A few hours ago, as the group of kids enter the Goldhorn forest they look around enthusiastically as it's the first time they've enter a forest as it's strictly forbidden for anyone to enter as there are many different wild animals and strange creatures residing deep in the forest, though many kids wander around its outskirts doing trivial stuff, like gathering herbs, hunting, playing etc.
The Sasha walks behind the three boys anxiously looking around, she was scared as she knows it's dangerous in here. "hey Bren, aren't we going back, I'm scared" while tugging the oldest boy's shirt.
"Hahaha… Sasha you're such a scaredy cat" Bren said as she teased her.
'Even though we reach the novices' level Colour student, we can't really fight colour beast as they are more powerful than humans of the same level' Sasha thought.
Colour beast are animals that are able to used Ki themselves and develop an affinity to a certain element.
"Look at this" As they explore the outer part looking through different plants and animals, picking what they can in the process. As time pass, they got tired and prepared to get out the forest.
*rustle *rustle
"What… what was that?" with a panic voice she said. Looking at the rustling bush.
*rustle *rustle
Bren unsheathe his dagger and heighten his guard. "hey, get ready it's coming out." he whispered to his friends.
*rustle
A shadow came out the bushes.
*squeak *squeak
A horned rabbit came out the bushes. "Quick attack it." *sqqqeeeeeeaakkkkkk
Bren and the other kids breathe a sigh of relief that it's only a horned rabbit, if it were a wolf or other bigger beast they'll be in danger.
"haaa… look we hit the jackpot" as he lifts the rabbit, showing it to them.
"Bwahahaha… yes" The fat kid said. "We're having rabbit for lunch"
"mmm… Ban prepare the fire while I skin it." Bren said as he starts skinning the horned rabbit, first removing the horn. The horn fetch for a good price as it is being used for creating weapons and the hide is used for leather making.
Fatty Ban, had already started the fire for the cooking, Bren pass the skinned rabbit to him. After adding some wild spices that they picked up along the way, they started roasting it.
*crackle *crackle
"I hope we can finally core bond with a Colour beast, just like big brother Cedric." Fatty Ban said while eating the hind leg of the roasted rabbit.
*chomp *chomp
*cough *cough
Simon choke as he here what Fatty Ban said. "YOU Fatty, keep dreaming you need to be at least Apprentice colour practitioner to be able to core bond with a Colour beast and how much resources do you think is needed to get a suitable Colour beast for bonding."
Core bonding is the process of linking a human with a Colour beast or spirit, by either physically bonding with it or merging the beast/spirit with a weapon or object.
"ah, I know but don't ruin my fantasy" Fatty Ban rebut.
"hey, hey, it's not like we aren't going to be able to bond with a Colour beast, even a low class one it's just we haven't meet the minimum requirement yet" Bren interject to their conversation.
As they continue their eating, a looming figure has been approaching them from the shadows. Attracted by the smell of the roasted rabbit, a Silver hog, a 2 meters tall black hog with silver patterns across its body.
*oink *oink *grunt
As time pass it slowly became audible, thus the kids are beginning to here its sound.
"Bren, what was that?" as Sasha hold to his sleeves.
"It sounds like a hog; it must have been attracted by the food." Bren deduces.
*Oink *Oink *Grunt
"It's getting close, Ban, Simon, ready your weapons."
They spread up and get in to a formation with Sasha at their middle as she's the weakest among the group.
*Oink *Oink * Snort *rustle *rustle
"get ready it's coming closer."
*OOOOINK
The hog came out the bushes, raging because of hunger. *SNORT. It charges to the kids. *THUD *THUD as its heavy steps hit the ground.
"Oh no!!! Its charging towards us!!! DODGE!!!" Bren shouted, as they dodge the charging hog.
*BAM!!! The hog collided with a tree.
"Ban, Simon lets attack it simultaneously."
"" Yes."" the two replied, while a gathering of red colour starts appearing in the tip of their daggers forming a sphere.
--FIRE BALL--
*KABOOM!!! As flame engulfs the silver hog. *SQUEAL! It cried.
"Yes-
But before they can celebrate the silver hog charge at them, while the flame engulfing it slowly dissipates showing its flawless hide, not being affected by the fire that earlier engulfs it.
Because of the fast transition of events they have no time to dodge the second round of its charge, with Bren barely being able to push his friends out of the way taking the full brunt.
*cough
As blood came out of Bren's mouth.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Deafening scream echoes throughout the forest.
At the same time Hue from outside the forest heard it, he starts running into the direction of the scream. Although he is blind is other senses are several times sharper than that of and ordinary man, that's why it's not a problem for him running into a place like a forest.