《Huntress (completed)》 01 - Raladr Raladr Its pupils were ferocious sharp ellipses. Raladr, the hunter, held the forest ground with his boots. He clenched the shaft of his steel spear with all his might. Blood trickled down from his forehead; his surroundings unstable, but his breathing remained steady; and his eyes¡¯ fire remained. His spear pointed toward a monster. Its size was thrice bigger than bears. Its body was clad with impenetrable scales. Its four limbs were all primed with jagged claws. Its tail a horrible giant whip.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Under its ferocious eyes were fresh-crimson fangs. Fangs which had torn and ripped apart lives. Nothing stood between the spear and the fangs. No trees meddled in between; and the path remained clear of fallen bodies. There, stood only two beings: the human and the monster. One of them would die. The monster leapt with its hind limbs, charging at Raladr and bearing its claws and fangs at him. Raladr took a step in, putting his weight to the front. He pushed his feet against the ground, spun his torso, and swung his arms forward. He thrusted his spear with all his force. A curtain of blood rose into the air. 02 - Eolian Eolian She felt nothing. In her hut, sat on chair and cheek flat on desk, Shanar looked at the yellow-brown paper in her hand. ¡®You¡¯ve been staring at it for hours,¡¯ said a man standing beside a bookshelf with his arm crossed. He wasn¡¯t comfortable seeing Shanar like this: a young woman her age, constantly staring at a paper with an empty gaze instead of doing anything else. ¡®You should start to the city, Shanar,¡¯ he suggested. ¡®It¡¯s unsafe here¡ª¡¯ ¡®Shut up, Eolian,¡¯ she lashed, not in a mood to listen. Eolian sighed. Not giving up, Eolian looked around, searching something else for Shanar to do. Her current behavior of blankly staring at the paper had been concerning to him. He looked at the bookshelf and searched for a book which she might be interested in. A light streaked into the hut and shone on the books Eolian was looking at. Eolian turned his head to see the drape of the hut entrance being pushed to the side by a man in his fifties. The man¡¯s eyes were sick red and there were black circles under. ¡®Condiments¡­¡¯ he said with a lethargic voice and dragged his feet into the hut. Though the man appeared weak, Eolian stepped in between the man and Shanar. ¡®That¡¯s as far as you go,¡¯ Eolian said, he didn¡¯t bother smiling. ¡®Condiments¡­ Please¡­¡¯ ¡®Name your price.¡¯ ¡®I-I have nothin¡¯¡ª'' ¡®Then you will have nothing.¡¯ ¡®No¡­ No!¡¯ he charged toward Eolian, trying to tackle him out of the way, but Eolian didn¡¯t budge. Eolian was bigger than the skinny old man; impossible to be moved by him. ¡®Give me the condiments! Give me!¡¯ Eolian rolled his eyes. He grabbed the old man¡¯s head with his palm and lifted him up into the air. The old man could scream, could bite and scratch his hand, could kick at him, but those weren¡¯t going to stop Eolian from throwing him out of the hut. Shanar¡¯s voice however, would. ¡®Just give him it.¡¯ Eolian looked over his shoulder. ¡®Give him the condiment?¡¯ he asked with a tone of surprise. ¡®For free? Shanar¡ª¡¯ ¡®Give. Him.¡¯Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Eolian yielded and dropped the old man. Eolian didn¡¯t like that wide victory grin of his, but he went to the drawer under the bookshelf. ¡®This isn¡¯t you, Shanar,¡¯ Eolian said as he pulled out a box. Shanar ignored him. ¡®The you I know would exploit him. Ruthlessly without mercy.¡¯ Inside the box were bottles labeled ¡°energy-booster¡±, a product made from the city; sold in pharmacies. There was a warning about overdose on the label written in red, stating that it could be addictive and painful if consumed too much. Eolian ripped the label apart. ¡®You sure about this?¡¯ he asked for confirmation. ¡®Yes.¡¯ Eolian tossed the bottle to the old man. ¡®Count yourself lucky.¡¯ The old man immediately opened the bottle and drank till the last drop. His weakened expression changed to one of glory after he consumed the drink. Rejuvenated by the condiment, the old man left the hut. Eolian shook his head. He turned toward Shanar, wanting to utter his thought, but refrained when he saw her sitting straight; yellow-brown paper set aside. ¡®Here to take my offer?¡¯ Shanar asked. The question brought confusion to Eolian, but upon staring where she was staring, he saw a young woman inside the hut, and stumbled backward. Her long black hair was braided and she wore a brown village outfit. Kayla, someone Shanar was fond of, was two or three years younger than her. ¡®To ask about the monster,¡¯ Kayla answered. Her black eyes trailed toward the desk and saw the yellow-brown paper, face down, with a patch of blood in one corner. ¡®Sorry about Danar.¡¯ Shanar clicked her tongue, irritated. ¡®No one asked for your sorry.¡¯ ¡®Thought you need it.¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t.¡¯ Shanar leaned back on her chair, pulled a drawer from her desk, and pulled a white paper envelope: a letter from the city. She held and showed it to Kayla, but didn¡¯t give to her. ¡®What for?¡¯ ¡®Personal reasons.¡¯ Kayla stretched her palm up toward her. ¡®Raladr was your neighbor was he not?¡¯ Shanar placed the envelope on Kayla¡¯s hand. ¡®He was.¡¯ Kayla opened the envelope and saw a paper inside. It had what she wanted: what Shanar knew about the monster. ¡®Thank you.¡¯ ¡®I never took you as an avenger.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m not.¡¯ Paper in hand, Kayla walked away from Shanar; and left the hut. Eolian, from the sideline, had been perplexed watching the exchange between them. ¡®That¡¯s the letter from the Collector that I gave you, wasn¡¯t it?¡¯ Eolian asked Shanar. ¡®Yes.¡¯ Shanar took back the yellow-brown paper she had set aside. Eolian got many things to say, but refrained from voicing, save for one, ¡®What is she going to do with it?¡¯ ¡®She¡¯s going to hunt the monster, I believe.¡¯ With that said, Shanar continued staring at the yellow-brown paper. 03 - Letter from Collector Letter from Collector A monster is heading your way. It¡¯s an A-rate artificial monster named Warp, created by the Opposition. Do not expect any help coming there; I advise you to come back to the city. Agents would be dispatched there, but they would be too late and powerless to handle the monster. No more of us would come to your aid. I¡¯ve sent Eolian to you, but he would return back to the city if you foolishly choose to stay. Take Danar with you or leave him to die there in that would-be-destroyed village, your choice. To each one¡¯s own interest.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. 04 - Vignette Vignette At the break of dawn, when people were still silhouettes, a scout delivered news to Vignette. Hearing it, she could only shake her head with a sorrowful expression. * ¡®Good morning, elder Vignette,¡¯ a man greeted her. He strained a smile at her, trying his best to carry onward. ¡®Good morning, elder Vignette,¡¯ came another greeting from a woman. She forced a smile. Her body was famished thin. Vignette walked slowly through the village with her old legs. Her back had stooped to age and her cane knocked along the road with each step she took. She received many greetings from the villagers; each of them doing their best to smile at her. At the sight, Vignette too had to smile back at them, even when she had difficulties to. Her hand went to her heart to ease the ache she felt. A mother with a baby came out from a hut. Her cheeks were sunk and her skin was pale. She approached Vignette with frail steps. ¡®Elder,¡¯ her voice was weak, tears welled in her eyes, ¡®will everything be alright?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ve sent a letter asking for help,¡¯ Vignette answered. She took a look at the baby in her hand and touched his cheek with her bony finger. The little one grabbed her finger with his small hand. ¡®But there¡¯s still no help,¡¯ the mother shed a tear. The baby, seeing his mother, went into a wailing cry. Vignette touched the mother¡¯s hand. ¡®Help will come.¡¯ ¡®Will it really?¡¯ ¡®Yes. I promise you that. Until then, I need you to remain strong. If it¡¯s hard, I will help you as best as I can. Could you promise me to remain strong? For yourself and your child too?¡¯ The mother wiped her tears and nodded. Vignette gave her shoulder a pat. ¡®Good.¡¯ * Stab!This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. There was a target hung on a tree and arrows had hit everywhere but the center. Stab! An arrow hit the edge. The training ground at one outskirt of the village was desolate and empty, save for one person who was practicing the bow. She felt vexed after missing, but she would take an arrow and shoot again. Stab! The arrow hit the target, but not the center. ¡®Have you forgotten how to hold the bow?¡¯ Vignette stepped into the training ground; her cane knocked on the dry dirt as she did. ¡®Or are you having stupid reasons to hold the bow with your right hand?¡¯ Kayla glanced to see Vignette. ¡®Gran,¡¯ she nodded. She took an arrow from her quiver and shot at the target. Stab! Didn¡¯t hit the center. ¡®Answer me,¡¯ Vignette pursued. ¡®It¡¯s a stupid reason,¡¯ she admitted. She took another arrow and shot. Stab! Not center. Vignette sighed and shook her head. ¡®At least this one is ordinary stupid. You haven¡¯t gone to the forest, have you?¡¯ Kayla set her bow down. Her black eyes looked at Vignette. ¡®No.¡¯ Vignette casted a doubtful glance at her. ¡®It¡¯s dangerous there.¡¯ ¡®I know.¡¯ Kayla passed the bow to her left hand. She took an arrow and pulled the string with her right hand. ¡®A village has been destroyed by the monster.¡¯ Stab! Dead on center. Kayla let a moment pass, absorbing what she heard. ¡®Which?¡¯ ¡®The one inside the forest.¡¯ ¡®¡­ Sorry to hear. The head of that village was your friend, wasn¡¯t he?¡¯ ¡®Yes.¡¯ Vignette glanced at the blue sky with sadness in her wrinkled face. She then looked at Kayla again. ¡®Our village doesn¡¯t know of this news yet. Don¡¯t spread it.¡¯ ¡®Why tell me then?¡¯ ¡®To prevent you from doing stupid things like possibly attempting to hunt the monster. I know you¡¯re stupid enough to think of it, Kayla.¡¯ ¡®The Agents you speak of will be too late.¡¯ ¡®They won¡¯t. The person I¡¯m contacting is your late father¡¯s disciple. She will come here. You better not do stupid things until then, you hear me?¡¯ ¡®I hear you clearly,¡¯ was her answer. 05 - Letter to Isla Letter to Isla To Isla, I humbly request your immediate help for my tribe¡¯s well-being. A monster has been spotted in the forest and lives have been lost. The forest has been banned; but, as a tribe of hunters, we will face a shortage of food for not being able to hunt because of the monster¡¯s presence. I do not know when this letter will reach you, but my tribe needs immediate aid.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. From, Vignette 06 - Ophelia Ophelia Ophelia stood face to face against a woman with black apparel: woman¡¯s suit shrouded with darkness, trousers the shade of night, and boots clad with shadows. In one hand she held a sword, kept on the side, blade pointed toward the ground. Cold sweat dripped down Ophelia¡¯s forehead. Ophelia dashed with her sword gripped with both hands toward the woman. When she was within her reach, she swung her sword sideways from above. The woman lifted her black-clad sword in response, parrying the sword with hers. Clang! the clash of swords resounded. Ophelia felt the impact on her wrists and slightly lost her balance. The woman saw this and stepped in. Too fast for her to react. With the hilt of her sword, she knocked Ophelia¡¯s temple; and she crashed to the ground. Everything went dark. * ¡®Sorry, I hit you too hard,¡¯ the woman said, she was bandaging Ophelia¡¯s head from behind. Ophelia gritted her teeth when she tightened the bandage. What came after that pained expression was one of disappointment. ¡®Isla, why don¡¯t we train with Artifact?¡¯ she asked. ¡®With me as your mentor, you practice without Artifact.¡¯Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡®Why though? It¡¯s not like we could fight monsters without Artifact.¡¯ ¡®You could. Galen killed a monster without an Artifact, remember?¡¯ She gently patted her head, then checked for the damage once more. ¡®It¡¯s a C-rate monster. I¡¯m talking about higher, like A-rate.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s unheard of.¡¯ Ophelia turned her head toward Isla. Then why? her expression asked. Isla exhaled, then smiled. ¡®Here¡¯s the point, Ophelia: An Artifact is useless if the wielder is incapable of using it. My mentor, when he was alive, could defeat an A-rate monster alone with a C-rate Artifact. It¡¯s not the weapon that makes an Agent great, but the Agent that makes the weapon great. I do not want to emphasize training on Artifact, but on the basics. That¡¯s what got me strong anyway.¡¯ Ophelia wanted to voice her doubt, but Isla¡¯s smile made her refrain. ¡®I see¡­¡¯ A yawn sounded nearby and Ophelia glanced to see the source. A young man around Ophelia¡¯s age approached them. He wore white and carried a spear which he rested on his shoulder. ¡®You¡¯re late, Galen,¡¯ Ophelia remarked harshly. ¡®Hm?¡¯ sleepy tears were in his eyes. ¡®Yeah.¡¯ ¡®Didn¡¯t sleep well?¡¯ Isla asked. ¡®It¡¯s fine. Speaking of which, I got a letter for you, Isla.¡¯ He pulled out a letter from inside his jacket. ¡®From the council?¡¯ Isla was repulsed. ¡®No. From a village. From Vignette, it says.¡¯ Isla thought for a while, then accepted the letter. She opened the envelope and read the writings. She appeared troubled as she read through it. ¡®What¡¯s it about?¡¯ Ophelia asked. ¡®A village needs my help,¡¯ she said. ¡®I¡¯ll get someone to deal with it. Ophelia, Galen, today you both practice by yourselves.¡¯ Isla then left. 07 - Letter from Isla Letter from Isla To Vignette, From the information that the Order possesses, the village is being threatened by a C-rate monster named Flesh. You made a good choice writing to me, for a monster is still a monster regardless of the rate.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t come there to personally deal with the monster. My disciples are going to take an examination to become Agents and I need to be here for them. However, I¡¯ve dispatched a number of Agents to deal with the monster; along with supplies of food. Those should solve the problem. Suppose that the Agents fail, you can be rest assured; for I will come rushing. Your village is my village too. From, Isla 08 - Lila and Loy Lila and Loy Behind a hut, away from view, Lila received a vial with black liquid inside. ¡®Careful with this one,¡¯ said the old man; vial giver. ¡®Don¡¯t even let it touch your skin.¡¯ ¡®Thank you,¡¯ Lila said. ¡®No need, child. I owed Raladr.¡¯ He pointed his bony finger at the vial. ¡®Don¡¯t misuse that,¡¯ he gave a last warning and left. Lila inspected the vial, holding it by its lid. When she heard a commotion, she immediately hid the vial in her coat. She turned, expecting people, but she was alone under the shadow of a hut. There was a cheer going on and she walked toward the source. Her hands were guarding the vial she had gotten. With each step she took, the sound grew louder and louder. ¡®Thank you!¡¯ cried a woman. ¡®The crisis is over!¡¯ shouted a man. Piqued by the shout, Lila hastened her steps, her eyes glittered with hope. Exiting from the shadows, she saw a number of villagers looking in a certain direction. Blocked by their bodies, Lila climbed a hut, curious by the excitement. On the roof, she saw a group of people wearing a white-blue uniform, their genders and age mixed; each carrying their preferred weapon: some swords, some spears, and more. Behind them was a carriage full of wooden crates, filled to the brim with canned foods. Their underlings were distributing them fairly to each villager. ¡®They¡¯re going to kill the monster!¡¯ shouted festively by a man. The glitter in Lila¡¯s eyes faded into disappointment. ¡®They still haven¡¯t killed the monster¡­¡¯ she muttered to herself. * Outside his hut, Loy poured his steaming tea into a bowl. He then included a powder into the liquid and stirred it thoroughly with wood. Carefully, he carried the bowl and stepped into his hut. Inside the hut, a woman older than him was sitting at a table. She sat with her back slanted. She faced forward, black circles under her eyes, and a drool coursing down her chin. ¡®You should sleep, sis,¡¯ Loy said as he came in. She heard it, but there was a delayed response. ¡®The nightmare¡ªit comes¡­ back when¡­ I sleep¡­¡¯ On the table was an illustration of a woman; and beside it was an illustration of Raladr.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡®Our parents wouldn¡¯t be happy if you don¡¯t get a good rest.¡¯ He patted her back. She turned her head toward Loy with a slowness that could be considered creepy. Her anguished eyes stared at him. ¡®I can¡¯t¡­ sleep, Loy. Every time¡­ Every time I sleep¡­ The monster¡­¡¯ tears dripped down her cheek. ¡®The monster awaits¡­¡¯ She leaned her head to Loy, and he let her wipe her tears on his shirt. He had an anguished expression upon seeing his sister¡¯s suffering. ¡®I¡­ made you tea, sis. This should make you better.¡¯ She wiped her tears and stared at the bowl for a while, her thoughts delayed. ¡®Thank you, Loy. Sorry¡­ about your shirt¡­¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t worry about it. Here.¡¯ Loy gently pressed the rim of the bowl to his sister¡¯s lips. She drank the whole of it. ¡®It tasted¡­ wei¡ª¡¯ her upper body fell forward and Loy caught her before her head hit the table. She was safely asleep. Guilt was written all over his face. ¡®Loy! Lo¡ª¡¯ came a voice from the hut entrance. The voice came from a girl with the same face as him. His twin, Lila. ¡®She finally slept,¡¯ she remarked with relief. ¡®I drugged her,¡¯ Loy admitted. Lila was surprised. However, she understood why he drugged her. ¡®You did it for her own good, Loy. Cheer up. I would¡¯ve done the same if I had gotten my hands on a sleeping drug. Where did you get it?¡¯ ¡®Someone gave me.¡¯ ¡®Kayla?¡¯ Loy was quiet. He didn¡¯t answer, but his response admitted it. ¡®Huh¡­ Anyway, Loy! Listen to this! The Agents have arrived!¡¯ ¡®They do? That¡¯s great!¡¯ ¡®Yes. And I¡¯ve volunteered to lead them through the forest.¡¯ ¡®¡­ You what?¡¯ ¡®They¡¯re specialized in fighting monsters, not track. A hunter needs to help them to get to the monster, and so I volunteered.¡¯ ¡®You what?¡¯ Loy repeated, raising his voice in disbelief. ¡®As I¡¯ve said: I volunteered. Are you in with me or not?¡¯ ¡®Lila! It¡¯s a dangerous monster! Anything could happen and you could die joining them!¡¯ ¡®The Agents assured my safety. They said I could help them out and elder Vignette finally allowed me!¡¯ ¡®The monster killed our father!¡¯ Loy let out his outrage. ¡®Precisely!¡¯ Lila let out hers. ¡®This is our chance to take vengeance! To kill the monster that killed our father!¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re going to get yourself killed!¡¯ Loy shouted. He then let out ragged breaths. He glanced at their sister, relieved she was still asleep. ¡®Loy.¡¯ Lila lowered her voice. ¡®I¡¯m going to prepare for tomorrow. You¡¯re free to join me if you want, but I¡¯m going with or without you.¡¯ Lila left the hut. Loy leaned on the table. His hand pressed on his forehead. Through the gap of his hair, he saw his father¡¯s illustration. ¡®I can¡¯t replace you¡­¡¯ he muttered. 09 - Loy and Lila Loy and Lila Lila stood with her spear, looking at the crowd of villagers. They cheered on her and the Agents to kill the monster. Her eyes searched for someone, but she couldn¡¯t find the person. ¡®Kill it for us!¡¯ a man shouted. ¡®Bring peace to the forest!¡¯ shouted another. The leader of the Agents, a man with large stature and mane for hair, waved at the crowd. ¡®We will not disappoint,¡¯ his voice roared. ¡®Today you can all sleep soundly, for I will slay your nightmare!¡¯ The villagers roared back with cheers. ¡®Let¡¯s go,¡¯ the leader tapped on Lila¡¯s shoulder. ¡®Let¡¯s.¡¯ Before stepping into the forest, Lila gave a last hopeful stare toward the crowd. And to her delight, Loy pushed his way through. He wore a forest-colored outfit and carried his own spear. He joined Lila. ¡®I knew you would come,¡¯ Lila said to Loy with a smile. He didn¡¯t say anything back to her. * ¡®I coated the blade of my spear with deadly poison,¡¯ Lila told Loy as they were both leading the Agents. ¡®Just a drop could kill a bear immediately.¡¯ She looked at Loy. He was facing forward and not at her. ¡®You are a quiet brother, Loy. But this is too quiet. Come on,¡¯ she elbowed him, ¡®speak to me.¡¯ Loy brought his hand up, pulling the group to a halt. He looked at the ground and saw trails. Inhumane steps left on dirt. ¡®We¡¯re coming close?¡¯ asked the Agent leader. Loy nodded. They pursued the trail. ¡®Okay, I get it,¡¯ Lila continued, voice a whisper, ¡®you¡¯re mad. But I have to do this.¡¯The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡®For your stupid revenge,¡¯ added Loy. Eyes still on the trail. ¡®It¡¯s not stupid!¡¯ ¡®It is! The monster killed our father! Do you really believe that you can kill a monster that our father can¡¯t kill?¡¯ Loy finally looked at Lila. ¡®Stupid!¡¯ ¡®What¡¯s the holdup?¡¯ the leader asked. ¡®Nothing,¡¯ Loy answered. ¡®Just a little discussion. We¡¯re carrying onward.¡¯ Loy hastened his steps, causing difficulties for Lila to follow along. ¡®It¡¯s not¡­ stupid¡­¡¯ ¡®It is.¡¯ ¡®Elis has nightmares¡­ About the monster¡­ She¡¯ll break if it continues¡­¡¯ ¡®She won¡¯t. Because we¡¯ll be there for her. She will, however, if we both die on this hunt.¡¯ ¡®Then why come?¡¯ ¡®I can¡¯t lose Elis or you.¡¯ * The monster was a faceless humanoid thrice the size of a human. When an Agent cut its skin with a blade, the monster would regenerate its wound at an astonishing speed. ¡®According to the record we have!¡¯ shouted an agent. ¡®Good!¡¯ shouted the leader. ¡®Circle it and we slay it without activating our Artifact!¡¯ The agents worked together and circled the monster in unison. When the monster was focused on one side, the Agents who weren¡¯t within its focus struck with a stabbing weapon. While the monster could regenerate wounds, it couldn¡¯t do so if an object blocked its regeneration. After going at the monster for a while, the leader delivered a finishing blow by stabbing his great sword at the monster¡¯s head. It fell down and went motionless. ¡®Good work!¡¯ praised the leader. When he pulled his sword, the monster no longer regenerated. He then turned and smiled toward Loy and Lila, ¡®The village has nothing more to fear!¡¯ ¡®Looks like we weren¡¯t of any help,¡¯ exhaled Lila to Loy. No response. Lila looked at Loy, but he wasn¡¯t happy. Rather, he was skeptical. ¡®Our father and a group of hunters were killed by that monster?¡¯ he asked. ¡®I suppose the Agents made it look easy.¡¯ Lila shrugged. ¡®Could there be more than one monster?¡¯ Loy shouted to the leader. ¡®What? That¡¯s¡ª¡¯ In that blink of a moment, a monster appeared behind the leader out of nowhere. A 4 limbed monster thrice the size of bears. With its claws it swiped the leader and smashed him to the ground. Killing him in an instant. 10 - Lila and Loy Lila and Loy ¡®Surround it!¡¯ shouted a female Agent. The monster heard and lurched at her, biting her upper half with its fangs. ¡®We¡¯re running,¡¯ Loy said. He grabbed Lila¡¯s hands and dragged her, but she fell to the ground. ¡®My legs¡­¡¯ They were shivering and unable to stand. Her gaze fixated on the slaughter that the monster was doing. ¡®Le-leave me, Loy.¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡¯ He crouched down and grabbed her shoulders and thighs. ¡®I said leave me!¡¯ ¡®I¡¯d rather die.¡¯ He lifted Lila from the ground and turned to run. In the blink of an eye, the monster appeared before him. In a split moment decision, Loy threw Lila to the left and he stepped to the right. When the monster lurched, it bit off Loy¡¯s left arm. ¡®Loy!¡¯ Lila shouted with terror seeing the blood. The monster then disappeared, returning to fight the remaining Agents. With trembling legs, Lila went to Loy. From inside her pack, she pulled out a rope. ¡®Stay with me, Loy.¡¯ Lila tied the rope to his lost arm, then tightening it to stop the blood flow. ¡®Leave¡­ me.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯d rather die.¡¯ She pulled the rope with both hands, tightening it further. The blood flow stopped, but Loy was already pale. Behind her, the sound of Agents had vanished. Lila glanced over her shoulder to see blood all over that patch of the forest. Fallen bodies everywhere; and only the monster remained standing. It looked at her with one eye and slowly approached Lila. ¡®Run¡­¡¯ Loy said. Lila took hold of her spear. Fear was written on her face, but the trembling had stopped. ¡®Someone has to¡­ take care of¡­ Elis¡­¡¯ Lila stood and faced the monster. It winded its claws and went for a wide sideway swing. ¡®You¡¯re right, Loy.¡¯ Tears coursed down her cheek. ¡®Vengeance is stupid.¡¯ Lila closed her eyes, accepting her fate.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Grash! There was the sound of its claws scraping the ground. Lila opened her eyes. Faintly, she could see her father¡¯s back, protecting her. He vanished like fog blown by wind; and Lila saw that the monster had missed. The monster had two eyes. Its right was fine, its left had a spear stabbed into it. The spear Raladr had used. ¡®Thank you, father.¡¯ Lila stabbed the spear to the monster¡¯s left eye, deepening the wound. The monster roared, it stood on its hind legs and stumbled backward. Lila¡¯s spear remained stuck on its left eye. It roared once more in pain; and Lila could see the beast¡¯s sharp oval eyes, furious at her. It wasn¡¯t over. ¡®The poison didn¡¯t work?¡¯ she muttered with despair. She was now weaponless. The beast got back on all four. It breathed out anger through its nostrils. Stab! An arrow went to its left eye. It hurt the monster and surprised Lila. Stab! Stab! More arrows. All shot with skillful precision toward the monster¡¯s left eye. Again, the monster roared. Stab! Stab! Stab! Three more arrows landed. Having had enough, the monster looked at the direction of the arrow and vanished into thin air. Lila was confused, but she took this change and wrapped Loy¡¯s right arm on her shoulder. ¡®I¡¯ll bring you home, Loy. Stay with me.¡¯ * Lila stumbled across a branch and fell. After the mistake, she immediately checked Loy''s arm; the rope didn¡¯t get undone. ¡®Sorry, Loy,¡¯ Lila lifted him again with weak legs. Her breathing was rapid and tired. Loy had lost consciousness. Lila took 5 good steps before stumbling on a rock. ¡®Move¡­ I need to move¡­¡¯ she said to herself as she rose once more. ¡®I need to bring him home. Move¡­ Please¡­¡¯ Lila was wobbling now. The village was nowhere in sight. Again, she fell. ¡®Move¡­¡¯ ¡®Grab his arms and I¡¯ll grab his legs,¡¯ a voice sounded. Lila looked up to see Kayla in a forest-colored outfit. ¡®We¡¯ll carry him together.¡¯ She lent her a hand to stand. Lila hadn¡¯t heard Kayla coming. Together, with Kayla in the front, they carried Loy. Kayla led the way. ¡®Careful,¡¯ Lila said, ¡®there are many traps in the forest.¡¯ ¡®I know. I set them.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s what you¡¯ve been doing this past month?¡¯ asked Lila with tired voice. Her consciousness was slipping. Together with Kayla they progressed better. ¡®Mainly, yes.¡¯ ¡®¡­ Have I said my thanks for your arrows?¡¯ ¡®No need.¡¯ 11 - Elis Elis Elis looked at her parents¡¯ illustrations with sorrow. There were tears in her eyes. ¡®Please protect Loy and Lila. Please¡­¡¯ Inside the hut, a new light came in. Elis saw Kayla pushing aside the curtain of the hut¡¯s entrance. She went inside without saying a word and behind her was Lila. Both of them carried the unconscious Loy who had lost his left arm. ¡®Bandages and medicine,¡¯ Kayla ordered. They both laid Loy on the bed. Elis was still shocked looking at the blood on Loy. ¡®Bandages and medicine!¡¯ she snapped. Elis was alert and went searching through the chest inside the hut.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Thud. Behind her, Lila had dropped to the bed. ¡®She¡¯s just tired. The bandages and medicine, Elis.¡¯ Elis got what she requested and gave the items to her. ¡®Get the healer to come here.¡¯ Elis was momentarily stunned upon looking at the condition of both her siblings: both unconscious. ¡®Get the healer, Elis!¡¯ Kayla repeated her order. She scrambled out of the hut and ran as fast as she could to get the healer. 12 - Shanar Shanar Shanar looked at a yellow-brown paper in her hand. A paper with a bloodied corner and an illustration of a family. Of a father with his wife on her side and his daughter within his embrace, sitting on stone, smiling happily. ¡®Leaving?¡¯ a familiar voice came. Right now, the men working under her were moving crates full of condiments from her store into a carriage. Shanar had already worn herself city clothes: shirt and skirt made of fabric, not animal skins; ready to move away from the village. ¡®There¡¯s no merit staying here.¡¯ Shanar crushed the yellow-brown paper. She then looked at Kayla. ¡®Here to take my offer?¡¯ ¡®To refuse it,¡¯ Kayla answered. Her black eyes never shook; always steady. Deep down, Shanar hoped that she was joking. That she would accept her offer and join her. No matter how long she waited however, there would be no follow-up. ¡®The village is not safe,¡¯ she said. ¡®Staying here won¡¯t do you good. I¡¯ll say this one last time, Kayla: Come with me to the city. There, you don¡¯t have to worry about the monster.¡¯ Kayla looked at the carriage. Shanar¡¯s men placed the crates with haste, prioritizing speed over care. There were crates stacked on top of one another instead of being laid on the empty space beside.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡®It has space for one more person?¡¯ Kayla asked. ¡®Yes.¡¯ The end of Shanar¡¯s lips curved slightly to a smile. ¡®It has.¡¯ ¡®Take my grandmother instead.¡¯ Her slight smile faded into disappointment. ¡®It¡¯s only for you.¡¯ ¡®It has space.¡¯ ¡®For you and you only. For no one else.¡¯ Kayla tilted her head, troubled by Shanar¡¯s words. She had lost interest in the carriage; and with no more reason to stay, she was about to turn and leave. ¡®I know you, Kayla,¡¯ Shanar persisted. ¡®You¡¯re not a fool. You should be aware that there¡¯s nothing you can do. You can¡¯t kill the monster and what awaits you here is doom! Why is it that you choose to stay? When I have given you a way out?¡¯ Kayla stared into Shanar¡¯s eyes. She saw her anguish and she her resolve. ¡®It¡¯s not about what I can or can¡¯t do, Shanar. It¡¯s about what I have to do.¡¯ Kayla turned and walked away. Upon this gesture, Shanar stretched her arm toward her, wanting her to stay. But she only watched her leave, lowered her hand, and didn¡¯t chase her. ¡®Where else¡ª¡¯she muttered¡ª¡®can I find someone like you...¡¯ 13 - Thrall Thrall Clang! Clang! Clang! Thrall, a blacksmith, hammered red-hot iron on his anvil. He was equipped with a bandana on his head and an apron on his body. His concentration wholly focused on his craft; he did not notice his wife approaching him in the foundry. ¡®Dear?¡¯ she said. Clang! Clang! Clang! The hammering continued and he didn¡¯t listen. ¡®Dear? Thrall dear?¡¯ His ears were still occupied by the clangs. ¡®Thrall.¡¯ She approached him and touched his shoulder. Thrall jolted in surprise. His hammer had missed and hit the anvil flat. ¡®I didn¡¯t realize you¡¯re here,¡¯ he said. ¡®You do now.¡¯ Thrall stood up and looked at his wife eye to eye. He wiped his sweat with the towel wrapping his shoulders. ¡®Dear, who are you working for?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m not working for anyone.¡¯ ¡®Really?¡¯ She looked at the still red-hot iron on the anvil. ¡®Yes, really. Why? ¡®I just¡­ thought that if you have work, you might stay here in this village¡­ You won¡¯t, will you?¡¯ She asked with pleading eyes. Thrall couldn¡¯t answer her.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡®¡­ I know. That you¡¯re a blacksmith and your job is to provide weapons in time of need. I¡¯m proud to have you as my husband. But¡­ think of your family, Thrall. Our daughter will miss you. I will miss you. And every passing day we¡¯ll worry about you restlessly in the city if you don¡¯t come with us.¡¯ ¡®I owe the villages here greatly¡­¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s why you need to run. So that you can rebuild it should it be destroyed. Right now, Agents are standing on guard to help protect the village. They have their own weapons and your skill is currently not needed. Please, Thrall? Come with us to the city?¡¯ ¡®I¡­¡¯ Thrall closed his eyes. ¡®Alright.¡¯ His wife was delighted by his decision and hugged him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. ¡®Don¡¯t stay up too late, dear.¡¯ She exited the foundry through the door with joyful steps. Thrall sat down on his stool and tossed his hammer to the anvil. He placed his elbow on his knees and face on his palm. He sighed and shook his head. ¡®Not doing good?¡¯ a voice came from the shadows. Thrall almost fell from his stool due to the surprise. He looked toward the source to see a girl whose eyes were as dark as night, Kayla. ¡®I¡¯m alright. I¡¯ve decided to go to the city.¡¯ ¡®¡­ Oh.¡¯ Kayla was about to leave, but Thrall stopped her, ¡®Why are you here?¡¯ ¡®Nothing of your concern.¡¯ ¡®Tell me anyway.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s nothing.¡¯ ¡®You need arrows, don¡¯t you?¡¯ ¡®¡­ No.¡¯ ¡®You need arrows, don¡¯t you?¡¯ ¡®Steel arrows.¡¯ ¡®How many?¡¯ ¡®Lots.¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re going to hunt the monster?¡¯ Thrall asked. To which, Kayla stared at him silently, confirming and denying nothing. ¡®I won¡¯t tell your grandmother.¡¯ ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡®Then I¡¯ll stay here until you hunt the monster down.¡¯ Immediately, Thrall started working on Kayla¡¯s arrows. 14 - Isla Isla In the dark of night in the training field, lit by the blue full moon, Isla saw a girl shooting a bow at a target. She held the bow with her right hand and the arrow with her left. Her black eyes were red and there were dark circles under her eyes. Though her posture looked tired, when she shot the arrow, she hit the target on the tree dead on center. ¡®You almost hit me!¡¯ Isla protested. At the time when she shot, her head was close to the target. ¡®You were between me and my target,¡¯ she protested back with a weak voice. She looked horribly tired. ¡®I didn¡¯t¡ªnotice you there¡­ You¡¯re practicing the bow at this time of night?¡¯ ¡®¡­ I couldn¡¯t sleep.¡¯ ¡®Nightmares?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m not confident if I could wake up after sleeping. Out of the way, would you?¡¯ Isla shifted herself in front of the target, preventing her from getting a clear shot. ¡®Forcing yourself isn¡¯t healthy,¡¯ Isla said. ¡®You think I wouldn¡¯t know?¡¯ She pulled the string and shot her bow. She curved the arrow and hit the target without hitting Isla. Isla looked back to see the target, and the arrow was dead on center. Her jaw slacked in surprise. When she turned back to see the girl, she had vanished into the night. * ¡®You met Kayla,¡¯ Vignette said as she was leading Isla to the forest in the morning. ¡®She is Sir Argonaut¡¯s daughter?¡¯ Isla asked. ¡®I question the same thing myself. Unlike Argonaut, Kayla is disobedient. The child never listens. I think that she had gotten herself involved in drugs, but I couldn¡¯t stop her. At the very least, she isn¡¯t stepping into the forest, so I¡¯ll have to allow it until you get rid of the monster, Isla.¡¯ ¡®You can count on me, Elder Vignette.¡¯ The villagers Isla came across looked at her without a glimmer of hope. They appeared dejected; for the previous Agents had failed. ¡®May Argonaut watches over you,¡¯ Vignette said. ¡®If he does, I¡¯ll make sure he knows that he could rest in peace,¡¯ Isla smiled. Isla stepped into the forest. * Walking inside the forest, Isla stepped on a trap. She jumped backward in reflex and saw a sword lunging at where she previously stood. An Artifact which belonged to one of the Agents which she had dispatched.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. ¡®How many traps are in this forest?¡¯ she shouted. Frustration was written all over her face. Inside the forest, she proceeded cautiously, searching for traps and hand near the hilt of the sword beside her waist. Regardless, she would step on another trap again and evade them. This time, it was a hammer. Another Artifact used as traps. ¡®So unlucky today¡­¡¯ she muttered. As she ventured forth, she heard a rustling of the bushes. There was no wind at the time and Isla grew aware. She went toward the sound. From high-ground, she saw the monster near a river. ¡®What in the world?¡¯ Isla asked herself. The monster was on its last of breaths. On the gap between its scales there were plenty of arrows, more than Isla could count. Its body was resided by many arrows and its face was a haystack of arrows save for its right eye. Its limbs were covered by the blood it had dripped. As Isla tried to get a better look of the monster, she stumbled on something. A leg. Isla then noticed that near her there was a girl wearing an outfit the color of the forest. She was crouched, holding the bow with her right hand and pulling the string with her left. Her concentration remained even after Isla had disturbed her. Eyes still on the monster, Kayla released an arrow. At the time of her release, the wind blew and curved her arrow. And the arrow went through the small gap between the monster¡¯s hard scales, stabbing it. Dead on target. The monster looked at the direction where the arrow had curved and vanished. Kayla stood up and went to chase the monster. Though she was having difficulties in walking, her presence remained subtle and she made no sounds whatsoever. She looked as though she would fall at any moment. ¡®You did all that? By yourself?¡¯ Isla had to ask. Kayla looked over her shoulder. Tears of blood were dripping down her left eye. ¡®Not by¡­ myself.¡¯ She was about to fall sideways, but Isla was quick to catch her. ¡®Are there anyone else I¡¯m not seeing?¡¯ Isla wrapped her arm on her shoulder. ¡®Raladr had¡ªstolen its left eye. The other hunters¡¯ deaths had told me how dangerous the monster was. Someone¡¯s letter gave me information on that monster. Loy had sacrificed his left arm to protect Lila; who wounded the monster and gave me poison. The Agents'' weapons made for effective traps. I stole Shanar¡¯s drugs to keep myself going. And Thrall stayed to make me steel arrows. I just¡­ shoot at the monster.¡¯ Isla looked at both Kayla¡¯s hands. Each of her fingers were bandaged. The result of continuously shooting arrows. Blood still dripped from her eye. ¡®Effects from the drug?¡¯ Isla asked. ¡®From the poison. Coated the tip of my arrow, had it close to my eyes to aim, stronger than expected because its vapor must¡¯ve gotten to my eyes.¡¯ Going toward the direction of the monster, Isla saw the monster lying down motionless. ¡®You killed it¡­¡¯ Isla said with astonishment. ¡®An A-rate monster, without an Artifact.¡¯ ¡®It might be playing dead. It did that a week ago.¡¯ ¡®You don¡¯t even drop your guard. How long have you been shooting at it?¡¯ ¡®Ever since the death of Agents.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s a month ago,¡¯ she remarked. Looking at the monster, Isla leaned Kayla to a tree and approached it nonchalantly. When she was close to the monster, she kicked it but there was no response. ¡®It¡¯s dead.¡¯ When Isla turned to see Kayla, she saw her slipping to the ground. 15 - Kayla Kayla Kayla was laid inside a hut, with her eyes bandaged. Vignette had stepped outside and after a while it was Isla who stepped inside. ¡®Villagers are crowding the hut, wondering how you¡¯re doing. They care about you,¡¯ she said. No response from Kayla. ¡®I see my mentor in you, your father. Someone who would do what needs to be done. You would be perfect as an Agent.¡¯ Isla sat on the ground beside Kayla. ¡®The healers had given up on you. Your grandmother is crying.¡¯If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Isla looked at the roof of the hut. ¡®I¡¯ll take you to the city with me. There, someone I know will heal you, and I¡¯ll have you enter the Agent examination in return.¡¯ Isla slid her arms under Kayla¡¯s neck and knee, then stood up and carried her outside the hut. She smiled. ¡®I look forward to it, Kayla Argonaut.¡¯ -end