16 The Hunters (1/2)
Dawn, the orange sun just below the horizon painted a beautiful picture, it gave off a gentle warmth, giving a peaceful feeling.
While most would enjoy this moment of peace, there was one group of figures who were in a crazy rush to get ready.
”Rentaro! Roy! Rentaro! Come on you two! Wake up, we need to get ready for our expedition into the second forest zone! Hoy! If you two continue to ignore me and don't get up, I'll use force!” A voice filled with agitation and ruefulness repeatedly called out.
”Alright, fine! We're getting up, Icrin, hold on for a bit.” Rentaro's voice laced with tiredness followed, letting out a small yawn with his eyes still knit shut.
In his previous life, Rentaro was always busy waking up early and rus.h.i.+ng to work to make money for his next week of living expenses, living a life of loneliness and boredom as his only drive was to survive. Now, he was living in a lively village and had a few companions of his own. These thoughts drifted through his mind, as he went to pull his blanket back over his head and rest a bit longer.
”You two don't understand, the last thing we want to do is be late and make the hunters angry! They'll give us a whooping that is ten times worse than if I used all my strength against you two!”
”You-you're kidding, right? Ever since I was summoned, it seems everyone wants to either use me to train or give me a beating!” Fueled with anxiety, Roy's eyes shot open and leapt up from his bed with vibrant energy.
He raced towards Rentaro's bed, pulling the sheets off the bed which Rentaro lay in. Alongside the sheets, Rentaro was pulled directly off the bed onto the wooden floor.
*Thud*
”Ahh! What the heck! Calm down, Roy! Earlier you were too narcissistic, but now you're too cowardly!”
[Ahem. I agree, Roy, you need to learn to control your emotions better. Then again, you're technically not even one year old yet, so your unstable and ever-changing mentality is understandable.]
”You two, hurry up and clean up the mess you're making! Don't forget, this is my room, so don't wreck it! We need a bag to pack some extra clothing and supplies, then we'll eat a quick meal! Let's go!”
Snapping back to their senses, the two followed after Icrin. Rentaro had the system storage, but didn't have an adequate explanation to use it in front of others for the moment, so he followed the method of carrying a tan, rucksack-like backpack in the meantime.
He packed the blue summoning robe away to avoid tearing it out in the forest, equipping the pair of worn red clothes that Elder Astrona had given him. Naturally, Roy didn't need to pack a bag, so he merely followed after the two in boredom.
”Ohoho, aren't you three rather lively this early? Icrin, come down here with the guests. I made breakfast for you three and have arranged for the hunters to take you to our village's ”armory” later for equipment.” Elder Astrona's voice rang from outside the door.
”Alright, Gramps! Let's go, you two.” Icrin rushed out of the room towards the dining table, Rentaro and Roy following merely a few steps behind, but it wasn't clear whether the antic.i.p.ation was for Astrona's cooking or to pick out some equipment from the armory.
At the dinner table, the four ate quietly, but with enlivened expressions. While Roy was initially in a rush, pus.h.i.+ng Rentaro and Roy to quickly wake up, he ate his food slowly as to savor Astrona's cooking.
Maybe, Icrin forgot his feelings of worry about the hunters giving them a beating for being late, maybe he exaggerated what they'd do, or maybe neither of those outcomes could compare to his natural storge for the elder. Either way, Rentaro and co didn't have the heart to rush him.
”Hah, I woke up a bit earlier than you three and prepared some bags for you. Firstly, I've got some extra clothing for you, Rentaro, about two sets. The clothes I picked out are the same size to what you're wearing now, so there's no need to try it on.” Elder Astrona's eyes shone with excitement, his voice and manner of talking like that of a salesperson.
”Gramps, we'll only be in the second forest zone from the morning until later tonight....”
”Huh? Oh yeah, hehe, I can't help but forget the small details at times. Well, Rentaro still needs the clothing for the future, so it's fine. Aside from that, I've also packed two bags with food and water, though you might not need it... you should take it just in case though....”
In response to his doting worry and red face from embarra.s.sment, the three let out smiles and m.u.f.fled laughs. The atmosphere was cheerful, and Astrona's eyes carried a hint of nostalgia and reminiscence. 'Hah, I remember being like them back in the day. I hope they can retain feelings of sincerity and happiness in this world. I hope... they stay strong and pull through all problems they may face together. I wish happiness for them.'
”All right, you three. The sun is starting to rise, wait any longer and the hunters I asked to bring you along will be upset. Icrin, you should recognize the leader, Haz.”
”Huh? Haz?! Why'd it have to be him, he's too strict! He'll watch our every step and not to mention myself, Rentaro and Roy will definitely suffer a few beatings from him for any mistakes they make!”
”And that's why I asked Haz to lead you three. With his ”strictness”, he'll definitely give you proper guidance with hunting. End of discussion, grab your bags and get going, I'll take care of all the plates when you leave.” With a quick pat on Icrin's head, Astrona retreated to his room with a smile that seemed even more mischievous than Icrin's.
A nagging feeling tugged at Rentaro and Roy's minds as they watched the ”performance” between Icrin and Astrona, along with the elder's mischievous personality. The same thought surfaced in their minds, including Wilhelm's, 'That's where Icrin gets that personality from, huh?'
”Hey, this ”Haz” guy, he's surely not that harsh, right?”
”You'll see for yourself, Rentaro. Let's get going.”
Exiting the house, the three of them followed the stone path, pa.s.sing several other houses. They stopped near the training field, where a group of five men stood, all of which seemed to be in their mid-twenties. Two of the men were rather tall and burly, one was rather skinny, whereas the other two appeared rather average in stature.
”Icrin, there you are. Had you been a minute later, I'd have to teach you some mannerism!” The voice that spoke carried a c.o.c.ky tone.
To Rentaro's surprise, the one who had spoken up wasn't any of the men with strong muscles, but the skinny man. He wore a pair of gla.s.ses which he was pus.h.i.+ng up with one hand, a rather cliched motion. His hair was of a light-blue tint, the back of his hair was long, while it flowed down the left side of his face to the shoulders with the right side only going so far down as to slightly below his right eye. Like the others, his left eye was of the Krose Clan's traditional ice-blue, though his right eye was slightly faded, ever so slightly grey, but not nearly to Icrin's extent.
Haz wore a light set of clothing that focused on protecting the vitals, while ignoring all other areas. Along his waist, there were two slots with what seemed to be daggers. Based off of his equipment, he seemed to focus on speed and short-bursts of power, rather than focusing on power or defense. Furthermore, with the Krose Clan's bloodline, Haz had a deadly combo that would make for a good a.s.sa.s.sin.