Chapter 6 : First Trail

  A few moments earlier…

  The sun blazed overhead - perfect weather for drying laundry.

  Odin carried a basket of freshly washed clothes, their scent still crisp with soap. He started hanging them on the line as Aspen followed to help

  Aspen grabbed a cloth, twirled it once and handed it to him.

  “Uncle, you haven't told me how Mother made that powder?”

  “You really are made up of questions.” Odin sighed, shaking his head as he clipped a shirt.

  Aspen pouted.

  Odin chuckled softly.

  “Fine, fine. It's because your mother was an Alchemist - and she secretly works for the Hunter - Wielder Association.”

  “Hunter - Wielder Association? What's that?” He snapped another shirt and passed it over.

  “To put it simply, all wielders are managed and supported by them.” he explained, adjusting the line.

  “Then why should mother work secretly? But it sounds cool though…”

  “It's because Amara - your mother - was a genius alchemist. Her work could be abused if the wrong people found out, so they kept it hidden."

  “Hmm… that's right.”

  “And that powder melts the cursed spirits but it only works on weak ones. Sadly, there’s barely any left.” He replied, lifting the now - empty basket.

  “Aspen!!” Ryl called, waving from a distance. “Come let's play!!”

  “Coming!” Aspen yelled back, flashing a grin to Odin before running off.

  Odin watched them go, a faint smile softening his face.

  _ _ _

  Present…

  “As… Aspen... be-behind you…” Ryl's voice trembled.

  “What is it, Ryl? Why are you shaking?” Aspen tilted his head.

  “L-look behind…”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Aspen turned - and froze.

  A massive figure loomed before them, its black shell glinting, violet eyes blazing with predatory fury. Each slow step made the ground tremble beneath their feet.

  “Ro-rock beetle…” Aspen whispered, stepping back.

  Aspen raised his orb. It flickered yellow-orange

  [ ROCK BEETLE : Mid-rank beast. Known for its heavy, armour-like body. ]

  “Aspen, you said we’d be fine!” Ryl snapped, pointing at it.

  “Do you call this fine!!?”

  “I don't know why it's here!”

  “You lied to me!!” he shrieked.

  “We are definitely going to die!! And I still have a lot to see in this world!! And I didn't even have a girlfriend…” he blabbered, grabbing his head

  “Ryl!” He hissed. “Is this the time to think about that?!”

  Ryl crouched down, whining. “Anyway we can't escape…”

  “Don’t think negetive.” Aspen said, showing him the orb. “See! it's yellow-orange and it's not even that old.”

  “But still!!!”

  Aspen gestured sharply. “Shhh! Quiet.”

  Ryl covered his mouth with both trembling hands.

  Aspen focused on that creature. And thought -

  “Rock beetle… it got this name because of its stiff body. It's still young, so its body will not be that hard. Still, I should not let my guard down…”

  Aspen gripped his dagger and lowered to his stance.

  “Are you really going to fight that thing?!!” Ryl hissed.

  “There’s no other way. It blocked the path.”

  “Your funerel… just don't die!!"

  Aspen nodded and crept closer, every step measured.

  “I think I should strike on its legs. It seems to be weak compared to its huge body…”

  He lunged and slashed.

  Crack!

  The leg shattered - sound echoing across the cave.

  “It's working!” Aspen gasped. “I just need to take the re-”

  The beetle screeched, throwing its mandibles.

  He barely dodged, its sharp tip grazing his cheek.

  “Aspen!!”

  “I’m fine!” He called, darting to its other side.

  He swung again.

  Another leg - cracked.

  The beast roared, shaking the ground.

  Aspen stumbled, and before he could recover, it slammed him across the cave.

  KRSHH!

  He hit the wall hard.

  The beetle lumbered toward him, each step making dust rain from the ceiling of the cave.

  Aspen winced hard.

  “It’s too strong… and I’m running out of energy. I already used the last enhancer…”

  “My… my wrist…” he grabbed his right wrist.

  The beetle split into two shapes as his eyes lost focus.

  “What should… I do…”

  He just laid there…

  Blood covered, chest heaving, limbs numb.

  It lifted its mandibles high above him.

  Then -

  A pebble bounced off its shell.

  The creature paused and turned.

  Ryl stood trembling, a handful of stones shaking in his grip.

  “If you da-dare… come towards me!!”

  The beetle stared, as if amused.

  “Co-come on, if you dare!!” he squeaked.

  It took one heavy step towards him.

  “Why are you coming?!! I-It was a joke!!” he cried, backing up in panic.

  It kept advancing.

  Ryl dropped on his knees dramatically,

  “I’m done for… mother… father… thank you for having me… even though I was useless, you raised me well… if there is another life… I just want to be rich… that's enough for me…”

  Clank!

  A dagger struck the beetle carapace.

  “I’m not done yet...”

  Aspen stood, eyes blazing.

  He sprinted forward, grabbing his dagger and shouted, “Not this time!”

  He leapt, driving the dagger straight into the beetle eye.

  The beast shrieked, collapsing onto its back.

  Aspen plunged the blade deep into its chest - thick blue blood splattering across the ground.

  Hissing it degenerated into ashes - leaving a few shell plates behind.

  He stood, covered in blood.

  The blue blood of the beetle which was splattered on him also degenerated, turning into smoke.

  Aspen dropped to one knee, his dagger slipping from his grip.

  “I… did it.” he looked down at his trembling hand and clenched it. “I really did it. I… killed a mid-rank beast…”

  He turned towards Ryl.

  He was still on his knees, eyes widened and forgot to breathe.

  “As… Aspen…”

  Ryl staggered forward and threw his arms around him, sobbing.

  “Do you know how scared I was?!! I thought that was the end!!”

  Aspen smiled weakly and hugged him back.

  “It’s okay now. Don’t be scared.”

  Ryl sniffled, then looked at his injuries.

  “You’re hurt badly. Let’s go home and treat it.”

  Aspen nodded, exhausted but proud.

  _ _ _

  They returned to Odin's house.

  He sat surrounded by scrolls, scribbling notes when the door burst open.

  The sight of Ryl carrying a bloodied Aspen made him jump to his feet.

  “What happened?!” he asked, rushing over.

  Ryl explained everything in one breath.

  Odin sighed. “I told you both to be careful… Why did you go into that cave?”

  “I told him! He insisted!” Ryl protested.

  “Hmm… Did he drink the healing portions?”

  “Yes! But he fainted halfway through.”

  “It’s because he overdosed,” Odin muttered. “His body isn’t strong enough yet.”

  He looked at Aspen, a faint smile tugging his lips.

  “But, I think he proved himself to be a hunter...”

  *****

  Chapter 7 : Progression