Chapter 25: A Familiar Place

Walking along the street toward the guild tavern, Oran cast a subtle, unobtrusive glance at Shaji, who was following close behind him.

Shaji’s senses were incredibly sharp; the moment Oran’s gaze landed on it, the cat-like creature looked up and met his eyes.

"Meow?"

"It’s nothing." Oran used a blank expression to mask the awkwardness of being caught staring. "I was just wondering, have you grown a little taller?"

Upon hearing this, Shaji immediately brightened.

It straightened its back, puffing out its little belly. "Can you tell, meow? Is it that obvious, meow? I’ve grown nearly a centimeter since last month, meow!"

*It’s not really that obvious, I just knew you were still in your growth phase and said it on purpose,* Oran thought to himself.

Of course, he could never say that out loud.

Although he had been turned down once before, it was impossible to say he had completely given up on the idea of having Shaji as his partner.

For the past few months, they had lived and eaten in the same quarters, embarking on almost every mission together, and had effectively become a fixed duo in the eyes of everyone else.

Miss Hot Sand was quite jealous of this—ever since Oran joined the Fortress Guerrilla Force, the little one had rarely accompanied her on patrols anymore.

To be fair, Shaji was not an elite Palico, at least not yet.

Its body was not yet strong enough, and it clearly lacked in hunting techniques and combat skills. But in Oran’s eyes, these issues were only temporary.

After all, Shaji was not yet an adult. Furthermore, since being taken in by the Fortress Guerrilla Force, it had served more in a logistical role than a combat one; it had only begun its true training as a Palico in the last few months, so a lack of experience was to be expected.

The body could be strengthened through training, experience could be accumulated, and techniques could be polished step by step, but certain inherent character traits were hard to change.

Loyalty, emotional depth, a stable temperament that didn't lead to sudden, impulsive outbursts, and a willingness to step up when necessary—these were the qualities Oran truly valued.

He believed that Shaji would grow alongside him and would eventually become an outstanding Palico.

But all of this hinged on one premise: that Shaji was willing to follow him.

The debt of gratitude for being taken in all those years ago made Shaji fiercely loyal to the Fortress Guerrilla Force, a point Oran fully understood.

If he put himself in its shoes—if someone told him to stop serving under his teacher, Kari, and become their apprentice instead—he would decisively refuse, even if that person were a famous high-ranking hunter.

If that person were to persist, he would feel repulsed and actively avoid them. This was exactly why he hadn't asked Shaji if it wanted to be his partner in several months.

The answer would undoubtedly be no.

The man and the cat walked slowly through the bustling streets of Loc Lac. Because of the guerrilla armor he wore, people would greet them from time to time, and Oran would respond with a polite smile.

He found that he had already grown accustomed to his identity as a member of the Fortress Guerrilla Force.

*Perhaps, living a quiet, stable life like this forever wouldn't be so bad?* The thought crossed his mind for only a split second before he snuffed it out.

*No, I will not stop my journey here.*

Oran looked up and realized he had arrived in front of the guild tavern.

Pushing the door open, he saw the bronze-skinned, red-haired receptionist behind the grand counter kick away a drunkard who had tried to harass her before turning her attention to him.

"Oh? It’s little Oran. Haven't seen you in a while. I heard you're with the guerrilla force now? Do you have any requests for the guild today?"

"I’d like to apply for the key mission to promote to two-star. If possible, a Giadrome would be ideal."

"Already aiming for two-star? That’s fast!" The receptionist smiled at him, her hands moving quickly as she flipped through the bound mission files.

"Yo-ho! You’re in luck, there’s a perfect one right here, and the hunting ground isn't too far away. Want to take a look?" She handed the mission document to Oran.

"Thank you." Oran took the document politely, but the moment he glanced at it, he froze.

—
Hunting Mission: Lurking in the Shadows · Mantis-like Swift Shadow (★★★★★★)
Objective: Hunt one Nargacuga Subspecies (Green Nargacuga)
Location: Flooded Forest
Time Limit: 30 days
Reward: 14,500z
Monsters present: Ludroth, Delex
Message from the young and beautiful Village Chief: A terrifying monster has appeared in the depths of the Flooded Forest. Its dark green figure and twin blades look just like... a mantis! Mmm, is that comparison not imposing enough?
Whatever you do, don't be careless! It is extremely fast, and its moss-covered fur allows it to blend into the dense forest as if it were invisible. But if it's you, I'm sure you can handle it!
Good luck, little Kari~! (●'◡'●)
—

Looking at the cute smiley face drawn by hand on the mission form, the corner of Kari's eye twitched.

So many years had passed, but the Village Chief was still the same as ever.

"Hey, Kari, did you bring the signal flare?" a friend’s worried voice came from nearby. "I’ll stay at the camp; I’m not going anywhere. There’s no need to rush into a six-star promotion. Don't push yourself. If you feel overwhelmed, fire the signal immediately, and I’ll be there in an instant."

Kari tucked the mission document into her hunter’s notebook and glanced sideways at Haifa. "What's with that tone? Do I look like the kind of fragile person who can’t walk without someone holding them up? If I recall correctly, I was a step ahead of you for most of our earlier years."

Haifa scratched his head, grinning. "But you’ve had a ten-year hiatus. Even with a few months of rehabilitation, it’s hard to say you’re back at your peak. Besides, even back in the day, you wouldn't have been entirely confident facing this Green Nargacuga, would you?"

"Heh, I don't think I’m any more fragile now than I was ten years ago," Kari said, checking her Frosty Cleavers (the transforming ice dual blades). "Raising a child is an unexpectedly good way to temper one's resolve."

"Oh! There’s an old saying in Loc Lac: 'A mother becomes as strong as a stone terrace.' My mom was just like that. My old man used to say that after I was born, she became terrifyingly strong."

"..."

Kari didn't really feel like talking to him anymore. After checking her gear and supplies one last time, she walked alone toward the exit of the camp.

"I’m heading out."

...

Having arrived at this unremarkable camp, Oran sat in silence for a long time before finally standing up.

"Let’s go."

The man and the cat walked out of the camp.

Shaji, following closely behind Oran, kept twitching its whiskers and looking up at his back from time to time, looking uneasy.

It wasn't worried about the monster they were about to face, but about Oran’s state of mind.

For some reason, ever since he received that hunting mission, he had become incredibly silent.

Although he wasn't exactly a chatterbox usually, he wasn't like this—on the way to the hunting grounds, he hadn't said a word. He didn't respond when spoken to, and he seemed completely distracted.

*I can't let this go on, meow. In this state, never mind completing the mission or promoting—something bad will happen in battle, meow!*

Shaji extended a claw and tugged hard on the hem of Oran’s clothes.

Oran’s reaction was sluggish. He dragged Shaji forward for several steps before he realized, turning back with a look of confusion. "What’s wrong?"

"You’re the one who’s wrong, meow!" Shaji said, sounding a bit angry. "You’ve been acting all strange since you took this mission, meow!"

"I'm fine..." Oran replied dismissively.

Shaji stared at him, pulled a signal flare from its pack, and placed its claw on the trigger.

"If you don't explain, I’m pulling the line, meow."

Oran’s face stiffened. If Shaji fired the distress signal, the promotion mission would undoubtedly be a failure, and any future promotion attempts would be affected.

He could not accept that result. Even if it weren't for the promotion, he had to complete this mission.

He hadn't intended to share the reason with anyone, but perhaps, with Shaji, who had shared similar experiences, maybe...

Oran covered his face with both hands and rubbed hard, forcing himself to gather some strength.

"This area wasn't always this desolate. It used to be a fairly large oasis. The area in front of us used to be a massive lake, teeming with fish. Now, only a few puddles remain."

Shaji paused. "You’re familiar with this place, meow?"

Oran smiled with difficulty. "This place... used to be my home."