Of course, that wasn't the real reason I was asking her to hunt me.
I just needed to complete the fourth task on daily quest list:
[Daily Quest Progress:]
• Sprint for 3 kilometers – (Complete)
• Scale a steep hill or tall tree – (Incomplete)
• Carry 25–40kg of rocks or logs for 10 minutes – (Complete)
• Evade 20 thrown projectiles – (Incomplete)
But Zarah didn't know that. Which explained the confused look on her face.
"Don't worry about it," I said calmly. "It's just a test. I'm taking the others who didn't go yesterday on a hunt tomorrow, so I need to be sure you've fully recovered."
"Is that so?" she said slowly, her voice cautious.
"Yes. So, pick up the bow... and use it."
Zarah stayed quiet for a moment. I could see the uncertainty in her eyes—uncertainty about my request, about whether this was really necessary.
But then something changed.
Her expression hardened with focus.
Without another word, she raised her bow.
I nodded—And then I felt it.
Danger.
