Chapter 33: Third Exam — Navigation! (6)
Therefore, the situation Seraphina had found herself in… was more troubling than even Hunter expected.
The leash he put on her was… way too effective, silencing the crimson-haired woman and keeping her by his side.
"Want to chuck this trap here? Ah, you might hate them. Sorry for that! I tried plucking as many pieces of meat as possible of your hair while you were unconscious. The dirt also mixed with your streaks, so the smell should be weakened by that. So we're all safe and okay to stay here. This monster doesn't seem to be keen, either. Well, I feel compelled to add that you're very cute when you get angry!"
Extending her hand for the trap, Seraphina grasped the piece of meat with her bare hand before throwing it at Hunter's pearly smile. She then avoided his gaze by retracting her attention to the monster.
Although some raw slices entered his mouth, Hunter quickly spat them out and laughed, "Thanks for the treat!"
After gathering what was left of the trap and chucking it at the monster's side, Hunter and Seraphina left their hiding spot, going toward the safe zone.
'Ah, this is life! Life of prospects and so many opportunities! I can only fear meeting another beauty… at this point, I should just form friendly relationships and focus on Aimee and Seraphina! These two are the closest to me and the strongest women, full of opportunities! And I received an inheritance from father-in-law, so I can guide their swordsmanship! Goddammit! Who knew that building a relationship could be so fun?'
Soon, Hunter and Seraphina were once again hiding in the bushes.
"It's my last trap."
"…why won't you just kill the monster?"
"I'll lose a lot. If it weren't for my hunter way, I wouldn't have met you. That's one! And I'm far from an experienced hunter, so I ought to take in as much information and experience as possible. That's two! The most important thing is the fun, though! It's so fun to plot and scheme against these monsters. I can save strength and equipment... not like I have anything left other than those precious black gloves… Ah, thank you so much, Miss Leona!"
"You received this from a guild leader?"
"That's right. You wouldn't know about it if it weren't for our little hiding spot! See? It's my hunter way! I'll do things in and out of my comfort zone! For this exam, my comfort zone is the most important and convenient as it gets me the most information. My high regeneration is also still busy mending those burnt marks. You should focus on regenerating, too. I see that you can move your broken arm already! Did you covertly use some healing medicine, or are you similar to me?"
"…"
And with that, Hunter and his new teammate spent some time in the bush.
A little later, however, a development that neither expected happened.
A man appeared on the scene. He was dragging an unconscious woman whose steel armor was broken, full of gaping gaps from which blood flooded outside.
He himself was in a better state, but his pale skin, sweaty face, and ragged breathing told more than enough.
When he reached the river's shore, he dropped onto his knees and washed his face. He also drank a lot of water, apparently thirsty for years. When he was done, the man looked at the skies with a weak, seemingly done smile.
"Just because I'm a man… I pulled you into this mess, leader... Beast Domination Guild! Fuck you! Fuck you and all your lineages! I know no one is watching a shit like me! But I'll fucking declare it nonetheless! Even if you begged to suck me off, I would never unzip my pants for anyone of you, women who look like muscular men on drugs!"
Hearing those words, Hunter nodded.
"He has a way with language!"
The weak man continued, "Just because I'm a man… and you're searching for a man who supposedly killed one of you… you attack every team with men and obliterate them?! What kind of crap is this?! I don't even have a silver hair!"
It was Seraphina's turn to react.
She glanced at Hunter's hair and narrowed her eyes.
Hunter laughed, "Yeah, they've learned about me… but how? We killed everyone in the second exam… did they exploit the sponsor system and pass the message to the participants?"
Which was a thought on point!
Seraphina nodded, "Prolly that. There are scheming whores and bastards everywhere."
"But like… well, there are a lot of questions! Anyway, I must be careful. Aimee must be doing fine without me, but I'd rather unite with her… right! She's our teammate! A very good swordsman, too! She uses her flexible body well! That move I used on you was hers, actually. We can learn a lot from each other!"
Seraphina didn't say anything to these words, acting as though they eluded her.
Hunter continued the talk, "I'm not in favor of helping everyone as I go… but I kinda would love to help these two. The problem is that I don't have any medicine… and taking them with us is a no-no… you want to share your medicine with them?"
"No."
"Kay! So, let's go forward! All I can do is to lure the monster away from these two with my trap! May they have a stroke of good luck!
After staying loyal to his words, Hunter and Seraphina resumed their voyage.
Which ended an hour later… but not because they were in the safe zone.
But because the entire ground beneath them rippled, opening a chasm akin to the monster's mouth…
…from which a demon howl rushed outside, knocking out many of the participants!
They were straight swallowed by the chasm!
On the other hand, Hunter and Seraphina… had it worse, for the ground collapsed beneath them, not giving them a chance to grasp anything!
If they miraculously grasped anything, it was still pointless as the entire forest was getting dragged to the pits of hell!
Which was a part of the exam that… clearly wasn't planned.
[The yearly exam is suspended!]
[Demons have invaded The First Hunter Union's Guardian Spirit's Domain!]
[All participants must cast aside their grudges and differences and work together to survive the invasion!]
[Wait for the guilds to save you!]
The hardest and unanticipated stage of the exam began.