The Box: Fate
Chapter 3 — The First Hunt
The wind moved slowly across the strange land while the seventeen players stood together The sky above them glowed with a dim magical light and the ground beneath their feet felt unfamiliar as if this world itself was watching them
After the Game Master disappeared the silence returned again
For a moment nobody moved
Then a low growl echoed from the forest not far away
Several players immediately turned toward the sound Unlike normal people none of them panicked Every single player who entered this world had courage and strong will. That was the only reason they were chosen
A tall boy stepped forward first
Akira
His eyes were sharp and focused He looked like someone who had already fought many battles in his life He looked toward the dark trees and spoke calmly
Something is coming
Next to him another boy stretched his arms as if he had been waiting for action
That was Axel Hatanaki
He smiled slightly
Good I was getting bored already
A girl with dark purple hair stepped beside them Her name was Murasaki She looked calm but her eyes were serious and observant. She scanned the forest carefully as if calculating where the attack would come from
Behind them stood Aaron Moses He was larger than most of the others and carried a quiet confidence He crossed his arms and watched the forest like a wall ready to protect the others if needed
A few steps away another player adjusted his jacket
Sharky Bee
Unlike the others he looked relaxed but his eyes moved constantly watching every player and every movement around them
Near a broken stone pillar stood Mikochi He looked younger than some of the others but his expression was fearless. Instead of fear there was excitement in his eyes
Meanwhile two figures stayed slightly behind the group
Zanaki leaned casually against a rock with a playful grin on his face
Looks like our first welcome party is arriving
Beside him stood Kataki
But unlike the others Kataki did not step forward He quietly observed everything while staying slightly out of attention His eyes moved across every player measuring their reactions their movements and their confidence
He had no intention of standing in the spotlight yet
Suddenly the bushes inside the forest exploded outward
Three wolf like monsters jumped out of the darkness
Their bodies were larger than normal wolves and dark magic flowed across their fur Their glowing eyes locked onto the players and sharp fangs appeared as they growled
The first wolf rushed forward at terrifying speed
Akira moved first
His body shifted quickly and he stepped to the side before delivering a strong kick that pushed the monster away
Axel Hatanaki immediately followed
Now that is what I call action
He rushed forward and punched the second wolf directly in the jaw sending it crashing into the dirt
Murasaki raised her hand and a faint purple light formed around her fingers The third wolf jumped toward her but before it could reach she moved gracefully and struck the ground beside it causing a burst of energy that knocked it back
Aaron Moses stepped forward like a shield
The first wolf tried to attack again but Aaron grabbed it by the neck and slammed it into the ground with brutal strength
Sharky Bee laughed quietly
Looks like everyone here knows how to fight
Mikochi jumped forward excitedly and finished the last injured monster with a fast strike
Within seconds the three monsters were defeated
The group slowly relaxed but no one celebrated
Everyone understood something important
This world was dangerous but they were not weak either
Behind the group Zanaki clapped slowly with a wide grin
Not bad everyone Looks like we might actually survive this game
He then looked at Kataki
Kataki was still standing quietly watching everything
Zanaki laughed
You are really going to keep hiding back there
Kataki simply looked toward the forest again
His calm voice answered
There are more monsters nearby
The others immediately became alert again
In the distance deeper inside the forest something large began to move
And the real test of the seventeen players was about to begin