The next morning, the clearing was alive with the sharp thuds of feet stomping against the dirt.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Hunnt's feet slammed the ground ten times in rapid succession before his body lurched forward like a spring uncoiling—then collapsed into an awkward tumble, rolling across the ground.
"Ugh…!" Hunnt groaned, spitting dirt out of his mouth as he sat up, his hair sticking in every direction. He clenched his trembling fists.
"…No. Again."
He planted his feet, replaying the memory in his head. The move was simple, right? A stomp. Then accelerate. That's what he remembered from the anime, anyway.
I just need… more control, he muttered to himself. If I can do this… I'll be unstoppable.
Hunnt tried again. And again. And again.
---
By the end of the first day, his legs felt like molten lead. Every step burned, but the pain only fueled his determination.
Day 1: Fall after every dash.
Day 3: Take three clean steps before stumbling.
Day 5: Dash forward half the clearing without collapsing.
Day 7: Land in a perfect stance, even if only for a second.
Each day, his movements became sharper, more precise. It felt right.
By the second week, his body was transforming. His legs felt spring-loaded, his balance impeccable. He could hear the rush of wind past his ears when he moved.
And the villagers noticed.
---
One afternoon, as Hunnt ran the perimeter of the village for the tenth time, an old farmer leaned on his hoe and blinked in disbelief.
"Hunnt, was that you runnin' just now? Thought it was a deer flashin' by."
Hunnt slowed his pace, trying to catch his breath but keeping his grin steady.
"Just… exercising!"
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Kid's got legs like lightning, that one."
Hunnt waved and jogged off, but inside, his excitement was bubbling over.
Faster. I need to be faster, he whispered to himself later that evening, staring at the callouses forming on his feet and hands.
---
Nights were just as intense as his days. After dinner with Grandma Mel and Grandpa Dom, he'd sneak out to the clearing, repeating the motion until the moon was high. His body kept recovering faster than normal, each rest period strengthening his muscles beyond what a boy his age should be capable of.
---
High above, hidden among the branches of a tall tree, a pair of glowing eyes tracked every movement.
Pyro crouched low, his tail flicking silently as he watched.
*Nya… this one is… different", the Palico thought, ears twitching.
At first, the strange child had piqued his curiosity. But as the days turned into weeks, that curiosity deepened. Hunnt was no longer just a child aimlessly running in circles—he was learning, adapting, accelerating.
Pyro's sharp eyes followed every burst of movement, every moment Hunnt stumbled and then picked himself back up.
"Nya… his speed's growing by the day. No one trains like this… not without guidance", Pyro mused. His whiskers twitched. And yet, he's doing it. Alone.
The Palico's claws flexed slightly against the bark.
Should I… approach him? No. Not yet. Let's see what you're really capable of.
And with that, Pyro slipped deeper into the canopy, leaving Hunnt alone with his heavy breathing and determined grin—each stomp of his foot echoing with the promise of something greater.