Half an hour later, Edge had worked up quite a sweat.

After securing a final crate, the wagon was fully loaded. He helped Violet stretch a waterproof tarp over the top and held it in place while she tied it down. He sat down at the bench to catch his breath while the crew’s quartermaster started strapping Blue into her harness.

When everyone was ready to go, Trapper had them gather in front of the wagon. She stopped to rub the skin behind Blue’s horns and then turned to face the crew. “Alright people. The big day is finally here. Before we leave, I wanted to fill you in on the details of where we are going and outline what we’re hoping to accomplish.”

Everyone gave Trapper their full attention. He could tell from the expression on her face that something was weighing on her mind.

“We are still conducting Edge’s final exam as planned, but the situation on the plains has grown even more complex over the last few days. The settlement needs every core-wielder living within the walls to lend a hand during these trying times. In short, we have another job to take care of while we’re out there.”

This was news to him, although it seemed like most of the others already knew what Trapper was about to say.

“We’ve received a commission from the Mayor. One that is vital for the future of the town. Our mission has two parts. The first is to survey the changes that have taken place on the Ivory Plains in the wake of the disaster. Especially near the northern border of the biome, which is where we’re headed.

“The second part of our job is a big game hunt, and two of you have already seen our target up close. That’s right people.” Trapper grinned. “We’re going after the padamas—the giant lizard that has migrated onto the plains from god knows where. After Edge and Sasha drove it off, the sneaky bastard left the area around town and wandered into the northeastern corner of the plains.

“It’s been wreaking havoc in the region and has already taken out two resource-gathering parties that we know of. We would have gone after it sooner, but it was on the move for days and it took us a while to locate its new territory, thanks to its high-rank stealth skill. This is a dangerous creature, and it’s far too aggressive to leave it alone. Now that we’ve pinned down its whereabouts, it’s time to take the predator out before more lives are lost.”

Edge was surprised to learn that they were going after such a big beast with such a small team. But after training with the crew, he trusted Trapper’s judgment. If she thought they could do it, he was willing to give it a shot. His core clearly felt the same way. He felt a pulse of hunger from Skill-Eater, just thinking about stealing some of the lizard’s skills.

“While we have a preliminary analysis of the padamas’s capabilities, it’s a powerful, late stage-two beast. It’s sure to have several more skills that no one has seen. Facing off against an opponent with unknown powers will make our hunt that much more dangerous. But it’s an excellent chance to gain experience, grow stronger, and find out what Edge has to offer along the way.

“That’s the bad news. The good news is that we’re getting triple pay for this mission. Once for scouting the border of the plains, once for taking out the big bad, then again for whatever parts we salvage from the remains. As usual, the pay will be an even split of the profits, minus the cost of supplies.

“This is a high risk, high reward mission. But someone needs to do it, so it might as well be us. The mayor trusts me to get the job done and I trust you. We’re going to eliminate the threat, harvest its resources, then come back home to celebrate in style. No one is allowed to die out there, not even me.”

Edge looked at the other members of the team in turn, curious to see how they were taking the news. They all seemed a bit nervous, especially Sasha, but the hunters were clearly excited by the upcoming mission. He could see the passion in Trapper’s eyes reflected in the rest of her crew. Brave women and men he was proud to fight alongside.

Trapper’s expression grew serious as she continued to outline the mission. “I’m not going to lie to you. This hunt will be far more dangerous than normal, beyond the threat posed by our quarry. Like Edge said, the shadowreavers were only the beginning. Who knows what manner of monsters and beasts we will find out there in the wake of the anomaly?

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“But I firmly believe that in addition to helping the entire settlement, pursuing this goal is in our own best interest. It is vital that we grow as strong and as rich as possible before things get even worse out there. An outcome that seems as inevitable as dusk following dawn.”

At this point, her tone shifted, filled with determination and resolve. “This fight is only a taste of what’s coming, as the consequences of the disaster continue to play out. If we don’t take advantage of this transitional period, this patter of rain before the deluge, we’re not going to survive. We need to cycle-up our cores and rank-up our skills aggressively. Collect high-grade materials to forge better weapons and amor. We need to grow powerful enough to survive in the new age that is dawning before our eyes. Individually, as a crew, and all of Puppet Town combined.”

Edge found himself getting swept up the moment. Trapper’s ambition resonated with his own inclinations, and she was a gifted speaker. “Make no mistake. A storm is coming. Whether we endure its wrath or are swept away will come down to taking advantage of opportunities before they slip through our fingers. To choices just like this one.”

At this point, the woman stopped to look them each in the eyes in turn. “I won’t force you to go on this hunt or kick you out of the crew if you refuse. But I am asking you to join me. To risk your lives and tread boldly down the path of power. Don’t say yes unless you mean it. Look inward and listen to your heart. To your gut, your bones, and your blood. Make a decision that you won’t regret, because who knows if any of us will live to see tomorrow?”

Her words had lit a fire inside him, and Edge didn’t hesitate. He took that first step toward Trapper with no reservations whatsoever. After all, her assessment and her philosophy mirrored his own. He needed to grow stronger for all the reasons she’d listed. Not to mention the danger he would face from people hunting his unique core.

Her crew didn’t hesitate either. Each of them looked straight ahead and walked to join Trapper’s side. They were ready to take their first steps into an uncertain future. A future where they must fight for the right to survive and forge their own destiny, starting here and now.

Trapper’s face broke into a beaming smile at the sight, and Edge saw her wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.

“Thank you. I’m proud of you. There are a few final details to go over and then we can leave. It’s not just the padamas terrorizing the Ivory Plains. More troublesome beasts have appeared in different areas, and other hunting crews have been dispatched to eliminate them. We shouldn’t run into any of their targets in the field, but it’s important to know it could happen.

“Moving onto Edge’s exam. Given the emerging situation, time is of the essence, so we’re going to be doing things a bit differently than usual. I still want you to observe Edge’s performance. To share what you’ve seen when the test is complete.”

At that point, Trapper turned to address him directly. “We would normally head out without food and water, and finding both would be the first stage of your test. Instead, we’re leaving fully loaded. We’re still going to be living off the land, but not until the second half of the trip. It will be a bit compressed, but you’ll still get a taste of what it’s like to live in the field, far away from town.

“Normally, I would have you call the shots from here on out. Instead, you’ll be learning something even more important. What it means to hunt with people’s lives hanging in the balance, and not just a pile of Credits. This isn’t some kind of arbitrary ritual. I’m grading you on your ability to survive, contribute to our collective success, and work as a team. I don’t need anyone who can’t do all three, but I have a good feeling about you, Edge. Use your head and remember your training, and I’m sure you’ll do just fine.

“That just leaves one last item. Further complicating matters, there are a dozen or so farms that are being evacuated as we speak. It’s too dangerous for them to remain isolated under the circumstances, so they are moving everything they can carry to relocate closer to Puppet Town. Several groups are behind schedule, and we think the padamas is the reason why. There might still be survivors out there, so we need to enter the region and kill the lizard before it kills anyone else.

“We don’t know what new beasts and monsters have moved into the biome, so be on the lookout for anything once we’re out in the wild. It’s quite possible that we’ll be running into jailbirds from now on, since the wardens aren’t around to keep them out of the starter zones.”

Trapper picked up her pack and motioned for the crew to do the same. “That concludes today’s briefing. I’m thrilled to have you along for the ride, Edge. I look forward to getting to know you better, and I know Sasha does too.” Everyone burst into laughter at that point, even Sasha and Edge. They looked at each other, blushed, looked away, and then laughed again.

“It’s time to hunt, boys and girls. Let’s roll out.”

With that, Violet climbed onto the wagon, took the reins, and issued a command. Blue began to pull, and the wagon started to move, marking the start of their adventure.