Chapter 28: Third Exam — Navigation! (1)
Depending on an understanding of the environment, knowledge, and skills, the third exam could be either a piece of cake or an impossible case.
For instance, those relying on teammates to traverse monsters' domains surely had it the worst. Compelled by The First Hunter Union, they had to adapt and display at least a few survival skills to pass the exam. Even those with innate healing skills had to scheme in this solo environment, unable to enjoy the leisure of staying behind their strong teammates to overcome all hurdles.
In the hunter world, no matter what stage, adaptation always was the most important part of a hunter's skills.
'Where's the wind?! Oh, how much I wish for you to be here, boss!'
Sheathed in a bush's thick content, with branches chucklingly but silently scratching his cheeks and limbs, Hunter had been eying a four-legged monster similar to a boar. The monster was seemingly looking out for food or maybe even scouring its territory — that didn't matter.
It was because Hunter had prepared a snack for this obstacle anyway.
The problem was that… he couldn't notify the monster of his presence. Which was why Hunter had been hiding all this time, waiting for the perfect time to unpack his present.
At last, the cold wind had finally made its appearance, stirring the forest! It came from behind him, exactly what he had been praying for!
Pulling on a makeshift thin rope, Hunter untied a leaf wrapping, revealing to the forest a thick, bloody, and raw piece of meat, still fresh and succulent. The cold wind aided Hunter's plan, carrying the smell over to the monster.
As bloody and mouth-watering fragrance wafted over to its side, the monster raised its head and sniffed aloud, then madly rushed in the direction of this tasty snack waiting to be devoured!
Grinning from his secret spot, Hunter gazed on at the monster's passionate run before seizing the moment to proceed toward the safe zone.
Like an energetic orca, Hunter emerged from his base and rolled a few times on the ground before rising onto his two feet, progressing toward the finish line.
He glanced over at the map, confirmed his path with the compass, and continued his voyage with a wide grin on his face.
"Have a nice meal, little bro! Haha! So fun!"
Doing all those traps from what the forest had to offer to him, Hunter was in an exciting mood as he was doing whatever he wanted without anyone ordering him.
It was fun to trick monsters, overcome obstacles with his full strength, and climb the third exam's challenges with nothing but what he had at hand. He was just living his life to the fullest right now!
And while it seemed like it'd be boring, as Hunter didn't have Aimee or anyone else with him, just the fact that he didn't have to hide his strength and skills while being true to himself was so rewarding and pleasant!
'I only feel bad for Miss Sanna as she might be looking at me and questioning aloud why I am not using her skill… but this is also fun, isn't it? Hope you're enjoying this one! Because I for sure do! Oh, another one must be close… keep an eye on domains, don't mindlessly enter anything odd… and take a detour if need be, Hunter!'
Noticing new, unfamiliar trails on trees and ground, Hunter reminded himself of the core principles in this third exam and extended his hand for his backpack, in which he confirmed that he had at least five more presents for afoot hurdles.
He had prepared those pieces of meat at the beginning of the third exam, allowing himself to get notified by one of the monsters. Using his newest skill at its full strength, Hunter's first hunt was… more than just one-sided.
SSS Skills were way too precious and strong! Nothing short of amazing!
'There's no time limit in the third exam. I can continue at a steady pace and even camp at night here.'
Which was why Hunter was in a good mood.
Truly nothing forced him to go out of his comfort zone.
He just could glean as much experience as possible and enjoy this new world.
That was until… he met someone.
-
'What a crazy woman! So careless!' Hunter inwardly commented at a crimson-haired woman standing among corpses of forest monsters, all defeated in one slash.
Just like Aimee, the woman was a swordsman. And funnily enough, her sword was white and polished, resembling a mirror, which was even better for a self-care… or rather, a makeup that Aimee often corrected after exercising in the dangerous lands of the hunter world.
Hunter momentarily thought that Aimee would love to have that kind of a sword… then recalled her telling him back in their room that her weapon was her family's heirloom.
Unaware that Aimee had taken some of his heart already, as a mere resemblance of a sword had reminded him of her, Hunter sacrificed all of his focus on the new woman in sight.
'I've had my solo fun, I guess! She's beautiful and powerful, meaning she's someone I'd love to consort with! Moreover, she seems to have some problems as there is no way someone this strong should be this far from the finish zone. You couldn't have stirred me more, beautiful woman!'
Hunter left his hiding spot, instantly receiving a dark stare from the crimson-haired woman.
On top of her eyes being black, she seemed to be either bored or tired.
Hunter smiled, "Hello there! I'm Hunter, and I'm currently far away from my teammate. I'm sure she'll reach the finish line, so I'm not worried about her. Want to team up with me? I've prepared a few stuff to make the road fun!"
Since his makeshift vine ropes and leaf wrappings weren't anything special, Hunter put his backpack on the ground and unzipped it, revealing the content to the woman. He somehow had to get her attention and show that he was a capable and strong man.
However, the woman's reaction momentarily stunned him… and the crowd watching him.
"A male… and a rat, at that. The level of this yearly competition has fallen so low that even a man can reach the third exam now?" She scoffed before turning around, leaving the corpses behind.
Hunter stared at her back for a few seconds, inwardly commenting, 'A man-hater? No, she just insulted my path of a hunter, too.'
While the crowd cursed at the ego and selfishness of the crimson-haired woman, Hunter's lips curved into a smile.
'She's so full of opportunities! Haha! You're free to hate those flower men that can only train their muscles to last as much as possible in the bed with their wives… but I'll make you respect me and my way of a hunter, beautiful crimson-haired woman! The opportunity to make you accept a male and my hunter world… is what I'll gladly take on!'
Therefore, Hunter unpacked one of his precious presents for monsters… and chucked it at the woman's long hair draping her back and ass.
Pieces of meat and blood dirtied and entangled in her hair… turning her into a moving trap!
She stopped and turned around, piercing Hunter with her killing intent, "You're dead."
"Don't declare something like that so selfishly, beautiful woman. My life isn't yours… but I'll join your game and declare something as well," Hunter arced his lips up, "You're mine."