Chapter 400: Out On A Hunt [2] Apprentice and novice-rank creatures fled from the overwhelming auras radiating from Noah’s group, instinctively recognising predators far above their ability to challenge. Small forest animals scattered at their approach, and even the ambient sounds of wildlife went quiet as apex predators moved through the territory. Their first real fight came when they encountered a herd of adept-rank Redtails—six powerful beasts that normally required full adventuring parties to handle safely and were considered genuinely dangerous opponents even for master-rank solo adventurers. The Redtails were impressive creatures. Each moved with a low, steady stride that spoke of endurance and controlled power, their hides the distinctive color of old clay after heavy rain—a muted reddish-brown that provided natural camouflage in forest environments. Their most notable feature was the thick, brush-like tail that gave them their name, glowing a distinctive rust-red color in the filtered sunlight, sweeping the ground rhythmically as they grazed on the dense undergrowth. The beasts’ eyes were remarkably intelligent, tracking every motion around them with careful assessment, judging whether the approaching group represented friend or threat before shifting a single powerful hoof. Hunters throughout the kingdom respected Redtails for their silent endurance and ability to sustain combat for extended periods without tiring. Powerful travellers that tamed them, prized them for covering incredible distances without foam forming on their muzzles—a sign of exhaustion that plagued lesser creatures. When a Redtail ran at full speed, dust rose behind it in a long, straight line, as if the land itself parted willingly to let the creature pass. Their hooves struck ground with devastating force capable of shattering bone, and their muscular haunches could propel them in sudden charges that caught opponents off guard. The lead Redtail snorted as it registered Noah’s group as threats, its eyes narrowing with calculation. The beast stamped one hoof in warning, and the other five immediately shifted from grazing posture into combat formation—spreading out to attack from multiple angles while maintaining enough distance to avoid being caught in area attacks. Noah immediately recognised these creatures would provide no challenge whatsoever for him. Even without actively trying, his master-rank aura completely overwhelmed theirs. To him, they were essentially harmless wildlife. But for his companions who were still consolidating their positions at peak adept rank or newly achieved master rank, these beasts represented genuine training opponents. "Kipp, Alissa—you each take two," Noah directed calmly, stepping back to observe rather than participate. "Elara, the remaining ones are yours. Valeria, hang back with me unless someone needs support." Kipp’s ears perked forward with excitement at finally having a real challenge. "Finally! Something that might actually last more than three seconds!" Alissa simply nodded, her hand already on her sword hilt as she assessed the two Redtails beginning to circle toward her position. Her tail swished once with anticipation. Princess Elara raised her hands, magic already gathering as she prepared defensive barriers and offensive spells in careful sequence. Her target was the smallest of the six Redtails, but still a creature that outweighed her several times over. Still, size in this context didn’t matter, especially when magic was part of the equation. The Redtails charged simultaneously, their coordinated attack showing pack intelligence that elevated them beyond simple beasts. Hooves struck earth with thunderous impacts as six tons of muscle and fury launched toward their targets. Kipp met his two opponents head-on, wind magic swirling around his hands as he shaped the air itself into weapons and shields. The first Redtail’s charge met a concentrated wind barrier that deflected its momentum to the side, sending the creature stumbling. Kipp immediately capitalised, launching compressed air projectiles that struck like invisible hammers against the beast’s flanks. The second Redtail tried circling for a flanking attack, but Kipp’s elemental control allowed him to sense air currents and predict movement. He spun and released a sweeping wind blade that caught the creature across its shoulders, drawing blood and forcing it back. Both Redtails regrouped, reassessing their opponent with newfound wariness. This prey was far more dangerous than their instincts had initially suggested. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶 Alissa engaged her targets with pure swordsmanship, her blade flashing as she wove between charging hooves with dancer-like grace. Her high agility and master-level fundamentals made her movements appear almost precognitive—she was always exactly where the attacks weren’t, her sword finding openings. The first cut severed tendons in a Redtail’s front leg, limiting its mobility. The second strike opened a deep wound along another beast’s flank. Neither injury was immediately fatal, but both reduced combat effectiveness significantly. Alissa was fighting with textbook efficiency, demonstrating the difference between raw power and refined technique. Her opponents circled more cautiously now, their earlier aggression tempered by pain and recognition that this small opponent possessed lethal capabilities despite her size. Elara took a more defensive approach, using barriers and distance control to manage both of her opponents. The Redtail charged repeatedly, trying to close the distance and use its superior mass, but each attack met shimmering magical shields that absorbed kinetic energy and redirected momentum. Between defensive measures, Elara launched magical attacks. Her combat style emphasised control and gradual accumulation of damage rather than attempting an overwhelming offence that might exhaust her mana reserves. The two Redtail beasts were frustrated and increasingly injured, but still dangerous and fully capable of killing her if she made a terrible blunder in timing or positioning. Noah watched the three separate battles unfold with critical assessment, his high perception allowing him to track every movement and evaluate his companions’ combat performance. Valeria stood beside him, also observing while ready to intervene if any situation became genuinely dangerous. "They’re doing well," Valeria commented quietly. "Kipp’s elemental control has improved dramatically—he’s fighting with efficiency rather than just throwing power around. Alissa’s swordsmanship is genuinely approaching low master-tier fundamentals. And Elara is managing her resources properly while maintaining discipline." Noah nodded in agreement. "This is exactly the kind of training they need. Real opponents that can actually hurt them if they make mistakes, but not so overwhelming that they’re fighting for survival rather than learning." The battles continued, each of his companions gradually gaining the upper hand against their respective opponents through superior technique, magical capabilities, and strategic thinking that the beasts’ instinctive combat couldn’t match. After some time, they all managed to beat their respective opponents, shedding their blood onto the grass, painting it red.