It was cold, he could see his breath as he tried to keep it steady. Snow fell gently like rain. 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.
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.
“You found anything, son? A voice from his side spoke, his father.
“No, Dad, I lost the trail the snow covering its tracks.
“Hmmm, his dad turned to look past his son to the other hunters with them, “Jim, Kyle, let’s set camp. Where deep enough in this should be around where it hunts, will wait it out. “coby was disappointed another cold night 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 a step to cover it.
So far, there were no reported deaths or injuries but they knew if they ignored this beast there would be he reached out to the wind seeking it to touch he had 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, 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, but he felt? Nothing… it seemed there was no beast close, despite his dad’s belief, so he helped set up camp, planning on talking first watch.
The night passed uneventfully, even with a rotating watch; nobody saw anything stir before daybreak, when they broke and cleaned up camp.
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 go bad, so they can be ready for a fight.
“Are you still seeing Wolf?” His father asked.
“Yeah, Dad, he's doing well, got magic power like me too.”
His father chuckled, “So wind-based too? Interesting”
“No, Dad, I meant he has magic like me, his is balance it seems.”
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.”
Coby shrugged, “Not sure they told him he can’t use it like others but it was a strong blessing “ his dad nodded at that but was more focused on the hunt.
As his father stared into the distance, he spoke, “It got to be a level two beast
level two… Coby was surprised so far, they only hunted level zeros or ones! “So, its magic is stronger?” It made sense if they followed human rules. His dad shrugged and tilted his head slightly
“Kinda… a level four can have no magic, so it’s not the same”
“Um…” Coby wasn’t sure he followed
“ Aha, I forgot when training you what I taught and did not, it seems I assumed too much about what the church teaches, they didn’t tell you about monster levels?” his dad pondered, watching his son
“ Not really, just basic things to help us survive.” He replied
that his dad was in thought, then spoke, “ I guess we do keep things safe, and it’s even safer in the city.”
“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 their static they cannot gain power ever. Balance see to that...”
“That said wild monsters those we hunt, can level, well another difference is they don’t drop mana crystals or fade unlike dungeons you can hold them and many parts are highly vaulted because of that but with that, the risk increases tenfold even the weakest monster can be a major threat.
“Even a level zero? He wondered
“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.
Coby shivered, not from the cold but wondering how they were alive with such a beast existing. Dad smiled with a knowing look You’re right to think that, son,” as if he could read his mind.
Humans or beastkin who gain power need magic to grow, and a level zero beast will always be zero, if magic is weak, and 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.
“Do we have to hunt the smart ones that seem cruel?” he hunted out of need, not desire… His dad laughed at that.
“ gods no boy you mad? Why do you think balance exists? Coby wasn’t sure how to reply “Aha seems I’m leaving things out again” 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.
It was believed that 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.
“Hide from us? “ Cob wondered if his dad pondered a good reply
“Well, fairies are pure magic, good little things, but humans hunt them for power. So they hid. Coby felt sick at that. “There are others, I’m sure, they might even have their own kingdom.” Coby stared in amazement.
“ 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.”
Coby nodded slowly, not following that part of history. His dad noticed his son still showing interest. “Just talk and rumor is all I know, boy, great battles with no winners, just death.
Coby nodded once more, agreeing that 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. Dad wanted to split from him a little bit to cover more ground, but stay within earshot to get help.
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 he figured this would be a good time as any to try his wind magic again when he managed to spread it out this time, he saw!
The shock broke his concentration, but the second before it broke, he felt the beast notice him, was it wind-based like him? He wasn’t sure.
He tried again, but this time, the wind fought him it did not want to listen and a cold realization came to him the beast was wind-based and could fight him for control of the wind magic…
He wasn’t sure how, but he felt more than he knew it was far but unmoving. It was learning and trying to understand what was hunting it as it now knew it was not alone…
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 they wouldn’t just give away their element of surprise. Two short calls later his dad returned one and was there shortly after, stalking among the trees.
“What is it, son? His dad said in a low voice a blade in hand wanting to know what worried his son.
“I think the beast is a wind magic user like me, and it knows it is hunted… he finished explaining.
“How?” Cofussed his dad scouted, “There aren't even tracks to follow?”
“I have been learning to use the wind to track,” he confessed
“Clever, “his dad retorted, then allowed him to go on
“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…
“That’s not good,” his father said slowly,” so it not mindless and it learning to master wind…” It might be too much for them, and they need adventures of a higher level… and even if it does not hunt them, they were a day or two from the city it would not be easy, nor did they want to lead it back.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQsu2e0H4A
“Dad,” Coby spoke up, breaking the father’s thoughts
“Aye, son?” His father questioned
“It doesn’t know about you three, just me it is learning, but it is still a beast we can lure it,” Coby said,
You’re assuming, “his father said, “and that's dangerous when hunting any unknown beast.”
“Even if it’s smart, it never dealt with humans,” Coby retorted. “We can use its desire for magic against it… It will want to hunt me for my magic, thinking I’m easy prey.”
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 ‘I think… it will strike before tonight.”
Coby was surprised his dad felt that “why? Do you think that?”
“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.”
“Let’s set an ambush, we will 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.”
His father, finishing, stated with concern. Coby nodded, “I think so,” unsure as all other hunts were easy to track and kill… this one, this one was different… it fought back and wasn’t just prey.
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 it stopped.
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 it was crude and basic but sometimes simple plans are what’s needed.
The goal would be to lure the beast to an area where the three hiding can shoot arrows from hiding spots with Coby in the open as bait, simple.
If 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.
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 best least in theory.
While everyone was set up a light snow was falling helping to mask their presence and tracks he was ready to try and bring the beast.
As he drew on the wind, it became easier now that he was surprised the beast wasn’t trying to fight him.
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. The wind was warping in an area and pushing. Something forward but what?
As he tried to focus on it, a cold fear entered his mind and he almost lost his wind.
The Beast was using the wind to help it run faster! And mask its presence! He could not sense the wolf at all, he only knew because his wind power had been drawn by the wolf, he knew it was there.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGyPXgTOyc
Cold sweat broke out on his back the distance was closing, and he felt it shift it was already hunting him. It just did not know where to look, so it was just randomly trying close to distance.
His dad was right, it didn’t want to let him go, it planned on killing him regardless of what they had planned before. Once it knew he existed.
He now knew for sure why they hunted monsters… they would do this to others with indifference. He let out a low, long whistle to warn that the beast was not only coming but was close.
He couldn’t see the other hunters; the angle they chose was to try to face outward, to intercept the threat, instead, he focused on trying to be ready for the beast. He lay low, put an arrow to the bow, and took aim in the distance. he felt the beast.
Surprised 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, was running sideways away at first, but, as if sensing him, turned sharp and started rushing him!
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.
It was a clean shot, an easy hit near the head or shoulder as it flew toward the beast. Shock entered his eyes as the beast flowed like water moving past the arrow.
Freezing him in place, he never missed before! Stunned and not ready to try again, he wasn’t sure what to do as the distance closed in seconds.
The rage and desire for his death was easy to see on the beast’s face, and he couldn’t move…
With less than a few feet, the beast rushed to finish him off. His last thoughts, the ambush failed, they didn’t see how quick the beast was, and it caught them off guard. The very thing his dad tried to warn him about is never underestimating that which you hunt, lest you be hunted.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCAXV8FEGE
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, and he felt the impact of the beast hitting the stone.
From there, he heard a yelp followed by a few more yelps and saw the beast start to try to run but stagger sideways near him.
Feeling ashamed, he locked up when he was needed most, he drew an arrow, and fired point blank as the beast tried to recover…
The arrow hit it in the eye, stopping its movements. And ending the fight. Days hunting in the cold ended just like that. I could’ve ended just like that. A sobering thought.
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 Leena could be hunted instead.
The stone went back into the earth, and he saw his father and the two hunters approach him. “Good shot, son.” The other two agreed
“I missed the first,” he said solemnly.
“No,” his father said, “We saw it dodge, it was a clean shot. We were ready whether or not you hit.
“Was it part of the plan?” he asked, unsure.
“ Aye, I told you I didn’t like risking my own boy, and I meant it, son.” his dad said
“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, “It's good with Earth, so we had a plan.”
“I can only do slabs like walls mostly, even if it pounced, you the plan was to knock it off with another slab. Thu, that was the worst case.” Jim chimed in to reassure Coby
The wall was always the goal to do. Kyle over here knows light magic. long we kept you from going into deep shock from injuries we would have been able to help you, though that was never a desired outcome.
Coby was shocked he had never seen either use magic and his dad saw his look and laughed “What you thought you only one with magic? No so plenty do, it’s just not everyone cares enough to use it.”
“So it tends to fade or get rusty and hard to use. “
“What about you, Dad? 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 level two fire and uses it to help cook mostly. You got lucky with the wind, it is a good gift, thank the gods,” he said with a smile.
“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 “Hmmm, his father said, “not a new breed that good.”
“What is it?” Coby asked.
“A shadow wolf, but odd, it’s got wind magic, and not darkness? Maybe it had both monsters who are not bound by the same rules as us … will take it to the city, should be good pay, then will scout the south since we already hit the north.
“Do you think their more coby asked?”
“ 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 probably why it was so careful to not be tracked and so willing to hunt in turn.”
“Whatever it had to do to live this long, that is probably the lesson it learned the most from its short life.
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.
So he had little pity in that regard, and his father did say there was other beast just wanting peace maybe that is why they respawned from magic after being killed… another chance for things to be done differently or, sadly, be the same.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduh64iYBwA
The trip to the city was a quiet one. There was very little trade, and the route they took was unorthodox, as they did not travel any roads but within the trees. The guards at the gate recognized them,
Used to the hunter 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.
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. He asked the two hunters to wait while he and his son went deeper inside.
They went to a side room meant for deliverers of beasts their a very slim man carving what looked like a very large cat!
The man noticed them and said “Delivery? Leave it to the side will add it to your account” Dad nodded and tossed the wolf to the side with indifference about to leave he asked his dad what was the giant cat.
The dad glanced at the cat and said “Looked like a common type found in the mountains but rare for here maybe was shipped in for parts. “
Coby nodded. 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.
They regrouped with the two hunters outside the room. Dad said they would resupply tomorrow, but today, they would rest in a bed. Coby was happy it was a long trip, and the exhaustion was catching up after a few days in the snow.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHIJv6b4xh
The inn they found was one they had been to before it was well built beening established in the city for a while there was a lot of noise and traffic even In the distance you could hear music.
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.
They knew another less busy spot, but this one was their preferred spot as they waited; a barmaid took their orders. Coby ordered for his dad, and they waited for their food and drinks.
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,
an angry whisper getting louder caught his attention, “I told you they don’t care! “
“Keep it down where not already welcome here, you won't get kicked out?”
“ We paid it the only thing anyone cares about, we will eat and live like good little street rats. “
The voices quieted down, and Coby wasn’t sure which direction they were coming from. he strained, trying to hear, invested, wondering why they were upset. He only caught small fragments.
“ potion, weakness, too much, nobody cares, church won’t help.” He tried to keep listening over the crowd, but he couldn’t make anything else out when he heard banging in front of him.
“Sorry for the wait,” a cheerful voice said “You look tired, cuttie we got drinks that can help with that if you want, try one.” coby saw the pretty young maid from before he wasn’t paying attention.
“I’m fine, thanks,” he said and instead started eating the meal before him.
“ok! Tell me if you change your mind we appreciate your business” she said cheerfully as she left for another table.
One of the hunters, Jim, smiled. “She likes you kids, did not offer to pep are step hehe. “
“What?!” Coby said, watching her dance between tables, taking orders, “No! She's doing her job, she is nice to everyone.”
“ Sure,” Jim said “Everyone, “ he said it in such a way that coby knew he was teasing him.
“let it go, Jim,” the other hunter, Kyle, said. The kid is still young he is interested in girls with time.”
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 “ 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.
They're getting worn down, enchanted would be nice. 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.
They got two rooms with two beds father and son took one room the other set went to the other two hunters.
When in the room stripping for bed, Coby asked ‘Dad, do you know anything about a weakening potion?
“That made no sense,? he asked.
“I overheard others talking about the church not helping, and a potion that cost money, said it was the weakening potion. “Has dad shrugged, maybe….
“The only thing that came close to what you overhear is a leaking curse from dungeons, and the potion needed to cure it cost money.”
Coby shrugged, unsure. His dad went on, “It’s not they won’t help, it the cost that slows them down and the amount people needing to be healed can be high. “
“The poor tend to need to wait, so it seems like the church doesn’t care but think their hands are tied as everyone wants things from the alchemist, and only so many things can be made in a day.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqdpA3xt8I
His dad yawned, “Who knows, son, we hunt monsters, not potions, so we will worry about our things, let the church worry about their thing.”
“ I understand,” Coby said, and they both went to sleep. Another hunt down, many more to come.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ronIgMHfM
