Kairav’s Official Hunt
Kairav had completed twenty days of basic training—shooting, sword combat, close-quarters combat, and tactical execution.
Every instructor had noticed.
“This kid is definitely a prodigy… just like the Chief,” one remarked quietly.
“Well, he was scouted by the Chief himself,” another replied.
Kairav remained unaffected as he finished his paperwork.
The badge rested in his palm.
Royal Bounty Hunter.
His master’s training had already done the rest.
Twelve Sona a month.
Bounties.
Loot share.
Stability.
Kairav stared at the badge for a moment.
Everything about it felt surreal.
Almost like a dream.
A clerk approached.
“Kairav, the Chief is expecting you.”
He nodded and left.
Inside Sendrav’s office, Kairav knocked.
“Come in.”
Sendrav stood near the window, closing the book in his hand as Kairav entered.
“You did well. I’m satisfied.”
Kairav bowed slightly.
“You’ve completed your training, but you lack knowledge of blood weapons and the Mayalok system.”
He gestured toward the university district beyond the window.
“You’ll learn it there… but I want you in the library. Study ahead.”
Library.
The word struck immediately.
So, this is what Master was waiting for.
A faint, controlled smile formed.
“As you command, Chief.”
Sendrav nodded.
Then—
“So, this is your new hunting dog.”
Kairav turned.
Mervil leaned casually against the doorway, a knowing smile on his face.
“Good… very good.”
Sendrav exhaled sharply.
“Can you be a little respectful?”
Kairav bowed.
“Prime Minister.”
Mervil smiled.
“Kid…”
“Don’t encourage him,” Sendrav cut in.
“No, better yet—stay away from him.”
“Oh, come on. I’m not that bad.”
Sendrav’s expression remained flat.
“You’re not bad.”
A beat.
“You’re worse.”
Mervil laughed, completely unbothered.
Kairav stood still, visibly perplexed.
“Listen carefully,” Mervil said, his tone shifting just enough to command attention.
“Out there, things won’t wait for you to be ready. Don’t get reckless. If the ground shifts—retreat.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Survival is always the first victory.”
Sendrav smirked.
“I’m surprised you’re capable of giving sound advice.”
Mervil ignored him.
He pulled a ring from his pocket and tossed it toward Kairav.
Kairav caught it cleanly.
“Anti-divination ring. Blood weapon. Tarankan Clan craft.”
He nodded toward it.
“Wear it when you hunt. The moment you step into the field, assume someone is already looking for you.”
A faint smile returned.
“Consider it a gift from me.”
Kairav glanced at Sendrav.
Sendrav gave a slight nod.
“Thank you, Prime Minister. I’m honoured.”
Mervil smiled faintly.
“Good.”
He turned toward the door.
“Now… let’s go fishing.”
“At this hour?” Sendrav asked.
“Consider this his first hunt.”
Sendrav understood.
Mervil looked at Kairav.
“Are you willing?”
“Yes.”
A faint curl touched Kairav’s lips.
*Let’s see what kind of fish this is.*
At the foothills of the royal plateau, the three concealed themselves within the brush.
Eight men stood below.
Three carried the presence of Mayaveers.
The rest were armed.
Kairav watched them carefully.
“That one,” he murmured.
“Blue kurta. Maybe he’s the leader.”
His gaze remained on the men surrounding the figure.
“The way they behave around him…”
Mervil nodded.
“Second or third rank.”
Sendrav’s gaze shifted toward the mountain.
“The cave. There’s light inside.”
“They must be guarding something,” Kairav said.
“Or someone,” Mervil added.
“Eight outside,” Sendrav observed.
“No more visible.”
“Could be inside,” Kairav suggested.
Mervil shook his head slightly. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“My information said eight.”
A pause.
“Captive?” Kairav asked.
“Possible,” Mervil replied.
His eyes remained fixed on the group.
“We proceed carefully.”
He glanced between them.
“Sendrav—sky. I go first.”
Then his gaze settled on Kairav.
“You stay hidden. Shoot only when required.”
A pause.
“And make sure no one leaves the perimeter.”
Sendrav nodded.
His wings unfurled.
A moment later, he disappeared into the night.
Mervil stepped out of the brush with a grin.
“Let’s begin the hunt.”
“Gentlemen.”
Mervil walked toward the group as casually as though he were greeting guests.
“You walked into my land without informing me… and still expect hospitality?”
He smiled.
“That’s not confidence. That’s ignorance dressed as courage.”
All eight men snapped to attention.
Rifles were raised.
Mervil didn’t slow.
“Prime Minister Mervil…” the leader said, narrowing his eyes.
Mervil inclined his head slightly.
“You think highly of yourselves… greeting me with guns.”
“You came alone,” the leader replied.
“Arrogance.”
Mervil’s smile didn’t fade.
“Or certainty.”
“Kill him.”
Five men moved.
They never fired.
Shots cracked through the night.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Bodies dropped before their fingers reached the triggers.
Silence.
Mervil’s gaze didn’t shift.
Well placed, Kairav.
Above them, Sendrav watched with approval.
The remaining three stiffened.
The leader’s expression hardened.
Shadow tendrils burst outward, searching through the darkness.
Mervil raised two fingers.
Fire answered.
A wide ring formed around him, alive with heat.
The shadows recoiled instantly.
The leader felt the shift.
“What do you want?”
Mervil stepped closer.
“You ask now?”
His smile remained.
“Interesting choice. You waited until your men were dead before beginning a conversation.”
His eyes hardened.
“That’s not strategy.”
A pause.
“That’s delay dressed as authority.”
He tilted his head.
“And you don’t value life. What a shame.”
He finally asked, “Now tell me the reason for your arrival.”
The leader answered arrogantly.
“Why do you care? That’s none of your business.”
He was stalling.
Waiting for his accomplice to finish his spell.
Mervil saw it.
So did Sendrav.
They played along.
“You asked why I care?” Mervil said calmly.
He took another step forward.
“Because this is my land. Nothing breathes without passing through my notice.”
His amber eyes remained fixed on the man.
“Your arrival. Your purpose. Even your death.”
A pause.
“Every bit of it is my business.”
A flicker of unease crossed the leader’s face.
“Let us go,” he said.
“We won’t harm anyone.”
Mervil’s smile sharpened.
“No.”
His voice remained almost pleasant.
“That’s unfortunate… because life is a privilege.”
The fire around him flared.
“And privileges are something I decide who deserves on this land.”
The leader’s face tightened.
“You have no idea of the power I hold.”
Every word Mervil spoke carried dangerous intent.
His amber eyes said even more.
The leader grew impatient.
He still had no idea how many companions were surrounding them—or where they were hidden.
A pause.
“You’re stalling,” Mervil added softly.
His smile returned.
“…if it worked.”
The leader’s face darkened.
But finally—
The spell completed.
A swarm of locusts erupted from the darkness, dense and violent, surging toward Mervil.
The leader grinned.
So did Sendrav.
A storm descended.
Wind blades tore through the swarm mid-air, shredding it apart before it could reach Mervil.
Another man moved, raising his weapon.
A shot rang out.
He dropped.
Blood poured from the wound.
He was still alive, but the injury was severe.
If left untreated, he would eventually succumb.
The fire ring tightened.
Heat pressed in.
Smoke burned.
Breathing became an effort.
The leader clapped.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
From the cave—
A massive vulture burst out.
Unnatural.
Grotesque.
The three remaining men leapt onto it.
For a moment, relief flashed across their faces.
Then they looked up.
Their last hope had arrived.
Only to meet another.
Sendrav hovered above them, the storm swirling behind him as though it were a living thing awaiting his command.
The impact tore them from the creature mid-air, sending them crashing to the ground.
Before they could recover—
A spear of fire cut through the air.
It pierced the creature cleanly.
The vulture shrieked once.
Then fell.
The fire closed in.
The three men struggled.
Then collapsed.
Unconscious.
Silence returned.
The hunt was over.
Mervil looked at them, unimpressed.
“Disappointing.”
He glanced toward the unconscious men.
“I expected resistance… some fun.”
A faint smile.
“Real bloodshed.”
Sendrav landed, folding his wings.
“Not even first rank.”
Kairav stepped out from the shadows.
Mervil glanced at him.
“Efficient.”
A beat.
“I’m impressed.”
Sendrav nodded once.
“I’ll call the team. Let them collect the loot.”
He stepped away.
Mervil turned toward the cave.
“Let’s see what they were protecting.”
The smell hit first.
Damp.
Stale.
Wrong.
Inside—
Cages.
Four.
Girls.
Young.
Perhaps ten to thirteen years old.
All unconscious.
For a moment— no one spoke.
Mervil’s expression darkened.
Completely.
“What on earth were those filthy bastards thinking?”
His voice had risen, disgust filling every word.
A pause.
“This isn’t trade…”
His eyes moved across the cages.
“This is preparation.”
Sendrav’s gaze hardened.
“Why send low-caliber men like these to handle something at this level?”
He looked toward the unconscious men outside.
“It doesn’t add up.”
Silence deepened.
Mervil turned slightly.
“We investigate this.”
His voice was quiet now.
“Thoroughly.”
He looked once more at the cages.
“This wasn’t random.”
A pause.
“And whatever it was…”
His expression hardened.
“…had just begun to surface.”