Ansel's Gift - Five (III)

The scent of venom, the traces of movement, the incongruous odor of a "carnivore," and... another strange scent that Seraphina couldn't quite identify.

Following her senses, the path before Seraphina became increasingly clear. Her gaze pierced through the foliage and leaves, through the mottled branches and the concealing fallen leaves, spotting a flowing purple figure nearly a hundred meters away through the tiniest of gaps!

"I've found you!"

The thrill of the hunt peaked at this moment, and Seraphina suppressed the urge to pounce on the creature and shatter its skull with her bare hands. She reached behind her back.

Hunting was an art, not a mere brawl. It had to be executed with grace and style. From this distance, one arrow should do... Eh?

Where is my arrow?

It was only when Seraphina reached back and found nothing that she realized—she had not brought any weapons!

Not even a bow, let alone a small knife.