All three of us woke up early. Mia prepared a hearty breakfast while I helped with the chores around their house. Felix sold the things we got from the goblin nest and I helped by chopping wood and getting water from the river.
I practiced channeling my mana through the water I carry, stopping it from splashing as I ran carrying a jar of water on my head. Since their house is on the far side of the village from the river I had to refill three huge jars. The jars were 3 times taller than me and are more than 5 times my width. So, their painful stares were not exactly weird.
“Gotta keep it up meow.”
After I finished refilling the jars, I had to chop enough wood to refill their storage area. There were some logs that Felix left out for me to chop. I could easily carry them but it looks weird especially when I carry them.
So now I’m channeling my mana through the ax. At first, I am using it like an ax, but I found it too tedious and time-consuming. So instead, I toss the logs ten times longer than me and 3 times thicker than me in the air. As the log flies through the air, I meet the falling log while slashing it into pieces.
The pieces that fell are now as just as long and half as thick as me. Using the spells and spirit language from the materials Fluffy left me. I willed the wind spirits to help cushion and stack the firewood that I chopped. I still can’t talk to the spirits but someday I might find the proper skill.
After a few minutes, the logs are now just neat stacks of firewood. I finished my chores even before Mia finished cooking and Felix returns. So, I asked Mia if I could help, but she just told me to relax and wait for breakfast.
I went back to my designated room and began reading the materials Fluffy left me. To another person, I might look like I am just skimming through the books. But I am actually absorbing the knowledge as I look at the words. Common knowledge and history flowed through my brain. My knowledge base was now much wider and deeper than before. I could consider myself as well learned as the average person in Gaia.
After consuming the knowledge within those books, I heard Mia calling from outside the door, “Sir Victor, breakfast is ready, and brother is here too.”
Realizing it would be rude to keep them waiting, I stored the items in the Magic Bag I’ve acquired. Then I hurried and went to the table to eat with the siblings.
As we have breakfast of stew and bread, we talked about our activities for the day. Both of them are planning on going to hunt monsters with the hunters. This is to thin down the monster population and secure some meat. Keeping the population of monsters down is a system to keep nests from growing to massive numbers. This sudden and massive increase in the monster population can cause a scarcity of food within the forest and trigger a Stampede.
Dao Village hasn’t experienced stampedes for decades. So, they are quite optimistic that it would remain that way since they make sure to thin down the monster population. This village is also quite prosperous since they have lived frugally and were not burdened by attacks from monsters.
So, hunters usually prioritize monsters they could turn into food. The plan according to Felix is to hunt down, Rock Deer, Forest Wolves, Giant Hawks, and the likes.
“Sir Victor should join us!”, Mia interjected.
“Mia, Sir Victor might have other plans.” (Felix)
“Oh. Please let me join, meow. I want to learn more about your village.”
Mia gleefully described the hunt. Apparently, both of them join the hunt frequently as scouts and fighters. Sometimes they would help in ambushing large monsters like Great Boars or Stone Bulls. If they find a huge nest, they might even take days to hunt the monsters down to a manageable size.
Now that I have knowledge from the books. I have a rough idea of the things they are talking about. Whether about the monsters and their ecology, the plants within the forest, and the methods they plan on using to hunt. I do hope I can effectively use the knowledge Fluffy gave me and turn it into wisdom.
We finished our discussion about the hunt, but just before we start equipping our gears, Felix called out to me.
“---About the loot, we found in the Goblin’s Nest Sir Victor. The sale can go around 50,000 Sols. The payment will be done in installments since the peddlers can only sell a few of the items at a time.” (Felix)
“Thanks for helping me sell them, meow.”
“Your welcome Sir Victor, let’s change quickly. I don’t expect Mia to wait patiently.” (Felix)
“I heard that Brother!” (Mia)
We soon changed to our gear and carried some essentials. I carry extra emergency provisions on my Magic Bag. Once we’re done with the preparations we went to the gate and meet up with the other hunters.
Upon arriving at the gate, the siblings greeted the hunters, and the hunters returned the greeting to the siblings while giving me a polite greeting. There was some distance there but I hope the time we spent hunting will shorten that distance. The hunting party is made up of mostly canine, and feline beastkins and half-elves. We have two dwarves in charge of traps and weapon maintenance. It’s like all the races participating in the hunt are showcasing their natural aptitudes.
There are a few individuals that stood out though. Not because they were being loud or rude, but because of the weapons they are supporting.
One of the dwarves, a roguish-looking one at that, has the largest crossbow I’ve ever seen or the smallest ballista a person could carry. The bolts are not in a quiver but in something like a detachable revolver cylinder. The bolts were like thick stakes. Getting hit by one wouldn’t just pierce the target but gouge a chunk of flesh.
“So cool meow~”
There’s also a half-elf girl with a standout weapon in her hand. Her weapon was shaped like a giant barbell with two morning stars instead of weights. The weapon was a stark contrast to her very feminine and petite stature. I don’t know how she’d fight using that but that thing was beyond intimidating. I doubt she could fight with other hunters near her since the weapon was almost three meters long. In addition to the length if she accidentally hits an ally they would most likely not survive a full-powered swing.
“What a gap meow…”
I haven’t seen any of the gnomes in the village join the hunt. Probably since a few of them are focusing on being herbalists and healers. Though I saw some of them pass satchels to some of the hunters. Those must be healing items and potions in case someone gets injured.
One of the hunters looked at the sky and shouted with his deep and gravelly voice.
“Alright! We’re all here and everything seems good and all, let’s move out.” (Wolfkin)
The one who shouted was a male wolfkin with grey fur. Huh. He looked like someone who had a lot of experience based on the scars on his face and arms. And based on the actions of the group he’s probably the de facto leader of the hunting party.
A few seconds after he shouted everyone was moving towards the forest. The watchmen wished us good luck and waved as we vanished between the trees.
I hope we can hunt some otherworld boars and cattle. I haven’t had a steak before and I’d really one to try one.
That was my last thought before I focused on the hunt.
~Leon’s Perspective~
“It’s a little past noon but we’re almost near the campsite.” (Wolfkin)
In all my years living as a hunter in Dao Village, I have never seen a real Cait Sith. Every beastkin among us especially the catkins are very excited to see how he will perform in the hunt. As a wolfkin, I have a great grasp on the emotion of my pack so I know everyone is excited to witness this Cait Sith, Sir Victor’s skill.
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