(??? POV)
"How strange, these tracks are not of us" - ???
"The scouts have reported of an unknown and skillful hunter not far from the tribe, though we don't know what they look like or their exact location" - ???2
"Send some warriors to find them; it would be problematic if they start hunting near us." - ???
"Understood" - ???2
"They're... very skilled indeed" - ???
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(Alita's POV)
As the sun rose over Alita's campsite, the crisp fragrance of pine and earthy undertones filled the morning air. The dying embers of her campfire still radiated a gentle warmth. Alita carefully selected a smooth stone bowl to infuse the freshly foraged berries into a rich, aromatic tea. Feeling invigorated, she resolved to embark on a hunt for meat to craft a hearty stew and silently made her way into the dense forest. With agile grace, she ventured forth, knowing that the tranquil early hours presented the opportune moment to seek out prey, as most small creatures still slumbered in their secluded habitats.
After twenty grueling minutes of running, her breath came in ragged gasps as she finally emerged into a small clearing, a sanctuary for the hunt. There, a fox feasted on the remains of a freshly killed boar, oblivious to the predator lurking above. With unwavering focus, Alita drew her bow and arrow, her heart steady in the face of the moment. The arrow flew, a whisper of death that struck true; the fox fell, its life extinguished in an instant. As she descended from the tree, poised to claim her prize, a chilling whisper echoed in her mind: "Move away..." Compelled by the voice, she turned and dodged out of the way.
She jumped away from the fox to barely dodging an arrow fired where she was standing. Her ears twitched as he instantly located the assailant. Four people were hiding in the bushes, and from the sound of wood grinding against a smooth surface, it was clear that each possessed a bow. Alita dashed into the brush as to her, and their actions were really slow.
As she ascended into the air, Alita's focus intensified as she fixed her gaze on her targets. In an instant, she analyzed and pinpointed all visible weaknesses. With her heartbeat slowing to a crawl, she steadied her aim and released four arrows precisely and accurately.
The first arrow flew through the air and pierced the head of the first assailant, and the body went limp instantly. The second arrow pierced the second one's shoulder while the other missed. The assailants were quick, but the moment Alita was in the trees, they became nothing but prey.
The veins around her eyes pulsed and sharpened into stark, shallow breaths that contrasted perfectly with her intimidating figure. The muscles in her arms swelled as the adrenaline rushed through her veins, bulging with intensity.
With a fierce glint in her eyes, she drew back her bowstring; her breath was calm and focused, and her heart beat even calmer. Three arrows, fletched with precision and aimed with deadly intent, flew from her bow like lightning, much faster than the first volley she had unleashed.
They sliced through the air with a whistle, a sound loud even amongst the ambient of the trees. The three men in the distance were oblivious to the imminent danger. They couldn't even react, much less utter a scream, when the arrows struck in the head with unnatural accuracy.
In a heartbeat, the three figures crumpled to the ground, their bodies going limp as if the very life had been drained from them. The world around her faded into a hushed silence obscured by the rustling wind as she stood tall above the trees, staring down at her trophies.
Alita jumped down from the trees, grabbed the fox, and attached it to her waist. She examined the people who tried to kill her closely. Judging by their physiques and clothing, they were tribesmen and strong ones at that. She looted the arrows she fired along with the arrows the tribesmen possessed.
"This could be bad, I should hide these bodies" - Alita
After spending an hour concealing the bodies to avoid detection, I made my way back to camp to prepare the stew I had been planning to make since the second day. The stew was made of a mix of potatoes, carrots, and meat, all cooked together to create a simple yet delicious meal. Upon arriving at the camp, Alita wasted no time cutting and preparing the ingredients. After about an hour of boring preparation, she set a pot on the fire, filling it with fresh stream water. I patiently waited for it to reach a boiling point before adding the prepared ingredients. Once the stew had finished cooking, Alita cautiously sampled a small spoonful to check the flavor.
Alita savored every bite of the delicious meal in front of her, unable to hide her delight. She barely noticed the transparent screen, indicating her cooking skills had improved.
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The tribe stared in shock at the bodies of their fallen kin. Their bodies were discovered when after a search party was sent to find them. Each had been killed with a chilling efficiency that left no doubt about who caused their deaths. The precision of the wounds was unmistakable—it was the same as those found on the animals that had been hunted before. As they mourned their losses, they struggled with their anger and confusion, knowing that their enemy was merely defending themselves. The man's fists clenched in fury.
"They were hunted down like prey," he growled.
"Gather a squad of twenty and bring a cultivator!" he commanded, his voice seething with determination. "We will root out this skilled hunter!"
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The air crackled with tension as the tribe's leaders moved swiftly. The warriors, their faces hardened by grief and anger, began to assemble. The cultivator, a figure of wisdom and strength known for their ability to track and counter even the most elusive enemies, prepared their gear.
As the squad formed, the man who had first spoken stepped forward, his eyes fierce with resolve. "We will not rest until we find them. This hunter has is far too dangerous to be left alone. We owe it to our fallen brothers to put to avenge them."
The cultivator nodded, her face hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat that shielded their eyes. "We will track them. Their methods may be unnatural, but if they leave traces, we will find them."
The squad, armed and ready, began their search, following the subtle signs left behind by the mysterious hunter. Each step was heavy with the weight of their loss, but their purpose was clear. They were not just seeking vengeance; they were fighting to reclaim their safety and honor.
As they ventured into the dense forest near where the corpses were spotted, the man's anger drove him forward, but a flicker of doubt lingered in his heart. Could they truly catch someone so elusive? And if they did, what would the cost be? They had already made up their minds, and there would be no turning back.
Alita was looking at the stars until the window suddenly popped up, notifying her of her first quest.
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QUEST NOTIFICATION INITIATED!!!
NAME: Hunter's Honor
DESCRIPTION: Target group from local tribe successfully identified.
Hostility level: HIGH.
OBJECTIVE: Eliminate 10 targets and ensure personal survival.
REWARD: 100 shop points.
BONUS OBJECTIVE: Eliminate 20 targets and inflict injury on the tribe's cultivator.
BONUS REWARD: Base reward will be tripled.
FAILURE: DEATH
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"What the..." - Alita
Alita exclaimed before her senses alarmed her. There were a lot of things, in fact. She immediately grabbed her gear before disappearing amongst the trees. Alita saw tribesmen with similar clothing and weapons to the one she previously killed. Alita exclaimed with a sigh before her eyes sharpened.
'Let the hunt began...' - Alita