Reincarnated in an Otome game named "Intertwined fates" as a villainess.

Chapter 46 - The grand hunt begins.

"I've got a feeling that this won't be like any hunting event we've had before," Winston said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay sharp, everyone."

"I'm ready for whatever comes our way," Asher said, his grin returning as he adjusted his bow.

Princess Elizabeth glanced at each of them, her expression serious now. "Let's do this. For Adonis. For the future."

With that, the group ventured into the forest, stepping into the unknown, prepared for whatever dangers and challenges awaited them.

Deep in the heart of the forest, a hidden figure watched the group's every move. The figure's eyes gleamed with malice, their plans far from over. As the students moved deeper into the forest, the figure knew that the game was about to begin. The hunt was on.

The dense forest loomed before them as the group ventured deeper, the towering trees casting long shadows on the path ahead. The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and the faint rustle of leaves as creatures skittered in the underbrush. The sounds of the forest were both soothing and unsettling, the stillness occasionally broken by the distant calls of birds and the occasional crack of a branch underfoot.

Winston took the lead, his senses heightened as he carefully scanned their surroundings. Behind him, Asher was humming a tune, though his eyes were sharp, constantly darting around. Lucas walked calmly beside Adonis, his hands tucked into the folds of his robe as he muttered incantations under his breath, ensuring their magical wards were intact.

Zavier, ever the strategist, was quietly observing, making mental notes of their surroundings and mapping out the best way to approach their task. His mind wasn't just on the hunt but on the bigger picture—Adonis's safety, the growing threats against her, and the possible involvement of dark forces in the academy.

"Stay alert," Zavier's voice cut through the low murmur of the forest. "Remember, this isn't just about hunting. The real challenge could come when we least expect it."

"Right," Asher replied, adjusting his bow on his back. "But I can't say I'm not excited. Haven't been out in the wild like this in ages."

Princess Elizabeth shot him a playful glance. "Just don't get us into trouble, Ash."

As they pressed forward, the group noticed the subtle signs that this was no ordinary forest. The trees appeared unnaturally tall, their trunks gnarled and twisted, and the foliage seemed thicker and darker as they ventured further in. The ground beneath their feet was soft and spongy, almost as if it were alive, shifting with every step they took.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down everyone's spine.

"Did anyone else hear that?" Asher asked, his voice lowering.

"Yes," Winston answered, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay on guard. That wasn't an animal I'm familiar with."

The group slowed their pace, moving in tighter formation. Lucas murmured a spell under his breath, and a faint shimmer of light surrounded them, offering some measure of protection.

"We're being watched," Zavier said, his eyes scanning the treetops. "Stay sharp."

Just as the tension reached its peak, the growl came again, louder this time, followed by the sound of something heavy moving through the underbrush. Without warning, a massive creature leaped from the shadows, its glowing red eyes fixed on the group.

It was a towering beast, easily the size of a bear, with thick, matted fur and claws that gleamed like knives. Its snout was long and filled with razor-sharp teeth, and its body rippled with muscle. The creature snarled, revealing a row of fangs that dripped with venom.

Asher quickly nocked an arrow, his hands steady as he aimed. "On my mark, we take it down."

Before anyone could respond, the beast lunged, its jaws snapping toward Winston, who barely managed to dodge in time. With a roar, it turned its attention to the others, moving with terrifying speed.

Zavier's eyes narrowed, his mind already calculating their moves. "Split up! Create distance! We can't fight it head-on."

"Got it!" Asher shouted as he fired an arrow, hitting the creature's shoulder, but it barely seemed to flinch. The beast howled in anger and turned toward him.

"That's not good," Asher muttered, rolling out of the way just as the beast charged.

Winston drew his sword and moved to intercept the creature, aiming for its underbelly. "Stay back! I'll keep it distracted!"

Princess Elizabeth, her eyes blazing with determination, quickly began chanting an incantation. The air around her shimmered as she summoned a barrier of light to protect them, but the beast seemed intent on breaking through.

"I'll need a few more seconds," she said, her voice tense. "Don't let it get any closer!"

Lucas stepped forward, his staff glowing with power. He muttered an incantation, sending a wave of energy toward the beast. The magical blast struck it square in the chest, but the creature seemed unaffected, its glowing eyes narrowing in fury.

"This thing is stronger than we thought," Lucas said, gritting his teeth. "We need to figure out how to bring it down, fast."

Winston was already on the move, darting toward the beast's side. With a roar, he swung his sword, landing a solid blow across its ribs. The beast staggered, but it didn't fall.

"Keep hitting it!" Winston yelled. "We need to wear it down!"

Asher, using his speed, nimbly circled the beast, shooting arrows to distract it while Zavier analyzed the situation from a distance. His eyes widened as he spotted a weak spot—right beneath the creature's neck, where the skin seemed thinner.

"That's its vulnerability," Zavier said quickly. "Aim for that spot!"

Winston didn't hesitate. With a battle cry, he lunged forward, his sword aimed at the exposed area. The beast tried to swipe at him with its claws, but he dodged and drove the blade into its neck. The creature howled in pain, thrashing wildly, but it finally collapsed, its body going limp as it let out a final growl.

Breathing heavily, Winston stood over the creature's body, his sword dripping with dark, viscous blood. "That was too close," he said, wiping his brow. "Is everyone okay?"

"We're fine," Asher replied, his voice shaky but relieved. "That thing was a monster."

Princess Elizabeth lowered her barrier, her face pale from the effort. "I thought I was going to lose control of that for a second."

"Good work, everyone," Zavier said, his tone steady despite the chaos. "But this isn't over. We need to keep moving. There's more to this forest than just wild beasts."

As they caught their breath, a sense of unease settled over them. The forest had just tested their strength, and they had barely passed. What lay deeper in the woods, however, was unknown. But they had no choice but to continue.

The hunt had begun—but so had something far more dangerous.