As he was about to head back with his prize a thought struck Vaikus making him drop the bear. He remembered that Ubel had told him about things called tier one treasure and perhaps that inside the cave there could be such a place.

Vaikus made his way to the cave and looked inside to be faintly surprised to see an old fashioned chest inside. Doing a quick check around for traps before pulling the chest out into the light.

Unlocking the hinges he took a look inside to see it packed with some books, clothes, gems, and a nice looking knife. There were other items inside the chest but he really couldn’t identify them. He equipped the belt with the large knife not really thinking about it. When fastened he could notice strength surging through his body and he felt a little quicker.

A magic item? Should show it to the smiths and get it appraised. Guess it’s time I return back to camp and see how those newbies did.

Using not much effort Vaikus lifted the bear and chest on his back with one arm each and began walking.

…

“Heh. Reaver your idea went off with a hitch if we had a few more people we could’ve got more.” Praised Brick as he carried a dear on his back with a skip in his step.

“Ya big sis. Those deer didn’t know what hit them.”

Giving a small chuckle Reaver nodded in agreement, “We did pretty well together. When we get this meat back to the camp I bet we will have a celebration. But I wonder what judgment that man will have.”

“I bet he’ll be shocked by how much we caught I doubt any of the others caught a deer.”

“Hmmm, maybe. The meeting spot isn’t far so we’ll get our answer soon.”

…

Walking into the meeting point the three were amazed to see Vaikus tieing the bear upside down to drain the blood. A simple couple of pulls had pulled the bear off the ground causing Reaver to stare in bewilderment.

That thing must weigh like six hundred pounds. Where did he find that creature? And how did he drag it back here? Is he even a dwarf?

Only after tying the rope to another tree did Vaikus pay attention to the awe-stricken dwarfs. He sized up there catch and gave some thought before saying anything.

“Not. bad. Hang. Wait.”

Awkwardly the three did as they were told hanging and slitting the deer's throats before finding a place to sit for the others to come back.

For the next half hour, the remaining six dwarfs came back what they brought back was listed below.

Blink - A dozen fish, a shirt of mushrooms, and wild onions. Rytar - Two Large Land Birds Arben - Adult Hog Acar - Shirt full of birds and strange Fruit Cero - A Giant egg Rick - Various poisonous plants, berries, and mushrooms.

Going over each person's catch Vaikus made a mental list in his head where the rankings stood. Right off the bat, he failed the peasant for not bringing anything editable.

What kind of hunter doesn’t bring in food? But his talent for poison items is uncanny he could find a good position as a poison maker. Wonder if that poison mage will take an apprentice.

Pointing at the peasant he said simply. “Fail. Poison. All. Talent. Join.”

Seeing the confused peasant Vaikus inwardly rolled his eyes and grunted at Blink to explain for him.

Blink chuckled a bit and began talking. “What my big brother is saying is that you brought nothing but poisonous items. In fact, all of them are. He says you fail, but you have talent in poison picking. Maybe try to get an apprenticeship under a poison mage is what he’s saying.”

With a sigh, Rick deflated giving a bitter smile, “Man I really wanted to be a hunter. Oh well, at least I have a new path to follow.”

“Head. Home. All.”

Saying those words Vaikus untied his bear from the tree threw it on his back, picked off the chest and started walking.

The three who tied up there deer followed suit and the pack of dwarfs began walking home.

It wasn’t until in the late afternoon did they reach the wall and entered home with their spoils. The dwarfs were exhausted from the round trip and most would have collapsed if Cero didn’t use his blood magic on the corpses to decrease their weight.

When they got home Vaikus walked up to the pale-faced dwarf and gave a nod to him.

“Passed.”

Then turned his gaze to the others, “Rest. First. Then. Fight. Me. Blink. Rick. Follow.”

Putting his bear down Vaikus headed inside the cave with Blink and Rick in tow to give his report to Urist. When he was gone the dwarfs started swarming the hunter candidate asking questions and handing them bottles of water.

“What is that creature?”

“What is that egg so huge?”

“Why do these birds look so funny?”

Were the types of questions the would-be hunters were bombarded with. But they weren't displeased, in fact, they felt pride at the adoration that there brothers and sisters gave them.

Is this how it feels to be wanted?

I’ve never had a girl smile at me.

Hunting does have pretty good perks, doesn’t it?

…

As the dwarfs were celebrating Ubel, Urist, Vlad and Valkus were sitting at a table with a chest in the center.

Shifting his sight from the chest to Vaikus Urist was the first to speak. “So, where did you find this plain-looking chest? Also, how did the test go?

“Bear. Cave. Inside. Test. Almost. Done.”

With his curiosity peaked Urist had to ask, “What happened to the bear?”

“Dead. Cook later. Blood Mage. Useful. Keeping. Explanation?” Said as he looked towards Blink.

“No. I get the gist of why you want him. But why is Rick here?”

Taking a drink from his cup Vaikus replied, “Blink. Explain.”

On cue Blink took a step forth. “Big brother Vaikus has failed this man for bringing nothing poisonous items. Instead, he wishes to put this man talents into being a poison mage as he has an uncanny ability to gather only poison.”

Ignoring the smug look Ubel was giving him Urist nodded. “Noted. I’ll ask Gift to take him under his wing and learn the arts of poison. With all my questions answered let's open up that box and see what's inside shall we?”

“Lets.”

“I’m actually quite interested what’s inside.”

“I wonder if there will be anything in this tier one treasure test.”