Chapter 105: The Night of the Long Hunt
Chapter 105: The Night of the Long Hunt
In the forest, a thin layer of snow blanketed the bushes, and the towering trees were adorned with a white veil, occasionally shedding their frosty covering onto the ground with the gentle caress of the wind. The early arrival of winter had brought snow to the forest a few days prior, but thanks to the efficient harvest of crops in response to the Corrupt Venom Spider's attack, the farmers had avoided any significant troubles.
However, for the hunters currently engaged in a long hunt, deep within the forest, this premature winter was undoubtedly the worst news they could have received. The early onset of winter disrupted the animals' routines, making hunting significantly more challenging.
The contrast between the hunters' catch on the first two days and the meager results after the snowfall was stark, with a difference of almost double the amount. Despite this, Dan, the team leader, decided to terminate the long hunt and lead the entire hunting party back to town.
Although the harvest was not as bountiful as expected, the mission was still considered a success, ensuring the town's food demands would be adequately met.
However, for the hunters on their journey back, there was an even worse piece of news awaiting them—a beastfolk attack.
As they no longer needed to hunt on their way back, they could return to town in just two and a half days instead of the four days it took them to reach this point. But on the second night, as the seven hunters sought shelter in a hunter's hut, a terrifying howl echoed in the distance.
"Awooo!"
"Mise, Rugan, wake everyone up!"
As the leader of the hunting team, Dan was the first to open her eyes, her voice stern as she ordered the hunters to rouse their companions.
It was common for their rest to be disturbed by wild beasts at night, but one of the female hunters sensed something unusual about this particular situation.
Crowded inside the wooden hut, the hunters listened to the sounds outside, soon realizing that the noise was approaching the hut, and the intermittent roars seemed to be encircling us."
"Beastfolk attack!" At that moment, Dan delivered an even more somber piece of news: "The sounds outside are from beastfolk, and there are quite a few of them. This hut won't withstand their assault!"
An Awakened who had joined the hunt for support immediately asked, "Dan, what should we do?"
Dan paused for a moment before making a swift decision.
The other hunters quickly sprang into action, packing their belongings and preparing to carry their catch.
Just then, Dan, with practiced efficiency, waved her hand, signaling them to leave their catch behind: "We must leave our catch in this hut and add some blood to today's fresh kill to attract the beastfolk, allowing us to escape under the cover of darkness and return to town as soon as possible."
"Be careful not to get blood on yourselves; it could cause us significant trouble."
The hunters immediately understood the female hunter's intention.
She planned to use their catch as bait to lure the beastfolk, providing them with a chance to escape this perilous situation.
With her hunter's skills, she could not only hear the sounds around her but also smell the danger that permeated the forest.
The scent was incredibly complex, with a variety of odors that were hard to believe.
In other words, the number and variety of beasts lying in ambush were outrageous, and they were certainly not facing a small-scale beast tide.
If Dan were alone, she could handle such a crisis.
Deep in the forest, relying on her hunter's abilities, she even had the confidence to lead her prey through the woods and return to town at her leisure.
After all, while she couldn't kill all these beasts, they wouldn't be able to catch up to her, a Fourth Stage Awakened, in the forest!
But what about her companions? The five ordinary hunters would have no chance of survival in the beast tide formed by these monsters.
She had to get them back safely!
Dan made her decision in an instant, her tone becoming unyielding, revealing the authority of a hunting team leader: "Listen up, everyone. Drop your prey on the ground, and once they've bled out, follow me out of here."
"That's an order!"
The hunters exchanged glances.
Although they were reluctant, they quickly complied with Dan's command.
After all, Dan was not only a hunter but also a veteran Awakened.
The respect and trust built over more than a decade couldn't be shattered by a momentary anger.
As the hunters dealt with their prey, Dan instructed another Awakened: "Xisel, you'll lead the way for them from now on, and I'll cover the rear."
"Just repel them; there's no need to engage."
"Always prioritize your safety!"
Xisel nodded immediately: "I understand, Dan!"
The hunter hut's door creaked open in the pitch-black night.
The hunters retreated in the formation Dan had instructed, trying to remain as quiet as possible.
The scent of blood immediately attracted the beasts lurking nearby, and their calls became denser in the forest.
From a distance, glowing eyes could be seen in the darkness.
After the hunters withdrew, the beasts rushed into the hut, tearing and biting.
Just as Dan had predicted, the beasts didn't immediately attack after finding the ample prey; instead, they began fighting over the food before them.
Dan, still directing the retreat, breathed a sigh of relief.
She monitored the hunters' conditions in the darkness, urging them to stay alert and keep running, not giving the beasts a chance.
But half an hour later, the female hunter, traveling in the dark, heard the footsteps of beasts behind her.
"Are they still chasing us?"
Dan paused, and the anger brewing in her eyes burst forth.
If it weren't for protecting the other hunters, she wouldn't have considered retreating from these beasts at all; instead, she would have hunted them!
Seeing that there were still beasts daring to pursue them, the female hunter didn't hesitate. She nocked an arrow, and a frost arrow flew across the cold air into the dark forest.
"Ow!"
The beast's painful roar followed the arrow's flight.
But immediately after, more intense and rapid pursuit sounds echoed, and more beasts were chasing them!
"Have these beasts gone mad...?"
The female hunter cursed in the darkness.
At that moment, even worse news came from the front of the team.
Xisel, the Awakened at the vanguard, reported: "Dan, ahead! There's a spider web up front!"
(End of Chapter)
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