Chapter 43: The Veeryd Jungle

Chapter 43: The Veeryd Jungle

Chapter 43

The next day, Kai rushed his morning exercises. He had convinced uncle Moui to take him to the outskirts of the Veeryd jungle. More like tricked into agreeing, but those were just semantics.

It was an opportunity to see an expert navigate the infamous jungle safely and he didnt want to be late.

Just an hour after dawn, Kai was heading toward the hunters house to meet him, walking through one of the worst districts of new town. Mouis house wasnt exactly in the slums, but not that far either. After the experience of his first day back in Greenside, he had carefully avoided the area.

Why the hell does he live here? Isnt he rich?

That was another mystery he would have to solve today.

Since they were going to trek into the jungle, Kai wore his best pair of shoes, long trousers and shirt, instead of his usual mid-sleeve. His training staff in hand to use like a long walking stick. If something happened it would be more helpful than the wooden sword.

Looking around, many houses looked about to be crumbling. The few people on the streets were mostly farmers walking towards the field in tattered clothes, most men opting for no shirt at all. His average garments suddenly felt lavish. It might be all in his head, but he felt the passersby's gazes linger on him longer than it was comfortable.

He had purposely taken the worst-looking knapsack they had at home, letting it hang on his shoulders as if it was of no importance. He had packed as little as possible since he didnt want to be slowed down, but the bag started to feel heavier under the pair of eyes watching him.

Im sure its all in my head.

Kai made sure to make full use of Awareness as he walked on even muddier streets than usual. The smell of human waste was more common than he would like, especially when added to the ever-present humidity. He cursed his keen senses and breathed through his mouth.

Finally, he spotted his destination.

This should be it.

The building in front of him wasnt particularly striking. The typical square of four conjoined boxes, but a tad better maintained than the ones around it. With a few good quality wooden boards nailed to the walls and roof. It looked sturdier than its neighbors, but not the residence of one of the wealthiest people Kai knew.

Moui told him to knock on the first door he saw coming from the street. There were two doors, but one of them had been barred and nailed closed, leaving only one choice.

Kais knuckles barely brushed the door when a deep voice called from inside.

Come on in.

Not one to be asked twice to snoop on someone else's property, Kai tried the door handle and found it open.

Stepping inside the living room, the hunter was nowhere to be seen. The place was unimpressively bare. A functional sturdy table with two chairs took center stage and not much else.

Before he could use the excuse of his absence to explore further inside, Mouis voice sounded again.

Wait there and dont touch anything. Ill come in a moment.

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Kai tried to stay on his best behavior. He didnt want to annoy Moui first thing in the morning. He was going to be in his care for the rest of the day and walking into the jungle with a disgruntled guide seemed a sure way not to be seen again.

The weird thing was that the hunters voice came from the right wall.

He must have bought the nearby house.

Thinking back, it made sense why the other door had been barred. Like his family, Moui had no need for two entrances.

One moment later, the hunter opened the door on the left wall and came in. That wasnt the direction he expected. It was the wrong wall.

Did you buy the whole block? Kai asked as he connected the pieces.

The hunter shrugged, It was cheap.

What do you need all of this space alone?

Gesturing around he explained, This part is to greet guests and business meetings, one to process hides and animal parts, one to store them and one is my living quarters.

Somehow Kai had thought his uncle would live frugally in a cramped hut. He lived in new town, so he had thought he just didnt care.

I promise.

The hunter didnt seem satisfied. He asked him to repeat everything he told him to do three times.

Kai looked back at him solemnly, I swear.

Moui's green eyes kept his gaze a little longer, before nodding, Good. Now the first lesson when you enter the jungle is to stay silent and not ask questions.

Okay, this feels a bit targeted. Is it truly the most important thing?

Kai already wanted to argue, but he kept to his promise to shut up. The big man was walking ahead, but he would bet he must be smirking.

Moui continued explaining, Any noise will alert any prey and predator of your position, both are bad. If you want to stay safe, you want to be doing the listening.

Now, there should be no awakened beasts this far out, but its better to be careful. Just because something shouldnt happen it doesnt mean it wont. Relying on luck is a good way to get youself killed. And even normal animals can be dangerous if youre not careful.

Kai had a slight suspicion Moui was making things more dangerous than they actually were. It was true that most people stayed away from the jungle. But quite a few perused the outer reaches for herbs and edibles, coming back safely.

Forcing down the questions threatening to spill from his mouth, he dutifully walked in silence. The smells of the jungle became more noticeable as they went deeper. The scent of vegetation mixed with moisture, soil and decaying plants and wood.

Moui followed some kind of path between the trees as the jungle around them grew more dense. He casually cut a few vines that were in the way with his machete as they continued on.

The light dimmed blocked by the tree canopies. Underfoot the ground felt crumbly and wet in places. Away from the breeze of the sea, the familiar humidity intensified. The leaves of the plants looked slippery and wet. Not even half an hour had passed, but his neck was already sleek with sweat and his clothes stuck to his body uncomfortably.

Maybe I should have gone for short sleeves.

Can I ask a question, uncle? He had promised to stay silent, but he needed something to distract him from the sensation of slowly drowning in the air.

Moui didnt appear annoyed he broke the silence, maybe surprised it had lasted that long in the first place. Sure, but only one.

There was one thing Kai had always been curious about. What are awakened beasts exactly? I mean, I know they are animals that have unlocked some sort of Guide, but what does that mean in practice?

Moui looked at him over his shoulder. Have you ever seen one? Alive I mean.

Kai shook his head.

Well, as you said, an awakened beast is an animal who awakens its Guide. Im not exactly sure how that happens, but its common knowledge that the denser the mana the easier it is.

I once heard there are places on the continent where the mana is so abundant, people make no difference between normal animals and awakened beasts because every animal has their Guide unlocked. I cant say if such a place truly exists or is a rumor, but its certainly true that the area with the densest mana, at the heart of Veeryd, has the most beasts.

Seeing that he was following Moui continued his explanation.

Their Guide is different from ours, humans advance on two paths: race and profession. Beasts only have the race. But you must not think they are weaker because of that. Some actually say the opposite: that its easier to advance with only one path.

Moui suddenly stopped talking. Kai almost bumped into him but stopped in time. As he was about to ask what was going on, the hunter made a gesture to stay silent as he squinted toward the dense vegetation.

Wait here. Ill go check something.

Without waiting for his response Moui disappeared into the greenery.

Kai looked around, the rustle of the wind and branches crackling appeared more unsettling now that he was alone.

Im perfectly safe. Uncle Moui has not abandoned me. I was not that annoying. There is nothing dangerous hiding just out of sight.

To feel calmer Kai activated his Mana Sense. The mana looked slightly denser than usual, but the difference was minimal. He carefully scoured his surroundings for anything that stood out before letting out a sigh of relief.

The vegetation was a bit richer in mana too, but that was it. There were no high mana signatures around.

A minute later Moui reappeared with a smile, Kai was relieved to see him but still glared at him for leaving him alone.

The hunter did not react to his glare, speaking in an excited tone.

What do you think about a more practical lesson? I spotted a young red-tier beast just a little farther.