188 Hunting Challenge

CHAPTER 188 

"Your body temperature changed as your powers warred inside of you. You were burning hot, but he still held you close. Somehow, that closeness helped you and hours later, you calmed down."

"Hmm. We need to keep moving. The tunnel is becoming dangerous. I hope something of this nature does not happen in the future."

"That is true, master," Snow said as a matter of factly in her mind.

Astrid returned her gaze back to Jareth and said, "It is okay. I am better now. We should soon start moving," she suggested to Jareth.

"Very well. Gather your things, let us leave."

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~HUMAN KINGDOM – FOREST~

It was already noon and time for the last challenge between Prince Owen and Cullen. The King, Gerald and a few soldiers were present to watch and precede over the event.

King Bayard gave the go-ahead and the challenge began. Basically, the hunting challenge was targeted at the highest number of wild boars they could kill within a frame of time. 

They were given an hour for the challenge and both parties were bestowed a horse, bow and different coloured arrows, and different coloured spear each.

At the signal, both men hit their horses and charged into the forest, with their weapons in hand and ready for the attack.

Several soldiers were placed at strategic places to be on the lookout and make sure none of the competitors cheated the other.

Within five minutes of entering the forest, Cullen and Owen saw a wild boar up ahead. Immediately, they both strung their arrows, ready to take the shot.

Swoosh!

Owen's arrow hit the target on the head first, making the boar turn and cry out in pain. This swift reaction ended up making Cullen lose to the boar as his arrow flew past the boar and hit a nearby tree.

Seeing the red coloured arrow hit the animal, one of the soldiers rose up from where he was hiding and called out. "His Royal Highness one, Young General, zero." 

Owen smiled to himself and turned his gaze to the far side to take a look at Cullen, his smile broadening when their eyes met.

"Hyah!"

Hitting his horse, Cullen rode off faster than Owen, ignoring the obvious stares of the Prince.

'Hurry all you want. You are still no match for me when it comes to hunting. Unfortunately for you, I have already won a challenge. I am going to be the winner." Owen boasted to himself and hit his heel against the horse, hurrying after Cullen.

Minutes later, they came in contact with another boar. Upon hearing the hooves of the incoming horses, the boar was about taking to its heels when Cullen strung his arrow almost instantly and released his shot.

Swoosh!

His arrow hit the boar on the throat. The animal wailed before falling to the ground and dying on the spot. Owen released his arrow at the animal and it hit the boar on the ground a minute later.

"Hyahh!" Both men rode off into the distance, their eyes sharp and fierce as they searched earnestly for the next boar.

Within a span of ten minutes, they found two wild boars at the same time.

"Hyah!"

Both of them hit their hoses at the same time and rode after the boars. Noticing the incoming danger, the boars separated and ran. Owen and Cullen once again strung their arrows and shot. The boars took a turn at that moment and the arrows missed.

Immediately, Cullen took hold of his spear and threw it at the boar. He landed a hit and Owen's furrowed the more. Quickly, he got ready his arrow and shot at the other boar the moment he noticed Cullen eyeing the next boar.

'You think I would lose to you? Not a chance. I would prove father wrong and win this challenge.' he thought to himself. 

Two more wild boars were killed by each of the competitors, giving them a draw. Both charged forward on their horses, searching for the next wild boar. 

It took them another twenty minutes before they could see the next and the last boar as they were getting close to the border mark for the hunting.

"Hyahhh!"

They increased their paces and chased with all their might on their horses, no one wants to lose to the other. Unfortunately, the wild boar heard the incoming hooves of the horses and took to its heels.

"Damn it! Why don't you just stay there and wait for me?" Owen complained in his mind, his face contorting into a frown as he picked an arrow from his quiver. 

\u003cAuthor: Who does that, Owen? Sit and wait for death… Nah, I don't think so.\u003e

\u003cOwen: *Glares*\u003e

At the other side, Cullen strung his bow, one eye closed and the other open, ready to let his arrow go. Both men released their arrows and the boar took a turn, escaping the arrows aimed at it.

"Hyah, come on faster, I cannot lose," Owen commanded his horse, his frown deepening as he spoke.

"Atta, boy. Let's go after it."

Seeing as there were soldiers lined up on the borderline, this time the wild boar turned around completely and ran towards where it was coming from, in the centre, charging right at them.

Owen quickly took out another arrow and took his aim. Cullen did same, but this time, he strung two arrows on his bow.

The moment Owen released his Arrow, Cullen did too. Three arrows moved fast towards the boar, one of Cullen's arrow hit Owen's, making it fall to the ground while the other arrow, went straight to the crown of the wild boar.

With a loud thud, the animal fell to its side on the ground. Everyone's eyes widened with shock, they still couldn't believe the outcome.