Chapter 68

The disassembly area within the Hunter's Guild.

From early morning, an unusual scene was unfolding there.

"Alright, Enz! You're in charge of the extra-large cage for Loki!"

"Got it! I'll carry it to the limit!"

"Roiz! Mars! You two, fill the cages to your limit too!"

"Understood."

"I never thought I'd be carrying a cage..."

"Zalsa and I will carry the cages to their maximum capacity. Show the pride of melee fighters!"

"Of course. I won't lose to Roiz and Mars."

"Mizuru's party seems to be fine. Loki, it's up to you."

"Understood."

Thus addressed, Loki introduced himself.

"Hello, everyone from Mizuru's party. I'm Loki, the one who planned this. Although it's a sudden request, I've devised this strategy so that we all benefit. Let's all do our best within our limits!"

"「「「「「「Yeah!!」」」」」」

"Other details can be discussed on the way. If you have any questions, we can talk about them while moving. Come on, let's get going!"

Six people carrying cages and one melee-equipped boy emerged one by one from the back gate of the disassembly area.

Normally, a party has one person carrying a cage.

This is a common understanding among hunters, no matter who you ask.

Such an unusual sight was watched by the disassembly area supervisor, Rody, and the hunters who had come to pick up cages, with looks of curiosity.

---

"Does that mean you haven't even decided on the location for the Lulub base yet?"

"Yes. Since it was our first time yesterday. But because it's now, we can be more flexible."

Right now, we were confirming the internal structure of the Lulub forest.

Today is good.

Since we're starting at the same time, everyone's cages will be full without any trouble.

But from tomorrow onwards, if we can't merge successfully, this plan will fail.

If I set up a base deep in Lulub, it will be difficult for them to return to the entrance, and this strategy won't work well.

But if I prioritize merging and set up a base in a shallower part of the forest, other parties will also be active, and the surrounding monsters will be depleted. Moreover, I'm not sure if there's even a suitable location for a base.

Experience points and money.

Since I'm chasing two rabbits, I'll have to make some compromises for the base...

"Hey... from the entrance to the forest we usually enter, isn't there a cliff about two hours away?"

"Yeah, it's there. We rarely go that far, but I remember Feather's group turning back there."

"Feather?"

"The group that earns the most in Bezart. ...Wait, didn't Loki earn more than them?"

"Yeah, the group using extra-large cages, earning about 400,000 Bikes per day in Lulub."

"They're picky about the meat, so it's not surprising they earn that much."

"Well, well, everyone will definitely earn more than 400,000 Bikes today, so you don't need to worry about the money."

"Hey, hey... can you really earn that much?"

"Yeah... I can't quite believe it either. I followed the leader because he said it was okay, but can we really do it?"

"Don't worry. Each person should earn at least 150,000 Bikes. If we consider a party of six, that's over 900,000 Bikes."

"Unbelievable amount of money..."

"Why are you saying it so casually... 150,000 Bikes is enough to live comfortably for half a month!"

"Hey, out of curiosity, how much do you earn in a day, Loki?"

"Hmm, I only know about the Palmera Great Forest and the Locker Plain. In the Locker Plain, I think it was around 800,000 Bikes."

"「「「「「「...」」」」」"

Money comes naturally when you efficiently hunt enemies.

But the current issue isn't that...

Everyone is still focused on the money.

"The problem isn't the money. It's more concerning that we might overlap with Feather's hunting grounds."

"Is that so?"

"We might end up picking up the monsters I've already killed. The number of monsters will decrease if our hunting grounds overlap."

"Hmm..."

"By the way, do all parties enter the Lulub forest from the same place?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Everyone has always used this path to enter Lulub."

"At least, it has been this way since my father's generation."

"I see. The forest is quite large, yet everyone uses the same route..."

Well, that makes sense, doesn't it?

When I went to Lulub yesterday, I followed the path that had already been used, based on the information that it's northwest of Bezart, with Lady Reia.

If you don't think about it, the entrance is naturally determined as the closest and safest route from Bezart.

(Avoiding the crowd... finding a different route... but it won't work if we can't reach it...)

Then, I suddenly remembered the Sail River that runs through the Lulub forest.

"Hey, the Sail River runs through the Lulub forest, right?"

"Yeah."

"It flows through the Palmera forest, passes by Bezart, and enters the Lulub forest. Have you ever hunted at the entrance where the river enters the Lulub forest?"

"Never heard of anyone entering Lulub from the river."

"Yeah, I've never had that experience either."

"Is it because it's far from the town of Bezart?"

"No one hunts there, so I can't say for sure."

"Never even thought about it."

"I see..."

If we follow the river, we won't get lost.

Moreover, if no one is there, it would be the perfect hunting ground, I thought... but it won't be that easy.

Just as I was thinking this, Mars, who had been silent, spoke up.

"The travel time isn't much different. I went there with my grandfather when I was a child."

"Huh?"

"But it's a dangerous place, and we were told not to go there. There are many monsters around the river."

"Yeah, I've heard that. That's why no one goes there?"

"Of course. If no one goes there, there's no one to help if something happens. Besides—"

Hold on...

Think calmly.

There are many monsters around the river, which I've experienced in the Palmera forest.

So it makes sense that it's dangerous and no one goes there, and it has been forgotten.

If no one goes there, we can hunt freely.

For me, it's a great opportunity, and it will greatly contribute to the material collection for six people.

Regarding the travel, Mars and his grandfather could make it when he was a child.

If we go, it will take about two hours from the town of Bezart to the Sail River.

The grassland that extends along that path is likely to continue.

Moreover, there's a possibility of finding a suitable cave for a base near the river, and securing water is easy, so we can save skill points for the Water Magic for now...

This is the best environment, isn't it?!

However,

The issue is whether the safety of the six people can be guaranteed.

Even if we can handle the monsters, if we end up wiped out, I'll feel responsible.

If we clear the surrounding area like a stationary hunt, it should be fine, but—

(Ugh... what should I do...)

Thus, the words that came out of my troubled mind were a question to the six people.

"Everyone. Are you prepared to take on an adventure in exchange for a large sum of money?"