My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 25)

Qiao rested the night and counted how many days has gone since he was thrown in this world. Two weeks has gone that he did not see his younger brother. What was he doing and how long his elder brother would take to defeat his enemy. Where was that wicked hunter whether hiding in this world or somewhere.

The wicked hunter was confused why the man let his trusted men leave, he was thinking to kill them during some hunt to break the determination of this young man but it turned out that he was smarter than he think. Qiao has his strong premonition about the wicked hunter though he was given chance to level up but it did not means that he would be give free path for this. He remembered his favorite story which later turned into comics and film, the villain gave a chance to the protagonist but he himself created troubles so that he should accept defeat in the middle of the journey.

His present situation was no different and he could sense it very well. The wicked hunter has lot of sources and treasures to turn everything upside down to turn it in his favor but he was to do few things. He could change the form of quests, could manipulate the type of missions after reaching to the Hightown and stop those help this young man with all heart.

He was actually preparing how he would hinder his path after reaching Hightown, he would be choosing insanely dangerous places for the missions and class tests. Till then Qiao has some time to learn as much as he could. He closed his eyes to sleep. A small kid was playing in the empty house, someone told that his older brother was gone somewhere to find a good job, if he could not pass the test for job he might never return. So the younger kid prayed everyday for his brother and spent his days alone and sleep in the house of her neighbor who took pity on his innocence.

If Qiao happened to see his younger brother in this condition, he would have cried for not protecting his younger brother and giving him a good life. He must have regretted to no end.

Qiao hurriedly woke up with the nightmare, his throat was parched and dry, he was crying to see his younger brother in bad condition in his dream. In the night the bandits came to steal again but they found nothing other than shapeless stone. They were not interested to take it with them so they left disappointed.

Qiao left the cottage to venture in the forest, until now he got familiar with various parts of the forest and how it was divided with the levels of the monsters for the sake of chasers. This was his first day as alone rogue and for the first time he was going to hunt alone so he thought to only look for level one monster, it would give him spoils if not experience.

His first priority was to buy the booklet and learn about Hightown. When he would register himself in the Starglow Guild, he would have to work under some teams and he might not be able to learn under their sharp gazes and observation. From the yesternight incident he was able to know that all those teams were distrustful especially when someone was aspiring to focus on leaving Middletown.

Thankfully those teams who were his enemies were stronger and would not venture in this part of the forest so he could expect a peaceful hunt, if this really went well then he would hunt another level one monster to bargain with the old owner of the bookstore. He reached the forest and looked around as if walking in the market to look for a shop of his taste. After all he was strong compared to the level one monster.

"Hey monster, come out buddy, I need your spoils." he voiced. He was much serious when he called the monster. "Wait, even if I am looking for a level one monster, should not I be more careful because it is still monster. Though I have some muscle to brawl head on with monster but I should not be doing this." he spoke to himself and shook his head.

Monsters were naturally stronger and this was the reason which forced all chasers and hunters to form teams. The part of forest where was standing was scars of vines instead bear bald head trunks of trees, open sign of autumn falling like a brutal enemy of the leaves of trees.

He cannot set a trap nor could go back and buy, he might have went back to buy but he has nothing to bargain in return. "Qiao, think another way." he spoke to himself which was pretty strange. He was talking to himself the time he entered in the forest. It feels like he has someone else with him but it has become his habit to talk with his men when hunting.

"I better use these trunks for hiding and then surprise attack at some stray monster." he nodded to himself and chose one. In this part monsters usually wander in groups in night and in day they tried best to hide from teams.

Still few monsters wander in search of food.

Qiao was waiting by staying up at the trunk in case more than one monster happened to appear, it took some time and finally a level one monster showed up. It was level one and Qiao could easily hunt it down with his present level just that he has to show some extra agility after first attack. 

He has to test his limit today as a single hunter if not then his first solo hunt would go to waste. "Wait there, I am coming down." He yelled and jumped down with the attack thinking what was the most vital part of the monster for attack.