First Hunt
"What are you going to do now, Celestia?"
"Hmm... They saw the family crest and still wouldn't let us through... These guards are more dutiful than I expected."
"Well, that's how it is, so let's just head back. It's that dangerous, right?"
"Be quiet for a moment, Brother. I'm thinking."
I gazed at the distant city walls, bristling with guards. Breaking through head-on had crossed my mind, but I couldn't figure out how to do it without hurting them. Sure, I could knock them all out and charge ahead, but that would make coming back a hassle... Anyway, for those reasons, I'd been scouting ways to slip out of the capital undetected.
"Oh, those carriages get through the gates just fine?"
Even in a prosperous capital like this, constant supplies had to flow inside those walls to keep it running. The merchant caravans coming and going passed after a quick check.
That could work...
I'd considered digging a tunnel, but with monsters that burrow too, the capital probably had defenses against that. Scaling those towering walls? I'd get spotted from the battlements, or more likely, feeble Cedric would tumble off midway. But hiding in a carriage? That had real potential.
"Brother. Follow me."
"What...? What crazy idea are you cooking up now?"
"Slaves."
"..."
I shut down Cedric's doubts in one word and led him off. Our destination: a warehouse where a caravan's wagons were parked. Amid the frenzy of unloading and reloading, I slipped in with my head down.
"What are you doing?"
"Brother. Duck."
"Uh..."
"This way."
I closed my eyes. With them shut, it was like activating wallhacks in an FPS game—people beyond the walls popped into my senses. Their gazes, fields of vision, even the tiniest muscle twitches.
This ability would let us hide perfectly. I guided Cedric to a wagon, climbed aboard, and tucked us behind some crates.
"The merchants won't notice us like this."
I flashed a grin—eyes still closed, of course.
Wallhacks are just plain broken.
"How do you pull this off when you can barely open your eyes?"
"Shh... Someone's coming."
The driver approached the wagon and hopped into his seat, none the wiser. Soon, all four wagons rolled out together. Ours was in the lead, the two behind packed with cargo. The last one carried adventurers— these days, no one traveled without escorts.
"Halt! We'll inspect."
At the same gate we'd failed at before, the caravan stopped. A quick check, and they waved them through. Just like that, we were outside the walls.
"Hey, Celestia. We're actually heading out for real, right?"
"Yes. We just passed the walls."
"What...? We can't turn back now!"
"Shh... Too loud."
"Uh..."
I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling silence. Five minutes after clearing the walls, it felt safe to bail.
"Brother. Follow me."
"Uh..."
I quietly shoved cargo aside, prepping to jump. Tempted to snag a few valuables, but it was all boring stuff like carrots—no thanks.
Now came the tricky part. Drop before the rear driver noticed.
"Get ready to jump when I say. I'll signal."
"You serious? Jump from a moving wagon?"
"Then ride it all the way if you want."
"...Fine. Signal me."
Eyes closed, I focused. The wagon's rumble, sway... and there—the rear driver in my mind's eye.
Perfect. He's looking away. Now!
"Go!"
Cedric hesitated. I kicked him in the back to help him along.
"Gah!?"
"Lucky I didn't jump first."
I dropped right after, pinning his head so he couldn't stand. Wagons rumbled over us. Success. We were out of the capital at last.
"You're insane, Celestia! Hey?!"
"We made it."
I dusted off my hands and scanned around. No walls—just dense forest everywhere. Realization hit Cedric; he shrank back.
"We're in the woods now. Mess around, and we'll be prime bait for mad wolves or gray bears."
"I knew I shouldn't have come... Even with that contract signed..."
"Once this trip's done, the slave contract's void. So quit whining and follow my lead."
"What? For real?"
"Promise. Can't have you playing little sister slave forever, right?"
"...Got it."
Truth be told, Cedric wasn't necessary, but this was nominally his "lesson," so bringing him along made sense. Plus, in a pinch, he'd make great bait. Ditch him and run—problem solved. Calling it severance pay kept me from looking like a total sleaze boss.
"Not as bad as I feared, though..."
"So far."
We pushed deeper into the forest. Thick canopy blocked the sun; even morning felt dim. Cedric clutched his magic wand, tense, trailing me. I strode ahead with just my wooden sword.
"Oh, first monster."
"What? Where?!"
"In those bushes over there."
I raised my wooden sword, pointing. Eyes closed, I saw them: three brown wolves lurking beyond, eyeing us as prey in their turf. Not overwhelming numbers, so they watched first.
"Wolf-types are smart."
"Smart how? Where are they?!"
"Guess they're not charging. No choice, then. Brother? Go stand up ahead."
"Huh?"
"Be the bait."
"You're nuts?"
I gave his back a gentle shove. He wouldn't budge—didn't want to split up and invite an attack. No fight like this.
Sighing, I told him to stay put with his wand ready.
"Wait there."
"Wait! I'll come too!"
"Why follow if I'm the bait?"
I aimed my wooden sword at him in warning. He froze.
"If trouble hits, don't run—help me. Got it?"
"I'll... try."
I approached the bushes, sword at the ready. As I stared right at them, the wolves stirred, emerging slowly—they knew they couldn't hide from me.
Eyes closed, I declared:
"I'll take you on with my eyes closed."
No Edn-sensei lately; I'd been itching for a fight. Dopamine time.
Grinning at their yellow pupils, my lips curled.
Kyung!Grrr...
Something in my vibe spooked them; they barked. Cedric froze solid at the sight, as expected. Apprentice mage meant dead weight in a scrap.
And right now? Perfect.
Jackpot. All the dopamine's mine.
No sharing. I charged the wolves with glee.
Crack!
One couldn't dodge my sudden lunge; its skull shattered. I spun midair, eyeing the other two. They scattered at their buddy's fall, rushing me.
Landed and deflected the side-rusher. Raised my sword high—smashed the other incoming wolf's head.
Reach is OP. Quick reflexes mean I crack skulls before they bite.
Yelp!
Two down in seconds. The last one turned tail.
I pursued.
"You’re not getting away~"
Screech!?
First real sword-swing in ages? No way I miss. I bashed its head, ending it.
Shook blood from my sword, checked the wolves.
"Still alive, huh..."
Brown wolves survived my hits. Wooden sword had limits.
In the story, combat gave EXP—and killing monsters too...
Wondered about finishing them. But wait—spare them, they come back angrier? Infinite EXP farm without kills?
Before the thought settled...
Whoosh! Boom!
Firebolts flew from behind.
"Celestia! Those wolves are still alive! Don't let your guard down!"
Idiot Cedric... Ruining my infinite economy dream. Trembling, he aimed his wand.
I approached and smashed his skull with my wooden sword.