The forest trail was quiet, almost deceptively so, as Yoshiya trudged behind the two sleds laden with hides, horns, organs, and the occasional bones. The boars, Baboar and LaBoar, snorted softly as they hauled the heavy loads along the narrow path, their hooves thudding against the forest floor. Omina walked ahead, short sword in hand, glancing around with alert eyes. The sun had begun its descent, casting golden stripes across the undergrowth, but the quiet was too still.
Baboar's ears twitched. LaBoar's nostrils flared. Both snorted sharply, their muscles tensing as if sensing an unseen danger. Yoshiya slowed, keeping his eyes on the thick bushes flanking the trail. "Four wolves," he murmured, voice calm but laced with anticipation. He extended a hand and whispered a small prayer of mana, preparing his Protect and Blessing spells to strengthen the boars.
From the shadows of the trees, four wild wolves emerged, low growls vibrating from their throats. Their eyes fixed greedily on the sleds, the scent of fresh Taurox meat drawing them forward.
Omina crouched slightly, her short sword ready. "Unstrap the sleds!" she commanded, yanking the harnesses free with swift, practiced hands. "Attack! Yoshiya, buffs!"
Yoshiya blinked, caught mid-step. "Wait, seriously? You're making them fight?!"
"They're not just boars anymore," Omina said, grinning. "They're part of the party!"
Baboar and LaBoar snorted loudly and stamped their hooves, readying themselves like armored chargers. Yoshiya sighed, muttering, "Well… okay then," and extended his hands, chanting under his breath. Golden sigils flickered and spiraled over the boars' hides as Blessing and Protect took hold. Their muscles shone faintly, and a faint aura of resilience enveloped them.
The wolves lunged. Omina sidestepped the lead wolf with the agility of a practiced swordswoman, slicing its flank with her short sword. Sparks of metal and fur flew as the wolf yelped, but it recovered quickly.
Baboar charged into the second wolf with terrifying force, tusks slamming the animal sideways into a tree trunk with a heavy thud. LaBoar swung to intercept the third wolf, shoving it down with sheer momentum. The fourth wolf tried to flank the rear of the sleds, but Yoshiya raised his hands, forming a faint Barrier in front of it. The wolf hit the magical wall with a frustrated growl and stumbled backward.
"Baboar, left flank! Laboar, center!" Omina shouted, issuing directions like a battlefield commander. The boars responded immediately, their coordinated movements surprising even Yoshiya. Sparks of teeth and tusks clashed against claws as the skirmish continued for several tense moments. One wolf tried a desperate pounce from the side, but Omina ducked and jabbed it with the tip of her short sword, sending it retreating into the underbrush.
Finally, the last wolf, realizing the tide had turned against them, limped away, ears flat and tail tucked. The forest returned to its earlier calm.
Omina sheathed her sword and clapped both boars on their broad backs. "Good boys! That's how we do it!" She laughed, cheeks flushed.
Yoshiya approached, kneeling beside each animal. His hands glowed faintly as he cast Heal. Scratches and bite marks vanished under the gentle flow of mana, leaving the boars pristine once more. Baboar snorted proudly, while LaBoar blinked at Yoshiya, as if silently thanking him.
"Officially," Yoshiya muttered, "we've become a two-boar combat unit…"
Omina rolled her eyes. "Combat unit? More like chaos on hooves," she said, grinning as she handed each a chunk of roasted Taurox meat from her pack. The boars chomped happily, tails swishing.
By the time they reached Orleaf's outskirts, the sun was nearing the horizon. Townsfolk paused to watch the unusual sight of two enormous boars hauling sleds filled with trophies from their hunt. Yoshiya's careful adjustments kept the load balanced, while Omina walked beside Baboar and LaBoar, patting their heads proudly.
Inside the guild, Lia's eyes widened at the sight of the two adventurers and their beasts. "You… hunted a Taurox family?" she asked, incredulous.
Omina nodded, her short sword resting lightly on her shoulder. "Alpha, four large, three small," she said proudly, gesturing to the sleds outside.
Lia processed the paperwork with a faint smile. "Thirty silver coins for the Taurox subjugation," she said. "Not bad for a single team of two."
Yoshiya shook his head. "We'll keep the materials. The hides, horns, and organs are more valuable than silver if used right."
Lia raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "You two never cease to think ahead, huh?"
Next stop. Brenn's forge. The blacksmith's workshop smelled of smoke and molten metal as he wiped his hands on a cloth. He glanced at the sleds full of Taurox hides and horns.
"Backpack?" he asked. "You've got boars hauling all this now."
Yoshiya and Omina exchanged a glance. "Better to upgrade armor first," Omina said.
Brenn's eyes lit up. "Much better. Alpha Taurox hide is strong—perfect for armor. Much more durable than kobold leather. Your kobold armor?" He gestured toward Omina's worn set.
"Recycle it," Yoshiya said. "We'll make something useful out of it."
Omina nodded, tapping her short sword lightly against the table. "Alpha hide armor, 10 silver. Worth it."
While Bren prepared the tanning and shaping of the hide, Yoshiya rented additional tools to rework the old kobold armor, planning to repurpose it into secondary gear. Omina assisted minimally, her attention split between sleds and overseeing the forge process.
Once the plans were in motion, Omina mounted LaBoar and headed toward Mira to deliver the organs. "Keep an eye on the loot," she said casually, trotting off.
Yoshiya gave a faint chuckle, watching her disappear into the streets. The leftover hides, bones, and horns glimmered in the forge's light. He ran his hand over the materials thoughtfully. "Let's see… what else I can craft with you," he murmured, a sly smile spreading across his face.
The sun closed with both adventurers smiling slyly at their respective tasks. One handling beasts, the other contemplating future upgrades and crafting schemes. Outside, Baboar and LaBoar shifted on their sleds, content after a long day of combat and hauling, as the early evening shadows stretched across Orleaf.