章節 11: C11. Hunting Banquet (III)
Walking out of the cave with a hint of frustration, I headed back towards my hunt and mount.
Turning a corner and approaching the black stallion with my second crazed bear kill in hand, I looked back up towards the cave entrance, noticing the small figure of the Crown Prince slowly walking out and staring back at me with a dark look then turned away towards the other side of the mountain.
"Whatever," I muttered, jumping onto the horse and continuing down our previous path.
Death was nothing new to me. The concept of taking of life and the reality of one day someone taking my own has been imbued within me since I was 10. The many years of working with shady people and dealing with a potential life and death situation every single day for most of my life have led me to realize the true fragility of life. A single mistake. A single unlucky day can cause the downfall of anyone, no matter their athletic ability nor their intellect. A single bad throw of a dice titled 'fate' can bring even the strongest man to their knees.
That cub was a prime example. A stroke of bad luck, perhaps fate had chosen it to be that way. If kept alive, the obvious thoughts of revenge would have led it down the path where my plan would one day intercept with its own. The strong would prevail while the weak are doomed to a world of desperation and death. That is why I need to continue to grow stronger. Stronger than fate itself. Strong enough to no longer fear the concept of luck. To be able to become victorious no matter the situation thrown before me.
…
I continued down the thicket of the forest, deep in my thoughts as the soft gushing of distant water reached my ears, causing me to slow down the horse.
In front of me, below the sudden cliff on which I stood was the view of a breathtaking river. The water was so clean, the bottom of the river could be seen from where I was. Around the lake was a giant herd of lime-green elemental foxes, around 20 all drinking leisurely from the riverbed.
Quietly leashing the horse a few meters from the cliff, I crept my way down the edge, using extra caution to not make a single noise.
Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my sword and aimed it towards the closest fox sunbathing on the grass.
SHHINKK
It landed perfectly, stabbing the sword straight into the body of the fox.
KRAAAA! It screamed, dropping to the ground as I dashed towards the rest of the herd.
[Bloodline: +2 Fox]
[Dexterity: +1]
[Skill Learnt: Element (Wind I)]
[Level UP]
Quickly listening for any peepers nearby, I fully transformed myself, hunting down the rest of the foxes, stuffing most of them into my mouth as I went to appease the hunger which slowly increased the longer I stayed in this form.
Finally chasing down the last fox down to the other end of the river, I quickly undid my transformation and wiped the blood off my mouth, the chewy texture of the fox meat still lingering on my tongue.
[Bloodline: +10 Fox]
[Dexterity: +19]
[Skill Level UP: Element (Wind III)]
Dusting myself off and checking for any holes in my clothing, I headed towards the river and had a drink.
"Status."
[Name: Sen
Level: 11
Age: 20
Species: Werewolf (Demonic) (88.9%)
Class: Noble (Duke)
HP: 3000/3000
MP: 900/900
Strength: 123
Intelligence: 90
Constitution:32
Dexterity: 140
Charisma: 100
Proficiency:-
Sword: 56.5%
Dagger: 21.6%
Bow: 1%
Noble Etiquette: 97%
Common Language: 90%
Wolf Tongue: 100%
Bear Tongue: 10%
Fox Speech: 14%
Skills:-
Passive:
Night Vision
Persuasion
Heartless
Active:
Transform (partial/full)
Howl (unavailable)
Corruption (20MP)
Enrage (50MP/sec)
Element (6MP/sec)
Wind III
]
BRRRRRIIII!! The sound of a distant whistle horn blew out, signaling the end of the hunt.
"Finally," I muttered, standing back up and looking up towards the cliff to see my horse eating some grass grown on the cliff edge.
I quickly transformed my legs and easily jumped up onto the ground beside it.
"Let's go." I tugged the reins, hopping on, and head my way back.
————
"Welcome back everyone!" A loud voice echoed out from the gathering area.
"Thank you, Father,"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The crowd replied in a chorus.
I could see Lynt jumping off his horse graciously walking up the red carpet presenting his hunt to the crowd.
The giant humanoid creature laid behind him, its grey-furred arms and legs spread right out to display its ferocity and length.
"A Dire Ape." The King nodded, approving of the hunt before him.
"I wish to present this hunt to Marquise Joane Izan of Alixion. My fiancée." The Crown Prince announced, turning around and scanning the crowd, stopping at a specific blushing individual. A young girl around the age of 20, wearing a beautiful emerald green skin-tight dress with gold lacing decorating on its fashionable loose sleeves. Her light almond brown hair tied back loosely into a braid while her small cheeks slowly turned a rosy red shade.
"Y-Your Highness," She stuttered, placing her hands in front of her mouth delicately. "Thank you so much."
"Very good, very good." The king's bellyful laughter echoed through the crowd as he hit his armrest in great pleasure.
"Thank you, father," The Crown Prince bowed and stepped off the red carpet, letting the next person present.
"Young Duke of Einsoi" The King announced, as all eyes of expectation peered over in my direction. All eyes except the Crown Prince who simply gave me a dark look and walked away into the royal tent.
"Yes, Your Majesty." I bowed, dragging over the bear carcass behind me.
"Crazed Bears. Not bad For a first hunt." The King glanced at my hunt with a slight hint of approval.
"Thank you for your praise." I nodded, similarly walking off the carpet after I was done.
"Your Majesty." A sudden loud voice called out from within the crowd causing all eyes to turn and stare at the tall dusty brown-haired man with piercing dark grey pupils, the common trait of those from the Mackimore lineage.
"The son of Count Mackimore. Aliguard. Am I correct?" The king frowned at the sudden disturbance of the otherwise successful event.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aliguard replied with a soldier's salute. The soldier's salute being that of placing their left hand on their chest whilst standing as straight and still as possible.
"I wish to present my hunt early. I assure you it is worth your time." He explained.
A small crease could be seen forming on the King's forehead as he leaned slightly on his armrest. "Go on." He nodded.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." He saluted once more, walking forward with a moderate-sized cage behind him, covered in a thick white cloth. The cage could be seen occasionally shaking as it was brought forward.
"I would like to present to you," Aliguard announced, tossing the cloth off the cage. "A living adult red-backed wyvern."
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