Hounds.
A special team that is rumored to be specialized in hunting those who escaped from the army or their duties.
It was said that they were all soldiers who were proficient in controlling the specially trained “Earth Hounds.”
A special type of mana beast that has been tamed and is now used. Depending on its strength, a single earth hound can track a person from 10 kilometers away.
‘As expected. They are already here.’
I didn’t waste any time. I pushed myself to my feet. My body had recovered to a certain extent as well, and my mana reserves were almost fully recovered.
I would have fully recovered unless not for the fact that I spent some mana mindlessly trying to learn a new thing, but that wouldn’t change much.
But I couldn’t afford to stay here any longer. The hounds were specialists in tracking; their senses were heightened, and they could easily pick up my trail if I stayed in one place for too long.
I started running, my legs carrying me through the dense underbrush with practiced ease. The forest blurred around me as I pushed myself to my limits, but even with my speed, I could hear the distant barks and growls of the Earth Hounds closing in.
They were fast—faster than I anticipated. I could sense at least eight presences trailing me, their intent clear.
If I were to face them head-on, I’d eventually be overwhelmed. I couldn’t allow that to happen.
My only options were to either kite them in the forest, using the terrain to my advantage, or to escape their range entirely.
The second option seemed safer, but I knew it was exactly what the pursuit team expected me to try. They were experts in their craft, and they’d likely try to push me toward one of the more dangerous zones in the forest—The Shattered Vale.
The Shattered Vale was infamous among those familiar with the Shadowed Thicket. It was a place where the forest’s natural mana had gone wild, warping the landscape and filling it with deadly creatures. The very air there crackled with unstable energy, making it a treacherous place even for seasoned warriors.
If the pursuit team could corner me there, I’d be forced to deal with not only them but also the deadly environment and the monsters that inhabited it. A nightmare scenario.
‘I can’t let them dictate the terms of this chase,’ I thought, my mind racing as I continued to move through the forest. ‘I need to create my own opening.’
I decided to kite them, using the dense forest to my advantage. The Earth Hounds were fast and relentless, but they were also large and not as agile in tight spaces.
If I could lead them through narrow, densely packed areas of the forest, I could slow them down and perhaps even lose a few of them.
‘But at the same time, it will be dangerous for me as well. Even though Elias had a rough map of the forest, it was not that accurate as it was only created by circling around the Shattered Vale. And the mapper was not a professional. Thus, the terrain is not that shown in a detailed way.’
If there was one thing that held me back, it was the fact that I was also not familiar with the forest too much.
I also needed to explore the forest itself.
‘At least until I reach the river that is shown on the map. From that point on, the life will become easier.’
However, that was easier said than done.
‘In any case, I need to thin their numbers. Right now, they are probably not expecting me to turn and attack them. I should capitalize on this.’
I continued to run, my mind calculating the best way to deal with the hounds and their handlers. I needed to make them spread out to create opportunities where I could pick them off one by one. The terrain and the darkness were my allies, and I had to use them to my advantage.
As I moved through the forest, I suddenly sensed another bunch of presence nearby. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but my sharp instincts, honed over years of battlefield experience, picked up on it.
‘Bloodlust.’
But it was thin, nicely concealed. Whoever or whatever these predators were, they were skilled at hiding their intent. I had already realized that I wasn’t the only hunter in this part of the forest, but that would also mean I wasn’t the only one hunted either.
A plan began to form in my mind. If I could lure the pursuit team into these predators’ territory, I could use them to my advantage. They wouldn’t be expecting it, and the surprise could buy me the time I needed.
I continued to run, gradually altering my course to lead the hounds toward the source of that bloodlust. I moved with purpose, making sure to keep my own presence concealed as much as possible.
The hounds were still on my trail, but their handlers were likely relying on their instincts, not expecting me to lead them into danger.
After running for a while, I sensed that I was close to where the predators were lurking. I needed to act quickly and decisively. I spotted a large tree with thick branches and leaped up, climbing swiftly and silently until I was hidden among the foliage.
The hounds and their handlers were closing in, unaware of the trap I was setting.
I reached into my pouch and pulled out a small rock, channeling my mana into it. I
The rock absorbed the energy, glowing faintly in the darkness.
‘This much should be enough. More than that, the rock will be broken.’
I waited, listening intently to the sounds of the forest, and then I threw the rock with precise aim toward a beast that was hiding in one of the trees—a Darkened Chimpanzee.
The rock struck the beast, and the effect was immediate. The Darkened Chimpanzee let out a sharp, angry chatter, its eyes blazing with fury as it searched for the source of the disturbance. It was a highly territorial creature, and I knew it would react aggressively.
The chimpanzee’s chatter echoed through the forest, alerting its kin. Within moments, several more Darkened Chimpanzees emerged from the shadows, their forms barely visible in the dark.
They were powerful and agile, their bloodlust now fully awakened.
SWOOSH!
As the hounds and their handlers drew closer, the Darkened Chimpanzees began to descend from the trees, their movements swift and coordinated.
The pursuit team had no idea what was waiting for them.
‘As expected. They are unable to sense them. But, the Earth Hounds will realize that soon enough.’
And just as I had predicted, a howl echoed in the forest.
“Grrrr…..”
The Earth Hounds were getting more and more restless with each second it seemed.
As I crouched in the thick branches of the tree, hidden from sight, I could hear the hounds and their handlers approaching.
The sounds of the Earth Hounds growling and the rustling of leaves grew louder, signaling their proximity. The tension in the air was palpable, the forest seemingly holding its breath in anticipation of the coming conflict.
“Stay alert,” one of the soldiers whispered harshly to the others, his voice barely audible over the growls of the Earth Hounds. “The hounds are sensing something. Keep your weapons ready.”
The unit slowed their pace, becoming more cautious as they sensed the growing danger. I watched as the soldiers began to move into a defensive formation, their movements swift and practiced. These were no ordinary soldiers—they were trained for situations just like this, capable of handling unexpected threats with efficiency.
“Something’s off,” another soldier muttered. “The hounds are too restless. Keep an eye on the trees.”
They were aware, but not fully. The Darkened Chimpanzees were already closing in, their bloodlust filling the air, but the soldiers were too focused on the ground. They hadn’t yet realized the full extent of the threat lurking above them.
The Earth Hounds let out low growls, their instincts picking up on the danger from the trees. They began to circle the soldiers, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the threat.
“Grrrr…”
The tension built as the Darkened Chimpanzees prepared to strike, their eyes glowing faintly in the shadows. The soldiers, sensing the imminent attack, tightened their formation, their weapons at the ready.
“Prepare for an attack from above!” the lead soldier barked, his voice carrying authority.
But before they could fully react, the Darkened Chimpanzees launched their assault.
SWOOSH!
The first chimpanzee leaped from the tree, its claws extended, aiming for one of the hounds. The Earth Hound snarled and tried to evade, but the chimpanzee was too fast, sinking its claws into the beast’s flank.
“Attack formation 2!” the lead soldier ordered.
The soldiers moved with precision, their spears, and swords flashing as they countered the onslaught of the Darkened Chimpanzees. The air was filled with the sounds of snarls, screeches, and the clash of weapons. The soldiers were well-trained, their formation tight as they defended against the chimpanzees’ frenzied attacks.
But I wasn’t going to stay idle.
After all, this was what I had been waiting for.
———————–
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