"Quietly, step carefully."

  The young man with a quiver of arrows on his back and a bow in his hand turned to look at his companion following behind, putting a finger to his lips. His eyes held the instinct of generations of hunters. His jaw muscles were tense and rigid.

  Phu swallowed nervously. The crunching sound of fallen leaves beneath his feet seemed unusually loud. The smell of morning dew-soaked earth tickled his nostrils.

  "Bow, are you sure this is the right direction?" Phu's voice trembled, betraying his tension.

  Bow answered in a low voice without turning around. "Phu, have I ever been wrong?" His voice was quiet as the wind, but carried steel-like conviction.

  Bow slightly adjusted the position of his hand on the bow. His fingers moved naturally along the wood grain of the weapon. This movement wasn't conscious. It was instinctive, as if the bow was an extension of his own body.

  The two young men, who had grown up as neighbors from childhood, were like brothers. Despite living at opposite ends of the village—one at the western edge and one at the eastern—they were always together. Bow always taking the lead and cautious Phu following; their personalities were opposite, but that made their bond stronger.

  A finger extended slightly to point at the undergrowth. "That's the creature's trail. Look. The grass is flattened in the direction we're heading." Morning sunlight reflected off the dew-covered grass blades, making them sparkle.

  Phu bit his lip. An ominous feeling crept up his spine. "Our parents warned us so strongly not to go outside the village... I'm starting to think following you wasn't such a good idea."

  Bow's eyes blazed. "Phu, if you're that scared, go back! I'll go alone if I have to. I need to catch this beast. This time I won't let it escape." For him, today wasn't just an ordinary hunt.

  "The last time we tracked it... I hesitated and it got away. Since then, the eastern fields of the village have been completely ruined. We can't allow any more damage."

  A month ago, they had discovered the creature's tracks, but Bow had hesitated and they abandoned the pursuit. Afterward, the wild boar had caused even more damage to the village crops and even Sprisser the blacksmith's workshop had suffered. Bow blamed himself, thinking he could have prevented it if he'd been braver.

  Faced with such determination, Phu could say nothing more.

  Greenwood Village, not far south of Karanos, the capital of the Empire, embraced a massive Elder Tree at its center. Surrounded by Giant Trees, the small rural village had always been peaceful. Vast plains, endless wheat fields, and sheep grazing leisurely created a serene harmony.

  But for several months now, that tranquility had been disrupted by a presence. A giant boar creature.

  It wasn't a simple beast. At least three times the size of a normal boar, it was a wild animal with tough skin. Each footprint left deep marks, and a powerful energy lingered in those tracks.

  The villagers wondered where this boar had come from. Some said it had descended from the deep forests to the north, while others speculated it was an exotic species that had escaped from merchants' cargo. Regardless, the massive beast was now a serious problem for the village.

  It had already attacked the village five times. Plowing through wheat fields and ruining crops, threatening livestock with its tusks. It was a fearsome presence that came in the darkness before dawn and disappeared by daybreak.

  The sheep raised by Bow and Phu's families were no exception. And today, the creature had attacked the village for the sixth time, and the two young men witnessed it firsthand. Without time to hesitate, they gave chase.

  "Bow, wouldn't it be better to go with Mr. Farias? It's too dangerous for just the two of us." Phu suggested cautiously.

  Bow fell silent for a moment. 'What would Grandfather have done?' His grandfather, the village's legendary hunter, always said, 'Opportunities aren't caught, they're created.' That a hunter's split-second decisions determine everything.

  Bow shook his head. "We need to follow it. If we hesitate here, the trail will disappear." His fingers unconsciously played with the bowstring. The hunter's instinct inherited from his grandfather guided him.

  He paused briefly, slowly rubbing the handle of his bow, feeling the grip that fit perfectly in his palm. This bow was the only heirloom left by his grandfather. Polishing it with special oil every night and checking the tension of the string was like a meditation ritual for him.

  He stopped and examined the ground. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's.

  "The grass ends here. Have we lost it?" Worry tinged Phu's voice.

  They could no longer follow the flattened grass. Instead, an ochre-colored dirt hill blocked their path. The morning sunlight reflected off it in golden hues.

  Bow's gaze dropped to the ground. "No, Phu. Look here." His eyes had caught something.

  Where his finger pointed, there was a deep footprint in the soil. The smell of earth was pungent. Dew had collected in the depression, reflecting light.

  "It's so heavy that it's left clear marks in the soil. Let's follow these." Bow's finger traced above the footprint. "Grandfather used to say that tracks are the greatest gift to a hunter."

  The two young men crossed the ochre hillside and moved forward. The path grew increasingly difficult. Their breathing became labored, and sweat beaded on their foreheads.

  Their footsteps echoed off the rocks. Determination shone in Bow's eyes. The hunting blood passed down through generations pulsed hotly in his veins.

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  Before long, they arrived at a deep valley. A cool breeze blew up from below. Dry grasses swayed in the wind, whispering.

  Bow's eyes lit up. "There, down in the valley! The footprints continue!"

  "The Dolehr family is truly different," Phu marveled. "I wouldn't have found anything."

  Resolution settled on Bow's face. A smile spread across his lips. That expression was exactly like the one his grandfather reportedly wore when discovering big game.

  Silence descended between them. The two looked at each other and nodded. No more words were necessary.

  Bow and Phu carefully slid down into the valley. Small sounds came from gravel rolling under their feet. Both held their breath... their breath turned to white vapor in the cold air. The sound of their heartbeats echoed in their ears.

  And finally, they discovered it.

  A large cave entrance was spewing darkness like a beast's mouth. From inside the cave wafted a mixture of animal musk and mud.

  Phu took a step back. His feet trembled. "Inside... it must be in there." His voice quavered slightly.

  Bow gripped his bow tightly. Sweat soaked his palm. The tension and excitement of discovering the prey's lair seized him.

  "Let's not go inside," Phu gasped, catching his breath. "If we wait, won't it come out?"

  But Bow shook his head. "If we wait, the sun will set. Darkness is our enemy." His eyes gleamed with a hunter's sharpness.

  The hunters of the Dolehr family always preferred luring over waiting. "Phu, let's make smoke to draw it out."

  The two young men moved quickly. They gathered dry grass and branches and piled them at the cave entrance. Striking flint, a spark arose. With crackling sounds, smoke began to rise.

  Phu removed his shirt to fan the air. His arms moved rapidly. In an instant, smoke pushed into the cave.

  KRAAAANG!

  A roar echoed from deep within the cave, shaking the earth. It was a sound filled with the rage and power of a wild animal. Rock dust fell, settling in Phu's hair.

  Phu felt a surge of fear. His face went pale.

  But Bow was different.

  Eyes gleaming, he raised his bow. His muscles tensed taut. He felt the hunting blood inherited from his grandfather and father.

  "It's coming out soon." His voice was now firm without trembling.

  The two young men quietly took a step back. Now they were predators waiting for their prey.

  The subtle sound of a bowstring being drawn taut could be heard. Even Bow's breathing subsided as he nocked an arrow.

  From inside the cave came the sound of something massive moving. The scraping of rock, heavy breathing grew closer. It was as if the entire mountain was breathing.

  In the darkness, red eyes flashed.

  Those red eyes reflected off the cave walls, creating long shadows. It was a moment when nature's powerful force manifested into reality.

  Bow's voice resonated low. "It's too big for body shots to work. Let's focus on the head."

  The coldness inherited by generations of Dolehr family hunters supported his spine firmly. The bow in his hand trembled slightly, but his gaze was unwavering.

  Phu nodded, drawing his dagger. The blade gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

  At that moment, change came.

  The smoke that had been sucked into the cave suddenly changed direction. Something inside was moving violently. The young men's hair fluttered in the wind. The wind chilled their sweat, sending a shiver up their spines.

  BOOM!

  The cave entrance shook greatly. Rocks rained down. A large shadow emerged from the smoke. The young men's eyes widened.

  A small cry escaped from Phu's mouth. "Oh no..."

  Red eyes gleamed. The massive boar charged with an angry roar that could shake the forest. Its large tusks reflected light.

  Spotting Bow and Phu, the boar hesitated momentarily. The young men could clearly see its appearance. Black mane, sharp tusks, and thick skin.

  "That size..." Phu murmured. "It's even bigger than what we saw in the village. It must have grown larger from attacking the village every night."

  The boar's body looked powerful, overflowing with the wild force of a forest spirit. It was clearly not an ordinary boar but a beast that had grown abnormally in the mountains.

  Phu's face paled. Fear made his legs heavy as lead.

  And the hunt began.

  The boar exhaled heavily and charged straight toward them. The sound of its hooves shook the earth. The ground vibrated, making stones jump as if alive.

  Phu instinctively stepped back, but Bow was already lifting his bow. His muscles tensed as taut as a bowstring.

  The world momentarily paused.

  "Dodge to the left!" Bow's shout cut through the air.

  Bow twisted his body, brushing past the boar's side. His foot pushed strongly against the ground, propelling his body. Simultaneously, he drew the bowstring. All his senses concentrated on the arrowhead.

  WHISH!

  The arrow cut through the air. It lodged precisely in the boar's left eye.

  A terrible scream shook the valley.

  Blood sprayed like a fountain. Dark red droplets splattered on Phu's cheek.

  But the boar didn't stop. Raging in pain, it continued charging forward. Tension flashed across Bow's face.

  This was different from what he'd expected.

  "Phu, your turn!" Bow's cry echoed.

  Phu bent low and quickly fired a second arrow. His hand trembled, but his gaze was resolute. He held his breath, following the arrow's trajectory.

  THUK!

  This time, it struck precisely at the boar's neck. The sound of the arrowhead piercing the tough skin was like penetrating thick leather. Dark blood flowed.

  The boar's movements slowed. Phu drew his dagger. The metal reflected light with a clear sound.

  His eyes flashed. The usually fearful demeanor disappeared, and an inner warrior awakened.

  "Here I go!"

  Phu ran in one breath and thrust his knife toward the boar's open mouth. The boar's hot breath enveloped Phu's face. Hot air wrapped around his skin.

  The boar instinctively shook its body, trying to throw Phu off. The strong impact made Phu's body stagger. His clothes were soaked with blood.

  "Bow, hurry, now's the time!" Phu gritted his teeth and shouted.

  His arm muscles tensed tightly. He was enduring with strength beyond his limits. This moment was everything... Bow's hand reached for his quiver. This time was different. He pulled out a special arrow kept in the deepest part of the quiver. The arrowhead gleamed with a faint blue light.

  The moment he grasped the arrow, a subtle vibration transmitted to Bow's fingertips. It was as if the arrow felt alive in his hand. A warm energy spread from his palm up his arm. Though he had touched this special arrow many times, this was the first time using it in combat.

  'I've been saving this for when I truly needed it,' Bow thought. Anxiety and anticipation mixed in his heart. 'It's time for this arrow to demonstrate its power.'

  Its light seemed to push away the surrounding darkness. This special arrow, a gift from Sprisser the blacksmith for his eighteenth birthday, had an arrowhead made of a mixture of mithril and obsidian.

  "A special arrow for strong prey," the blacksmith had said. "Mithril is light and hard, obsidian is sharp and precise. Combined, they can pierce any thick hide."

  Bow had saved this arrow for special prey. And today was that day.

  Bow took a deep breath. He leaped toward the rock cliff. Using that momentum to propel himself into the air, he aimed his bow mid-flight.

  Time slowed down. His airborne body felt like it was moving slowly, as if underwater. The surrounding sounds faded away, and all colors in the world dimmed. Only his own breathing, heartbeat, and the boar's crown remained clear. This moment was exactly what his grandfather had called 'the hunter's moment.'

  The boar's crown became the target. Bow's gaze narrowed like a pinhole. The world slowed, and all senses focused as one.

  "The speed of light is faster and stronger than the speed of air." The blacksmith's words echoed in his ear.

  SWOOSH!

  The arrow released from Bow's fingertips. As it left the bowstring, the arrow seemed to awaken, emitting an even brighter blue light. That light wasn't simple reflection but energy radiating from the arrow itself. The surrounding air swirled around the arrow, producing a peculiar vibrating sound.

  The arrow drew a trajectory of blue light as it flew. A beam of light cut through the air, flying toward the boar.

  THUK.

  The arrow lodged precisely in the boar's crown. Blue light penetrated its head, spreading throughout its body like lightning. The boar's red eyes wavered.

  A terrible scream filled the valley.

  THUD!

  The massive body shook and finally collapsed to the ground. The earth shook greatly, causing the ground beneath the two young men to tremble. Phu barely managed to dodge at the last moment.

  Silence.

  Suddenly, the surroundings were as quiet as if holding their breath. Dust settled slowly, dancing in the air. Only the rough breathing of the two young men could be heard.

  Now everything was over.

  Phu turned to look at Bow with labored breath. His face was mixed with blood and dust. A wave of emotion choked his throat.

  "Bow, we did it. We caught the creature!"

  Phu's hands began to tremble. Only now did the tension of life and death release, making his legs wobble. "W-we survived! We did it! The villagers won't believe it!"

  Phu embraced Bow with a face full of joy. His entire body trembled with the joy of victory. Laughter mixed with relief and excitement burst forth.

  Bow was momentarily speechless too. Looking at the massive boar collapsed before him, he examined the blood on his hands. The self-blame for not protecting the village in the past gradually disappeared.

  "Now the villagers will be safe." He murmured. "It won't damage anyone's crops anymore."

  Bow also broke into a smile. As the long tension released, a boyish sense of liberation spread across his face.

  "Yes, Phu. We did it."

  The two young men looked at each other wordlessly for a moment. The friendship and brotherhood built since childhood, along with the dangerous hunt they had just experienced together, created an even deeper bond between them. An emotion that couldn't be expressed in words flowed between them.

  "A hunt worthy of the Dolehr family hunter name." Bow said emphatically. "Grandfather would be proud."

  "Both of us, Bow." Phu smiled. "We really are the best team."

  Now, they needed to bring this good news back to the village. The young men's steps lightened. Behind them lay the body of the massive boar, with an arrow tinged with faint blue light lodged in its head.

  The threat of darkness had ended.