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JULES
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The sun wouldn’t dawn for another hour over the lush outskirts of Coralhaven. The largest wolf snapped at the other two, who'd gotten too close to its meal, a savory severed leg. Remnants of a golden tribal tattoo spread across its calf muscle.
Adrenaline flooded Jules’ bloodstream, but his heart dropped all the same. Definitely Alistair.
> [The Haunting of Coralhaven — Quest Objective FAILED: Save Alistair.]
>
> [The Haunting of Coralhaven — Quest Objective ADDED: Return Alistair's remains.]
Jules glanced back toward his hometown, blocked by the massive rolling hills that comprised its forest. Along with a few other citizens, Alistair had ventured out to the woods one day, only to never come back. Jules studied his prey again. Two weeks of tracking was about to pay off, though he and his Hunting Party were too late to save another soul. All 2nd Rank? No wonder they’re causing trouble. If only they’d run into me instead.
The largest wolf ripped off the last shreds of Alistair’s skin, and his tattoo along with it. The smaller two gnawed on rotten bones. If Dad’s actually still 2nd Rank like he claims, this could turn south if we fail.
“Won’t get a better position,” Liam whispered to his son. “Final test starts now.”
Jules locked eyes with Cyrus. They nodded at each other, as if to say, I won’t screw this up for you. Liam motioned to both Jules and Cyrus. Figure he wouldn’t help today. Cyrus pointed at Jules and deferred the strategy to him. Scripts are out of the question today with Cyrus around, so I can’t use my Muffle Rune. Have to rely on Skills alone.
“Flank,” Jules whispered. “One-shot. Pincer.” He noted the three general locations for each of them to position themselves. Jules and Cyrus gripped each other’s forearms in a handshake.
“Second place, ₹1,000,” Jules wagered.
“Thanks for the Fire Rune,” Cyrus taunted. His eyes turned black, and he invoked a Script from some hidden tattoo.
> « Muffle »
Cyrus snuck off behind some trees with deadened footsteps to secure his position.
Jules and Liam crouched down and traversed the clearing's edge. They encircled the wolves and their den. Jules stalked through the brush. He ducked under twisted branches covered in cobwebs and stepped beside every fallen twig to avoid snapping them. Still unnoticed. So far, so good. Jules' stomach rumbled with hunger.
> [Pang! Stealth increased to Level 8.]
Jules flinched and snapped a twig underfoot. All three Hunting Party members whipped their attentions to the beasts and froze. One of the smaller, more curious wolves titled his ears towards the sound, but lost interest and resumed gnawing on scraps. Good boy. Back to your meal—Eh, sorry Alistair…
Cyrus glared at Jules. Better remind him too. Jules zipped his lips, and the System silenced his Notifications. Cyrus flipped him off and mouthed back, Amateur.
Jules’ lean muscles tensed, and sweat dripped from his auburn hair onto his brow. He looked to his father for guidance, but Liam stared back with a blank expression. Dad won’t stop on his own. He’ll make me choose the spots. ‘A real Gamesman needs to make decisions for themselves.’
Jules had never wanted to pursue the Gamesman Class, but that didn’t make the advice any less true today. He forged on and examined vantage points from a few spots. Eventually, he found the perfect one for his father that guaranteed one kill-shot. The greatest asset in their Party was Liam, so he had to be given the best positioning. Jules grabbed his father’s shoulder and pressed down. Liam nodded approvingly and squatted down to settle into his position.
Jules continued on alone to the final location. His fingers twitched in exhilaration, in anticipation. He felt his weapons to keep his hands occupied. The curvature and smoothness of the bow was a stark contrast to the cold stiffness of his dagger’s handle, and further contrasted to his preferences. I hate bows, but close contact with 2nd Ranks near Cy is bad news. My Archery Level better surge after this. Jules settled into his position and drew the wooden bow strung around his neck.
A rustle sounded from some bushes behind him. All three wolves raised their heads in his direction, and Jules twisted around to inspect it himself. A flash of white, some small animal, scurried beneath the underbrush, but he couldn’t make out what it was.
The largest wolf dropped his haunch, stood to his feet, and growled. The others followed their leader and crept toward the sound, toward Jules. Their backs now faced Liam, whose eyes and tattoos lit up in the distance. He drew an arrow and aimed at the biggest one. Cyrus nocked an arrow without invoking another Script.
Don’t use Scripts in front of Cy, Jules. Don’t use Scripts in front of…
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Jules hesitated for too long. The largest wolf advanced to Jules’ position around the rocks that formed its den. Damn, he’s already out of Dad’s line of sight. Jules nocked an arrow, the signal for the Hunting Party’s simultaneous attack, and aimed at the big one.
One.
Cyrus’ wrist tattoos lit up in the darkness, and a gale picked up behind him.
Two.
Jules steadied his breath for an accurate shot.
Three.
An explosion of light from Liam preceded three arrows charging through the chill air. The two smaller wolves squealed; one hit the ground and remained there. The largest wolf howled in pain, but mostly anger. Damn, my Archery Skill wasn’t enough. Plan B, then.
The big wolf thrashed about and tried to bite the arrow in its side, as if it chased its own tail. The surviving smaller wolf rushed toward Cyrus, and the leader followed after. The cryptic emblem on Jules’ chest burned iron-hot, and battle rage swept him into motion. He charged the wolves from their rear. One turned to face Jules. Cyrus ran away from the other and flung himself to the ground, as if he’d tripped.
“Oh no, help,” Cyrus shouted. Don’t pursue an acting career, Cy. The large wolf decided to strike its weakened prey before handling Jules, and the smaller wolf closed in on Cyrus, who invoked another Script.
> « Earth »
Rigid spikes of dirt and soil shot from the ground on both sides of the smaller beast and directed it on a route straight to Cyrus. Jules flanked them from behind. Cyrus jumped to his feet, and—just when the lesser wolf was a few paces away from him—a trap ensnared its paws and ripped the wolf high into the canopy.
The final wolf, the leader of the pack, slid to a halt inside the spiked funnel. Blood and slobber dripped from its mouth, and it eyed the trap's only two exits. It could either run to Jules, or it could run to Cyrus.
Jules was pissed; he’d lost the bet. Better harness that anger. “Cy, this one’s mine.”
Cyrus invoked another Script, composed of two separate Runes.
> « Water »
>
> « Freeze »
Atmospheric water condensed into Cyrus’ hand and froze into a crude spear. He stood his ground and didn’t approach, to allow Jules a chance for his kill. Jules inched toward the wolf, and it mirrored his movements as they gauged each other’s weaknesses and strengths. He’ll try me first since the funnel opening is larger here.
Wait, what the hell is that? On a ravine behind Cyrus, another wolf, much larger than the one before Jules now, emerged from the top ledge. Jules immediately noticed its most prominent features. His stomach sank. Antlers. But in Coralhaven? “A Warg…”
In his distraction, the alpha wolf, which now seemed minuscule in comparison to the Warg, charged Jules. It leapt past him, and he barely dodged its piercing claws. When Jules turned to face the beast, he realized he was now the prey trapped inside the funnel. Cyrus approached from behind. “No. He’s still mine, and mine alone.”
Jules clutched his bow in his left hand. His right hand remained free to fight. The wolf lunged again, and Jules blocked drooling teeth with the top of his bow. One paw slashed at Jules’ face, but he managed to grab it with his right hand and lessen the impact. Still, four lines ripped down Jules’ cheeks. Pain throbbed, but the searing emblem on his chest hurt more.
Damn thing’s going for my eyes. Jules stretched one leg out and thrust the wolf backwards. It tripped onto its back and thrashed about until it was on its feet again. Before it could recover, Jules threw his bow at the beast and unsheathed his dagger. The wolf tackled him to the ground and held Jules down with one massive paw on his chest, right over the searing emblem. Jules felt no fear as the wind escaped his chest. Bait him. Jules stretched out his neck to expose his most vulnerable spot. “Come on, you bastard.”
Slobber dripped from the wolf’s jowls, and its fangs lunged at the open target. Hot blood pooled everywhere. It dripped down Jules’ neck and stained his clothes. A sharp squeal turned to a muffled gurgle, then to silence, and the beast collapsed. Jules was soaked with warm blood. Deep breaths calmed him down.
That was close, but I bought yet another day with Cy. Jules shoved the carcass off of himself, and his dagger went with it. He’d kept the pommel braced above his chest, and the wolf had impaled its own neck on it while going for Jules'.
“Oh man. Did we pass?” Jules asked Liam. He looked up at the other two. Cyrus braced himself not even one pace away, his ice spear poised to pierce the wolf, tattoos aglow. Liam lingered a little farther back with his bow still nocked, arrow aimed at the corpse. Cyrus’ tattoos dimmed down, but Liam’s did not. "Well, thanks for giving me a chance. Glad to know you have my back, though."
“Kill confirmed,” Liam said. Referencing his own. Always another lesson.
Pain returned to Jules’ face and emblem. The guilt of missing his target, and the likely disappointment of his father from having fought so wildly, stung even more. Cy will be part of the family soon, anyway. Dad knows the risks of taking him out here. Jules removed his dagger and focused on the wolf, whose body glowed yellow around the edges to Jules and only Jules. “Confirmed,” Jules said. He looked at his friend.
“Right,” Cyrus said. He walked over to a rope and cut it, then his wolf fell dozens of feet to the ground with a short squeal. “Same.”
The light from Liam’s tattoos died out, and the Hunting Party finally laughed and smiled, and Jules un-silenced his System Notifications.
“My boys,” Liam said. “Congratulations. Your first real kills. You’ll get Trophies from these guys. Not to mention the town Bounty.”
Up until this point, Liam had just taken the boys to hunt 1st Rank game, which didn’t offer as much loot as 2nd Rank beasts. He placed a proud, fatherly hand on Cyrus’ shoulder. “I’m impressed, Cyrus. Yours is in one piece, for once. Might even be able to sell the hide this time.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Cyrus laughed. “But thank you for training me, Mr. Tideshaper.” He tried to brush off Liam’s hand, but Liam gripped harder and leaned in to his ear.
“You say that as if you’re finished. Now pack up.”
> [The Haunting of Coralhaven — Quest Objective COMPLETED: Kill the wolves.]
>
>
>
> [Fatherly Advice — Quest Objective COMPLETED: Hunt and solo-kill 2nd Rank game.]
>
> [Fatherly Advice — Quest Objective ADDED: Harvest your loot.]
Liam let go of Cyrus’ shoulder and slapped him on the back. “But Jules—What the hell happened to you?”
Jules had been so focused on finishing their original three prey, which they’d been hunting and solely focused on for days, that he forgot about the beast, the monster, he’d seen. “I saw…a Warg,” Jules said. He looked back over to the ravine’s edge and pointed. “He walked along that path.”
Up where they all looked, something darted by.
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