Chapter 201: Bet

Midnight had been keeping low to the ground using the shorter grass to camouflage herself while she followed the scent of the horned rabbit. She had yet to come in to contact with any other horned rabbits but had a feeling she was quickly approaching her target. More moments of crouched stalking passed until she saw an up heaved spot of dirt. This was a dig up den the horned rabbit had come from. Prowling around the edges she could find a slightly different smell, one more related to a predator. She saw the claw marks around the edges of the dug out den and knew she was on the right trail. Moving in to the taller grass that poked through the snow she followed the new scent.

Gil had tracked the footprints in circles, he was almost convinced the horned rabbits had intentionally moved in such a way to confuse anyone trying to track them. What proved this theory false however was the small drops of blood showing bright on the white snow. With a strong smile Gill followed the tracks in their erratic pattern now picking up something new, a paw print slightly like a wolfs but smaller. They would cut off here and there with what Gil thought was the place the speckled fox used its air step skill. Knowing he was getting closer he increased his speed keeping an arrow in his teeth and one in his hand, he wanted to snag his prize as soon as he saw it.

Midnight had been weaving through the grass using her shadow wrapping ability to blend in even more. He tail was lifted as she did not want to scrape up the snow or ice alerting the prey she had in sight. There was a white and grey speckled fox sniffing and digging as a slightly raised spot on the ground. It would claw at the spot here and there trying to break through the ice and in to the dirt below. Completely focused on the prey it wanted to eat, the speckled fox had no idea of the approaching danger. Midnight waited at the edge of the grass refusing to rush in and scare it away, she was a hunter waiting for her prey to turn it's back, all she needed was that right moment to pounce. 

Gil was in a similar position, he had speedily followed the tracks finding that there were more drops of blood, it would seem that the speckled fox he was after was the one injured and not a horned rabbit. Seeing a larger boulder hall in the ground Gil noticed that the grass around it had been bent around, something seemed to have fallen against the taller grass to cause this. There was a small smear of blood on the rock itself and Gil could hear loud panting coming from around the edge of it. He had readied his first arrow so he could let it loose at a moment's notice.

The speckled fox circled the raised ground digging away the icy snow on top, it soon rounded the hump enough to have it back facing Midnight completely. This was the chance she was waiting for, with all her might she leaped forward using her wings to slow her fall just a bit. The more she used them in this way the more she felt that it was an instinctual action. She landed dead center on the speckled foxes back with her claws and teeth piercing its neck. The fox let out a terrible whine out of pain and surprise. Unknown to Midnight there were four young horned rabbits that had become extremely terrified hearing the whine from within their den. Midnight did not let up even for a second, she knew if she let it escape her grip it could run away escaping in to the grass. Twisting her mouth so her teeth would dig in to the fox more she felt the toughness of bone, the fox had collapsed under her weight and struggled slightly in death's grip. With a sharp twist of her head Midnight felt the life of the speckled fox flee, she had defeated it, now to drag back her prey and show off her victory. 

Gil rounded the boulder seeing a speckled fox with a sizable gash in its side most definitely from the horn of a horned rabbit. His breath drew in sharply as he tried to aim for its eyes, he wanted to preserve the pelt. However he underestimated the heightened awareness of the speckled fox by being on the edge of death. Noticing Gil it used its strength to jump up and on to the boulder. Gil reacted instantly changing his aim, however the fox jumped up again and stepped in the air landing behind Gil. Feeling the threat Gil dove to the side as the fox lept toward him. It crashed in to the boulder face first unable to stop its motion. Gil did not waste this chance and let his arrow fly, piercing the same spot it was already injured. The arrow dug in to it much more than it normally would have due to the fox's already opened wound. Flailing about in pain the fox was desperately trying to stand and run, Gil was not allowing it though. The second arrow had left his teeth and been notched in to the bow, with a flick of his hand Gil had sent the arrow in to the same spot as the other causing the movements of the fox to cease. He had bagged his own prey, Gil took a moment to jump a bit in victory before he realized he needed to get back and officially win his bet. 

'Two speckled fox defeated

50exp gained multiplied to 500exp.'

Walker saw these notifications happy to see that two speckled fox had been defeated, as much as he was annoyed the two had rushed off on their own he was proud that they were able to do so well. "So who do you guys thing will get back first?" Walker figured that a little fun was needed since they were left out of Gil and Midnight's bet.

"Sister will be back first, she has a better set of skills to sneak up on her prey." Onyx was definitely biased even though he made a good point. 

"Gil has more experience hunting and has learned a lot for the rabbit tribe warriors, I believe he can use his skills in tandem and find his target first." Su had drawn her conclusions using her normal logic. She was by far the most logical of the party and having her insight was always the most refreshing. 

"Hmmm I think that Midnight will be back first, but that's only because I want Gil to taste defeat." Remey brandished her fists wanting to see Gil who had teased her earlier get what was coming to him. She had forgotten she had already punched him in revenge earlier. 

The three were looking at Walker for his answer, he paused slightly knowing that he could check his system for their locations but knew that would be unfair to the others. That didn't relieve the desire to do so however. "I would say Gil will show up then Midnight a few minutes later. Gil has the edge in tracking so he could have found one first. Midnight is a bit faster so she could have caught up carrying the fox back." Walker based things purely on stats and experience, however as he said this two figures had began to approach.

Gil had a speckled fox hung over his shoulders as he trudged through the snow and Ice, where Midnight was dragging hers behind here. The two saw each other and pushed themselves to move faster under the additional weight of their prey. Maria who had fallen asleep on Su's lap was pushed awake by the noise the two made and made an oh shaped face seeing the two with their speckled fox. "The fur is so pretty…" She had whispered it more to herself than the others but it was loud enough for Walker to hear. 

"Well I will tell you this then, when we get them back to the adventurers guild I will ask for them to skin it and return the pelt to us. I can take them to Lisa and see if she can make you something nice and fluffy to wear." Maria was overjoyed hearing this, letting a hint of a smile show on her face. She had still been fairly quiet around everyone since she was not used to being allowed to speak but the nicer they seemed to be to her the more she believed that they were actually looking out for her well being. This was a major step in her life to learn to trust. Maria scooted over to Walker holding on to the edge of his cloak, Walker knew this was just a small gesture but for Maria this was a very large action.

"Ha! I'm back first!" Gil shouted but was immediately greeted with a growl from Midnight who had dropped her own speckled fox next to his in unison. The two glared at each other before turning to the others. "Who was first!' Gil asked and Midnight mirrored with a huff. 

"Huh? You two tied, don't worry as a reward you will both be taking the full night's watch yourselves and letting us all sleep." Walker laid down his verdict causing both Gil and Midnight's jaws to drop. 

"That's what you two get for rushing off alone, it's only fair." Su closed up any path for argument as the two joined the rest around the fire, defeated.