Two days later, Night Time
On the promised day from the guild, around fifty adventurers, hunters, and bounty hunters gather in front of the forest. Some hunters, whom Reynes rescued three days before, decide to take part in the hunt again.
Reynes obtains more information during his stay in the town after rescuing hunters three days ago. Adventurers, Merchants, and those who did not participate in the Lucentyr hunt were not targeted by either Lucentyr or Elf; regardless, it was day or night. Adventurers conducting quests such as herb collection, materials hunting, and every activity unrelated to Lucentyr Hunt would not be attacked by the residents of the Lucentyr Forest.
"The information is interesting."
The book pops out as it writes the record of his journey. He wears his signature light armor, but only with left pauldrons instead of both pauldrons on his body. He kept his sword sheathed as he would only use it as a last resort to fight Lucentyr, as he would rely on his shield and rope.
A man wearing heavy armor gives a briefing.
"Is everyone here? Listen up! Our job today is to bring Lucentyr back home. The guild promised a higher reward if we brought them alive. We also have to be careful if we encounter the elf since they were working together with the Lucentyr. Any questions?"
"Do we have a rear guard to cover the escape?"
Reynes asks the question. If the hunt becomes unbearable, what he can do right now is to sustain losses by calling a retreat. But, manpower is required to cover the escape.
"No. But, if anyone volunteers, I would appreciate it."
Nodding, Reynes plans to secure a retreat for those who can't fight and need saving. Moving into the forest, Reynes separates from the groups. He wants to keep an eye on their movement as he creates an escape route. As they enter further into the forest, Reynes can sense elves and wolves begin to keep an eye on them.
Some adventurers noticing their presence were on alert. Reynes can sense someone is watching him. Probably the Lucentyr that sense his presence may have [Sense Sharing]. Reynes waits with patience as he waits for the Lucentyr to come out.
After one hour of waiting, he heard a howl, and later, there were screams. Lucentyr begins to make its move to attack.
"Fall back!! Fall back!!"
"Stick to the plan!!"
"Hey! Don't leave me behind!"
There were several live baits, but the Lucentyr managed to avoid all of its traps. But, when Reynes goes to another area, he sees the hunter he saves earlier using some of the adventurers as live bait.
"Hey! Let us go!"
"Shut up! If it wasn't for that guy, I would already catch it!"
Chanting some spells, he uses the living adventurers as live bait.
That ain't good. It looks like the guy Reynes saved three days ago hasn't learned his lesson. But, as the Lucentyr approaches, it starts to growl this time. As soon as it is about to attack, Reynes intercepts it. Instead, he caught on his trap.
"Ha ha! You fool! I'll make sure that you won't get in our way this—Whaatt!?"
The Lucentyr and the elves watch as Reynes dispels the trap. Using Gravity Augmentation on his armor, Reynes pulls him and grabs his neck.
"I save you, so you can live for another day. It seems you haven't learned your lesson."
"H-how did you break free? G-guh! That spell was supposed to tie everything and won't let you use magic!"
"Don't think ill of me. I've deciphered your magic circuit and overrides it."
Reynes throws him into a tree, and he frees the adventurers.
"T-Thank you."
"Get out of here."
"But, what about you?"
"Go. I'll cover your escape. If Lucentyr and elves were after you, I'd be your shield. If there were any wounded, bring them out from the forest."
Nodding, the adventurers begin withdrawing from the forest, with Reynes covering the escape. After the adventurers escape, he can sense that presence again.
"I have already given your chance to live. Now, it's up to them to decide your fate."
As Reynes moves away, he can hear the scream of the hunter. He can't let his guard down yet and returns to the entrance for a while. At the forest entrance, he saw several casualties.
"How many adventurers we lost?"
"None. From twenty-seven adventurers participants, including you, we got eight wounded, including two adventurers you saved earlier."
"So, whose these dead bodies?"
"Hunters and those who work for the black market."
"I assume that as long as we don't hunt them, they would let us collect the bodies, right?"
"Yes."
Reynes turned around as he was about to return to the forest.
"You're going back?"
"Yeah. I want to go deeper."
"We will be leaving in two hours. Best of luck."
Nodding, Reynes returns to the forest to continue the quest. He could sense the presence again, and the elves were already expecting his arrival. The elf fires their arrows, only to be dodged, but one of the Lucentyr leaps at him, and Reynes defend himself with his shield. Without wasting time, he used this opportunity to tie the Lucentyr.
"Damn it. I missed."
Refusing to take his sword, the Lucentyr moves back as Reynes is about to capture it on a rope. He can hear another howl, but this time is stronger than before. The entire Lucentyr and Elves back off when they hear the howl, and he can see a Lucentyr, larger than others, approaching him.
Reynes prepared himself to fight, but he heard something on his head.
"[Telepathy]?"
"Yes. You're an interesting person. You're the third one that possesses Ancient High Elf's aura, although your appearance resembles someone I acquainted with two years ago."
"You mean my sister, Klendiana?"
"Ah, so you're her little brother? I'm honored to see you. I want to ask you a question. Why did you rescue that hunter three days ago, and yet, this time, you let that we kill that hunter?"
"Because I give him a second chance. Since he hasn't learned his lesson from the last encounter, I'll leave his fate up to you."
"Ku Ku Ku. You're an interesting person. Tell me, young kid. What's your intention to join on the hunt?"
"I would like to bring one of you to the city. The Mayor wants to alleviate the truth of the legend itself. Furthermore, he wants to negotiate for the future of the city."
"Aaahh…. Seeing is believing. Very well. I will come with you to the city."
"E-Empress! You know it would be dangerous if you go there alone!"
Some of the elves and Lucentyr object to her decision. But, she knew Reynes' capabilities to protect her.
"Then I wish to have six escorts with me. Is that fine with you?"
"As long as I can protect them with [Damage Absorption] and [Sustainable Damage] on a party scale."
"Very well. Let's bring our best six, then."
Reynes then remembers something.
"You said you were the Empress. Does that mean you lead this pack?"
"Yes. But, I would like to give up that seat to my protegee. For once, I would like to go on a journey. Allow me to come with you."
"W-what!?"
For the Empress of the Lucentyr to join his journey, it is unexpected for Reynes. But, his main priority now is to bring Lucentyr to the city.
"I'll inform the townsfolk to make them witness your presence tonight."
"Will do. Now, hop on my back. We can discuss things later after our talk with the mayor is done."
Reynes feel reluctant at first, but he decides to mount it. The Lucentyr can feel power emerges from his body.
"Hmm… A refined magic flow. Your sister is better, but I can see a lot of room to grow from you."
"Let's just get this over with."
The Lucentyr Empress and three pairs of elves and wolves set out to the town.
"Hey. Look at that."
"H-How's that possible!?"
"Inform the mayor! Inform the mayor!!"
The adventurers are surprised when Reynes comes out from the forest with a large Lucentyr escorted by three elves mounted on Lucentyr.
"Is that?"
"Look! There it is!"
As soon as the Lucentyrs pass the gate, townsfolk gathers on the road.
"Mayor!! Mayor!! One large Lucentyr and three Lucentyr Riders enter the city!"
"Who brought them?"
"It's Lexington, sir."
"I'll be there right away!"
Reynes can sense some killing intent, knowing that some may want to take its head as a prize. Citizens, merchants, and those flocking around the town square gather as the Lucentyr stops in front of the Mayor and Town Guards.
The Town of Lucentyr witnesses this as the legend of Lucentyr starts into a new light of Legend.