Father was very serious today, we were on the hunt. It was my father, a couple of his soldiers and myself walking quietly through the deep forest. We’d been at this for an hour now, slow steps, not a word said. My father communicated with his men in with complex gestures, including hand signals and tapping various parts of his body. I had now clue what was being said, I could figure out the “wait” and the “follow me” signs, but everything else was mostly beyond me.
He signaled one of his men forward, pointed to his own forehead, then pointed two fingers to his eyes, pointed to his left shoulder then his right, and finally his left again, then pointed to the left side. He did the same thing with another man, but pointed right side this time. Then he crouched and we waited. I wasn’t entirely sure but I think my dad sensed something and was having them scout.
Not long later the man to the right returned and simply shook his head. He returned to the others, and we waited some more. It was at least another 30 minutes before the guy from the left came back. He nodded and made a hand sign that honestly looked like a bunny, he even bounced it twice. I guess that’s what my dad was looking for because we turned to the left and continued our trek. The scout was leading the way this time.
After 10 more agonizingly slow minutes we made it to a clearing, in said clearing sat a lone bunny, would have been cute too if it wasn’t 2 foot tall, and eating the corpse of a deer like creature.
My father wasted no time in having his men surround the clearing, he gave me a sign that could only mean go, and pointed at the bunny. (Well shit, looks like I’m up, and here I am all outta blessed explosive devices too.) I struggled to a hunched standing position and slowly made my way up to the back of the creature. An ambush and quick kill would be ideal here.
That was not in the cards for me though, as soon as I got within striking distance, the bunny sensed me. It spun on me so fast I almost wasn't ready for it. If I hadn’t been expecting it to notice every single step I took I wouldn’t have been on guard for the sudden aggression. It leapt at me with a legit karate kick, I was too surprised to act this time and stared dumbfounded as it kicked me full on in the jaw. I was sent flying at least 3 foot from that hit. I landed in a roll and recovered fast thankfully. My training was not a waste that was for sure.
I turned to find the creature attempting to flee, but as soon as it got near any of the guards, it immediately changed direction and tried another route. I charged the beast and swung a right-handed strike meant to make it either jump or take the blow. It chose the jump option of course, but it was not a retreating jump, it leaped in for a head-butt. Luckily I was focused on him because I was preparing a left-handed chop, I quickly switched it to a guard and shifted the blow, tossing the beast over my left shoulder. It landed rough, not expecting the sudden shift in its direction; it being a little dazed was all I needed to land a decisive blow. Following my rotation from the throw I landed a spinning right-handed chop to the back of its head, ending the battle instantly. The blood did not bother me much; I’d had to kill chickens for food, and plenty of coyotes and rodents. What was strange was the blood it self, it had small blue things that seemed to shine within the red.
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“Quickly son, grab a hold of the mana and pull it to your heart.” My father said, his voice sounded like thunder after the lack of speaking during the last hour or so. I did as he said; it was almost too east to do, instinctive even. The mana flowed like mist as it separated from the blood, which turned dark with its loss. Then it flowed into me at a steady pace, swirling a little as it was sucked into my heart. After it was all said and done I got a notification.
Absorption successful
Perfect Absorption Successful
+1 B
+4 L
Skill acquired “Rabbit Kick”
Skill: Rabbit Kick
Rush forward and kick in a single direction, uncontrolled movement. If Kick connects with target, deal 10% additional damage and inflict lesser-weakened body status at a slight chance.
I got a skill on my first try?! I told my father immediately, but he didn’t seem surprised.
“It’s a bad skill. See the part about “uncontrolled movement”? Well if you use that skill on an opponent all they need do is put their weapon in your path, and you will impale yourself on it.” Said my father, hosing down my excitement immediately. “It is also an almost guarantee to get from these guys.” He gestured at the corpse of the oversized rabbit. “However, the master at arms said to get it for you, “for training.” I don’t envy you Son. Now lets begin the real hunt.” He said, turning toward the forest once again.
“The real hunt?” I asked, I was already exhausted and that rabbit got me pretty good. I wasn’t entirely sure I was in a state to fight again.
“Oh, yes, consider him a warm up.” Dad nodded at the corpse. “We hunt a Dawn boar. It will be a much better fight and a better meal as well.” He pointed to my heart while saying meal, to emphasize the kind of “meal” he meant. The men gathered the remains of the rabbit and off we went.
Another hour of silent walking later I was staring down a truly impressive specimen of the boar family. It was 600Lbs if it was an ounce, the beast would crush me easily with out trying. I stood opposite it, no chance to sneak up on this bad boy, he was way sharper than that rabbit and actually sought us out.
Axes ready, I charged the monster of a pig, he snorted like I amused him, and charged in return. I tried to do that cool slide under the charging beast and gut em’ move from the anime’s, well, the boar just dug in and tried to squish me. “well that didn’t work, that’s what I get for imitating a TV show.”
I grunted and got to my feet, the boar, pulled from his ruts, faced me once again. “Lets try that again.” I huffed as I started running full speed at him once more. He graciously returned the favor. About 2 or 3 foot out I performed a side spinning slash, moving out of the charge and landing a nasty gash on the beast’s side. The big boy was not done yet though, he had a lot of layers and even with how deep the gash was, I doubted I’d hit anything vital.
The boar was big, and fast, but he was a one trick pony, charge and gore was his game and I had em now. We repeated our dance several more times before the bastard finally dropped from blood loss and exhaustion. A quick neck chop and the fight was concluded, I’d done better against this one, but that first move was nearly my last mistake. I will not be quite so anxious to be showy in my next fights, in a life or death fight, a win is a win, don’t matter if it was pretty.
I again absorbed the mana, and another notice came, and it was indeed a better meal from the last. No skill this time though, but it was +5 Life and +3 Body!
Thus concluded my first hunt, and I’d come out +4 body for it. My father was happy for my wins but stated that I’d need more training before hunting further. It seems I failed to impress him. I will work hard on my skills so I don’t have to wait too much longer, because feeding; it felt real good, the tangible visual increase to my stats was, indescribable, almost as good as winning the fight itself.
Current Status
Name: Maxintus Delventier
Age: 11
Race: Vampire
B 9 +4
M 13
S 20
L 90 +9
Skills
Rabbit Kick (New)
Mana drain
True Blood (Passive)
Reincarnator (Passive) (Hidden)