We move out after seeing the hunter disappear into the forest.
Well, we checked for reactions around here, and sensed quite a few animals to the east, so I don’t think he’s coming back here.
And he’s not gonna get lost in the forest either.
“So, what now?”
“I think you know.”
My response brings grins to everyone’s faces.
We’re not gonna go to the valley like idiots. We can just use search magic to scan the area for monsters. That should be enough, or at least I’m confident that it will be.
There are adventurers that are good at hunting monsters, but not so good at searching for them. I’m sure those guys that accepted that goblin hunting quest are like that.
It’s not like being an adventurer is all about hunting.
The submaster talked about superior species, but they’re just goblins anyway.
They cause newbies trouble, but a D rank party can hunt them.
“Let’s get going.”
We explore the forest while looking for a place to sleep.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Hey, how about here?”
I turn to look, and it’s not bad. The branches cover the sky, but they should also protect us if it rains, unless it’s a downpour.
There’s not much space between trees, and since there are a lot of branches and leaves, they should protect us from the wind too.
Visibility isn’t the best, but we can tell if something’s nearby with our skills.
We’re a six person party, but four of us can use enemy search skills. That’s why the submaster called us. That and our past achievements. And we’re good enough to hunt superior species if they appear.
“Let’s take it easy.”
I take out booze from the item bag, and we get a magic stove going to prepare snacks.
We’re gonna have to move if hunters come this way, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen after I hammered that so much.
We’ll know if they do anyway.
And so, we relax with booze in hand, and kill time.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Is it time to go back?”
We collect the bottles and stuff them with the magic stove in an item bag.
We burn what can be burned here, and get ready to go back to the village.
I stretch, and we leave our camp.
I was worried about rain, but it didn’t rain. It’s not that cold in the morning either, so it wasn’t so bad. Not that I’d want to stay here for long.
“Ah, check with magic.”
We know there aren’t any monsters around, but just to be sure.
Search magic is activated, and our mage shakes his head. His search magic covers twice the area as our search skills, so it reaches the valley… Or at least it should.
That means there’s no point going there.
And also, it’s known that he can use search magic, but not the range. I’m sure no one could even imagine it reaches the valley from here.
This is to make sure people don’t try to use him and pay little.
Hiding your true power is common once you reach a certain level, it’s not just us.
On our way back, we meet the hunter, who’s going hunting again.
“Ah, adventurers. How was it?”
“We didn’t see any monsters. Go on and hunt.”
I say, and he bows repeatedly while thanking us.
He’s a pretty nice guy. And being thanked doesn’t feel bad.
He hunts animals, but monsters are different. Even if they’re goblins, it makes sense that he sees them as a threat.
We report to the chief back in the village, and he looks relieved and happy, saying he’ll prepare a feast tonight.
It’s not as good as what we normally have in the village, but they’re trying.
The meat is from boar the hunter hunted, and it’s not bad. If it was dried and salted, it would make a nice companion to booze.
Maybe I’ll tell that to the barkeep.
We spend the night in the village, and leave in the morning.
We’ll make it in time even if we take it easy, but I don’t like being in a hurry.
And when we reach the spot, the wagon is already there, so we hop on and go back.
We arrive before the sun sets, and report to the guild.
“We didn’t find any problems.”
“I see.”
The submaster is relieved. He lets out a sigh of relief after hearing that thing about the monsters was nothing, but am I picking up on regret for wasting money on this?
Well, we’re thankful, because we got paid for lazing around and drinking.
Actually, drinking outside isn’t so bad once in a while.
But this is kind of tiring, because he keeps asking questions. Good thing I walked around the forest a bit as a change of pace, because I can talk about that.
With the report over, we take the reward and head to the tavern. We could drink in the one here in the guild, but it’s too rowdy.
Also, tonight, I wanna splurge a bit on food and drinks. And the others don’t object. They’re smart.
With the quest over without any problems, it’s time to celebrate in our usual tavern
Thanks for the treat.