Beneath the radiant glow of the full moon, heavy, long strides echoed through the narrow passage between two snowburied mountains.
"Over here! The Bicorn is heading this way!"
"Got it! Left side, Frida!"
"GET OUT OF THE WAY! I'LL HANDLE THIS HUNT MYSELF!"
Breathing and euphoric shouts filled the night as young hunters ran through the snow, the wind howling right behind them.
The hunt was aimed at a Bicorn, a bulky creature native to the frozen mountains.
"To the right, it's going right!"
The creature trotted with long, heavy steps across the snow, still moving faster than the pursuers on its trail.
"Got it!"
From a high ledge inside the corridor, a young woman leapt onto the creature's back.
Taking a deep breath, glowing blue lines appeared along her arms, forming ropes of water, which she used to wrap around the Bicorn's horns.
"Ah! Damn it, Frida took the lead… I won't fall behind, you hear me?!"
With a defiant grin, a young man burst forward just behind the creature, pulling his spear from his back with a quick spin between his fingers.
With a push, he leapt toward the creature's leg and drove the weapon into its tough hide.
"Nice!"
"Ansegar! Frida! Careful!"
A bit farther back, someone shouted a warning to the two, but before they could react,
With a violent shake of its body while still moving, the Bicorn threw both of them into the snow and kept running.
"See? You siblings are always so reckless."
The one who had warned them caught up, letting out a light sigh without looking surprised as he helped them up.
"Coughcough! Damn it! I'm going to kill that fat beast for this!"
"Cough! Cough! Ah… thanks, Hilderic…"
"You're welcome, Frida."
Hilderic adjusted his glasses as he watched the Bicorn enter an opening further ahead.
"It's heading toward the inner cave lake. There won't be any exits there."
"Haa… haa… we brought everyone, Hilderic!"
As the siblings brushed snow off their clothes, more youths arrived at the spot.
Hilderic turned to them with a smile, then faced the entrance the Bicorn had taken.
"The hunt is reaching its end. Let's go all out!"
Motivated by his short, direct words, the youths raised their fists and shouted excitedly.
"Hm…"
Everyone except one. Watching the laughter and excitement with a mix of disinterest and admiration, he followed behind them at a slow pace.
Deeper inside the mountain, through the opening the Bicorn had taken, a vast hollow space revealed itself. Patterns of cracks and openings allowed moonlight to reach deep within.
At the center of the area was a small, crystal clear lake where local creatures came to drink, now occupied by the massive Bicorn.
Noticing the group entering, the creature immediately went on alert.
"Hehe… by Ritterwulf rules, the first to take down the prey is the winner! Three, two, one, go!"
Ansegar didn't wait for the others and charged the creature with spear in hand.
In response, the Bicorn smashed its horns against the weapon in a contest of brute strength.
"Haa… that idiot…"
Frida sighed as she advanced, summoning her water ropes to restrain the creature and assist her brother.
Seeing this, the rest of the group grumbled and shrugged at the siblings' usual behavior.
"Those two…"
Hilderic adjusted his glasses with a faint smile.
"Well, he's not wrong. From here on, the wolf with the sharpest fangs takes the glory. Forward!"
One by one, they all rushed the Bicorn, each fighting in their own way, but with no clear leader.
Ansegar was thrown against the cave wall, while Frida was tossed into the lake.
Hilderic skillfully dodged and parried the Bicorn's horn attacks, but was eventually sent flying back by a heavy charge.
"Haa… haa… damn ball of fat…"
"Oooh, looks like you're in trouble, huh?"
"Huh? Ah, sorry, Valen."
Standing in front of Hilderic, who was sprawled on the ground, a young man extended his hand to help him up.
Hilderic firmly grasped it, standing as he brushed snow from his clothes.
"Sorry for the pitiful display."
"What are you talking about? You're doing great!"
Right after he said that, another youth was thrown against the wall near Valen and Hilderic.
"…Thanks for the motivational comment, Valen…"
"Sorry."
Valen lightly scratched his cheek, looking away a bit embarrassed, while Hilderic only sighed and turned his gaze back to the Bicorn.
"At this pace, the hunt won't end in time for the banquet… I hate to make you waste time on this, but could you…?"
"Oh, no problem. Leave it to me."
"Thank you."
As Valen passed by, he gave Hilderic a light pat on the shoulder. Hilderic smiled as he watched Valen approach the creature.
At the same time, almost in perfect unison, all the youths taking part in the hunt stopped.
The first to look toward the oppressive atmosphere advancing toward them was Ansegar, who wore a nervous but excited smile.
"Damn it, we ran out of time again today… next time I'll take the prey before you step in, Valen!"
"Hm! Good luck on it, Ansegar."
Immediately retreating to Hilderic, as Ansegar passed Valen, who raised his hand upon seeing him approach, they exchanged a high five as Ansegar left the fight.
"Sorry for always leaving the hard work to you, Valen…"
"Haha, no problem, Frida. Take good care of Ansegar's injuries, okay?"
Frida followed, also giving Valen a high five. One by one, all the youths did the same as they withdrew.
"Hm…"
Once everyone was gone, Valen looked at his own hand, opening and closing it a few times with a thoughtful expression.
(Maybe this time…)
Clenching his hand into a tight fist, he lifted his gaze to the creature.
"You're much bigger than most Bicorns we've hunted before, huh..."
Valen smiled slightly, raising his fists and one knee, poised and ready.
The Bicorn seemed hesitant, but slowly scraped its hind hoof against the snow, preparing itself as well.
The youths watched from the cave entrance, faces bright with excitement and expectation.
A contained atmosphere of heavy silence filled the air…
And the creature was the first to break it, charging at full speed toward Valen. He didn't step back even an inch.
"…Blitzwulf."
Slamming his foot down hard while pulling his left arm back, Valen unleashed a heavy straight punch that collided directly with the creature's horns.
The shockwave blasted the wind toward the onlookers, but only for a brief moment.
"…just like the others in the end..."
In seconds, the Bicorn's horns shattered, and Valen's fist struck its head directly, sending the creature collapsing to the ground.
"…Haa… I got my hopes up for nothing, huh…"
Despite the bitterness behind his smile,
"As expected of you, Valen!"
Ansegar suddenly jumped in, hanging onto Valen's neck.
"Always amazing to watch you in action, Valen."
Frida approached, clapping with soft laughter
"In the end, the wolf with the sharpest fangs was obvious."
Hilderic crossed his arms and nodded to himself.
"…Haha, what are you talking about? You all would've handled it without me. You were incredible facing that thing earlier."
"Thanks for the confidence!"
"Idiot, he's just being humble."
Ansegar laughed as another youth replied. The mood was lively after the hunt, as always.
After a few minutes, they adjusted their grip and began moving the creature back with them, leaving the cave as quickly as they had entered.
"…Again today… it wasn't…"
Valen was the last to leave, giving one final look over his shoulder at the cave scenery with an disappointed expression.