Chapter 15
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Hungry Slayer 15
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Lucas Hunting Party spent busy days.
They actively utilized the Tienun at the Management Bureau's Information Center to hunt back and forth in the outskirts.
There was no need to form a party just for hunting. Dane caught them much faster on his own, and it was even safer.
Above all, Dane's strength was absolutely necessary to cleanly and perfectly obtain the most delicious parts.
‘There’s no need to use Regeneration either.’ His power grew stronger over time, and the monsters visible in his grade weren’t much of a threat.
In the process, their roles naturally divided up.
Dane handled the hunting, River the cooking, and Bankers carried all the luggage, contributing to each other as more than a month passed. Catching and eating was a joy.
As the money piled up, River’s joy grew.
With food and sleep taken care of, there were no separate operating costs. Everything from the hunted prey became pure income.
Selling monster parts alone exceeded expectations, but as time went on, the meat brought in even more money.
Word spread quickly, and customers increased. The delivered meat sold out the moment it was displayed. They clamored for more.
River didn’t even need to handle the cooking.
“If the ingredients are good, you’ve already succeeded more than halfway with the dish.” As per River’s philosophy, the meat quality was so superior that as long as the basics were followed, anyone could make it delicious.
It went too well, creating problems. Fast rumors were both a boon and a bane.
The narrow alleyway they had to sneak into now had lines of people waiting, a nightmare for the owner.
“Hmm… This is tricky. River, how about holding back on meat supply for a while? Let’s wait until things quiet down.” He was thrilled about the money at first, but now feared crackdowns.
Unfortunately, long before he started worrying, the Management Bureau had already taken the issue sensitively and was pondering how to handle it.
Illein visited Tebier’s office to resolve the matter.
“What’s the elves’ reaction?”“The young elves are outraged that order has collapsed. Many are even avoiding the commercial district altogether. The elders are saying we need to hold a senior council meeting soon.”“All for secretly eating some meat?”“They’re questioning the Director’s control.”“They’re looking for an opening, then.” It was clearly good news for the elders trying to check Tebier and chip away at him.
Tebier, lost in thought for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.
“I suspected Dane joining the Lucas Hunting Party was for this… but he’s making things bigger and faster than expected.”
“What should we do?”
“I’m curious what else he’ll do.” A bright smile lit his face as he said it.
* * *
“Suddenly, things feel idle.” Dane said while sipping tea, taking a deep breath. The cool afternoon breeze flowed in and out through the window of the gypsy wagon.
It was a peaceful time.
“Ha ha. Feeling antsy, are you?”“Not particularly…” Dane had no complaints about their month-long life. He’d eaten plenty of new monsters, boosting his strength.
Since Kaipatu’s oracle didn’t specify a deadline, he wasn’t impatient.
His wandering plan of just eating meat had simply become a bit more systematic. Plus, he liked his new companions.
Having lived with his parents for 18 years, it was natural for Dane to enjoy life with his first comrades.
The only downside was that nearby monsters still didn’t meet his size expectations, and new species were dwindling.
“The Tienun doesn’t show bigger ones.”“Probably because your grade is 7th. Though… I shouldn’t say that as a fellow 7th grader.” River replied.
Low grades limited accessible monster info. Requests were mostly for mid-to-small or medium extermination, so they held no interest.
Dane declared,
“I think we need to leave town.” Though it sounded arrogant, River didn’t mind. In just a month as a new member, Dane’s influence had grown considerably.
“You mean like a tour?” River asked back. She didn’t think Dane would go alone.
“We’ve saved up a decent amount of money, right? Should be enough to move. And since eating and sleeping works anywhere, it should be fine, no?”“Yeah, true. Going outside town might mean even less spending than now. Let’s stock up on Foldtown distilled liquor.” Bankers chimed in agreement. He too craved new monster meat.
“And who knows when the butcher shop will take goods again. Since we’ve tested the waters, trying elsewhere seems okay.” River, who had been hesitating, perked up at Dane’s last words.
“You mean sell meat directly outside?”“Monster meat might face resistance, so starting with cooking isn’t bad.” River, after some thought, saw potential in Dane’s idea.
Among the peddlers at the root fork, some sold food, so why not them?
With the stable wagon environment and top-notch meat as a competitive product, it seemed better than now.
“…No need to watch out for elves either.” She nodded in agreement.
Seeing that, Dane realized the thought he’d had when first seeing the wagon was coming true.
“But the problem is the Management Bureau.” River, who seemed convinced, suddenly shook her head.
“If the Captain were here, we could go to Zone 2. But with our highest at 7th grade, we’ll only get Zone 1 tour permits. Same difference.” Permits again. Elves loved restrictions.
“The area we’ve been hunting is Zone 1, right?” Dane asked, pursing his lips.
“Yeah. Zone 1 is where the thick root’s power reaches near town, and Zone 2 is where it splits into finer roots.” River continued explaining.
“Zone 2 has scattered root villages. They operate independently, not under town control.” Grade-based access was the elves’ measure for order and safety.
“6th grade and up can tour Zone 2. 5th and up can cross the delta into other base city zones. Absent Captain Lucas is 5th, so he’d solve it upon return, but we don’t know where he is or when he’ll come back. No sharp solution now.” River’s voice neared resignation.
She wanted to accommodate Dane and Bankers, and cook new monster meat too.
But Zone 2 felt iffy in many ways. Especially certain villages she’d rather avoid.
Oblivious to River’s thoughts, Dane said,
“Alright. It’s decided.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief, plotting something.
“The issue is the Management Bureau. Let’s meet and hash it out.” Soon after Dane said that, someone visited the Lucas Hunting Party.
A Management Bureau staffer, there to relay Tebier’s request.
* * *
“I don’t quite get why you asked to see just me.” Dane said after a brief greeting in Tebier’s office. He didn’t like being summoned, a new member, despite the Vice Captain’s presence.
As if Tebier knew he’d come.
“Vice Captain River seemed busy hunting and cooking.” Tebier said.
He already knew. So the meat was the issue. Dane smiled and nodded.
“The Vice Captain’s skills are top-notch. You should try it sometime, Director.”“Ah… Shame. I can’t eat meat.”“I see. Then the reason you called me…” He tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
Tebier smiled and spoke.
“Have you heard of the Thick Root Hunting Party?”“Rumors that base cities are selecting representative parties.” Surprised it wasn’t about the meat, Dane answered what he knew.
“Yes. The continent’s atmosphere is unsettled. You might not know, busy with work.”“I lack experience and skill, so my view is narrow.”“Ha ha! Not criticizing. At your age, charging at one goal is needed too.” He laughed long. A soft laugh, but it didn’t feel that way. Tebier continued.
“The roots are weakening. Monsters are stirring more because of it.”“Is the Thick Root Hunting Party to solve that?”“Investigation for now. But as representatives of base cities, we can’t entrust it to amateurs.”“Wish we had the conditions to raise grades and parties. Maybe we could meet your expectations.” Dane laid the groundwork. Steering away from meat, subtly toward his goal.
“Why? Some problem?” He followed along smoothly. Sly as ever.
“We want to hunt in Zone 2, but our grades don’t allow it.”“Ah… That’s for safety. Don’t get greedy. Hunt where you belong.”“That’s why it’s a shame. Zone 1 has few worthwhile monsters. To escape amateur status, we need to leave town surroundings, but can’t… Guess Thick Root isn’t for us.” Dane stated his desire and passed the ball.
Tebier paused. The old elf’s green eyes calmed.
“I’ll make a slight exception there.” He got to the point.
“Some complain about giving you a high grade. The test wasn’t enough, apparently. So, I’ll give you a chance to prove it.”“Prove?”“Root villages are flooding with help requests. Solve them to show my judgment was right? Plus, raise your party’s grade and become Thick Root party.” Overly generous, suspicious. But no loss for Dane. He nodded slowly.
“Knowing request rewards in advance to choose would be nice. Of course, higher amounts mean more important to the Bureau, so I’m willing.”“You’ve got wits, I see.”“It’s all for making a living.”“Ha ha ha! Not enough eating monster meat?”“Can’t live on meat alone.” He laughed amiably, but sharp tension lingered.
“Funny hearing that from someone secretly selling monster meat for cash. Town’s buzzing about it. Ah, they don’t know it’s monster meat, though.” He knew more than thought. And no intention to let it slide.
To elves, it was barbaric enough for laws. Dane knew food culture could breed disgust.
The words had barbs, but expected. No need to get prickly.
“Shame you can’t eat it, but different races, what can we do? Can’t force or ban it.”“Of course. Understand each other. Ha ha ha!” Tebier, as if said his piece, sank into his large chair, gazing at Dane.
His probing eyes held a clear, earnest glint.
“Go to Zone 2. Requests await.” Tebier said with a sly grin.