RANGER'S LOG – ENTRY #54
Date: 13th of the Harvest Moon
I’ve heard the rumors. They speak of a village untouched by the monster surges that plague the kingdom—an anomaly, as strange as it is impossible. While the world around us falls into chaos, this village remains quiet, isolated, and—most troubling of all—safe.
For the last few years, the surge of magical creatures in the kingdom has only grown stronger. The magic in the land seems to be shifting, bringing forth beasts far more dangerous than we’ve ever encountered. Orcs, goblins, undead—they come in waves, driven by something unknown. The capital is already straining under the pressure, the borders fortified with every soldier we can muster. But there is one village—on the edge of the forest—that has never faced these attacks. And that alone has raised more questions than it answers.
There are whispers among the scouts. Some say the village is protected by a spirit, a guardian of the forest. Others claim the inhabitants have made some kind of pact with the beasts that dwell in the woods. I find myself doubting the latter. But the possibility of a magical anomaly at the heart of it is undeniable.
As much as I dislike the idea of superstitions, I must investigate. If this village has somehow found a way to keep the beasts at bay, it could be the key to understanding what’s happening. Or perhaps, they know something we don’t—something that could change everything.
My mission is clear: discover the truth.
I’ll leave at dawn.
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Akan crouched at the edge of the clearing, his back pressed against the rough bark of a towering oak. The forest around him hummed with life, the wind brushing through the canopy above. His eyes, however, were fixed on the beast—a hulking creature with glowing antlers that sliced through the air like jagged lightning. It had already proven to be far too strong for direct confrontation. But Akan had learned its habits over the past week, and now it was time to put his preparation to the test.
His fingers lightly brushed the string of his bow, testing its tension, feeling the familiar pull of the weapon. He had one shot. The tranquilizer dart he’d prepared was the first step, the key to turning the hunt into something he could control.
Akan steadied his breath and drew the arrow, his focus narrowing to a pinpoint. The creature moved lazily, distracted by the low-hanging vines. Its back was turned.
He released the arrow.
Thwip!
The dart buried itself into the creature’s thick hide, a whistle of air carrying the tranquilizing agent deep into its bloodstream. The beast’s body shuddered briefly, its movements slowing. Akan’s eyes tracked the creature carefully. If he could have incapacitated it with that first shot, he would have. But the creature’s strength was formidable, and he knew one arrow wouldn’t be enough. Instead, the tranquilizer would sap its vitality, dull its senses, and slow its movements. It wouldn’t take the creature out completely, but it would make it more manageable. Weakened, it would no longer be able to escape or retaliate with full force—allowing Akan to control the next phase of the hunt.
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His heart quickened as he watched the creature stumble, feeling the drug begin to take hold. The tranquilizer would not drop it, but it was enough to weaken its aggressive energy, to force it into the next stage of the trap.
He reached for his quiver and pulled a second arrow, one that would activate the snare trap. His movements were smooth and practiced as he lined up the shot, aiming for the heavy rope tied to a branch just beyond the clearing. The snare was ready, waiting for the beast to approach.
Thwip!
The arrow flew true, striking the rope and pulling the branch tight. The snare tightened immediately, wrapping around the creature’s legs and pulling it off its feet. The beast howled in frustration, its powerful legs thrashing against the rope, but its strength was already weakening. The tranquilizer was taking hold, sapping more of its energy. The snare had done its job—slowing it just enough to guide it in the right direction.
Akan had planned for this. He knew the creature’s next move, and he’d already prepared the thicket ahead, where poison-laced vines waited to slow it further. The vines, carefully placed in a dense patch of brush, were the next part of his strategy, designed to wear the creature down completely.
The beast stumbled forward, still pulling against the snare. Akan had carefully observed its movements over the last few days and predicted exactly where it would go. The thicket was directly ahead, and he’d laid his trap there, knowing the beast’s instincts would drive it in that direction.
As it charged forward, the beast ran straight into the thicket, its legs tangled in the poison-coated vines. The vines wrapped around it, releasing their venom into the creature’s bloodstream. The effect was almost immediate. The beast howled, thrashing violently as the poison coursed through its body.
Akan didn’t hesitate. He was already moving into position, silently stepping between the trees. He reached for his spear, a long, sharp-tipped weapon coated with paralyzing venom. This was the final step. The creature would not survive the spear, but it wouldn’t be a quick death. The venom would ensure it couldn’t escape.
But just as he was about to step forward, the creature burst out of the thicket, thrashing with renewed strength. The snare had loosened slightly in its violent struggle, giving the beast the room it needed to break free.
It was too strong—too unpredictable.
Akan didn’t panic. He had prepared for this. He was already moving, retreating slowly as he guided the creature toward the pit trap.
He had dug it himself, days ago, covering it with light brush and leaves. A deep hole, wide enough to swallow the creature whole, lined with sharp stakes at the bottom to ensure the kill. It had been one of the first traps he set when he started stalking the beast.
The creature charged.
Akan waited until the last moment. The beast was close, its erratic movements slowing due to the poison and tranquilizer.
With a final surge, the beast lunged forward—
And fell.
It screamed in terror as it plunged into the pit, its body impaling on the sharp stakes below. The sound of its bones breaking echoed through the forest, the struggle faltering as the last of its energy drained away.
Akan stood at the edge of the pit, watching the creature’s final breaths.
The hunt was over.