My Last Hunt

Level Four (33)

These herbs will increase the taste: 

"I am very happy to meet you, elder brother." Qiao barely stopped himself from getting emotional. 

They had just meet today formally and Lu Da was already willing to lend him help in every way without knowing who exactly he was. He himself was an elder brother and has the responsibility to find any path or method to become stronger for the sake of his younger brother.

"Then I am going look for some herbs and give a surprise to you too." Qiao gladly spoke. 

He has a sudden idea, since the giant humans wanted to eat meat and level up through it, why not spice up the meat, add some condiments to make it taste better. They reached the place where Lu Da carefully started to work and break the big branches in this part. Qiao also started to look for some familiar plants, if he could get even a few it would still be worth it. 

There were many herbs which he had in mind to replace in case he could not find the ones he was looking for. 

After some time passed, while Lu Da was busy in collecting the woods, he looked around to check, but Qiao was nowhere. He thought that perhaps one of those under surface monsters had dragged him below, so he used his hands and dug apart madly. 

After some time, he then started shouting his name, 

"Brother Qiao, where are you?" From his shouts even the monsters were trembling. It seemed as if he was going to rip apart all the monsters if he could not find his brother Qiao. Qiao also heard his voice and shouted with his lungs out to tell his location. 

He had forgot to tell him when he slowly moved to this area. He walked here and there got much further from Lu Da. 

Lu Da picked the bundle of woods he had collected and ran towards the supposed place. Qiao could hear the thumping on the ground and hurriedly grabbed all the plants of herbs which he had collected till now.

He then also looked around to see if there were more. Lu Da reached him and saw him plucking some plants. Qiao needed it in a lot of quantity for a lot of meat was waiting in the encampment. 

"Brother Qiao I was much worried for you, but why did you come to pluck these plants?" Lu Da heaved a sigh to see him intact from injuries. But he got curious to see as to why this brother collecting plants instead of big woods. 

"I will answer about it after reaching encampment, let's hurry." Qiao was excited after getting what he was here for. It would be a surprise for these giant humans and perhaps they might learn about it too soon. About how to spice up the meat and enjoy it better. 

"Alright, I will be asking about it again in the encampment." Lu Da spoke as he was stubborn to know it earlier than others. They then soon reached back the encampment. 

"Now all of you must be happy to have got me to overwork for you lot." Lu Da sneered to look at the team leader, both of them were blood brothers and usually had such kind of mood for each other. 

"I only wanted it because you will be worry free tomorrow if you collect it today." He replied without getting angry. 

"But what are these plants?" He also was curious to see the bundle of plants. 

"Oh, this is secret which only brother Qiao could tell." Lu Da raised his brows to remind Qiao. The others started to set up the fire for the cooking and Qiao was separating the leaves from the boughs deftly. 

Lu Da saw him doing this and came to help. He was free and curious so it was better to join him. Finally, the fire was set and they started to put the meat on the iron weapons. When they were about to put it on the fire, Qiao voiced to stop. "Wait a bit before you set it." 

"What is it for?" The team leader asked but Qiao did not answer instead he spoke to Lu Da, 

"Pick these leaves in your hand and mash them this way," He himself picked a few and demonstrated in front of Lu Da. It was something strange for them but he heeded to follow. 

"Now paste it on the whole part of the meat," Qiao gestured how it should be done in an effective way. Lu Da stood up and did the same, "But for what reason, brother?" 

He was following his instructions and asked at the same time. 

"You will find the answer once it is cooked and you taste it." He slightly bowed. Here in this world, bowing in front of someone meant that the person was sincerely doing something. 

"Alright but I am eager to know now." The whole team put aside all other meat and thought to let this piece of meat cook first. If this hunter was trying to trick them, they would make him mincemeat to get their revenge. Only Lu Da believed in him from his heart. After an hour when the meat was almost cooked, they placed it in front of Lu Da to taste first. It was precautionary measure from the team leader. 

They all sat to observe him and also got ready to grab the hunter in case Lu Da showed any expressions of pain or worry. Lu Da sat down to taste it without taking in their thoughts. He was sure that brother Qiao must want to increase the effectiveness of the meat by using this method. He cut a big bite and munched. The others got more attentive as they observed.

As he bit into the juicy flesh of the meat, a familiar taste spread in his mouth. But this time it was so much better and fulfilling that he could not help but quickly take another bite. It was so much more delicious to taste than what he had been eating until now, that Lu Da wanted to cry with happiness. 

The Team leader immediately gestured to see his weird expressions and they surrounded Qiao immediately. Qiao also felt lost, perhaps the herbs of this world had opposite effects. He was in dilemma and worried.