Chapter 8: Hunt

Seated at their table in the Hunter's Guild, Viktor and Kyoryn studied the quest parchment.

Target: Wyld Elk

Location: Lake of Eden

Threat Level: Low

Kyoryn tapped the paper. "Wyld Elks are fast and unpredictable. Their antlers can pierce metal, and their kicks are strong enough to shatter bones."

She leaned back, arms crossed. "If we're not careful, we'll be skewered before we even get close."

Viktor rested his chin on his hand. "So it relies on speed and brute force. What about weaknesses?"

Kyoryn glanced at him. "Its speed is its greatest strength, but it also means it depends on open ground. If we can trap it in a tight space, we'll have the upper hand. You don't mind me asking what type of magic do you know."

Viktor smirked. "I specialize in all five schools of magic. Alteration, Illusion, Conjuration, Destruction, and Healing. My strongest are Alteration, Destruction, and Healing. Maybe I can use earth magic to box it in, slowing it down."

Kyoryn's ears twitched. "That could work. If you can force it into a corner, I'll use my claws to finish it off."

Viktor nodded. "Speaking of which, I've seen you shift into a fox, but I don't understand how it works."

Kyoryn flexed her fingers, blue fur spreading over her hands. "I use Chi. It's like magic, but it comes from within, not from external forces. It enhances my strength, speed, and reflexes. In my hybrid form, I'm faster, stronger, and my senses sharpen."

Viktor hesitated, then asked, "If you're that fast, why did you run from the humans back then?"

Kyoryn's expression darkened. "That day was… different. No matter what kind of Demi-human you are, we all have heightened senses, but we couldn't sense them at all. They had the advantage. And my father… he was the strongest in our family. If they took him down, what chance did I have?"

Silence lingered between them. Viktor eventually nodded, his face unreadable. "I see… So, I'll keep it in place, and you go for the kill."

Kyoryn gave a small smile. "Just don't mess up your traps."

Viktor chuckled. "Trust me. I've got the sky advantage."

With their plan set, they left for the Lake of Eden.

---

The lake was vast, its surface shimmering under the afternoon sun. Herds of plant-eaters grazed near the water, away from predators.

Kyoryn knelt, brushing her fingers over the dirt and grass. Her ears twitched. "Tracks. Fresh ones. It passed through here recently."

Viktor hovered above, scanning from the air. "I see movement up ahead—about half a mile. It's grazing in a clearing."

Kyoryn nodded and signaled him to get into position.

She moved forward silently, keeping low to the ground.

Viktor studied the terrain, planning his trap.

When Kyoryn was in position, he extended his hands.

The earth trembled.

Large stone walls erupted around the elk, cutting off its escape.

The beast jolted upright, ears twitching. It sensed the sudden change but had nowhere to run. Viktor reinforced the perimeter with stone bullet runes—just in case.

Kyoryn smirked.

Blue fur spread across her limbs as she shifted, her body growing more animalistic. Her tails lashed as she sprinted with inhuman speed.

The elk panicked, dashing in circles, searching for an exit. But the walls held firm.

Kyoryn closed the gap, her muscles coiled with energy. She launched herself at the beast, claws glowing with Chi.

The elk tried to shake her off, but she dug in, gripping tightly. Its powerful legs kicked, but Kyoryn twisted, avoiding the strikes.

Viktor hovered above, forming a stone bullet. "Need an opening?"

Kyoryn grinned. "Not necessary."

With a final swipe, her glowing claws slashed across the elk's neck. The beast staggered, then collapsed with a heavy thud.

Breathing hard, Kyoryn shifted back to her normal form, wiping sweat from her brow. She looked up at Viktor with a smirk. "Told you I'd take it down."

Viktor landed beside her, clapping. "Impressive. I barely had to do anything." He waved a hand, dispelling the stone walls.

Kyoryn flicked her tail. "That's because you did your part right."

Viktor chuckled, stretching. "Well, now we just need to haul this thing back to the guild so we can get paid—"

"YOU TWO! HOW DARE YOU USE—"

An armored man came rushing toward them. But before he could finish his sentence, he stepped on one of Viktor's stone bullet runes.

The rune triggered. A small stone bullet shot up, slamming into the man's face. He hit the ground instantly, knocked out cold.

Viktor and Kyoryn stared at each other.

"…We may have just assaulted someone," Viktor muttered.

Kyoryn ask completely concerned. "He isn't completely hurt right?"

Viktor floated over, dispelling the remaining runes as he landed next to the unconscious man. Kyoryn followed, arms crossed.

Viktor crouched down, placing a hand over the man's forehead. A red orb of energy formed in his palm. He swallowed it without hesitation.

The man stirred, blinking as his wounds faded—no blood, no scars, just confusion.

Kyoryn raised an eyebrow. "What did you just do?"

Viktor grimaced as a headache kicked in. "It's… a special ability. Hard to explain, but I healed him by taking his pain."

Kyoryn watched him carefully. Just who are you, Viktor?

Viktor calmly replied, "We will have all the time in the world to figure that out."