Chapter 18: The Hunters Test 6 (Final)

  “It's… it's mine,” Aspen whispered.

  Wren blinked. “Oh! So it was yours!”

  He began explaining what had happened:

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  _ _ _

  “That’s what happened,” Wren finished.

  “Then you could’ve recognized us by the details she mentioned!!” Ryl barked.

  “Yeah! And she called me a FOOL!” Ellie turned red.

  “HOW DARE SHE!!”

  “Sorry! I wasn’t sure it was you, so…” Wren smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Aspen sighed as they continued arguing.

  “I thought she was innocent…”

  He grabbed the healing potion and drank it.

  “I was really a fool. I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if Wren didn’t find my bag… and we couldn’t hunt beasts. It was Dior. He did what I couldn’t.”

  Aspen looked at the three who were still bickering.

  Suddenly, his vision blurred. His ears rang, like someone was scratching a board. The world turned silent around him.

  “Wh… what’s happening…” he swayed.

  “My… my head…”

  Thud.

  Aspen collapsed.

  _ _ _

  “Huh…?”

  Aspen opened his eyes, his torso bound, making sure he couldn't move.

  He slowly tried to sit up.

  “Ah—!” He gasped as his side throbbed.

  “It’s… it’s like someone stabbed me a thousand times!!

  Horrible…”

  The door clicked open.

  “Oh! You’re awake!” Wren stepped in.

  “I’m glad you’re fine. It’s been two days!”

  “Two days?!”

  “Yes, everyone was worried!”

  Aspen smiled weakly. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

  “Don’t mention it. And I’ve got good news! Your team got selected and you’re officially hunters now! Man, I’m happy for you guys.”

  “I passed…?” Aspen’s eyes lit up as he tried to sit again.

  “Ah—!”

  “Easy! You can celebrate after you heal.”

  Wren helped him.

  Aspen smiled softly.

  After Aspen sat comfortably, Wren handed him herbal tea.

  “And the doctor said you need at least one week of rest. Your ribs are fractured and you overdosed on potions.”

  Aspen sipped the tea.

  “Where are the others?”

  “They went to the Hunters Guild.”

  “That’s good.” Aspen returned the empty cup.

  “Wren… can I ask something?”

  “Sure.”

  “I think I’ve seen you before…”

  “Oh? Sorry, I don’t remember.”

  “It was three years back. You were one of the hunters who helped defeat burrow ants in Wynmare. Ringing a bell now?”

  Wren thought.

  “…Oh! Yes! I remember that mission!”

  “That’s my hometown.”

  “Oh!! Now I get it! The kid who got scolded by Mr. Thorne—that was you!”

  “Yes!”

  “Hah… you were really daring.”

  “You worked hard to become a wielder.”

  Wren smiled gently. “Yes… it was tough. But I gave my best. And here I am.”

  “That’s great! What about Mr. Thorne? Did he also become a wielder?”

  Wren’s smile faded after he heard that.

  “No. He didn’t.”

  He looked out the window and continued.

  “He lost his daughter… his only family. He loved her more than anything.”

  Aspen stayed silent.

  “He couldn’t overcome the trauma and he failed the wielders test.”

  “That’s… really sad.”

  “Yes. But you’ve seen him. He’s truly happy working as a hunter.”

  Aspen smiled softly, remembering the man.

  “He really is a great person.”

  “AREN!!” Ryl burst in.

  “You’re awake!!”

  “Yes, I’m fine now,” Aspen smiled.

  “That’s grea—”

  “AREENNN!!” Ellie screamed as she barged in, sobbing.

  She shoved Ryl aside as Wren caught him and she launched herself at Aspen.

  “I WAS SO SCARED YOU DIDN’T WAKE UP!!”

  Aspen’s ribs screamed.

  “AHH—!!”

  “You stupid girl!! You’re hurting him!!” Ryl yelled, trying to pull her off.

  Wren joined him.

  But both failed… and fell flat on the floor.

  “Ellie—I—I’m fine—really—!” Aspen croaked.

  “Really?” She sniffed.

  Aspen nodded. “Perfectly!”

  “That’s good!!” she chirped, straightening up.

  “What a pain, working with morons like you,” Dior said, leaning on the doorframe.

  “You’re a cold monkey yourself.” Ryl yelled.

  “I don’t want to hear that from a mutt.”

  “You—!” Ryl opened his mouth but choked on air.

  Dior ignored him and walked to Aspen.

  “Take this,” he handed over a candy, looking away.

  “I heard the medicine is bitter.”

  Aspen smiled. “Thanks, Dior.”

  “Alright!” Wren clapped.

  “Did you guys tame a bird?”

  “Tame…?” Aspen blinked.

  “Yes!” Ryl said proudly.

  “Hunters and wielders must tame a bird to gather information. Then we give them this ring so we can talk to them!”

  “But we didn’t catch even one…” Ellie added.

  “That sounds tough…” Aspen said.

  “It’s not that tough,” Wren smirked as he blew a whistle.

  A small blue bird flew in and perched on his finger.

  “This is my bird.”

  “It’s cute!” Ellie squealed.

  Then—

  The bird huffed. “I’m not cute.”

  Everyone blinked.

  “I’m not cute. I am the hottest.”

  Stunned silence.

  Then, Ryl burst out laughing and poked its beak.

  “You really think too highly of yourself.”

  The bird pecked and pooped on his hand.

  “Aah!! You little—!!”

  “I don’t . I the hottest and most handsome,” the bird said proudly.

  “Mike, stop it. Apologize,” Wren ordered.

  “Master! He provoked me! I’m innocent!”

  “Apologize.”

  “…Fine. If master says. Sorry.”

  “That’s so cool!!” Ellie giggled as the bird hopped onto her finger.

  Mike gave a look

  at Ryl, huffing.

  Ryl gritted his teeth.

  “That’s it. I’ll catch the and bird ever—so pretty your eyeballs will fall out!!”

  “Huh. We’ll see.” it scoffed.

  “JUST YOU WAIT

  Aspen sighed.

  “He never learns…”

  *****

  Chapter 19: Bird Hunt