So the week passed by quickly, and the day for the hunt came. We are departing tomorrow morning. News that Darg and I were going on a hunt was not received well by the twins. They kept pestering the uncle to take them with us. Uncle always cleared up his involvement by saying that he too wants them to come, but they'll first have to take father's permission. Of course, they never talked to father about it. We only got a short time to prepare. Therefore uncle increased our training intensity. Uncle Uuk got two metal bracers for us each. Darg and I got two additional as we were going on a hunt. We also practiced with our weapons during this period.

Besides uncle's training at night, I have been trying hard to practice astral steps. I am practicing the easiest one, the two steps. But to my dismay, I am getting nowhere with it. The first thing is movement, which I mastered after a few days. I have been doing almost the same thing for months now, at an intensity that the human body can never match. But it says I must exert my core force to make after images. That is the thing that I can't do yet. There were also instructions guiding on when and where to apply this technique, but I believe that will be futile when we're standing on a real battlefield. I tried my best to bring out my core energy and make an afterimage one last time before departing. After failing again, I quietly slipped back to sleep.

The following day was as usual. After getting ready, I moved to my mother's room. I need to meet her before leaving. She should have woken up, as mornings were getting delayed nowadays. I reached her room and saw she was already waiting for me with a gray fur coat, which she had completed.

'Ma, I doubt I would need it. It's a short hunt, anyway.' I said with a smile to lighten up the mood and solace her.

'I know. Eventually, you'll have to go outside. I am not worried about it. Just keep it with you. Nights are getting colder. Not here, but you might need this outside while hunting.' She understood I was trying to comfort her. After a moment with my mother, it was time to meet up with others. I went towards the gates of our house, where Darg and aunt Urmi were already standing. It felt like she was there to drop him off for school, making me smile.

After a bit of chitchat, we were on our way to the entrance. The tribe was pretty stirred up today. It was the second time that I was coming to the entrance. Much has changed here from the last time. The number of guard posts and tree houses has increased significantly. I heard about it from my mother, but I didn't know that numbers were so substantial. Also, boundaries on the periphery have left a small gap for entry and exit. I saw uncle Uuk standing there chatting with other party members. There were four other orcs and three hobgoblins. Luggage was more as it was a long hunt, so the number of goblins carrying them was in their twenties. After briefly introducing other orcs and hobgoblins, we left the entrance. Five other parties like us will depart today, rest will stay and protect the tribe.

'Brother Uuk, did you have to bring children with you? I have no problem, but isn't seven months too early to hunt?' One of the hunter-green orc named Rizu, who was walking just behind uncle uuk, said. We were walking in a line as the jungle was crammed, and there was not much space to walk.

'Yeah, at that age, we were playing and fighting each other.' said another one Bima. They clearly doubt we can be used while on the hunt.

'Exactly, unlike us, all they have done is train. Can you tell me when did you become lvl2?' Uncle asked Rizu. Orc refers to their transformation to hunter green orc as lvl2 and dark green as lvl3. Red orc is lvl4.

'Last year during the great war. Why?' Rizu answered.

'At what age, I am asking. I know you transformed last year.' Uncle snorted in annoyance. He slowed down to talk, but he still kept moving.

'I was four when I got transformed. I even defeated a centurion after that.' Rizu said with a proud face, only to meet uncle's smirk.

'They are seven months old and can get the first transformation at any point.' Rizu's smile disappeared at this, and he grimly looked at us as if he was looking at an unknown danger.

'Still, they lack battle experience.' He reverted

'That's exactly why they are here. The kids are too good for their age. You'll see that. Even my elder brothers were not this talented.' Uncle said. I saw Darg's expression getting bad at this conversation. Clearly, he doesn't want to be talked about.

After walking till noon, we took a break. It was already early fall. The rocks were cold, and the few leaves turning golden made the trees look like they were on fire. We bundled fallen leaves to make ourselves a sofa to rest. I instinctively knew it was our last meal before we got into action.

'Eat well and relax. We will start our hunt now. Also, make sure you take a dump if you have a heavy stomach.' the uncle said to everyone and started opening up a food bag made of reeds and wood strips. I didn't understand why he told us to take a shit before hunting.

'You are probably thinking, why is he telling you to take a shit, right?' Bimu tittered as he asked me. I saw even Rizu was giggling at this. I quietly nodded, not wanting everyone to get involved in this conversation.

'You can't fight to your fullest with a heavy bowel. And warriors shit themselves in a desperate situation just before dying. Dying in your own piss and shit would be the most disgraceful way of dying, so make sure you are clear.' Rizu said while still giggling. I don't know if to take his words seriously or as a joke. I refrained from saying anything. Darg did the same. He went to his uncle, who was trying to light a fire with stones.

'Look who's saying that. I think a warrior of Ironblood tribe crying like a kid in war is the most contemptible act.' Bimu said with a smirk.

'kihkk.. correct. I wouldn't come before the leader if that were to happen to me.' Bimu's cousin Bura said under his breath. He kept it loud enough so that everyone could hear it.

'I didn't cry. My eyes were moist because my brothers were dying.' Rizu reverted to palliate his embarrassing deeds.

'Ahahah… your eyes were moist? I don't seem to remember that. You cried like a kid when you narrowly defeated a centurion. You will piss while fighting him; that's what I thought.' Uncle busted out laughing, dropping those stones on the ground. Rizu was trying to hide his face at this moment. The atmosphere and mood are happy, but I have this ominous feeling that someone is constantly monitoring us.

Lunch was different this time. We had weapons close by us all the time. In the jungle, you don't know when you'll be attacked. There are leaves to give sound nowadays, but you don't see what's behind that bush here. After finishing our lunch, some orcs literally took a dump, which astonished me. I was taking it as a joke. Uncle, Darg, and I didn't go for it as we have a lovely morning schedule. After that, we were ready for our hunt.

To make our grand strategy, we held a meeting that lasted for five minutes. First, we will keep some green fodder in an open area and wait for prey to walk in. Then, Hobs and goblins will attack them from another end while we stay at the other. Then, when they come into our range, we will try to get as many of them as possible. It was a simple plan.

It took us two minutes to collect and lay the bait. Then we took our position and started waiting patiently for prey to come. Let's hope they will go quickly. Uncle previously told us that sometimes it takes days before any group from any cervid family comes. You need to hunt those more enormous beasts while collecting winter food. You can't make past winter with a small game like ferrets and rabbits.

We didn't have to wait long. A group of animals that looked like a hybrid of bison and moose soon arrived. They were huge. They were almost double that of regular moose. I learned that in orcish, they are called Singhal. Before the fight broke out, I wanted to ensure my long hair didn't get in my way. While adjusting them, I felt a wet area around my temple and neck. Tension had got me right now. It'll be my first kill. I don't even know if I can kill it. In my mind, I can imagine those giant antlers tearing my guts and bouncing me in the air like a basketball.

We kept hiding in the bushes, maintaining about ten meters' distance between us. Though I made Darg stick close to me, as uncle has told Darg and me to get one of them by ourselves. One of the moose or bison was very vigilant. Anyone can guess he is the leader of the pack. Soon, uncle gave the signals to hobgoblins and goblins. It was a simple whistle. Soon, a swarm of goblins and hobgoblins came out, running and shouting from the bushes at the opposite end. As the moose group got scattered and ran in all directions, the group's leader charged at hobs and goblins. We can see a few goblins getting tossed in the air. Ultimately, all three hobs got together and chased that moose away. Around one-fifth of the group, around twelve, came running our way.

'That one. We'll attack that one.' I told Darg, pointing at one of the moose running straight down towards us. Suddenly, all my nervousness was replaced with excitement. I wanted to know in what manner I'll bring that beast down.

'We'll attack now.' Uncle shouted and got out. Everyone followed and got out to get their set target. Every moose maneuvered and did the body faint in the other direction while trying to avoid its attacker, but not the one running in my direction. Probably because of our small stature, it thought it could ravage past a minor hurdle. I immediately took out the throwing ax and got in stance to throw it.

I took aim at his chest and threw my best shot, but it failed to hit it. It surprised me as in training, it always hit its target. I prepared myself to throw again; this time, it made contact but did no damage and bounced out of its chest. Though there was some discomfort for him, he kept charging at us. I threw another throwing ax. This time it gave an explicit sound of muscle penetration as the ax got smacked into its chest. It tried avoiding us as it stumbled but regained its balance. But now it was too late. Darg and I jumped sideways, making perfect space for the moose escape. We didn't take any chance as it got close and ducked while swinging our sword at his legs.

I heard a clear voice of its legs snapping in my ear. Then, I heard it falling down. As I got back up, I didn't even need to look for confirmation. I looked at Darg to know who was going to finish it. In my mind, I was more than happy to give finishing to him, but he signaled me with a flick of his neck to do the job. I went there close to the Singhal. I saw it desperately trying to get up as I inserted my sword in its throat, ending his futile struggle. I didn't feel pity or remorse for the creature, to my surprise. I knew I had to kill it to feed my family.

'That throw was amazing, brother. It was the reason it didn't change its direction at the last moment.' I simply smiled at Darg's compliment. I then slowly started collecting my ax. As I returned, I saw uncle splotching Singhals damaged part with a liquid from a purple vial.

'What's that, uncle?' Darg asked before me

'That is a medicine that prevents the meat from decaying.' I don't know how shamans make it, but that's amazing. I saw around and found cheerful faces all around. Out of five, only two failed to kill the beast. It's not a big deal, as you can only use limited force while bringing down those beasts. Otherwise, you'll ruin the meat, so chances are that you won't get anything while trying.

As we gathered, we learned that Rizu missed his target. That became another point for hurling insults at him. He was literally sitting there, hiding his face.

'And you were questioning the involvement of those kids? Now, see those children have a kill before you.' Bimu said from far as he was bringing his kill. We all laughed at his remarks. However, my laugh stopped suddenly as I looked in his direction.

'Uncle..' I tucked my uncle's coat as I pointed towards Bimu. There was a large cougar sneaking up on him. It was huge. Even more significant than orcs.

'Bimu dodge.' Before uncle could say anything, Bimu was already in its mouth. The cheerful atmosphere suddenly got replaced with dejection.

'On your guards, everyone. It's an lvl4 magic beast.' Uncle Uuk said in a severe and worried tone as he was already getting in stance to fight. I saw Bimu getting chewed and being thrown away. There was no chance for him to survive this. I could feel a chill running down my spine. For the first time, I realized we could die here at any moment. That we are not the only hunter in this jungle.