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Chapter 31: Threads of the Hunt
The forest was quiet, the morning light sifting through the dense canopy in irregular beams. Each step of Rei and Ailith disturbed fallen leaves and moss, but the ambient sounds were few—only distant bird calls, the whisper of a gentle breeze, and the faint murmur of water far ahead.
"We're late! Rei, we should hurry," Ailith's voice rang out, sharp with urgency. "We're almost—"
Rei said nothing. His mind was occupied, tense with self-reproach. Why does this always happen to me? Null… why didn't you wake me up?
I did try, Master, Null replied calmly in his mind. But you didn't wake.
Rei froze. Wait… we can talk through our minds too?
Yes, we can, Null confirmed, calm and steady.
Rei exhaled. "Good… because I really need this right now."
Ahead, Ailith's figure appeared against the shimmer of a large body of water. "Here. See the lake," she said.
The lake stretched wide before them, its dark surface smooth and still. Reflections of the surrounding trees glimmered across it, but beneath the water, danger lurked. Rei's pulse quickened—not from fear, but anticipation.
"So… where are the Raptalians?" he asked aloud.
Ailith reached into her bag and handed Rei a small pouch. "The bag I gave you for storage. Take it out."
He retrieved it from his storage stone. Inside were several items, but one drew immediate attention: a thick slab of meat, raw and glistening.
Rei raised an eyebrow. "We're… going to eat here?"
Ailith chuckled. "No. Not for us. This is for the Raptalians. Watch and learn."
She flung the meat toward the lake. The piece arced through the air, and before it even touched the water, a massive shadow lunged.
A Raptalian, enormous—its size comparable to a sports car—snatched the meat mid-air, jaws clamping down with terrifying precision. Ripples cascaded across the lake as the beast landed on the surface.
"Whoa… wait… that big?" Rei muttered, astonished.
Ailith smirked. "Of course. Level Six. Basic strength for them."
Rei's mind raced. At least… as big as a sports car… Null, check their communication threads, like you said yesterday.
Yes, Master. Checking now, Null replied.
Immediately, Rei felt the familiar pulse of psychic energy. A translucent lens unfolded before his eyes, illuminating the threads of thought that connected the three Raptalians. Each thread shimmered faintly, revealing positions, movements, and subtle intentions. He could see their coordination: a flowing, precise network of awareness, all intertwined.
Ailith's gaze fell on him. "Ah, a Level Seven can see the threads too, huh?"
Rei flinched slightly. I… didn't know this was possible. It's Null's ability, right?
"Exactly," Ailith said. "I've seen someone use it at Level Three, but it wasn't reliable. Now… you can actually use it."
Rei concentrated. Three threads… how do we take them down without destroying the meat?
Ailith pointed at the Raptalians. "Just go. Subdue them, but don't destroy their bodies yet. Keep the meat intact."
Rei swallowed, nodding internally. Right… precise control. Restraint. I can kill them, but I won't. Not yet.
Ailith stepped back, giving him space. Rei felt the psychic energy surge through him. Weightless, almost buoyant, he lifted off the ground. But the first surge of power pushed him forward uncontrollably. He shot toward the largest Raptalian.
The creature lunged in perfect coordination, claws slicing through the air. Rei twisted, barely evading, his kick aimed carefully—not to destroy, but to redirect. A shallow trench formed in the ground from the impact, but the body of the Raptalian remained intact.
Master, you're using too much power at once. Focus in small increments, Null reminded.
Rei adjusted. Slowly, carefully, he let the energy stabilize. He floated like a balloon, guiding himself with minute bursts.
Add a gentle push behind you where you want to go, Null instructed.
Rei complied, directing his momentum toward the lake. The three Raptalians spread out, moving with unnerving coordination. Their psychic threads buzzed faintly under his lens.
Flying… really flying, Rei thought, exhilarated.
The nearest Raptalian lunged. Rei kicked—not full force, just enough to nudge it. It spun, missing a destructive blow. The momentum sent it toward the second Raptalian, which collided with it. Water splashed high into the air. The third, smaller but still deadly, lunged at him. Rei floated backward, precision guiding his movement. A gentle kick sent it skidding toward the edge of the lake.
Ailith tossed another slab of meat to lure the final Raptalian. Its attention snapped to the bait, jaws clamping down, but Ailith's calculation ensured it would not destroy the meat.
Rei surged forward, psychic threads guiding every move. Each nudge, each kick, was restrained. He could have destroyed the Raptalians with a single strike, but he didn't. He carefully manipulated their motions, letting them collide, stumble, and exhaust themselves.
Finally, he positioned the largest one over the lake, ensuring the meat was safe. With the other two distracted, he could unleash full force.
Then, with a controlled but devastating surge of psychic power and flight, Rei struck. His kicks hit with the strength of a Level Seven, obliterating the Raptalians instantly. Their massive bodies fell into the water with a thunderous splash. The meat slabs remained intact.
Rei hovered above the lake, breathing evenly, robes fluttering. Done. Precision first, then force. He exhaled, feeling satisfaction mix with relief.
Ailith approached, her expression a mix of approval and mild awe. "Not bad for your first time handling threads directly. You restrained yourself perfectly… then finished with force. That was perfect."
Rei nodded, scanning the lake. The three Raptalians were no more. The meat was safe, bodies intact before destruction, and the mission's prize secured.
Master, every action has limits. Respect them, Null reminded.
Rei smiled faintly. I respected them… then crushed them.
For now, the hunt was over. The threads of psychic energy hummed faintly in his mind, the forest quiet once more. But he knew the real challenge was learning to balance restraint and power—and he had taken the first step flawlessly.