Chapter 19: The Journey to the Hunt

From the Northern Town to the border of Iwadou, it takes ten days by carriage, traveling west along the mountain range, slightly to the south. After nearly a month of hunting monsters, they take another ten days to return. It seems inefficient, but the monster population is so overwhelming that they have no choice but to assist.

Iwadou is a nation of mining. It supplies the continent’s metal. Naturally, being a land of rocky terrain, it is home to monsters year-round. However, for some reason, in July, the Black Rock Lizards proliferate in massive numbers along the northwestern mountains bordering the Deep Forest. If left unchecked, the lizards will migrate south along the border and eventually reach the plains. In the past, they have devastated farmlands right before harvest.

Apparently, crops cultivated by humans attract monsters. This is not just a problem for the plains; though they cannot send hunters, the merchants act as buyers, offering to purchase every lizard caught at a set price. In the end, the money earned is used to buy grains from the plains, so the region does not suffer a true loss.

Listening to this explanation, Shou was on her first-ever carriage journey. The Northern Town’s hunting party consisted of twenty hunters, five healers including apprentices—though since she and Alfie were still apprentices, there were effectively only three full-fledged healers. Two apothecaries accompanied them, along with two cooks. Everyone shared in the general chores.

As they followed the mountain trail, they made frequent stops to rest and conduct smaller hunts. Since this area was connected to the northwestern mountain range, monster encounters were more frequent than usual.

For the first time, Shou witnessed Falco’s hunting up close. Though he usually hunted alone, the northwestern mountains required a coordinated strategy. Gaius led the formation, positioned at the forefront. Falco stood slightly behind on the right, while Leon took the left, forming a triangle. The rest of the hunters fanned out in a sweeping arc to prevent any monsters from escaping. The three senior healers stood at the rear, while Shou, Alfie, and the apothecaries positioned themselves even further back.

This formation was devised because Gaius could not move freely. Without stepping forward, he struck down monsters and forced them left and right. The hunters at his sides further dispersed the monsters, cutting them down efficiently. The strategy worked like a net, ensuring that not a single monster slipped through.

Even so, some monsters did manage to break free. In such cases, the healers took them down. This was why the healers were just as formidable as the hunters.

Those injured in battle would immediately retreat to be healed or doused with potions. Any hunter who stepped out of formation was replaced by someone from the back, and once healed, they returned to the line.

For ten days, they repeated this training. Gaius, Leon, and Falco were truly impressive. Shou did not say so aloud, knowing it would inflate their egos, but her admiration must have shown, as Falco was in a remarkably good mood. Then again, as long as Shou was around, he was usually cheerful.

Between training and travel, Shou and Alfie hunted slimes. A journey was an opportunity—not just for sightseeing or training, but even for chores. The rough terrain along the mountains harbored not only the usual monsters but also an abundance of slimes.

Shou and Alfie’s eyes sparkled. Pocket money!

While the hunters rested, the two of them ran around with sticks and buckets, quietly collecting slimes. The hunters found it amusing and cheered them on, but they couldn’t help but be impressed by their technique.

"Want to give it a try?" they joked, but none of them actually did.

Why not?

One of the younger hunters swung his sword at a slime. Swish. The slime lost its form, but… wouldn’t its magic stone turn gray?

No, it wouldn’t.

Once a hunter outgrew their apprenticeship, their sword speed increased. They could strike before the slime had time to secrete acid, leaving behind pristine blue magic stones. But by the time they reached adulthood, no one bothered picking up spare change for kids anymore.

Thus, while the hunters humored Shou and Alfie by trying out their stick technique, in the end, they simply watched over them fondly. The air, which should have been tense with anticipation of battle, had become strangely warm and lighthearted thanks to the two.

Sufficiently skilled healers ensured everyone remained in top condition. Moreover, this year, Gina’s husband, Goldo, had joined as the cook. By the time they reached the border, the Northern Town’s hunters were in peak form, both physically and mentally.

The border town of Nordam sat at the base of the mountain range that spanned between the Deep Forest and Iwadou. Due to their numbers, the group did not enter the town but instead set up camp at their usual spot outside.

A burly hunter approached. He was around Gaius’ age, with thick golden hair and green eyes. Clapping Gaius heartily on the shoulder, he grinned.

"Gaius! The Northern Town finally made it!"

"Gale, sorry to keep you waiting. We brought twenty hunters."

"Much appreciated. You must have heard—we have even more monsters than usual this year. And yet, the number of hunters who showed up is the same as always. We might have to send some of you deeper into Iwadou."

"Did you send out enough calls for reinforcements? We brought more hunters than usual this year."

"Many hunters got drawn to the marshes."

"That was the case in winter, too. What’s happening at the marshes?"

"Who knows? Maybe there are more monsters there as well. We’ve had more injuries this time. Oh! The Master Healer is here, too! That’s a relief!"

The Master Healer arrived.

"We brought three healers, two apprentices, and two apothecaries to gain experience."

"That’s incredibly fortunate! Master Healer, I hate to ask, but we’re short on healers. We’ve been relying on potions, but some people aren’t doing well. Could you check on them?"

"Of course. However, I will have the apprentices assist as well."

"No objections."

"Gaius, are you alright with this?"

"Yes, the Northern Town will manage. Please go ahead."

Shou and Alfie were summoned by the Master Healer.

"Time to work. It seems they lack enough healers. The three full healers will handle severe cases, while you apprentices take care of the rest. Apothecaries, start brewing potions immediately."

"I’ll go too," Falco said.

"Good. Keep an eye on everyone, not just Shou," the Master Healer instructed.

"Of course."

Shou had not come simply to follow Falco.

The Master Healer had asked her beforehand:

"Shou, would you like to join the summer hunt as an apprentice?"

Shou had agreed.

"This might not be something to tell a child your age, but… I feel like the monsters are acting differently this year. I want to ensure we’re fully prepared. Shou, you may not have realized it, but you have a unique ability beyond healing. Have you noticed?"

"Something unusual?"

"Yes. You can detect ailments with minimal magic, and your healing is highly efficient."

"But isn’t everyone doing that?"

"No, they weren’t last year. Do you see what I mean?"

"Did they learn it from me?"

"Exactly. They are all skilled healers. They noticed the difference and quickly imitated it. Especially Alfie—perhaps because you’re close in age."

"That’s amazing."

"No, you are amazing, Shou. I hope we won’t have to rely on that power. But if we do, I don’t want to hesitate to use it."

The Master Healer’s instincts were right.

And now, so early in the hunt… if things were already like this…

Led by Gale, Shou and the others arrived at the church in town. It was far grander than the one in the Northern Town.

Inside, around thirty injured people lay on makeshift beds, only half-treated, while exhausted healers sat slumped on the floor.