บท 40: Chapter-39<The Hunt-2>

'What should I do now Lopt?' Arvin asked. He was very concerned about the howling of the wolves that were coming from all directions.

{Hey aren't you the guy who said… Lopt I don't want you to interfere in my hunt…. Or something like that… Huh?}

'Read the situation, please…. Tell me what should I do?' Arvin pleaded for help.

{Wolves always travel in packs. They have an acute sense of comradeship. So they will hunt you till the depts of hell.} Lopt said seriously.

'So?'

{So what?}

'I thought you were telling me about the way from which I can get rid of them.'

{No I was just stating facts…}

'….'

{So you don't want me to state facts?}

'….'

{What?}

'Are you going to help me or not?'

{Fine… Wolves have an acute sense of smell. So they will be able to find you easily. I mean look at yourself, right now you are covered in wolf's blood.}

'So they will find me?'

{Yes. But you are stronger than an average wolf. And you may able to kill them all if they come one by one.}

'But they will not…}

{Correct. So the only thing you could do right now is to find a place where you either get rid of your smell or a place where you can take on wolves one at a time…}

'Got it!' Arvin said.

Arvin had an idea about he could get rid of the smell. The most logical thing that he could do to get rid of the smell was to take a bath. But he had figured that taking a bath may not be able to mask his smell completely. So he needed another way from which he could mask his smell. But right now, he was not able to think any way out. So he thought, first he should dip himself in the stream. At least that would rub off most of the smell. After that it was upto future Arvin…

With that thought, Arvin started running towards the stream. Water was his lifeline in the forest. In this forest, he may not die at the hands of animals or by hunger. But he may die from dehydration. So even while hunting Arvin was made sure that he would not travel far from the stream. So he knew the exact direction of the stream. So he started running in the direction of the stream.

While running towards the stream Lopt started lecturing Arvin…

{So my dear apostle, what was your first mistake?}

'What do you mean?'

{You know while crushed that wolf's head, what was your mistake?}

'I made a mistake while killing the first wolf?'

{Yeah you idiot. That is why I am asking you this question.}

'I don't know.'

{*sighs*…. Lesson number one- Always be aware of your surrounding. No matter how strong you get, you could always fall if you ambushed with numbers.}

'Hmm… I was not aware that there was the second wolf in the area.'

{Correct that was your first mistake. Now, do you know why I am telling you this?}

'Why?'

{Because you are making the first mistake again…} Lopt said in a very serious tone.

After hearing Lopt's word, Arvin stopped running. As he had heard Lopt's word he realized something. His surrounding had become quiet. The area which was echoing with howls of wolves just a minute ago had now become the quietest area of the forest. It had become so quiet that even birds had also stopped their chirping.

Arvin had read that wolves used their howling as a means of communication with each other. But now as they have stopped, what does that mean? Does that mean they did not need to communicate anymore? That was dangerous thought…

{Lesson number two- Know your enemy and you will counter him/her.}

'What am I suppose to do with this lesson?' Arvin said while taking out his ax. He was getting nervous as he did not what to do next?...

{Take a deep breath. Arvin listens to me… Try to calm your mind. I believe then you will know what you have to do next..} As Arvin listened to Arvin's remarks he did not calm down at all. After all, it was easier said than done…

{Believe in your body. Close your eyes and try to sense your surrounding. Try it. You will see that there nothing that you should be nervous about…} Lopt said sincerely.

As Arvin listened to Lopt's sincere words, he did what he asked him to do. After all, it was the first time that Lopt had asked something this nicely. So with that Arvin closed his eyes. He started taking deep breathes just like he asked…

{Good. Now smell the air. Try to hear your surrounding.}

Arvin smelled the fresh air of the forest. He didn't know why, but he could distinguish a certain smell mixed in the air. That smell was in very trace amounts. It was a foul smell, almost like he was smelling a toilet that had not been flushed for a long time. Arvin should know, he also worked as a janitor for some time in the past…

{Smell of urine… Predators like wolves always mark their territory with urine. Good. Very good.} Lopt said, praising Arvin.

Arvin then concentrated on hearing. He could hear the rustling of leaves on trees. It was very small but he could hear twigs breaking from his behind, form his front, and from his right. As he concentrated harder he could hear the sound of breathing of wolves that were surrounding him…

{A typical wolf pack has 4 types of members. The leader the Alpha, the second in command Beta, subordinates of Beta's Gammas, and the rest of the pack. Sometimes a wolf pack doesn't even have Gammas as their pack is so small that there is no need for Gammas.}

'I don't know the exact numbers of wolves in this pack.'

{Correct. Typically to test the skill of enemy Gammas or wolves lower than Gammas attack to test the strength of their enemies.}

'So the wolves surrounding me… They are just cannon fodders.'

{Correct. Now it is up to you then… How do you want to proceede}

Arvin had understood that the wolves surrounding him are the weakest among the pack. Being the weakest also meant that they all have less battle experience. So Arvin could take advantage of this. Arvin knew that they all are cannon fodders. So if attacks them so brutally and quickly, then maybe the rest of the pack starts rethinking their decision to make an enemy out of Arvin.

It was a long shot but Arvin had to try. So Arvin opened his eyes and looked in the direction of the wolf that was closest to him. He was just 50 m away from him towards his right. As that wolf was the closest to him, he decided to attack him. As for the rest of the wolves, Arvin could hear their breathing but he had no idea about their exact locations. So he figured they bound to come out of their hiding place if they see their precious comrade in trouble…

With a strategy in his mind, Arvin made a run towards the nearest wolf. As the wolf saw Arvin running towards him with his weapon in his hands, he knew that his cover was blown. So he also came out of his hiding place and started running towards Arvin.

Arvin then used his newfound agility and jumped towards the nearest tree trunk. He kicked the trunk with his right leg and propelled himself in the air towards the direction of another tree. After reaching the second tree he used his left leg and propelled himself further in the air. He wanted to use the mid-air tactic to kill the wolf, instantly.

After propelling himself in the air the second time, Arvin started to fall towards the wolf that was running towards him. Arvin readied his ax and was about to rain down on the wolf. But in between his running, the wolf got a hint of what Arvin was trying to do. So the wolf tried to evade it by stopping in his tracks.

But that was a futile attempt, as the speed of the wolf made it impossible for him to stop at the right time. But still, he tried to stop. He tried to best stop in his tracks. And his attempt did help him but not by a lot...

Arvin when came down, he swung his ax. But the delayed speed of the wolf, messed up his calculations a little bit. So when he came down and swung his ax, instead of the wolf's head, Arvin's ax landed on the wolf's shoulder. But due to Arvin's strength, the ax made a pretty big wound on his shoulder.

The cut was so deep that the wolf started screaming with pain…

{Blame it on this dumba**. If he would have made his landing flawless, you would not have felt any pain.} Lopt commented as he heard the wolf whimpering in pain.

'…'

Arvin then got up and quickly crushed the wolf's head to end his suffering. Seeing that one more of their comrade had fallen, the rest of the wolves started taking initiative…