The Butcher's Path 3 ( last part )

[ ] = Main character thoughts

Dawn was painting the sky pink when we left the cabin. The air was cold and sharp, and my breath formed small clouds in front of my face. Thorin walked silently beside me, his steps sure despite the uneven terrain.

[I would have never imagined that the final test would be a hunt.]

The forest welcomed us with its embrace of shadows and whispers. The ancient, gnarled trees seemed to watch us as we ventured deeper into their realm. Thorin stopped in a small clearing, where the light of the rising sun filtered through the leaves, creating dancing patterns on the ground.

"A hunter must learn to become part of the environment that surrounds them," Thorin said, his voice barely above a whisper. He bent down, taking a handful of moist earth. "They must disappear, merge with the air itself."

It was at that moment that something changed. The air around him seemed to vibrate slightly, and for an instant, I saw something ancient in his eyes, something that went beyond the simple village butcher.

[Thorin Ironfist, my first master.]

Thorin raised his hand, commanding silence. A deer had emerged among the trees, unaware of our presence. It was a magnificent creature, its coat gleaming in the morning light.

Thorin took the simplest of the knives we had brought with us. With movements as fluid as water, he began approaching the animal. It was as if he had transformed into a shadow, each step perfectly synchronized with the natural sounds of the forest.

[I can't even hear his footsteps...]

The deer continued grazing peacefully, completely unaware of the predator approaching. In an instant, everything happened. Thorin's hand moved with impossible speed. I only saw a flash of the blade, a movement so precise and delicate it almost seemed like a caress.

The animal didn't even have time to startle. As if in a gentle embrace, it collapsed into Thorin's arms, its eyes closing as if slipping into a peaceful sleep.

Thorin lifted the deer with surprising gentleness, carrying it toward me as if he were carrying a sleeping child.

"Did you see?" he asked softly. "The animal shouldn't even notice. No pain, no fear. It falls into your hands as if in a dream. This is the true meaning of hunting. The others... the others are brutal, violent. That is not our way."

[Every movement was exactly as it should be.]

"Now it's your turn," he said, gently laying down the deer. "Show me what you've learned."

I nodded, gripping my dagger. It took time before finding our next prey, but finally, I saw it: a little lamb, grazing in a small clearing. I took a handful of fresh grass and approached slowly.

The lamb, attracted by the grass, trotted toward me. Its purity, its innocence... everything about it spoke of life. As it ate from my hand, I raised the dagger. It was the perfect moment.

That's when I saw her. The lamb's mother, motionless among the trees. Her eyes... those deep dark eyes were filled with an emotion that pierced my soul. It wasn't fear, it wasn't anger. It was pure desperation - the desperation of a mother watching death approach her child and knowing she could do nothing to prevent it.

[Those eyes... they tell a story I cannot ignore.]

My hand trembled. The dagger suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. With a deep breath, I lowered the weapon and stepped away, letting the lamb run back to its mother.

When I returned to Thorin, I expected to see disappointment on his face. Instead, I found a smile of understanding.

"If you had killed that lamb, you would have passed the technical test," he said gently, "but you would have lost something more precious than your skill. Humanity, Doruuk. A hunter must know not only how to kill but also when to show mercy."

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You have completed your training with me. You are free now, ready to survive in the hunting portal."

I looked at him, amazed. "How... how do you know I came for this?"

Thorin chuckled softly. "I have lived a long life in this world, my boy. I know how to recognize determination in your eyes. Your eyes... they spoke of survival, of necessity. And now they speak of understanding."

[It wasn't just training... it was a life lesson.]

"Don't forget me," he added, as the sun climbed higher in the sky. "And remember: true strength lies not only in knowing how to take a life but in knowing when to preserve it."

Afterward, I gathered my belongings from Thorin's house and returned to the city of Drakathen.

Once there, I went to see Hector. He didn't ask for money for the month since I wasn't present, so he didn't want payment. I thanked him for this and headed outside.

There, I heard the guard shouting that the hunting portal would open soon.

So I began to prepare, buying a backpack to collect the void stars, an inexpensive healing potion, and some other supplies and food. In the end, I was left with only 2 silver coins.

Then I headed to the guild to see if anything had changed, but everything seemed normal in its place.

The secretary, seeing me, said, "It's been quite a while since I've seen you, you know."

"Yes, I know. I was away."

"Welcome back. Are you going into the portal?" "Yes." "Well, don't die." With a smile on my face, I said, "Don't worry."

Chapter-End.