Ahrie, Segun, Min, and Ethan leaned into the cart from different sides, hands straining against the wood as they pushed.

Huff… huff… The wheels groaned along the dirt road.

Madison strolled beside them, hands free, like she didn't have a care in the world.

They passed through the gate and followed the trail toward the southern forest.

"From what facility did you come from?" Ethan asked, breathing a little ragged.

"Madison and I are from the North Citadel—US branch," he added quickly.

"Segun too," he said, nodding at him.

"Nigeria branch," Segun said.

"I'm from the South Fortress. Korea branch," Min replied.

"I'm from the South Fortress as well," Ahrie muttered. "Japan branch."

"Is this also your first quest?" Ethan asked.

Ahrie shook his head. "Nope."

"It's my twenty-fifth quest," Min said flatly.

"So you're already accustomed to living here," Segun asked.

"Yeah, I guess." Min shrugged.

Ethan glanced at Madison. "She and I met at the south gate a few days ago. This is our first quest."

Madison gave a small nod.

"I joined them a little earlier than you two," Segun said to Ahrie and Min.

Ethan's voice dropped low, like he was trying to spook kids around a campfire. "A lot of us died back then… chased by some giant chicken. It was terrifying."

The south gate, huh… Ahrie's mind flashed to the chief, the village smothered in fog.

I wonder where she is now.

A few minutes later, the cart ground to a stop.

"What is it?" Segun asked.

Ethan pointed off to the right.

A herd of Hoppers lounged at the edge where the open field met the treeline, tearing lazily at the grass and shrubs about a kilometer ahead.

Ahrie's grin stretched wide when he spotted the herd. He was ready to bolt in—rapier itching for blood—until the numbers sank in. Way too many.

"What skills do you guys have?" he asked, eager to make a move.

"We don't have one yet…" Madison admitted.

Ahrie blinked. "Eh?"

"How about you, Min?"

"Nope. No skill either, bud."

Ahrie's face twisted. Right… I only got mine after that mess in the Fog Village.

Still—then how the fuck are we supposed to deal with a herd like this?

"I do," Segun said, raising his hand.

Ahrie snapped to him. "Oh? What is it?"

"I can cast a mist for five minutes…" Segun explained. Then he frowned. "But once it's up, you can't tell friend from foe inside."

Ahrie dragged a hand down his face. "Why is every damn skill like this…"

He paced, brain working. Then a smirk tugged at his lips. That's it. Lure—

"Min," Ethan cut in. "Think you can drag one over to us?"

Ahrie chuckled in his head. Oho… thinking the same thing, huh?

"Yep, yep. Sure, sure." Min cracked his knuckles. "That's my job anyway."

They spread out, leaving the cart behind, eyes sweeping for solid ground to stage the hunt.

Minutes ticked by until Segun's voice cut through the air.

"Heeeeey! Over here!"

The others rushed toward him.

It was an open field—low grass, flat ground. A good kill zone. But their sightline to the Hoppers was blocked by a wall of tall, swaying grass.

"Perfect," Ahrie muttered, nodding in approval.

Madison frowned. "But this grass blocks our view."

Segun shrugged. "Ehh… it's just grass."

Min cracked his neck. "Then I'll start luring."

The others stretched, shaking out arms and legs, preparing. Ethan and Segun moved back, giving themselves distance from the tall grass. Madison planted herself closer, sword at the ready.

Ahrie, though, drifted toward her instead of pulling back.

Ethan squinted. "Why's Ahrie over there?"

"Don't mind him," Segun said flatly. "Eyes on the Hoppers."

All eyes locked on the tall grass.

Moments later—footsteps. Dozens of them. The grass swayed, shaking hard.

A garbled shout came out from inside.

"R@^*—"

"HAA?!" Ahrie barked back.

Min burst out, sweat dripping, eyes wide.

"RUN!" he screamed, already sprinting for his life.

Madison bolted without hesitation.

Ahrie stood his ground, grinning—until the grass ripped open.

A single Hopper hopped out, glaring at him.

[A wild Hopper appeared!]

(classic pokemon game text echoing in his head)

"Hmmm…" Ahrie smirked, rolling his shoulders. What should I do?

He lunged forward, rapier low.

"Heeell yeaaah! I'll rush it—"

The Hopper's ears twitched.

[Hopper used Call for Backup.]

A second later—

The grass exploded. A dozen more Hoppers burst out in unison.

Ahrie's grin collapsed. His whole face twisted as he skidded to a stop.

"…fuck this shit, I'm out…"

Then he ran. Hard.

The group scattered, boots hammering the dirt.

"THE HELL DID YOU DO?!" Ahrie barked mid-sprint.

"You were supposed to lure ONE!" Segun shouted.

Min glanced back, tongue out, winking like a cheeky bastard.

"Hehe~"

Once they broke out of Hopper territory, the chase died off.

All five dropped where they stood, sprawled on the dirt, gasping for air.

After a while, they dragged themselves back to the cart. Aimless, they pushed it along the outskirts, eyes peeled for any Hopper not buried in a herd.

They searched.

Minutes. Then hours.

Nothing. Not a single Hopper crossed their sight.

Madison finally sighed. "We've been at this for hours…"

Ethan tilted his head back, frowning at the sky turning orange. "The sun's going down, too."

"Argh… I can't take it anymore. We'll stalk them from afar," Ahrie muttered.

He crept toward the herd. The others exchanged glances, then slipped after him into the tall grass.

They crawled low, heads just peeking above the blades, watching the Hopper herd graze.

Minutes dragged on. Nobody moved. Hunters waiting.

Then—luck—

A baby Hopper wandered toward them, curious.

Five grins lit up.

Ahrie snapped his fingers.

Min whispered, "pspspspsp."

Madison stretched her arms like she was about to hug it.

Segun and Ethan crouched at the edges, ready to pounce.

But an adult Hopper appeared beside the baby.

Every muscle froze.

Who's there? The adult's eyes swept the grass. They held their breath.

A long pause.

"…Must've been the wind." The adult turned back.

Exhales all around.

The baby kept toddling closer.

Closer.

Close enough—

They lunged, snatched it up, and bolted through the grass, laughing like thieves.

"Mwehehehe!"

They tied the baby Hopper's feet together.

"Now what?" Segun asked.

"We're gonna—" Ahrie started, but Min cut in.

"Cook it."

Ahrie frowned. "Bud, it won't even feed us—"

"Slap it 'til its parents come," Min muttered, raising a brow.

Ahrie's eyes went wide. "…That's it."

Madison blinked. "Wait—you're gonna slap it?"

"Nooo," Ethan said, giving a thumbs-up. "We'll let it call its parents."

"Nice," Segun nodded.

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