It was cold. He could see his breath as he tried to keep it steady. Snow fell gently like rain.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhLAB2XZcS
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwd7mSz8H6
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAWjdVFPkc
"You find anything, son?" A voice from his side spoke. His father.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWscTRpH9Z
"No, Dad. I lost the trail. The snow's covering its tracks."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCafnpuIdE4
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIBjhUMfm1
Coby was disappointed. Another cold night.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbHYMTI1Ok
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsy8Emd6C3
So far, there were no reported deaths or injuries. But they knew if they ignored this beast, there would be.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPabpe94fd
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasHzfWlwY5
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk0PFIkWte
But he felt... nothing.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvTnaIONrb
It seemed there was no beast close, despite his dad's belief. So he helped set up camp, planning on taking first watch.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZzmCC3MMA
The night passed uneventfully. Even with a rotating watch, nobody saw anything stir before daybreak.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcVSDJ158b
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZooaoi1MQ8
"Are you still seeing Wolf?" his father asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzMWm2Wlos
"Yeah, Dad. He's doing well. Got magic power like me too."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNfjxbL53N
His father chuckled. "So wind-based too? Interesting."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjlFBC64pd
"No, Dad. I meant he has magic like me. His is Balance, it seems."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd0s2Eg9Wn
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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcy10Hb78E
Coby shrugged. "Not sure. They told him he can't use it like others, but it was a strong blessing."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLOaQyiX7q
His dad nodded at that but was more focused on the hunt.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkxmUfWyW4
As his father stared into the distance, he spoke. "It's got to be a level two beast."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnSVJmdeRv
Level two.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqKDHOy88r
Coby was surprised. So far, they'd only hunted level zeros or ones!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfYz3NckNq
"So its magic is stronger?" It made sense if they followed human rules.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypFXp59NHe
His dad shrugged and tilted his head slightly. "Kinda. A level four can have no magic, so it's not the same."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdEwvFhZGC
"Um..." Coby wasn't sure he followed.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmBN4UpeZA
"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?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4VXoW0T6O
"Not really. Just basic things to help us survive," he replied.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvMbFEvtpy
His dad was in thought, then spoke. "I guess we do keep things safe. And it's even safer in the city."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntHC2HzF3T
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBNCT2MoFM
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuuPKTuh1d
"Even a level zero?" He wondered.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj84PHZptK
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17kdv4HVh0
Coby shivered—not from the cold, but wondering how they were alive with such beasts existing.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm2pQfLuBM
Dad smiled with a knowing look. "You're right to think that, son," as if he could read his mind.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp41VNFY8tX
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4zHeCPyaY
"Do we have to hunt the smart ones? That seems cruel." He hunted out of need, not desire.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve1jXGB6Sx
His dad laughed at that. "Gods, no, boy! You mad? Why do you think Balance exists?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xq2ZFBs02
Coby wasn't sure how to reply.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jOjx1BTAN
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw585rA9x6W
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMi0GEJrBG
"Hide from us?" Coby wondered.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7DDrTYCHG
His dad pondered a good reply. "Well, fairies are pure magic. Good little things. But humans hunt them for power, so they hid."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEeoLzrHrx
Coby felt sick at that.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FfddEOAZ5
"There are others, I'm sure. They might even have their own kingdom."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwVN09kDHD
Coby stared in amazement.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPfeQEUFbJ
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRgZwB4Yqe
Coby nodded slowly, not following that part of history.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyfGezNLWr
His dad noticed his son still showing interest. "Just talk and rumor is all I know, boy. Great battles with no winners. Just death."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLHVfqiHEE
Coby nodded once more, agreeing.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wsJ32IBga
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxtuuOyaYH
Dad wanted to split from him a little bit to cover more ground but stay within earshot to get help.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1r7kdyGOO
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbTbFvZkZ4
He figured this would be a good time as any to try his wind magic again.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOODKZisw5
When he managed to spread it out this time, he saw!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGAu0wgxVk
The shock broke his concentration. But the second before it broke, he felt the beast notice him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLUw44657e
Was it wind-based like him? He wasn't sure.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8kEUe2y6g
He tried again, but this time, the wind fought him. It did not want to listen.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLHlqNe5zA
And a cold realization came to him: the beast was wind-based and could fight him for control of the wind magic.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKqe6ozllB
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI9synoaJA
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs0SHlf7dU
Two short calls later, his dad returned one and was there shortly after, stalking among the trees.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUae05ao6a
"What is it, son?" His dad said in a low voice, a blade in hand, wanting to know what worried his son.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq9FZbFZPE
"I think the beast is a wind magic user like me. And it knows it's being hunted," he finished explaining.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriI5Des4EG
"How?" Confused, his dad scouted around. "There's not even tracks to follow."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSnhWfjiCI
"I've been learning to use the wind to track," he confessed.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7FGSeLDla
"Clever," his dad retorted, then allowed him to go on.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxeIS3tNiW
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8qK3ljL1q
"That's not good," his father said slowly. "So it's not mindless, and it's learning to master wind."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYdfayFDj9
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFh2XzOP9c
"Dad," Coby spoke up, breaking his father's thoughts.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMtbbnFi0k
"Aye, son?" His father questioned.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ytguS65vZ
"It doesn't know about you three. Just me. It's learning, but it's still a beast. We can lure it," Coby said.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRL6LKG7Xw
"You're assuming," his father said. "And that's dangerous when hunting any unknown beast."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJGrBusViq
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2IQYNPkwj
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLkdLPVcsO
"I think it will strike before tonight."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TCAW6EiRZ
Coby was surprised his dad felt that. "Why do you think that?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip11uFAUbp
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWwhYfY95q
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeewBVd98CK
His father finished, stating it with concern.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHv9LQRCM5
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdhlAGjmtL
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Vq8N3Cfy
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq4UPKbzmL
It was crude and basic, but sometimes simple plans are what's needed.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVnUfv6IV9
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUbfuxtXLN
Simple.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJcAWnmt72
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfx5pIJzuc
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnWn0fEFCI
While everyone was set up, a light snow was falling, helping to mask their presence and tracks.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT4oFZvMWQ
He was ready to try and bring the beast.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF0Fs4eph7
As he drew on the wind, it became easier now. He was surprised the beast wasn't trying to fight him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4jXUAaFRG
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMshiQEMtTY
The wind was warping in an area and pushing something forward.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekNEfTfYMQ
But what?387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdQdEOnG42
As he tried to focus on it, a cold fear entered his mind and he almost lost the wind.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mi3voqk5e
The beast was using the wind to help it run faster! And mask its presence!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfz7I4KflN
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFGcz6yMpy
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHYPW5mzsf
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp2EJlytw6
He now knew for sure why they hunted monsters. They would do this to others with indifference.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGteQ9JrWO
He let out a low, long whistle to warn that the beast was not only coming but was close.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwr7addxUR
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp0B9I83BC
He laid low, put an arrow to the bow, and took aim in the distance where he felt the beast.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUb5aNHsm2
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!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsdODzKbZp
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKosEy46Jif
It was a clean shot. An easy hit near the head or shoulder.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwXulhEm2Q
As it flew toward the beast, shock entered his eyes as the beast flowed like water, moving past the arrow.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWBe1UHgpG
Freezing him in place.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VIEjRJ381
He'd never missed before!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xRlTcmcsV
Stunned and not ready to try again, he wasn't sure what to do as the distance closed in seconds.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzSBrcMVM
The rage and desire for his death was easy to see on the beast's face, and he couldn't move.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDNtpFA8oV
With less than a few feet, the beast rushed to finish him off.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAcdTeTJlY
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHVHydtwyD
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsL2TapSet
And he felt the impact of the beast hitting the stone.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON9KtG48j3
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYdYdBQdtJ
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXwzOM5FNl
The arrow hit it in the eye, stopping its movements.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80YeZIOxzw
And ending the fight.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOySwfvW5CH
Days hunting in the cold ended just like that.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiDpYGN7EP
It could've ended just like that.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrPvU54V5A
A sobering thought.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zf9q8XW05
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNfPyV8v5W
The stone went back into the earth, and he saw his father and the two hunters approach him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWJjJKW0eA
"Good shot, son." The other two agreed.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCEB3ZKsY7
"I missed the first," he said solemnly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySLobKCo49
"No," his father said. "We saw it dodge. It was a clean shot. We were ready whether or not you hit."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe4D5FPmDD
"Was it part of the plan?" he asked, unsure.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPsWNc1lbe
"Aye. I told you I didn't like risking my own boy, and I meant it, son," his dad said.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cvGUBgIrm
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSXjInFPr8
"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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oyzepaTMP
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlR0iYX5T6
Coby was shocked. He'd never seen either use magic.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAiIqaOdOb
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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTk0S0Qd3i
"So it tends to fade or get rusty and hard to use."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDRD8xjb60
"What about you, Dad?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR9PkMnnw3
"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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqnwzi8p8Y
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ngIgb0j6n
"Hmmm," his father said. "Not a new breed. That's good."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAuZr9ez8W
"What is it?" Coby asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsTGMx4h3I
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmOtYsQlK9
"Do you think there's more?" Coby asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESNtnJbnOC
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6MM7lBvrc
"Whatever it had to do to live this long, that is probably the lesson it learned the most from its short life."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVBSUWQ1Pc
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjee1WrBqC
So he had little pity in that regard.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvQo91fuIf
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAt7T98mYN
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiHufXB17L
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFRfuHiAUv
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyJiHXJKNw
He asked the two hunters to wait while he and his son went deeper inside.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlpFYeIUkV
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!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1NOk0iFjg
The man noticed them and said, "Delivery? Leave it to the side. Will add it to your account."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI72rflx4G
Dad nodded and tossed the wolf to the side with indifference. About to leave, he asked his dad what was the giant cat.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPGORisxkR
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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aZee8nrCc
Coby nodded.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAfoleUizq
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyXlBPVoOG
They regrouped with the two hunters outside the room. Dad said they would resupply tomorrow, but today they would rest in a bed.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJkWZrJnHM
Coby was happy. It was a long trip, and the exhaustion was catching up after a few days in the snow.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVIjcYYZfX
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19WM5mrQIA
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ346GTaqVyX
They knew another less busy spot, but this one was their preferred place.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZfQuQwTQl
As they waited, a barmaid took their orders. Coby ordered for his dad, and they waited for their food and drinks.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH0CpDTc6W
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh47CXqpfu
An angry whisper getting louder caught his attention. "I told you they don't care!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7Dxcn2CJn
"Keep it down. We're already not welcome here. You want to get kicked out?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfTjyXiwPx
"We paid. It's the only thing anyone cares about. We'll eat and live like good little street rats."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayz6oZs8nm
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVHamBJFH7
He only caught small fragments. "Potion... weakness... too much... nobody cares... church won't help."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbnHA1NAtt
He tried to keep listening over the crowd, but he couldn't make anything else out when he heard banging in front of him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa0JQDbSog
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmk2h7rWFK
Coby saw the pretty young maid from before. He wasn't paying attention.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZaRmlz34s
"I'm fine, thanks," he said, and instead started eating the meal before him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSB8nCN9JD
"Okay! Tell me if you change your mind. We appreciate your business," she said cheerfully as she left for another table.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZUERQXGXt
One of the hunters, Jim, smiled. "She likes you, kid. Didn't offer to pep our step. Hehe."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0XXLzAEYs
"What?!" Coby said, watching her dance between tables, taking orders. "No! She's doing her job. She's nice to everyone."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIeFuDFd87
"Sure," Jim said. "Everyone." He said it in such a way that Coby knew he was teasing him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz8LLP8iZU
"Let it go, Jim," the other hunter, Kyle, said. "The kid is still young. He'll be interested in girls with time."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFem2SnQ3N
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5eX0oBaAD
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhwF3jdkvI
"They're getting worn down. Enchanted would be nice."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISZXvRfvQJ
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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOd8tiN88d
They got two rooms with two beds. Father and son took one room. The other set went to the other two hunters.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUfs8nyIwI
When in the room, stripping for bed, Coby asked, "Dad, do you know anything about a weakening potion?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIaxkkQEyZ
"That makes no sense. Why?" he asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVWc2L6A9Y
"I overheard others talking about the church not helping and a potion that costs money. Said it was the weakening potion."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqxnM87cSc
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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4CkAvAO9G
Coby shrugged, unsure.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQSNbJtY5r
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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza50Xt062Y
"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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy57c0qBWJ
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."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagmP0DJdZw
"I understand," Coby said.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzZNPkgbcF
And they both went to sleep.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPceWNL3O7
Another hunt down. Many more to come.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUC8DKdxJP
and then Add to home screen.