Chapter 06: Safe Paths and Fruitful Hunts

Another month passed.

It was time for the new hunters to go on their first hunt. The new hunters were divided into four groups of ten, each led by two seasoned hunters. Group one, which included Elan, was led by his father, Daren, and a man named Torin, a burly hunter known for his strength and tactical mind. Group two, which included Elan's best friends Aiden, Jarek, and Lian, was led by Daren's second hand Gawin and a man named Alric, a sharp-eyed tracker with unmatched skills in stealth. Group three was led by Burd and a man named Roderic, a veteran hunter with years of experience. Group four was led by a hunter named Bran, a master of traps and snares, and another hunter named Eamon, known for his speed and agility.

As the groups gathered at the center of the village and waited for the others to arrive, Elan turned to his father and asked, "Father, why don't we have any horses to help us travel faster and carry the heavy loads?"

Daren was an imposing figure, standing at 6'4" and weighing 200 pounds. Despite his size, he was remarkably silent and agile, a result of years of training and hunting. He smiled and placed a hand on Elan's shoulder. "Son, the beasts we hunt and encounter are far too wild and dangerous to be domesticated. These creatures are strong, fierce, and unpredictable. It's safer and more effective for us to travel on foot and use our skills and training to handle the challenges we face."

"Horses would only attract more danger and make it harder for us to move quietly and strategically through the forest. Our survival and success depend on our ability to adapt to the environment and outsmart the wild beasts. That's why our training is so important. We rely on our own strength, agility, and teamwork."

Now that everyone had arrived, Gawin called everyone to gather around, as Daren had something important to say.

Daren looked at the forty new hunters and saw the excitement and confidence in their eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle at their enthusiasm. "I love the confidence, but confidence alone won't help you survive in your destinations. When you're out there, where the wild beasts roam, I want you to be cautious. Trust your instincts and remember your training. Above all, trust your fellow hunters. Don't act recklessly or try to show off because that will only lead to your death. Got it?"

The young hunters nodded firmly in agreement. "Good, let's go."

The group began their march towards the edge of the village, accompanied by their worried but supportive parents. The parents whispered prayers under their breath, hoping for the safe return of their children.

When they reached the village exit, the lead hunters paused and looked at each other. Daren then addressed the group. "Safe paths and fruitful hunts," he said. This phrase, a traditional blessing among the hunters, was echoed by the other lead hunters. It was a custom that had been passed down through generations, meant to encourage and protect the hunters on their journey.

The groups then parted ways, each heading in their designated direction. Group one was headed west. Group two was headed east. Group three was headed north, and group four was headed south.

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"Our destination is an area populated by wild beasts, but don't worry, these creatures aren't very dangerous. If they see humans, they usually run away."

The children nodded in understanding. One of the young hunters asked how far the destination was, and Daren responded, "It's about ten miles away, so relax for now. For the next eight miles, we're unlikely to encounter any wild beasts. If we do, it's very rare."

Elan nodded eagerly. He carried his spear with him, and the firmness of its wooden shaft and the sharpness of its stone tip reassured him. His clothes were made from tough, woven fabric suitable for the rugged terrain, and his belt had pouches for small tools, with the knife securely sheathed.

Elan's excitement was evident in his face. This was the moment he had been training for. Over the past month, he had trained intensely to master the spear. While his initial attempts had been awkward, he had now become proficient with the weapon. His movements were fluid and precise, and he felt confident in his abilities. However, this didn't mean he could take down a formidable beast with a single stroke. It simply meant he had a fighting chance to defend himself against large and formidable wild beasts. Unless Elan hits the wild beast in its vital organ or the head,.

As they walked, Elan's father continued to give advice, occasionally supplemented by Torin from the back of the group, who kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. This routine continued for about three hours until they were near their destination. At that point, Daren signaled for everyone to crouch and whispered to the children to use their training.

The children immediately sprang into action, moving silently and efficiently, just like hunters. They spread out slightly, each one scanning the area with keen eyes, listening intently for any signs of movement. They kept their bodies low to the ground, using the terrain to their advantage to stay hidden and avoid making noise.

Elan, in particular, demonstrated his training by moving with fluid grace, his spear held at the ready. He carefully placed each foot, avoiding dry leaves and twigs that might snap underfoot. His eyes darted around, searching for any signs of wild beasts, while his ears were tuned to the slightest rustle of leaves or breaking of branches.

After minutes of constant observation, Elan finally spotted a herd of wild beasts. They were creatures that seemed to be a mix between a cow and a bull, with very muscular bodies and faces like cows but with the horns of bulls. These creatures were twice the size of a regular cow. Elan was shocked by their appearance—they looked like weightlifters among wild beasts, incredibly large and ripped.

He glanced at his companions in the distance and saw their shocked expressions as well. Then, his father approached him and said, "These wild beasts are called cowbulls."

Upon hearing the name of the wild beast, Elan almost burst out laughing. The name was so literal and on the nose. But he composed himself as his father continued speaking. "These beasts get easily spooked when they see other wild beasts, they will run away immediately. They're actually quite easy to hunt because of their size, they do not run fast. Because of this, their numbers have dwindled in this area. The only problem is we can only take down two of them because they're very heavy. This is also good, after we take down two, we can head back home."

Daren then instructed his son to find a position where he could cut off the cowbulls' escape route. He also signaled the other children using their unique hand signals, instructing them to prepare and find their positions.

Elan moved swiftly and silently, searching for the best vantage point. He found a spot that would allow him to intercept the cowbulls if they tried to flee. The other children, understanding the signals, spread out, each taking a strategic position to encircle the herd.

Seeing his son and the other kids in position, Daren looked at Torin and signaled for him to make their move after he counted to five. He then raised his hand and positioned himself to attack, starting the countdown.

When Daren finished counting to five, he and Torin launched their attack, each selecting a cowbull to strike.

From his position, Elan watched as his father and Torin made their move. The cowbulls immediately noticed their approach and, true to his father's words, quickly became rattled. They scattered in different directions, lacking any coordination.

Elan observed his father as he targeted one of the cowbulls. The moment the cowbull realized it was being pursued, it bolted to the left, aiming for a less wooded area where it could run more freely. However, it was blocked by two young hunters. Desperate, the cowbull turned to the right, towards a denser part of the forest, but again, it was met by another pair of young hunters.

With no other options, the cowbull was forced to run straight ahead into the thick forest where Elan was positioned.

Seeing the cowbull heading his way, Daren shouted to Elan, "You know what to do!"

Elan tightened his grip on his spear, his heart pounding with adrenaline. He positioned himself strategically, ready for the charging beast. As the cowbull drew closer, Elan timed his move perfectly. With a swift, precise motion, he jumped from his cover and thrust his spear into the cowbull's path, aiming for a vital spot, the head. The spear struck true, and the cowbull stumbled, its momentum slowed by the force of Elan's strike.

Elan watched as the cowbull slid to his feet, the spear lodged in its head, blood flowing steadily. He breathed heavily, staring at the lifeless body of the beast he had just killed. For the first time in his life, including his past life, he had taken the life of a living creature. The realization hit him, his stomach churned and he almost threw up, but he forced himself to feel okay. "I did it, I killed one."

Then the other children rushed to his side, shouting and laughing with excitement. One of them exclaimed, "One shot, that's all it took. You're awesome, Elan!" and slapped him on the back. It was at that moment that Elan noticed their presence, and he smiled at them.

His father arrived shortly after, a broad smile on his face. "Well done, son. That was a good throw," he said proudly.