Olin rushed forward. His powerful muscles propelling him from a crouch to leap. In mid air a brown glow appeared above his chest, his body sprouting fur as his muscles bulked up. Cracking sounds emerged as his skeleton elongated, the bones and muscles becoming denser as they increased in size. His gums split as sharp canines forced their way out.

The sudden transformation into a bear startled the Lynx, it barked threateningly as its fur bristled. It too sprung from a crouch into a leap headed directly towards Olin. It could not match Olin in destructive might, but its agility and flexibility was unparalleled. Twisting mid air, the Lynx seemed boneless, its body morphing into a flurry of shadows as it danced past Olin leaving trails of blood.

The Lynx may have dangerous claws, but Olins defense was too great, the thickness of his fur and skin allowing only a flesh wound. It was at that time that a rune lit up in the sky, a crimson brilliance shining down as the Lynx suddenly felt the weight on its body increase explosively.

“Nice one!”

Four hunters who has been waiting in position lept out in tandem. Each wielding their spears, their runes radiating from their chests. They had hoped that the Lynx would confront Olin midair and they relied on Bryan's precise control to force it to land in the midst of four hunters.

Four silver flashes pierced through the air, like poisonous snakes they followed their prey. The Lynx, despite having been ambushed so suddenly, instinctively rolled its body. Of the four strikes only one landed on the beast, tearing a gash along its abdomen. The giant creature hissed in pain, shadows rising along its body as they bound the wound.

“Bryan! Again!”

Seeing the Lynx dance between the blows, Olin could only command the young man to restrict it once more. The brilliance once again appeared, drawing hisses of annoyance from the giant beast. Its silky smooth fur and flexible body mitigated most of the weight. The increase being distributed among four limbs further decreased the might of Sky’s Weight. The miniscule effect at this point however, placed the Lynx into an even more dangerous position.

Toale and 9 others had been stationed around the perimeter of the hunting zone. They were there to prevent the lynx from escaping or to trap it if it didn't act as hoped. Their blood boiling, three of them charged forth, surrounding the hulking figure as they two bulked up, transforming into two dogs and a plant like humanoid.

“Roar!” Olin once more leapt towards the Lynx, using his massive frame to engage the creature and pin it down, threatening to crush its bones if provided with a single opportunity. Around him, 6 figures wildly stabbed with their spears, the seventh, the plant man's hands elongated, as they sought to bind the beast.

Toale stared fervently at the struggling beast, he too desired to be in the midst of the combat. His breathing grew ragged and unsteady, vision turning red as he unconsciously moved forward.

It was at this moment the Lynx was met with Olins blow, his fist impacting the creature's side. The sound created was akin to a drum, as ripples spread on the taught skin of the abdomen. The creature wailed pitifully as its innards were shredded, its organs mixed with blood as they flowed out of its throat.

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Toale joined in with the cheers. The killing blow had been landed with a blunt blow, not breaking the skin. To the mercenaries who lived day by day on their rewards from the hunt, such a complete corpse would fetch a high price.

The mercenaries surrounded Bryan and Olin as praises were heaped on them. Toale too joined them as he slapped his friend on the back in congratulations. The depression from his disappointing rune did not keep him from celebrating a successful hunt.

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“Niles, is it possible that the criminal has set off on his own? Separating from his comrades to throw us off?” It was a question that had been bugging Tavak since the start, a question he had been unable to answer.

The immaculate figure turned to view him, the wrinkled head framed by a head of hair, streaked with silver. The sharp eyes penetrating and clear.

“Young Lord, the City Lord has assured us that among these mercenaries, there are none capable of braving the Desolate on their own.”

“You have always taught me to entertain all possibilities, the chances of such an important criminal having a competent defender is low but not impossible.” Tavaks eyes were bright as he challenged his mentor.

“Thats right, but Young Lord, even if it is so, what can we do about it?” Niles chuckled in response.

Tavak smiled wryly. They had been ordered to pursue without the time to gather suitable personnel or equipment. If they could have employed a sensory rune bearer, the issue of finding a small group that had split off would have been nonexistent. It was a pity they were a combat group and not an assassination unit.

Even if they have the capability to brave the Desolate on their own, it's not something we can stop. In any case, only the Silver Moon Mercenaries remain.

Before him lay a field of mangled bodies. Many had been crushed and trampled beneath the hooves of his cavalry. The wagons bore evidence of flame, terrifying scars littering the woodwork.

“Sir! None of them bear the rune.”

Tavak nodded to the officer, before turning his horse.

Behind him a flag depicting a savage claw slowly drowned in a pool of blood.