Chapter 137: Growth

They knew the hazards coming along with being a hunter.

In a world packed with magical creatures, being a hunter was a lucrative occupation. Some considered being a hunter was a sure way (and fastest) to earn wealth, experience, and fame.

But the truth, what it came along was the uncertainty of being alive. Either way, being a hunter and doing nothing will, eventually, lead to the same thing: death.

'But not today'. If Ned could speak on behalf of Erin's existential eyes, it would be brimming of joy: 'I survive the day'. 'Not today, not today'. It's been an hour after the two left, and Erin went digging and turning stones to look for Olive Zest Herb.

Sometimes, Ned wished that his life was as simple as Erin the Looter. Survive the day, rely on someone, and be happy with a meager payment of silver, and at least to be afraid. If only I have someone to ask for help, or just flee in the face of danger. Ned thought, putting the Olive Zest Herb, he unrooted beneath a stone, inside his porter bag ( his own bag).

Erin was good. Ned thought. Looting aside, he was the fastest next to Keesha.

Keesha on the other hand has been quiet after Sidric went to search for his brother together with Darwyn.

They never left a perimeter of at least twenty meters ( or as long as visible to Keesha's eyes) whenever one goes, the rest followed.

Judging by the weight of the bag, it was at least fifteen kilos. Another hour or so, their quest will end on their first day. We were fast, Ned thought walking towards Keesha. But their team leader hasn't arrived yet.

Along the way, goblin teeth, and butriki scales formed a pile on dry ground. Ned insisted to help Rickart carve the remaining monster parts. But his insist was insisted: "I've got nothing to do, Ned," Rickart had said. Now, he called Ned by his name.

Their team would crumble if magical beasts decide to raid them one more. Keesha was exhausted, Rickart was limping, Erin was unable to talk, Sidric, Darwyn, and Malik were gone. And Ned was recovering from a burst of adrenaline, which, to some parts of his body were aching.

"I thought this part of the forest was safe," Ned said to Keesha after he arrived, unstrapping the bag and laid it near them. Mud sticking under the bag.

"It is," she said. Stopping with the gathering and turned to Ned. "We are at the edge of the island—west of here is the sea and it was rare for a beast to go near the sea. Butrikis perhaps, since they loved to live in a swamp. But Goblins? Even swamp goblins were afraid to go near the sea."

"Maybe they just don't know it," Ned said looking west of them. His view was blocked by the trees, but Ned could smell a hint of salt, and if he focused more, he could hear waves again the shore.

No, they knew it. The way they communicate, someone is commanding them. They knew that fighting humans is there loss, but why insist? Ned thought pondering things.

"Maybe," Keesha agreed, behind her was Rickart coming out from a bush, yellow scales held on both of his hands. He looked at Ned and called out Keesha: "I need your help here."

Keesha nodded and spun to Ned. "Why are you here?"

"Can I rest?"

"Of course," she said with a mild smile. "You're our porter. And porters—always—needed a rest."

"And, Ned," Keesha said before leaving. "Thank you."

Ned left with a bow and glanced at Erin. The kid won't stop, it's been an hour and he doesn't want to stop gathering herbs.

Keesha turned and walked to Rickart. While Ned stopped under a tree, shaded with leaves, and sat with his knee bent near his chest while the other stretched to rest. Across him was the bag, to his left the two hunters (who seemed to be worried about their eyes running inside the forest) and to his far-right was Erin kneeling on the ground scraping for the herbs.

Ned leaned his head and back against the tree, it was tough and damp and smells old book. He closed his eyes as though sleeping, and gave the word: ICE. Status.

With a chime, Ned's blue display turned on. Aside from his statuses at the upper left, the rest was dimmed black.

[Mana Points: 3,340/3,500]

[Energy: 70%]

Mana here is thin, very thin. Ned thought feeling the mana in the surrounding. Unlike O'rriadt, where he could feel mana with a soft penetrating touch, Du'kki island was almost thin to none mana. Must be the monsters.

Ned opened his eyes and laid it rest to the swamp goblins and butrikis far forward. Green blood flowed on the ground was now dry.

Their Core, Rickart is selecting their Core. Some of the dead beasts have their chest cut opened by Rickart's dagger. But why? Cores are the essentials of beast hunting. Why only select. Ned closed his eyes and brushed the thought to ask Rickart. For now.

[Fireball Level 2.]

[Fireball at level two is stronger and faster time to conjure.]

[Mana consumption was increased to 80.]

Overclock had leveled up. Ned moved his eyes, upper left, onto the blue bars stacked with one another. Mana Points at the top, and energy at the bottom.

Full display. Ned commanded.

Then, a 3d holographic display of his body came into view at the bottom of the two bars. It was all blue. He was stable.

ICE chimed.

[Overclock level 2.]

[Overclock lasts 15 seconds.]

[Overclocking lasts 15 seconds. Wearing out is possible. But, collapsing is avoidable. Adrenaline discharge will depend on your choosing. Your body can handle 3o% of Overclocking. Increasing the 3o% base is probable but negative effects will be apparent. With Overclocking, strength, speed, and senses are enhanced by 15~20%.]

[Overclocking uses Energy. Upon depletion. Mana will be substituted. Warning, though. Mana Burn is apparent when using Mana instead of Energy.]