Black-Striped Deer

They set off and traversed through the woods until they reached the core area of the basin. The towering trees and beautiful landscape attracted the group's attention as they walked. They admired the scenery until they heard a cough from Galen that drew their attention. In front of the group was a small open space with a few streams flowing through, and in the middle of the open meadow a large flat rock could be seen. 

The entire meadow was filled with Black- striped deer, there were about 30 deer grazing around the area. They were deer with black stripes all over their bodies and are quite large. The smallest deer was about 160cm tall, and the tallest deer were the three that lay on the flat rock. Their body size roughly amounted to 200cm in height and about 120cm in length. The three larger deer each had small antlers protruding from their heads. The antlers were like small trees as they intertwined with one another. 

Finally, as the deer were grazing the two groups had made their preparations to fight. The plan was for Solen and Galen to take care of the three deer on the rock and the rest of the knights which were about 32 was responsible for herding and killing the higher tier deer. Evander had suggested when they planned to kill the beasts, that instead of killing all of them they could also be used as livestock. His reason was that if they killed all the animals were would they get food from and some of the beasts could be used for agriculture purposes or whatnot. 

Galen and Solen had given their input and at the end it was decided that every beast above late stage would be killed to prevent trouble. So, the idea was for Solen and Galen to kill the three larger deer while the rest of the knights capture the Dire Cubs. 

The groups hid in the woods ready to ambush their prey when the call was given. The two groups rushed forward in two semi-circles to form a whole circle and prevent any deer from escaping. Thanks to their numbers and better strength the Dire Cubs were quickly subdued as every knight took care of 1 deer and the few extra knights went between the groups to assist where needed. 

When the two groups ran out from the woods the three deer on the rock jumped up in fright and immediately took defensive stances. They were examining the surroundings when they saw a huge group of people surrounding their own kind. The three deer wanted to rush to help them but just when they wanted to rush forward two men clad in silver armor appeared before them. 

The deer were enraged and immediately attacked. Galen and Solen were prepared for the deer's attack and blocked it with their swords. Galen took the initiative to fight the elderly deer because when he aimed for the older deer one of the younger ones tried to help him. Galen, also being the stronger of the two, fought the two deer while Solen only fought one. 

The deer were not particularly strong attack beasts, they were more suited for fast and agile attacks. Their only means of attack was with their legs. Even if their attack wasn't the best, the damage one of their leg attacks could do would be immense. Galen and Solen slashed with their swords, only to either miss or be blocked by their intertwined antlers giving them a good defense. 

But thanks to their equipment [Snowflake] and [Winter's Grace] being a rank 1 and rank 2 items they were able obtain victory. Their armor was only slightly damaged after being kicked and their swords, although not exceedingly strong, were able to make wounds, resulting in the deer bleeding over time and getting weaker and weaker. Especially the elderly deer, it took only a few slashes and minor wounds before the already old and dying deer was lying breathlessly on the ground. 

So, when the elderly deer fell, the pressure on the younger deer increased and thus after some more fierce fighting the deer Solen was facing was slain before he rushed over to come and help Galen. They obtained victory and after finally killing the three deer Eldric who was back at the House heard the sweet echo once more. 

*Ding* 

Galen advanced to Tier 2 Level 2 

Solen advanced to Tier 2 level 2 

< Core region > 

Galen and Solen obtained victory and even though they did not sustain serious injuries due to their armor. The armor themselves was damaged and the once silver armor was dripping with blood. Evidently the battle was one that neither could take lightly. After the two were finished with their battle they turned their attention towards the other deer. The deer were firmly surrounded by the knights. Evander and Cael had taken the opportunity when Galen and Solen were fighting, to gather certain materials. They then used these materials to make something like a collar, or rope if you would. They tied the deer together and with them being surrounded at all times most of the deer did not make a fuss. There were a few individual deer who tried to escape but were stopped by the knights. 

The deer was led back to the House where they were corralled into an enclosure that was built by the civilians that stayed behind. The enclosure was not that good, but it was made in a hurry and would only be reconstructed and built in a few days' time. 

The enclosure had something like sheds built where about 5 deer each slept for the night. The sheds were able to calm the deer and seeing them being fed and taken care of did not show much resistance during the night, but for safety's sake two late-stage knights were on duty.