Stomp Stomp Stomp

  The sound of footsteps echoed across the fields as little figures ran around. Some were chasing, while some were being chased. The children were pying a game of tag with rge smiles on their faces,

  Well, it wasn't only the children which were pying. Grey, Yuna, Reina, and Zeke were also pying with them aertaining them while the adults tiheir work at the vineyard. The atmosphere couldn't be any warmer.

  "Tag! Big Sis Reina is 'it'!" ［Ruru］

  "Fwueh?! Me again?!" ［Reina］

  While the other three were simply just pying along with the children aing tagged on purpose, the same couldn't be said about Reina. Her weak stamina and low physical abilities make her just on par with the children. Even wheries her hardest, the children would still be able to catch her.

  Whehe children couldn't cateone else, their eyes would always turn towards Reina, marking her as their arget. Some could even say Reina was being bullied by the children to some degree.

  Well, Reina isn't pining about it. In fact, she was also enjoying herself despite being "it" about a third of the time. The children were also the same. They were also having the best times of their lives.

  "Kids～! Take a break first!" ［Rozelia］

  "But Mommy, we're still pying!" ［Ruru］

  "I know, I know, but look at our little Ruru. You're drenched i already. e here, Mommy will wipe your sweat." ［Rozelia］

  "Mommy, that tickles!" ［Ruru］

  With Rozelia taking the lead, the other parents also approached their children to wipe away their sweat and give them water to hydrate themselves with. All had a gentle and warm atmosphere about them as they took care of their children.

  "No! Big Sis, I already do it by myself!" ［Zeke］

  "What do you mean "no"? In my eyes, you're still a kid, so take off your shirt so I wipe away your sweat." ［Reina］

  "Ugh... This is so embarrassing...!" ［Zeke］

  Even when Reina was usually timid, she was surprisingly firm and ster came to Zeke. Now that her their mother nor father was around, she was taking her role as the older sister seriously and doing what the other parents were doing to their children to Zeke.

  Zeke, oher hand, was super embarrassed about being treated like a child out in the open. He was especially embarrassed when Grey and Yuna, whom he admires, looked at them so openly with such warm gazes for a short moment.

  "Hmm... Yuna, should I wipe away your sweat too?" ［Grey］

  "Grey... Even if I love you, that would still be too embarrassing... And stop teasing me, you...!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Well, I tried." ［Grey］

  "Grey!" ［Yuna］

  As frey and Yuna, they were teasing one another. Or rather, Grey was having his fun, poking fun at his girlfriend who easily gets flustered. Though he would be lying if he said he didn't mean his words even by a tiny bit. There was a little bit of desire and curiosity in his heart when he said those words.

  Whoooshhh

  With just a flick of a finger, Grey and Yuna quickly dried their sweat with the use of magic. They weren't eveing mu the first pce so it was quite easy to dry their sweat before it sticks to their clothes.

  After the children were wiped dry and hydrated, they were taken to the resting shed to rest uhe shadows before they started running and pying around again. Truthfully, it was time for their afternoon nap, but with Grey and Yuna present, not a single one of them wao.

  In the end, the parents were forced to give up, leaving the children to Grey and Yuna's care in the meahey are now listening to the stories about the outside world once again, behaving themselves like good children would.

  "Then, the fllowed brightly andー" ［Grey］

  "Oh, Miss Yuna, Mister Grey, fancy meeting you here." ［or］

  Just as Grey was telling some stories to the children, two familiar figures walked in on the resting shed. They were or and Alto whht with them a couple of guards, ons and traps by their sides.

  If oo look at them closely, it was obvious that they were all going for a hunt. With how dangerous the forest is for normal people, it was the guards' duty to hunt for meat and bring them bae to the vilge.

  Of course, there are livestock being raised in the vilge, but every on a while, the guards gather to hunt together. The reason was her than to celebrate something, be it important dates or something simir, they only wao hunt a rge game animal for the vilge to feast on.

  "Oh, everyone! You're here already?!" ［Zeke］

  "Hahaha, Little Zeke, aren't you too rexed for someone who's about to go hunting? Where is your sword?" ［or］

  "Ah... I left it at home. Couldn't I just borrow one from you?" ［Zeke］

  "Haah... But only this time, okay?" ［or］

  Just as he was saying so, or unstrapped one of his belts where a sword and scabbard were attached. He then gave it to Zeke who excitedly wore it around his torso. Since his hips were smaller thaor's, he opted to pce it around his torso so that it fits perfectly.

  There also aren't many problems in regards with or. Since his main on ear. The sword was just a spare on in case something happeo his spear. In fact, he had only used it a couple of times.

  "Oh, Zeke, yoing to hunt as well?" ［Grey］

  "Yes! It's a part of my training to bee stronger. Big Sis Aria also did the same when she was my age." ［Zeke］

  "Yeah. Miss Aria back then was an amazing hunter. In fact, she even hunts alone most of the time, bringing prey to the vilge all by herself." ［Alto］

  "Tell me about it... I could still remember that oime she took down a Mad Ox in a single shot. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. She was only thirteen years old at the time, too." ［or］

  To or and Alto's words, all the uards nodded in agreement. And hearing her older sister's exploits, Zeke couldn't stop himself from smiling. It was obvious that she roud of her and wao bee like her when he grows up.

  Well, despite not being as talented as Aria, Zeke was already an F-ranker. He was already on par with the students of the Royal Academy's alpha csses despite being a few years younger. He was still a genius amongst his peers.

  Whilst Aria became an archer like Falroe, Zeke became a swordsman like Valka, but irely the same as he ied his father's lightning attribute, unlike Aria who got Valka's wind attribute. It was like a mix and match between their family members.

  "How about you, Reina? Will you be going as well?" ［Yuna］

  "N-No, not at all! I'm just going to be a burden if I follow them. And also, the forest is really scary, I don't wanna go there..." ［Reina］

  And unlike her siblings, Reina was quite faied. It was not only borne of her inexperien fighting but also because of a trauma in her childhood days where she was chased by a juvenile wild boar wheried to sneak out oime.

  Luckily, Falroe was there to save her. Well, the little biar wasn't even that dangerous to begin with. Evehat experience gave her quite a shock. Sihen, she never went out unless she had others with her. It was an uandable reason for someoo be wary, especially someone so timid.

  Meanwhile, while Reina was reliving her distant memories, all the while trembling adorably, or's eyes fell trey and Yuna. There was a certain idea revolving around his head that he wasn't quite sure what to do with.

  "Oh, how about it, Mister Grey, Miss Yuna, do you want to join us in our hunt?" ［or］

  "Huh?" ［Grey］  "Eh?" ［Yuna］

  In the end, or decided just to go for it and just ask ahead. He was a little curious about Grey and Yuna's capabilities and wao see them in a even if it's only for a little bit. He wao see what S-rankers were capable of.

  It wasn't only or who was curious. The others were also the same, thinking about what the "Heroes of Alfrione" could pull off. Zeke was especially excited as he looked at Grey and Yuna with expet eyes. They were the same eyes the children wore before when they were still telling stories.

  Yuna, what do you think? ［Grey］

  There's nothing to think about! Let's join them! I also want to see how others hunt pared to us. ［Yuna］

  Yuna didn't even think too much about it. All she knew was that she had never been with a hunting group before and was ied in how it would feel. Her personality was nowhere he same when he was still iing with the children.

  Haah... Alright, but don't go overboard, okay? Don't just go around chasing boars and turkeys when you see them. ［Grey］

  Grey... You don't have to remind me about that... ［Yuna］

  Just saying. You were eveed back then. ［Grey］

  Uuu... Grey, you meanie... ［Yuna］

  It didn't take too long for a decision to be made between Grey and Yuna, and of course, there was a little mischief mixed ielepathy. Grey was once again teasing Yuna, not getting tired of his girlfriend's cute reas.

  "Alright, we'll join you." ［Grey］

  "We'll be in your care!" ［Yuna］

  "Great, great, the more the merrier!" ［or］

  As soon as Grey and Yuna agreed, the hunting group quickly departed from the vineyard headed towards the dense, verdant forest. They headed northwards where a multitude of beasts and animals were gathered.

  Their targets were Red-Eyed Boars, an F-ras whose strength lies on its great physical strength. Grey and Yuna had the pleasure of fighting against before in one of their quests and it was quite the tough oppo pared to other F-ras. Oher hand, its meat was also delicious, a high-risk, high-reward situation.

  The day before, the hunting group had already id out traps throughout the forest, and now, it was time to reap the harvests. It would be best if they could procure two adult boars with the traps they id out.

  "ht... By the way, Mister or, why are you hunting today? Is there some sort of celebration ter?" ［Grey］

  "Huh? Didn't the Chief tell you? It's your weling party." ［or］

  ""Eh?"" ［Grey and Yuna］

  Silence swallowed the forest as Grey, Yuna, aor looked at one another's eyes with fusioher of the two parties expected such a situation and so, an awkward silened over them for quite some time.

  "Seriously? Did the Chief really not tell you?" ［or］

  "Un... This is our first time hearing about it..." ［Yuna］

  "Maybe he was too busy with the wedding preparations that he fot to tell us. After all, Miss Aria's wedding is only several days away" ［Grey］

  "That does make senseー Oh! Looks like we're here." ［or］

  Just in time as they were ing with their versation, the hunting group finally arrived near one of the traps they pced yesterday. It was just a couple dozeers away, and so, everyone quickly raised their guards.

  Carefully, the group sloroached the trap, putting the leaves and vines away as they trudged with caution. There was no sound to be heard nearby. It was pletely quiet as if they were in a graveyard, only simple rustling to be heard.

  "Tsk! It's a failure, huh..." ［Alto］

  Unfortunately for everyohe trap hasn't caught anythi. Both the bait and the trap were still untouched, without any traces of animals nor beasts to be seen nearby. It was a plete failure.

  "Alright, how about we head to the one?" ［or］

  But the people weren't disced. It was only normal for some traps to not work, and so, they tiheir journey without feeling even a little down. In trast, they just tinued chatting casually as they traversed the forest.

  The rap, the oer that, and the fourth oer that. Each of the succeeding traps they checked were empty without any traces of being touched just like the first ohe trend tinued like that until...

  Hiiik Buhiikk Buhiiikkk

  They were still quite a distance away from the rap when they could already hear sounds of the boar's low grunting. It was a good sign which meant that they were able to catething with their trap. Everybody was in high spirits.

  Keeping their expressions calm, the hunting group approached the trap, and sure enough it had been broken. The hole was in wide view with the remnants of the traps scattered here and there along with the bait which was once pced in the ter.

  "Oh... Ohh!! We got one!" ［Alto］

  After a quick peek ihe hole dug with earth magic, a boar could be seen struggling irying to ram the wall to get out, to no avail. Loud noises quickly echoed across the forest as the guards celebrated their success.

  "The's finish this off ond forー" ［Alto］

  Buhiiikkkkk

  "Alto!" ［or］

  But such a celebration did not st long. Before they even noticed, another boar sprang out from the bushes and charged towards the hunting group. It has also been attracted by the remaining bait scattered on the forest floor.

  Charging ever so recklessly, the red-eyed boar's target became her than Alto who happeo be he whole. A single mistake and he could fall ihe hole with the other boar and things could get dangerous.

  ??Heavy Ssh!?? ［Zeke］

  But before the boar could even go near Alto, Zeke already came to rescue and with a swing of his sword, he nded a heavy strike on the boar's vulnerable head, stunning it for a moment, enough for both him and Alto to get away.

  The boar, receiving the heavy strike felt groggy for a short while, losing its band shaking its head repeatedly. The moment it regained sciousness, its eyes lit up with rage as it looked at the one who inflicted it pain. Now, its focus has switched towards Zeke who is only a couple of steps away.

  The Bruntled once again as it stomped its feet towards the ground over and ain, preparing to charge towards its enemy and gathering as much power as it could. One which could easily break small trees.

  Buhiiikkkk

  pleting its pattern, the boar quickly dashed towards Zeke with the iion to harm him. But with just a few steps from Zeke, he was able to avoid the boar. He was like a matadracefully dodging an enraged bull.

  ??Heavy Ssh!?? ［Zeke］

  Yet arike ected towards the boar's fnk, making it scream a loud screech, one full of pain and agony. The force of the attack was enough to make it stumble, almost losing its band falling towards the ground once again.

  ??Lightning Bolt!?? ［Zeke］

  But Zeke didn't let it be. It has yet tain its bance when suddenly, a bolt of blue lightning came fshing from Zeke's palm, striking the same wound Zeke has previously inflicted towards it, making it scree pain once again.

  """"Haap!"""

  Before it could fall down towards the ground, spears, words, and arrows came flying from out of nowhere, impaling its massive body in many angles. It was now like a giant pin cushion, a lot of ons stu its body.

  The boar once again looked at Zeke before releasing its final breath. Without much resistas body fell towards the ground and a loud thud echoed throughout the air. It was a short yet aggressive battle, one won by experiend teamwork.

  'Hmm... What good coordination...' ［Grey］

  Meanwhile, Grey and Yuna only looked at the people from the sidelihey have already sehe boar approag from far away yet they deliberately kept quiet about it. The both of them wao see how the hunting group would fare against such a sudden attack.

  Of course, if anythio g, they would act as quickly as they could and eliminate any dahankfully, there was o act. The hunting group, along with Zeke, was able to hahe situation skillfully.

  "That was a good performance. Here, have some water." ［Grey］

  "Th-Thank you, Big Bro..." ［Zeke］

  Fortunately, her Zeke nor the guards bore any hatred towards them for not helping. Rather, they were thankful that they didn't. It portunity to showcase their skills towards the two of them. Besides, they trusted that they'd quickly e to their aid if somethio g.

  With the rogue boar fihe hunting group finished off the other boar irap with a volley of arrows and spells. It didn't take too long before it drew its st breath and followed after its kin who died just retly.

  Grey was about to offer his help in transp the boars, but before he could even voice out his thoughts, the boar quickly disappeared from his sight, giving him and Yuna quite a bit of surprise.

  "A ste ring?" ［Yuna］

  "Ah, that's right. This is an heirloom passed down in the vilge. We always use it every time we hunt. It makes things ve now that we don't have to carry such heavy loads anymore." ［or］

  "I see... That is quite useful." ［Grey］

  Feigning ignorance, Grey didn't say anything unnecessary. Sihe problem with transportation was already solved, there was o use his own ability and reveal his cards without ao.

  Following the successful haul, the hunting group tiheir journey across the forest. After cheg all the traps, they mao catch a total of four red-eyed boar, double than what their quota. It was a successful hunt.

  "That was some good haul! Tonight, we're going to feast, boys!" ［or］

  """"Ooohhh!"""

  Everyone's spirits were through the roofs as they celebrated the success of their hunt. With how many boars they have caught, they would be able to have a lofty feast, ohey only experience every on a while.

  "Alright, let's get goingー" ［or］

  "Wait a minute, Mister or." ［Grey］

  "Hm? Is something wrong?" ［or］

  "No. It's just that... We couldn't just go back without us giving any tributions, now could we?" ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he picked up two small rocks from the forest floor. He gave oo Yuna whilst he kept the other to himself. And without any warning, the two of them threw the rocks with monstrous strength in different dires.

  Buhhuuuu Unggaaaa

  Two distinct sounds echoed throughout the forest shortly after Grey and Yuna threw the rocks. One was from an Ironhorn and the other was from a Mad Ox, both E-ras, much strohan red-eyed boars from before.

  "Then, shall we collect them?" ［Grey］

  "Y... Yes..." ［or］

  Everyone eechless at Grey and Yuna's sudden as. They didn't eveheir hands move. The hing they knew, loud screams were already eg throughout the forest. They were both shocked and amazed at the same time.

  A haul more than they ever expected, the hunting group returo the vilge with rge smiles on their faces. Zeke's eyes were especially sparkling as he gazed at Grey and Yuna with extreme admiration. He has bee a real fanboy.

  Upon their arrival, the vilgers were more than shocked at what they caught. Shock which was quickly repced with determination aement as the vilgers dismahem, cooking them afterwards with burning passion in their hearts.

  Grilled, fried, stewed, roasted, you . The prey was cooked in a variety of dishes and a variety of styles that one's eyes would be boggled just trying to choose from how many there were. It was a luxurious celebration.

  "Aghhh!! Hot! Hot!" ［or］

  "Water... Please give me some water..." ［Alto］

  Of course, in such a lively feast, it wouldn't be plete with some shenanigans from the crazy ones. For reasons more thahe men decided to start a chili eating petition amongst themselves. Grey could only ugh wryly as they observed their stupidity.

  "Gwey, sher you arsh! Hew, haf sham of fish! (Grey, there you are! Here, have some of these!)" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna... Don't talk when you're eating. Look how messy you are. You have some sau your face." ［Grey］

  "Cam you wemow ish, plish～! ( you remove it, please～!" ［Yuna］

  "Haah... What am I going to do with you...?" ［Grey］

  And of course, it went without saying that Yuna was stuffing her face with how much food there was. Her face looked like that of a messy child, sauce could be found here and there. Sauce Grey had to wipe .

  The celebration tinued and Grey and Yuna ehe feast without leaving as. They ate, drank, and ate some more. They did so until music suddenly filled the air and the people started dang happily with one another.

  "May I have this dance, Midy?" ［Grey］

  "Fufufu, as you wish, Sir Grey." ［Yuna］

  Two figures joihe celebration, dang uhe gentle light of the moon and stars, letting their steps be guided by the symphony of the night and the musi the celebration, blending harmoniously with one another.

  Oh, what a beautiful night.

  CHAPTER 142 END