CHAPTER 182: 182. HUNT STARTED

est.Leo sat on his sleek black horse at the Caulem camp as Liana approached, holding out a new bow, its polished wood glowing, he hung the bow across his back, and a quiver of arrows rested at his side.

"Young Master Leo, good luck breaking the hunting point record," she said with a broad, lighthearted smile.

"It requires no luck. I’m capable of this." The air was humming with excitement as nobles prepared for the start of the Royal Hunting Event, and his crimson eyes scanned the bustling camp.

Rin settled herself on a spirited chestnut mare across the clearing, close to the Fritzl camp, her elegant figure highlighted by her dark pink hunting suit of tight leather trousers and a fitted tunic. She had not ridden in days, and her nervousness was evident as her hold on the reins trembled a little.

Gregor, already on a sleek gray stallion beside her, leaned over to steady her reins. "Stay close, Miss Valarune," he said with a charming smile.

Rin looked up into his eyes, a slight but genuine smile relieving her anxiety. She had a short sword, a quiver of arrows, and a light bow at her waist. Her violet hair was tied in a tight braid, and the nobles around her were ogling her with admiration.

Her pink eyes gleamed with resolve as she said, "Let’s make sure I get some solid kills."

Gregor’s tone was calm and comforting, and his jet-black eyes gleamed. "I’ll make sure we bring down a game worthy of you, so don’t worry."

As they guided their horses toward the forest’s entrance, a sudden blur of black fur darted across their path, making Rin’s mare snort and step sideways.

Rin’s hand flew to her chest in a gasp, but she felt a wave of relief when she saw the familiar cat. Her voice softened with warmth as she said, "Oh, it’s just Nimbus."

Gregor looked at the cat and furrowed his brow. "Nimbus? That one was always wandering around the Academy. Is it yours?"

Rin shook her head, her braid swinging softly as she leaned down to the cat. "No, he belongs to Leonhardt."

As she turned to the cat, her voice became playful. "Hey, what are you doing out here?"

Rin’s eyes shifted to the crowd, searching for Leo but failing to see him, as Nimbus meowed and moved closer.

"Leonhardt isn’t here; he’s most likely across the camp," she murmured. To her surprise, Nimbus leapt onto her saddle, settling comfortably in front of her.

Startled, Rin blinked. "Wait, you want to come with me?" Nimbus’ purple eyes gleamed as he meowed louder than before.

Her face brightened, and with a voice full of joy, she scooped him into her arms and gave him a tight hug. "You’re such a good boy, Nimbus! You can forget about that moron and stay with me. I’ll take better care of you!" With his eyes half-closed in excitement, Nimbus purred loudly while nestled against her chest.

Leo, who shared Nimbus’s senses with his own through his Symphonic Link, muttered under his breath, "Damn you, you smug cat," from across the camp. His crimson eyes narrowed in mock annoyance as he sensed the cat’s smug satisfaction.

The sound of hooves broke his focus, followed by a familiar, cheerful voice. "Hey, brother-in-law!"

Leo turned, his smirk softening as Velmera approached on a lively bay mare, her short blonde hair bouncing in a loose ponytail, her hunting outfit practical yet stylish.

"Velmera," he greeted, his tone warm. "Hunting with Lucian today?"

Velmera’s eyes flashed defiantly as she pouted. "Not at all! Why should I follow him everywhere? This time, I’m hunting alone.

Unbeknownst to her, Leo’s second shadow wraith—a subtle, spectral presence—moved silently from his shadow to hers as a guardian. His worry about the forest’s hidden dangers lingered, and he couldn’t risk leaving Velmera unguarded, just as he’d sent Nimbus to watch over Rin.

"It’s dangerous out there," he said, his tone serious but not pushy. "You’re not even bringing Saravelle soldiers?"

She shook her head, her chin lifting with stubborn pride. "Why should the boys have all the fun alone? I’m going to outhunt Lucian and prove I can handle myself."

"That’s the attitude. Show him up."

Velmera leaned closer from her horse, her voice dropping to a sneaky whisper, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, I heard you’re planning to offer your hunt to Senior Rin. Is it true? Are you proposing?"

"Lucian’s got a big mouth. I’m going to sew it next time."

Velmera giggled, her laughter light and catchy as she straightened in her saddle. "Good luck with the hunt—and with Rin!" she called, urging her horse toward the forest’s entrance, her figure blending into the crowd of hunters preparing to enter the Deltou Colossale Forest.

The Royal Hunting Event kicked off with a loud blast of horns, and the hunters rushed into the Deltou Colossale Forest, their horses’ hooves thumping as they vanished under the thick trees.

Back at the camps, kids and some noblewomen stayed behind, sipping tea and chatting under shaded tents, their laughter mixing with the clink of cups.

Deep in the forest, Leo rode his sleek black horse. Elynn, meanwhile, displayed a glowing map in his mind.

A nagging worry tugged at him. watchers from the camp, their quiet, heavy stares, were gone, replaced by a sharper, wilder presence. Something—or someone—was hiding among the tall trees in every area of the forest he traversed.

Like a knife at his back, their precise and frigid bloodlust pressed against his senses. Leo’s red eyes narrowed and his hands tightened around the reins, but he continued to move, his instincts prepared for the hunt as well as the waiting threat that was following him.

[A creature was found!]

Bright and urgent, Elynn’s voice reverberated in his mind.

[150 meters to the left, moving fast!]

As he nudged his horse and turned to face Elynn’s glowing marker, Leo’s smirk and excitement flared.

[100 meters!] she called, her tone sharp.

[80 meters! Closing in!]

[30 meters!]

Leo leaned forward and calmed the snorting horse with a steady hand as its ears twitched. He saw the beast emerge from the dim light as a low growl rumbled through the bushes.

With his boots digging into the soft moss, Leo leaped from his horse and assessed the creature, a Razorclaw Bear with a massive, muscular body, bristling, tangled fur, and steely claws that gleamed in the gloom.

[Scanning...] Elynn’s voice hummed.

[Razorclaw Bear will give you 70 points.]

[Good Luck Reo!]

Memories showed his first tough fight in this world, where he was nearly torn to pieces by a Razorclaw Bear, leaving him bleeding and bruised. He had been feeble at the time, hardly killing it.

He was different now. more powerful. Sharper. His grin widened as a thrill swept through him. The bear’s yellow eyes met his, and as it charged with its claws tearing through the ground, its growl grew deeper.

With a low, playful voice, Leo stood erect, bow already in hand, arrow notched. "Come on, big man. Let’s see if you’re as tough as the previous one."