My Last Hunt

Level Four (3)

Test for registration: 

The team consisted of five members including Qiao. They headed towards the fourth region of the Middle forest which mainly had level three peak or level four monsters. This region was only open for stronger teams. The uniqueness of this region was its vicinity. Uneven hills and the even bigger vines were ubiquitous to the very eyes. 

If a chaser who had learned the normal moves of agility was to be careless here, he would get puzzled over how to retreat or move forward in a situation of hurry or urgency. Qiao was the one most amazed to see this region, this region was somehow similar to the hilly or mountainous areas of earth but there still remained the uniqueness that set it apart. 

"Qiao since you are the new member and also you are here to give the test for registration, you will be the one doing most of the part of the hunt." 

The team leader announced and Qiao was left speechless. If he was the one supposed to hunt all alone why did even they bother to come along. 

"Come on, you seem to be scared. We are here to help you in case you lose it." He spoke like a very serious and considerate senior, but perhaps all others understood his words and started laughing. Qiao saw their laugh and could only shake his head. 

"Man show us your experience of the years or are you among those who snatch the last attack. Maybe you really don't have much experience since you don't even look that old. You might have started hunting only recently." Someone pointed at the fact that he was younger among them. 

Now this was another suspicion which he might take multiple years to explain about him. 

"You got frightened?" The team leader asked, he was testing the mental calibre of this chaser. He could not see the scared look or fear on his face so he thought to ask in case he was pretending to be stronger yet actually he was not. 

"There is nothing frightening, I am only concerned for the type of monster we will face as I have never hunted in this region." Qiao pointed to the odd setting of the place and spoke. 

The team then scattered slightly and minded their own business as they looked around. Soon the team leader had sensed a monster and he gestured at them to move to search for it. 

"In this region almost all of the monster happened to be horntail. They bear horns on all over their body. Sometimes even hidden horns for defence depending on their nature. But they all look very calm, apparently just like you while actually they happen to be scared of chasers and rarely happen to get caught with ease. So these hills would help greatly, if you know what it means to be agile." The team leader patiently explained. 

It was normal for chasers to lose agility if they only focus to hunt with power. There were many who often took the meat from the same monster and eat it after hunting it. Those who don't believe in the five main skills, they simply build up giant bodies and strengthen their physique as such to increase raw strength to hunt with their power or force. 

Such kind of chasers level up like normal hunters but their appearance is completely different. Levelling up helps their bones to become strong and big while eating such meat from monsters, they became giant humans. 

So when the team leader pointed it out, he meant actual agility skill. Qiao took a deep breath in and then started jumping towards the hills while kicking the ground for support in an experienced way. At the same time someone sent a signal that the monster was spotted. 

The Team leader nodded and followed the direction to observe the monster first. 

This was an eight feet tall monster with a long horntail. The tail was almost equal to the length of the whole body. Watching it from afar, the chasers could imagine what level of difficulty they had to face. 

"Alright boys, since all of you have passed the test to be a part of this team while Qiao is a newer addition, we will give this chance to the young and enthusiastic boy. Half of you will remain at the rear for the time being." He clapped and got the attention of all and then disclosed the most important part of today's hunt. 

Qiao still thought that it was another serious joke by the team leader but when he saw half of them leaving behind, it made his brows twitch slightly. The team leader, Qiao and one more member alone stood there. 

"One of the most dangerous part of this type of hunt is to think of a counter decision against the horntail's defence. It has an approximately seven-foot-long tail with clear and large horns or thorns protruding from it." he shrugged and then spoke again. "So, what you are thinking to against it right now?" 

"Well it depends on the fact if you will be in this hunt or not because my hunting choices would differ from yours. And as you said, I am the one hunting which means you will be following my instructions and whatever we gain from it, half of it will go to me."

"But as I am also part of the team and am hunting under your instructions, then of course I will follow what you say no matter how much the style of your hunt differs from my method." Qiao spoke in a carefree manner and the leader kept looking at him agape for some time. 

His words were really twisted, in that if someone was not careful, they would think he was just speaking the truth. But in fact, he had pushed all responsibility upon the leader. If he was to hunt the monster then either it was under the leader and then he would just be following instructions and not doing it solo as the leader wanted. If the leader told him to do it on his own with just two members, then he would be claiming half the spoils which was something the leader did not want,

The leader also grasped his words. If he was going to follow this newbie and lost the claim of the stones too, would he be able to save face in front of his team? And who knows what type of instructions this newbie would give him. 

He never thought that this young chaser could be this smart. The way he told that only half of the team would be hunting and throwing most of the burden on his shoulders, he could complain about the team behaviour in the Guild.