My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 17) 

Quipu was looking at the spoils with wide opened eyes. These spoils were unexpectedly more than he had ever witnessed a single monster leaving behind. He also looked at Qiao who was unconscious, but after deliberating he shook his head to shake away his greedy thoughts. "Linwin, collect these spoils and keep them until brother Qiao wakes up." 

He then moved to check the condition of their team leader. 

Qiao was unconscious and his shoulder was slightly swollen because of the toxin. His breathing was normal which was a sign that he was alive and not suffering internally. Linwin also came back after collecting spoils and sat down beside them.

They could not dig a hole to burry inside the dead monster as the monster was large in size and they had also expended a lot of energy to hunt it down so currently both of them were tired. So they were clueless what to do next and Qiao was also unconscious to give any better suggestions. 

"What should we do now? Should we wait or support brother Qiao in leaving the forest as it is still bright outside." Linwin asked because he considered Quipu as his senior. 

The deep forest where caves and the hills were located usually got dark before the actual sunset and in this situation leaving this part of forest will be almost impossible and they cannot predict the weather at night either. Because the winter were coming and in these days sudden rain or stormy winds were expected, spending a night here would be really precarious. 

"If we chose to leave while brother Qiao is not conscious, it might be a lot more troublesome. First it is possible that our enemies take advantage of the situation and harm us. Or we might instead hurt brother Qiao while dragging him along. In my view we should wait until brother Qiao wakes up. Though it is a risky choice, there doesn't seem to be a better option" Quipu shrugged his shoulders. 

He did not want to take a greater risk when the team leader was not well by bringing them in the middle of the forest despite knowing that they were no more under protection of any Guild. 

"You are right, we should wait." Linwin agreed on this suggestion. Slowly time slipped and they started to chat about their downtown families, how they were living before and what their families expected from them. How their families would react when they will see them again; alive, stronger and with a little wealth. 

"My mother would definitely cry." Linwin laughed. 

"Should not she be happy to see you back?" Quipu asked curiously, as all families express abundance of happiness when their family member return from hunting. 

"Ha-ha, my mother ends up crying to show how happy she is. But I never want to see tears in her eyes whether they are of happiness or grief, she should never cry when I am alive." Linwin spoke with determination sparkling in his eyes. 

Quipu patted his shoulders, "Then we will be going back together, this will help us reach our homes safely." They nodded and agreed. 

Usually hundred over teams chose to head back in their homes for two months of winter, and quarrel or grudges were expected. If they chose to to go along in groups it would be a safe journey. 

They could see the vanishing brightness of the day and could hear some sharp voices of the monsters around. The forest was a dangerous place and even this cave was not safe for them but they were not given a better choice in this situation. 

"Linwin we should drag some big vines and leaves to cover up the entrance of the cave to hide it, so that some stray monsters do not end up entering here." Quipu stood up to set up the security measures since they were going to stay in the cave or probably spend the night too. It was wise to take such steps. 

They dragged as much vines as they could in a short time to secure the entrance and supported it against the walls of the cave. They were tired after that and fell asleep soon though the voices of the monsters were still frightening and horrible but being in the cave gave them some security and after a tiring hunt they gave in to light sleep.

Qiao woke up at the first part of the night and could not see anything in the darkness at first. After a few moments he was able to understand that he was still in the forest and in the same cave. For a moment the thoughts of his team member betraying him came in his head but he shook them aside. 

If it was true then they might not have left him safe and sound in the cave. They might have thrown him in the open for monsters to deal with a human. 

He brought out the crimson pearl which he got from the very first hunt. It emitted a light in the darkness and enabled him to see around. At the left side Quipu was sleeping while at the right side Linwin was sleeping without any fear of the forest or monsters. 

He was quite surprised and happy but outside the cave the voices of a monster were increasing. From the strength of the voice it should be a level higher from level four. After hunting various types of monsters, they could tell some of the traits of lower level monsters. After a little while, he could hear human voices too. It was strange because the hunters never chose to hunt in the night. 

Linwin and Quipu wake up because of these noises soon. They saw Qiao sitting and gestured whether he was better now and he nodded. 

From the noises, it was apparent that whoever it was must be closer to the cave where they were hiding. It was more alarming for them if the humans or the monster ran toward the cave, as they would be caught in a rough place. 

What would happen then?