GILF Hunter

After a brief meeting and assessing the situation, Ian returned to the hut.

The members, who had been waiting for Ian’s return while organizing their luggage in the hut, approached and asked.

’How did it go?’

’It looks like the request might take quite a while.’

It wasn’t exactly what you’d call good news.

Ian briefly summarized and explained the things he had heard during the meeting to the members.

’They say a Stinger nest has appeared in the forest.’

’A Stinger?’

’What kind of monster is that?’

No one seemed to have heard the name before, as they tilted their heads upon hearing it from Ian.

Only Rin reacted as if she recognized the name.

’Ah, I think I’ve heard of it.’

’I wonder what strange book you read that in this time...’

’No! I heard about it when I was in the village! I heard people say never to go past the stream on the mountain behind us because Stingers appear there!’

It seemed a Stinger’s territory had been near the village where Rin lived.

Stinger territories were incredibly vast, but they were also monsters that were very strict about territory boundaries.

Unless their territory overlaps with where people live, they are often left alone without being subjugated. After all, they were very troublesome monsters to deal with.

The problem was... in a case like the current one, they had to be subjugated.

They couldn’t just move a farm like this somewhere else because of the Stingers.

’It’s a monster that looks like a bee, right?’

’Correct. Have you seen one yourself?’

’I haven’t seen one personally.... I saw a drawing of it in the village. They said if it’s seen anywhere other than the mountain, it must be reported.’

The appearance of a Stinger could be simply summarized as a giant wasp. Its characteristics were exactly what one could imagine from its looks.

’But what do you mean by the request taking a long time?’

’They haven’t found the nest yet. The subjugation force can’t depart until they find out where it is.’

Ian spread out the copy of the map he had received after the meeting ended.

Since it was a simplified hand-drawn version, it wasn’t as large or detailed as the map at the headquarters, but it was sufficient to use for an explanation.

’Stingers have an enormous territory size. This farm is caught right at the edge of that territory.’

Then Ian pointed to the inner part of the forest far from the farm.

’The nest is inside this forest, so we have to go in and find the location first.’

’A place this wide?’

Everyone understood why Ian said the request would take a long time.

The area they had to search was so vast. If they were unlucky, it could take over a month.

Of course, the guild would take some measures before that happened, but it seemed they should give up hope of finishing within a few days at least.

’Still, we don’t have to comb through every single inch.... I see a few spots where a nest is likely to be. We just need to check those places.’

Monsters wouldn’t just build a nest anywhere either.

There are naturally terrains that are bad or good for building a nest, and monsters know how to distinguish them too.

Ian couldn’t know the monster’s psychology of what terrain they preferred, but based on his experience hunting them so far, he could at least predict what form they usually built their nests in and what kind of terrain they appeared in.

’In my view, there are about five spots.’

’Ah... that guessing of yours?’

’...It’s intuition.’

’...Aren’t those the same thing?’

If asked what the difference was, he couldn’t explain it.

Regardless, it would be a much better method than wandering aimlessly through this vast forest.

While they were briefly discussing the future plans with the members like that, someone knocked on the door of the hut.

’Who is it?’

’It’s Hamel! Can we talk for a moment?’

It was an interpretation in a cute tone that still didn’t suit that massive frame at all.

Hamel and Clea were standing outside the door.

The two who entered sat together at the table where the meeting had been held just moments ago.

Perhaps because of Hamel’s massive frame, the small hut felt completely packed even though only two people had been added.

’Sorry for bothering you while you’re resting! We had something to ask...’

Clea pulled out a small notebook and checked the schedule while speaking to Ian.

’I’m sorry since you just arrived today, but... the scouting team is scheduled to depart tomorrow. Could the Ian Mercenary Group join us as well? If it’s too much, we’ll adjust the schedule.’

’Ah, we will go out with you tomorrow too.’

Since they hadn’t faced any particularly difficult tasks while moving, Rin’s condition was perfectly fine. Thanks to the effects of the hot spring, she was actually in a state with more stamina than on a holiday.

Ian introduced Rin by gesturing toward her to the two.

’This is Rin. She will take charge of the scouting tomorrow.’

’Huh? I haven’t heard anything about that?’

’I was just about to tell you. We have to go into the forest and find the nest, but there aren’t many people who can go in.’

’Well, that’s true, but...’

They had to enter the forest where the Stingers were active to find the nest’s location, and a B-rank mercenary couldn’t just sit around playing.

Stingers have a very strong pack mentality, so if a fight breaks out, all nearby monsters flock in. They needed someone who could go and return quietly without fighting as much as possible.

In the end, Rin was the only one who could go into the forest and investigate right now.

Rin had also expected to some extent that she would have to find the nest, so she eventually conceded and nodded. Though she didn’t know she’d have to go out the very next day as soon as she arrived.

’And this side is...’

Following Rin, Ian introduced the rest of the members one by one.

They needed to know each other’s member composition to coordinate strategy when the subjugation force moved together.

Two on the front line, one barrier mage. A porter-cum... spiritist. The archer was studying at home, so he skipped the introduction.

When the introduction of Ian’s party ended, Clea smirked and inadvertently muttered.

’Wow, what a peculiar combination.’

Leader Hamel stared intently at Clea who had made that self-mutterance.

Clea made an excuse to Hamel in a panic.

’Wait, I can at least say that.... We’re not exactly normal ourselves when it comes to being peculiar...’

One couldn’t tell what Hamel was saying, but listening to the conversation, it seemed she was being scolded for saying something rude during the other mercenary group’s introduction.

Clea made excuses, but when it looked like she would get flicked on the forehead by Hamel again, she eventually apologized quietly.

’I got it.... My apologies, Leader Ian...’

’It’s fine. It is a peculiar composition.’

Since everyone had been thinking it was an unusual setup, the members didn’t mind much either. Instead, there was a thought everyone had at the same time.

Can they really understand each other just by looking at their faces?

Everyone looked at Hamel and Clea and thought it was fascinating. To say she was just grasping the general vibe, the conversation was too natural.

’It’s fascinating... how do you communicate?’

’Ah, Leader Hamel and I have known each other since a long time ago. I can just tell roughly by looking at his expression.’

...Expression?

Everyone glanced at Hamel’s expressionless face.

Far from being explained, everyone’s doubt only deepened.

Clea inadvertently muttered while recalling old memories to herself.

’Hamel used to be quite talkative back then too...’

’Ah... then perhaps because of the Labyrinth?’

’No, he took an elixir a long time ago, and it’s a side effect of that.’

Elixirs didn’t necessarily have only good options.

Hamel had likely taken the [Elixir of Rapid Growth], which simultaneously grants random beneficial and negative traits.

Was the trait he gained instead of the side effect... [Superhuman Strength]?

Ian speculated while checking Hamel’s stats.

Not just Ian, but everyone else seemed to think similarly as they glanced toward Hamel.

Clea noticed people’s gaze focusing on Hamel’s frame and added an explanation.

It was a common misunderstanding whenever she brought up this story.

’Ah, Hamel’s muscles were like this from the start! He liked that he could concentrate better during fights ever since he took the elixir.’

’...I-I see.’

If so, was the trait gained from the elixir not [Superhuman Strength] but [Concentration]?

In Ian’s mind, that trait with that side effect was a massive loss, but Hamel himself seemed very satisfied.

Because Clea’s tone had become light while talking about old stories, Hamel tried to point it out, but this time Hamel was the one getting scolded.

’...’

’What’s the harm? It’s not work, we’re just talking. You always get like that whenever I talk about the past. Do you know how much I struggled back then...’

’...’

Was it because he was embarrassed by the old stories? Leader Hamel became a bit dejected after getting scolded by Clea for trying to intervene.

It seemed a long chat would follow after the talk about work ended.

While turning his head, Ian accidentally met eyes with Hamel.

...Shall we go out?

Gazes containing such meaning were exchanged between Ian and Hamel, and the two nodded at the same time.

At this moment, it felt like they understood each other just through expressions.

It was the moment when the two were about to raise their bodies from their chairs simultaneously.

A great commotion broke out in the campsite, which was slowly getting ready for bed as the sun set.

Just as everyone inside the hut noticed the chaotic atmosphere outside, the bell installed in the center of the campsite rang out loudly.

’Raid!’

A signal announcing an enemy attack.

Everyone immediately grabbed their weapons and rushed outside the hut.

’Where is it!’

’Over there!’

At Clea’s question, the mercenaries pointed toward the sky.

Dozens of swarms of bees were flying from the sky toward the forest.