Elder Cultivator

For the sake of contribution points, joining a group of strong disciples for The Hunt would probably be for the best. The only problem was, Anton wasn’t sure if anyone would want him… or if he would want to join them. What could he learn, being supported by those stronger than him? Would it be worth it even if he got extra equipment or cultivation materials? Anton truly didn’t know, but forming a group with people he knew was something he would prefer. Only… who did he know?

Elders didn’t count. And, despite knowing many of them tangentially, he only really knew names and small details about most of them. Vincent was the one he knew the most, but again… it didn’t matter.

Who had he met? The list was quite small. He was introduced to the sect by a young man named Sterling, but they had no contact after that. He was acquainted with several people who attended Elder Kseniya’s archery demonstrations, but they were ahead of him in cultivation. That left very few people. Only the others in his complex, and Hoyt. Perhaps one of them needed one more for a group. Anton couldn’t be sure if they were even going to join The Hunt, but he could ask.

Despite living in the same complex as the three others, the first Anton encountered was Hoyt. After all, he woke up much earlier than the others. Hoyt was still working the same fields as Anton, and they met regularly at breakfast. “Hoyt. Are you planning to join The Hunt?”

“I had considered it, Senior Anton.” A stern look from Anton made him rephrase his sentence. “...Anton. However, I don’t know many others. How about yourself? Do you plan to participate?”

Anton nodded, “I thought it would be a good experience. I’ve had… little exposure to combat. Though I did hunt regular animals. I have a few others I was planning to ask as well, but if you wish to enter, I would be glad to fight with you.”

Hoyt looked at Anton, then nodded. “Of course, I’d be quite glad to join alongside you. Hopefully we can get enough for a full group.”

“Are there any from the same complex as you that would be a good fit?” Anton asked.

Hoyt shook his head, “Not really. I don’t think they would be ready.”

“I have several more I can invite, I’m sure we can find at least a third.”

-----

Anton started in the counterclockwise direction from his own home. He wasn’t sure about Velvet since she’d been related to the earlier trouble… but it was best to be polite regardless. He knocked on her door first.

“Good evening, Anton.” She greeted him as he opened the door.

“Good evening. I believe I previously overheard you talking about joining a group for The Hunt…?” He hadn’t actually heard what it was for, but that was the most likely cause for forming a group at the moment.

She looked over Anton, “That’s right. We’re nearly full, but we might have room for one more, if you want to join.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I have no desire to join a group with only one other person I know. I had thought to form a group with some acquaintances. One from the fields… Timothy…”

Velvet smiled politely, “I wish you luck then. Perhaps we will see each other out there.”

Anton nodded and excused himself. He was glad he was right. And she had clearly not liked the idea of joining up with Timothy. Anton could see why, in practical terms. Timothy was cultivating outside, clearly displaying the aura of the third star. Anton stopped to feel the vigor with which the young man was cultivating. He might not have the talent, but Anton could appreciate his drive. At a moment of rest, Anton knocked on his gate.

“Who is it…?” Timothy asked as he came to the gate. “Oh, Senior Anton.”

Anton smiled, “Just Anton is fine. Despite the respect of the title, I’d rather not be reminded that I’m old. It’s not required by the Order, so I’d prefer if you just call me my name.”

“Of course…” Timothy seemed to twitch as he tried to say Anton’s name. That made him smile.

“Have you heard of The Hunt?” Anton asked.

“Absolutely,” Timothy said, “It’s a big event. Unfortunately… nobody would want to take someone of the third star with them.”

“I don’t know about that. Would you like to join me?”

Timothy’s eyes grew wide, “...Really? But you’re… already at the sixth star. I’d just be dead weight.”

“Nonsense. Another teammate can always be useful. I was thinking of inviting Catarina as well. Do you know if she’s already participating?”

“No. I mean… she isn’t,” Timothy said. “If you don’t mind my cultivation level… I would be glad to join. Catarina… would probably like to as well. I’m sure she’d like you to ask, at least.”

Anton nodded. “I have already recruited another disciple by the name of Hoyt. A solid young man. So we have a minimal team regardless. However, having a fourth would be appreciated.”

Catarina was outside cultivating… though as soon as Anton approached the gate she stopped. He knocked, and she opened it a moment later. “Yes, Senior Anton?”

Anton sighed, “I would prefer to just be called Anton, if you please.” Why was everyone so insistent on that? “Have you heard of The Hunt? I have been putting together a team to participate. I have already recruited one of my friends and Timothy. However, we would appreciate having a fourth.”

“Timothy is going with you?” Catarina nodded. “I would be glad to join… Anton.”

“Excellent. I was thinking we should all gather together to learn what each of us can do, and how we can perform the best. Do you have any particular time constraints?”

Catarina shook her head, “I have nothing that requires a set time.”

“Excellent. I shall try to arrange a time that will work for everyone, perhaps in two days.”

“Of course. S- Anton. I have a question before you go.”

“What is it? I’m glad to answer.”

“Weren’t you… fourth star when we first met?”

“That is correct.” Technically he had been third star when he first saw her, but they didn’t really meet then. He just happened to take note of the pair of young cultivators. “I have been quite happy with my overall rate of advancement, considering my age.”

Catarina nodded. “Okay. Thank you. Just let me know… when we’re meeting.”

-----

Though Hoyt worked all day, it wasn’t as if he had to. Neither of them were technically required to inform Elder Howland that they would not be present the next day, but it was courteous to do so. Since the other two didn’t really have any scheduling requirements, they were able to meet up two days later after Anton started gathering everyone.

There were various sorts of training fields, and the particular one they were at required renting with contribution points. It wasn’t just a field, but a sparring field that had a formation set up to limit damage two cultivators might do to each other. In addition to that, there was an elder on duty over several areas in case something went wrong and someone was seriously injured. It wasn’t expensive, but it would cost something like ten points throughout the duration of the day, which meant beginning workers might only be able to afford to use it after a full day of work. More powerful formations for those at the final few stars of Body Tempering were more expensive, and Spirit Building was out of the question with Anton’s available points. But they didn’t need anything that could withstand so much.

“Hoyt, meet Timothy and Catarina. Likewise, meet Hoyt.”

Both sides properly introduced themselves, as well as feeling out the cultivation of the others. Currently, they had a third star, two fifth stars, and Anton’s sixth. It wasn’t the most impressive group the Order had, but that didn’t matter. They just had to perform their best.

“Why don’t we go over our basic abilities? In case you did not guess from the fact that I always have a bow on me, I am an archer. In general, I make use of Spirit Arrows,” Anton formed an arrow in his hand, “Plus some other archery techniques. I have some movement and defensive skills for my own use, but nothing I imagine would be a benefit to the group. I am of course most useful if enemies stay at range, and would much prefer to kill things there. Though I am told that’s not always simple with magical beasts.” Anton looked to Hoyt.

Hoyt held up a large axe. He was a fit young man, but the size of his body didn’t match the mass of the weapon. “I wield the axe. I am capable of controlling a wide area and breaking through tough defenses.”

Timothy was equipped with a full set of armor, including helmet and a shield. Anton didn’t judge it to be cultivator grade, but it was still better than fortifying his own body. “I use sword and shield, for the most part. I… don’t have much combat experience, but I’ve been practicing interception techniques.”

Catarina had a sword at her side. However, she didn’t bring it up at all, instead summarizing her abilities in a single word. “Formations.”

Hoyt’s jaw dropped, and even Timothy looked somewhat surprised.

Anton stroked his chin. He didn’t really know what formations were, but understood they were quite useful. The bandits had even managed to hide themselves from Elder Vincent for such a long time because they had the services of a formation master. “Great. Let’s get started then.”