Hunting Season Begins
That encounter with the bandits was the only noteworthy event during the trip.
Despite the forests teeming with powerful beasts mutated by mana, we encountered no trouble since we utilized the roads specifically constructed for that purpose. Security around these roads was stringent, with areas of low security being rare. The location where the bandits attempted their ambush was one such anomaly.
Our journey proceeded smoothly, and upon reaching the village, Chief Steward greeted us with palpable excitement. "Julie, you've returned!" he exclaimed, embracing her warmly. "And it seems you've successfully delivered the weapons. Excellent, excellent."
Steward's elation was evident, but he noticed our lack of corresponding smiles. "Is something amiss?" he inquired.
"We have an urgent matter to discuss," Yula responded.
Being new to the village, I deferred to Yula in addressing Steward.
We left the carriage in front of Steward's residence, where village warriors promptly unloaded the cargo, including the boxes containing the weapons.
Meanwhile, we proceeded to Steward's meeting room. I briefly greeted Luna along the way, but with no time for idle chatter, she simply smiled in understanding and refrained from further questions.
Once inside the meeting room – a secluded space furnished with a large table – Yula began her report.
The information she relayed visibly shocked Steward. Midway through the conversation, he was compelled to take a seat, overwhelmed by anxiety and unease.
"I can't believe this," Steward lamented. "After all we've endured, he intends to betray me?"
The situation worsened as Yula revealed the number of soldiers Lucius was dispatching to aid the tribe. It was a staggering figure.
Steward was at a loss. The joy he had felt upon seeing Julie and the weapons had vanished completely.
The only thought that crossed his mind was: we're doomed. Well, I couldn't be certain of his exact thoughts, but his expression spoke volumes.
"If we engage in direct combat, victory against such numbers is impossible," Steward admitted. "Do you believe Lucius has already mobilized his troops?"
Yula shook her head. "Based on what I gleaned from the bandit, he plans to deploy them in two weeks. We still have some time."
"Excellent, excellent. We must intercept those troops and eliminate them before they arrive. Is that feasible with a small group?"
"Perhaps," Yula replied, "if we can effectively utilize Julie's magic."
I remained a silent observer. The situation was dire, but the two-week window offered a glimmer of hope.
My plan was to leverage my newfound skill – the one bestowed upon me by Hades – to maximize my strength before the impending battle.
To achieve this, I would have to resort to unsavory, yet necessary, actions. I would have to kill...
I briefly spoke with Luna after the meeting. Curious about our discussion, her father, Steward, chose to disclose everything to her.
Our conversation was short-lived, and I departed the mansion. Yula and Julie were devising a strategy to counter Lucius's reinforcements, while I focused on enhancing my own power.
If I aspired to not only triumph over the tribe but also attain prominence within the kingdom, I had to step outside my comfort zone.
Thus, I ventured into the forest, equipped with my newly acquired weapons. The bow was strapped to my back, and the steel sword hung at my waist.
My purpose in the forest was not to hunt animals, but to seek out humans. The utilization of Hades' skill was my objective.
To locate any tribe members, I employed another skill in my arsenal: Sharp Focus.
My eyes transformed, resembling those of a predator. My perception of the surroundings intensified. It was as if I possessed a zoom function, enabling me to discern even the faintest traces left by animals.
Moreover, my vision in the darkness improved significantly. The dense forest canopy typically obstructed clear sight, but with Sharp Focus activated, everything changed.
And so, the hunt began. I traversed the forest, searching for any sign of the tribe's presence.
The direction from which we had fled the cave remained vivid in my memory, and that's where I headed. It didn't take long to encounter one of the savages.
Fortunately for me, this particular individual was alone, standing near a river with a basket, presumably collecting water.
This region was firmly under the tribe's control and situated deep within the jungle, so the savage was accustomed to solitude. He wasn't even remotely vigilant.
From his perspective, an ambush in such a location was inconceivable. Well, he was in for a rude awakening.
I concealed myself behind a tree and readied my bow. The new bow was vastly superior to my previous one. The arrows were also of exceptional quality, further amplifying their destructive potential.
I took my time. With my skill engaged, I aimed for the man's throat. As soon as he straightened up, I released the arrow. The shot was precise, striking him directly in the neck.
I observed the savage writhe in agony for a few moments before collapsing, lifeless. He hadn't even glimpsed the source of the arrow.
I approached the river and stood beside the corpse. It was then that I activated Hades' skill, and my mind was inundated with strange images.
They resembled visions. I saw a series of cryptic symbols and a specific ritual associated with the skill I had received.
It wasn't as simple as instantaneously draining the body's energy and moving on. A full-fledged ritual was required.
Did this deter me? Absolutely not. I hoisted the savage's body onto my shoulders and departed, seeking a secluded spot to perform the ritual.
The surroundings might be teeming with other tribe members, so I needed to leave and find a safer place.
I circled the area, reaching the opposite side of the forest. There, I was confident that no tribe member would find me.
Luckily for me, I came across a small cave that seemed to be the perfect place to perform the ritual. I placed the savage's body on a rock and prepared myself.
The ritual was a bit complex, but I was eager to finally increase my power.