I was busy sniffing out my fourth Leaf Crawler of the night, continuing my strategy of using Pulse Sense to get me going in the right direction and then letting my nose do the rest.

  I hoped it would allow me to improve my other abilities or earn that achievement I needed for the Veinseer Bloodhound Path. My efforts paid off when suddenly—

  Enhanced Smell level up! 1 > 2

  +3 Sense

  Yes! Finally!

  Though with the skill level up, I can’t say I noticed an immediate difference. Or maybe I did. It was hard to say. I sniffed for the scent I’d been tracking carefully. Was it a little more clear? I think it possibly was… mmmmaaybe.

  Whatever the case, I got back to the hunt. Soon, I heard the familiar chewing sound and pounced, killing another Leaf Crawler instantly.

  Prey Eliminated - Level 3 Leaf Crawler

  Experience gained.

  This being the fourth Leaf Crawler I killed tonight, I was becoming quite good at stripping off all the best parts. I didn’t bother with the legs or tail anymore, because I was not hungry enough that making use of every single scrap felt necessary. Nor would its small bones be satisfying to gnaw on, so I simply left the remains of my kill behind for whatever scavenger might come after them.

  After finishing my meal and letting out a loud yawn, I realized that I had better start searching for shelter. One way or another, I would have to sleep eventually, and it would be better to do so under the cover of night. I doubted I would find anything like a proper cave in this forest to use as a temporary stand-in for my den, and even if I were so lucky, I’d have to take into consideration the likelihood of another predator finding it and checking for prey.

  I hated to think of myself as prey. I should never be prey, but like it or not, I was very small, so there were many things that would be happy to make a meal out of me.

  This thought led me to wonder if I might ever be as powerful as Mom and Dad, but I quickly forced it out of my mind again.

  Between struggling for my own survival and preoccupying myself with hunting, I had been able to cast off the deep hole of sadness I felt. Once my thoughts drifted to my family, however, it instantly gripped my heart like a sinking stone.

  I’m hunting. I must focus on my hunt!

  I used {Pulse Sense} once again, spotting a number of different heartbeats, most small, a lot up in the trees, and—

  I froze and hit the forest floor as I detected something that might be trouble for me.

  It wasn’t moving very quickly, but it was certainly bigger than me. It had a steady, patient heartbeat. I began trying to sniff it out to get a hint, but didn’t have much luck, as it was traveling from behind the way I had come. My nose seemed to work better when I could pick up the trail of something that had passed by previously.

  I began moving more quickly in a different direction to lose it. When I thought I made good progress, I used {Pulse Sense} again.

  It seemed to be further away now, so my plan worked.

  But then I began thinking another way.

  I still had this experience bonus and attribute bonus. Killing these low-level prey provided me with little benefit other than the food itself. I had killed four Leaf Crawlers and a Scoursnout, but with no level-ups or achievements. Increasing my Enhanced Smell skill level was nice, but I felt that I would regret not taking full advantage of the extra power that I was granted tonight.

  I turned around, activating my {Pulse Sense} and focusing on the larger heartbeat which was now heading in the opposite direction.

  Shouldn’t I at least see what it is? It was hard to say for sure, but it struck me as possibly being smaller than the Black Prowler. Its heart also didn’t give the impression of something that was on the hunt.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Making my decision, I continued forward. I wouldn’t get too close until I was sure, but I should at least take the chance to see.

  My current Pulse Sense died off after a while, so I used another, and soon I was right on it.

  The vines ahead were parted as if something had just come through disturbing them. I made a mental note that I could also track larger prey based on how they moved around the undergrowth of the forest.

  I followed the trail, detecting an unfamiliar scent, until I saw something move between two trees, just under the dim glow of a mushroom patch that allowed me to get a good gauge of its size. Its heartbeat was actually deceptive, as it was not as big as I originally imagined.

  I veered to the left, deciding to come around the other side of the tree, where I may be better hidden and get a better look at my target.

  As I did so, I found the creature looked like a boar, but different. Particularly, it had very long whiskers… or… no, those were not whiskers, but the two appendages came from above the creature's mouth like a comedically large mustache. They moved unnaturally, swaying back and forth and feeling along the floor. No, they were definitely not hair, they were made of flesh and must have had muscle to be able to move like that. Then, when I noticed its eyes were milky white and likely blind, I realized those whisker things were feelers.

  As the feelers found something of interest, the boar-thing turned, then lowered its face to the ground to rip up some shrubbery and chew. Its teeth were flat.

  Yes. This was certainly prey.

  The dim glow of the mushroom light outlined its haunches provocatively, making my mouth water. The Leaf Crawlers were tasty, but their meat was so sparse. The idea of really sinking my teeth into something thick and bloody was overly tempting.

  It was bigger than me, sure. It may even be a higher level. But, all my stats were increased by twenty, which would take many levels and achievements to get to naturally. Between that and the experience bonus, I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by.

  I used {Pulse Sense} once more to check for anything that may interrupt us, and found that we were indeed alone.

  I began sizing up my target, considering how to strike. It was bigger than me by about four times, and its neck was thick. I doubted a quick shake would be enough to end its life.

  Perhaps… breaking one of its legs first?

  The thought seemed rather cruel. When I hunt, I always intend to end things as quickly as possible, usually with a quick shake to the back of the neck. While I enjoy hunting, I don’t exactly take pleasure in causing pain… except maybe for the human. Yes, I don’t think I’d ever be able to find myself feeling guilty for causing pain to any humans.

  Still, looking at this creature, I could assume the greatest danger it posed to me would be getting stomped on. The back legs were stocky, ending in broad, flat hooves that had the potential to crush my bones if it landed correctly.

  The front legs, however, had thinner joints that I could easily imagine cracking apart. If it lost one of its front legs, its ability to buck forward and slam down with those back hooves would be severely hindered. Then I could focus my attacks on other vital spots and work on finishing it.

  I had to hold back my tail from wagging as I planned my strike.

  No, get serious, this isn’t a game. Just because I think I have a good plan doesn’t mean it is not dangerous. Those feelers will surely detect me before I make my move. Though its front legs are thinner, they could be dangerous as well.

  I began creeping forward slowly, belly low to the ground and taking extra care that my paws didn’t give the slightest rustle as I set each down.

  Closer and closer I went, arcing my path so that I’d come around its side instead of straight on into the feelers, which continued slithering along the ground like they had their own consciousness.

  When I was in pouncing distance, I tensed, ready to strike, watching the feelers carefully. They would whip over to its side to feel along the ground, then back in front again—that was the perfect time.

  Before I could make my move, one of the tendrils brushed a fern I had just stepped past, and the boar-thing’s head snapped up, feelers writhing like snakes tasting the air. My ears folded back, and I brought myself as low as possible.

  The feelers continued waggling as the beast let out a suspicious grunt.

  Did it taste my scent or something? It didn’t seem entirely sure of itself, but I decided it was better to make my move now than to wait.

  I launched forward, fangs bared. The feelers whipped towards me so fast it was as if they felt my movement in the air.

  They were far thicker than I realized and lined with tiny barbs that were not obvious in the darkness. As they slapped along my shoulder and flank, they wrapped and held on, sinking the barbs into me and tearing through my fur and into my skin like very long and painful scrapes.

  But I powered through, my bonus strength helping greatly as they tried to fling me back, and I managed to sink my teeth into my target right at the joint of its leg.

  Hot blood gushed instantly over my tongue. The creature shrieked a guttural, piglike bellow. Its body lurched upward in panic, but I held on, thrashing with all the strength I could muster.

  Snap!

  The joint gave way with a wet crack, the leg buckling under its weight. The boar-thing crashed sideways, and I loosened my grip to retreat just before it would have crushed me.

  However, the barbs of its feelers stayed tightly embedded into me, coiling tighter like a firm hug. I snarled through the pain, kicking frantically, digging my paws down for whatever purchase I could find.

  Finally, one tore free, and then the other, but not without a ripping burst of fiery pain. But I didn’t howl out in fear or agony, I continued to snarl with anger as I made a short retreat to regroup myself.

  Turning back, I saw the beast stagger as it tried to stand, but collapsed again on its injured leg. I circled around quickly, its neck snapping towards me with every rustle or crunch as my paws dug at the ground. For its size, it was difficult to find an opening, but I realized its back legs were now my best shot. It would no longer be able to hitch up on its front legs and then crush me

  Once I managed to find an angle from behind, I dove towards the joint on its back leg. It was much thicker; a clean break may not be possible, but it was my best shot!

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