My Last Hunt

Level Four (24)

What are his intentions:

The hunt was successful without any extreme damage to any of the team members, other than the one unfortunate incident. That damage was a lot but none would speak about it. And it wasn't damage done by the monster for sure either so the hunt was successful. 

The monster left some beautiful stones behind and the team was more than happy. They were able to hunt this monster much easily. 

They were finally heading back and Qiao knew that the hunter would be waiting for him at the decided place. 

"I wonder how many places I have not seen yet on the Snow Island." Shiguan spoke in a good mood. His team was perfect, the present pace of hunting was also better compared to his previous performance. 

"That's right, I also get surprised every time we are sent for mission it is a new place. The Snow Island can be rightly called a wonder land." someone added. 

"Are there still stronger monsters existing in here?" Qiao asked considering what the team leader had told them in the morning. They were moving slowly and leisurely and their conversation was going on in between. 

"Not active monsters at least I believe. It is possible for smart monsters to be hiding in the depths or under the surface for much longer time since hunters can only observe till a limited extent." Shiguan shook his head. He was not clear whether the rumours were true but if there was some truth then the troubles would be waiting for the encampment in the future. 

When they reached near the encampment, Qiao stopped to speak, 

"I have something to do out, I will be back soon." 

Shiguan turned curious but then shrugged, "Sure but don't forget that most of the places are sealed currently, so don't venture away from the encampment." he patted his shoulders and went inside the encampment leaving Qiao behind. 

The chaser who had conversed with him before also gave some excuse to the leader and sneaked away. Qiao was walking while keeping a strict eye to his surroundings. The place they chose for the duel was at some distance where heaps of snow were looking like hills. This was where the teams threw the accumulated snow and he observed it was the best place to stay away from the eyes of senior hunters during a fight. 

There was no one around. Qiao thought to wait for a while as most of the teams were still around in the forest for hunting. Soon the snowflakes increased falling as after the midday the cold increased rapidly with the snowfall. 

The chaser did not gesture at Qiao that he was also here instead he remained silent to observe how the events would unfold. If the other hunter was not here, this meant he was just bothering them with his careless attitude. After some time, Qiao was tired because the cold was increasing and the hunter was nowhere. 

Just when he thought to return back, a man appeared, walking leisurely as if he was not aware that he kept waiting the young man for so long. His mission was cancelled today and his team could not go for hunt. So he had been was free all day, but he was amazed at the young man who had come here to wait right after hunting. 

"I thought you wouldn't come." Qiao spoke in a hoarse voice. 

"But I am here, was a little busy earlier." the hunter shrugged his shoulders as if speaking truth. 

"What are we waiting for then, let's fight and settle this." Qiao held his shapeless weapon in his hand and got ready. "Ha-ha, young blood is always impatient, but if you say so then why not." the hunter also picked his sword and got ready. 

But it all seemed too unreal or dramatic for Qiao. It was strange because he was not the one challenging, then why did this hunter sound as if he was forced to face this youth. Qiao shook his head. Previous day this man came and gave him a threat and today he seemed not to be interested in the fight? 

"If you are not well then we can duel some other day." Qiao suggested. 

He did not want this hunter to blame him for anything in the end so he was cautious. 

"I am fine and well you don't have to worry and I am stronger than you, keep that in mind." the hunter wickedly spoke this time. The way he was changing his tone from dull to bully seemed weirder. Qiao shook his head thinking that perhaps the guy was overwhelmed by the idea of a duel. But as it was his first time ever that he was challenged for a duel, he didn't want to loss it especially in front of bully. 

He kept aside all thoughts and they pointed their weapons to each other. The senior teams were not present at the watchtowers because they only appear in the night. The teams entrusted to throw the snow had not yet returned to do the routine task. The snowfall was already increasing and it seemed only those two hunters were facing each other at this moment. Both were wearing their warm clothing and had their weapons too. 

....

The senior team who was gone to check the dead part of the lake had not returned yet. They found some signs of a stronger monster but after searching for half a day, they could not spot it. With the heavy snowfall they were compelled to return to the encampment. 

The Silver Class team was alert on the bridge because one of the team members had seen a twenty feet long shadow of some monster in the lake. They sent a request for an urgent reinforcement from the Middletown. Middletown was the nearest place they could ask for help and the elders of the seven Guilds were responsible to react as soon as they get the news. It was all up to the messenger as to how long he needed to reach Middletown.