My Last Hunt

Level Three (part 33)

Qiao was seeing from the distance and then he shook his head. Turning his head, he walked to observe the monster for second hunt. It was also a level two with horns. When the voice reached near, Qiao shouted to tell that he was there. 

"Ah buddy, you already found the second one, see we got three spoils." he showed them and threw them towards him. Qiao caught it and nodded. Now it was the time to plan about second hunt. "As you can see this monster has horns and perhaps also a strong defence. How do you think we should tackle it's defence?" Qiao asked his opinion. 

Limmu saw the monster; he had seen many types of monsters with his team choosing various types of hunt plans. "Mostly horn-type monsters tend to be more flexible with attacks and they usually sense the double attack policy of chasers. They use their horns for both attack and defence. To avoid any difficulty in such types of hunt, we need to attack it at the same time while the one who has a strong agility skill can choose to attack from front. I regret not learning it before now." He lowered his head to feel down. 

"Alright, if you can stab the weapon from behind at the same time then I would be attacking from front." Qiao patted his shoulder. He didn't know why Limmu chose to not run away but if he was with him then he doesn't mind letting him learn and hunt along. After all both of them were short of spoils. 

They were doing something they had never thought before, it was to hunt lower level monsters with high levels advantage. Both of them attacked at once and the pace of the weapon were almost matched. It was a surprise attack for monster because both came at it shouting. 

Qiao barely escaped from the horns as it almost brushed past his cheeks. He had to admit that the monster was quite agile too. When it retreated the sword left a deep cut. But both injuries were not fatal enough to make the monster fell on ground. 

"Don't stop..." Qiao shouted. Limmu was about to ask something but stopped himself and then again, he followed with his attack. He kept his sword right at the neck to give a fatal attack. Qiao used his shapeless weapon to quickly restrict the movement of the horns. He was pushed back by the struggle of the monster but he didn't loosen his grip. 

When the monster finally fell, they heaved a sigh of relief. 

"Where should the spoils be?" Qiao asked. They had searched every single skin part while searching for the spoils but did not find it yet.

"Perhaps these horns are the spoils itself." Limmu spoke. Horn-type monsters tended to use their horns as their best weapon so it was possible that they use horns for bearing the spoils too. 

"Do we need to break the horns?" Qiao was puzzled because these horns did not look sparkly and shiny like other spoils did. 

"No, not really, we can't do that. We might end up breaking the spoils in pieces which of course would lower it's worth." He was telling what his experience told so Qiao nodded. They disjointed the horns and at that moment, Limmu critically observed. This level two monster cannot be rumoured horntail, right? He was right, the edges of the horns were giving off some strange glisten. 

"So that means we can use our weapon to cut off the corners?" Qiao wondered. 

"I am afraid it won't work either." Limmu shook his head. So, they decided to go back and sell the horns to someone else or at some shop. They possibly cannot walk around while hanging both the horns on their waist. These horns were used to make low level weapons so soon they found a shop owner who was ready to buy it from them. In return they were able to get ten level two spoils. Qiao was not expecting that a level two monster could give them ten spoils, it was more than wonderful. 

Today proved to be the best for hunting and he had also finally reached level four. They got thirteen spoils in total today. When they returned to the cottage, Qiao gave Limmu seven of them. He on the other hand was agape to see that this young man gave away almost half. "I only need five and it would be fair too." He spoke as he returned two gladly. 

Qiao kept it because in his present situation he cannot show over generosity. Limmu now had a choice. He could leave for the guild right now or stay with this risk-taking chaser but he was afraid of him in a true sense. If he happened to offend him, he would be the at a loss. 

Qiao at that moment thought to ask something. 

"Since you know how to read, can you read a booklet for me?" There was no expression on his face as if he was just speaking to a stranger. Limmu heard this and fell in a dilemma. He could see the expressionless face and the questioning eyes and he feared to refuse the request. 

"It is nothing big compared to the favour you did me. Bring it and I will read it." The day was yet to end so he could still read. There were street lamps in the Middletown but chasers would not bring their hard-earned booklet in front of others and read it out loud. "I will be back then in no time." Qiao left the cottage to bring the booklet. 

The old man looked him from head to toe and then the spoils. "Do you steal and get this much in a day." Only bandits would be able to earn so many spoils in a day. 

"I hunted two monsters today to pay the price as I was in a hurry." Qiao respectfully answered. 

He had to face this old bookstore owner again so he did not take his words as offence. 

"I will be quite happy if you come and buy few more books." He chuckled as he collected the spoils and handed him the booklet. 

"Wait..." he stopped Qiao when he was about to leave.