1 The Start

At the river mouth, demon beast bears catch the tender most tasty salmon.

Which is exactly what I wanted for dinner tonight.

I stalked my prey.

A bear knocked a big salmon to shore. It was my time to shine.

"AWWWW," I said as I charged right at the bear with my hunting knife in hand.

The bear shrugged me off its shoulder, then looked at me coldly.

I stared right back at it with fire in my blood.

'I will eat good tonight,' I thought.

"RAWRRRRR," the bear said as it got on its hind legs with its claws at the ready.

"You think you are people?" I said.

"RAWRRRRR," said the bear.

The bear clawed at me with its first attack.

I dodged to the left, avoiding its mighty claw.

"You must try better if you want to kill this young noble," I said.

"RAWRRRRR," the bear said as it closed in on me.

We continued our dance for several minutes. The bear was growing tired from the exchange. It was only a high-mortal bear. This young noble was a dignified peak-mortal devil. How dare this bear to think he could compete with me!

I slashed at the bear with my first attack. Hitting it right on its shoulder. Blood gushed forth from its wound, dying the ground red.

"You want your life or the salmon, bear?" I said as I backed away from the bear.

"RAWRRRRR," the bear said as it ran away with its tail between its legs.

Victory was mine. I had successfully schemed myself a huge salmon!

How dare this stupid demon beast think it could compete with me?

I am James Hudson, of the Hudson devil clan. I know no equal. The talented son of the current clan patriarch, I am beloved by my peers and looked at with admiration for my skills.

Right now I was busy hunting in the Wesser Forest. Part of my noble devil clan's grand estate. All these lands belong to my great grandfather, Kogthoz. Who I respectfully refer to as Devil Ancestor.

With this huge salmon, I could show off to all the other youths. Catching one from the river was impossible. Even though they were spawning it still was impossible with the meager tools that they gave us for this wilderness survival training.

That's why I had to scheme against that trifling bear. I stalked him out while he made his catch, then stole it from his claws. Fighting the bear to the death was not worth it, however. A high-mortal demon beast on its death throes could injure me.

I am a dignified, noble devil, why would I return with injuries ruining my expensive clothing, and tarnishing my flawless skin. Scaring it off was the proper way to deal with that stupid demon beast.

"Big brother! What's that?" said my sister Susie as she pointed at the salmon.

"Little sister, it's but a salmon. Your brother had an arduous time wrangling it from the claws of a bear," I said, showing off my catch to her.

"Oh, nice big brother. Cook it!" she said.

"Little sister, first we need to set up a campfire at the site then we can have grilled salmon," I said.

"I bet you caught the most delicious thing today, big brother," she said.

"This is a competition little sister. Whoever catches the most difficult prey will be rewarded with fel shards! Those fel shards are as good as mine," I said.

"Let's go!" she said, rushing towards the campground.

We got back to the campgrounds with all the other Hudson clan youths gathered around. Most had come back empty-handed. Some had various creatures to show off, but none were as awe-inspiring as my salmon. I had this competition in the bag.

"Very good, I see you've caught a salmon today James," said First Knight Allmar as he documented my catch.

"Yes, those fel shards are mine for the taking," I said.

"That may not be so," said First Knight Allmar as he walked away.

Who would compete with this young noble? There's no prey more majestic than my salmon, that a mortal could get his hands on.

"Little cousin, do you really think your pitiful salmon can win this competition," said a voice off in the woods.

"Mikael!" I said as a clenched my fist.

Mikael was my nemesis. He had defeated this young noble before. But today was my day to shine.

"Your salmon is rare, but how does it compare to this eagle?" said Mikael as he came out holding a huge eagle in his hands.

"You You You!" I said.

"How the hell did you catch an eagle!"

"That's my secret little cousin, just know there's always a mountain above the hill," said Mikael.

"My exemplary son, I see your hunting was a success," said First Knight Allmar.

Damn father and son. I bet they cheated for this victory!

"Mikael you cheated! Meet me in the field," I said as I got up.

"You know what will happen out there. Why do you even try?" said Mikael as he put down the eagle.

"My pride will not be overcast by you forever. Face me, Mikael," I said when we got to the field.

It was an open grassy prairie, the perfect place for me to put Mikael in his rightful place.

I started my assault.

I aimed my majestic Punch!

That bastard dodged me!

<Kick >

I sent off my magnificent Kick!

That bastard still dodged me!

Another majestic Punch!

This shameless prick is a coward!

I sent off my most powerful attack... The Majestic and POWERFUL Mighty Punch. No one has ever escaped its fury!

<Grab >

Somehow my majestic punch was caught...

Mikael now had my fist in his hands. He pulled me towards him and threw me over his shoulder. What was once up became down as the world spun topsy turvy. I had been defeated.

"Little cousin, this is bullying when I fight you. You are not my match," said Mikael as he dusted off his hands.

"I am and always will be your better. You should remember that well. Now let's go grab some dinner," said Mikael as he walked away.

"Mikael!" I said as my face filled with rage.

I was beaten once again by that prick. One day I will defeat him, and no one will ever be able to look down on me in the Hudson clan.

I walked back to the camping ground defeated and made a personal campfire with flint & tinder. Then grilled some excellent salmon for me and my little sister.

Everyone else could kick rocks. This young noble ain't sharing any. Go try Mikael's stupid eagle if you're hungry!

Next chapter