Chapter 9 The Hunt Part 2

Ar moved more carefully, following the sound of heavy thumps and growls that echoed through the trees. Shadows moved quickly between the thick trunks, accompanied by occasional flashes of light. The closer he got, the clearer it became that this was no ordinary battle.

He crouched behind a large rock and strained his eyes. Clau followed behind him, holding his breath.

Ahead of them, a group of five was fighting a large creature. Ar recognized it at once.

A Tainted Magical Beast.

A Two-Horned Rhinoceros.

The creature's body was towering, muscles like steel, blackish skin that looked tough and scarred. Two long horns glowed red, pulses of dark light vibrating along the surface.

Ar watched the five fight. They used weapons that radiated Essential Aura, but their attacks left only superficial wounds. The movements of the two-horned rhinoceros were ferocious, each stomp of its feet sending tremors through the ground and causing its enemies to retreat step by step.

Clau whispered, her voice barely audible. "Who are they, brother?"

Ar remained focused, his eyes following every movement on the battlefield. Their techniques, their fighting style, it was clear.

"Channelers," he finally replied. "Most likely from Kaelith."

Clau stiffened. His face hardened, his eyes flashing with fear mixed with hatred.

Ar didn't have to ask why.

Kaelith.

The rulers of this land. People who always use their power and status to oppress Ethel. Just like Baron Bartemus, who might soon attack the orphanage or even the Floressia district.

Ar clenched his fists, his mind spinning.

He could just leave. Let them fight, let these Kaelith die.

But if these Channelers died here...

Perhaps that would be better for the world.

Ignoring his own thoughts, Ar focused his attention forward again. One of the Channelers swung his long sword, his slash hitting the leg of the two-horned rhinoceros. The result, however, was far from what was expected.

Instead of weakening, the creature became even more enraged.

Its growl echoed in the air, and its fiery red horns hit the ground hard, causing a small explosion that scattered dirt and wood chips in all directions. Toxic black smoke billowed around him, causing several Channelers to take a few steps back.

Next to him, Clau moved restlessly. "Brother, are we leaving or...?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but Ar knew what he meant.

"Let's see." His voice was barely a whisper. "If it gets worse, we'll do something."

Clau didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway.

Meanwhile, Ar watched the five people fighting in front of him. He studied every move they made, the way they blocked attacks and the way they used their weapons.

Even from a distance, Ar could see how powerful the weapons they were using were. Each blade radiated an Essential glow, coating its surface with a layer of constantly pulsating energy. These weapons were clearly designed to deal with high-level magical beasts.

But even though they were well-equipped, this fight was far from easy.

Ar reassessed the situation. The two-horned rhinoceros was no ordinary magic beast. With its sturdy body covered in tough skin and two sharp horns spewing dark smoke, it was clearly a real threat.

But it also knew something more important.

"Level 3 Dangerous."

Ar took a deep breath.

The Two-Horned Rhinoceros was no ordinary magic beast, this creature was a Tainted Beast, an animal that had been tainted by dark energy to the point of becoming more ferocious and uncontrollable. Its mere presence was enough to upset the balance of the ecosystem, polluting the environment with a poisonous, corrupt aura.

This made it more dangerous than ordinary animals. In fact, compared to some natural beasts, this creature was still a medium threat.

Ar clenched his fists.

They could leave now and leave the Channelers to their own fate.

But if the magic beast was left alive…

This forest was too quiet.

Ar didn't like it. There were no birdsong, no rustling in the bushes. There should have been wildlife here, but there was only a group of Channelers and their hunt.

From behind the rocks, Ar watched them. Their movements were practiced, their weapons specially designed to deal with magical beasts. It wasn't surprising, an experienced group would have this kind of preparation. Their coordination was quite good, as far as he could see.

His focus returned to the main reason for their hunt. The horn of the two-horned rhinoceros.

It was not only a status symbol, but it also contained a high amount of Essential Energy. In the hands of a Channeler, the horn could be refined into a valuable magic catalyst. No wonder this creature was always a target, especially for the Kaelith Channeler group, who were known to make the most of every Essential resource.

But something was bothering him.

Was this hunt the reason this forest felt so empty?

His eyes remained fixed on the battle ahead. The two-horned rhinoceros roared, stamping its hooves until the ground shook. At first, he thought the creature might put up a good fight. But the group quickly turned the tables on him.

Too easy.

Ar narrowed his eyes.

He remained silent, watching. Analyzing.

The horn of the two-horned rhinoceros pulsed with red light, emitting a thin puff of smoke that floated in the air. But something was strange, the smoke did not spread further than a radius of three meters, as if held back by some unseen force.

Ar blinked.

Ahead, a male Channeler stepped forward with a long sword. His movements were quick and precise. In a single slash, his sword sliced through the creature's skin, leaving a wound that oozed dark blood.

This group... they were no ordinary hunters.

Ar took a closer look. The two-horned rhinoceros, normally so aggressive towards humans, posed little threat to them. Even when the creature counterattacked with its horn, something unnatural happened, the attack stopped in mid-air, as if time had slowed down just for that creature.

His eyes shifted to someone in the middle of the group.

A young man. Much younger than the others, perhaps fifteen years old. He was striking in appearance, wearing a fancy blue suit with a long hat. Unlike the others, he stood calmly in the middle of the battle, without the slightest hint of panic.

"His essential... time?" Ar muttered to himself.

When the two-horned rhinoceros charged again, the young man simply raised his index finger. Immediately, green light radiated from his body.

And the world stood still.

The Two-horned Rhinoceros floated in the air, not moving an inch. Even the Essential Energy that normally flowed from the creature's body was gone, as if it had been cut off from the flow of the world itself.

Ar was still watching the group of Channelers who had just finished their hunt. Among them, a young man with jet-black hair stood gracefully, holding a small dagger whose hilt was adorned with sparkling gems. The poor two-horned rhinoceros lay sprawled on the ground, its neck ripped with perfect precision.

The cut was clean, almost flawless.

"Young Master Alexander is truly amazing," one of the Channelers broke the silence with an admiring tone.

"Of course he is. He is a Level 3 Elite Channeler. It is an honor to see the heir to the title of Duke of Alvarden here," said another.

The name made Ar look up slightly. Alexander Arthur Casterwyn. A Kaelith, a noble of the Duke family. His hierarchy was much higher than Baron Bartemus, the person he would face later.

But the admiration was fleeting. Like embers that were immediately extinguished by the coldness of reality.

Nobles are still nobles.

No matter how great or powerful they are, in the end they are all the same, greedy, selfish, and only care about themselves.

Ar sighed softly, then turned away without a word. He had no interest in Alexander, no concern for the cheers of the Channelers who adored the young man. The two-horned rhinoceros horn they were after for the Essential Catalyst was none of his business.

His steps were firm as he left the group, walking through the dense, dusty bushes.

"Brother, what's wrong with you?"

Clau, who was behind him, sounded confused.

Ar did not answer. He walked on without hesitation, his mind preoccupied with more important matters. The Kaeliths were not something he needed to think about.

Baron Bartemus' threat to the orphanage could come at any time.

And so far, his hunt had been in vain.

The forest grew darker as they went deeper. The once clear path was now a blur in the shade of the towering trees. The sun that usually shone through the gaps in the leaves was now barely visible, replaced by a thick mist that hovered like an invisible threat.

Ar paused for a moment and took a deep breath. The smell of damp earth and rotting leaves hung in the air.

"Clau, stay behind me," he said softly, his voice deep but firm.

His red eyes stared straight ahead, alert for any movement that might emerge from behind the mist.

Clau didn't answer, but his steps became more careful. Ar could feel his brother's tension even without words. Clau knew that this forest was not a place where they could walk casually.

Silence engulfed them, only the sound of the wind whispering through the leaves.

And behind the mist, something was moving.