Hunting for Gold

Exactly like the previous time, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds filled the air, guiding him as Kayden made his way through the underbrush. He moved swiftly, with silent strides but brimming with confidence.

His gaze darted from tree to tree, scanning the surrounding foliage for any signs of movement. The forest seemed alive, teeming with life waiting to be hunted.

Suddenly, Kayden's heart quickened with anticipation as he caught a glimpse of a flash of fur in the distance.

With a brisk but stealthy pace, he easily covered the distance to his target, a nimble rabbit grazing on a patch of tender grass.

Kayden's hand instinctively reached for the worn hilt of his sword, which was fastened at his waist. Gripping it firmly, he crouched low, his body melding seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

He could have openly headed toward the rabbit at full speed, but he didn't want to waste time in a futile chase.

Time seemed to slow as he prepared his strike. His muscles tensed, coiled like a spring ready to unleash its energy.

With a swift, fluid motion, he propelled himself, crossing the distance between the rabbit and him in the blink of an eye.

The animal tensed, sensing danger as Kayden lunged forward with his sword.

However, it was already too late. The blade pierced through the air, causing a whooshing sound that echoed around the area just as the attack found its mark with pinpoint accuracy.

A brief moment of stillness followed, broken only by the soft thud of the rabbit's body hitting the ground, a red stain now adorning his velvety fur.

With practiced hands, Kayden retrieved the lifeless animal, carefully inspecting its condition. He was worried that his strike might have damaged its meat, diminishing its value at the time of sale. Fortunately, the slash had been perfectly accurate, thus damaging only the neck.

Satisfied with its quality, Kayden secured it within the battered cloth bag he had previously used to carry the notebook.

'Since the bag's size isn't too big, I'll only be able to bring with me a few animals,' Kayden thought, as he planned to hunt a bigger animal to carry it on his back.

Deer were the perfect option not only because of their size but their fighting capability. Killing one would not draw as much attention as a wild boar, and it would still allow him to make a considerable profit.

Resuming his hunt, Kayden moved through the forest like a predator, seeking out the elusive prey and honing his movement skills.

As time passed, he managed to hunt a few more rabbits and a squirrel. With each successful catch, his confidence grew as he kept looking for a deer.

As dusk approached, nerves rose within Kayden, causing him to grow anxious as he continued to search for a deer, since the light of the solo sun was beginning to fade.

While Kayden kept exploring, now ignoring the smaller prey, he enjoyed the forest's atmosphere.

The air, thick with the scent of earth and foliage, reminded Kayden of the raw, untamed nature that surrounded him.

When he was starting to struggle to see due to the impending night, Kayden heard something that cheered him up. The sound of the creek where he had found the deer when he ventured into the forest the previous time reached his ears.

However, he did not let emotions guide him, and slowly approached the small clearing.

Buoyed by his luck, Kayden's eyes sparkled when he saw a deer drinking from the creek.

Taking a closer look at the animal as he prepared to attack, he realized that it was probably a female since its antlers were shorter and simpler, and its wingspan somewhat smaller.

It was not really a significant fact, but just a mere detail that made him curious.

Kayden's eyes narrowed in focus as he observed the deer gracefully dipping its head into the crystal-clear waters of the creek.

The fading light cast a gentle glow upon the scene, illuminating its delicate features and highlighting the patterns on its fur.

With his heart pounding with excitement, he honed in on his target.

This time, he did not want to make a mistake like the last time, when he accidentally stepped on a twig, drawing the prey's attention and giving it time to flee.

Despite being able to catch up with a deer with his speed, Kayden did not want to risk ending up encountering another animal like the massive boar, or even more dangerous, even if he knew it was not likely.

Slowly, he shifted his weight, carefully placing one foot in front of the other, maintaining utmost silence. His movements were fluid and calculated, carrying the precision of a seasoned predator.

As he closed the distance between himself and the deer, his senses heightened as much as possible. Every rustle of a leaf or snap of a twig became amplified, urging him to be even more cautious. He could feel the anticipation building within him, the thrill of the hunt coursing through his veins.

It did not matter if it was an easy prey or a hard one, Kayden had discovered that fights made him feel livelier than ever.

The deer, unaware of the imminent danger, continued to drink from the creek, its ears occasionally flicking as it listened to the surrounding sounds.

Kayden's grip on his sword tightened, his muscles coiling like a tightly wound spring, ready to unleash his attack.

Moments later, with a surge of adrenaline, Kayden's muscles propelled him forward, his body moving in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the forest. His steps were light and swift, barely causing a stir in the underbrush.

As he approached the deer, he blended seamlessly into the dappled shadows, using the cover of the trees to his advantage. His eyes never wavered from his target, his focus sharp.

Just when the deer's head suddenly snapped up, and its ears perked in alert, Kayden finally struck.

With a swift, fluid motion, he stabbed forward, his sword glinting in the dwindling light. The deer's instincts kicked in, but it was already too late.

With a dull thud, the blade lodged in the animal's side, causing it to yelp in pain as it scrambled wildly.

Undeterred, Kayden kept his grip on the sword firm until the deer finally collapsed.