Tribesman's New Life

Chapter 35: Predator Of The Night

The villagers were well-acquainted with the typical structure of a coming-of-age ceremony. The chief's speech, the awakening of the talented youngsters through the consumption of a formidable beast's heart, and the resulting manifestation of the symbol of gods were all part of the tradition. The hearts of powerful beasts, when consumed, were believed to grant the tribespeople the ability to harness the strength of those creatures. The awakening of this power was marked by the appearance of symbols of gods, tattoo-like markings that started from the hands and extended up the arms. The length of the tattoo corresponded to the potency of the aura it conveyed. While the average tribesman could manifest symbols only on the backs of their hands, the hunt leader could extend them up to their arms, and the chief, a living legend, could reach as far as his shoulder, signifying his exceptional strength. Legends spoke of the possibility of reaching the forehead with these symbols, but none had achieved such a level of power in living memory.

The event required the youngsters to embark on a hunting expedition, typically characterized by a brief speech from the chief and the subsequent consumption of a beast's heart to awaken their abilities. However, a rule was in place that prohibited the use of personal weapons during this period, even extending to Aries. Instead, the chief provided a selection of weapons crafted from hard stones for the purpose of the event.

Aries couldn't help but express his discontent. "I've devoted my life to crafting superior weapons, and now we're reverting to using stones again..." he grumbled, but his complaints went unnoticed by the chief.

Each youngster was given three days to hunt a single chosen prey. They were required to present their captured game to the chief before the ceremony commenced. Failure to either hunt or awaken their abilities meant they would have to undergo another year of training and attempt the ritual again the following year. The age limit for participation was seventeen, emphasizing the importance of this rite of passage.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the ceremony, Aries couldn't shake off his sense of boredom. Having experienced hunting with the advantage of advanced weaponry, the prospect of using stone tools held little excitement for him. Given the restriction against using his guards, First and Second, for assistance, Aries decided to take a different approach to make the experience more thrilling. He instructed his guards to pursue their own quarry while he ventured out alone.

Since Aries was prohibited from using anything other than the provided stone tools, he chose a simple stone knife as his weapon of choice. In contrast, many of the other youngsters opted for long stone spears or stone axes, tools that would make it easier for them to tackle larger prey. It was a competition, after all. And so, with their chosen weapons in hand, the young hunters set off on their individual quests.

With the agility he had developed through his recent training, Aries moved swiftly through the terrain of the forest. His familiarity with the surroundings allowed him to quickly reach the deeper parts of the woods, leaving behind the tribesmen who were supposed to accompany and protect the youngsters during the hunt. Despite their chief's orders to safeguard Aries due to his significance, they had somehow lost track of him. Aries couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his agility, a skill he had honed by training with weights attached to his body. This unique training regimen had enhanced his mobility to such an extent that he managed to evade the tribesmen tailing him. Fueled by his accomplishment, Aries couldn't contain his excitement. However, he harbored limited expectations for the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony, believing himself to be too young for the event's official participation.

Aries eventually arrived at the area where he had first encountered the dark wolf leader, which had since been promoted to a guarding role for the village. The dark wolf had grown larger due to its diet of meat from the large beasts it helped hunt and protect the village from. It now even carried the chief on its back, showcasing its remarkable strength and loyalty.

As Aries ventured deeper into the forest in search of prey, he couldn't help but express his frustration in his thoughts about being armed solely with a stone knife. It didn't take him long to locate a lone dark wolf, but he immediately recognized the potential danger. Stone tools crafted from hard stones could still penetrate the dark wolf's skin, but he was aware that these creatures often hunted in packs. He suspected that this lone wolf might be a decoy, and with a single howl, he could be swarmed by others.

To increase his odds, Aries climbed tall trees and navigated from branch to branch in search of a more formidable, solitary prey. He ventured deeper into the forest, dedicating half a day's travel from where he had first met the dark wolves and another half-day to move even deeper. However, as night descended, he had yet to locate a suitable target. Instead, he encountered increasingly dangerous beasts that were part of the ever-present threat of the beast wave. These creatures were beyond his current capabilities to hunt.

Amid the quiet of the night, Aries suddenly became aware of a sensation—like being watched. Positioned on a tree branch, he reasoned that predators typically did not inhabit the upper reaches of trees. However, his instincts kicked in, and the hairs on his body stood on end, a sign of imminent danger. A swift survey of his surroundings revealed a pair of ruby eyes that seemed to be advancing toward him. The eyes moved like lines, gaining intensity as they drew closer and became more radiant against the backdrop of darkness. A sense of panic swept over Aries, causing him to make a swift descent from the tree. Suddenly, a tree trunk snapped as if it had been sliced in half, and a beast lunged at him from above! The bright lines of the creature unveiled its true form—a wingless wyvern with black fur, black scales, and eyes that glowed redder than blood—a predator of the night.