Chapter 126 - Evergreen Forest

In a heavily vegetated forest, two figures crouched into a hiding position. Their heads lowered, eyes that of a hawk and rather motionless. Moss, mushrooms, flowers, and all sorts of stuff were around them. The leaves were blowing to the right, and the birds up in the branches were chirping.

One of them wore a simple rough blonde hair, a simple light armor embroidered with black strips. Also wearing a leather cape, this man with a notched arrow was using less of his breath as the target he sees in front of his eyes chews the ten inches tall plant. The other figure was wearing a capelet, leather armor, a bracer, a gauntlet and there is a short sword in his back. This man is holding a repeater crossbow as he eyes the prey before him.

The two gestured silently. They were waiting for the prey to completely chew the plant. The wind blew in the west, what followed were the leaves from the trees blowing to the east. The two saw this opportunity as they both fire their respective weapon at the prey. The prey got a glimpse of two light flashes as everything goes black for the prey.

The Two shouted:

“Yeah!”

“Yeah!”

Happy as they are for taking down the prey, they stretch their legs immediately as they sized up the hunt. The first one with the bow kneeled on one knee as he puts his chin in front of him, scanning the furry, fat prey. It has two husks in the mouth, its belly bulging, it's fur black, possessing four short legs, and a small tail.

The Bowman smiled up to his ears, he licked his lips as he excitedly draws a dagger from his belt. The man with the crossbow sat cross-legged near the two, watching with his weapon at hand, he breathed out as he looks up to the towering trees. His eyes then landed at the giant roots overarching and sprouting from the ground. His wrist wriggled, he touched his neck, and caressed his leg, wondering at the beauty of the land.

Meanwhile, the Bowman went and took his dagger, stabs it at the end of their prey’s bottom and started skinning it from the butthole to stomach and finally up to the head. The crossbowman watched as the Bowman expertly skins the prey the caught, he wondered if he can do that if he just watches idly.

“So can I do that too?”

“You probably will mess up in the cutting part, I used to do this with my pa when I was a little lad, so it would take a while for you to learn it.”

“Is that so, quite disappointing but I guess I will just do what I came here for?”

“That’s right since you are rather weak all you can do is help me guard this thing while we dry it out of blood,” Raul said, peeling the fur out of the prey as if it was as simple like that.

“Got it, as long as you gave me what you promised.”

“No worry,” Raul replied, tying a rope to the four legs of the prey.

...

A while ago Ramiel was coaxed by Raul to join him on the hunt. At first, he was pondering about, but since he was really rather bored out of his mind, and Peronell working with Abby on some matter. He decided to join Raul to hunt in the evergreen forests that is just near the encampment of soldiers. Ramiel ventured outside of the encampment but never did enter the camp for obvious reasons. He once saw the forest when passing on a dirt path with the border guard and always wondered what the look of the insides of the forest is.

As he expected the giant forests that towers over him were fantastical, he saw giant trees before but not like this. There were almost at the height of four storied buildings, and it was unfathomable how trees could grow this tall. Ramiel liked the forest and aside from the flowing blood from the prey they killed.

“Hey keep watch over us, we don’t want apex predators going about and smelling our prey.”

“Is that the problem?”

“Yes, the smell of blood drifts on the air, and they could smell it?” Raul explained.

“So how about I just cast a barrier around the prey? Wouldn’t that allow us to prevent that?” Ramiel said.

“That’s great idea, go for it!” Raul said.

So Ramiel pointed his palm at the prey and started encasing it with a thin pipe in form of barrier that allows the blood to directly flow into the hole that Raul dig. Letting the blood spread everywhere is a big problem, especially when doing so would attract them unruly predators far different from the usual ones.

Ramiel after casting the barrier put his palms on the ground he took a whiff of air as he looks up above. The shadows of the leaves are on his face, eyes lazily glance everywhere while hearing the rustling of the leaves. He didn’t want to talk at the moment simply because Raul told him to keep quiet at best.

The evergreen forest is a beautiful place, but it is pack with monsters and animals that could kill them if they are unaware. Being silent helps in detecting the animals, and Raul is steadily watching around for any signs of threat. Ramiel put his crossbow on his lap, still holding himself up, staring above, he took a small breath, lifted his shoulders, and exhaled a whiff of air that allowed him to stay tranquil. A bit of pain appeared on his right leg, it wasn’t that painful so he manages to ignore.

His condition lately has been fine and dandy, so he venturing out to these woods with Raul was quite unthinkable for him. Normally he would not even dare to step in this kind of place, but with how things are, he might as well see what the place has to offer.