"CRASH!"
Samael, having activated Medusa's Shield, staggered backward.
The Demon Boar, slamming headfirst into the earth-colored barrier, was sent flying like a bull struck head-on. It skidded backward for dozens of meters, its hooves gouging deep trenches in the soil before collapsing in a convulsive heap.
Both of its massive tusks had snapped clean off, half its face grotesquely deformed. Blood gushed from its torn flesh, painting a wretched and pitiful sight.
The fatal blow was unmistakable—the arrow that had pierced through its eye socket into its skull, the mangled arrowhead jutting out from the back of its head.
It was the very shot Atalanta had loosed earlier, the one that shattered the Primordial Demon Boar's divine runes. By pure chance, it had become the creature's death sentence.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
The huntress, snapping out of her shock, rushed over to Samael at once. Her hands, trembling slightly, moved frantically over his chest, his cheeks, checking him up and down in worry.
"Cough… If your touching could heal me, I'd be perfectly fine already."
Samael blinked and gave a soft cough, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Thud!"
Atalanta froze, realizing her flustered state, then abruptly pulled her hands back. Still fuming, she smacked him on the head and hissed under her breath.
"We'll settle this later! You—!"
"Haha! The Calydon Hunt is over! What are you all waiting for? Cheer for our victor!"
Samael cut her off with a laugh, diverting the moment before she could retort.
The gathered heroes, now shaken from their stupor, began pounding their shields in rhythm. Encircling the towering carcass of the Calydonian Boar, they raised their voices, chanting Atalanta's name.
As those who had witnessed and fought in this legendary hunt, they could now stand tall, pride swelling as they celebrated their part in the victory.
"You're the one who finished that Demon Boar, brat. I wouldn't dare steal your glory."
The huntress pulled Samael aside, lips pursed in a faint huff.
Samael blinked, then turned toward the massive corpse surrounded by cheering warriors. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Who broke the divine runes?"
"I did…"
"And how did the Demon Boar die?"
"An arrow through the skull…"
"And who fired that arrow?"
"…Me."
"So, you see, by every measure—whether it's credit or the killing blow—you're the true culprit here. I'm just an accomplice at best."
Atalanta gave a helpless smile at his teasing logic. Still feeling a trace of guilt, she sighed and relented, adding softly,
"Fine. I'll take the credit for this one, then."
"Big Sis, mighty and glorious! The slayer of the Calydonian Boar!"
"Stop that! If there's a reward you want, tell me. I can have it granted by the King of Calydon."
"Can I ask you for something instead?"
"…Alright. What is it? As long as it's within my power…"
"Your tail! I want to touch Big Sis's tail!"
The Ancient Serpent finally revealed his true aim, his eyes gleaming with triumphant determination.
"Smack!"
And, as expected, his head met a well-deserved slap.
"Tsk, not okay?"
"It's fine…"
"Then it's settled—huh? Wait, what did you just say, Big Sis?"
"I said it's fine."
"Really?"
"Yes. Considering how hard you've worked, I'll reluctantly grant your request."
"No problem!"
"And just this once. Don't expect me to do it again!"
"I promise!"
When Atalanta finally gave in, Samael's mind filled with joy. He nodded rapidly, grinning ear to ear, barely containing his excitement.
"So, when do we start?"
"Back home, idiot! You want me to do it here, in front of everyone?!"
A vein bulged on the huntress's forehead, a fierce aura radiating around her. The grinding of her teeth grew audibly sharp.
Samael was certain that if he pushed his luck any further, this lioness on edge would pounce and tear off a piece of him.
Still—alone together, cat ears, beast tail, within reach—just thinking about it sent a thrill down his spine.
"Hmph! Can't you have a bit more ambition? Weapons, armor, potions, money—anything else would've made sense! But no, you had to ask for something this stupid!"
Atalanta managed to steady her breath, but seeing that infuriatingly smug smile on his face reignited her anger. She ground her teeth, fuming silently.
Then, recalling the extravagant ritual from before, her lips twitched. A twinge of jealousy rose within her.
With Athena's divine favor, it wasn't as if he needed any material reward anyway.
Still, I'm not lacking either!
If I offer the Calydonian Boar whole to Lady Artemis, she'll surely bless me with something even greater.
Atalanta steadied her thoughts, then approached the towering corpse with a mix of anticipation and reverence.
She ran her hand over the Demon Boar's vibrant bristles and resilient hide before crouching down, drawing her small knife to butcher the beast. She carefully set aside the most valuable parts—the pelt and the heart.
"Stop right there! That's our prey—we found it first!"
At that moment, two familiar faces emerged from the brush, leading a group of men who blocked Atalanta's path, shouting haughtily.
"The Calydonian Boar's been ravaging the land for over a decade, seen dozens of times! If it were that easy to find, someone else would've killed it long ago!"
Samael stepped forward, brushing aside the two elders' hands with a frown and a cold snort.
"Don't try to twist this. We're the ones who found it, attacked it, and dealt serious damage. You just showed up to take the credit."
The elder snapped impatiently, but when his eyes fell on what Atalanta was holding, greed flickered in them.
"The one we fought didn't have a single scratch on it!"
Samael slammed the butt of his spear into the ground, glaring fiercely.
"You can insult us, but you will not insult the heroes who fell here to end Calydon's plague! Nor will you belittle the effort and sacrifice of those who fought beside them!"
The wounded heroes, especially those who'd lost comrades, felt their anger rise. Their eyes turned sharp, filled with hostility toward the shameless men trying to snatch the spoils.
Even if they had suffered losses, bringing down the Calydonian Boar and letting Atalanta take the vital parts gave them pride—and something to show for it.
But now, these two old parasites wanted to take it all with a few empty words? After losing so many, would they really return home empty-handed to mockery?
Who cares about scraps? What we want is what that girl holds in her hands!
Seeing the mood shift dangerously, the elder opened his mouth to de-escalate—but froze. In his eyes reflected two deep crimson-black lights, and a wave of madness and arrogance flooded his mind.
"What are you looking at?! I said it's mine, so it's mine! What, not satisfied with the bones I'll throw you, you mangy dogs who sniffed your way here?!"
He compared us to hunting dogs of Calydon?! You begged us to come here!
The usually composed heroes snapped in fury—especially the proud twin swordsmen and the hot-headed Caenis.
"We're just taking what's rightfully ours. Don't push your luck!"
Samael stood firm before the Demon Boar's remains, righteous fury in his voice. The surrounding heroes, tempers flaring, joined in his defiance.
"Enough, you rabid dogs! I'll crush your bones and snap your legs—let's see if you can still bark then!"
The younger uncle, even more volatile, jabbed his finger toward the heroes as he shouted.
"Everyone, Meleager is on his way! As long as we keep them from taking the spoils until he arrives, the prince will judge fairly!"
Samael, ever the "reasonable" serpent, raised his hand to steady the group, signaling them to stand their ground and guard their prize.
"You want to wait for Meleager? To report us? I'll slaughter you all before that happens!"
The two red-eyed members of Calydon's demigod families grinned viciously, brandishing their spears. Taken by surprise, several heroes were slashed across the body.
"That old bastard went for the kill?! Think we're that easy to push around?! Kill him!"
A furious roar erupted from among the crowd, igniting the heroes' rage.
"You cowards! Try laying a hand on us!"
The two arrogant royal relatives sneered and thrust their spears again—only for the heroes to charge with feral fury.
Spears, shields, and swords rained down in a chaotic clash.
The so-called noble voices of the royal kin were soon drowned beneath the sickening crunch of breaking bones and tearing flesh.