POV: Chryssia
I open my eyes and close them again. I don't know how long I was asleep, but the sun is already up, and it blinds me.
Even with my eyes shut, I try to stand with the little strength I've recovered, but I fall face-first into the ground.
—Right… I only have one arm.
I make a second attempt to get up, with more strength and determination this time, but I only manage to lift my body a few centimeters before giving up.
I sigh and roll onto my back so I won't have to stare directly at the sun when I open my eyes.
It takes longer than expected, but I finally manage to open my eyes—and I'm rewarded with the sight of the treetops above me.
I watch the small gaps between the leaves where the sunlight slips through and think about what happened last night.
—They beat me to a pulp —even I can hear the restrained fury in my voice.
Being ambushed was already a huge mistake on my part. Astera is in the Ancient Forest—it's their territory, and I walked into it as if it were my own home.
After that, I think I handled the fight well. I got hurt, but nothing too serious.
Of course, I'm sure I killed some, and the ones who didn't die will at least have to retire as hunters.
That's not the problem… The problem is how close I came to dying!
I open my mouth, ready to roar, but stop myself before the sound escapes.
The hunters could hear me, and I'm in no condition to fight… or to flee.
Instead, I grab a stone with my arm and squeeze it tight, inhaling and exhaling until I feel the rock crumble in my hand.
For several seconds my mind goes blank as I just stare at the leaves above.
Until I come back to myself and continue the thread of my thoughts.
After returning to the Ancient Forest without worrying about the hunters, my biggest mistake was chasing the Guild Master and the protagonist.
Among the hunters, the Guild Master represents the greatest threat to me.
But that's the problem—individually.
A single hunter doesn't pose much of a threat to me. But there aren't just one or two hunters in the New World. My mistake was going after one individual slightly more dangerous than the rest instead of wiping out an entire group.
Hunters are dangerous for many reasons: their techniques, their weapons, their knowledge—but above all… because they're a group.
Whereas I am alone.
— …
As if that were something new.
They have more minds to plan and prepare.
This was a unique opportunity wasted, which only left me in a pitiful state.
I run what's left of my tongue over the gaps where my teeth and cheeks should be. I don't need a mirror to know they look as bad as they feel.
I look at the stump that used to be my right hand. I can't say how long it will take to grow back, but considering it was torn off at the elbow and I've already regenerated the joint and a few more millimeters, it seems to be progressing well.
Now that I think about it, my tongue must have regenerated while I slept, so the damage inside my mouth was worse than I thought.
I keep staring at the treetops without thinking of anything in particular until I notice that I'm hungry.
…
POV: Commander
—The ambush site should be closer to Astera in case of casualties.
—No, the monster is smart. If it notices it's near the base, it could become more cautious—or even flee.
—Then we should have a medical contingent near the ambush zone. Far enough so the Phageris won't notice, but close enough to evacuate the hunters quickly.
—If that's the case, we need to prepare a transport route for the wounded.
—And if the battle moves too close or too far, you should make it some kind of mobile unit.
—How do you turn a medical unit into something mobile? They need space for the equipment, staff, and patients. What, put them in a box with legs?
—Not a box with legs, but in a modified cart. If we plan the route properly, we can build larger carts that link together to form a portable medical camp. It'll take a lot of planning and a large number of aptonoths, but it's possible.
I decided it was a good moment to speak.
—At the end of the day, the simplest and most efficient trap would be one where, once inside, the Phageris can't get out. In that case, a mobile medical camp would be redundant.
Everyone nodded at my words, though the hunter who suggested the mobile camp seemed a bit annoyed at having his idea dismissed.
—Anyway, we've strayed from the point. The idea is valid, but we can't set the ambush too close to Astera, so any nearby location is out. Suggestions?
The room fell silent in contemplation until a hunter from the Second Fleet spoke.
—Near the river below Astera there's a cavern. It's usually occupied by a Great Jagras and its pack, but if we drive them out, it could work as an ambush site.
Another hunter added:
—There's also a cave in that area. The Jagras use it too, but we could turn it into an improvised storage site.
Several nodded in agreement, and even I had to admit it seemed the best option.
—Does anyone see any issues with this place, or have a better idea? —No one spoke, so I took it as a no—. In that case, the location is settled. Let's move on to the next point.
I paused for a few seconds, letting my gaze travel across the room.
—How do we lure the Phageris to the ambush site?