The Emerald Wilds trembled with excitement.
Not because of monsters.
Because of the crowd.
Two massive crystal screens—each nearly ten meters tall—hovered above the guild courtyard like glowing mirrors ✨. Arcane runes pulsed around their edges, stabilizing the images within.
One screen showed Aren.
The other showed Lyris.
It looked less like a duel…
…and more like the kingdom's most chaotic sporting event 🏟️.
Hundreds gathered to watch.
Rank Six adventurers crowded the front.Elven archers stood stiffly together, arms crossed.Merchants pushed forward, coins already jingling.Street kids climbed barrels for a better view.Food vendors set up stalls as if this were a festival 🍢.
Bets flew faster than arrows.
A massive mage floated above the courtyard, his voice magically amplified.
"RULES!" he boomed."Lyris Vael'Thora must HIT Aren at least once within two days!If she fails—she loses!"
An elf shouted confidently:
"She won't fail! Our princess never misses!"
A human adventurer yelled back:
"She missed the mushroom last time!"
The elves hissed 😠.
The humans laughed 😂.
And then—
The duel began.
The Compass of Shame
Lyris stood at the forest's edge, holding a beautifully carved green compass etched with elven runes 🌿.
It pulsed softly.
Its purpose was simple.
Point directly to Aren's location.
The moment the duel officially started—
PING.
The compass needle snapped east.
Lyris smirked.
"Hmph. Found you."
She sprinted forward with the effortless grace of a born predator.
The crowd whistled.
"She's fast!""She'll catch him in an hour!""She's an elf! He's finished!"
Her guild cheered loudly.
On the second screen—
Aren appeared.
Standing still.
Completely calm.
Not hiding.Not panicking.
Then—
He moved.
The moment Aren sprinted, the screen blurred.
Even the broadcasting mage stumbled midair.
"W–WHAT SPEED IS THAT?!"
Gasps rippled through the courtyard.
Aren wasn't running blindly.
Every step had purpose.
Every turn was deliberate.
He ran straight toward a dark opening in the forest.
A cave.
Its entrance was wide.Its walls were scarred with claw marks.Bones littered the ground like forgotten warnings ☠️.
The guild elder's expression darkened.
"…The Giant Lizard Den."
Mira covered her mouth.
"Why would he go in THERE?!"
The elves burst into laughter.
"Ha! He's desperate already!""Running into a monster nest?""Fool!"
The tracking compass pulsed again.
PING. PING. PING.
Lyris followed it confidently.
Still arrogant.Still smiling.Still unaware.
Three Hours Later
The sun shifted.
Birds changed shifts.
People bought second and third rounds of snacks 🍿.
And Lyris kept moving, chasing the compass like an angry, elegant compass-guided missile.
Finally—
A shadow filled the screen.
A massive cave mouth loomed ahead, wide enough to swallow a carriage.
The ground shook.
Deep, rhythmic breathing echoed outward.
Even the crystal screen vibrated.
Lyris slowed.
"…Wait."
The audience erupted.
"She actually reached the Giant Lizard Den!""She followed the compass for THREE HOURS!""This is insane!"
The elves went pale.
"W–wait… he wouldn't…"
The humans whispered.
"He did."
The Betting Erupts
A fat merchant jumped onto a table, laughing wildly.
"BETTING TIME! BETTING TIME!"
"Will the elf survive the lizard den?!""Will Aren escape?!""Will the monster eat BOTH?!"
Coins rained like confetti 💰.
"Ten silver on the girl!""Two gold on the lizard!""Five gold on Aren!"
The Elf Guild Master scowled and raised his hand.
"Ten gold coins on my daughter. She will catch the human."
The courtyard gasped.
Ten gold was the price of a small house.
The Rank Six guild elder smirked faintly.
"Aren," he murmured,"don't disappoint me."
In the back, a lone adventurer whispered to Mira:
"What does Aren bet?"
Mira blinked.
"…He doesn't have gold."
The adventurer laughed.
"Then he bets confidence!"
The elder stepped forward.
"I will bet on behalf of Aren."
Silence fell.
"How much?" the merchant asked carefully.
The old man pointed at Lyris's screen.
"I bet this girl… loses."
The elves exploded.
"THIS IS AN INSULT—!""DO YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE—?!""OLD MAN ARE YOU MAD—?!"
Mira quietly placed two silver coins on the table 😳.Her entire monthly income.
Before chaos erupted—
The mage screamed:
"LOOK AT SCREEN TWO!!"
Lyris Enters the Den
Every head snapped upward.
On the crystal screen—
Lyris stepped into the lizard cave.
Her bow trembled.
For the first time.
Inside the darkness—
Massive silhouettes shifted.
A deep hiss rolled through the cave 🐉.
The ground cracked.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Then—
The screen zoomed in.
And the hunt truly began.