Hunting Black Ursus Part 3

“Jovita, wake up, it is your turn to watch,” whispered Quintus, waking me up.

“Mmm… okay.”

My name is Jovita and I’m 20 years old, homo accipitridae. You might be asking what a five-foot-three-inch beauty is doing adventuring? Well, my older sister was the only one who could go to the Academy. My parents couldn't afford to send me. My younger sister will take care of the family business. Thus, my parents are looking for a suitable husband for my marriage. However, as I'm neither a soldier nor in charge of the family business, I don’t have much to offer beyond my magical abilities and a solid family. That’s why I started adventuring to improve my magic skills. Maybe I could become a receptionist in the Adventurers' Guild.

It's almost time to get ready for the hunt. The sun is setting. I'm a little nervous about hunting the black ursus. I’d better go pee now. Let’s see. We go south-west for like five minutes to use the “toilet.” The forest feels so quiet, I can only hear the leaves rustling because of the wind. It's nice to feel the fresh aroma of the trees, plus the sassy feeling of peeing in the open.

This is the place, a rocky ground with pine trees. I scan my surroundings, checking no one is there, but who would be in the middle of nowhere? The bushes cover me well when I'm squatting. I look around again to make sure I’m alone, then loosen the belt and lower my pants.

Okay, let’s get this done with… The cool air feels good against my skin. The silence of the forest was only broken by a steady flowing sound. The sun is coming down fast. I don’t see my shadow anymore... Wait, doesn't that shadow look weird?

“Ah!” I let out a scream, ducking forward. The puma jumped from the rocks over me, but I was able to dodge it. This is the same puma from last night. Now I was crawling backwards with my pants down. I quickly pull my pants off with my feet.

“Deities of the wind, by life you guide, power unleashed in the tempest’s cry, cut through the dark with a light and crisp slice, wind of the Spirit, unseen, untamed, guide us by your might, boost speed!”

I somersaulted backwards to stand on my feet, but the Puma was already jumping forward while growling. I have no time to use a magic attack, so I cover my upper body with magic. The Puma grabbed me from the shoulders with its claws like daggers, sinking into my body. The puma slammed into me, and we both rolled on the ground. When the puma was about to swing its claws at my neck, it swiftly jumped backwards, letting all its magic aura go out. My body was frozen in place due to the fear.

“Cute underwear, Jovita. I guess you like cats.”

“Shut up Nina!”

“Take a breather. I got this.”

Nina’s magic aura was overflowing. I could feel her magic resonating in my bones. The puma immediately jumped backwards another step. Immediately after, Nina started her incantation. 

No, the puma will be way faster. She is not going to be able to finish the spell.

“By the Gods, bring your presence before me…”

“Nina no!” It was too late. Arching its back, the puma jumped forward, growling and using magic to boost itself. However, Nina’s lips were pressed tightly together, and her eyes were widening, trying to repress her excitement.

“Pfft Ha ha ha.” The Puma was in the air when, out of nowhere, a wave of fire covered its entire body. Confused by the situation, the puma did not notice Nina shifting her weight forward, lowering her hips, and grabbing her kujang knives. In the precise moment, Nine unsheathed her blades, slashing the puma’s neck.

The beast’s body crashed to the ground while its head fell rolling between my legs, staining me with blood. The scent of hot blood and fur combined with dust filled the air. I could not hold it any longer. Crawling on my knees away from the puma’s head, I threw up.

“What the f*** happened?” Fabia, Quintus, and Pontius appeared.

“Faaaaaaabiaaaaaaa,” I jumped into her arms, crying.

“Leave me alone! What is this smell! You are getting me dirty. Blood?”

“And vomit, sowwy,” I said, sobbing.

“Leave me alone! Are you okay? We will patch you up and continue.”

“Let’s take the materials. It’s my kill, so I want the femur.”

“Sure thing, we can sell the rest. Are you asking Paul to make you a new weapon?”

“Of course, why would you marry a blacksmith if he doesn’t make all the weapons you want?”

“Are these the kujangs he made for you? The curve of the blade is beautiful. What is the hilt made of?”

“White wolf bone. Remember the village up north that we went to during winter? From those wolves is the material.”

“These knives are pretty handy. How much?”

“Not to kill an Ursus, though. I should have brought something bigger.”

“How much?”

“Give them back. I’m not selling.”

“Alright, people, let's go get ready. Nina washed her up, please. Quintus, make sure she is okay to go hunt the ursus.”

“Do you have another change of clothes?”

“Yeah. Thank you, Nina, for sav-” I was abruptly cut short by Nina’s water magic right in the face. “Ack! Ack! Ack! My life.”

“Let’s go. You need to change before we leave.”

…

We walked back to where we had spotted the ursus and headed to what looked like its home. It was no longer there. However, Quintus pointed out some traces from the black ursus. We walked for some time going north when we spotted a hulky black mass ripping and tearing a tree with its maw inside the dead tree; it was probably trying to eat something.

“We will not have a chance like this. We need to kill it now. Quintus and Nina quickly boost me before the ursus notices it.”

“By the Gods, bring your presence before me, come forth and ignite from within me, fire boost!”

“Deities of the wind, power unleashed in the tempest’s cry, wind of the Spirit, unseen, untamed, boost speed!”

Fabia let her magic out, covering her body, jumping forward for the attack. In that instant, the black ursus let its magic out, destroying the old tree, sending pieces of wood everywhere, slowly looking our way.