Grimoire of Duality

Wilderness Exposure

But how could a bird forgets its nest, or a river fail to return to the ocean. Just as no matter how long or everchanging the tides or seasons are, they will never fade or shift in essence.

-Eight Absolutes

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The group of youths led by the rigid instructor arrived shortly after at the village entrance.

They joined with the adults who will take charge of the exploration and ensure the safety of the young ones.

The village chief, Nyshof, waited for everyone to arrive before announcing, "Young warriors of our village, prepare for a hunt. The threat of mystic beasts are always upon us yet we still stand until today."

"We had noticed the unusual number of beasts within the vicinity and their frequent attacks. As the pioneers of Sierra Noluz, we must take the initiative to hunt these beast to prevent complications."

"Today and for the next two days, you will go on an expedition to train as well as reduce these beasts," Nyshof continued his speech.

"The youths will be divided into teams to be lead by an adult as their leader and mentor. Remember, the most important thing in a team is cooperation. The leader's command is absolute."

"Lastly, to spice up the expedition, the top three teams with greatest number of kills with regards to rank will have a reward. Stay vigilant in the wild and take care. See you all in three days," Nyshof ended his speech.

Soon, the youths are divided into  13 groups with around 5 members each composed of one highest ranks among the youths, an archer and an invoker.

The trio luckily got grouped with each other. And teamed up with them is a young girl who is an invoker and a young archer boy both around the same age as Lex and Niles.

Assigned to them as their mentor is a middle aged man who is a swordsman.

Although they are just grouped up, the youths are familiar with one another due to low number as well as the trainings and tasks they performed together.

After all of the teams are properly arranged, the Village Chief Nyshof sent them off.

"Fight for the safety of our village and improve your skill. Set off!" Nyshof encouraged.

The 13 teams started moving out along with the other 7 teams of adult that will deal with stronger mystic beasts.

Then, they scattered out with much ethusiasm, determination and excitement.

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Running through the woods, the five youths with one adult move while in a battle formation to deal with sudden danger.

The forerunners are Atroth and Lex since they are both swordsman. A distance behind them is the Invoker girl named Vestia.

And at the far end are Niles, the archer boy Golte and their mentor Hibbert. He want the youths to deal with any mystic beasts and would only step in unless it is outside their capacity.

Soon enough, they encountered their first prey. A group of Blazing Boar.

If the number of boars are higher, their only option is to run. Luckily, there are only ten of them.

They are usually Level 9 Hazard-class beasts with the characteristic of flaming hides, sharp tusk and long snout.

Although not high ranking, they always travel in high numbers, making them a scary with their stampede.

However now, they only have to face ten of them and with their current rank, they can easily finish them.

Vestia, the Invoker, is an Obsidian-rank Arcane Apprentice while Golte, an archer, is an Orichalcum-rank Martial Apprentice.

Although not that high, their rank is pretty good among the villagers considering their age.

[Note: Lex is a Copper-rank Martial Scholar and Adamantium-rank Arcane Apprentice. Niles is Iron-rank Martial Scholar. Atroth is Platinum-rank Martial Scholar]

This will serve as a good warm-up for them and increase their familiarity with each other so they can have better cooperation later.

Their mentor, Hibbert, step back to let them deal with the Blazing Boars. The team put down their backpacks, and move to deal with the boars.

Atroth is the first one who charged towards the boars. Following right behind him are consecutive arrows from Niles and Colte,an Earth Spears from  Lex and a water ball from Vestia.

Lex then commanded them, "Atroth, deal with the four boars in the left, support him with your arrows Golte. I will deal with the four on the right, assist me Vestia. Don't use water attacks because it will only infuriate them."

"Niles, deal withthe two on the middle until we can help you," Lex added.

Soon, the team are fully engaged against the boars.

Atroth gave a forceful swing of his greatsword, making the boars falter.

Atroth, with his powerful greatsword, can easily injure the boars since he easily surpass them by six levels.

"Cleaving Mountain Slash"

Atroth activated one of the unique skills of a greatsword user. With the power of a greatsword akin to splitting mountains, he gravely injured one of the boars.

Fighting against four boars, he focus on injuring one boar while keeping the attacks to the other three at the minimum. He also avoids being surrounded by them.

It took him no more than 30 seconds to finish the first boar.

With the supportive shots of Golte distracting the boars, it will take very little time to finish them all.

On the other side, Lex is entangled with the other four boars.

He dual cultivates as a swordsman and an invoker. First, he restricted their movements with 'Quagmire', then charge with his sword at the nearest one.

"Gale Cut"

Lex brandished his sword like an agile bird, then activated the skill, surrounding his sword with Qi that forms into gales, increasing its cutting power.

"Vestia, restrict the other boars," Lex ordered. He asked her not to use water attacks since it might charge at her when infuriated.

Lex's attacks and timing are well calculated. In just less than a minute, the boar is on the verge of death.

He keeps on using his sword against the injured boar while alternatingly using magic to keep the other three at bay.

Vestia remembered how to counter a beast's movement, making quagmire or blocking the other beast and sometimes attacking them with 'Earth Spears.'

The first boar soon fell under his sword. He then move to engage the other three.

Lastly, Niles as a swordsman and archer, fully utilized his advantage by keeping the boars chasing after him.

His tactic is to slowly injure the boars with his arrows, making them chase after him, then finish them using his sword.

"Focus Shot" "Nimble Steps"

Niles enhances his shot to deal penetratig damage against the boars, the immediately fled using the movement speed of an archer.

The towering trees really helped him in hiding, keeping the boars at a safe distance.

Soon enough, he found an opportunity to seriously injure one of the boar and move closer to finish it.

Now, he only have to deal with one, making it easier.

In less than five minutes, the team of five youths easily finished off the ten boars.

Soon, they are harvesting the materials and beast core of the ten boars.

Their meat are quite tasty when roasted just like pork but they don't need a lot of it so most will be left here.

The important parts are the boars' hides, their tusks, and of course their beast cores.

After sorting out their spoils, they immediately set out to hunt for more.

As they move throughthe forest, they can feel how detached they are to civilization.

Surrounded by tall trees, dense shrubs, different animals and mystic beasts, it can make one wonder how insignificant one was, just like how most things are inevitable.

One can only go as the flow of destiny direct you and only by getting stronger can one shape the world as well as their fate.

Half an hour passed and they soon found traces of an Ogre Tiger. Deep claw marks are embedded on trees, marking its territory.

They proceeded with caution since it has an average species level of Level 13 Hazard-class beast.

Soon, they saw the Ogre Tiger carrying its dead prey in its mouth.

It immediately noticed them and put down the dead bull down. It looked at the menacingly and crouched down, preparing to pounce.

This Ogre Tiger is stronger than its other species. It is a Level 15 one making it the King of its kind.

The Ogre Tigers are solitary and territorial creatures. They are called as such for their remarkable size and strength.

Comparing the large dead bull lying down, it can easily carry it with its mouth.

As a King, its build is much larger than regular Ogre Tiger, giving it greater power. This Ogre Tiger has a height of four meters with strong muscles and tail.

Once an Ogre Tiger King claims a territory, the other Ogre Tigers will set up a camp 100 meters away from him as a show of deference.

They can only set foot when delivering food for their king.

This Ogre Tiger King will surely make them exert great efforts to finish it. A sure test of their power, wit and cooperation.

They put down their luggage a distance away and move to intercept the tiger.