Stealing the Spoils

Beneath the tranquil night sky.

Everything was quiet. Cool moonlight fell deep into the beautiful forest, where a clear lake lay ahead. Under the moonlight, its surface gleamed like crystal, as though it held some dreamlike power. Elven folklore said a water sprite lived in the lake, though few had ever seen her. One thing was certain: a power lingered here.

In the darkness.

Lithe figures hid all around. The hunters were skilled at tracking and stealth, and they waited patiently near the lake for their chosen prey to appear.

Water.

Most wild creatures could not do without it. A trace of life energy gathered in this lake, so many creatures nearby came here to drink.

A jet-black cheetah appeared at the water's edge.

The hunters did not move. It was fine prey, with strength approaching the high ranks, but it was not what they wanted today.

As followers of Malar, the God of Hunt, they knew unicorns' habits well.

Some said the Unicorn Goddess was Lady of Silver Moon's daughter, but there was no evidence for it, and the two deities were not especially close. The Unicorn Goddess's closest ally was the Queen of the Forest. Her relationship with Lady of Silver Moon was merely friendly. Besides, if Lady of Silver Moon had given birth to a daughter, that daughter should not have been a divine unicorn. There was surely some connection between them, but they were probably not mother and daughter.

It was an interesting thought.

Nearly all of Malar's enemies were closely connected. The Queen of the Forest, the Unicorn Goddess, Lady of Silver Moon—most of the deities hostile to him were close allies. That was why Soren did not dare casually target other quasi-deities. One careless move could bring a powerful enemy down on him!

Unicorns