Having encountered a terrifying human craftsman, Airou felt it would be better to ask for directions from someone more amiable.
It scanned its surroundings and finally settled its gaze on the slender Dragon People elder.
Compared to the tall humans, this elder, who was not much taller than itself and whose many wrinkles obscured his eyes, seemed much more approachable.
"Excuse me, elder, meow, is this Kokoto Village, meow?" The recent experience left Airou with lingering fear, and its voice was still trembling slightly.
"Hmm? Guess?" The village chief, who seemed to have senile dementia, tilted his head and said.
"..."
Facing the elder's kind smile, Airou felt like it was about to cry.
Father, meow! Do I really have to train in this place, meow?! Humans are so scary, meow! Dragon People are so strange, meow!!
In the end, a kind-hearted aunt passing by helped this bewildered Airou out of its predicament.
Upon hearing that it had come specifically to find "a hunter named Gordon," she led it to the training ground.
Upon arriving at the training ground, Airou bowed deeply to the kind aunt who turned to leave, expressing its gratitude, and its impression of humans improved significantly.
Hearing that someone had come specifically to find him, Gordon temporarily stopped his training and walked over, wiping sweat with a towel.
Evidently, he hadn't expected the arriving "person" to be an Ailu Cat, and his expression couldn't help but show surprise.
"Hmm, hello, I'm Gordon, may I ask who you are?"
"Hello, Sir Gordon, meow! My name is Zhu Pa, meow. Father told me to come to Kokoto Village to find you, hoping you would allow me to train with you, meow!"
The Ailu named Zhu Pa tried hard to puff out its chest, wanting to appear taller and stronger.
Its slightly trembling whiskers and straightened tail betrayed its inner nervousness; speaking all those words in one breath was no small test for the timid cat.
The overly formal grammar, the slightly odd address, and the very distinctive name "Zhu Pa" instantly pulled Gordon's memory back two weeks.
"Is your father Niu Pa?" Although he had basically confirmed it in his mind, Gordon still felt it was better to double-check.
"Yes, meow, I am Niu Pa's eldest son, meow!"
Zhu Pa waved its small paws to emphasize its words, its round eyes full of admiration, "Father said that Sir Gordon is a brave and powerful hunter, meow!"
"Uh, just call me Gordon. I'm not some great figure, and I'm far from powerful. You don't need to use honorifics either." Gordon scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
"But Father said that humans pay great attention to etiquette, meow?"
"That's true, but I'm not really your elder, so using a peer-to-peer address is fine," Gordon explained.
"Okay, Gordon..."
Zhu Pa's ears twitched, "But I find it very strange, meow! I'd rather call you Sir Gordon, meow!"
"We'll talk about that later."
Rubbing his forehead, Gordon realized it wouldn't be easy to change Zhu Pa's linguistic habits immediately, so he shifted the topic to more important matters.
Niu Pa had saved his life, and he should repay that favor. Now that Niu Pa's child had come to him, he would not refuse any help he could offer.
"What does your father mean by having you train with me?"
"It means for me to sign a contract with Sir Gordon and become Sir Gordon's Hunting Cat, meow!"
Gordon was stunned by the words.
A Hunting Cat is an Ailu Cat that partners with a hunter, goes to the Hunting Field to hunt monsters together, and provides various support to the hunter.
Hunters and Hunting Cats are not merely superior-subordinate relationships, but rather combat partners who can entrust their backs to each other.
In the Hunting Field, Hunting Cats can provide various forms of support to hunters, with the method of support depending on the Ailu's specialty.
For example, some Ailu are good at melee combat, and such Hunting Cats will always fight alongside the hunter on the front lines; some Ailu are skilled in using Hunting Tools and will set traps and Explosive Bombs when monsters are not paying attention, creating opportunities for the hunter; some Ailu are good at playing music, and they will play a strange flute melody to inspire the hunter's fighting spirit and potential.
Besides their specialties, the personality of a Hunting Cat can also greatly influence their behavior.
Reckless fellows often charge at monsters regardless of anything, while peace-loving gatherers might run off to pick Mushroom during a fight.
However, ultimately, what truly and directly determines a Hunting Cat's ability is their experience and their tacit agreement with their partner hunter.
If the relationship between them is intimate enough, a Hunting Cat will even bravely blow a horn to attract the monster's attention when its master is in danger of being pursued by a monster, sacrificing itself to cover its master's retreat.
Regardless of the method, Hunting Cats can definitely help hunters.
Accepting Niu Pa's child as a Hunting Cat—could this even be called repaying a favor? This was clearly a huge gift package, wasn't it?
Gordon squatted down, looking Zhu Pa directly in the eyes, "If we don't consider your father's opinion, Zhu Pa, what are your thoughts?
To be honest, I'm just a novice who has just become a one-star hunter. Compared to me, seeking out those experienced hunters in Schurete City would be a better choice, wouldn't it?"
Zhu Pa stretched out its paw and scratched its pointed ear, saying with admiration, "Sir Gordon is a very powerful hunter! I saw it with my own eyes, meow!"
"Saw it with your own eyes?"
"Yes, meow! That day I was gathering in the forest and heard the sounds of battle. After sneaking closer, I personally saw Sir Gordon use the Great Wild Boar King's tusks to beat the Great Wild Boar King to death, meow!
One day, Sir Gordon will definitely become a legendary hunter, meow! Following Sir Gordon for training is not just Father's suggestion, but also my own wish, meow!"
Gordon was speechless upon hearing this.
Since the other party had said so, refusing again would not be politeness but affectation.
He smiled and extended his hand, grasping Zhu Pa's small paw. "Then let's get stronger together. Please guide me in the future, Zhu Pa."
"Meow!"
Seeing Gordon agree, Zhu Pa carefully took out a neatly tied scroll of parchment from its satchel.
This was the Ailu Cat's contract.
Gordon didn't hesitate. He took the contract, quickly scanned it, then bit his thumb and left a blood fingerprint on it, symbolizing "commitment."
Zhu Pa did the same, piercing its paw pad with the tip of its cat pick and leaving a tiny paw print on the contract.
From then on, they would be partners bound by life and death.
"Come on, Zhu Pa, come home with me. We'll have a big meal tonight to celebrate!"
Gordon grabbed Zhu Pa's bag, slung it over his shoulder, and with his other hand, he vigorously ruffled Zhu Pa's fluffy little head, smiling as he spoke.
After carefully putting away the contract, Zhu Pa fidgeted for a moment, then finally hopped onto Gordon's back.
This was one of the ways Ailu expressed closeness and trust.
"Ugh, Zhu Pa, how heavy are you?" Gordon feigned a cry of pain, teasing mischievously.
The fur on Zhu Pa's back bristled, "I'm not, meow! I'm only twenty kilograms, which is standard weight, meow! Although I eat a lot, I always exercise well, meow!!"
"Haha, then you'll have to eat more later. Tomorrow's training won't be easy, you know."
"No problem, meow!"
"How about fried Zhu Pa for dinner? We have some good Great Wild Boar meat at home, you know."
"...Although it sounds a bit strange, I'm really looking forward to it, meow!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
If you guys wanna check it out.