Chapter 15- Night before hunt

Soon, everyone returned to their rooms, including Hob and Friz. Considering the hunt was tomorrow, they ate a lighter meal to avoid any problems the next day.

"Which monster do you think we should hunt?" Hob asked Friz.

"Based on the map, the closest is the area where Radmelos live, but they are very troublesome to deal with as they are very good at running and can basically ignore most attacks. My poisons won't work on them either because they need to be injected into their bodies first, and a Radmelo's tough hide won't allow that," Friz said, crossing Radmelo's name off the list.

"The next, according to the map, is Porcupoison, which lives next to the Radmelo's territory, but I don't think we can hunt that either as it is poisonous and fast," Hob said as he cut Porcupoison's name from the list as well.

"After that is the territory of Komodo dragons. That's an obvious no; we aren't even passing through there, so let's pick another direction for the hunt," Friz said as she crossed out the West direction from the possible routes of the hunt along with Komodo dragons.

"Then in the east, the next is the territory of Snakepedes. They are the closest in the east, but they can be anywhere from 20 centimeters to 4 meters in size and are fast plus poisonous. We won't even have a chance against them, so let's scrape off the east as well," Hob said, cutting down the east from possible hunting routes.

"Next is South. We have Camez in the South, which we might be able to hunt, but unlike their past behavior, they're now starting to live in groups again, which can be very troublesome during the hunt," Friz said.

"Behind the Camez's is a hill where there are Wolfears. These ones are easier to hunt than Camez but are almost impossible to find alone as they do everything in a group," Hob said, cutting down South as well.

"So the only direction that's left is North, and here, according to the map, there is a forest with multiple species forming a stable food cycle, but there are too many species here to form a proper plan for the hunt," Friz said, asking for Hob's opinion.

"What you said is indeed correct, but we need to hunt something, and North is the only viable direction to complete the task. So let's list out which species we should focus our hunt on," Hob suggested.

"Alright, so according to the information we have, there are Wolf-rats, Mutated Rats, Mutated Ants, Mutated Birds, Mutated Bears, and many more of such animals in that area, which does not spell good if we encounter some of the really troublesome ones," Friz said.

"Well, then we just have to make sure that we don't encounter them. According to me, we can easily hunt down a Wolf-rat, Mutated Rat, Mutated Birds, or any other animal smaller than us," Hob said.

"Then our only chance in the hunt is to go North. What will our plan be for the hunt then?" Friz asked.

"With this shield, I can easily tank one or two monsters as long as they come from the same direction. But once I engage them, I can't escape without sacrificing the shield, which I don't want to do. So I suggest that I scout ahead with the shield on my back while you follow from a distance. In case I have to engage something, you can attack from a distance and save me. If I don't have to engage in a fight unexpectedly, I'll signal for you to come closer, and we'll observe and then make a plan for the hunt based on the situation," Hob suggested to Friz.

"I think I should be the one to scout. If something comes at me suddenly, I can easily run away as I am not burdened by the weapons like you. You can hide at a distance while I lure it to you so you can deal a sneak attack with that chained-morning star of yours. I doubt many things will survive a direct hit from that weapon of yours," Friz said, denying Hob's suggestion.

"You are indeed right, but you will not be able to defend yourself in case something fast comes at you, so I still think I should be the one to scout," Hob persisted.

"Do you have doubts about my ability? Besides, I still have some hidden tricks up my sleeves. If push comes to shove, I won't mind using them to save my skin," Friz said, unmoving.

"Ok, if you insist this much, you can scout, but let me tell you, always stay within my vision and do not take unnecessary risks," Hob said, warning Friz.

"Of course, I won't take any risks. I don't have a death wish, don't you worry. Actually, after meeting you, my will to live is even stronger than before," Friz said teasingly.

"Alright, enough with the teasing. Let's go to sleep on time; we need to be outside in the morning, so let's rest properly," Hob said and went towards his corner of the bed.

"Alright, if you say so, let's go to sleep," Friz said as she got into the bed and put Hob's hand out and laid down on it.

"W-What are you doing, Friz?" Hob asked, stuttering.

"Of course, I am using your arm as a pillow. They didn't provide one to us when we came. I have a habit of sleeping on one, so I'll be lending your arm for tonight," Friz said, acting nonchalant.

"O-Okay, if you want that, you can have my arm for the night," Hob said, blushing and facing the other side.

Friz giggled at Hob, and they both went to sleep, being closer to each other than before.