Chapter 77: Good hunt

“What exactly are we doing?” Rhea asked as they put some distance between themselves and the place they had been talking.

Luke replied, “Stay quiet. I’m listening.” He placed his hand on the ground and activated <Enhanced Perception> . It was his first time using a magical skill, and thankfully, with just a thought, he managed to draw on the dormant Gamma within his body to heighten his senses.

“Guh…” he grunted under his breath, eyes squeezed shut as a flood of details crashed into him, things most people would never even notice.

The rustling of leaves, ants crawling across the dirt, birds pecking at bark, the distant flow of water, every sound sharpened until it felt like it was right beside him.

He clenched his teeth and sifted through the noise until he found it.

Something heavier. Stronger than the faint scrapes of insects or the flutter of wings.

Luke released the skill, and the system notified him,

[Gamma spent: 100]

[Gamma points: 600]

He clicked his tongue. He had only used it for a few seconds, yet his head was already ringing.

He still had enough Gamma for another use, but he had no intention of pushing it just to be sure.

“Are you okay?” Rhea asked, noticing how quiet he had suddenly become.

Luke nodded, stood up, and took her hand. “Come with me.”

Rhea was startled, but she didn’t protest. If he was abandoning their horses and leaving without informing the guards, he had a reason.

“Watch your step. We can’t make much noise,” Luke said, guiding her path. Rhea immediately became careful, placing each step with precision.

“Wait.” Luke suddenly halted, his gaze locking onto something ahead. His eyes narrowed before he slowly pulled Rhea to the left. This time, he moved even more carefully before lowering himself into a crouch.

Rhea followed suit, but she couldn’t help asking again, “What are we doing?”

Luke let out a quiet sigh. “You haven’t noticed it yet?”

Rhea tilted her head, confused.

Without answering directly, Luke gently pushed aside a cluster of leaves and pointed toward a tree. “Look closely.”

Rhea focused where he indicated.

Luke pulled out his knife and angled it, catching a ray of sunlight slipping through the canopy. The reflected light fell onto the tree’s surface.

“Ah…” Rhea gasped softly as she finally saw it.

Something was coiled around the trunk, its body blending so perfectly with the bark that it had been invisible at first glance.

Luke extended the knife toward her. “Go. Hunt it.”

Rhea froze. “But we usually surround the prey first, then shoot it down with arrows…”

Luke rolled his eyes. “Lady… this isn’t a game you can play by your own rules. If you enjoy hunting, you have to accept the unpredictability and the risk that comes with it. I know that thing looks massive, and you probably don’t have much experience because of the restrictions, but that’s what makes it exciting, isn’t it?”

Rhea fell silent, her gaze shifting to the knife in his hand. He wasn’t going to step in. No guidance, no safety net. He was simply giving her what she had always wanted.

Risk. The rush of heated blood. The hunger for victory.

She took a steady breath and reached out, gripping the knife before giving a firm nod. “I understand… thanks for reminding me.”

She slowly rose from the bush, keeping low, careful not to step into the open just yet.

She circled the tree, positioning herself where she could see its body clearly. Now that she had located her target, the confusion in her eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp, lethal focus.

Holding the knife in a reverse grip, she advanced with careful, measured steps until her gaze locked onto the creature’s massive head, pressed lightly against the bark.

She took a slow breath, then crouched and picked up a stone.

With all her strength, she hurled it in the opposite direction, straight at a larger rock.

Kirk

The sharp crack echoed through the trees. The snake hissed, its head snapping toward the source of the noise.

Rhea seized the opening and lunged forward. Her movements were decisive, without a hint of hesitation, and within moments, she closed the distance with the serpent.

The snake hissed in realization and instantly unfurled its body, dropping its head in the same motion instead of turning to confront the ambusher.

Rhea clicked her tongue. She adjusted instantly, shifting her approach as she leaped forward. Using the serpent’s massive body as a foothold, she kicked off and launched herself higher, landing on a nearby branch.

Below, the snake had already uncoiled, its long body wrapping loosely around the base of the tree. Its yellow eyes locked onto the human who had dared disturb its rest.

Luke watched intently. The creature itself wasn’t particularly strong, but for someone who had rarely been allowed to face danger alone, this was no small challenge.

Let’s see what you do.

Rhea knew she couldn’t stay up there for long, so she jumped. She raised the knife high above her head, making it look like a direct, head-on attack.

“SSSSS!!” The serpent hissed, its jaws snapping open, four fangs bared and ready to tear into her.

But at the last second, instead of striking with the blade, Rhea pulled something from her belt and hurled it at the serpent.

BOOOOM

“Holy…” Luke muttered, caught off guard by the sudden explosion. What was that?

The serpent recoiled with a pained hiss, its body jerking away. Rhea didn’t waste the opening. She drove the knife down, stabbing just behind its crown.

The creature shrieked and thrashed violently against the ground but Rhea didn’t let go. Through gritted teeth she continued to twist the knife until the monster stopped moving and lied there dead.

Rhea exhaled a sigh…yes, she was far from satisfied.

But when she looked at the grin on Luke’s face, she allowed herself to smile a little.

••••••••

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