MA: 108. Breadcrumbs of A Local Legend

Hack

Slash

A cleaver descended upon the bones of an ox carcass. It was to be shared equally among another thirty-eight people who had arrived at the gathering site of the quest. Amongst these people there were fifteen Adventurers (including Snow and Red), thirteen hunters, and ten gatherers.

They were naturally split into three major groups because of roles. No one had uttered a single word to another, and yet, they knew precisely how they would function in this large party. Adventurers were of course the hunters who would take on larger enemies. The hunters specialized in redirecting prey towards the Adventurers and carried equipment suitable for butchering.

As for the gatherers, they were here to piggyback off the increased security in numbers. Their role did not complement the other two since they were noncombatants, mostly consisting of women.

Typically, these gatherers were young women who would seize this opportunity to find a husband amongst the Adventurers. Snow gave a cursory glance towards the gatherers and was happy to find that they did not seem interested in meddling with the Adventurers.

No one seemed interested in meddling with each other’s business. Perfect. As it should be, Snow thought. It was a great risk trusting Adventurers. Even the natives of a town were too risky to trust, especially given the open nature of the quest.

However, there was one person who was happy to meddle with the business of the others.

“Chop. Chop. Those are some weak strikes, mister.” Red’s eyes tracked the movement of the rising and collapsing cleaver.

She didn’t seem impressed by it at all, and she couldn’t help but notice how quickly the cleaver’s edge was folding.

The butcher sighed for the nth time. They had only arrived five minutes ago, but Red had not left the old man alone.

“Missy, yer sister’s hoverin’ too close to the chopping block. Ain’t wanna mix human parts with the gruel.” Despite this, he did not seem too bothered by Red’s presence. He was more worried about how closely she was hovering to the chopping block.

“You chop the bones up? What for? And why remove the organs? Isn’t that a waste?”

“One at a time. Can use ‘em if ya know how to. Prop them into the powder they make from grinding grain, drop em’ into hot oil from squeezed nuts, and ya get a decent meal. We keep the bones for stock.”

“Stock?” Red had heard this word being associated with keeping inventory.

Weapons were stock. Equipment were too. What good did stockpiling ox bones do?

“Soup.” Snow answered. “You infuse soup with animal bones.”

“Aye, nothing goes to waste. Nature takes time to replenish its numbers.”

“I doubt there’s not enough animals to go around.” Red murmured. “No waste. I thought butchering was about removing hide from meat. Or refitting bones as weapons… I see. You cut to make them smaller. Like… maiming!”

“Completely different.” Snow sighed.

“Ah nah, it’s a bit similar. Yer little sister’s not wrong. Aren’t you two gonna head out, or ya here just for the free meal?”

Indeed. They had already arrived at the quest site, so there was no reason to loiter. Adventurers were already trickling into the forest in groups after the short gathering. The reason for this was because no one knew who was providing the quest in the first place.

Adventurers did not like doing work for free. They seldom took on requests if the pay was too little for their efforts. Even the most desperate would turn to mercenary work or crime where the pay was better, rather than to slave away for mere copper.

Hence, the Adventurers were assessing who among had posted the request. Naturally, that same person would be able to confirm their participation.

However, after some time, they realized that they could use the carcasses collected as a means of proof. Additionally, there was a silent agreement to vouch for each other, should a person be unable to bring a carcass back.

Although this was not a problem for Snow and Red thanks to Rockie. Three Paw remained in Snow’s shadows for the most part, seldomly making himself known. He was still a wolf, and the likes of the Spiked Boars could easily sense his scent. Rockie on the other hand smelt no different than a cave. At best, it would attract animals and monsters who were seeking shelter.

“We’re waiting for a good moment.” Snow only spoke when she was certain that no one was lingering, and she beckoned Red with a finger. “Now is a good time. Let’s get hunting before we’re hit with the Second Night. A bit less than three hours left.”

She had spoken louder than usual. It was an attempt to offhandedly warn the old man, but he did not seem concerned about the Second Night. Cleaning, butchering, and then cooking the ox would take well over three hours.

But the man did not seem too concerned about it. The Second Night in these parts were not as dangerous as what they experienced in the Languid Fault. Still, only a fool with a death wish would remain outside.

Much less an old man whose level was in the single digits.

“Spiked Boars and Screaming Porcupine are the big two nuisances. Shouldn’t be too hard.” Snow took her hand.

“Miss, yer underestimatin’ em’ if ya think just yer little sister can take the lot on… Less ya gonna use that big one?”

“Brrr?” Rockie tilted its head.

“Doesn’t matter how it’s done, mister. Just gotta do what the request says!” Red smirked. “Onwards, Rockie! Don’t fall behind too far!”

“Ain’t no shot yer gonna come back with anythin’ worthwhile with one huntress.” The old man could not believe it was possible.

Red’s appearance did not exactly scream capable. She was no more than a naive girl in his eyes. Even the Adventurers did not consider her competition. If anything, she was the most likely to cause a Train.

“You seem awfully worried about strangers.” Snow had already begun climbing onto Rockie’s back. Her words were not a question, but a statement that doused the old man in suspicion.

She can change how she acts really easily. I wonder if other Healers can fake being tough too.

“Ya gahd damn right I am! Ya know this place is off limits by the order of the Green Rangers! Disappearances and the lot happen here. Whole urban legend about the breadcrumbs. Don’t ya go followin’ ‘em, less ya wanna end up sawn up and on a griddle.”

Red hung back for a moment. Legends? She needed to hear it. Rockie and Snow did not stop for her.

“Urban legend…? A legend? Are they strong?”

“Beats me. Canards, rumours, urban legends… same shite. Good luck with the hunt. Yer gonna need it.”

Then, as though Red wasn’t there, he resumed butchering the ox. Each chop was bound to attract attention. But at the same time, it was a good way to keep animals away as they would be alerted of their presence.

“Hear that, Snow? There’s an urban legend around here!” Red exclaimed once she caught up with them. “Oh cool, you chose a direction no one went as well! We’re heading deeper, because that’s where the most prey are hiding, right!? Heh. You’re learning.”

“Not exactly.” Snow leaned over to tap her head. “We want to collect as many carcases as we can. I’d rather we don’t get into an argument over a carcass with another group.”

“Why? I’m stronger than all of them. They could attack me all at once, and I wouldn’t lose half of my HP! Aren’t they doing a good thing by helping out?”

“That doesn’t make them trustworthy. Red, our goal is simple. We want to showcase your strength so a merchant can agree to ferrying us to Gelbore City. Chances are slim. But we’ll find a way.”

There was a second reason. Now that Erick was here, Snow could not reveal any characteristics that clashed with her Healer self. Furthermore, an argument could quickly become a physical altercation, and the chances of her pale hair being revealed was terrifyingly high.

Ideally, she would have allowed Red to take the mission her own.

However…

She glanced over at Red, who was busy munching on the head of a flower.

“They have colorful mini-lettuce here. Bitter, but edible.”

“… Palatable. Edible means it can be eaten safely. Don’t you use [Apprise Object] at all?”

A look of surprise came across Red’s face. Indeed. Why didn’t she inspect it first? If she had to be honest with herself, it was because she wanted to eat the colorful flower. If the prompt said it was poisonous, then she likely would not have put it in her mouth…

… Needless to say, this logic resulted in yet another lesson from Snow.