For the first time, Gordon felt that the Hunting Field was so much fun?
Two grown men spent their days feasting, fishing, hunting, and exploring to collect all sorts of random things. More than half a week passed in the blink of an eye.
With only two days left until the mission deadline, if they didn't hurry up and get down to business, failing to submit the required items on time would count as a mission failure and result in a deduction from their contract fee.
So, even though both still felt they hadn't had enough fun, they had to set out to hunt Shield Crabs and collect premium crab roe.
"Brother Ted, do you know which areas around here have frequent Shield Crab activity?"
Days of wild fun had transformed Gordon's relationship with the bald man he'd only known for less than half a month, from casual acquaintances to good brothers, making their address to each other much more intimate.
Ted, now serious and ready to hunt properly, put on his full-face helmet, his voice sounding a bit muffled. He nodded and replied:
"Walk south along the coast for a while, and there's a river that flows into the sea. It's only under the special stimulation of this area where saltwater and freshwater meet that female Shield Crabs lay their eggs, and male crabs will fertilize the eggs there.
It shouldn't be the Shield Crab breeding season yet, but some impatient fellows will go early to claim a spot. We can go wait there."
Gordon looked at him with great surprise.
It wasn't surprising that Ted knew where there were many Shield Crabs; he had been a hunter for over ten years, so he was naturally familiar with the ecological distribution of the Hunting Field near his home.
But to analyze from a biological perspective why there were many Shield Crabs in that place was beyond the average hunter. Most hunters were simple-minded and physically strong, and Ted was a typical example of that type.
Looking at him, he didn't seem like someone who enjoyed reading books, did he?
Noticing Gordon's gaze, Ted didn't hide it. Instead, he said with a hint of pride, "My old man told This Daddy all of this!"
Oh, Old Man Miles, then it's fine.
The old man was the type who would spend his leisure time in the library. If he were to put on a scholar's robe and a monocle, with his steady and lecturing personality, he wouldn't seem out of place even if he joined the Shushi Team.
"But the problem is, if there's a Daimyo Hermitaur in this vicinity, it'll probably run there too. This Daddy doesn't care, but Gordon, are you okay with that?"
If it were someone unfamiliar, they might think Ted's words carried a hint of looking down on him, but Gordon knew this guy was just worried about him.
"No problem! The Daimyo Hermitaur is a Three-Star rated monster, right? Even if I fight it alone, saying I'll definitely win might be bragging a bit, but I'm confident I can protect myself."
Gordon seemed very confident, and Ted knew this young man wasn't blindly optimistic about his own strength, so he no longer worried.
However, out of caution, he still began to introduce information about this large Carapaceon monster to Gordon.
"The Daimyo Hermitaur and the Shield Crab are actually the same species, just like the King Yian Kut-Ku and the Peach-hair Beast. But as Carapaceons, they aren't very intelligent and aren't social creatures, so there's no concept of tribes or leaders.
As they age, Shield Crabs grow continuously in size. At the same time, they constantly replace the bone shell on their backs. When their size grows to a certain extent and the bone shell on their backs is replaced by the skull of a Flying Wyvern, they are then called a 'Daimyo Hermitaur.' "
"A Flying Wyvern's skull?!" Gordon confirmed with some surprise.
"Yes, it's usually the skull of a One-Horned Dragon. You know, the One-Horned Dragon's skull is enormous, enough to protect the entire back of a Daimyo Hermitaur.
The sharp single horn also becomes the Daimyo Hermitaur's weapon. Be careful not to stand directly behind them; their sudden backward thrust Attack Up using the dragon horn as a spear is very dangerous."
"Okay, I understand." Gordon carefully noted this information.
"The dragon skull on the Daimyo Hermitaur's back and their crab claws are extremely hard; your weapon's sharpness definitely won't be able to penetrate them.
At the same time, they also have various offensive methods like claw swings and foam sprays. If we encounter that Daimyo Hermitaur, you just need to remember to stand to its side and continuously Attack Up its legs.
I'll attract its attention from the front, don't worry."
"Stand to its side and continuously Attack Up its legs, got it. I've noted it down." Gordon repeated the key points and nodded in agreement.
Ted suddenly clapped Gordon on the back and laughed, "Ha, you don't need to be so nervous. You can even hide far away if you want. With This Daddy here, a mere Daimyo Hermitaur won't cause any trouble."
Gordon returned a punch with a smile, "I won't hide like a coward. By the way, Brother Ted, from what you're saying, it sounds like our chances of encountering a Daimyo Hermitaur are quite high?"
"Nine times out of ten, probably."
Ted answered casually, while Gordon exclaimed in shock, "Then we're almost certainly going to encounter one?!"
Ted chuckled, "This Daddy told you before, that's the sacred breeding ground for Shield Crabs, so of course Daimyo Hermitaurs will go there. Well, you'll gradually realize this as you gain more hunting experience.
The probability of encountering large monsters in gathering and subjugation quests is never low. It's just that most of the time you only need to run away; there's no need to confront them head-on.
Conversely, during the process of hunting large monsters, the probability of other large monsters interfering is lower, as large monsters each have their own territories."
Only then did Gordon realize that his past experiences of encountering the Great Wild Boar King, Rathalos, and the King of the Gajalaka were not rare occurrences at all.
The reason why everyone in the Gathering Hall was surprised was mainly because the danger level of these monsters was indeed quite high, and because Gordon, a Two-Star junior hunter, managed to return alive and unharmed.
Wait!
Gordon suddenly realized a question—why was Ted, when talking about the Daimyo Hermitaur, constantly teaching him how to fight?
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't they retreat?
Not keeping the question to himself, Gordon asked directly, "By the way, Brother Ted, the Daimyo Hermitaur's movement speed shouldn't be fast, right? Why do we have to fight it?"
Ted paused his steps, then scratched the back of his head, saying a bit sheepishly, "You found out? Hehe, actually, This Daddy wants to taste the Daimyo Hermitaur's crab roe.
If Shield Crab roe is premium, then wouldn't Daimyo Hermitaur roe be super premium?"
Gordon: "..."
If Senior Amos were here, he'd probably have to give this guy a good lecture to make him realize the fragility of the food chain.
"What if it's a male Daimyo Hermitaur?" Gordon couldn't help but ask again.
Ted smiled mysteriously, but unfortunately, Gordon couldn't see it because he was wearing a helmet.
"Actually, there's another purpose, or rather, a surprise? It's too early to tell you now. This Daddy will tell you after we really take down the Daimyo Hermitaur, so you won't feel regret if we don't run into one."
Gordon felt a bit stifled upon hearing that.
You said that, so now This Daddy is even more curious, okay?
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