Chapter 58

I've come to the bird hunting we promised before.

The location is to the north of Baroa Forest, a place that's not as crowded as the road from the east, kind of a hidden gem.

It's a mystery how Rina managed to persuade those guardians of Artemis, but we're planning to do a full-scale night hunt. I don't really have a schedule, so I'm fine, but I wonder if Rina is okay.

"Actually, I did a lot of night camping and dangerous stuff before joining Artemis. It's nothing new."

"Yeah, that's true."

A guild member without money struggles to stay at an inn.

If asked whether a drafty cheap dorm or a night camp is better, many people wouldn't be able to answer immediately. I'd definitely prefer night camping over sleeping in a dirty inn.

Prickly sheets, small creatures crawling on the ceiling, and other people's snoring... No way, I can't take it.

"We'll stay in the forest for the night and probably head back casually tomorrow."

"I want to catch a lot before we go back."

"Right."

In spring, hunting permits are issued for a wide variety of monsters and animals.

The more you catch, the more money you make, so the forest gets lively. The temperature also rises, making it easier to camp at night.

"...Mongrel-senpai, you've got quite a lot of gear."

"Is that so? I usually carry this set when I go camping."

"Really? I've never gone camping with Mongrel-senpai before, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess it's the first time. I'll make a good meal tonight, so look forward to it."

"Yay!"

Since we're staying in the forest for a night, I've brought a larger backpack that I usually don't carry. It's a complete camping set, and I've also brought a slightly larger pot, which makes it even bulkier.

On the other hand, Rina's gear is not much different from her usual equipment. Her bag is a bit larger, and she's wearing a cloak over it.

The long cloak is handy for lying down or sitting on the ground at night. I don't use it much, though.

"Let's walk around the forest and decide on a base. It's easier if it's close to a river."

"Sure. If we spot prey, can we shoot it before we set up the base?"

I twanged the string of my bow-sword. It's fun.

"Right. I hope we find some good prey."

"I wonder what we'll find this season. I don't usually hunt birds, so I'm not very familiar. Maybe Maruko pigeons?"

"Ah, Maruko pigeons aren't fat this season, so they're not ideal. Instead, Puff Birds with large mating fluff are a good target."

"Ah, I see."

Puff Birds grow their fluff into a fluffy mound during mating season, making them look like a ball of fluff. I've seen them before; they're quite noticeable.

I've also seen dead ones, and their chests are covered with fluff like a dandelion. The fluff is good for kindling and burns well...

"Ah, speaking of which... there it is."

"Wow!"

Looking in the direction Rina pointed, there was a bird that was easy to spot.

It had a puffy, light brown body that looked like a moss ball or a beehive, a rather ugly bird.

"Mongrel-senpai, want to try shooting it?"

"No, I'm good. You go ahead, Rina."

"Everything is practice, you know?"

"...If the prey escapes, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry. It's important to practice aiming at moving targets."

Persuaded by Rina, I nervously drew my bow. The tree was about 12 meters away, not far at all, almost close.

"I'll apologize in advance. I'll miss."

"If you aim to miss, even a good shot won't hit. Remember the winter practice... yes, focus on the eye level..."

On a branch. It was my first time aiming at a target in a tree, so I was a bit confused, but I adjusted my stance while listening to Rina's advice and took aim.

...Okay, I can do this.

I'll knock those pretty feathers off!

"Pop pop pop"

"Ah, I missed."

The arrow I shot missed completely, passing through a branch about a meter away.

The Puff Bird, despite its silly appearance, had a sense of danger and immediately flew away. ...Surprisingly, it took off quickly despite its fluffy body.

"Not bad. If the arrow flies near the target, you're getting better."

"I wanted to hit it, damn it."

"Practice makes perfect."

And when you miss, you have the tedious task of retrieving the arrow that went off course. I find this task particularly annoying.

I understand why Rina suggested putting a distinctive color on the feathers. It's really a hassle to find them in the forest.

"This place might be good. There's a water source nearby, and there's even a fire pit."

"Sure. Let's make this our base for today."

After walking for a while, around noon, we decided on a base camp where an old stone hearth was left. We left our heavy gear here and set up traps and monster deterrents. This should be fine in most cases.

There's a risk of other guild members raiding our base, but we can only pray. We're in a place where not many people come...

"I want to catch more birds while it's still light."

"...I didn't expect to catch three on the way. You're truly a young elite of Artemis."

"Spring is when there are a lot of Puff Birds."

Before we even set up the base camp, Rina had already caught three birds.

Not only does she hit her targets with one shot, but her ability to spot prey is also amazing. She's always aware of her surroundings... I'm not so good at that. I get distracted by spring herbs more than birds in the trees.

"...Hey, Mongrel-senpai, what's that... armor...?"

"Huh? Oh, this? This is a chimney."

"Chimney!?"

I see, this cylindrical metal could easily be mistaken for part of a suit of plate armor.

But this is a good camping tool I had made at great expense.

"This cylinder contains a smaller one inside."

"Oh..."

"If you assemble it in a certain direction, it becomes a long tube. It's only about 2 meters long, though."

"Really, it's connected. Wow... but chimneys are for houses. What are you going to do with it?"

Some people use a wood stove when camping.

It's like a box-shaped combustion chamber attached to this long tube. When you burn wood in the box, the smoke goes up the chimney. The smoke going up makes it less smoky, and the chimney effect makes the wood burn efficiently and keeps you warm.

However, I only brought the chimney. The crucial part for burning wood is missing.

Why didn't I bring it? The answer is simple. The box is too cumbersome to carry. The chimney can be packed like a set of nesting dolls, but the stove itself is too heavy and bulky to carry, especially with a large pot.

"The stove part is this."

"...Oh, from the stone fire pit."

"Right. I'll modify the stone structure to make it rectangular, then set up and fix the chimney. Finally, I'll place this iron plate on top like a lid, and it's basically done."

"Oh..."

I only brought the chimney and the top plate of the stove. The rest I make with stones and soil each time. We're not staying for days, so I've pared down the equipment I bring.

"Rina caught the Puff Birds, so I'll make a delicious soup today. I'll practice with my bow, but the main task is yours."

"Of course! I'll be the one to catch, and Mongrel-senpai will be the one to prepare! I'll go hunting nearby!"

"Sure, sure. If you see any dangerous monsters, call me immediately. It's dangerous for a bow user alone."

"Okay!"

I don't know if she understands or not, but Rina ran off happily.

...Well, there are only birds around here, and if there are any, they're probably goblins. It's not that dangerous if she doesn't go too far. It's not bad to share the workload a bit.

"Man, these birds are really fluffy... every time I pluck them, they're fluffy... Ah-choo!"

The feathers of the Puff Bird are as light and soft as cotton. When you pluck them, they fly up like dust, making you sneeze.

But if you gather a lot of this fluffy stuff and stuff it into a thin leather, it becomes a top-quality cushion. It's like down or a feather bed. According to Rina, if you gather a significant amount, you can sell it for a good price. That's why you can't throw them away. It would be easier to burn them and turn them into charcoal, but...

"Ah, the blood is terrible. So gross, so gross."

The dissection is done by the river.

You cut off the head, slit the belly, remove the organs, and cool them by weighting them down in the water.

The most troublesome part is the feathers. Thoroughly plucking them is quite tiring.

Rina says it's better to do it while they're alive, but I can't. It's too difficult both visually and mentally.

"Ah, a Crater Toad."

"Geck"

While cleaning the blood, a small Crater Toad came from the other side of the stream.

It's coming straight for the Puff Bird without fear of humans. You little brat, that's our Puff Bird. What a nerve!

"Since you're already dirty, I might as well dissect you too... I feel less guilty about a frog than a bird."

"Geck"

Sensing the killing intent from my bastard sword, the Crater Toad shifted its stance.

It's the prelude to a frog's jump.

The Crater Toad's specialty is its weight-based stomp and kick. It's no match for me. In fact, it's easier because it doesn't run.

Come on, come on. I'll use you for the soup stock too.

"Oh, it's coming... uh, wow."

The Crater Toad jumped. I got that.

But unexpectedly, its landing point was just in front of me.

"Whoa!?"

I didn't get stomped, but the impact of the belly dive into the river sent water splashing up. A large water column and spray. It was an unexpected and annoying attack. And it worked.

"I only brought this one set of clothes!"

"Geck"

I cleanly beheaded the foolish Crater Toad, but I was drenched. Damn, what a move.

It did exactly what I hate the most.

"Damn... after all that delicious food from Regal, you did this to me..."

"Senpai, Senpai, Mongrel-senpai! I caught another bird... uh, why are you so wet!"

"Listen, Rina, this guy..."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"Don't laugh, idiot! Give me the bird! I need to dissect it!"

"Okay! I'll go catch another one nearby!"

Rina handed me the fourth Puff Bird and hurried off.

...Hmm, the bird is still warm. She really has good skills.

"Ah, I can't keep up with Rina's pace...?"

I wasn't competing with Rina, but I felt a bit embarrassed that my cooking pace was slower than her hunting pace, so I hurriedly started the dissection.

Hmm, maybe I was too hasty in catching the Crater Toad.