They have been in the forest for half a month, hunting at least thirteen C-rank and seven B-rank predators.

  Now, they are preparing to take on a pack of seven B-rank hyenas.

  "Let's scout the area first. Frank, check the surroundings. Caroline, cast a masking spell to cover us," Finn instructs.

  Frank swiftly surveys the perimeter before returning. "No other hyenas in sight."

  "Seven B-rank predators in one go… If we pull this off, we'll have an affluent winter," Finn smiles.

  "This is the first time we've encountered this many B-rank predators. Are we sure we can handle them?" Rathen's worrywart nature resurfaces.

  Hyenas are ranked B not because of their speed or power but because they typically move in large packs, increasing their threat level.

  "Let's vote, then. Show me your palm if you disagree, back of the hand if you agree," Finn suggests.

  Votes:

  Palm – Rathen

  Back of the hand – Finn, Frank, Steve, and Caroline

  "It's settled," Finn nods. "Frank checked the area, and I moved twigs underground to detect any hidden hyenas, making sure nothing’s down there."

  Rathen sighs but relents. The team has reached a unanimous decision.

  They position themselves to encircle the pack from four directions: Frank, Finn, and Steve each taking a side, while Rathen and Caroline cover the last.

  Finn raises his hand, holding up three fingers. Everyone tightens their grip on their weapons and shields, swallowing down their nerves.

  He lowers each finger slowly. Three. Two. One.

  Frank is the first to charge in, his one-handed sword slicing through the air as he confronts the enemies head-on. Finn and Caroline follow with magic attacks, while Steve moves in last, swinging his broadsword.

  They must strike swiftly to take advantage of the predators’ unpreparedness.

  Frank quickly takes one down. Steve follows. Finn and Caroline’s spells scrape through several hyenas' legs, restricting their movements, while Frank and Steve finish them off.

  Everything is going smoothly until the last two hyenas, driven by sheer survival instinct, change their tactics. One lunges at Frank and Steve. The other makes a break for it and charges towards Rathen.

  "Dad!" Caroline cries out.

  Rathen stands beside his daughter, watching the battle unfold, when the fleeing hyena locks onto him as an opening.

  Frank and Steve move to intercept, but the struggling hyena delays them.

  Finn tries to hurl fire at the attacker, but its erratic movements make it impossible to aim.

  Desperate, Caroline attempts to summon a water shield. But before she can finish the spell, the hyena sinks its teeth deep into Rathen's neck.

  "No!"

  Frank and Steve break free, rushing to Rathen’s side. They slice through the attacking hyena, cutting it down, then gently lower Rathen to the ground.

  "D—Dad! Hold on!" Caroline drops to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

  Rathen struggles to breathe, let alone speak. Yet, he still tries to reach out to his daughter to wipe off her tears, though his trembling hand barely lifts.

  Finn rips open his bag, pouring medicine onto the wound, but the blood keeps gushing like a waterfall. "We need to get him back to the Sanctuary—now!"

  He grabs the transportation magic stone from his bag, about to activate it—

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  A sudden blur.

  A hyena lunges from the shadows.

  Finn twists to dodge, but his bag slips from his grasp. The locator stone is inside.

  The bag lands some distance away—right in front of a new pack of hyenas rushing to the scene.

  They snarl, enraged by the slaughter of their kin, eyes burning with a thirst for revenge.

  Finn hesitates for a heartbeat, then makes up his mind. "You guys transport back to the Sanctuary—now!"

  He slams his hands onto the ground, summoning twigs to restrain the advancing hyenas.

  "You also come with us!" Frank shouts.

  "No! I have to retrieve my bag!"

  "I'll stay and help!" Steve offers.

  "No! You all go—together!"

  Finn’s voice leaves no room for argument. "I still have another transport stone!"

  Frank clenches his jaw but knows Rathen’s condition is critical. There is no time to argue. He swiftly activates the magic stone.

  In the blink of an eye, the group engulfed by a teleportation barrier and vanishes.

  Finn exhales, relieved that Frank is quick-witted enough not to pull the 'I'm not leaving without you' stunt.

  Now, it’s just him and the hyenas.

  "Alright, you lot," he mutters, bracing himself. "Let’s have some fun."

  With one hand covering his eyes, he hurls a flash spell.

  A blinding light erupts.

  The hyenas howl, momentarily disoriented.

  Finn wastes no time—he rolls to the ground, snatches up his bag, and bolts.

  Behind him, the hyenas shriek in fury.

  "O–oh—bloody—hell," he gasps between ragged breaths. "R–running—is—not—my—strong—suit."

  He staggers forward, his legs burning. He throws masking and vision camouflage spells on him, erasing his scent and trail.

  Some hyenas attempt to track him, but by the time their vision clears, he’s already clambering up a tree.

  Dangling from a thick branch, he exhales sharply. He made it.

  His shoulders rise and fall in rapid succession. His feet dangle mid-air, and his arms clutch his bag tightly against his chest.

  Seldom do magicians excel at running. Usually, they’re holed up in their rooms studying spells or keeping to the backlines—but not today.

  Finn struggles to lift his upper body, wincing at the stiffness in his limbs. With effort, he makes enough room to reach into his bag, fingers fumbling until they close around the locator. Pulling it free, he scrutinises the device’s condition, his breath catching when he sees the needles—aligned, unwavering, pointing in a single direction.

  "Now you’re moving!" He smacks his lips, the taste of relief bitter on his tongue.

  He hesitates, torn between using the transportation stone to return to the group or following Risa’s trail. But the inner conflict is fleeting.

  “I might never find her again.”

  Finn grips the locator, eyes locked on the needle’s direction. She’s there—somewhere.

  But he can’t move yet. Hyenas still circle below, following his scent.

  They’re relentless. He has to outlast them.

  Minutes stretch into hours. His limbs, once trembling from exertion, slowly go numb. His fingers cramp around the bark, threatening to slip. Desperation forces him to summon twigs, tying himself to the branch to stop his body from slumping. The last sliver of sunlight vanishes behind the trees, the forest swallowing what little warmth remains. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the predators retreat, slipping back into the darkness of their domain.

  By this point, Finn teeters at the edge of collapse. Every ounce of strength has left him, sweat burning his eyes as it slides down his face. Only when the hyena pack melts into the shadows does he command his numb limbs to move, inching down the trunk with painstaking slowness. His whole body quakes, each movement a fresh trial.

  The moment his feet hit solid ground, he slumps against the tree, chest heaving.

  "Oh, my Queen, I’m thirsty and starving..." His voice is hoarse, barely more than a whisper.

  But there's no time to wallow. He pushes himself upright, brushing dust from his clothes. He needs to find water… and shelter before the night swallows him whole.

  Finn trudges through the undergrowth, scanning his surroundings until the faint glimmer of a stream catches his eye. Relief floods his chest as he kneels by the water’s edge, scooping a handful towards his parched lips. But caution still lingers—his instincts hardened by experience.

  Before drinking, Finn casts a spell to cloak his presence, followed by another to purify the water.

  Only when he's certain it’s safe does he cup his hands and drink deeply.

  Once satisfied, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and fills his flasks. He glances at the sky, exhaling through his nose. "I hope Rathen’s doing alright."

  Leaning against a tree, he checks his remaining supplies: notebook, locator, clock, map, condiments, hand sword, transport, healing, masking and storage magic stones, a stack of magic vaults, water containers, and a few cans of food. Not much, but enough to last a few nights. The masking stone will hold for a while, and the magic vaults should be enough to power the locator and cast quite a number of disciple-level spells. But what reassures him most is the shimmering transportation stone that will bring him back if things go south.

  "Thank God I bought two instead of one." He presses a kiss to the stone before tucking it carefully back into his bag.

  With that, he moves on, scanning the terrain for a spot safe enough to rest for the night.