18 Hunt End (1/2)

”Up you go.”

”Rrrrraaw!”

Before Edmond could voice any complaints about the many problems with this plan, this sentence from Aaron made Woof come near him with its fangs visible.

Its growl was filled with the same ferocious might that he had seen when it had been about to rip into his throat yesterday night.

By instinct, Edmond moved back and felt a tree, which he promptly started to climb using the low-lying branches that he could use to hoist himself up.

Wait…did this mean they were really going with that plan?

He didn't even know where to start! For example, weren't they going to think about what they would do if some aspect fails? For example, what should they do if Woof failed to garner enough interest from the Father Fox, resulting in a Rare level creature that could rip them to shreds coming to this scene when he was stuck on top of a tree? In that situation, if Aaron left, wouldn't he be a sitting duck?

And what was that about a f*cking Giant Eagle?

That was another Rare-grade beast which really would swallow him whole!

Just as he was about to open his mouth, Aaron spoke again, cutting him off and making him shut up.

”We don't have time. Get up there fast. Woof says it smells food, which means they are eating. It's when they're most relaxed.”

Gulping, Edmond realized that there was nothing more to say.

All he could do was pray that nothing would go wrong.

Well, just the day before, he had been ready to die, so, when he thought about that, this wasn't too much of a challenge.

His teacher at school, who was a powerful Tera Master always used to say that in this age, only those who were ready to take risks would succeed.

So, with a determined expression on his face, Edmond climbed higher and higher while taking care not to disturb the nests that were on certain branches.

It was only when he was 10 feet up in the air did he stop.

Nodding, Aaron shouted, ”Stay put. When I have the Fox, I'll throw it to you!”

What? This high? Are you sure about that?

Edmond felt like asking that, but he just nodded.

Watching as the man and the dog both left, he found himself alone, with the sounds of nature all around him.

He listened to this melody while trying to stay alert.

10 minutes later, a loud howl that was coming from somewhere nearby made him snap his head up.

That was a Bewitching Fox!

These Foxes had been given this name due to the hypnotic pheromones that they released whenever they wanted, which had the effect of making those affected feel drowsy and tired.

A dulling of senses also accompanied these effects, and the intensity varied according to the level difference between the Fox and its target.

However, even on a target of the same level, this attack of the Bewitching Fox was highly effective, giving it a way to gain an edge over any battle.

Just as he was going to remember the type, combat role, and other information about the Bewitching Fox, he saw Aaron frantically running toward the tree he was on with a small Fox in his hands.

This Fox looked like it had been knocked out cold by a rock, as blood was oozing from a wound on its head. It filled his hands, looking like it was at least a half a meter long and a 10th of a meter wide.

It had glossy, red fur, and this lent it a cute look that made it so that it was sought after by all the high-profile ladies in the City who could afford to buy one.

Right as Aaron was about to reach the tree, he stepped on a boulder and vaulted himself into the air smoothly before throwing the Fox in Edmond's direction.

Edmond was sitting on a thick branch with his legs coiled around it, and he was prepared. Using his legs as support, he bent forward and expertly caught the Fox.

He hadn't been named his Street's most prominent Catcher in the game of softball for nothing.

Even though it looked like the Fox was unconscious, Edmond decided to use the 'Trance-Infuser' anyway just to be safe. After all, there were numerous stories about how a Tera Master had his hand bitten off because he thought a Tera was unconscious and ready to be Bound when it was actually not.

The three-pronged needle of the syringe with yellowish liquid easily punctured the Fox's skin after giving a little resistance. After the entire solution entered the Fox, Edmond made his Core appear.

In anticipation of this Binding, he had already broken the link with the Foxtail Rabbit and allowed it to run away into the forest, as it was practically a worthless Tera which he didn't have any reason to keep.

Touching the Core to the forehead of the Fox, Edmond followed the process that he had been taught in school.

First, he had to close his eyes and focus on the feeling that was being transmitted to his brain via the Core.