching his son. "They didn't tell you about monster levels?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbM3gKmGWO
"Not really. Just basic things to help us survive," he replied.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTqkM2srKE
His dad was in thought, then spoke. "I guess we do keep things safe. And it's even safer in the city."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9UgFaHhXo
"The odds anyone needs to know about monster levels are low. And I'm sure guilds cover dungeon monsters more thoroughly. But one thing to know about dungeon monsters is they're static. They cannot gain power. Ever. Balance sees to that."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYOw0dIpjg
"That said, wild monsters—those we hunt—can level. Well, another difference is they don't drop mana crystals or fade unlike dungeon monsters. You can harvest them, and many parts are highly valued because of that. But with that, the risk increases tenfold. Even the weakest monster can be a major threat."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP25FIVJP1
"Even a level zero?" He wondered.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJmag5ePV6
"Yes," his dad said flatly. "Wild monster growth is erratic, not set. It's them getting more ambient magic from what we can tell, which is how they grow in intelligence and power."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsDF48l3UY
Coby shivered—not from the cold, but wondering how they were alive with such beasts existing.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUARJw26IPa
Dad smiled with a knowing look. "You're right to think that, son," as if he could read his mind.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIhdnOKTU9
"Humans or beastkin who gain power need magic to grow. And a level zero beast will always be zero if magic is weak, no matter how much time passes. A level three will never grow to four if they can't get stronger sources of power. Add to that, depending on how they absorb magic, they can be a mindless level three or a very intelligent level one."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwglsypbl2W
"Do we have to hunt the smart ones? That seems cruel." He hunted out of need, not desire.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0EFxbggtB
His dad laughed at that. "Gods, no, boy! You mad? Why do you think Balance exists?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU4pPHquAC
Coby wasn't sure how to reply.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2UaX0jccx
"Aha, seems I'm leaving things out again," his dad said, noticing his mistake. "We hunt because we must. The mindless will kill us with indifference. But those who want to live with us? We leave be."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o7aG0Mv6c
"It's believed beastkin were once mindless beasts and grew as a race to stand with us. Even other races that hide from us, not trusting humans or beastkin."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hnaD18DQQ
"Hide from us?" Coby wondered.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4osdanRgfU
His dad pondered a good reply. "Well, fairies are pure magic. Good little things. But humans hunt them for power, so they hid."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrkmLyLUEp
Coby felt sick at that.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe6Gklb2Ko
"There are others, I'm sure. They might even have their own kingdom."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDovSDjYYP5
Coby stared in amazement.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPv4AU6RXV
"In theory, boy. Don't get too excited. And even if it existed, they avoided all known humans and beastkin. So it's best to leave them be, lest we have another war like in ancient times."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVGIRPOwM2
Coby nodded slowly, not following that part of history.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CnpDrb2Rv
His dad noticed his son still showing interest. "Just talk and rumor is all I know, boy. Great battles with no winners. Just death."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU29hB2jXfM
Coby nodded once more, agreeing.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1HRAaxyro
The sun was rising more, providing a little more warmth. But it was a tense silence that followed most of the morning till their shift of the hunt.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD6SfWpONE
Dad wanted to split from him a little bit to cover more ground but stay within earshot to get help.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBaen9TOfC
The ground was untouched in a sea of white. It would be easy to see if there was any movement. But so far, nothing but their tracks.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VIzuiB0Wb
He figured this would be a good time as any to try his wind magic again.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcvCGeGNtR
When he managed to spread it out this time, he saw!419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdDnwyo055
The shock broke his concentration. But the second before it broke, he felt the beast notice him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WliazDH9h
Was it wind-based like him? He wasn't sure.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncIc3CeVTV
He tried again, but this time, the wind fought him. It did not want to listen.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpCU5tSKb3
And a cold realization came to him: the beast was wind-based and could fight him for control of the wind magic.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGPfGqblze
He wasn't sure how, but he felt more than knew—it was far but unmoving. It was learning. Trying to understand what was hunting it, as it now knew it was not alone.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z9Q7fNXdb
He decided to take a chance and called for his dad. They used bird calls to not alert the beast, or as a code in the rare case of bandits, so they wouldn't just give away their element of surprise.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HhY3Kr8m4
Two short calls later, his dad returned one and was there shortly after, stalking among the trees.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsbfb8ksae
"What is it, son?" His dad said in a low voice, a blade in hand, wanting to know what worried his son.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh42hOuLlEZ
"I think the beast is a wind magic user like me. And it knows it's being hunted," he finished explaining.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8noLHU0Bzi
"How?" Confused, his dad scouted around. "There's not even tracks to follow."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSy0TfJv7i
"I've been learning to use the wind to track," he confessed.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKfZDeSnUH
"Clever," his dad retorted, then allowed him to go on.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pa3yWoTQy
"Well, when I used the wind, I found the beast." His dad showed surprise at that, then his face hardened as he kept listening. "I lost focus, so I tried again to narrow the location of the beast. I think after the first time it knew, and when I tried again, it fought me for control of the wind."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp15RniOyX
"That's not good," his father said slowly. "So it's not mindless, and it's learning to master wind."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV1VeRd5OM
It might be too much for them. They'd need adventurers of a higher level. And even if it didn't hunt them, they were a day or two from the city. It would not be easy, nor did they want to lead it back.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNbgw7Talt
"Dad," Coby spoke up, breaking his father's thoughts.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k8VvKQWHz
"Aye, son?" His father questioned.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPtVkBkD4s
"It doesn't know about you three. Just me. It's learning, but it's still a beast. We can lure it," Coby said.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvi9oCyg2l
"You're assuming," his father said. "And that's dangerous when hunting any unknown beast."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscKkjUfRNc
"Even if it's smart, it's never dealt with humans," Coby retorted. "We can use its desire for magic against it. It'll want to hunt me for my magic, thinking I'm easy prey."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6aBAnDltJ
Hesitant, his dad looked into the distance before speaking. It was calm. Just a white forest. But they knew of the beast just beyond their reach.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVZpcehfEd
"I think it will strike before tonight."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoeieq66lU
Coby was surprised his dad felt that. "Why do you think that?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbfySd19u5
"You're a prize," his father said. "One it never knew existed. It won't want to wait for you to flee. And it doesn't know how to track as we do. Cover its tracks, sure. But it hasn't hunted human prey."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9arEfLyVX
"Let's set an ambush. We'll hide among the trees with you in an open area as bait. Do you think you can lure it with the wind? I don't want to risk you getting close."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpmVhDbNCf
His father finished, stating it with concern.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLAl06FdOo
Coby nodded. "I think so," unsure. All other hunts were easy to track and kill. This one was different. It fought back and wasn't just prey.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlm852rf2G
Feeling unsure, he hated killing. He didn't mind doing it for food, but just hunting—he wasn't proud of random killing. But he knew if he didn't, the monster would hunt them till stopped.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtFrA2AaJu
They made their way back to camp earlier than planned. The other two were surprised to see them, so they informed them about the hastily made plan.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VqCXMdBB6
It was crude and basic, but sometimes simple plans are what's needed.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5YLs6INsF
The goal would be to lure the beast to an area where the three hiding could shoot arrows from hiding spots, with Coby in the open as bait.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFVdbQCoJs
Simple.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRjceEy4hQ
If a little flawed, as it left him open to attack. But they felt the beast would not let itself be easily tricked unless it felt it could gain something. It knew it had been hunted, but not by more than one person. That would be the key to winning.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaKyJKHmTk
They found a spot with a clearing where they could surround it. The area was not very wide, but it was enough to be bait and lure the beast. At least in theory.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIViuVj3nrN
While everyone was set up, a light snow was falling, helping to mask their presence and tracks.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bZE81u1fs
He was ready to try and bring the beast.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3STC5xcf9
As he drew on the wind, it became easier now. He was surprised the beast wasn't trying to fight him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gS2DdWC8w
He supposed it would be impossible to control it at all times. As he let the wind blow into the distance, he noticed something... off.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8Me8WhaNf
The wind was warping in an area and pushing something forward.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yl5TBfvFB
But what?419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps5BjIWy0w
As he tried to focus on it, a cold fear entered his mind and he almost lost the wind.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtR0JnVfYm
The beast was using the wind to help it run faster! And mask its presence!419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zErBr7cOa
He could not sense the wolf at all. He only knew because his wind power had been drawn on by the wolf. He knew it was there.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0vKjtgmTH
Cold sweat broke out on his back. The distance was closing, and he felt it shift. It was already hunting him. It just didn't know where to look, so it was just randomly trying to close the distance.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyLGQHFY4E
His dad was right. It didn't want to let him go. It planned on killing him regardless of what they'd planned. Once it knew he existed.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp3YFw1kCO
He now knew for sure why they hunted monsters. They would do this to others with indifference.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIMdEuJsz0
He let out a low, long whistle to warn that the beast was not only coming but was close.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30OmABxd33
He couldn't see the other hunters. The angle they'd chosen was to face outward, to intercept the threat. Instead, he focused on trying to be ready for the beast.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYYfNSKTG9
He laid low, put an arrow to the bow, and took aim in the distance where he felt the beast.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsQZ1IhU5D
Surprised at how quickly it was within shooting distance, he saw it for the first time—a moving shadow the size of a dog, but much wider in bulk. It was running sideways away at first, but as if sensing him, turned sharp and started rushing him!419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDacZsYTzRG
Steady aim. Fire true, he thought, and pulled the wind to his arrow and fired. Even as he felt the wind being pulled away to fuel the beast rushing toward him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfm4nE4SxF
It was a clean shot. An easy hit near the head or shoulder.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bGR3Dn7iZ
As it flew toward the beast, shock entered his eyes as the beast flowed like water, moving past the arrow.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghjtB4Qdvt
Freezing him in place.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfRU2AS5k9
He'd never missed before!419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHJzjhXme7
Stunned and not ready to try again, he wasn't sure what to do as the distance closed in seconds.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVgCttPsQE
The rage and desire for his death was easy to see on the beast's face, and he couldn't move.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD85EoF7fXs
With less than a few feet, the beast rushed to finish him off.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImcLhgW9f2
His last thoughts: The ambush failed. They didn't see how quick the beast was. It caught them off guard. The very thing Dad tried to warn me about—never underestimate that which you hunt, lest you be hunted.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLHkAnAQwx
As time slowed down, watching death move before his eyes to finish him—jaws wide and full of teeth—a wall of stone blocked his vision.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrBttXHYli
And he felt the impact of the beast hitting the stone.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24BVtMxInr
From there he heard a yelp, followed by a few more yelps. He saw the beast start to try to run but stagger sideways near him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbSY57Ozwc
Feeling ashamed he'd locked up when he was needed most, he drew an arrow and fired point blank as the beast tried to recover.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5yxS6qRwm
The arrow hit it in the eye, stopping its movements.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDp9FrmZuy
And ending the fight.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoyJWJ19MV
Days hunting in the cold ended just like that.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudXgxi8UAg
It could've ended just like that.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpepU0kU0x
A sobering thought.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe4SBIUQce
Still feeling defeated, he wasn't afraid. Well, not now that it was dead. He knew if it wasn't for him and his dad, Wolf or Len could be hunted instead.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX9gQbttTI
The stone went back into the earth, and he saw his father and the two hunters approach him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhui0B45aQ
"Good shot, son." The other two agreed.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwNCgYqVLt
"I missed the first," he said solemnly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGIiU34voN
"No," his father said. "We saw it dodge. It was a clean shot. We were ready whether or not you hit."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsHOh0CVQL
"Was it part of the plan?" he asked, unsure.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqPgDwF6h1
"Aye. I told you I didn't like risking my own boy, and I meant it, son," his dad said.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK0ASGuuEE
"But we weren't sure how smart the beast was. We needed it to think it won, and couldn't risk it outmaneuvering us with the wind. So we used you as bait to lure it in. Jim—" his dad pointed to one of the hunters, who nodded "—is good with Earth, so we had a plan."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8I3oCc3LR
"I can only do slabs like walls, mostly. Even if it pounced you, the plan was to knock it off with another slab. Though that was the worst case," Jim chimed in to reassure Coby.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0732gVL9R
"The wall was always the goal to do. Kyle over here knows light magic. Long as we kept you from going into deep shock from injuries, we would've been able to help you. Though that was never a desired outcome."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYNTSCWrkB
Coby was shocked. He'd never seen either use magic.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIsHfZe9oE
His dad saw his look and laughed. "What, you thought you were the only one with magic? No, no. Plenty do. It's just not everyone cares enough to use it."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf3mlrYuxy
"So it tends to fade or get rusty and hard to use."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAChuaiTWwv
"What about you, Dad?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sftj990pr
"Level one water, at least. What I was told. Never cared much for myself. It doesn't help me hunt, so I never really cared. Your mother also—she's level two fire and uses it to help cook, mostly. You got lucky with wind. It's a good gift. Thank the gods," he said with a smile.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUyKEDcsiQ
After the excitement died down, they went to get the beast. Even dead, it looked like a living shadow. The wounds were hard to see as everything melded together.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75HmCZ5mH9
"Hmmm," his father said. "Not a new breed. That's good."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMffuDinaX
"What is it?" Coby asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4COzU6Lxys
"A shadow wolf. But odd—it's got wind magic, and not darkness? Maybe it had both. Monsters aren't bound by the same rules as us. We'll take it to the city. Should be good pay. Then we'll scout the south since we already hit the north."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUh37T5Nvq
"Do you think there's more?" Coby asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tLPIUx1IM
"Not sure," his father said. It was rare for a monster to be this strong. "Doubtful," he finally stated. "This one probably came from a deeper magic-dense region and got chased out by a stronger beast. It's probably why it was so careful to not be tracked and so willing to hunt in turn."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAi24TxOMg
"Whatever it had to do to live this long, that is probably the lesson it learned the most from its short life."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjHxGu0vz4
Coby was saddened to hear that monsters could be good but learn to be evil. But in a way, it was a choice. They did hunt others for magic. If it fled deep enough, they would not pursue it. Instead, it embraced the hunt and wanted him dead.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVahL1siarE
So he had little pity in that regard.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqZiWCAh1g
And his father did say there were other beasts just wanting peace. Maybe that was why they respawned from magic after being killed. Another chance for things to be done differently. Or, sadly, be the same.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtaLZtN6H6
The trip to the city was a quiet one. There was very little trade, and the route they took was unorthodox. They did not travel any roads but within the trees.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbR1r4ZMFh
The guards at the gate recognized them—used to the hunters appearing randomly out of the woods. They waved them in, as they knew what they did helped keep them safe and made their job easier. So they never complained.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekHENrxmaF
His dad carried the beast on his shoulders as they went to the guild hall. There was a crowd at the front, but they were allowed in easily enough.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GCgCdiLzd
He asked the two hunters to wait while he and his son went deeper inside.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0r0TWWVuO
They went to a side room meant for deliveries of beasts. There, a very slim man was carving what looked like a very large cat!419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsVBWOiN0G
The man noticed them and said, "Delivery? Leave it to the side. Will add it to your account."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc9DkeBtZ0
Dad nodded and tossed the wolf to the side with indifference. About to leave, he asked his dad what was the giant cat.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlbbLg9At5
Dad glanced at the cat and said, "Looks like a common type found in the mountains, but rare for here. Maybe was shipped in for parts."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLjYBmo3Fh
Coby nodded.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNRTPCd2Jr
Since there was not much they could do here, they went to an inn to eat, drink, and rest before they did it all again.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFValxPpdJ
They regrouped with the two hunters outside the room. Dad said they would resupply tomorrow, but today they would rest in a bed.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgKgoCiZzK
Coby was happy. It was a long trip, and the exhaustion was catching up after a few days in the snow.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRquNI5HvdE
The inn they found was one they'd been to before. It was well-built, having been established in the city for a while. There was a lot of noise and traffic. Even in the distance, you could hear music.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREPOkg0Kup
They entered inside, avoiding the random crowds, and started looking for a table. They found one off to the side. Coby and the two hunters sat while Dad went to see if there were even any rooms.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSnBq6m31e
They knew another less busy spot, but this one was their preferred place.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYGHu6h5HD
As they waited, a barmaid took their orders. Coby ordered for his dad, and they waited for their food and drinks.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnne691SMRW
Coby lowered his head into his arms, resting his eyes while he waited. The two hunters casually talked, passing the time in the sea of voices.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z6MtCHBeZ
An angry whisper getting louder caught his attention. "I told you they don't care!"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFw7T8uvXI
"Keep it down. We're already not welcome here. You want to get kicked out?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsSGZBzFAK
"We paid. It's the only thing anyone cares about. We'll eat and live like good little street rats."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujhjGmWP02
The voices quieted down, and Coby wasn't sure which direction they were coming from. He strained, trying to hear, invested in wondering why they were upset.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwsSNu3A1J
He only caught small fragments. "Potion... weakness... too much... nobody cares... church won't help."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmkdTZTru2
He tried to keep listening over the crowd, but he couldn't make anything else out when he heard banging in front of him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDbhjQ2eTP
"Sorry for the wait," a cheerful voice said. "You look tired, cutie. We got drinks that can help with that if you want to try one."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaixyUSLiED
Coby saw the pretty young maid from before. He wasn't paying attention.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzijq2Z1yVh
"I'm fine, thanks," he said, and instead started eating the meal before him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJspPYKgQB
"Okay! Tell me if you change your mind. We appreciate your business," she said cheerfully as she left for another table.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByWsUk4Lg7
One of the hunters, Jim, smiled. "She likes you, kid. Didn't offer to pep our step. Hehe."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YCZcS31Wv
"What?!" Coby said, watching her dance between tables, taking orders. "No! She's doing her job. She's nice to everyone."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EU1CczZqm
"Sure," Jim said. "Everyone." He said it in such a way that Coby knew he was teasing him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIm55nPJ5O
"Let it go, Jim," the other hunter, Kyle, said. "The kid is still young. He'll be interested in girls with time."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9u6ZzvGr9
Coby wanted to argue he liked girls just fine, but his dad showed up and sat down to eat. He grunted and sighed as he sat.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88Ommmo25A
"I was able to get the rooms. Cost a little higher—nothing new—but the beast kill covered it easy. Even with resupplying, might be able to get some new boots."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGoLgoBmIy
"They're getting worn down. Enchanted would be nice."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPVSqOwGhD
His dad went on for a bit, the talk turning casual as they enjoyed their meal till it was time to call it a night.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEqVAJR55s
They got two rooms with two beds. Father and son took one room. The other set went to the other two hunters.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHACn8QCYgy
When in the room, stripping for bed, Coby asked, "Dad, do you know anything about a weakening potion?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsyPWbuyey
"That makes no sense. Why?" he asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCUCDG8OIP
"I overheard others talking about the church not helping and a potion that costs money. Said it was the weakening potion."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeZeHtNgHu
Dad shrugged. "Maybe. The only thing that comes close to what you overheard is a leaking curse from dungeons, and the potion needed to cure it costs money."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmarEwi1wv
Coby shrugged, unsure.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIMFJLxltL
His dad went on. "It's not they won't help. It's the cost that slows them down, and the amount of people needing to be healed can be high."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0U0AOTx3A
"The poor tend to need to wait, so it seems like the church doesn't care. But I think their hands are tied, as everyone wants things from the alchemist, and only so many things can be made in a day."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszVFpA3rrU
His dad yawned. "Who knows, son. We hunt monsters, not potions. So we'll worry about our things. Let the church worry about their thing."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZzw6uAVfB
"I understand," Coby said.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOtgVVxOaJ
And they both went to sleep.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yrckI32Dz
Another hunt down. Many more to come.
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and then Add to home screen.