Chapter 18
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Gorknos Harvest
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Dane returned covered in blood, holding two massive hook-like front paws in his hands, with the monster's hide and chunks of meat slung over his shoulders.
It was impressive enough that he'd carried it all back alone, but what was truly astonishing was the hunt itself, which no one had witnessed.
His entire body was dyed red, yet not a single wound was visible. That meant all that blood belonged solely to the Gork.
"Did he take it down by himself?"
"No way that's possible...""He must've coordinated with the guys who got there first.""Why bother with all that trouble?"The murmurs continued. By now, it was a reaction Dane was used to wherever he went, so he didn't think much of it.
The only thing that threw him off was the absence of the cart.
"Hand it over. I left the cart at the storage shed."As Bankers took the load, River draped a cloak over Dane's shoulders like she'd been waiting for the moment. And in this instant, at least, Dane didn't feel embarrassed.
"It's a mid-sized one, but there's less meat than I expected?"River asked. She seemed to be seeing a Gork for the first time too.
"Yeah. It's big in size, but it was mostly the front paws. The legs might be somewhat edible."Mid-sized multi-legged monster Gorknos are beasts that hang from high trees to lure in prey and snatch it.
Dane hadn't known about their habit of swiftly moving across treetops. That explained why their presence appeared and vanished so suddenly.
Once he entered the forest, Dane was puzzled when no monster came into view despite the meat bell ringing. The presence was there, but no physical form.
As he scanned around, a massive hook shot down from the tree and engulfed him. Before he could react, his body was impaled and yanked up into the branches.
He locked eyes with the monster immediately, and its razor-sharp teeth came pouring toward him.
Reflexively swinging his cleaver, augmented by the force pulling him upward, he severed its neck just as unexpectedly as it had ambushed him.
"I just brought this much from one as a test."After explaining what happened, Dane pointed to the meat Bankers was holding.
Among its six legs, the middle pair were the most robust. They were naturally developed for gripping trunks and climbing up and down while hunting.
'And they shine with energy.'The most delicious part, where the power concentrates.
River asked,
"Were there more?"
"Probably four or five others, but there's plenty of time, so I'll get them tomorrow. What do you think?""Stew might be good, in my opinion."At Bankers' words, River smiled approvingly.
"Right. Good texture, but lots of tendons, so it'll be a bit chewy.""Bankers, you've got a good eye now.""Hahaha! Even in that short time, it was packed with lessons, right?"River chuckled along and continued.
"The meat's one thing, but these front paws will fetch a nice price.""Their hardness rivals Galaromotor horns.""Handy beast all around."It was a calm, everyday conversation. To River and Bankers, this was routine. Of course, to the villagers and Pohen Hunting Party, it was incomprehensible gibberish that left them stunned.
Debating monster meat? They couldn't even guess the reason.
"Ahem!"
Pohen, who had long been ignored, cleared his throat loudly to draw attention.
Only then did Dane look at Pohen.
"This is our new recruit, Dane. And over there is Pohen Hunting Party Captain Pohen."River introduced them, her voice laced with pride.
"Oh, a beastkin? What breed?"Dane asked bluntly, eyeing Pohen's unusual proportions.
"...Human."
Pohen's massive face flushed red in an instant. Quite the spectacle.
"Oh, sorry. First time seeing one like this. Horhe Root Village has a hunting party too.""Not from here—they're on tour, apparently. They arrived before us and took the request.""Is that allowed? Then how... are we competing for the monster?"Dane pressed without pause. Pohen, irked at being treated as 'one like this,' couldn't find an opening to interject.
"It's not competition—the first ones here get priority, sure. They could hunt solo or team up. But usually, you don't hand opportunities to hunting parties you don't know."River's tone was gentler than usual. It sounded nice, but the content was disappointing.
'Passing up a chance to eat. Can't just take it by force either. Wait... they won't eat the meat anyway, so maybe butter them up and hunt together?'He pondered.
"Ahem!"
Right on cue, Pohen cleared his throat again, signaling his authority. Fortunately, eyes turned to him.
"I hear you took down a Gork alone. What's your rank?"
"Grade 7."
Dane wiped the badge on his pants, revealing yellow as the blood came off.
Some were shocked, others incredulous.
"You're proving just how absurd your claim is yourself."Pohen smirked, seeking agreement from his men. He made eye contact with those nodding reflexively and pressed on with his sneer.
"No one would believe a Grade 7 hunted a mid-sized monster solo. Ah... never mind, no need to make excuses."Dane didn't bother responding, letting it slide. He had his reasons.
With no reaction from Dane, Pohen, intoxicated by his own words, puffed up and continued.
"Still, giving an inexperienced young hunter a taste of the real world is the duty of a senior. How about it? We'll let Lucas Hunting Party take point—want to team up?"He had his own scheme in mind.
But to Dane, it looked like they were handing it over on a platter. He was thrilled inside.
* * *
To plan the joint hunt, Pohen Hunting Party's leadership and the full Lucas Hunting Party headed to the village hall, led by Village Chief Yansen and the village youths.
Dane thought the village seemed far too peaceful for one in crisis from a mid-to-large monster. The expressions and atmosphere of the people he passed on the streets confirmed it.
The attention and questions showered on the hunting parties. Children begging to see the carts. All full of energy.
"Is this really a serious situation?"Dane murmured to River.
"Every village has its own vibe. Let's hear them out first—what monster and how bad."River replied maturely, patting his shoulder. The mood had softened considerably since Dane's belated arrival.
Once seated in the village hall, Chief Yansen began his explanation.
"Horhe Village lives off agriculture. Our eight-colored paprika and honey onions are specialties. But we haven't been able to tend the fields for half a month already."He opened.
"Mid-to-large monster, right? Which one?"River asked.
"Krekator."
Pohen answered instead. The moment the monster's name left his lips, deep groans filled the hall. Faces darkened quickly.
River and Bankers were no different.
"Krekator..."
"Ha, hahaha..."
Only Dane didn't know why.
"Why's it dangerous?"River sighed deeply and began explaining. Pohen watched with twitching lips, amused.
"Mid-to-large monster Krekator. Lizard-type with two heads."Dane glanced at Bankers, and both he and River shook their heads vigorously.
As she explained, Dane pictured a king komodo dragon with an extra head. When she mentioned it was twice the size of a Galaromotor, his mental image grew accordingly.
'Two heads, huh. If you're giving a set, might as well make the tasty parts worthwhile...'Of course, some monsters had delicious cheek meat. But this one's heads didn't seem appetizing.
After finishing, River narrowed her eyes at Pohen.
'He didn't mention it upfront and pushed for alliance for a reason.'Pohen Hunting Party numbered around twenty. Not enough for Krekator.
Pohen had scared the chief by saying waiting for others would isolate the village to the monsters, forcing the village youths to join the hunt.
Isolation meant death for Root Villages.
Sure, Root Villagers hunted for monster parts or village safety.
But they weren't as professional as Foldtown hunters. When monster issues arose, they requested help from the elves.
To Root Villagers, the World Tree's roots were their lifeline and divine protector from external threats. Following and relying on the elves—who guarded the god—was the safest way to live.
Most had grown complacent in that security. For a long time.
Hunters bridged Root Villages and elves. Their actions solidified elven influence.
It had become the natural law of the world.
'That smug big-headed bastard... planned to use us as bait from the start.'River glared, but Pohen just grinned, unperturbed.
He knew his lacking numbers couldn't take Krekator, but couldn't abandon his greed. So he persuaded the chief.
On the surface, it was guiding them due to unfamiliar terrain to the monster. But clearly bait duty.
And he'd added the cocky newbie to that role. Pohen believed Dane accepting immediately proved his cleverness.
"With this spirited, skilled young hunting party joining, the village just needs to provide half their original numbers, right?"Pohen said to Chief Yansen, as if bestowing a favor.
"Ah... that's fortunate."Yansen nodded to the three from Lucas Hunting Party.
Dane shook his head and spoke.
"No need to come along. We can't put you in that danger after taking the request. Lucas and Pohen Hunting Parties will handle it."River and Bankers gaped at Dane spouting unagreed words.
Pohen too.
'Trembling and begging villagers to join isn't enough—he says don't come? Is he mad?'Pohen couldn't grasp Dane's intent. More bait meant safer hunt. This disrupted plans.
"You agree, right, Captain Pohen? You outnumber us way more—no need to be scared."Dane piled on, and "Scared? Who? This brat's got guts. Can't wait to see that fancy skill of yours!"Pohen took the bait.