The bear woke up alarmed, standing 5 feet tall on all four legs with viciously sharp fangs showing in its rage-filled roar after being shot. It scanned its den looking at the only entrance and noticing Garnt's figure towering up on the slope. It let loose one more warning and charged.

As soon as Garnt confirmed his arrow hit his target, he turned and ran back up the slope. He soon reached the traps, pushing off the ground and jumping with the most power garnt could muster, leaping over the traps and ending in a roll.

Looking back at the stampeding bear, it was getting closer to the cleverly placed traps. Garnt took this opportunity to notch another arrow in his bow and let loose. His arrow was headed on target, aimed at the bear's face hoping to hit something critical.

The bear was rampaging wildly, throwing its head every which way resulting in the arrow landing in its shoulder on the right side, slowing its advance considerably. The bear soon reached the traps slamming its front paws into each trap. It made it roar in pain and collapse to the ground as his legs could not support its weight anymore, with its front paws shattered under the trap's closing power.

Taking the time afforded by the traps, Garnt fired at the bear as many times as he could while it was stunned. Letting loose five arrows all into its head, all sinking deep. Resulting in the bear slumping over on its side dead.

"See, I told you to follow the plan, haha," Garnt heartily laughed. "come on out that tree now Leon, I need help carrying this thing.”

Garnt and Leon both half carried half dragged the bear back towards the edge of the woods. Leon was stunned his father could take out a bear that big. Like it was so strong and deadly, how would you face it without being scared?

"Father, can I ask you something?" Leon hesitantly asked

"What's up kid?"

"how do you face a creature like that without being scared? I would have run away when it started to charge."

"yeah, your father is pretty cool, don't ya think, huh" Garnt stated while holding out his arm and flexing

Leon was kind of annoyed now as he was asking a serious question. If he were supposed to take after his father when he grew up, these woods would be his to patrol to keep the village safe. Unfortunately, Leon wasn't looking forward to this, as being a woodsman for the rest of his life wasn't ideal.

Being a commoner was at the bottom of the totem pole in the empyrean kingdom. But that's not to say one can't improve upon themselves as the empyrean kingdom is merit-based, and all statuses can be increased up to a high general. However, the people who have gone up that high can be counted on one hand throughout the kingdom's 2000 year old history.

But Leon was holding on to hope that he could get an opportunity in the military central kingdom. Being promoted to a noble through his military exploits would be fantastic for his family.

As Leon's head was occupied with dreams of grandeur, they were arriving back at his father's shack in the woods.

"Help me lift this huge thing on the butcher table; we're gonna have bear meat for your birthday. That's pretty special, ain't it," Garnt said merrily.

It is rare to get such high-quality meat as bear meat, and all that is known about the woods is that there are dangerous monsters deep in the forest. For a town so secluded in the corner right up against the deep woods that span for miles, no one knows what's on the other side for sure. As all expeditions that venture out to explore uncharted lands never return.

The woods edge villagers are typically referred to as "country bumpkins," literally being the furthest town away from the capital city of Empyria, only second to the royal magus spire, where the young aspiring mages are taught before being conscripted into the military during war times or being placed on mandatory reserve.

As Leon started lifting the bear on his side, he realized how big of a creature his father fell as he strained his muscles with all he had, eventually feeling relieved and exhilarated that the task was done. Skinning the forest creatures was always Leon's favorite part, for he was hoping for a magus stone.

All beings in the world have a quality of magus stone rooted in their heart. Normal creatures like the bear will have an empty magus stone. It will be gray and have a rhombohedron shape. The gray rocks have no purpose as they are drained of all mana but are used in alchemy. This can be quite the haul for a humble village like woods edge.

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Garnt was showing Leon the ins and outs of skinning animals, then it was Leon's turn to try his hand on the sizeable brown-furred animal. Leon buried his knife between the skin and the fatty parts, slowly separating its hide. When all was done, the final piece was to get the magus stone out.

Holding the knife tighter, Leon jabbed the bear in its chest, ripping through the meat to get to its heart. Sifting through all its entrails and finally reaching his goal, he cut away its arteries holding it captive. Flopping the desecrated heart onto the butcher table, Leon cut it in half, withdrawing his magus stone. Freeing his prize from this bloody prison.

All poor-quality magus stones appear in the standard light gray color. It was just of ordinary quality, no deeper gray color or mystical force. Even though this stone was the worst of the worst, Leon was exhilarated because it was worth, at a minimum, 2 weeks' worth of necessities as the food was covered by his fathers hunting habits.

"Alright, son, now it's time to lug the rest of this bear back home. We will have a feast with the whole village for your birthday."

Leon was surprised by the proposal of a feast as they didn't happen for every birthday or normally. Assuming it was to celebrate the defeat of a that had harmed the villagers and made them uneasy while doing their everyday work, constantly having to check their surroundings or risk being mauled

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion where everyone could destress and be relieved of the constant worrying they had endured for the previous weeks. Situations like this were unprecedented in Woods Edge. There had to have been some other reasons deeper in the deep woods forcing the bear out of its habitat, causing it to find different food sources, which, unfortunately, was the villagers.

Carrying the carcass back to the village, Leon discussed the future with his father. He never had an affinity with a bow, causing him difficulty in helping his father hunt for food. Except he excelled at knife proficiency. This was from begging his father to teach him how to use his throwing knives; throwing them was all he could do. His knife skills at close range were outstanding for a child. Being in the boonies leaves plenty of spare time to learn skills to keep boredom at bay.

As they reached the town square, villagers were attracted to the duo. Some of the squeamish ones gasped upon seeing the hulking figure wondering how you could fell such a creature. Giant bear carcasses were a rarity, like seeing a shooting star.

In all reality, the bear that Garnt killed was as common as it gets. There are plenty of dangerous creatures, ranging from wolves to demonic and world beasts. Demonic beasts come from corrupted mana leaked from dark rituals, heretics, and shamans practice. The rituals mutate creatures into vile abominations. The worst part is the longer they are left unchecked, the stronger they grow. Their only aim at that stage is to grow and consume as much corrupted mana as possible.

World beasts are different as they are sentient beings able to understand and communicate. The legends state that a total of 14 world beasts can appear at a time. How one dies and gets replaced has yet to be discovered. Only 14 world beasts can coexist at a time. They are not destructive or malicious for everyone, or there would be no human settlements. People who have discovered them learned they want to live in solitary. Causing no problems and not being forced into constant wars across the lands.

"We have returned and are successful at that. There is no need to be worried anymore. No need to constantly look over your shoulder wondering if a monster is creeping up on you," garnt began to shout across the town's square.

Causing most villagers to erupt in a loud cheer filled with relief. Not to say all were ecstatic, Tim the towns blacksmith was in a depressed mood with his arm in a sling held across his chest. His son Ezra was the same age as Leon but was completely opposite from him. Ezra was tall for being 12 at 5 foot 5 inches with a burly build from hard work hours helping Tim in the forge.

"And there is no need to worry about dinner," Garnt joked, causing a few laughs and happy faces from the less fortunate.

"It's my son's birthday, as some of you may know. This is not a way to garner presents for him, yet make sure you embarrass him, aye."

Leon protests this ridiculous statement, "there is no need for the embarrassment guys, let us just enjoy this delicious bear meat," trying to evade the upcoming embarrassment that could happen, hoping to distract their attention elsewhere.

"Alright, clear out. We are going to get washed up and set the cooking fire, give me till sundown, and we can meet up."

Most of the villagers went home to spread the news for the few too occupied to witness the declaration of a feast. All but Tim left. Tim went up to Garnt and began to thank him for enacting his vengeance for him/

"Thank you, Garnt, I seriously mean it. If that damn bear had lived any longer, not only would I be shamed, I would have gone looking for it with my one good arm." Tim spat out with a snarl. His face was all scrunched up in apparent frustration and anger." my dominant arm is all fucked up now! How can I make a living? It will be a while till young Ezra can take over the forge."

In a state of anger, Tim swung his good arm as he vented his frustrations to the only party to hear. Garnt knew Tim didn't blame him for not discovering the bear before his accident. It was just a normal undirected anger and being crippled and possibly useless in his trade.

"hey Tim, it is dead now. Let's all go back home and wash up for the feast. I bet you will feel right as rain as soon as I force some of that famous woods mead in you." Garnt tried to placate Tim's anger with the promise of indulging in alcohol and forgetting it all for a while.

Tim just nodded and turned around towards his house. Ezra was with Tim, but he was shooting Leon a vicious glare while the adults were conversing. Not knowing why Ezra would be so angry with him, Leon ignored the malevolent stare looking at the well to the left. Ezra finally turned around and followed his father back down the road.

"Well, son, let us prepare for this celebration, aye? I'm sure your mother is worried about us as well. Let's hope that we are allowed out the house after this stunt, "Garnt heartily laughed at his attempts at a joke as he headed towards home.