WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH RUSTLE RUSTLE
A massive figure zoomed throughout the verdant forest, its eyes glowing a deep silver color as it streaked like a bolt of lightning, leaving nothing but a blur behind, winds howling at its wake, lashing out violently.
It was fast and nimble, standing over 3 meters tall by the shoulder and the color of its fur akin to that of ash, stripes of black streaking across its body. It was equipped with sharp fangs, deadly claws, and an overwhelming stamina. A true beast.
And before such a horrid beast was a beautiful young lady, racing just as fast as the beast behind her and holding a halberd by her hands. It was none other than Elaine, now in the middle of her hunt and garnering the attention of many.
"Come here, big puppy! Chase me if you can!" ［Elaine］
GRRR GRRR GRROOOOAAAARRRRR
Chasing after her was a C-rank, wind-attribute beast, called a "Tiger Wolf". It was a wolf-type monster which gets its name from the stripes and markings along its body. They are also very territorial, attacking any that and all that comes in their domain.
Elaine used that very condition against it, stepping inside its established territory and letting it chase after her for over a couple of kilometers already. All in its thoughts was to kill the intruder, not paying heed to anything else.
"What's wrong? Can you not run faster?" ［Elaine］
Moreover, Elaine kept provoking the Tiger Wolf. It may not be able to understand her words, but it knew she was mocking it. It roared once more in annoyance, increasing its speed as it chased and creating spears of winds by its side.
The winds continued to spin, the air trembling as they did. They continued to draw in more and more air, growing the spears with every second until they were sharpened to perfection, soon flying towards the young lady at incredible speeds.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH BOOOOOOMMMM
However, the young lady remained calm. She imbued herself with her element, arcs and bolts coiling around her as she enhanced her physical strength. All she did was swing, and all the spears were broken by her halberd, explosions ringing soon after.
The enemy was C-rank, and so was she, becoming one not too long ago along with Elise and George. She was planning to lure the Tiger Wolf a little further away, but it seems like she has reached the limit, holding her halberd tight as she readied to fight,
The very moment the explosions rang out in the air, turbulent gales swept across the forest, creating clouds of dust as the broken leaves fluttered in the air. There was so much dust, there was barely anything to see.
With such a sight, the Tiger Wolf stopped for a quick inspection, using its senses to search for Elaine as it waited for the cloud of dust to settle down. It was cautious and wary, not approaching any further, and its instinct was right.
RUMMMBLLLEEEE WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH
The moment it was in range, a quick rumble echoed in the air and soon enough, a torrent of sharp rocks came flying its way. They were small but numerous, the Tiger Wolf letting out a booming howl as it created a barrier of wind.
Bullets of rock flew out and the wall of wind spun like a tornado, clearing out the dust and unveiling yet another attack from the young lady. Her foot was already planted on the ground, a couple of cracks forming as earthen spikes rushed towards the enemy.
They were fast and sharp, rushing and breaking the curtain of wind the wolf calls a wall. It was as easy as tearing paper apart, the Tiger Wolf bouncing back as it tried to dodge the rapid spikes cruising aggressively towards it.
At the same time, Elaine leaned her body forward, soon kicking the ground as she bolted towards the enemy before her. Though the earthen spikes did not reach the Tiger Wolf, it provided her footing, bridging the gap between her and the latter.
Elaine clenched her fists and lightning coiled around her trusty halberd. She swung it once more, arcs and bolts of electricity rushing out from her strikes. The Tiger Wolf had no choice but to leap away again, trying desperately to get out of her range.
"Running away?! I don't think so!" ［Elaine］
The Tiger Wolf bounced back from her attack, but she did not just leave it be. As her first strike blew the forest floor away, she maneuvered herself to face the escaping Tiger Wolf, opening her hand soon after, pointing it towards her prey.
⟨⟨Lightning Parade!⟩⟩ ［Elaine］
In her hands, danced several arcs of blue lightning. They lashed out at her command, streaking towards the enemy like a relentless downpour, spears of lightning bolting left and right, biting down on the enemy soon after.
The Tiger Wolf howled in response, creating a torrent of spears of its own. They flew towards the young lady, clashing with her lightning and creating a series of booms as shockwaves rang out continuously, clouds of dust forming once more.
Just a moment after, the cloud of dust was pierced, a gaping hole bored through by a single spear. It was swift and sturdy, the young lady's sharp eyes glowing behind it as the dust was parted away by sheer force.
GASHAK DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP HOOOWWWWWLLLLLLLLL
The Tiger Wolf tried to dodge, but Elaine's halberd still reached for its neck, cleaving a small wound and dying its gray fur red. A pained howl echoed throughout the forest, the mad wolf trying to bite back with its sharp and deadly fangs.
⟨⟨Crescent Slash!⟩⟩ ［Elaine］
It was a second too late. Just when it opened its jaws, Elaine had also swung her halberd, a burst of mana dwelling inside it as she did. Only a long clang rang in the air as she deflected the massive wolf's massive maws.
Using the force of impact to her advantage, Elaine then backed away a couple steps, then leaping far away from the Tiger Wolf's range. The very moment she regained her balance, she plunged her foot towards the ground.
⟨⟨Needle Plains!⟩⟩ ［Elaine］
RUUUMMMMMBLLLLLLEEEE SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK
The ground trembled at her words, and a quick rumble followed soon after. Several dozen earthen spikes sprouted suddenly from the ground and a cemetery of needles bloomed all throughout the place, devouring the place whole.
Yet the Tiger Wolf remained calm. Rather than leaping away, it called upon the winds with its howl. It created an even bigger spear, hovering over it. The louder it howled, the more violent the winds became, strong gales ripping even tree branches apart.
It didn't take long before the spear was charged up, looking grand and mighty as it loomed over the verdant sea of trees. The moment the Tiger Wolf stopped its howl, a fierce glint shone behind its eyes, the spear launched soon after.
WHOOOOSSSHHHHHHHH RIP RIP RIP CRACK SHAK THUNK CLACK
It was deadly and destructive, the spear ripping everything in the forest. Be it weeds, grass, bushes, trees, boulders, or even Elaine's earthen spikes. All were crushed and shredded mercilessly, the spear creating a clear path as it streaked along the forest.
No matter how Elaine looked at it, it was not something she could take on willy-nilly. All she could do was grit her teeth and strike the ground with all her might, creating walls one after another to greet the Tiger Wolf's spear.
It wasn't enough to stop the spear, but it was able to slow it down. In that small time window she provided, she then leaped into the air, evading the crafty wolf who was waiting for her the moment she evaded to either side, catching the latter by surprise.
WHHOOOOOSSSSSHHHHHHHHH SHAK SHAK CRACK BOOOOMMMMMM
The spear soon dissipated, a thundering explosion echoing in the air. A massive scar was left on the forest ground, a straight clearing carved in the sea of green. There was a barren path laid before the Tiger Wolf, silence looming in the air.
However, the battle was still far from over. Seeing that its target had survived, the Tiger Wolf let out a low growl and prepared yet another wave of attacks. This time, rather than spears, it opted for blades to cut the young lady.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The blades harassed the young lady without a break, and all Elaine could do was brandish her halberd. She diligently cut down every blade that came her way, falling towards the ground like a lightning bolt, her halberd gleaming sharp.
Of course, Elaine didn't just let the Tiger Wolf attack her one-sidedly either. Every time she gets the chance, she creates a bolt of lightning with her other hand and smites her enemy with, chasing it away even if they didn't hit.
The barrage continued and soon Elaine landed on the ground. She leaned her body forward and poured her strength towards the ground, kicking it as mighty as she could as she pounced towards the prey waiting for her.
HOOOWWWWWLLLLLLLL WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH
Now, the Tiger Wolf has switched back into spears. They are much thinner and much harder to break, perfect to pepper and skewer someone rushing straight towards it. They gave Elaine a hard time, but she still kept on pushing.
⟨⟨Crimson Thunders!⟩⟩ ［Elaine］
She thrusted her spear once, but a dozen showed up simultaneously. They rushed out like a wave and devoured everything before her, a series of resonant explosions ringing in the air as they clashed with the spears of wind.
Elaine tried to use the resulting explosions' smoke as a screen, thrusting her halberd again. However, the Tiger Wolf was already one step ahead. It had already leaped away, learning from its previous experience with Elaine.
The battle continued on just like that, either parties closing in on one another then backing away when confronted by a dangerous situation. Lighting and gales clashed time and time again, chaos brewing ever so turbulently.
It was a battle without any expense. The longer the battle went on, the more wounds and scratches both parties accumulated, the clashes becoming more aggressive with each turn, both pouting it all to take down their enemy.
Soon enough, Elaine found it useless to run away. She decided to bet it all in a battle of aggression, closing in on the Tiger Wolf when it tried to run away. She drew her halberd and made a slash of crescent with it, the latter deflecting it with its gales.
"Don't think you can run away easily!" ［Elaine］
RUUMMMMBBBBLLLLLLEEEEEEEE SHAK SHAK SHAK SHAK
Her voice was firm and so was her strike. She planted her foot firmly on the ground once more, and a loud quake rocked the forest floor. Several spears bloomed out of the ground, chasing its target like a starving hyena.
And as usual, the Tiger Wolf leaped backwards, running away once againー or at least, it thought it did. However, before it even noticed, a wall of rock and stones had already appeared behind it, stopping it from running.
It protruded the same time as Elaine sent out the spikes, disguising it rumbling as one with the latter, making the Tiger Wolf fail to notice its presence. It has gotten too used to Elaine's attack patterns. The moment it realized, it was already too late.
⟨⟨Lightning Steps!⟩⟩ ［Elaine］
Elaine didn't waste any time, watching the wall behind the Tiger Wolf slowly crumble as it crashed on its back. It will only last for a few seconds, however it was more than enough, imbuing her strides with lightning as she flashed across the distance.
It didn't take long before Elaine arrived before the Tiger Wolf, and the very moment she did, she firmly planted her foot towards the ground and poured all her remaining strength to her trusty halberd, roaring lightning coiling around it.
⟨⟨Lightning Spear!⟩⟩ ［Elaine］
She thrusted her spear, a shine of blue and white filling the forest. Her halberd roared and pierced the Tiger Wolf's lower jaw and puncturing its skull soon after, leaving a large gaping hole below as it crushed the pitiful wolf's brain to mush.
The body twitched for a while, fut fell limp soon after. With no resistance whatsoever, it fell towards the ground with a loud thud, its blood dyeing the forest floor red and its eyes flashing without any life. The battle was finally over.
As for the young lady... Well, she fell towards the ground all the same. Not because she was injured badly, but because her legs had finally given up from relief, gasping for her breath and barely holding her halberd up.
"Haah... That was a close one..." ［Elaine］
With the thrill and tension now over, Elaine had finally lost all the strength in her body. She sat down on the ground, trying to catch her breath as she dwelled in the blanket of relief. Silence has returned to the forest.
...
⟨⟨Silver Flash!⟩⟩ ［Elise］
A brilliant shade of silver streaked in the air and a resonant chuck followed soon after, a trusty blade deflected from a surface of emerald. A golden-haired beauty fell back as she slipped away from her enemy, eerie hisses in the air.
The moment she regained her footing, she once again pounced towards her enemy, striking with brute and sharp force, only to get her sword repelled once more. She even used more force yet the result remained the same.
"Tsk! These scales are so annoying!" ［Elise］
Almost 2 hours have passed since the Hunting Competition started, and now, Elise is facing her greatest foe yet. It was a massive python, stretching over 20 meters long and equipped with poisonous fangs which could kill even an elephant in a couple minutes.
It was swift, powerful, agile, and massive, however, not one of those qualities is what makes it a terrifying prey. Even its poison was just secondary to its primary physical feature. What made it a troublesome enemy was its scales.
Not only are they hard and sturdy, they are also quite slimy and bouncy, making blade slashes practically useless as they slip right away. Even the impact of blunt weapons are reduced, bouncing right back off as soon as they strike.
It has already been over 10 minutes since Elise engaged in battle with the terrifying Emerald Python, and though she has been able to nick its scales slowly but surely, she has yet to deal serious damage, the Emerald Python still perfectly fine.
SPROUT SPROUT SPROUT LASH LASH LASH
The Emerald Python was of plant-attribute, allowing it to create and manipulate plants all over it. Since the Hunting Grounds was a forest, they were right in the middle of its domain, making things even harder for Elise.
Buds bloomed all over the ground and soon turned into sturdy vines. They all rushed towards Elise, hoping to tie her down the forest floor and serve her for the Emerald Python, violent and aggressive as they chased after her.
SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH
Elsie had no other choice but to run, kicking the ground as she leaped left and right, avoiding all the vines coming her way. The ones she couldn't avoid were cut down by her sword, a mess of green scattering in the forest floor.
Of course, since beasts innately have more mana and stamina than people, the vile Emerald Python didn't try conserving its mana and just kept on attacking Elise as if there was no tomorrow, obsessed to make her its prey.
⟨⟨Silver Flash!⟩⟩ ［Elise］
Another streak of silver shone in the deep forest, Elise's blade cruising towards its enemy as it cut down all the vines before. The path was cleared and Elise took the opportunity, using her water magic to flood the whole place.
The moment everything was flooded and the forest floor turned muddy, she then used both water and earth magic to create an encasement of mud, growing taller than the Emerald Python and swallowing it whole.
The moment its whole body was covered in mud, Elise then used another trick to harden the mud into heavy earth, binding the Emerald Python towards the ground. Elise used the opportunity to leap and aim for the opponent's mouth.
HIISSSSSSSS LASH LASH LASH WHIP WHIP WHIP
Of course, there was no way everything went so easily. It may be imprisoned inside a cage of solid earth right now, but it can still use its magic. It once again sent a wave of vines towards the young lady, making her halt.
There was nothing else she could do. With over a hundred vines out to get her, she opened her palm and propelled herself away with water magic, a stream of water bursting out of her palm and sweeping away all the annoying vines.
CRACK CRACK CRACK THUD THUD THUD
Just right in time when Elise made her landing, the Emerald Python broke free of the earthen cage, blasting away all the rocky fragments from its body and sending a rain of debris all over the place, its cut down vines growing again.
"So this is a C-rank beast, huh... How troublesome..." ［Elise］
They were both C-rank, but there was still a large gap between its abilities. Not only was the Emerald Python more powerful physically, it was also more experienced in dealing with prey, having hunted all its life.
⟨⟨Double Cross!⟩⟩ ［Elise］
Elise swung her sword two more times, creating a cross which bolted towards its enemy, however, it was futile. While it was able to cut down the vines standing in the way, it was only able to leave a couple scratches, slipping off soon after.
If only Elise's attribute was fire, ice, or lightning, things would have been much easier after burning or freezing away the slime covering its body. However, what she had was water and earth magic, making her practically helpless against the enemy.
She could try to wash it away, but with its extreme adhesion to the python's scales and strong hydrophobic properly against water, it was futile. She could also crush it with a massive boulder, but that would ultimately destroy her prey, it was no good.
"Haah... Really... Why did it have to be you..." ［Elise］
Sighed the young lady, once again pondering why she had to come across such a troublesome prey. Had they been allowed to destroy their prey, then things would have been much easier. Unfortunately, it was a "hunt" not a "subjugation".
Taking the opportunity while Elise was still deep in thought, the Emerald Python once again created a handful of buds out of the ground and let loose a rampaging swarm of vines, all bolting towards Elise at high speeds.
SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH
Unfortunately for the Emerald Python, Elise still has her guard up, cutting away all the vines heading towards her without a single problem. The young lady soon reopened her eyes, now completely different than before, a hidden sharpness now unsheathed.
"Okay... Time for plan B." ［Elise］
A different gleam in her eyes, Elise soon kicked the ground once more, but rather than pouncing towards the enemy, she headed away from it and started running at full speed, kicking up a storm of dust in her wake.
The Emerald Python was taken aback a little bit, but it soon started chasing after the young lady, sending away a streak of green vines towards her to bind her down, its massive body slithering in the forest as it continued to hiss and rattle.
As for Elise, she simply continued running away, throwing rocks all over the place and taunting the big snake whenever it stopped chasing, throwing rocks at it as if trying to play with death, provoking it until it was enraged.
"What's wrong, you green earthworm? You're so slow!" ［Elise］
She mocked the Emerald Python and continued to run away, still throwing rocks in all directions. The latter didn't stop chasing Elise either, its mouth wide open as it expressed its annoyance to Elise's endless provocation.
BANG THUNK THUD THUD ROLLLLLL
And soon enough, a strange yet familiar sound echoed in the air. A smile bloomed on the young lady's face and after running for several minutes already, she finally slowed down, her steps soon coming to a halt.
In the eyes of the Emerald Python, Elise had finally given up on resisting. It didn't waste the opportunity and sped up even faster, rushing towards the young lady at breakneck speeds and soon opening its mouth, ready to devour it.
"You foolish earthworm... You fell for it." ［Elise］
However, it couldn't be any more wrong. Just when it was a couple meters away from Elise and its mouth was already wide open and ready to devour her, Elise leaped towards the sky at the final minute, dodging its strike. What followed after was...
BAAANNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGG
... A resounding bang, the Emerald Python crashing into something hard and its whole body feeling the shock. Its momentum was so fast, its head was blown away backwards, stunning it ever so greatly whilst leaving several gaps.
What it crashed into was none other than Grey and Yuna's invisible barrier which also served as the borders of the Hunting Ground. It was a near-indestructible barrier that could even withstand attacks from a Dragon, much less a mere Emerald Python.
Elise knows Grey and Yuna too well, and knows they would always put up barriers every time they facilitate a test. She used such information to her advantage, throwing rocks made with earth magic to pinpoint their location.
Elise didn't waste the opportunity whilst the Emerald Python was still stunned, then landing on its jaws and plunging her right arm and sword inside, a storm of mana brewing as Elise tightened her grip one final time.
⟨⟨Wild Thrust!⟩⟩ ［Elise］
She plunged her sword even deeper and exploded its wind mana, a vicious thrust penetrating the Emerald Python's vulnerable insides, and boring a hole through its hardy skill, blood gushing out of its mouth and painting the forest floor red.
The Emerald Python didn't struggle any longer, its flames of life now extinguished completely. Its enormous body soon fell towards the ground with heavy thuds, the ground shaking quite a bit. Only a single figure remained standing.
"Phew... A C-rank beast, huh... Hehe! What a successful hunt!" ［Elise］
She beamed a bright and lovely smile, the scenes she made playing out exactly the same on the screens. Those who watched her could only stare in silence, praising not only her skill but also her ability to use the surroundings to her advantage.
"Haah... To think she'll use our barrier... Not bad." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! Right～? I also didn't think Elise would do that! How fun!" ［Yuna］
"Impressive indeed... She will make a real knight one day." ［Albert］
"Cadet Geldoria and Landevar... I will remember these names." ［Edward］
Of course, amongst those figures were the top brass of the military, impressed not only by her feat but Elaine's as well. Even Grey and Yuna didn't think they would do so well. They have far surpassed their expectations.
And speaking of expectations, another Cadet continued to move silently in the forest. He still hasn't hunted a single prey, and only foraged a handful of herbs and fruits in his vicinity, then scouting the whole area for anything noteworthy. It was George.
No one still knows what exactly he was doing, but Grey, Yuna, and a few people could feel he was up to something interesting, something fun that only a few, maybe even none had done before... Things were bound to be interesting...
The Hunt continues...
CHAPTER 497 END