NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: The Hunt Begins
The Hunt Begins
The morning air was crisp, the sky tinged with shades of orange as the sun peeked over the horizon. Dani, Arya, and the fox ventured deeper into the wilderness, the dense forest stretching endlessly around them.
Arya led the way, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Stay alert," she said, her voice low. "The creatures here don't give warnings."
Dani walked beside her, his gaze sweeping the area. The fox trotted silently at his side, its golden eyes darting between the trees.
"We'll find something soon," Arya continued. "But we can't afford to take unnecessary risks."
Dani nodded, though he felt a surge of confidence knowing he had his Mind's Eye skill to guide them.
A New Foe
After an hour of cautious trekking, a low growl broke the silence. Dani's heart jumped as a creature emerged from the underbrush—a wolf-like beast with dark fur, glowing red eyes, and sharp claws that glinted in the sunlight.
"Get ready," Arya warned, drawing her sword.
Dani's Mind's Eye activated, a familiar shimmer in his vision as information flooded his mind:
[Creature Identified: Shadow Fang]
Danger Rank: E
Strengths: Agility, sharp claws
Weaknesses: Fragile legs, slow recovery rate after dodging
Dani's mind raced as he processed the data. The Shadow Fang was fast but had a glaring weakness: its legs.
"Arya, target its legs!" Dani shouted.
Arya hesitated for a moment but then nodded, trusting his judgment. She shifted her stance, her sword gleaming as she prepared to strike.
The Shadow Fang lunged at them, its claws swiping through the air. Arya dodged gracefully, circling the beast as it snarled and snapped at her.
"Now!" Dani called.
Arya darted in, her blade slicing cleanly through one of the creature's hind legs. The Shadow Fang let out a pained howl, stumbling as it tried to regain its footing.
"Keep going!" Dani urged.
With a swift, decisive movement, Arya severed its other leg, bringing the creature crashing to the ground. She didn't hesitate, driving her sword into its neck to finish it off.
The forest grew quiet once more, the Shadow Fang's body lying still.
A Team Effort
Arya wiped her blade on a patch of grass, her breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. She turned to Dani, her expression a mix of curiosity and admiration.
"How did you know its weakness?" she asked.
Dani hesitated, crafting his response carefully. "I've seen creatures like this before. Their legs are their weak spot—it's the easiest way to take them down."
Arya studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good call. That could've been a lot harder without your help."
Dani allowed himself a small smile. He glanced at the fox, which was sitting calmly nearby, watching the scene with an air of detachment.
"This hunt is off to a good start," Arya said. "Let's keep moving. There's bound to be more prey deeper in."
Dani nodded, his confidence growing. With his Mind's Eye and Arya's skill, they were becoming an efficient team. But he knew the challenges ahead would only get tougher.