My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 15) 

"Sure, that will be better." Qiao accepted the suggestion and they silently walked a different part of the forest. It was better to remain cautious as long as they could. Qiao was more alert because he remembered his first hunt was also in a cave and it was pretty horrible experience too. 

Since he wanted both his friends to collect spoils and save for their families, he was going to choose only a level two monster. He was at level three currently and level two monster could not give him much experience. Even if he hunted alone, he might get only fifty or such points which were not as appealing as the bigger number of points. So he would let both of them carry most of it. He himself was going to observe the cave and its surrounding. 

The place where they chose to venture today was little different from the normal forest area. It seemed to be a broken part of forest where only a web of caves and rocky hills could be seen everywhere. The shady vines of unknown origin kept winding around in all the directions. 

The Middletown and surrounding forest has three big directions where chasers were directed for hunting according to their levels. Teams were given permission by their Guilds for the specific direction while the rogue teams were free to choose, just that they were solely responsible for their choice. 

The winding vines seem denser and stranger. Only monsters could decide to hide in such places. But the humans had to hunt them for their own safety and living, else all the places would become monster territory and the humans would be cornered. 

"I have heard there are some places in another continent where the humans are really in a cornered situation. They are at a constant war with the monsters to survive." Quipu spoke as they were clearing the path for entering the cave. 

"Is that true. Quipu? Where is this place?" Qiao asked with interest. 

"My knowledge is limited in this regard. I hope to find out about it one day or buy a booklet about it from the old man." He shrugged his shoulders chuckling.

It was after a long time that he showed such lively behaviour. 

"Then we'll both spend our spoils for buying such a booklet." Qiao added laughing. 

He knew they would not be in contact with each other after separating and he himself don't know the written language of this world. But he was interested to know more about such places and venture, one day he would definitely buy the booklet and request someone to read for him. 

Because he wished to collect as much knowledge as he could before taking the long journey to reach Hightown. They silently entered the cave they had chosen and observed. According to the general information, this part of the forest was strictly under observation of strong hunters and as soon as a stronger or higher level monster appeared they would immediately hunt it down before it could reach Middletown and create ruckus or harm the lower level chasers. 

So, lower level chasers could rest assured that they won't end up in front of level five or above monster. This was the responsibility of the stronger hunters of Middletown, to make sure the safety of all those living in Middletown and the Downtown's people. The population of hundred thousand people could only rely on these hunters for their safety and security. 

This part of the continent had peasants all over the plain grounds, living their simple lives along with their families. Only a small population joined in the hunting profession as mostly were afraid of monsters or they quit fast enough after experiencing the danger. Most were labelled as the Zero Soul's Efficiency. Since people were conservative, they take the bravery exhibited by hunter as gifted or a granted thing which was in actuality learned with experience. 

The knowledge regarding secrets of hunters was limited to the stronger or those who have guts to face the danger. So anyone who joined a Guild or became a rogue chaser or hunter was brave enough to experience the truth between false belief and reality. 

….

The cave was damp from inside and they could hear light snores of the monster. 

"You both should get ready now," Qiao walked ahead of them as he was strong and could face the monster if it suddenly attacked. The cave was not big nor was it too small, so they could expect that monster won't be small either. 

They walked further as Linwin held his sword with a strong grip and got ready. Unfortunately, the cave was not smooth so that they could move without making a sound. The thick soil under their feet fell, creating a thumping sound and the monster got alert. Unlike the cave, the monster was not damp nor lazy, it's reaction speed was a lot faster than they expected. 

Usually these monsters take chasers as intruders whom they could kick out of their territory with one attack so they act lazily and without much fierceness right from the start. But this one seemed to be more at alarm and alert. 

It was a level two according to Quipu and its skin had strange scales which they had never seen before. The spaces between the scales were breathing out the sharp and small tentacles. This meant the monster was ready to use its defense but it had no eyes apparently. They were confused how it was going to see them. 

This was not a stupid question in this situation because if this monster used its body as sensors, then they would be done for to invite this trouble on themselves. The monster would bring about its whole body for attack or perhaps with those scales? 

Before they could find an answer properly, "Ah, be careful everyone," Qiao shouted and hurriedly bent to save from the attack of the monster.