Acahuala is near the equator, where day and night are roughly equal in length. After 6 PM, the sun sinks into the western forest sea.
Woo woo woo woo—
Squeak squeak squeak—
The sky-obscuring canopy completely blocked out the last ray of light, plunging the entire Rainforest into darkness, with only the howls of beasts and the chirping of insects.
Then, from the darkness of the dense Rainforest, a bright cluster of flames suddenly rose.
Crackling.
Some damp wood was thrown into the fire, making a crisp popping sound.
"Skadi, put the meat in first, then the vegetables. Just add a little salt; we don't have much left—just stir it well."
"Mm, got it."
Goki sat on a stone in front of the tent, watching Skadi squat before the large pot on the fire, stirring it with a big ladle. He couldn't help but smile.
Usually, when setting up the pot to cook, Skadi would sit by the side, dutifully chopping and adding firewood. This time, for some reason, she suddenly took an interest in cooking.
Since it was just soup, a hodgepodge, Goki wasn't afraid of Skadi burning the food, so he let her do it.
Rummaging through the nearby backpack, Goki took out a packet of pre-bought homemade mosquito coils, then pulled a warm small bottle from his pocket.
The Rainforest nights are teeming with mosquitoes, flies, and venomous insects. Skadi's skin is impervious to blades and guns, bullets can't penetrate it, but mosquitoes can still bite her.
After Skadi pointed to a fading bite on her arm and frantically complained to Goki, he started to always carry mosquito repellents.
Pop.
Goki momentarily pulled out the stopper of the blood collection bottle, using the gushing flames to light the mosquito coil, then quickly stoppered it again.
[Imprisoned Living Flame
A flame that burns out of thin air, stable and peaceful. Once unbound, scorching flames will gush forth.
The core after the collapse of the Flame Demon, an extension of the Burning Wind Scorched Earth. As long as the Old God is immortal, this flame will continue to burn out of thin air.
Once released, the scorching flames will transform into a new sacrificial ground in the real world.]
"A sacrificial ground is useless. I'm a Yharnam Hunter, not an Undead Ash... I won't pass on this fire."
Having placed the mosquito coil, Goki held the small bottle in his hand, closed his eyes, and began to sense the power of the Great One.
He had captured this cluster of flames, a fragment of the ancient deity existing in the Burning Wind Scorched Earth. Although its power was minimal, it was enough for Goki to understand every piece of land it was linked to.
This tiny flame was no ordinary fire, but a remnant of divine power. With its help and Goki's own blood, Goki could properly enchant his weapons and create numerous fire papers.
"Hoo—"
Through this small flame, Goki clearly felt the presence of its master, the Lord of the Burning Wind Scorched Earth.
South of Sargon, across vast, unknown lands belonging to the Burning Wind Scorched Earth, His terrifying power spread.
And in the direction he was heading, within Acahuala, there were also several hidden and quiet flames, silently residing deep in the dense Rainforest.
Besides that... there was another wisp of flame, rapidly entering the Rainforest from outside.
Goki didn't care about this faint presence. He was going deep into the Rainforest to retrieve the power that was originally his.
Moreover, during his days in Sargon, he had accumulated quite a few blood echoes, just waiting for an emergency to spend them quickly.
Goki was still muttering to himself in thought when his shoulder was suddenly clapped.
"Hey, Goki, what are you thinking about—thanks for the Saw Cleaver, it's pretty cool, but it's a shame I'm a doctor, not one to mess with weapons."
His meditation interrupted, Goki opened his eyes and saw the handsome crocodile Nona sit down beside him, handing him the Saw Cleaver.
"Sense the situation at my destination. Skadi and I aren't here for tourism."
[Gavial, when you smashed that rock crab's head with your staff earlier, you didn't say your ID was a doctor.]
Putting away the small flame bottle, Goki smiled and made some space beside him. Gavial also naturally lifted her crocodile tail, casually crossing her smooth calves, and sat next to Goki.
Even though she had entered the jungle, Gavial still wore her black mercenary trench coat and tight knee-length shorts, showing no fear of mosquito bites.
"Not here for tourism, who'd believe that? If you two were searching for specialty restaurants in every town, I'd believe your nonsense—not for tourism and carrying so much stuff!"
Gavial bumped Goki's shoulder playfully, revealing a brilliant smile, and at the same time, she rummaged through the large travel bag Goki had specially prepared.
"Let me see what you prepared for Little Orca—self-heating warm packs, blankets, sunscreen, cold medicine, digestive tablets... Tsk tsk tsk, you really pamper her."
Looking at the meticulously prepared travel essentials for Skadi in the backpack, Gavial couldn't help but click her tongue.
Goki didn't borrow much money from Kal'tsit. During his travels, to earn money, he and Skadi took on many hunting commissions. The money earned was also spent on the journey, turning into many souvenirs and delicacies.
To say they weren't there for tourism, only a ghost would believe it.
"I just pay more attention to the scenery during the journey, that's all. Rushing back and forth is so boring—this world is already miserable enough, but we have to be happy."
Goki didn't deny it, nodding generously.
Although Goki and Skadi had witnessed much suffering along the way, there was no doubt that even the discriminated and ostracized infected were striving to live each day, and would feel moved by the morning sun rising over the mountains. How could two Yharnam Hunters walk with their heads down?
"And Skadi is so powerful, it doesn't matter if she's lacking in other aspects; I can make up for it—serving a beautiful Nona is never tiring."
Goki looked at Skadi's back, shrugging with a smile. For him, the most beautiful scenery was Little Orca's smiling face.
Recently, influenced by Gavial, Skadi even started secretly practicing smiling, though she always hid from Goki.
Goki was very happy to see Skadi growing up happily, instead of becoming that cold bounty hunter.
Of course, normal tourism wasn't just for Skadi.
Although the doll Nona had repeatedly stated that she didn't need Goki to show her any beautiful scenery, Goki could sense that the doll Nona was still very happy.
"Ha, if you two were mercenaries, I'd think you were living for the moment, just getting by. But you don't seem like that kind of rotten person—you like her, right?"
Grinning, Gavial stared at Goki, her pale golden eyes reflecting the firelight. She believed she saw through the man's little thoughts.
"Isn't it obvious? Strong, beautiful, excellent, capable, with a kind heart..."
Goki, however, turned his head, meeting Gavial's gaze, and listed several advantages on his fingers, then changed the subject.
"Don't you think that's you, Gavial? A Yharnam Hunter's prey isn't just one type. A Nona like you is also within my hunting range."
Shamelessly, Goki generously made a scoundrel's declaration—how could a person with a sense of shame be a righteous Yharnam Hunter?
"Huh?"
Gavial froze for a second, a blush quickly sweeping across her face, then she immediately and with full force, punched Goki's knee.
"Tch~~ I'm telling you, flattery doesn't work on me. If you want to pursue me, you have to first beat... you have to be stronger than me first!"
Gavial didn't dare say to let Goki beat her, because it was still debatable who was stronger between the two.
"Go honestly pursue your Little Orca. I'm here to heal the sick and save lives; I don't have time for a boyfriend—and someone like you wouldn't pierce me."
Knowing Goki was joking, Gavial didn't pay much attention. She hugged her knees and looked up at the blue moon hanging high in the sky, visible through the moonlight filtering down from the canopy.
"My hometown is a backward small tribe, but the folk customs are simple. The people there treat oripathy as an ordinary illness. When I first got oripathy, just like Skadi, I was pampered by the entire tribe and wasn't allowed to do any work—I got annoyed, so I ran away."
Sighing, the usually cheerful Gavial showed a rare hint of worry.
"I originally planned to make some achievements before returning home. Now, going back so early, I'm actually a little scared, but..."
Taking the small bottle containing the flame from Goki's pocket, Gavial's gaze sharpened.
"I must ensure that my hometown won't have any problems—I will take you to the temple that old sacrificial woman told us about."
Gavial had long since reached an agreement with Goki. The power in this bottle was something Gavial feared and Goki craved; their interests did not conflict.
"This is probably the timidity of nearing home—before we go to the temple, you have to tell me about Acahuala's scenic spots."
Rubbing his aching knee, Goki grimaced at Gavial, silently deciding to prioritize adding blood echoes to his strength attribute later.
Arm wrestling, huh? Half-baked Ultraman hosts got wives with that move, why couldn't he?
"Alright, alright, it's settled then. You, go take good care of your little girlfriend first. Don't get a few more bones broken tonight; it makes me shiver—Skadi, is the food cooked? It smells so good!"
Patting Goki's shoulder, Gavial suddenly caught a strange scent and waved at Skadi.
"Of course! It's not just Goki who can cook; my skills aren't bad either!"
Skadi felt a sense of accomplishment as she looked at the pink mushrooms she had just put into the pot, which were now gradually losing their color with the high temperature, becoming indistinguishable from other mushrooms, but emitting a peculiar fragrance.
She must have discovered some excellent mushrooms! Later, she would have to make Goki praise her well!
"Goki, you must drink it all!"
Goki also sniffed, his expectation heightened by the unique smell.
"Okay, I can't wait, bring it over quickly!"
Tonight, maybe he could get a good night's sleep?
— — — — — —
Night falls.
"Goki... I'm so hot."
In Goki's ear, Skadi's faint call echoed.
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