The bright sun began to set, and in the dense forest at the edge of the Rainforest, three people were slowly making their way.
In less than a month, Goki and his two companions arrived in the southern part of Sargon, in the vast Rainforest known locally as Acahuala.
Backed by mountains, and with moist air currents drifting from the Aegir Ocean in the distance, large areas of southern Sargon have a tropical Rainforest climate.
Even in the Rainforests on Earth, there are plenty of mosquitoes, diseases, fierce beasts, and poisons—'The Long Dark' is hard to play, and 'Green Hell' isn't that easy either.
Not to mention Acahuala, this most primitive tropical Rainforest.
It is covered with giant trees hundreds or thousands of years old, the world's richest animal resources, and the most remote primitive tribes—savage, uncivilized, and bloodthirsty, this is how the outside world views the Acahuala people.
In the past century, Columbia's pioneering groups also began to enter Acahuala's Rainforest with logging and prospecting teams, starting to extract resources from the outside in, but objectively, they also promoted the civilization of the primitive tribes—of course, the process was not so pleasant.
Look, now, a large, white-foreheaded, striped tiger with piercing eyes is crouched on a moss-covered tree, its four limbs gripping the trunk, preparing to ambush the three prey below.
He is a Feline creature of the Sargon Rainforest, one of the large predators, not only twice the size of an Earth Siberian tiger, with immense strength, but also possessing keen intelligence.
In the Rainforest, those people with crocodile heads are not to be provoked; they not only have long, 'arms' that can stab, but also sharp teeth and claws; a single bite would cause severe injury, and their hide is not easy to pierce, making them quite troublesome.
However, the three prey below were clearly thin and easy to bully, with neither long, sharp claws nor powerful muscles, making them seem like the best choice.
Without making any sound, this behemoth weighing over a ton lightly dropped from the tree, pouncing on the most delicate prey with long white hair.
It could easily knock down this Little Orca, crush her throat, and tear her flesh—
Bang!
A loud thud sounded as the giant beast's hunt began its first step—and then it never continued.
"Hmm, who hit me?"
The delicate prey did not fall as the beast had imagined; she remained motionless under the immense impact, not even swaying, but instead turned her Little Orca head in confusion.
Little Orca and the big tiger met eyes, Skadi's red pupils full of confusion, as she silently chewed the candy in her mouth.
She even tilted her head, completely failing to recognize her tiger-lineage relative.
"—Who?"
Immediately after, a large, short-barreled gun was pressed against the tiger's head. Goki smiled slightly and pulled the trigger.
"In my hometown, it's a protected animal; here, it's our dinner—though carnivore meat isn't that tasty."
Bang—
The next second, a deafening gunshot echoed, startling a flock of birds in the twilight forest.
The scattered shrapnel blew the head of this tiger-like creature to smithereens, instantly ending its life.
This kind of ambush predator was too weak; Skadi could barely even be vigilant, and Goki… just needed to prepare for tonight's dinner.
"Oh… he was quite cute, what a shame."
Bending down, Goki quickly began to process the dead beast.
Although he was once chased by a pack of wild dogs through eighteen streets during his novice period in Yharnam, Goki was, after all, an Old Hunter.
After being successfully ambushed by one of these beasts, called "Jungle Slaughterbeasts," and having his Little Orca finger bitten off for the first time, he forever remembered the truth that "CT must always look up."
Using the sharp whip-blade of his retractable cane to skin it, and a Hunter's Axe to cleave bones, Goki skillfully dissected the beast's flesh, extracting a tender and delicious loin.
"Hahaha, it's this thing, we're in for a treat."
Walking ahead of Goki and Skadi, Gavial, who was effortlessly using Goki's Saw Cleaver to cut through vines and vegetation, turned her Little Orca head. Seeing the beast on the ground, her golden eyes immediately widened, and she broke into a radiant smile.
"These stupid things bully the weak and fear the strong; they always just judge by appearance. Those men with big mouths, it wouldn't dare provoke, but it thinks someone with my build is easy to bully—perfect, I'm tired of walking. Let's stop here for today, set up the tent, and make a fire for dinner!"
Although she always referred to her hometown as a "broken place," Gavial's spirits clearly lifted after entering the Rainforest. Already enthusiastic, she began to eagerly introduce every bit of her homeland.
"No problem, Skadi, let's rest for a bit. Find some dry wood, make a fire and cook—what do you say, Skadi?"
Watching Gavial offer suggestions, Goki also nodded, looking at the Little Orca at the back of the group. He was never in a hurry to reach his destination.
Not afraid of floods or fierce beasts, it was good to stop and go, enjoying the Rainforest scenery.
"What kind of bird is this—oh!"
With her attention fully on the shimmering blue butterflies fluttering above, Skadi had been curiously observing everything about this Rainforest.
Hearing Goki ask for help, Skadi immediately nodded her Little Orca head, skillfully picked up the greatsword on her back, and walked into the distance, beginning to chop down logs in the forest.
"Alright, dinner sounds good, I'm hungry after walking all day—don't worry, I won't hit you…"
As the strongest member of the team, Skadi had already conscientiously taken on these tasks during nearly a month of travel.
Moreover, Skadi was very happy being with Goki.
Along the way, they did not enter large mobile cities, but instead traveled between small settlements, caravan convoys, and towns, experiencing the customs and traditions of this sandy nation.
Skadi and Goki together witnessed sunsets over the sand, lonely smoke in the desert, and kept many beautiful land scenes in their memories.
At the same time, with the help of the excellent guide Gavial, Skadi and Goki also tasted various Sargon delicacies.
The nutrient blocks made with Aegir technology balanced taste and nutrition, but for some reason, perhaps because she was tired of eating them for so many years, Skadi still preferred these land foods.
Whether it was charcoal-grilled sand worm legs, oil-blasted rock crab meat, or Originium bug paste, not all foods were equally delicious, but the novelty was something Skadi had never experienced before.
Every time she ate, she felt a Little Orca regret that Gladiia and Specter weren't there—unpleasant food should be shared with colleagues.
Of course, the food she was most accustomed to was still Goki's cooking.
Crack!
"Hmm, hmm hmm hmm~~"
Humming a song softly, her slender arm swung forcefully, and with just one sword stroke, Skadi easily felled a tree that had been dead for a long time and was too large for one person to embrace.
After two months together, Skadi had grown accustomed to Goki's presence: his appearance, his voice, and the feeling of holding him while sleeping at night.
During their travels, Goki taught Skadi many things, and also showed her care in subtle ways. Skadi was not a dull person, so she naturally felt it.
Perhaps, these were the things friends should do! Friendship was indeed a very good relationship; even among her fellow Abyssal Hunters, few would go to this extent.
And regarding friends, she still had much to learn.
However, if there was anything still bothering her... Skadi turned her Little Orca head and looked at the beautiful and generous green-haired girl not far away, who was walking with Goki and had a large tail covered in fine scales.
"I'm telling you, Goki, the least dangerous things in the Rainforest are actually the fierce beasts. Mosquitoes spread diseases, and some fruits and mushrooms are poisonous—although they won't kill the three of us, they'll definitely be troublesome. You have to be careful in identifying them. After dinner, we'll continue on, and I'll teach you then."
"Don't worry, Doctor Gavial, I'll listen to everything you say."
"Hey, you're calling me Doctor now! Don't call me Doctor, call me Doctor!"
With a hearty laugh and white teeth, Gavial rolled up her sleeves, extended her fair arm, and playfully clamped Goki by the waist with her arm.
Goki was no match for Gavial's strength and could only feel the cool, smooth skin of her arm and waist, while honestly begging for mercy.
"Yes, yes, Doctor Gavial, Doctor Gavial!"
The two of them playfully set up the pre-prepared tent.
"Hmm…"
Skadi didn't dislike Gavial; in fact, she rather liked her.
Compared to Kal'tsit, who always hid things, always spoke in riddles, and was mysterious, this cheerful and reliable girl never played guessing games and spoke in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.
However, unlike Kal'tsit, who always kept her distance from others, Gavial always got too close to Skadi and Goki—just like now.
Of course, Skadi herself didn't mind roughhousing with Gavial, but she still really disliked Gavial and Goki being too close.
"Too close…"
However, Skadi couldn't say anything. She also didn't know why she didn't like Goki being too close to other girls—Goki should only be hugged by her.
Aegir also had traditional family structures, and naturally had romance and marriage, but before Skadi learned about these things, she joined the Abyssal Hunters, so she naturally had no chance to learn.
"Should I ask Goki? Hmm, no, forget it."
Reaching for the several-hundred-pound giant log, Skadi prepared to go back for dinner—tonight, she planned to hug Goki a Little Orca tighter when she slept.
But soon, a cluster of rather vibrant colors in front of her suddenly caught Skadi's attention.
"Hmm? Is this… a mushroom? Yes! Were the ones I ate this vibrant?"
Looking at the several large pink mushrooms at her feet, with wide caps and smooth surfaces, which looked particularly striking, Skadi bent down, extended her Little Orca hand, and carefully picked them.
When Skadi was in Aegir, she had never eaten this type of "fungus" creature. It was only recently that she had her first bite of grilled mushrooms in Sargon.
Of course, Goki bought them for her. After entering the city, Skadi did nothing but eat; whatever she wanted, Goki would buy for her.
That food, with a tender and smooth texture similar to raw meat yet different, and a wondrous aroma and umami flavor, immediately captured Skadi's heart.
However, those "mushrooms" were clearly not this vibrant.
"Hmm… the prettier it looks, the more delicious it must be. I'll secretly take them back and surprise them when they're making soup! That's what I'll do!"
Thinking this, Skadi hid the pink mushrooms in her pocket, shouldered the giant log, and walked towards Goki and Gavial with anticipation.
Tonight's dinner would definitely be exceptionally delicious!
----------------------------------
I've already posted 30 new chapters on Patreon!
If you like the story and want to reaad more, please visit my patreon. Every support is very meaningful!
[patreon.com/Kazenova223]
Thank you very much!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"