Hunt Race

Green Moss Valley lay just beyond the main road, hidden beneath a canopy of towering trees. A narrow stream wound its way through the valley, feeding the damp ground where thick patches of emerald-green moss clung to rocks and fallen logs.

Darius stopped at the edge of the valley.

"This is your commission site."

Kael looked around.

It was peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Birds chirped overhead, and a cool breeze stirred the leaves. Nothing about the place suggested danger.

Darius removed the folded commission from his cloak and handed it to Kael.

"Read it."

Kael unfolded the parchment.

Commission: Collect ten bundles of Green Moss from Green Moss Valley.

He read it carefully before folding it again.

Darius gave a small nod.

"Before I leave, there are three things you need to remember."

Kael's attention sharpened.

"First, never let the reward decide whether you accept a commission. Let your ability decide."

Kael nodded.

"Second, if something feels wrong, don't rush in. Stop. Observe. Think."

His voice remained calm, but there was weight behind every word.

"Most hunters don't die because they're weak. They die because they stop thinking."

Kael silently committed the words to memory.

"And third..."

Darius met his eyes.

"If a commission turns out to be beyond you, walk away."

Kael frowned.

"Just leave?"

"Yes."

"What if I fail?"

"A failed commission can be given to another hunter."

Darius' gaze never wavered.

"A dead hunter can't finish anything."

Silence hung between them for a moment.

Kael slowly nodded.

"I understand."

"Good."

Darius stepped aside and looked toward the valley.

"The Guild didn't register you yesterday just to lose you today."

For the first time since they had met, a faint smile crossed his face.

"Go earn your first reward."

Without another word, he turned and walked back toward the road.

Kael watched until Darius disappeared behind the trees.

Now...

He was alone.

He took a slow breath before unfolding the commission one last time.

Collect ten bundles of Green Moss.

Simple enough.

Instead of immediately gathering the moss, Kael took a moment to study his surroundings.

The valley was quiet.

The stream flowed gently over smooth stones.

Nothing seemed out of place.

Only after satisfying himself that the area was safe did he crouch beside the nearest patch of moss.

As he reached out—

He stopped.

His eyes shifted to the damp earth a few steps away.

A footprint.

Large.

Deep.

Definitely not human.

Kael slowly stood.

He followed the trail with his eyes.

One footprint became several, leading away from the clearing and disappearing into the trees.

He looked back at the moss.

Then at the tracks.

The commission didn't mention any large beasts.

His grip tightened around the folded parchment.

"I'll just see where they go."

He slipped the commission back into his pouch and rested a hand on the hilt of his weapon before following the tracks.

The trail didn't go far.

It ended near a cluster of broken bushes where the ground had been churned up by something heavy.

Kael crouched.

Fresh blood stained the soil.

His expression hardened.

This wasn't part of the commission.

A cold feeling crept up his spine.

The forest had suddenly become very still.

Then...

A low growl echoed from somewhere beyond the trees.

Kael's hand tightened around the hilt of his weapon.

The growl came again.

Closer this time.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!