Chapter 2: On the hunt

A plump rabbit hopped around on the wet earth. As it sniffed at a tasty looking plant, a

glint of metal wizzed towards it. The small dagger pierced onto the rabbit's head and it

immediately died.

Hóngsè emerged from the nearby bushes and picked up the limp rabbit carcass. She

immediately tied a noose around its neck and then slung it over her shoulder along with many

others.

It has only been about twenty six hours since she took up the quest and she already had

over twenty rabbits. It was obvious that not many people hunted or else the animals would be a

lot more aware.

Hóngsè sheathed her dagger and began to tread down the mountain near the village.

With

her game over her shoulder, and her face coated in mud and leaves, she looked surprisingly

satisfied if not happy.

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As people walked past Hóngsè, their faces shriveled up in disgust and horror.They could

not believe their eyes.

Hóngsè was sitting on the side of the street, gutting all of the rabbits she caught. The

smell of blood and guts wafted into the air. This lead to many animals to draw near and even

more people start to avoid her.

As she tore off the skin of rabbits, she then carefully spread them out to dry. While

throwing the guts into an old bucket and putting the meat into a large wooden bowl that she

bought with all of her copper on her after selling what food she had left.

Even though it seemed pitiful, Hóngsè knew that doing this simple quest would lead to

much more profit that seeming. Even if the job is dirty and definitely more tiring and time

consuming than others.

After completely cleaning all of the rabbits, Hóngsè packed everything up and headed

towards the guild hall once more.

As soon as Hóngsè entered the guild hall, she went to the hunting desk immediately. Of

course, the receptionist was asleep once more. Already tired from all of the work Hóngsè did,

she just flung her fist on the desk creating a loud enough sound to wake up the receptionist again.

When she looked up at who was disturbing her peaceful slumber, she saw a person

covered in dirt and blood. The smell of raw meat and guts was almost overwhelming. The first

thing that the receptionist did was let out a loud gagging sound. This urged Hóngsè to roll

her eyes.

She pulled out the quest and set it on the desk for the woman.

After she took a look at the

quest, the receptionist got up and walked over to a cabinet. After a bit of rummaging, she came

back with a sack of copper. "Alright, How many pelts do you have?" she asked half heartedly.

" I hunted about twenty three rabbit hides that have not been ruined."

"My god, how long did you go hunting for?"

The receptionist looked up at Hóngsè in disbelief. She has never seen anybody do a quest

so quickly and efficiently. After counting the amount of furres, she then proceeded to had over

seventy nine copper coins.

Once Hóngsè handed over all of the rabbit hides and gave back the quest sheet, she then

counted out her money and left after grabbing another quest. This was the only way she would be

able to earn any money.

Take a quest, sell any extra resources and earn the money from the quest. This would

become a cycle for quite a while, but lead to a well known huntress that will become reliable for

all.

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"Hey Hóngsè," called a farmer " you got any extra innards that I could use for this years

sprouts?"

With a small smile, Hóngsè handed over a smelly bag of guts from her most recent hunt

and received a few coppers for it. This lifestyle has begun to grow on her.

For two years now, Hóngsè has been living a hunter's lifestyle, and to be honest, it has

been the best two years of her life since her parents' betrayal.

She continued to walk towards the town to look for a new hunting quest. After about a

year of her living here, Hóngsè was finally able to buy her own permanent home. This was

something that not all people would be able to do in such a short amount of time.

As soon as she entered the guild hall, Lila, the receptionist who would not stop sleeping

was there, waiting, wide awake. This was not normal for her.

" Good morning Lila. Is everything alright? I hardly ever see you awake without my

help." Hóngsè jokingly commented. After many visits to the guild hall, she was finally able to

warm up to Lila, revealing her playful side.

" I'm sorry Hóngsè, but this next quest is something that might be way too difficult for

you. I don't think that I should give you this quest." Lila looked worried. Even with all of

Hóngsè's experience in hunting, she had never done something like this.

"I'm sure it's something I can handle,"

"I know you can handle yourself, but this is different."

" Lila," Hóngsè looked down at Lila, " don't you trust me?"

After looking in Hóngsè's eyes for a while, Lila finally gave in and handed her a sheet of

paper. "This quest is worth five gold coins, but this is life threatening. You need to be

careful." Lila looked up at her, full of worry, as she watched Hóngsè take hold of the paper.

After taking a look at the requirements, Hóngsè looked up at Lila and gave her a

smile. " Don't worry, I'll come back alive. I promise."

As Hóngsè left the guild hall, Lila felt like this promise would not be kept quiet as well as

all of the others. After all, this would be the first time that Hóngsè would have to face a Crimson

Wolf, the most terrifying and dangerous beast that inhabits the mountain