She WAS that evil. Cause, even after scraping around three more beasts and taking them to her, she shooed us away like some pests. I think her exact words were "No beasts, no feast,"
But what she forgot to mention was that the more you killed the beasts from around here, the more their dead scent will call for the other beasts residing in the forest. And we had to protect their bodies, which, by the way, were really heavy! You try carrying two beasts on you back with no storage ring to help you.
When Mrs Kelly chased us away with our beasts, we first of all took a breather near the stream, trying to recover our mana and a little bit of strength before we could continue out hunt.
At that time, we had no idea that the blood of the beast was attracting danger. That is until, three brown bears appeared in our view, the same breed as the ones we've fought, but were somehow stronger, each one of them.
How I knew that we couldn't even scratch them...a hidden mission appeared in my system.
***
<*New mission acquired!*>
<*Survive one night in the giant planet*>
<*Reward: Skill [map (LVL 10)] will be upgraded to master class*>
<*Penalty: Death*>
–––
[For the systen to offer me this mission...and not to even kill any beast, but just to survive?!]
[Is that supposed to encourage me?]
[You have popcorn up there?]
[Damned parasite!]
***
"Earl, I have a suggestion. We leave the bodies here, and make a run for it in the forest. I won't explain it to you, but I bet you can tell that there is an alarming number of beasts trained on us, and these bodies would just be a liability," I said as I dropped my bodies.
"What if they feed on them? What will all this hard work be for?!"
"I'm afraid it doesn't even matter at this point. No point in protecting bodies and ending up dead, now is there?"
"I hate how you keep on coming up with facts,"
And that was that. Right now, we were hiding out in some branches, the night just slightly creeping in, telling us that we were far from even starting the night.
"We can't just camp here and expect something to happen. You got any ideas, boss?" Earl asked sarcastically.
Good thing I've had my fair share of experience in surviving in the forest all on my own. How else was I supposed to survive with the little money the government gave to me? And I also felt strangely calm, rather than the situation suggested.
"OK. First of all, can you retrace your steps back to where you and Alvin found the fruits?" I asked the elf.
He looked thoughtful before he answered, "I think I can. But the night will make it more difficult, and also I have a feeling that there are beasts around there waiting for us,"
"Hmm... I see. Even if we would have somehow made it to where you found the fruits, truthfully, they really wouldn't have helped us with our situation. Here's the rundown of how I think things are supposed to go,"
"Since Mrs Kelly was the one who handed us this task, I'm sure she knew the strength level of the beasts yet, she still sent us to kill ten of them, even if she knew that would be impossible at our current level,"
"I think the entire goal of this training is to learn how to survive in such a harsh environment, and still be ready to fight for our lives when our supplies and equipment are cut from us due to some reason,"
Earl stayed quiet while listening, nodding like he already understood the point of all this. Then, he told me something that almost made me fall down from the tree in shock.
"I'm not much of a camper,"
"I'm sorry, what?!"
"Just as you heard. I'm no camper," he clarified, looking slightly smug.
"But...but, you're an elf. And with the way you fight, I thought–"
"The missions I've been sent to have always been in and out, never having to actually sleep in the wild. I'm a arena champion, that's where I got my skills,"
"Well this is going to be a problem. But lucky you, I'm one of the best campers. Firstly, we should look for food. And not just any food, mind you. Preferably meat, cause that's the only thing that can give us the strength to push through this training,"
"You're talking like we won't defeat ten beasts by tomorrow and get our stuff back,"
"Haven't you already figured it out with the way the first beast pummelled you ruthlessly today. This is a long term training, not something to be rushed, hence the need for meat to feel us with strength. You ever hunted before?"
Earl narrowed his eyes at me.
"I'll take that as a no. Well, no time like the present. Get up,"
"What, why?"
I smiled as I pulled him up from the branch, "We're going to hunt ourselves some supper,"
***
It's a good thing there were some beasts from around here which were edible. Though since I had my wolf side with me, beast meat should always be edible. It's just a matter of how hard or how poisonous it is.
We caught a grade B red-eyed bunny which, surprisingly, put up a good fight before going down. Compared to a mid centurion monster and a elf noble, the was no debate who was the winner.
...it...it was us. Why do I feel like you thought the bunny was the-moving on, the next part would be–
"No! We're not doing that. Roast it," Earl protested when I suggested we eat it raw.
"Making a fire and roasting it will attract a lot of attention. The smoke will signal where we are, and the smell of the roasted meat will call a lot of beasts around here. Do you really want to die?" I angrily stated.
He was very adamant with his suggestion, that is until, five beasts appeared in our hunting site, right after Earl had started up a fire. Of course, we put it out and got out of there quick, but that was enough of a reason for Earl to accept that he'd have to eat the bunny raw.
We found another temporary safe site(on top of a big tree), and began munching on the meat like our life depended on it, cause it probably did. No food, no mana, I'm I right?
First taste for Earl, and it ended up in a failure with him buffing up all that he had for breakfast. I felt bad for him, since it was a lot easier for me to stomach this, but if he wanted to survive in a forest such as this, there was no other way but to just suck it up.
I could already feel some of my energy returning thanks to the bunny, I'm not sure I can say the same about Earl.
By my estimations, two hours into the night had passed with us hunting, running and finally eating the meat we procured. And from my system, it said that we had twelve more hours to go. Just great.
I was looking down from my high vintage point on the grounds with the light provided by the five moons in the sky when I saw something that made me understand why to survive here in the night was made into a mission.
Two beasts were down there, facing each other off, a large green snake and a much higher level bunny than the one we fought. The snake tried biting at the bunny, but with that impressive speed of its' that I later came to learn and understand, it easily dodged the snake and jumped on top of its head in record speed, immediately making powerful jumps on the reptiles head repeatedly until all that was left was a bloody mess.
Once the bunny was done with its prey though, it didn't have a chance to enjoy its victory. Two swipes, and it was quickly decapitated. The killer came out, a black jaguar, to reclaim its price. But before it could do so, two grey wolves appeared opposite of it.
"Earl, whatever you do, don't make even a little noise, the beasts down there mean business," I whispered to the elf and pointed downward. He nodded in understanding before looking down at the massacre happening right below us.
I have no idea why this was happening exactly right below us, but the main question is that is this a normal occurrence around here?! And you've got to be kidding me, that bunny was supposed to be the easiest to kill. But by the way it handled the snake.... Yikes!
Both I and Earl watched the blood bath unfolding beneath us, hoping beyond hope that they didn't notice us up here.
Three hours. That's how long it took for us to stop clutching our butts in fear while watching the powerful beasts fight for...not survival, but to see who was more powerful that the other.
It was a while before I decided to take first watch and let Earl rest up, before I got my turn to sleep since we really couldn't both sleep and risk death due to some rookie mistake like being surrounded by such beasts.
The two silver wolves who had arrived earlier on were still standing, and after appraising both of them, I understood why. Both were in the peak of centurion beasts. And they were seriously destroying their opposition. It would have been an awesome day for them, if 'that' hadn't appeared.
The two wolves were about to dine on their rewards, but their ears perked up in alert before they both left the premises without a second thought. A minute later, a red bear with a mane made its appearance, and I stopped breathing in shock and fear when I realized why the centurion beasts run away.
Before me was a Millennial beast, as rare and as powerful as they came. I think this is my first time seeing such a beast up close, and the mass difference in strength was all but obvious. Like the mane and sharp, white claws that glowed in the night weren't enough to tell me just how dangerous this beast was, its black powerful eyes were.
It sniffed around the area, then suddenly turned up to where both me and Earl have been hiding from the other beasts.
"Gods no!" I whispered in fear.
Of all the beasts to realize where we were hiding, this was by far the worst one! I'm not even sure I could escape that thing with my speed, forget fighting it.
The beast paused its walk, then directly stared into my eyes, and I could seriously feel the amount of pressure it was applying on me. Its blood lust from this far up in the tree was enough to kill a low level monster. Now I'm sure it knows we're here.
The bear turned back to its walk and continued on like it didn't just warn me to know my place. I sighed a little too loud in relief, thankful that it didn't outright attack us, cause I'm sure we would have been dead.
That was so scary! I hope the next beast to walk by chance isn't a tree lover and it just so happens to climb up the tree, and is the same level as the red bear down there. Oh, I think the two silver wolves are in great–
I heard shuffling from my left and immediately went on high alert( Like I wasn't already). I turned to the source of the sound and saw some leaves near Earl move.
"Oh no you don't!"
I was quick, and kicked where I saw the leaves move. Hit now, ask questions later I always say.
The said unknown dropped out of the leaves in pain, but I wasted no time and stomped him deep into the branch. The noise was enough to wake up Earl.
"...huh? What's happening?"
"Catching a hooded monster, that's what," I answered while grabbing hold of the said intruder on the branch. I thought the general said there weren't any monsters that could reside in this planet. And why didn't Bradley inform me?
"An intruder?"
"Yeah, look down here,"
Earl got up and helped me pin the intruder down. Now, time for some questions.
"Who are you?" I asked the hooded fellow, but in a low whisper due to the beasts still roaming around.
He didn't answer.
"OK, then. We'll just take off your hood and find out,"
The hooded fellow seemed to shake in fear and tried opposing both me and Earl, but we both held firm. He really couldn't resist us even if he tried.
"Now I'm even more intrigued to find out who this is. Boss, if you'd please,"
"Don't mind if I do,"
I yanked the hood off proudly, but the smile on my face disappeared when I saw what I had just unhooded.
"This has to be a joke, right? You've got to be kidding me!"
"Are my eyes playing on me, Max. Or is this a white eared young Furrha I'm staring at?"