"Not bad at all, kid."
Beside the corpse of the Zamtrios, Haifa's smile was downright radiant. "I keep my word. This is yours."
With that, she tossed an object toward Altaïr.
Altaïr reached out and caught it, finding it to be the Earplugs Talisman Haifa had promised him earlier.
Karin's expression didn't show any obvious change, but anyone familiar with her could tell she was in a quite excellent mood.
Walking up to Altaïr, she also took out the Divine Blessing Talisman and placed it in his hand.
Staring at the two Talismans in his palms, Altaïr was momentarily dazed.
Altaïr was satisfied with his own performance; the entire hunt had gone smoothly without any major blunders, and it could even be said he had suppressed the Monster throughout the entire fight.
He believed such a performance was enough to earn his teachers' approval, but hadn't they said it was a choice between the two Talismans?
Seeing through Altaïr's confusion, Haifa waved her hand dismissively. "Just take them both. Once the rewards are out, it'd be too embarrassing to take them back."
Hearing this, Altaïr chuckled and began to examine the two Talismans.
"Hurry up and start carving. Don't be fooled by how quiet it seems; with this guy's blood leaking into the sea, there's no telling what it might draw in.
We'll keep watch for you. Carve it quickly so we can get moving," Haifa urged.
"Right, right." Altaïr drew his Carving Knife and began skillfully dismembering the carcass to gather materials.
Sajji also ran over to help.
Karin and Haifa stood a short distance away, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings while conversing in voices only the two of them could hear.
"What do you think?" Haifa jerked her chin toward Altaïr.
"About what?"
"What else? The kid's strength," Haifa said, grinning. "Over a year ago, he could already suppress a Khezu, and this time he completely dominated a Zamtrios.
Do you think in another year or two, it's possible he'll be able to suppress a Tigrex like that?"
Karin remained silent for a moment, not answering the question directly. Instead, she said, "I'd rather see him spend a few more years honing his skills at 4★ before he goes off to challenge opponents of that caliber."
"Oh, come off it. Didn't we both promote to 5★ around twenty-two or twenty-three? Oh wait, you were a year earlier than me. If I remember right, you were barely twenty-one when you hunted a Zinogre to rank up?"
"Yes, and my strength back then wasn't much different from Altaïr's now," Karin replied softly. "But if it hadn't been for sheer luck, the me of that year would have died under that Zinogre's claws.
If I had the choice again, I absolutely would not have recklessly rushed off to hunt a Zinogre when I could only just barely graze the threshold of 5★."
"Hehe, that's the power of a grudge for you," Haifa chuckled low. "That kid is just like you were back then. He looks like a calm, rational type who wouldn't lose his head and charge in.
But once he actually encounters certain Monsters, he'll start calmly planning some very crazy things." At this, Haifa paused for a second. "You were so angry yesterday when you heard he'd participated in a Tigrex hunt... that was because it reminded you of your past self, wasn't it?"
"..." Karin lapsed into silence again, offering no reply.
"But you don't need to worry too much." Watching Altaïr happily brandishing his knife, Haifa laughed and crossed her arms. "Do you think the 'you' of today would still do the same stupid things you did ten years ago?"
"Naturally not," Karin answered this time without the slightest hesitation.
"That's because you aren't alone anymore." Haifa grinned, reaching out to drape an arm over Karin's shoulder. "It's the same for that kid. Once you have bonds with others, you can't just go around recklessly seeking death whenever you feel like it."
In Val Habar, a small airship slowly descended.
The moment it touched down, before the gangway could even be lowered, a petite figure leaped off.
It was a Felyne, a beautiful Felyne that anyone would find themselves unable to help but stare at twice.
Though not tall, its limbs were proportional and slender, and its eyes were round and large. Of course, the most striking feature was its coat of silver fur, clearly groomed with meticulous care, reflecting the intense sunlight of the Great Desert with a luster like pure sterling silver.
The eyes of everyone nearby converged on it, and the same thought simultaneously popped into their heads.
This cat... it glows...
"Meow~!" The silver Felyne tilted its little head up proudly. "I really am super cute, meow!"
Noticing that some people were already unable to resist, rubbing their hands together as they approached with the clear intent of giving it a thorough petting, the beautiful Felyne let out a proud "Hmph~."
It pulled a delicate little cloak from behind its back and draped it over itself, covering the mesmerizing fur that seemed capable of enchanting the human soul. It then dived into the alleyways of tents that lined the area, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
It left behind several disappointed passersby, sighing in regret.
The silver-furred Felyne darted between the tents. For an outsider, the web-like alleys were as complex and chaotic as a labyrinth, but to it, they were incredibly familiar.
This was its hometown.
Even though this was a mobile city, anyone familiar with her knew that every tent, every caravan, and every street followed its own internal logic.
As long as you found the pattern, you would never get lost.
As it bounced along, it passed by the Felyne Chef's shop. Catching the mouth-watering aroma of food, its feet suddenly refused to move another inch.
It slipped behind the kitchen counter with practiced ease, scurrying over to the high stack of steaming bamboo baskets.
Twitching its little nose to take a sniff, it knew instantly that the steamed buns inside weren't fully cooked yet.
Looking up at the Felyne Chef, who was currently tossing a massive iron wok, it asked somewhat indignantly, "Why aren't they done yet, meow? Why couldn't you have predicted I was coming and prepared a batch of steamed buns cooled to the perfect temperature beforehand, meow?"
Faced with this nonsensical interrogation, the Felyne Chef, who had been pleasantly surprised to see the newcomer just a second ago, instantly felt the urge to slam the iron wok in his hand down over the creature's head.
"Those steamed buns are all for the customers, meow! There's nothing for you, meow!" the Felyne Chef snapped irritably.
"Meow-hee-hee-hee!" The silver Felyne covered its mouth with a mischievous giggle. "The steamed buns you prepare for me obviously can't be like the ones for ordinary guests, meow. Get them ready, meow. I'll be back later, meow!" With that, the silver Felyne dashed away in a flash.
The Felyne Chef gave a helpless sigh and went back to tossing the ingredients in his iron wok.
An old regular who had witnessed the scene teased the Felyne Chef with a laugh. "Wasn't that your time-limited, rare-spawn guild receptionist?
Honestly, you can just toss us old-timers whatever, but she finally made it back for a visit, hurry up and steam her a fresh batch of the good stuff!"
The regular had a loud voice, drawing a chorus of agreement from the crowd. An even more nosy customer leaned over. "Who, who? That Felyne just now was stunning. Is she the Shopkeeper?"
"Close enough. Let me tell you, this goes back nearly thirty years. Back then, the Felyne Chef had just arrived in Val Habar; he was still very young.
That Felyne wasn't even a few years old yet. She'd hover around the wok every day watching him, and when the Felyne Chef finished his work, he'd make some food to tease her with.
Who knew she'd grow up to be such a beauty? They call that 'raising your own–'"
"It is not, meow!!"
The Felyne Chef, whose tossing technique was so practiced it was etched into his very marrow, nearly flipped the ingredients into his own face. He swiftly plated the food into a large dish before shouting crossly:
"She's just a waitress who loves free meals, meow!"
While they were laughing and joking down there, the silver Felyne who loved free meals had already reached the Guild Hall.
Wrapped in her cloak, she was like a silent shadow.
Without drawing the attention of the guild receptionist, the Guild staff, or even the room full of Hunters, she slipped all the way up to the second floor, which was closed to outsiders.
Without even knocking, she stood on her tiptoes, turned the handle, and walked straight into the Guildmarm's office.
"I'm here, meow!"
Sophia, the Guildmarm, was startled by the sudden shout while handling paperwork behind her desk. After seeing who it was, she tiredly took off her glasses and wiped them.
"It's you, Shalan. What brings you back?"
"I'm on vacation, meow!" The silver Felyne named Shalan seemed to be in high spirits, climbing onto the sofa and reclining as if she owned the place. "I heard little Isis was training here, meow? Is she here, meow?"
"Isis? She left over a year ago. Right now, she should be traveling across the continent with Altaïr."
"Altaïr, meow?" Shalan tilted her head. "Who's that, meow?"
Seeing her look of utter ignorance, Sophia was initially confused. This Felyne was the hunting partner of Isis's mother; logically, she should have known this.
However, she quickly realized why.
Isis's parents were constantly busy resolving various incidents, and it was normal for them to be out of contact for months at a time. Consequently, Sophia had been writing directly to Amos in Dundorma regarding Isis's affairs.
If Amos hadn't reached out to them, it was perfectly normal for Isis's parents to know nothing.
The fact that Shalan had come to see her immediately upon returning home was likely because Isis's mother had asked her to check in.
Shalan's eyes sparkled. She hopped off the sofa and scurried over to the desk to press for more. "The name Altaïr... that's a boy, meow?"
"Yes. He's a very talented young man, the same age as Isis."
"Is that so, meow? I'm going to play... I mean, I'm going to go see them, meow!"
(Translated by yourtl.app)