RUSTLE RUSTLE CLOP CLOP CLOP

  The forest winds ran in a hurry, leaves parting and rustling as they made their way. There was fear and there was suspense, rough and ragged breaths eg in the forest time and time again, eyes filled with desperation.

  Its hooves hit the forest ground hard and its antlers parted away all the leaves and branches appearing in its way. The deer sped up with every sed, not looking back even a siime as death chased it with great vigor.

  A deer's life was not easy. Just a sed ago, it was grazing on the grassy forest floors and pig berries from the bushes, but now, it was being chased by starving wolves whose eyes were gleaming brightly that the water streams, ready for a kill.

  GRRRRRR KRRRRR GRRRRRR

  Grumbles and rumbles echoed from their salivating mouths, their fangs ready to tear the flesh of the deer before them. It was a chase which could very well be a matter of life ah, the lives of them all put on the line.

  And just when the poor deer thought it had gained some distance from the wolves, a sudden rustle came from the bushes before it. Rustles which soon turned into a bundle of surprise when another wolf sprung towards it.

  The wolves eyes were vicious and fervent, opening wide to pound tear apart the prey standing before it. There were no more pces to run, the deer had accepted its death, sharp fangs refleg in its eyes... However...

  FWOOOSSHHH THWACK WHIMPEERRRR

  ... Just when all seemed to be over, an arrow came flying out of nowhere and hit the wolf before it. It bored straight to the unsuspeg wolf's skull, pierg it thhly and making blood spill all over the forest floor.

  The wolf's death came as sudden as the winds, each of them stunned and fused about what had just transpired before them. Wariness spread amongst the wolves, all turning their heads left and right to find where the arrow came from.

  FWOOOSSHHHH FWOOOSSHHH THUD THUD

  Unfortunately for them, it didn't just end there. Before they even had the ce to run away, a couple more arrows bolted towards them and took them dower ahey didn't even have the ce to escape.

  In all but a single sed, all the wolves chasing the deer were wiped, and the ones following after them quickly fled, fearing the sudden grasp of death which may e for them at any moment. They all went home, gaining nothing but loss.

  Meanwhile, the deer didn't waste any time and quickly sprung away from the se of devastation. It still doesn't know what just happened, but it knew full well that such a thing was as dangerous as it was lucky. It quickly fled away.

  As for where the arrows came from, one would o look over 3 kilometers away, a young man standing along a young elf. The former was holding a bow in his hands, and a rexed expression painted on his face.

  "Ah! Grey, the deer is getting away!" ［Yuna］

  "It's alright... We've caught a lot of them already, anyway." ［Grey］

  "Hmm... How about the other wolves then?" ［Yuna］

  "That would still be overhunting. We 't have them go extinct, you know? Why do you always ask the silliest questions when you already know the answer?" ［Grey］

  "Boo～! That's no fun～! You at least pretend, you know?" ［Yuna］

  Of course, those two figures were her than Grey and Yuna, and now, they are once again hunting in the forest, taking down all sorts of prey from boars, hares, deer, bears, and wolves alike. It was a variety of animals.

  But perhaps the most they caught were the waterfowls inhabiting the forest. They are rge and flightless birds known for their tender, juicy, and delieat which won't lose out to premium meat eaten by the gentry and nobility.

  But perhaps the best thing about them is that they reproduce quite quickly. There was o worry about overhunting as they would always recover every time. They are also pretty famous for their eggs which are as delicious as their meat.

  "Then... In that case, Grey, we should find another waterfowls! Let's hunt as many as we ! They don't easily go extinct, after all!" ［Yuna］

  "You... You just want to hunt them, don't you?" ［Grey］

  "I don't know what you're talking about～! It's just that they easily reproduce～! There shouldn't be any problems hunting them, right?" ［Yuna］

  "Haah... I guess you're right... It's bothersome when they flock around though. They always scatter whenever one of them is shot." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! It's fihat's what makes it fun, anyway!" ［Yuna］

  It has been a couple days since Grey and Yuna had a feast with Asfara in the hidden, underground cave, and sihen they have been living life well. Asfara didn't tell a single person about them, and they tinued living normally.

  Now, they are already in the Kingdom of Aldengard, iy called "Alces". It was their final stop before heading towards the town of Veltofar where the Labyrinth of Thunder is located close by, stopping by just for a couple of days.

  "ht. Grey, I borrow the bow for a quient?!" ［Yuna］

  "Woah... Those are some pretty intense sparkling eyes... You really want to try out hunting with a bow, don't you?" ［Grey］

  "Of course! If it's hunting, it should be bows and spears! You shouldn't hog it all for yourself, you know? Be siderate to your fiancée a little, please～." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, yeah～. Here you go, Midy." ［Grey］

  There was no use thinking too much about it. With Yuna pleading ever so adorably and her eyes sparkling brightly with excitement, he could only heave a lengthy sigh as he gave the bow to his mischievous but beloved fiancée.

  Yuna's eyes sparkled even more as soon as she received the bow, trying it out a little bit, and making sure her body still remembers how to use it. She may not be as good as Grey, but she should still be able to hit a target from a couple kilometers away.

  Of course, with Grey's "Heaven's Eye" he's sharing with her, there was o worry with rge obstrus such as trees and boulders. She hunt fortably all she wants and bring terror to any prey which catches her fancy.

  "Grey, I'm going on ahead. I saw some waterfowls over there." ［Yuna］

  "Sure. Just make sure to not go overboard, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Un～! I'll keep that in mind～!" ［Yuna］

  Or so she says, but knowing her, Grey could only pray that she doesn't hunt every single beast and animal she sees. Otherwise, not just the whole ecosystem, but the city folks would be troubled as well.

  With Yuna now dashi and right, and hunting down waterfowls here and there, Grey decided to retrieve their previous prey and dismahem while they're at it. There were a total of 5 wolves, eae of them bearing some det materials.

  And whilst he was doing so, he decided to summon the spirits ahem help pick out some fruits, berries, nuts, and mushrooms around the forest. He couldn't have them just battle beasts and monsters all the time, after all.

  Everyone, how's it going on your side? Any luck? ［Grey］

  I'm afraid not, Master... I have still yet to see any Great Deers roaming around the area. There are just mostly wild animals over here. ［Sirius］

  Same here, Master... It seems luck is not on our side today... ［Kentaurus］

  As for the reason why Grey and Yuna are stopping by, and not heading there directly despite being able to, it was because of the King's reendation. He said that only in Alces would they be able to taste the best venison dishes in the world.

  It is said that the inns aaurants iy are able to turn normal deer meat into dishes even the Royal Family aowledges. It was something the King and his family thhly enjoyed in their past visits, smiling as they reminisced about it,

  And Grey and Yuna being who they are, they decided to take matters into their own hands, and decided to provide the meat themselves. They have decided to hunt a couple deers, and also a Great Deer!

  Like the name implies, the Great Deer is a beast which takes the form of a massive deer, even more massive an moose and the like. It is a D-rah-attribute beast known for its meat which is as delicious as it is difficult to catch.

  I see... That's unfortunate... ［Grey］

  Don't worry too much, Master! We'll keep on searg! We'll make sure to find one even if it means we'll have to overturn the whole forest! I'm sure of it! ［Pro］

  Hahaha. It's great that you're enthusiastic, but don't go too overboard, alright? I'll leave everything in your hands, everyone. ［Grey］

  Yes! Good lu your hunt, Master. ［Aar］

  Take care, Master. Please look after the Mistress as well. ［Arcturus］

  Unfortunately for them, as much as they are delicious, Great Deers are also pretty elusive and hard to find. Not only does their fur covered in moss make it easy for them to blend in in the forest, they are also very sensitive creatures.

  Acc to the locals, they could even pick up the slightest disturbances even from over several hundred meters away. They are already quite powerful at D-rank, but the moment they sehreat they ot face, they quickly run away,

  If there's anything good about them, it's that they like to live in small groups. As long as you spot one of them, you'll surely spot about 4 to 7 more individuals. It would be very easy frey and Yuna then.

  G G G G

  Just when Grey was doalking with the familiars, the spirits were also finished with their harvest, the sound of soft chimes eg in the air as they let Grey know of it, all looking happy to be of use to their master.

  "Alright... Seems like everyone is done. Let's go." ［Grey］

  The dismantled wolves were now on Grey's iory, and so were the edible items the spirits got. With nothing more to do, Grey quickly led them towards where Yuna was, the young dy now out of his "Heaven's Eye" range.

  Thankfully, could easily pinpoint her general dire with sudden surges of mana from time to time. It seems like Yuna was enjoying herself too much, using archery arts and ice magic as if there was no tomorrow, firing off in rapid succession.

  And as expected, the number of casualties is no joke. Grey's vision was soon filled with the frozen corpses of the waterfowls, encased in big ks of ice. There weren't just one or two, but a few hundred of them, scattered everywhere.

  "Wh... What the hell is this..." ［Grey］

  Impressively enough, there were only waterfowls and nothing else. It seems like she found herself a very rge flock of them, and decided to rain frozen arrows on them, bringing down a downpour of frost ah from above.

  In fact, even now, Yuna was still firing off arrows here and there and turning the forest blue and frosty even without her "Winter Forest", her blue arrows glimmering over the faraway horizon. She is impressive... in ways more than one.

  "Oh, Grey! You're here, please help me collect the waterfowls!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna... I know I said they don't go extinct easily, but isn't this too much? It's a total massacre. They mig actually go extinct at this rate." ［Grey］

  "Don't worry, I spared a lot of them! About half of them!... Or less!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, that doesn't sound very ving." ［Grey］

  She was adorable, she really was. But when she says such terrifying things with a bright smile on her fad su-looking eyes, Grey could only smile wryly and wonder just how exactly he fell for such a young dy.

  Well, not like there's any point thinking about it. Grey easily gave up ohought and simply decided things as they are. He soon moved his hands along with Yuna, st all the frozen waterfowls ihe Iory.

  The spirits also helped, and surely enough, there were almost half a thousand of them. They would have disma like usual, but with such a rge number, just thinking about it was enough t them headaches. It was just too much.

  "Hand over the bow now, Young Lady. Pytime's over." ［Grey］

  "Mou... You're so strietimes, Grey... Just give me 10 moreー no, even 5 more minutes is enough! Pretty please～!" ［Yuna］

  "No means no, Young Lady. Give it to me before I t to 3." ［Grey］

  Sometimes lovers who are sweet as be, but sometimes, they act like father and daughter. Grey hit Yuna with the good old "Before I t to three" move and all the young dy could do was follow, puffing her cheeks as she pouted.

  As soon as Grey got the Armament Ring for the Divine Bow, he then stored it ihe Iory and decided to not let Yuna py with it for a while. She had already caused enough trouble for today. Any more and she'll be grounded.

  "Then, should weー" ［Grey］

  Master, Mistress! I found them! I found a herd of Great Deers! ［opus］

  And just when all excitement seemed to have died down, Grey and Yuna suddenly received a telepathic call from opus, his excited voice ringing iheir minds. And he was rightfully excited, smiles soon blooming.

  Alright, opus, tell us where you are. We'll find you quickly. ［Grey］

  Got it! I'm southeast right now, about 5 kilometers away from the giant boulder. There are several giant trees around me and... ［opus］

  There was no time to waste. As soon as opus gave them his dires, Grey and Yuna immediately unsummohe spirits and started to move, bolting across the forest at breakneck speeds, riding the rushing winds.

  Before long, the Great Deers immediately started appearing in Grey's "Heaven's Eye" and surely enough, there was a herd of them, 8 of them to be exact. As it seems, the herd was made up of all adults and each of them were pretty healthy as well.

  Grey quickly shared his vision with Yuna once more and a smile sprouted on the young dy's lovely face. The most important ingredient of their hunt is nht before the two of them, excitement pumping in their hearts.

  Of course, they made sure to be careful as well. With how sensitive the deers were, Grey and Yuna immediately stopped oracks as soon as they were a kilometer away. They reunited with opus and had him take his wolf pup fain.

  "With this much, we should be able to hunt two of them, right?" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Someone sure is excited." ［Grey］

  "Of course! We finally taste Alces' specialty venison dish, after all!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Then, shall we have a little petition, Midy?" ［Grey］

  As per tradition, it was time for yet another petition. It has been quite some time sihe two had something of the sorts, and there was er time than now. They may be lovers, but they are each reatest rivals as well.

  The rules of the game were simple. Whoever takes the shortest time in hunting down a great deer wins. There is no use of ons needed nic as well. The loser will be the one who'll cook dinner for the hree days.

  "Then, opus, if you would please." ［Grey］

  WHOOOONNNGGGGG FWOOSH BOOM BOOM BOOM

  opus nodded his head, looked up into the sky, and shot out a beam of light. It shone bright as the stars, and soon enough, the sound of explosions rocked the sky like fireworks in the lively night of the festivals.

  Hearing such sounds, all the animals in the forest were quickly alerted, some running away while some hid in their burrows. The Great Deers were no exception, galloping away as fast as they could and scurrying around the forest.

  Or course, Grey and Yu for such to happen, otherwise, the petition would be too easy. They didn't chase the Great Deers immediately, letting them run away for a while and watg them panic ever so greatly.

  "... Four... Three... Two.. One... Go!" ［Grey］

  BOOOOMMMM FWOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH

  The time for waiting was soon over, and with Grey's signal ringing in the air, Grey and Yuna immediately bolted away at tremendous speeds, creating sonis from the sheer force of their strides and leaving clouds of dust at their wake.

  About a minute has passed sihe fireworks of explosions and the Great Deers have all run away for a couple of kilometers. However, despite their distahey still wouldn't be able to beat Grey and Yu in speed ility.

  The two of them were already fast, but their expert maneuvering in all sorts of terrain, they were even more terrifying. In just a few seds, they quickly bridged the gap between them and the Great Deers, hands of death reag out to the tter.

  RUMBBLLLEEEEEE RUMBLE RUMBLE BOOOOMMMM

  The Great Deers tried to stop them by creating several walls with earth magic, but it was futile resistance. All it needed unch from either of the two and the walls quickly came crumbling down.

  Of course, it wasn't just defehe Great Deers also tried ung heavy and rocky projectiles in hopes of slowing the two down, but it was just as useless as their first attempt, the two easily defleg their attacks without much effort.

  "Now, it would be good if you stop now," ［Grey］

  Or so says Grey, but there was no way the Great Deer could uand what he was trying to say. And even if it did, it was in too much of a state of panic to think about it. There was only survival floating is mind.

  Rather than stop as per Grey's words, the Great Deer rather did the opposite. It shot out even more stone bullets and created more earthen walls, its maing at an arming rate with Grey easily breaking them down with his fists.

  "e on now, don't be too hard to getー Oh?" ［Grey］

  RUMBBLLLEEEE RUMBLE RUMBLE

  It soon realized running was useless, and rather than waste its stamina even more, the Great Deer quickly stopped on its tracks and decided to directly front Grey, using all the mana remaining in its body to make a final struggle.

  Several boulders formed before it, eae spanning over a couple meters wide and weighing over a ton, spinning quickly and carved to sharp boulders which could easily fell trees. A volley of boulders were fired soon enough.

  "Oh, that's a pretty nice move you got there. However..." ［Grey］

  BOOM BOOM BOOM CRASH CRASH THUD THUD

  "You do realize it's still useless, right?" ［Grey］

  It was no use. The gap in strength was far too much to cover up. The Great Deer tio hurl boulders trey's dire, but Grey kept pulverizing them with just a single punch, a cacophony of explosiing aloud.

  The volley soon stopped, and the Great Deer frantically gasped for air. Its eyes were still burning with determination, and it was still far from giving up on life. With every little bit of strength left, it fired off a spell once moreー Or at least, it tried to.

  "I'm afraid that's enough pying around.... Rest in peace." ［Grey］

  However, before it could even attempt to do so, Grey immediately closed the distaween them and grabbed it by the antlers. Before it could eve, he then lifted it in the air and with great strength, smmed it towards the ground.

  The Great Deer kissed the ground with its shod impact running all throughout its body. Grey has yet to use magic, but the sheer force was enough to incapacitate the Great Deer, bubbles frothing out of its mouth.

  It wasn't long before the Great Deer's fmes of life started to flicker, vanishing soon after as its heart ceased to beat. With that, Grey had secured themselves a source of venison for a long, long time, tasty and juicy as be.

  "Phew... That took lohan anticipated... I wonder how Yuna's doing..." ［Grey］

  Thought Grey, not a sirace of worry in his mind. He knows Yuna full well, and knows that she won't have any problems with taking down a mere Great Deer. In fact, she might have already taken down her prey by now.

  WOBBLE WOBBLE THUD

  And Grey was absolutely right. Yuna had just struck the Great Deer with a sweet punch, pag enough force to crush its skull in an instant. It wobbled for a moment before crashing to the ground with a loud thud, eyes white as snow.

  Yuna didn't even break a sweat chasing and hunting down the Great Deer, only slowed down by the fact that she doesn't have "Heaven's Eye" like Grey. But with that, the petition has ehe hunt was now overー

  "Should I wait here frey orー" ［Yuna］

  FWOOOSSSHHH CRACKLE CRACKLE CRACKLE

  ... Or so Yuna thought. When suddenly, a massive pilr of crimson fmes pouowards her. She easily mao dodge it, but the same couldn't be said for the trees, turo charcoal from the devastating fmes.

  Yuna looked at the dire it came from, and there she saw a huge figure covered in red fur like the pilr of fmes and equipped with fargantuan arms. Its eyes were red as be, painted with rage and hostility.

  A new challenger approaches.

  CHAPTER 411 END