Next morning, we went out to hunt after eating breakfast.
"To be honest,I didn't expect you to read them all and learn in one go."
"Huhuhu, It means that I am a genius."
"Genius at absolute nonsense."
He shook his head, and then we went somewhere away from the camp.
"Since you seem pretty confident, then let's have you test it out on a hunt."
"Okay."
As we walked around, he stopped and handed me a book.
"Before we started, stay here and read this."
"Is that the monster encyclopedia from before?"
"Yes, take a quick look, and I'll look around for some monsters."
"Sure."
Although I'm gonna be left alone for a while, I'm sure I'm still safe since i feel like he'll come to rescue me immediately.
As he looks around farther away from here, I read the content of the book.
The book contains all sorts of information about monsters, including description, habitats, materials, and rankings.
The contents are easy to understand, but if there is something that I found surprising, it's how they identify a monster.
'If they don't look like humans, then they are monsters.'
''If they don't speak like humans, then they are monsters.'
That is how monsters are described. That is why all animals that I know, thanks to my past life, are also called monsters.
If you didn't know any better, you would think that the author advocates human supremacy, but that is not the case.
As I read more, I came across an information somewhere on the last few pages. Apparently, many scholars tried to find a way to study every creatures and have a mutual understanding so that they can categorize them as individual species. However, there are too many different creatures, and most of them can not have a friendly relationship with humans. With this, they decided to categorize them this way.
There are many exceptions, of course. "Elves", "Dwarves", "Wolfkins", "Felines", "Avians", and "Dragonnewts" are among the exceptions. There are others, although they are only a few of them, they are also acknowledged as the same as humans.
Races such as "Angels" and "Demons" are also an exception. However, they are among the legends as most of them are rarely seen. When one came across a "Demon", it is reported immediately as they are pure beings of malice who sought to destroy humanity by deceiving and seducing them to commit evil and killing thousand of innocent people. "Angels" are rarely seen as the last known contact with them are from 772 years ago. It is said that Christopher Orea, who created the Orea Calendar, has received an oracle from them.
As I was about to be finished, Garwyr returned and beckoned me to follow him.
I nodded and then followed after him.
After walking for a few minutes, there we saw two boars staring at each other. He guided me to a bush and hid there. He put his index finger to his mouth as a signal to keep quiet. I nodded and then observed the boars while hiding.
"Before we begin , you must know what kind monster you're gonna hunt. Knowing their characteristics such as weaknesses will help you figure out what action you'll take."
He said that to me while whispering.
"I understand."
"So, have you read about them?"
"Mhm."
As I plan what to do, Garwyr let out a small voice.
"Ah..."
"What is it?"
Hmm, is something wrong? When I looked at where he was there, I saw the two boars mating.
"..."
"..."
Well, this is awkward. As I am about to say something, he grabbed my hand.
"Let's do it."
"Huh?!!!!"
It was so shocking that I almost screamed.
"Actually, never mind. We are about to do it anyways so let's go."
"Wha-, Wait, wait ,WAIT."
Before I could comprehend what was happening, He dragged me together with him, and we went somewhere far away.
Hang on a minute. What does he mean by that? Does that mean what I think it is? It means THAT right?
"This seems to be a perfect spot."
We arrive somewhere that is filled with a lot bushes.
"Alright, let's do it now."
"No, wait... This all so sudden!"
"Relax, it's gonna be fine."
"Of course, it's not gonna be fine!"
I closed my eyes as he was about to get closer.
I could feel my heartbeat getting faster as he walked closer, and then he stopped and gave me his bow.
"...Huh?"
"Let's start hunting."
"Wait, wait, WAIT! When you say 'let's do it',you mean hunting?"
"Of course, what else?"
He looked at me with confusion.
...
...
...
...
CCCCCCRRRAAAAAPPPPP!!
That's what he means?! I should've known any better since we came here to hunt anyway. Ugh, my mind went 'There' since we saw those boars getting 'busy' so i can't help but think that way, right?
As I was having a self contemplation in my mind, I grabbed his bow and let out a sigh.
The bow is a lot heavier than I thought so I grabbed it tightly and manage my balance.
Garwyr nodded, then pointed at a location far away from here.
"Over there."
"Is that an Elk?"
"Yes."
The Elk is quite a majestic looking creature. As I admired it, I remember the ruckus earlier.
"Good thing it didn't notice the noise earlier."
"No, it definitely did. Didn't you read the book?"
"That's because you dragged me here suddenly that everything i read flew out of my mind!"
He sighed and then explained to me.
"Elks are cautious monsters. They are sensitive to any sign of danger that they flee immediately."
"Then why didn't it notice us?"
"That's because it didn't see us yet. Elks are accustomed to noises since they are constantly surrounded by other monsters. So if we are a distance where they couldn't see us, they will think that we're just monsters roaming around. But only at this distance, any closer then they will know that they are being hunted."
"I see, but I don't think I can shoot them from a far away with this bow."
"Yeah, I know. You barely even hold it properly."
"Then why did you hand it to me?"
"So you can get used to weapons. There is nothing more terrifying than an unfamiliar weapon in a hunt."
"I see..."
If that is the case, then I'll trust him
"Then can I use magic?"
"Of course, that's why we're here so you can practice."
"Okay."
I took a deep breath and held my hand, pointing to the elk while I opened my palm.
"It's okay to fail, so you don't have to worry about you failing to kill it."
"Nah, it's fine."
"If you say so..."
I concentrated, then let my Mana flow to the palm of my hand and then chanted.
"Roes Erres Rowa!"
I used earth magic spell to kill the elk. I could use Wind Magic, but I want it to be impactful so I can boast to him.
A magical rock flew from my hand, and then it exploded on contact. The shock from the explosion did not kill the Elk, but the bits and pieces pierced the body, killing it.
"So how's that?!"
I gave him a smug look, thinking that he must be shocked, but...
"I'll give you a 5 out of 10"
"Huh? But why?"
"The purpose is to hunt, not kill. Some parts that can be used are... unsalvageable."
"..."
He then went to the elk and carried it on his back.
"...You're gonna carry it?"
"Because of your magic, some monsters will gather here, so let's dismantle it back to the camp."
"Why not put it inside your magic pouch?"
"This elk is such a mess that the pouch will leave out many salvageable parts inside, making dismantling work harder.
"I see..."
Next time, I'll Wow him with my magic. Feeling disappointed, I looked at the place where the elk was.
"By the way, from before..."
He gave me a blank look as he carried the elk on his back, looking like he was about to run away.
"Get your mind out of the gutter."
And then i chased after him.