Hunt On Every Hand

"I'm sorry... Wh...What Did You say!!? Can You please repeat those words?"

Dorian's disbelief with fear reached higher and higher as if he couldn't believe the idea of stacking more terror atop what he was already experiencing.

"Yes. You heard what I said. It's not just any predator. It's a magical one," Jandar explained grimly.

"It has the ability to undergo a transformation, sacrificing its life force to become even more powerful. Even if, by some miracle, a probability of less than 1 percent where we manage to evade its jaws initially, if it undergoes this transformation, there's no escape for me, and certainly none for you. It would strike so fast that you wouldn't even have time to draw a breath."

Observing Jandar's expression, Dorian had no doubts about the emotion he had seen flickering in the veteran hunter's eyes earlier.

It was undoubtedly fear, a realization that strengthened his belief in Jandar's words. 

Even then, it was incredibly hard to digest the reality behind his words.

Magical beasts were exceedingly rare and not something easily stumbled upon.

In fact, they were so scarce that finding one required a lengthy and difficult exploration across various dangerous places on the whole continent.

Over the years, only a very few magical beasts have been documented in books.

The origin of their magical abilities remained a mystery, leaving people uncertain if they were native to this realm.

These magical beasts possessed unique powers far beyond those of common predators, capable of unleashing terror upon the living.

Without the skills of an aura master or a mage, no one stood a chance against them. However, aura masters were not commonly found in rural areas like Red Hawk Town, and mages were even rarer.

"How... How is it possible for such a creature to exist in this rural area?" Dorian's disbelief was evident in his trembling voice.

"In truth, it's precisely because this area is rural that the beast has managed to evade detection for so long," Jandar explained, his tone tinged with grim realization.

"If it were near a well-developed city, the royal authorities would have surely hunted it down by now. While I may not possess the power to rival the predator, those Knights and warriors skilled in Aura force, and even some entry-level mages, could potentially hold their own against it... at least I believe so."

The transformation of the beast unfolded before his eyes vividly.

Uncertainty overcame him as he questioned the accuracy of his assumptions. After all, he had no entire knowledge of the creature's full strength in its transformed state.

"But what about… Lander?" Dorian attempted to voice his concerns, but the words caught in his throat. He struggled to find a way to explain the situation to Patricia without divulging the full truth.

"I fear the boy may not have survived. He likely became the beast's meal," Jandar responded solemnly.

His gaze shifted to the worried expression on Dorian's face, the younger man's eyes scanning the forest with intensity. After a moment of contemplation, Jandar continued,

"Although I can't guarantee anything, I will return to town and organize a search along the borders of the beast's domain. Perhaps we'll find some remains along the way. Though not ideal, even a small part of his would suffice for a proper burial."

Jandar felt a sense of obligation to repay the debt owed to someone who had saved his life, and he believed that putting in this effort was the least he could do.

"I don't understand. Why hasn't this terrifying beast come out to hunt us? Based on what you've told me, it could wipe the whole town out in a day," Dorian voiced his confusion.

"A day? More like an hour. If it decided to attack the town, that's all it would take for a massacre," Jandar explained gravely.

"But for some unknown reason, it never strays beyond its domain."

"That's the only reason I haven't left the town," Jandar continued, his tone tinged with frustration. "Otherwise, I would have advised your father to evacuate long ago."

"Even someone as experienced as you, the most skilled hunter?" Dorian questioned, surprised by Jandar's decision.

"I may be an expert, but I'm not an idiot," Jandar replied firmly.

"It's no longer safe to remain here. Let's depart and make the necessary preparations."

As soon as Jandar uttered the last word, Renga, who had been quietly sitting there, suddenly leaped into the forest beyond the unseen boundary of Jandar, as if he had detected something crucial.

"Renga!" Jandar's shout echoed through the trees, but the loyal companion didn't heed the command.

"This Damn dog!" Jandar cursed under his breath, his expression tense with concern. He swiftly turned to Dorian, his voice urgent.

"You, return to town immediately. It's not safe to stay here. I'll come back once I've retrieved Renga."

With that, he dashed after his disobedient pet, leaving Dorian to watch his retreating figure before casting a cautious glance at the surrounding forest and then heading back toward town.

—-----

Meanwhile, in the town of Red Hawk, a relentless manhunt was underway.

At Hendrik's command, aside from a handful of soldiers stationed at the Lord's manor, the entire garrison of 50 soldiers was systematically searching every household in the town for a single man.

Hendrik knew deep down that it was likely a futile effort, but he had no choice but to obey his lord's commands.

He sat atop his horse, flanked by two-foot soldiers, observing the procession of soldiers going in and out of each citizen's residence with a mix of frustration.

A lone soldier hurried towards Hendrik and respectfully bowed before delivering his report.

"Sir, we've thoroughly searched this entire street. There's no sign of the individual you described," the soldier reported, addressing Hendrik with deference despite the absence of a formal military rank.

Hendrik, although lacking a formal military rank, commanded respect as the retainer of the current lord, a fact well-known to everyone in the town, maybe except for a few dissenters.

"I suspected as much. Let's proceed to the next street. And you,"

Hendrik directed his attention to the soldier standing beside him.

"Yes, sir," the soldier responded promptly, ready to carry out Hendrik's orders without hesitation.

Although a manhunt like this is a very rare happening in the town, this is also the perfect time for gaining merits and aspiring for some kind of bonus from the Lord.

"I nearly forgot about another task the Lord assigned. You're familiar with the maid Patricia, who works in the manor, aren't you?" Hendrik inquired.

"Yes, I remember her. The single mother, isn't it? Hard to forget someone like her," the man replied with a grin that hinted at inappropriate thoughts.

However, upon catching sight of Hendrik's stern expression, his smile faded, and he straightened up before responding,

"Yes, sir. I know her."

"Head to her house. It appears her son has been missing since yesterday. Assist her in finding him," Hendrik instructed.

"Why do I have to go?" The man's reluctance to search for the son of a lowly maid rather than earn merits in the ongoing manhunt was evident in his tone.

"Oh, really? You're refusing?" Hendrik retorted with a cunning grin, his eyes glinting with authority. "Then I'll be sure to inform the Lord that you've disobeyed his direct orders. Your name is Ruban, correct?"

Ruban's expression shifted nervously. "What? Yes... I mean, no... No, I mean, yes, yes, my name is Ruban. But no, I didn't refuse anything. I was just asking..."

"Just asking? Asking what? Asking why you should follow the Lord's commands?" Hendrik's tone grew sharper, his gaze piercing.

"I... I'm sorry." Ruban quickly bowed his head in deference.

He was well aware of Hendrik's influence in the town as Lord John's confidant.

Inciting the man's anger would be a grave mistake, and it's literally inviting trouble upon himself. Thus, he promptly apologized to avoid any further confrontation.

"Apology accepted. Now go and fulfill your duties. And let me make it crystal clear. If I receive any complaints of misconduct towards a woman under the Town Lord's protection, the consequences will be severe. Remember that," Hendrik warned sternly.

"Of course, of course. I would never misbehave with someone from the Lord's manor. I mean, not that I'd misbehave with anyone else either. I assure you, I'll strictly adhere to your orders,"

Ruben responded quickly, his demeanor shifting once again as he still bowed respectfully before Hendrik.

"Alright. Now, get going," Hendrik commanded, his voice firm as he led the remaining soldiers toward the next street.

Once they were out of sight, Ruban, who had been bowing, lifted his head and glanced a venomous look at Hendrik before spitting on the ground in frustration.

"Phu...!!! Damn outlander. Who do you think you are, ordering me around when I've lived in this town my whole life? So what if I mess around with that cunt? Is she the Lord's favorite or something? Just a lowly maid working for him, right? Hmm... Looks like a lady is in a pitiful state, with her son missing. Perfect opportunity for something, isn't it?"

Ruban muttered to himself with a disdainful smirk, his mind filled with lewd and disrespectful thoughts, as he walked off to find the woman in question.

Little did Ruban know, his reckless actions would set off a chain of events leading to multiple deaths in the future.