The rain of the rainy season comes suddenly and stops quickly.
Quickly, the accumulated rainwater is absorbed by the earth, and many animals start to become active again, with predators stepping out of their nests to look for dinner.
Mountain deer leap and gallop through the forests, their nimble hooves undeterred by the damp soil.
A few wild boars joyfully roll in the muddy pool granted by heaven, coating their bodies with thick layers of mud, which will dry and form armor to protect them from the predators’ sharp claws and fangs.
Several squirrels peek around on the branches, their fluffy tails curling over their heads like small fur caps. Squeak, a little squirrel seems to sense impending danger and slinks its tail into the tree hole, causing the remaining squirrels to scatter.
The sound of hooves clattered in the jungle, initially heard hundreds of meters away, but quickly arrived nearby. How could cavalry appear and gallop at such speed in this dense vegetation and shrub-filled complex terrain?
No, these are not human or Beastman cavalry but Centaurs, a formidable tribe living in the vast rainforest. Several Centaurs navigate the forest more agilely than the mountain deer, their broad hooves flying, and the splattering mud unable to catch up to their swift strides.
The complex terrain actually provides them with ease in traversing the jungle, and the tall trees can also be used for leverage, as their sturdy hooves tread on the tree trunks as if they were flat ground.
These Centaurs have upper bodies like humans but are stronger, clad in leather armor made from ferocious beasts and animal hides, with their bows and shotguns aimed at the wild boars still rolling in the mud pools during their rapid run.
Their powerful and precise archery is unaffected by the motion, as if a sudden rain strike, the arrows and thrown shotguns tear through the air with momentum and lightning speed, accurately hitting the hearts of several wild boars, causing blood to spill into the turbid mud pools.
Every Centaur Warrior possesses exceptional archery talents that rival those renowned Divine Archers of the High Elves. Even a simple Wooden Bow in their hands can be a formidable threat, which is why these Centaurs can tenaciously resist the Ogre Tribe’s annexation and enslavement without Shamans.
Especially the leading Centaur Female Warrior who holds a large yellow-black bow faintly emanating powerful Magic Radiance, clearly a weapon created from some mighty Magical Creature, exuding an extremely dangerous and lethal aura.
"Suniya, your archery has improved again." The older Centaur Female Warrior walks to the leading female warrior, looking gratified at the disciple about to come of age. Though not as robust as an adult Centaur Warrior, she is beginning to show the unique talents of a Centaur.
However, named Centaur Suniya does not respond to the topic but instead roves her gaze across the forest with her delicate nostrils sometimes quivering, then turns seriously, "Be cautious, I sense a powerful presence, perhaps some mighty creature has entered the tribe’s hunting grounds, not far from here."
Though the older Centaur hasn’t detected anything amiss, she’s not surprised. Although Suniya’s skills do not match her own, she has been gifted since childhood, once blessed by forest fairies, with strong Spiritual Perception, standing out in the Centaur Tribe’s new generation.
She must have detected something difficult for her to perceive, so she cups her fingers on her thick lips, whistling to signal the Centaur Warriors behind her to follow, then leading them galloping into the forest.
The sunlight gradually descends, with the last twilight enveloping the land, and the forest dimming further. A few Centaurs tread cautiously on the soft soil blanketed with fallen leaves, even with heavy prey on their broad backs, their footsteps lighter than the rustling leaves stirred by the forest’s breeze.
However, the rustling leaves seem abnormally loud; a peculiar danger seems imminent in the dim forest. "Something is there," Centaur Suniya stops alertly, slightly drawing her bow and arrow, wary of potential danger.
The other Centaur Warriors also drop their prey and grip their shotguns tightly, enjoying violence rather than fearing combat.
A rustle among the trees, a Giant Dragon slowly steps forth from the dim forest undergrowth. Karon gleams his eyes and chuckles at the vigilant Centaurs, "This mountain, oh, this forest belongs to Giant Dragons, with its prey as ours. To pass through here, you must leave some prey as a toll."
Giant Dragon! Thoughts flood the Centaur minds - how could a Giant Dragon appear here, especially a Red Dragon known for its ruthlessness and savagery!
Fortunately, this Giant Dragon only demands leaving prey. This is the Centaurs’ second thought. To most sentient beings of the Icaria World, Dragons are apex beings representing insurmountable power. Although this dragon seems young, even the most arrogant and combative male Centaur wouldn’t think he can defeat the Red Dragon now present.
In remote lands, innate power naturally holds irresistible authority.
So the Centaurs don’t conceptualize this as robbery but promptly place their prey before Karon.
"May we go now, mighty Giant Dragon?" The older female Centaur places her hands on her ample chest, bowing respectfully to the Dragon, showing respect for strength.
"Wait," possessing innate sensitivity to treasure, perhaps due to hunger and injuries, the greed stirred by Evil Dragon Blood weakened Karon’s resolve. Eyeing the Centaur with a special Longbow, he covets, "That bow seems like a nice treasure, let me see."
Suniya knows dragons are inherently greedy – once the Treasure Bow leaves her hands, it’ll never return. Against this, only inciting the dragon’s wrath would achieve nothing else, leaving her no choice but to touch the Longbow handed down through the tribe for centuries, one of the few tribal treasures she hesitantly offers to Karon.
"Today, this Longbow slips from my hands, decreasing the tribe’s treasures again." Suniya regrets, feeling guilt, yet must introduce, "This bow is crafted from the sinews of a powerful snake slain by a Centaur tribe hero hundreds of years ago, allowing users to harness the wind, making arrows as swift as lightning."
However, Karon merely glances at it, then lowers his head sniffing it, waving his Dragon Claw, indicating the Centaur to keep the bow and arrow, muttering, "No wonder it smells familiar, I’ve surely eaten such snakes; probably tastes good."
"Huh?" Suniya looks surprised at the dragon, genuinely unprepared for the Red Dragon just wanting to glance at the bow. This Red Dragon hardly resembles greedy dragons, not seizing any treasure.
"What’s huh, I can’t use it." Karon sees the little mare’s thoughts plainly, sulking, "Why aren’t you going? Don’t tell me you’re mooching here?"
"Ah, no, mighty Dragon, thank you for your generosity." The Centaurs hastily reclaim the Longbow, fearing the dragon’s change of mind, constantly thanking it, as if the dragon refraining from seizing her treasure was virtuous.
Karon bothers no more, grabs the two fattest wild boars from the ground, and ambles towards his temporary dug cave, needing food urgently.