The hunting grounds camp on Beastmarrow Island quickly erupted with activity as groups of gunslingers dispersed into the dense forest. Each team moved with calculated precision, splitting off to cover different sectors of the island. Among them, Jericho stayed close to Nathaniel and Laziel, guiding the young marksmen as the hunt officially began.
The dense forest canopy above filtered streaks of sunlight through the leaves, casting an eerie glow on the ground below. The air was heavy with tension, and the sounds of distant beasts echoed through the wilderness. Hidden behind a thick cluster of bushes, Nathaniel crouched low, his sharp eyes locked onto a terrifying sight—a wild beast hunched over another creature, its massive jaws tearing into flesh. The guttural growls emanating from the predator sent a chill down his spine. Laziel, beside him, struggled to maintain composure, clutching his rifle tightly.
Jericho leaned in close, his voice a low whisper. "Don't let fear take over, boys. That beast is too busy with its meal to notice us. Keep quiet, move slow, and find a good vantage point to aim your shots."
He motioned for them to follow, leading the pair to a small hill that overlooked the scene. From this higher position, they had a clear view of the beast but remained hidden by the thick foliage. Jericho gestured for them to take their positions, kneeling beside him.
"Lesson one," he began, his voice calm but firm, "if you stay unseen, you stay safe. Beasts like this don't attack what they can't see. You've got the advantage—your gun has range, and that's all you need. The rest is skill and precision."
Jericho held up his musket, the polished wood gleaming faintly in the dappled sunlight. He reloaded with practiced ease, his movements steady and deliberate. "Now, pay attention. This is how it's done."
He adjusted his stance, placing one knee on the ground, and brought the musket to his shoulder. His breathing slowed as he took aim, lining up his shot with the scope. "Deep breaths. Focus on your target. The barrel should be steady, a few inches below where you want to hit. Trust your instincts."
Nathaniel watched intently as Jericho's finger hovered over the trigger. A sharp click rang out, followed by the explosive crack of the musket firing. The bullet whizzed through the air with deadly precision, striking the beast in its side. The creature let out a pained roar, blood spraying from the wound as it staggered back. It spun around wildly, sniffing the air for its unseen attacker, before bolting deeper into the forest.
Jericho lowered his musket, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "And that, boys, is how you do it." He stood and brushed dirt off his knees. "The beast is injured and scared. It'll leave a trail of blood as it runs, making it easier to track. Now all you've got to do is follow that trail and finish the job."
Nathaniel and Laziel exchanged glances, their fear replaced by determination. Jericho clapped a hand on each of their shoulders. "You've got this. Remember, aim true, stay calm, and don't lose focus. The hunt's not about being the fastest or the strongest. It's about being the sharpest."
The boys nodded, their grip on their weapons tightening. The thrill of the hunt was beginning to stir within them, and under Jericho's watchful eye, they were ready to take their first steps as true marksmen.
Jericho stood firm, his musket steady in his hands, eyes locked on the hulking beast before them. The creature was colossal—its thick, dark fur bristling as it snarled, saliva dripping from its elongated fangs. Its glowing yellow eyes darted between the trio, sizing them up as potential prey.
"Stay calm, boys," Jericho said in a low, steady voice. "Fear is what these beasts feed on. It's not just your skill with a gun that makes you a marksman—it's your ability to stay composed under pressure."
Nathaniel and Laziel crouched behind him, their breathing shallow, pistols clutched tightly in their hands. The beast took a step forward, its heavy claws sinking into the earth, and let out a bone-shaking roar. Jericho didn't flinch. Instead, he adjusted his grip on the musket and began to circle the creature slowly, forcing it to shift its attention away from the boys.
"Use the terrain," Jericho instructed as his boots crunched on the dirt. "The rocks, the trees, the shadows—they're your allies out here." He glanced over his shoulder at Nathaniel and Laziel. "Remember what I told you: a missed shot isn't a failure. It's a tool. Watch."
In a fluid motion, Jericho raised his musket and fired a shot that whizzed past the beast's head, striking a nearby rock with a deafening crack. The sudden noise startled the creature, causing it to recoil and glance toward the source of the impact. Jericho used the momentary distraction to reposition himself, darting behind a cluster of boulders.
The beast growled and slammed its claws into the ground, shaking the earth beneath their feet. It charged toward the rocks, but Jericho anticipated its move. He emerged from the other side, firing a precise shot at the creature's hind leg. The bullet struck true, drawing a pained howl as the beast stumbled.
"That's it," Jericho muttered under his breath, reloading swiftly. "You don't need brute force to take down something this big—just strategy."
The beast turned its furious gaze toward Jericho, limping slightly but still full of fight. It charged again, its massive body barreling toward him like a freight train. Jericho darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the swipe of its claws. He rolled across the ground and came up in a crouch, musket already aimed. This time, he targeted its exposed underbelly and fired. The bullet tore through flesh, and the beast let out another agonized roar.
"Now's your chance, boys!" Jericho shouted. "Aim for its weak points—legs, belly, eyes! Don't just stand there!"
Nathaniel and Laziel exchanged nervous glances, but Jericho's commanding voice pushed them into action. Nathaniel steadied his hands and fired at the creature's other leg, his shot landing with surprising precision. Laziel followed suit, his bullet grazing the beast's shoulder but distracting it enough to give Jericho another opening.
The beast, now bleeding and staggering, tried to retreat, but Jericho wasn't about to let it escape. He climbed onto a nearby rock for a better vantage point and fired one final shot, this time at the creature's head. The bullet struck between its glowing eyes, and with a deafening crash, the beast collapsed to the ground.
Jericho exhaled deeply and turned to the boys, a proud grin on his face. "See? Teamwork, strategy, and a little bit of courage—that's how you take down a beast."
Nathaniel and Laziel stared at the fallen creature, their hearts pounding but their confidence bolstered. They had faced their fear, and under Jericho's guidance, they were beginning to understand what it truly meant to be a marksman.
Lucina's voice was barely a whisper against the howling wind, but her words carried the weight of finality. She gazed down from the rock, eyes sharp and calculating, watching as Jericho led the boys through the dense forest. A small, twisted smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she observed the trio.
"They don't know it yet, but this is the last hunt for them," she murmured under her breath. Her eyes lingered on Jericho for a moment longer, remembering the reputation he had once held, the days when he had been a fellow marine. Now, to Lucina, he was little more than a stain on the marine force, someone who had turned his back on duty and embraced his own brand of lawlessness.
Below her, the marine officers scattered, each one knowing their role in the impending trap. They would wait for the moment Jericho and the boys reached the open field, where their escape options would be limited. Lucina had played this game before, and she knew how to control the flow of battle.
"Bring him to me alive," she ordered, her tone cold and unwavering. "I want to hear him beg for mercy. The world needs to see the fall of a former marine hero."
As the officers moved into position, Lucina turned her gaze back to the horizon, her thoughts steady and unyielding. She would make sure Jericho paid for his insubordination. His days of freedom were numbered, and no one—not even his former allies—could stop her now.
To be continued...