Master Of None

Part of Gil wanted to hunt all of the mud boars to bring back, however, he pushed those thoughts away. He knew all too well the damage to the population it would cause. That he couldn't carry all of them back. And furthermore, that when he made multiple trips he would most likely find another predator eating the ones he left behind. 

"Every monster comes for water when they wake up. It's a normal instinct and a perfect opportunity." Zephyr dwelled within the bow again feeling that Gil was preparing for the lord boar to

isolate itself from the rest of the mud boars.

Besides the larger size, the lord boar was cleaner than the others. It had dirt and mud on it still but not all over its coarse fur. It also had four large tusks instead of two small ones like the other mud boars did. They were the main prize for most hunters due to their curled appearance being popular for certain bracers. 

Gil pulled out one of the shadow affinity arrows he had received from the elves. This was the one which could disappear and travel in the shadows when fired. In the dim lighting of the outer forest and the large shadow of the lord boar, it was perfect for a sneak attack.

Knowing the lord boar separated itself because it wanted to drink without being challenged for its position as the dominant boar of the group, Gil watched it move to the side of the stream. Normally it would not be attacked by the usual predators due to its size. Predators would usually attack the small mud boars for easier food. 

"Here we go." Gil gave Zephyr the warning as he activated the mana within the arrow. The shadows seemed to wrap around it slightly as he released it. 

The arrow was gone in a blink of an eye and while it traveled through the shadows, Gil was already notching another arrow, this time a wind elemental arrow. 

The shadow underneath the lord boar shifted and an arrow appeared piercing its hind leg. Gil had hoped for better but did not worry about the darkness affinity arrow he needed to train with more. He had already activated wind elemental mana within his next arrow and released it toward the lord boar.

Spiraling wind surrounded the arrow causing it to rotate a little more than a normal arrow would. This effect caused the arrow to pierce the hard skill of the lord boar as if it was nothing. The louder thud that came with the defeat of the lord boar was enough to cause some chaos to the mud boars nearby. They were usually more relaxed even when one of them was picked off by a preditor. However, the lord boar was the one defeated with ease by a predator that was nowhere to be seen. 

The mud boars rushed off in chaos, some already fighting over the empty space that was left for the strongest in the group. Nearby animals and monsters were alerted to much of the dismay of Gil. "I need to settle this boar quickly." He pulled his dagger out and began to work as fast as possible to remove the useless parts of the lord boar and bury it. 

After he had fully cleaned it he set it up as his father had shown him and he began to carry it from the edge of the forest. There was still a decent amount of space until he reached the walls but he didn't worry. Now that Gil had started to learn more and feel the wind elemental mana he could tell that Zephyr was constantly sending off an intimidating pulse of mana. It was akin to an angry mother. 

The soft smile Gil had knowing this didn't leave his face until he reached the gates and was let in. A few of the passing merchants, adventurers, and guards shouted congratulations for his successful hunt. This was always his favorite part of returning. It was a very common trend for those that also hunted in some form or fashion to welcome another hunter back. 

By the time he had made it to the kitchen of the mansion to find Walker and Lisa's mother, Gil was by far the dirtiest he had been in a while. "Hello!?" 

"Oh! Gil, I would ask how your hunting went but I can see you did well. I assume that's why you are back a little earlier than expected?" Hilda was excited for the chance to make such a good looking meal with the lord boar. She had many recipes she could make but right now the slight chill in the harvest season air was saying that she should make her boar stew. 

"It is. I managed to get lucky and find the mud boar tracks as soon as I got to my hunting grounds. I also managed to snag a small gift for Lisa since she helped with my costume. Just a star fox pelt. The usual." Gil smirked a little while he watched Hilda process this. 

"You know what? I think I will just accept that. All of you are always doing amazing things and a star fox should just be normal now." Hilda had become defeated by the constant wonder that came from just her sons' actions. "But, give those star fox eyes to Remey, apparently they are used for some potion that can heal receding vision from old age." Hilda had heard this from one of her friends and not forgotten it. 

"I will do that. I also have some thorn hare meat that could be useful for Midnight. If you wouldn't mind roasting it too." Gil watched Hilda get to work and he again realized his appearance of filthiness in the kitchen. He rushed off to wash himself and the star fox pelt for Lisa. His mind was already filled with hunger for the dinner he would have later. 

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