My Last Hunt

Level Four (14)

Encampment:

The Team heard the familiar voice of that person and turned to look, but then all of them shook their heads and ignored this ugly looking hunter who was always seeking trouble. They had chosen to mind their own business while this person was trying to always look for trouble with them. 

The team leader beckoned towards his men after they entered their tent, completely ignoring the other person. 

"Our first priority is to hunt and level up and if this man keeps this attitude, then I will report his behaviour to the organizers." he spoke to lighten their worry.

Qiao had his own rules and he would not bother unless the man came after him and caused trouble for him. At that time, he would answer in the right way. This chaser and his attitude resembled the gym guy of his university who always bothered him. Perhaps both of them liked to bully others and enjoy this but if this chaser really tried to bully then he would bury him under the ground hundred feet. 

Qiao was satisfied with this hunt today as it gave him two hundred experience points, which was a big leap considering his previous attempts. His body was healing as well as developing into a perfect shape like some gym guys or probably even better than them. 

In his life, he had a long-term planning to eventually get such a great physical achievement. First his aim was to complete his university and then get a good job, after that provide all best things to his younger brother and then he would join gym and work on his fitness. A planning of few years ahead perhaps was really mature for his age, but here in just one and a half month he not only became strong but also achieved the best body condition. 

Even in his wildest dreams he could never have imagined this but it was true now. Thinking about this, he pinched himself just to make sure that he was not in a dream. This world was real, that wicked hunter was real, the levelling method of increasing human strength was real and what more those monsters spilling out spoils was real too. Now that he thought about it, he was curious of what other use could these spoils be used for. Other than being used as a form of currency for exchange and some special stones having healing use or for skills, he did not know what else were they used for. 

He thought to ask the old store owner later about such booklet where the use of all kinds of stones was scripted. For now, he placed the spoils in his inner fleece and walked around to see the whole encampment. They had returned before the day ended so it was not a bad idea to see the other parts of encampment, especially the market. Since he had some spoils and his upper fleece was also ruined, it was better to buy one before he started sneezing with cold. 

Only the forest and few parts where unique races of monsters hibernate happened to be warm. Human encampment was a normal place and other than small campfires which were lit by hunters, the whole encampment faced the cold snowflakes. When they accumulated on the ground, the teams would clear it. 

Qiao and his team was in the eleventh part and every day one out of the ten teams was responsible to clear the accumulated snowflakes from the surrounding of their lodges. 

The team leader also chose to follow Qiao to the market. As only level four or above chasers bought from here, it was bound to be amazing. There were several teams sitting around a campfire and talking about various monsters and what kind of tactics could help in hunting them. 

The snowflakes were falling as usual. Qiao stopped when he was passing by a campfire where the people were no more sitting casually around a campfire but a huge BBQ party was ongoing. Sumo humans were also there to set the necessary equipment required for this, which was none other than their huge swords and the big pieces of meat were skewered to them slightly to cook the meat. It was a sight to see and agape with surprise. 

Qiao was sure that his advanced world might not have seen such a BBQ. If he had his phone with him, he might have even captured a few pictures to sale to a museum at good price. The swords of such hunters were different from normal hunters. They buy heavy swords made of complete iron and it was then tempered in flames to be covered with a coating of a certain monster's boned. This would prevented the swords from shattering to certain extent when used to attack. 

This coating helped the weapon fight against high level monsters. Qiao shook his head and then walked ahead. He might puke his innards out if he continued to see those giant humans eating as such in a mannerless way. If he tried to teach them the concept of chopsticks, they might laugh at him and would not help their situation where they were used to eating huge pieces of meat. 

"So now we can also buy weapons. I wonder what type of weapons are in display currently?" The leader was thinking to buy a better weapon since he was aiming for level five. Then he should better buy it from here. This market was specifically put with the help of big merchants, so they would display better things to sell here, considering that normally level four or up chasers happened to have enough good stones for exchange. 

This brought a round of excitement in his men because they could also see some good stuff here and if possible, then would be able to buy it. Qiao was the source of inspiration for them, as despite being at only level four primary, he never feared to face the monsters head on. 

It took them half an hour to reach the market which was set in the middle of whole encampment. The lodges were scattered around it in several parts to accommodate hunters. Setting market in the middle had a reason. This way, the organizers could keep an eye at all the teams and as well as run their business efficiently.