The deer were the size of a giraffe, with two majestic horns and pristine white fur covering their bodies.
"Eyndeer…" Randy said in a muffled tone, "to think we'd see them here. Seems they're just taking a rest."
"Eyndeer? So it's a rare creature?"
"Yes. Their horns are exotic material, used to create weapons for mages, like the armor your mother wears.
Of course, it still needs other materials, but this is good. If we could get that fur and sell it next week at the Exchange Carnival, we'd have enough resources for years."
'Exchange Carnival?' Fratley's eyes lit up at the mention.
As the name suggests, it's a carnival where many settlements gather to trade their goods. There, he could find many things and gather new information.
The carnival was also a safe zone. Anyone causing trouble would become a public enemy. No one was stupid enough to risk that. Being labeled a public enemy meant being banned from all future carnivals, cutting off access to crucial trade and intel.
"So what's the plan?" Fratley asked in a hushed tone.
"These animals are peculiar. If we trigger their aggression, they'll all attack at once. There's no way we can win. So…" Randy proceeded to explain his plan, and Fratley nodded all the way without asking any questions. "Ready?"
Fratley gulped, then gave a nod. "Let's do it."
"Alright, kiddo. Take a deep breath, make your training worth it." Randy raised the rifle in his hands, a cigarette tucked between his lips. "Let's bag ourselves a walking fortune."
BANG!!!
The bullet pierced through the air. Fratley's heartbeat quickened, everything seemed to slow down as his senses sharpened, completely focused.
Eyndeer, when in a herd, always prioritized escape when danger appeared. But it wasn't because they were afraid. This behavior came from confidence in their speed, and a strategy to avoid injury to any member.
However, the moment one of them got hurt, even slightly, the entire herd would unite and charge the attacker turning into a goddamn stampede of death.
Of course, this was only simple in theory, as to make sure this happened, they had to shoot with pinpoint accuracy to separate one from the whole group.
SPLASH!
The bullet hit the water's surface, creating an explosion of droplets.
"HRRROUUUNNK!" The herd jolted, then quickly reacted. Their hooves kicked the ground in unison as all of them started escaping to the west.
Fratley took a deep breath, then BANG! He shot another bullet at one of the Eyndeer, hitting inches away in front of it.
"Hraaahhnk!" The Eyndeer's hooves raised as it kicked the ground to the left, planning to zigzag to dodge the shot while staying with the herd. But Fratley couldn't let that happen, feeling confident as his first shot was a success.
He shot again without hesitation. BANG! BANG! BANG!
Each bullet raised his excitement, giving him a thrilling sensation. Fratley's lips curled into a grin. "Don't worry, I'll stitch you back together... and sell you by the pound."
BANG! BANG!
Each bullet hit with bullseye precision, separating the lone Eyndeer from the herd. But unfortunately, something unexpected happened.
Just as he was about to press the trigger again…
"HRRROUUUNNK!!!!!" A loud roar burst out, one that shook him to the core. The leaves rustled, and even the ground trembled under the sound.
Randy cursed, "Dammit, there's an Eyndeer Alpha nearby, and something's attacking it!"
BANG!!!
The bullet launched, but this time, the aim was off.
"Hraaahhnk!" The Eyndeer roared in pain, as its pristine white fur turned crimson with blood.
"RUN if you don't want to become their dinner!!!" Randy screamed, still pointing his gun backward, randomly firing bullets.
Adrenaline surged through his veins. Fratley kicked off the ground and ran without looking back. He turned in the opposite direction from where Randy escaped, he knew the protocol.
In situations like this, splitting up was safer. Sticking together only increased the danger.
"Kiddo! Meet me near the settlement! Don't die on me! I can't carry your corpse back!"
Fratley's lips twitched, but he didn't reply. He simply raised his hand to signal he understood. He didn't have the energy to waste on words.
He could already feel the ground vibrating beneath him from the Eyndeer stampede.
'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What a great result for my first hunt!' he cursed, bolting with everything he had.
His eyes locked onto an area thick with trees, narrow gaps, hard to chase through. That was his best chance.
"Hraaahhnk!!!"
"HRUUMPH-HRAAAKK!!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!!!
Randy kept shooting, no longer giving a damn if his bullets hit the Eyndeer. Hell, he wanted them to. Better to piss off a few and split the pack than let all of them dogpile the kid. "Don't die on me, brat," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I don't have time to bury anyone today."
Meanwhile, Fratley was already sprinting through the undergrowth, branches slashing at his face, breath ragged. Behind him, he could hear pounding hooves and the sharp, wet snorts of rage.
Red eyes glinted through the trees.
At least six were tailing him, probably more. 'Fuck, even with all these trees, they're not slowing down. At this rate, they'll reach me in seconds.'
His eyes darted around, scanning for anything he could use. Huge trees. Tall grass.
Strange glowing mushrooms. Small animals darting through the underbrush. Nothing useful.
His heartbeat pounded like a war drum in his ears, his mind spinning at full speed.
'These Eyndeer are smart. I haven't heard a single one crash into a tree…. Tch. If I had magic, I'd have more options!'
But now he understood why his mother hadn't taught him any spells. Without processed Psychalite, his magic potential was just that, potential.
"GRUUAAHHNNK!!!" The Eyndeer roar echoed closer, louder this time. And suddenly, Fratley's sharp blue eyes lit up.
His face steeled as he turned direction, this time, he was running toward the Eyndeer. He put his rifle on his back while taking out his spear. "If I cannot win, I'll just borrow someone else's strength."