Day 93: Lassie Town

  As Jason and Chanty enter the inn, Chanty suddenly begins describing the location of a certain table in the dining hall without missing a beat or turning her face as she continued walking toward the stairs. Jason is confused for a moment, but turns to where she describes and sees an unexpected sight. The two women who were part of the 6 person ruffians they encountered the other day were eating and drinking together.

  The first woman had short, messy black pixecut hair that gives her a wild and untamed look, with piercing dark eyes, and a mischievous expression. The other woman has long straight platinum blonde hair, giving her a sleek and elegant appearance. Her eyes are striking blue, with a calm and composed expression.

  Jason looked around in hopes of finding the other four, but they were nowhere in sight. 'That's odd...' At that point, both women noticed him as well. The blond stared with no change in expression, but the brunette gave a big toothy, yet smug grin his direction before raising her mug as if it were a gesture of greeting.

  Jason didn't know what to make of their actions, so he didn't bother. He sends a ki string their direction as he turned to the stairs and went up to the second floor. When he enters the hallway, he sees Chanty leaning against the wall right next to her room. When he approaches her, she speaks. "Your thoughts, pupil?"

  Jason just shrugs in response, to which she nods in agreement. "Inconsequential, I agree. I lose no sleep over that lot. Then goodnight, my pupil. I'm going to bed now."

  Jason tells her goodnight as well, and they both enter their respective rooms. Jason let's Kiki off his shoulder and unto a small desk on the side before laying down on his bed. Elsewhere, the two women from earlier were coming up the hallway after finishing their dinner. Jason had already grided their bodies and the space around them in hopes of gathering information on what they were up to. The next few minutes was nothing of note: they both went into the same room, changed clothes, got on the same bed, and... "Oh dear... I didn't know they were in that kind of relationship..." Jason was tempted to give them some privacy, but instead decided to enjoy the show. By superimposing his memory of their appearance on top of the grid of their bodies, as well as the room they were in, it was like Jason was right there in their room watching them like some 3D VR pornography.

  Jason watched the two passionately go at it for over an hour before they fell asleep in each other's arms. "Not the kind of info I set out to gather, but it is relevant to the assignment Chanty gave me, so it's all good." He said while wiping his hand clean.

  With his voyeurism session over, he goes to bed for real this time. "Now for the real deal." Manifesting in his Lucid Realm, Jason immediately creates a bedroom with a king sized bed. Then he manifests the two women on the bed, before walking over while shedding his clothes. "Time for some practice."

  Day 94

  The first rays of sunlight filtered through the large windows of the guild lobby, casting long golden streaks across the polished wooden floor. The morning bustle had already begun, with adventurers of all ranks shuffling in and out, some eager to take on new quests while others lounged at tables recounting tales of their latest hunts.

  To one side, Jason and Chanty stood side by side, reading the quest wall as they waited for the rest of their group.

  "Any word from Sam?" Chanty asked, arms crossed.

  Jason merely nodded. "Yeah, he's still on his way. Says he got the Wyvern Trio to give him a ride. I gotta say, we sure do run into those 3 alot."

  Just as he finished speaking, the sound of rapid footsteps caught their attention.

  "Morning!" came Alisa’s cheerful voice as she led the Spear Party toward them. Karen, Rooney, and Terry followed closely behind.

  Jason nodded in greeting, while Chanty smiled. "You all ready?" Jason asked.

  Rooney stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah. Let’s get moving."

  With their pleasantries exchanged, the group departed from the guild, making their way toward the butcher’s district.

  The streets were lively this morning, filled with the scent of fresh bread from nearby bakeries, the distant clang of blacksmiths hammering away at metal, and the constant chatter of merchants hawking their wares. The butcher’s district was no different—rows of specialized vendors lined the streets, some displaying whole carcasses of beasts they had just processed, others boasting exotic cuts neatly arranged behind glass.

  As they arrived, a few butchers recognized the Spear party and called out.

  "Ah, Welcome back, Aly! I see you brought others with you this time. What have you got for us today?" One butcher spoke.

  Alisa nods enthusiastically before gesturing to Karen. "Quite abit, uncle."

  Karen, steps forward, then a flick of her wrist, the air before her shimmered as one by one, the corpses of freshly preserved Hazard Beasts materialized in front of the waiting butcher. A few bystanders let out surprised whistles at the sheer number.

  "Damn, that’s a fine haul," the butcher from earlier remarked as he knelt to inspect a carcass. "Aly was right, it way more than you lot usual bring. More dangerous too."

  Chanty wanted to help Alisa handle negotiations, but the butcher waved her off. "No need for that, miss. Their old man's a good friend of mine. I always give them a good price."

  Once the sale was completed and everyone else's Mindscapes emptied of excess storage, the group stepped away from the market district, their purses heavier with coin.

  "That was a good haul," Terry said, patting his pouch before sending back to his Storage Space.

  "Yeah, with some time to kill," Rooney added.

  "Oh!" Karen suddenly perked up. "Jason!"

  Jason turned to her, curious about her sudden outburst. "Uh... Yeah?"

  Karen hesitated for a moment, her expression uncharacteristically sheepish, before taking a breath and saying, "Can you sketch me and Alisa?"

  Jason blinked. "Uuuhhhh..."

  Karen pouted. "Please?"

  Jason folded his arms. "I don’t have any sketch equipment with me."

  Karen’s lips curled into a triumphant smile. "That’s not a problem."

  With a flick of her wrist, a small wooden box materialized in her hands—a portable sketching kit. She opened it, revealing charcoal sticks, fine brushes, and a selection of parchment.

  Jason sighed, rubbing his temples. "You really planned this, huh?"

  Karen wasn’t deterred. Instead, she fixed him with a pleading gaze, her eyes widening, her lower lip trembling ever so slightly.

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  It was the classic puppy dog look.

  Jason exhaled through his nose, shaking his head as he chuckled. "OK! Fine, yes. I'll do it." Karen beamed.

  The group found a quiet corner near a small courtyard, where Jason sat on a wooden crate, sketching away. Karen and Alisa posed beside each other, one standing with her spear resting on her shoulder while the other leaned slightly against her sister with a grin.

  Jason worked quickly, his hand moving with practiced efficiency as he captured their likenesses with precise strokes like a human printer. As the drawing neared completion, passersbys started to gather. At first, it was just a few curious onlookers. But as they saw Jason’s skill firsthand, murmurs spread, and soon, a small crowd had formed.

  "Hey, are you taking commissions?" a man asked.

  Jason blinked and turned to him. "No... "

  "I’ll pay."

  Jason still shook his head. "Not interested, sorry."

  Another person stepped forward. "I’ll double what he’s offering."

  Jason opened his mouth to decline once more, but before he could, Chanty placed a hand on his shoulder. When he turned to look at her, she gave him an "okay" sign, then turned to the crowd.

  "My pupil here, will be doing five family sketches," she announced. "Highest bidders only. You have thirty minutes to gather your families and payment."

  The crowd immediately dispersed, rushing off to prepare. Jason stared at Chanty with wide eye. "You're a genius!"

  She smirked. "You flatter me, pupil. Besides, remember my homework to you."

  Jason nodded in understanding as he watched the sisters be giddy over the sketch of themselves. "Yeah, you're right."

  Over the next half hour, Jason quickly completed the commissions, earning far more than he expected. When the last one was done, the group finally prepared to leave.

  "Again, you're a genius." Jason admitted to Chanty.

  She hummed in satisfaction. "You still owe me a private session, remember?"

  Jason merely chuckled, and gave her a mischievous grin. "Oh, I'm looking forward to it more than you realize. Hehehe..." Chanty couldn't help but feel a touch unease at that.

  By the time they reached the town’s entrance, their hired carriage was already waiting. The sturdy vehicle was designed for long-distance travel on the narrow trails cutting through the forest. It's driver—a middle-aged man—leaning lazily against it.

  Lampard stood nearby, arms crossed. "Ready to head out?" he asked as his kids approached.

  "Yeah," Rooney said. "We’ll be back before you know it."

  Lampard ruffled his son's hair. "Watch each other's backs as always, alright?"

  The farewells were short but heartfelt, especially with Karen receiving the bone crushing hug this time around. Soon, the carriage was moving, carrying them away from town and toward their hunting grounds.

  During the journey, Jason employed his usual tactics—deploying Ki Strings to scan the surroundings while eliminating threats with his Patented Ki Stake to the heart, then his bow whenever his Ki ran low. His precise shots left the driver gaping in astonishment.

  Rooney patted the man's shoulder while making a sage face. "You'll get used to it." By the time they arrived, they had cut their travel time in half.

  Upon reaching their previous campsite, the group wasted no time setting up their tents.

  Jason, Rooney, Alisa, Karen, and Terry then left Chanty and the driver behind to guard the camp as they moved a moderate distance away to process Jason’s earlier kills.

  As expected, the scent of blood attracted Hazard Beasts. But the group worked efficiently, eliminating them as soon as they appeared.

  When the task was complete, they cleaned up by the nearby stream before heading back.

  With the sky darkening, the smell of roasting meat filled the air as dinner was prepared.

  Jason sat back, watching the fire crackle, satisfied with the day's work. And with that, the night settled in.

  Day 95: The Morning Hunt Begins

  As the first hints of dawn crept over the horizon, the camp was already stirring with life. The cool morning air was thick with the scent of roasting meat as breakfast cooked over an open fire, the soft crackling of flames a steady backdrop to the quiet conversations shared among the party. The mood was lively, filled with anticipation for the hunt ahead.

  Jason sat cross-legged near the fire, sharpening his blade while Chanty stretched her arms, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. Nearby, Rooney, Karen, and Alisa finished up their meals, their spears resting within arm’s reach. Terry was grumbling about something beside the carriage driver, clearly unhappy about the role he’d drawn for the morning, while Kiki was happily devouring her plate of meat.

  Finally, Chanty gives Jason a gesture to which he nods in understanding. “Alright,” Jason said, standing and sheathing his blade. “Let’s get moving.” With that, the group set off.

  The dense foliage of the forest enveloped them as they navigated the familiar trail leading to their established kill zone. The undergrowth was damp with morning dew, leaves glistening in the soft sunlight filtering through the thick canopy overhead. Birds chirped in the distance, momentarily breaking the silence before being drowned out by the heavy footfalls of the group. The moment they reached their destination, they wasted no time preparing their bait.

  The stench of fresh blood and exposed innards quickly filled the air, potent enough to make an inexperienced person gag, but the group was used to it by now.

  Meanwhile, Terry led the driver and his horse a short distance away, ensuring that they remained hidden and out of harm’s way. The young man didn’t bother hiding his frustration as he took on the less exciting task of standing guard.

  “I better not miss out on anything fun,” he muttered, arms crossed.

  Jason smirked. “You’ll be fine. Just keep an eye on the driver. You’ll swap out with the others later.” With everything set, the hunt began.

  It started out as any other hunt. Jason took his position at an elevated vantage point, eyes sharp as he waited for the first signs of movement. His bow was already drawn, a Ki-infused arrow nocked and ready to fly. The others got in position, prepared to ambush whichever beasts that get drawn in by the scent of fresh blood. And, as expected, the first wave arrived within minutes.

  A pack of Short-faced Wolves, their dark fur bristling, broke through the underbrush. Jason loosed an arrow in a single breath, piercing the skull of the lead wolf before it could even let out a snarl. Rooney, Alisa and Karen wasted no time in engaging, their spears striking with brutal efficiency.

  More creatures followed. Sabre-tusk Boars charged recklessly into the killzone, only to be met with swift counters from the melee fighters. Jason continued picking off stragglers from above, his arrows precise and deadly.

  The team was like a well-oiled machine, each member playing their part in the relentless dance of combat. Hazard Beasts fell one after another, their corpses piling up at an alarming rate. Yet, something felt... off.

  It started with Rooney. “Hey… is it just me, or are we getting fewer beasts than usual?”

  Jason thought for a moment before responding. “No, you’re right. The numbers are lower than usual.”

  Karen, standing nearby, twirled her spear absentmindedly. “But that doesn’t make sense, does it? The smell of blood should be spreading by now. We should be seeing more Hazard Beasts, not fewer.”

  Jason rubbed his chin. He didn’t like this. The pattern was simple—the longer they hunted, the more creatures arrived, drawn by the scent of carnage. It was a constant in their strategy. But instead of the expected increase in enemies, there was a sharp decline.

  Something was wrong.

  Very wrong.

  Karen shifted uncomfortably. “I hope this isn’t a bad omen, or something…”

  Jason inwardly groaned. ‘Great. She just jinxed us.’

  Beside him, Chanty’s usual carefree expression had hardened into something much more serious. Her eyes were sharp, calculating. She had noticed something. Then, without warning, she raised a single finger to her lips.

  A silent command.

  Be quiet. The group obeyed immediately.

  A tense silence followed, stretching for what felt like an eternity.

  Then they heard it.

  A faint buzzing noise.

  At first, the sound was so soft that it could have been mistaken for nothing more than an insect flitting through the air. But as the seconds passed, it grew louder—an unsettling, almost mechanical hum that sent a chill creeping up Karen's spine, and that of her siblings.

  Jason scanned the treetops, searching for the source. Chanty found it first. Her hand shot up, pointing at a rapidly approaching figure.

  A cat-sized insect hovered in the air, its wings a blur. Its body was that of a massive bee, but its head belonged to a hornet, complete with monstrous mandibles that twitched menacingly. Jason immediately recognized that this was no ordinary creature.

  Chanty confirmed it. “No one move yet. Do not attack it.” Her tone was sharp, almost commanding—a stark contrast to her usual laid-back demeanor.

  The others hesitated but followed her orders, watching as the grotesque insect lazily circled the blood-soaked clearing before landing on the bait. Its mandibles clacked, as it began harvesting pieces of meat.

  Chanty didn’t take her eyes off it. “Alisa, empty out all the Corpses in your Storage Space. Now.”

  Alisa blinked. “What? But—”

  “Now.” Alisa didn't need to be told a third time. She complied, materializing her portion of the remains of their previous kills onto the ground.

  Chanty took a breath. Then, in the most serious tone they had ever heard from her, she spoke again. “We’re leaving. Right now. Back to Lassie Town.”

  Before anyone could even process her words, she turned on her heel and bolted toward the cart driver. The abrupt shift in atmosphere stunned everyone. For the first time since meeting her, Chanty looked... afraid.

  Jason rushed to catch up, matching her stride. “What the hell was that thing?”

  Chanty didn’t slow down. “A Grim Bee.”

  Jason’s stomach sank. He had heard that name before. It was on a special list of creatures provided by the Guild with orders to report wherever sighted.

  She glanced at him, her eyes dark with urgency. “A hive of them is a much greater threat than a Goblin Horde. Once we report this to the guild, they're going to declare a Hazard War. ”