Chapter 113: Lessons at the Bottom of the Pit
Despite the heavy huffing and panting echoing from the surface, the hunter troop up there still looked incredibly energetic after hauling the first massive bull out of the pit.
Maybe the thrill of such a huge, successful hunt was giving them a second wind. Nuan caught the ropes as the pack threw them back down into the trench.
She shook out the coils and handed the ends over to the two young wolves. "Okay, kiddos. I taught you how to do this once. Let me see what you’ve learned."
"We tie this bull on our own?" Kiro asked, his ears twitching as he stared at the heavy carcass.
"Yep, go right ahead. I’ll check your work," Nuan said, crossing her arms.
"But what if we mess up?" Kiro asked, his shoulders dropping with genuine concern. "What if the knot slips midway while they’re pulling it up and drags everyone down into the pit with it?"
Before Nuan could offer a reassuring word, Koda brought his palm down in a sudden smack against Kiro’s back. "Did you not hear what the Witch just said?! She said she will check it, which means she’s going to point out our mistakes before they even pull!"
"Exactly. Don’t worry, Kiro," Nuan smiled, her tone softening. "I know you’re worried about messing up and hurting someone, but trust me, I’ll be watching every single loop."
Kiro let out a slow breath before nodding.
Together, the two pups moved to the front of the bull, working in tandem to tie the thick vine ropes tightly around the base of the horns.
Watching them carefully recall the structure of the loop knot made Nuan feel a quiet wave of pride.
But this wasn’t just a spontaneous pop quiz; she intentionally wanted the pups to take their time so the wolves up on the surface had a few extra minutes to rest their muscles before hauling the next ton weight up.
After ten minutes of focused effort, Koda and Kiro pulled the vines taut, using their strength to lock the knots perfectly into place.
Nuan stepped forward and thoroughly checked all three points—the knots around both horns and the security line wrapped tightly around the chest behind the forelegs.
"Good job, kids," she said, affectionately patting both of their heads.
She looked up toward the opening of the pit. "Ready to catch?"
"Ready!" the hunters echoed from above.
"Okay, let’s throw the ropes up!" Nuan told the pups. The three of them heaved the heavy vine ends high into the air, where Kael and the hunter troop caught them seamlessly.
As the wolves on the surface began to pull, Nuan sat right down in the dirt, pulling Kiro and Koda down to sit beside her as they watched the second bull slowly hovered off the ground.
"Listen, kiddos," Nuan said, looking at them. "Since you two are such quick learners, it’s officially your duty to teach these methods to the rest of the pack later, okay? When you have some free time during the afternoon heat, make sure you show them how it’s done."
"What do we even tie the ropes onto to teach them?" Kiro asked, tilting his head.
"Well, you have plenty of trees and boulders around the clearing to practice on," Nuan chuckled. "Plus, the horns from today’s hunt aren’t exactly getting eaten anyway, so you can always use those for live practice."
"Ohh!! Understood!" Kiro chirped, his tail wagging.
Nuan turned her gaze toward the other pup, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Hey, Koda. You’ve been awfully quiet lately. What’s going on in that furry head of yours?"
"Hmm... where exactly does your kind live, Witch?" Koda asked suddenly, his gaze remarkably genuine.
Nuan was caught completely off guard by the sudden question. She blinked. "Huh? Why do you ask?"
"I want my future mate to be exactly like you. Smart," Koda answered simply, completely serious.
"Ugh, well... you see, my kind lives very, very far away," Nuan murmured, her eyes drifting toward the sky. "To a place where even I can’t reach anymore. But hey, you can always find a clever wolf mate in these lands, and then you can teach her everything I’m teaching you. You two can become an even smarter pair!"
"Are there really none of your species left near here? Are they all extinct?" Koda pressed, his ears pinning back sadly. "Is it really just you, the Good Witch, and the Evil Witch left in the world?"
"Ugh, well, yeah... something like that," Nuan murmured, feeling a slight pang in her chest as she looked back up at the halfway-pulled bull.
She shook the thought away and looked down at the young pup. "You know, Koda, instead of focusing on finding the perfect woman for yourself, you should focus on becoming the perfect man for her first. You can’t wish for the best when you aren’t worthy of it yet."
Beside them, Kiro’s eyes widened to the size of saucers.
Nuan paused, looking at his stunned expression. "Hm? What happened to you?"
"...Wait...I think I get it," Kiro slowly turned his head toward his brother, his voice filled with an intense, sudden reverence. "Do you get it, Koda? Do you understand what the Witch just said?"
"Hmm, yes," Koda said, puffing out his chest. "The Witch said I have to be perfect to get a perfect mate!"
Kiro shook his head slowly, a brilliant, philosophical spark lighting up his young eyes. "No, dummy. Once you actually become perfect, you will no longer wish for a perfect mate."
...Eh? Did I actually mean something that deep? Nuan thought, her inner soul sweating as she stared at the young wolf philosopher.
"Right, Witch?" Kiro asked, turning toward her with sparkling, eager eyes.
"Ugh... well, hm... yeah?! Exactly!" Nuan murmured, nodding along as if she had planned the philosophical mic-drop all along.
"What does that even mean?!" Koda whined, tossing his hands up.
"Kekeke! I won’t tell you!" Kiro grinned, showing his fangs. "The Witch’s words of wisdom stay with me!"
Ugh, no, wait, I also want to know now! What did I even mean by that? I don’t even know! Nuan groaned internally, rubbing her temples.
She cleared her throat quickly. "Ahem, Kiro... knowledge is something you’re supposed to share with others!"
"Oh. Then I’ll tell Koda later tonight," Kiro relented, giving his brother a smug look.