49: Start of the Hunt

"Well, our training ends here. Still, you have to do those 1500 slashes every day. No skipping. Understand?"

Miles brushed the dust off his hands.

Caleb nodded.

"Well, thank you for those seven days."

Miles smiled.

"Don't sweat it. You did a good job. I must say, you are a quick learner. Now, once Jin and Athena took you to the Forest of Death for your first hunt later. I hope you can apply what I've taught to you. Three-four combo might not look that much. But it might surprise you."

He said with a chuckle.

...

The afternoon came and the sun was at its peak. Caleb felt that he was back on Earth when it was summer. He could feel the prickling hot sensation on his skin and his lips were dry.

In front of him, Jin and Athena were currently organizing things they would bring to the Forest of Death. It was his first hunt and it would be a lie to say that he wasn't nervous. Well, a little.

Not because of fear. It's just the nervousness that comes along with the first time. Yeah, it's not his first time to kill. However, it would be his first to fight a mutated beast! His heart thumps with excitement as he is also about to put into practice what he learned. As Miles said 'One battle is worth more than a thousand practice.

"We're done. So, Johan are you ready for your first hunt?" Jin wore a leather brown backpack where he stored all the stuff and asked.

"Of course, I'm damned ready!"

Athena, beside Jin, let out a soft chuckle.

"I want to see as you pathetically asked for help to us later. Huh, remember. We won't lift a finger, not unless you're really about to die."

'Tsk... Who do you think would ask for your help? Me? No chances.'

Caleb snorted.

Seeing this, Jin clapped his hand.

"Alright let's head out! Don't scare our little guy here."

'Who's little? I'm little? You're mom is little! Your ancestors are little!'

While cursing inwardly, Caleb followed Jin and Athena in front of him.

...

'As always. This place gives me a creep.' After a few minutes, they had entered the Forest of Death.

The familiar musty, and metallic smell assaulted his nostrils. If not for him being used to it. He would have vomited all the contents of his stomach.

As they continued their pace, they encountered some small beasts. However, those bastards ran away. As it turned out, most animals in the Forest of Death were elusive.

And when Caleb thinks about it. He found it reasonable. They won't survive if they just mindlessly fight each other. That's why the small ones were proficient in escaping to avoid danger. So, it was only reasonable that they would flee when seeing humans. Although he doesn't know how frequently his team hunts in the Forest of Death.

Only the truly powerful beasts would dare to swagger arrogantly in this place.

"So what do you guys think is the most important thing when it comes to hunting?" Jin asked.

Athena raised her chest upright and answered with confidence.

"Skill and experience!"

Hearing this, Jin shook his head. Then looked at Caleb.

"How about you?"

"Strategy?" Caleb responded hesitantly, not confident in his answer.

Jin smiled.

"Close... But specifically preparation."

'Dude, are you Batman?'

As he thought of this, he saw Jin take out a white plastic in his backpack. Under Caleb's gaze, Jin unwrapped the plastic, revealing a kidney, a pair of hearts, and the intestines of animals. Then he put it down on the floor then gestured.

"Let's climb on top of the tree. We will use these meaty organs to bait a beast."

Caleb looked speechlessly at the organs of animals on the ground and shook his head. Who would fall for such an obvious trap? Although animals aren't as smart as humans. They still have a strong instinct and a small brain in their heads.

"Are you sure they will take such stupid bait?"

Surprisingly, Athena was the one who answered this time.

"Hahaha! Fuck right? But don't worry. They might be suspicious at first. Some animals might even show reluctance and avoid it. However, don't underestimate their greediness. They won't let free food go to waste. What's more, if it's in front of them.".

"Is that so?" Caleb nodded reluctantly.

Just like that, they climb the ten-meter tree beside them. In this world, the trees are generally bigger than the ones from Earth. For example, Acacia trees on Earth were usually two to three meters in height. While in here, they would be eight to nine. The difference was quite big. The good thing is, they also have bigger fruits!

Jin stopped after his feet firmly planted itself on a thin branch. Thin enough to be considered a stick.

'How the fuck is the branch able to carry him without breaking?'

Beside Jin, there was still space wide enough for Athena and him. Athena didn't hesitate to stand beside Jin. She didn't even show signs of worry that the thin branch would break.

Caleb gritted his teeth and jumped towards the stick-sized branch. As his feet touched it, he firmly planted himself. He couldn't help but feel surprised once he did so.

Jin let out a mild laugh when he saw the look of astonishment on Caleb's face. "This is sturdier than it looks, ain't it?"

"You are really country bumpkin." Athena snorted in amusement.

Hearing this, Caleb suppressed a laugh instead of feeling offended. He gave Athena a look as if he was looking at an idiot.

"What country bumpkin? We are literally living far away from the city. You have the guts to say that. Are you stupid?"

"Bastard!" Giving Caleb a look, Athena huffed in anger.

"You guys... Don't bicker with each other now or else no monster would approach this area." Jin rubbed his temples and sighed. "Lesson number one. Stay quiet... Always keep your mouth shut when waiting for your target to take the bait. Move through the wilderness quietly to avoid alerting animals to your presence. Use gear that minimizes noise, and avoid loud or sudden movements."

'That's common sense I think.' Caleb quietly chuckled.