As Amos said, Gordon checked the roots and soil to confirm if it had rained in the past day or two.
Now that he had a definite answer, the subsequent search had a general direction.
Like the Great Wild Boar, the Qimian Tribe is also a Mushroom-loving race, but unlike the former who only know how to eat, these cunning little creatures utilize Mushrooms in a much wider range.
Gordon had personally seen Qimian Tribe members use giant Mushroom caps as hats to disguise themselves and ambush approaching Ling Deer.
According to Instructor Ernest, some larger Qimian Tribe groups even mastered the technique of mixing gunpowder with nitrated Mushrooms and gunpowder grass, thereby developing "hot weapons."
Fortunately, these "high-tech" Qimian Tribe members have only been found in the New World so far, so there's no need to worry about a Chachapu (Qimian Tribe member) suddenly jumping out of the bushes and covering you in Explosive Bombs.
No matter what, various types of Mushrooms have a considerable attraction for the Qimian Tribe.
Gordon decided to first find places suitable for Mushroom growth, specifically search for traces of the Qimian Tribe, and then track and hunt based on their footprints.
The types of vegetation on the outskirts of Metabe Forest were similar to those on Shuretsusen Hill, and Gordon was very experienced in finding places suitable for Mushroom growth in such an environment.
Along the way, he carefully observed the growth state of the forest plants, the density of the tree shade, and the distribution of water veins, and soon, by a small pool of water in the forest, he discovered a decaying log covered with large patches of specialty Xianggu Pig Mushrooms.
To be honest, if he hadn't known that Amos and Hayata were following not far behind him, and if it weren't for the unique self-esteem of a young man, he would have long since cheered and rushed up to collect a large batch.
Putting aside those slightly embarrassing thoughts, Gordon instructed Zhu Pa to be vigilant, while he approached the log and observed carefully.
After just two glances, Gordon excitedly clenched his fists.
This patch of specialty Xianggu Pig Mushrooms clearly showed signs of being "visited"!
The log covered with Xianggu Pig Mushrooms was in a relatively high position, making it difficult for animals like Great Wild Boar and Xianggu Pig to reach, and these traces were also different from the messy aftermath left by those greedy eaters; many Mushrooms were cut off at the root.
In other words, they were "harvested"!
Gordon couldn't help but lean closer, squinting his eyes and searching carefully for a while, and soon, he found several small footprints on the moss attached to the log and in the surrounding soil.
The footprints were only about the size of two fingers pressed together, similar in shape to human feet, but without toe structures.
Gordon was certain that these were the footprints left by the Qimian Tribe!
He squatted down, gently stroked the soil around the edge of the footprints with his fingertips, and then picked up some and rubbed it between his fingers.
"Still fresh, they must have been left in the middle of last night."
Following the tracks for a while, he soon found a small animal trail that would be easily overlooked if not observed carefully—a natural path where vegetation was relatively sparse due to frequent passage by medium-sized and small creatures.
The animal trail meandered intermittently, eventually pointing towards a certain direction deep in the forest.
Gordon looked back and saw Amos also watching him from a dozen meters away; the two exchanged glances, and seeing the latter nod slightly, Gordon no longer had any concerns.
With a master following, what was there to worry about?
"Let's go, Zhu Pa, pay attention to distinguishing sounds and smells."
"Meow!"
Behind them, Hayata was struggling, her face a little bitter, trying to keep up.
This was her first time traveling through a dense forest with lush branches and leaves, covered in vines and fallen leaves.
Amos simply followed leisurely beside her, offering no extra help; if she wanted to become a hunter, all of this was something she had to adapt to.
The advantage of the "novice special equipment" Hunter Set became apparent at this time.
—It was light enough and provided the most basic protection.
The hard leather greaves protected her ankles and knee joints well, preventing sprains, and the sharp blades of grass and thorns in the bushes could not penetrate the Hunter Set's protection, preventing her from being cut all over.
Of course, it was inevitable for a few blood marks to be left on her exposed cheeks.
"A-Amos-sensei, how much further is it?"
After enduring for a while, Hayata, who finally couldn't hold on, propped her hands on her knees, panting heavily.
Amos, whose breathing was as normal as if he were strolling in a garden, glanced at her flushed cheeks, then scanned the surroundings, put his fingers to his mouth, and blew a loud, short whistle.
Gordon, who was rushing forward not far ahead, immediately stopped and turned to look.
Amos pressed his palm towards him, making a "rest" gesture; Gordon was momentarily stunned by this, then somewhat awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Having never hunted in a team before, he lacked a sense of cooperation.
This time, Hayata in the team was indeed a pure "burden," but hunters often encountered similar problems when hunting in teams with companions.
Could the physical exertion of a Dual Blades User carrying light Dual Blades weighing a few kilograms be the same as that of a Gunlance User carrying a tower shield and a Gunlance weighing over a hundred kilograms in total?
Constantly paying attention to the status of companions is also a necessary part of cooperative hunting.
"Sorry..."
Gordon's apology was just beginning when Amos waved his hand to interrupt him, "It's nothing, I didn't stop you just because Hayata needed to catch her breath.
We have already entered the territory of the Qimian Tribe, and they should appear very soon; perhaps there are patrol members observing us in secret right now.
Adjust your state and prepare for battle."
Amos's words were not only for Gordon but also for Hayata.
The little girl, who immediately tensed up, instantly drew the Hunter's Knife tucked horizontally at her waist, and then held the round shield in her right hand in front of her chest, looking around, as if ready to fight for her life at any moment.
Gordon and the others appeared much calmer; they checked the sharpness of their weapons, made sure their armor straps were tightened, and replenished a small amount of water, then considered themselves ready.
Only their constantly scanning eyes and their occasionally twitching earlobes revealed their current Focus.
"They're here, two of them."
Amos's gaze suddenly shifted to a certain direction; he had no intention of drawing his weapon, but instead grabbed Hayata by the back of her collar and began to retreat.
Several more seconds passed before Gordon accurately caught the movement coming from that location.
It was the rustling sound of shrub branches being pushed aside, and a kind of high-pitched, strange cry.
"Ga ga ya!"
"Cha ba ka ga ga!"
Gordon placed his right hand on the hilt of the Great Sword behind his shoulder, his gaze locked on the slightly shaking bushes, and as two short figures leaped out of the bushes, one after another, he unhesitatingly swung down the Great Sword behind him.
"Swish!"
The preemptive Attack Up missed, and the heavy, hook-claw-shaped blade of the Burst Blade was embedded in the soil, seemingly difficult to pull out for a moment.
Hayata, who was watching from behind, couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise.
Only then did she clearly see what the two figures that avoided Gordon's Great Sword vertical slash looked like.
These were small, humanoid creatures about sixty centimeters tall, very slender in build, with uneven greenish-gray skin that made one think of moss-covered limestone.
Their helmets, seemingly made from the husks of some large tree fruit, were covered with bizarre patterns; these helmets, or rather masks, which were almost half their body size and completely covered their heads, were also the origin of their racial name.
—Qimian Tribe.
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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!
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