"Greetings, my dear bros! Welcome to an all-new hunting game!" Caron's voice crackled with barely suppressed excitement."Today's target is a native village on this blue-eyed planet. Let's see if these villagers can escape the hunters' pursuit!" Inside the mothership, Caron slowly activated the holographic projection, streaming the live hunt to his audience.
Caron was a professional livestream hunter, and this was his first attempt at such an extreme show. His emotions were a mix of nervousness and exhilaration. Previous shows had failed to attract many viewers, partly due to his inexperience, but mainly because of their simplicity and monotony. To make a mark in the streaming world, he decided to take a risk by choosing this primitive planet for his latest and most thrilling hunting broadcast.
"Tonight, we won't deploy hunters above level two, and the natives include villagers, students, and teachers," Caron said, watching the viewer count climb. He knew only continuous excitement and danger would keep the audience hooked."How long can these unarmed natives withstand the hunters' onslaught?" Despite his outward confidence, a sliver of unease gnawed at him. Such a bloody spectacle might lead to the platform banning his show, risking his career.
"The first stage of the hunt begins in ten minutes. Level one hunters are in position, and 304 targets have entered the designated area. If anyone wants to assess the natives' capabilities or see the hunters in action, now is the time. Once the three bells ring, the 60-minute countdown starts!" He declared coldly,"After 60 minutes, the hunters will withdraw, and we'll count the survivors. Will the natives, armed only with rudimentary weapons, prevail, or will the hunters slaughter them all? We'll find out soon enough!"
The number of viewers skyrocketed, with comments flooding the screen. Some predicted how quickly the hunters would kill their prey, while others discussed possible escape strategies or estimated the number of survivors. Seeing these comments, Caron's excitement began to overshadow his apprehension. He knew such a show could truly captivate the audience.
"Now, if any betting companies wish to seize this unique opportunity, just share the profits with me, and I'll guarantee you the highest returns," Caron mused about taking his show to the next level.
"This is the perfect betting game, and those who bet on the correct number of survivors will win big!" Caron's voice was full of allure.
"I doubt there will be more than ten survivors! The closer you guess to the correct number, the more you earn. Of course, you can also bet on the hunters' failure. Some hunters are genetically modified native beasts, and we can't guarantee their strength. We also have high-tech combat machines. I can't promise you'll win money, but I can promise you'll have a night of revelry!"
Caron's voice echoed through the craft, with a hint of cruelty. In the dark corners of the universe, greedy, excited, and disgusted eyes focused on the screen. Sebastian, Caron's boss and a shareholder in a betting company, had never been interested in this minor program. However, tonight, as he noticed the viewer count climbing rapidly, his curiosity was piqued.
Sebastian didn't care for the lavish lifestyle of typical executives; his greatest pleasure was watching his wealth grow. With a flick of his finger, a massive three-dimensional live projection filled his study. Such a large 3D projection was both his hobby and a symbol of his status and power. Before making decisions, he habitually assessed the strength disparity, a practice that tested his keen eye.
---
In the dark depths of the forest, a lone wolf stood out among its peers. It was significantly larger, its yellow eyes reflecting a human-like expression of concern as they pierced through the surrounding darkness and dense underbrush, gazing toward the school. These eyes not only shone with a unique brilliance but also carried a sense of pride and wisdom.
As the night deepened, a barely visible black spore mist enveloped the creature. Its gaze began to waver, and a strange fury and wildness surged within. It shook its head violently, as if trying to rid itself of an annoying buzzing, like a demon whispering in its ear,"Kill them, leave them here forever!" Anger filled its heart, and its eyes burned with an intensity that even the smallest spark could ignite.
Meanwhile, at the forest's edge, two unsuspecting villagers approached the lurking danger. The two, Darek and Dylan, were brothers, part of a family of four. They were seasoned hunters who had captured countless beasts in the forest where they grew up. Knowing every hunting trail and hidden trap, encountering a wild wolf was a first for them.
Darek, the elder brother, bore a long scar from a bear fight, which he wore as a badge of honor. He was a cautious and strategic man, always observing before acting and never taking unnecessary risks. Each hunt was meticulously planned. His deep, authoritative voice cautioned,"Be careful. Don't startle them. We need to retreat slowly."
Dylan, the younger brother, was known for his agility and precise archery. Though impulsive, he was full of youthful courage and enthusiasm. His lighter tone suggested,"Bro, why don't we just take them down? We've faced beasts before."
Their broad shoulders and light steps made them move like well-trained warriors. Dylan carried a large clay pot emitting the enticing aroma of stew.
"Bro, we should have brought some wine!"
"No rush, the village brewmaster will surely bring some fine wine later. We just need to find him."
"You're right, as always, bro!"
Suddenly, Darek heard a soft growl and noticed green eyes surrounding them.
"Damn, wolves, wild wolves!" Darek quickly halted his excited brother.
"What? Wolves?" Dylan's heart sank at the low growls. Memories of countless beast battles flashed in his mind, his palms sweating with tension. But he took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Don't panic. As long as we don't run, they won't attack first."
Dylan nodded, trying to remain calm. His eyes scanned the darkness for any threats, his hand on his quiver.
They crouched silently, breaking branches from nearby bushes, each as thick as a thumb. Darek gripped a branch, feeling its rough surface and hard texture, mentally reviewing past wolf-hunting experiences. Dylan, sweating but motionless, kept a close watch on the darkness. They stood back-to-back, ready to defend themselves, even placing the clay pot between them, thinking of the feast ahead.
With a menacing growl, an impatient terror wolf lunged.