My Last Hunt

Journey (12)

Lost Ventures

As they were proceeding they could feel the presence of the monstrous aura however it was not coming from some monster. The Lost Ventures were patrolling in the area since it was near evening. The biggest threat in the Vaga Hillocks was the patrolling of the Lost Ventures near evening. They were very organized especially in the winter season; without creating a permanent dwelling, very likely hold hostages the normal hunters. The hunters chose a place for stay and then rest by hiding during the evening. The Lost Ventures were different from monsters. The monsters have their set paths and methods to confront a human while the lost ventures usually held the normal hunters their hostages. 

It was unknown why they held hostage however most of the things remain hidden just like their race. Previous years; few cases were reported in the Nest and they sent the reports toward Hightown yet until now none of senior teams came to solve the mystery of the Lost Ventures. For the reason that whenever the Hightown prepared a team for this mission; there comes some urgent quests in another continent about the rampaging monsters. In this situation the matter was delayed to this day. 

The hunters and the Guild's of the Middletown were given warning about the reports to take care until the threat was cleared. The hunters collaborate during journey through the Vaga Hillocks to avoid the horrible encounters with the Lost Ventures. Very few tales spread about the Lost Ventures; mostly could not reach the Hightown to report directly what they witnessed or went through. Those who have zero clues about the threat chose to continue the journey in the evening. Some being fortunate might not confront the Lost Ventures but few unlucky might end up in their trap. 

"I am not tired so the journey would go on during the night." Qiao announced and none complained. Lowa did not speak anything while Wuza was all enthusiastic. "Less rest and more travel is the key to reach the destination earlier." Wuza added seeing the silence. With the evening; the cold increased and so do the smoke; it seemed the drizzling would not stop until the hard ground turned wading mud. Far in the distance the some occasional illumination lights of the stones were a sign that the hunters were not moving or traveling anymore. Trio walked past with the normal pace. 

Lowa felt that perhaps a block of ice was also moving along with her; though her present fleece was not getting wet or giving her shivers still this feeling was immensely horrible. She was only following the footsteps of the young hunter to match with his pace. She heard the sharp breathing once near ears making her hurriedly looked aside to check what it was. There was nothing noticeable other than the vast uneven grounds with the shadows of the hills. These shadows were forming due to the occasional lights from the illumination stones. Nonetheless Lowa shook her head and focused on following the other two. She was already behind and the distance increased when she turned her head. 

"Qiao there is someone following us." Lowa again felt the same sharp breathing and barely uttered those words. It seemed the monster was trying to pull her away with the utmost aura or something similar. Qiao slowed down when he heard. Wuza also twitched to sense the aura; actually he was leading them for the reason that he could see in the night. A dim light flickered and two sharp teeth leapt toward Lowa. Qiao could clearly see because he happened to notice the lit eyes of some strange monster. In the next blink Qiao grabbed Lowa before the strange monster could dig the unusually longer teeth in her neck. The monster heard it that the girl was seeking help from the leading hunters so it wanted to grab hold on her and disappear before they could reach for her help. Due to him grabbing her securely the sharp teeth brushed past the shapeless weapon which Qiao held for fending off the monster. The sound of similar material clashing echoed in the silence. Lowa held her breath in order to not distract the young hunter. 

The monster hid on some distance. It was baffled. Most of the weapons were useless against Lost Ventures for the reason that the Lost Ventures no more belong to Human race as well as any type of monster' race. The fact was that they were humans before becoming Lost Ventures; however they never hunted monsters or leveled up. The half bare body of this Lost Venture was sky blue as for the back seemed coated with snow. It was unknown whether some fleece remained fixed on the body for long time and became part of the body or it was snow which gathered on the back. 

In both cases it was odd for a human to appear like this. There was long beard on the face complete white. The eyes were shining like an illumination stone. The head part was bald and half of the scalp was shaking in two pieces barely holding up along the face part. If it was not horrible then it was odd monster however the facial features resembled to humans and not the monster. Qiao got shocked considering he sighted a monster or a human in the previous jiffy?

He has seen several types of monsters yet this one surpass from the appearance. "We need to be more cautious." Qiao spoke unsure whether it was still safe to continue the journey but because the weird looking monster has spotted them; they cannot stop here. "I will remain at the back while Wuza will lead and you will travel in the middle for safety." Qiao looked at her and told. Lowa only nodded while looking at him without blinking. She seemed weirder than the monster at this moment. Wuza got the order and led them with more care this time. Keeping the senses high alert when looking in the darkness takes much toil however it help in tempering the capability. 

The monster could spot that the hunters started the journey again changing their positions slightly. To chase behind and get one of them can bring trouble because he was alone and they were three. He started running along with them but on some distance for availing the chance to grab the weakest one first later he would bring the other Lost Ventures to capture them one by one. The winter season was blessing for the Lost Ventures to capture the hostages at most. 

Since all three marked places were dangerous so when a hunter got lost the Guild campus was helpless to point out the cause of disappearance. They could only lament thinking that perhaps the hunters were not fortunate enough to cross the Volcanic Territory. Though this year the flow of the hunters was not on large scale however the Lost Ventures were not disappointed yet. They will be working every evening to capture the hunters. They were afraid to appear in the broad daylight so the evening was the last covering to hide them and their weird appearance. It would simply reveal them.

They were human and understand very well the face to remain hidden as long as it was possible. They have clues about the Hightown and the enmity which might destroy their existence from the face of the world if the Hightown find out about them. They cannot defeat or kill the high level hunters for sure because of their limited exploration of the world. The disaster awaited them otherwise. Qiao was trying his best sensing the presence of the monster; it seemed it was chasing very attentively. But what was its purpose? Killing them? 

Qiao closed the distance and traveled beside the girl. According to his senses the girl was the first target and if the monster got succeeded then their journey would surely get delayed. After all Qiao would not leave without getting her along. Lowa was yet to comprehend when he grabbed her hand to maintain the pace. "I am not supposed to let the weird monster attack you." Qiao spoke in dry voice shattering the happy fascinations of the poor girl. The monster saw this situation and stopped chasing them. It jumped like a tiger to reach back and tell about them. The hunters were hard to find in this winter season because most of them don't travel in the night. 

While Lost Ventures can only grab hold on them during night. Perhaps bringing other Lost Ventures would cause these hunters halt their travel. Qiao felt that the danger waned suddenly. Now he was clear that there was another type of race living in the Vaga Hillocks possibly hidden from the Hightown and their grip. It was strange as well as challenging traveling in such type of danger. The race was different so do their attack type or the habitat most probably dangerous too.