Nymera did not rest long at camp, not even waiting for Olivia and the others to return.
She filled her stomach with rations, took only a small amount of supplies and minimal Ammo, then set off lightly equipped, riding her Palamute.
She wanted to complete the task Sheila had entrusted to her as quickly as possible. As for resting, that was not urgent and could wait until later.
The situation was urgent; everyone was waiting for her scouting results. The large-scale support team would arrive tomorrow. If she rested for a day, the progress of the entire operation would be delayed by a day.
The very reason she had boarded that cursed propulsion sailboat instead of the infinitely more comfortable Airship was precisely to gain this half-day lead, wasn't it?
If she rested now, wouldn't the suffering of the entire journey have been for nothing?!
"What a good girl." Watching the human, dog, and bird disappear into the Jungle, Sheila remarked with emotion.
"Unfortunately, the Old World environment is not suitable for Cohoots. The vast majority of Cohoots die from various diseases after spending time in the Old World. Over the years, the Royal Academy has only managed to breed this single individual capable of adapting to the Old World environment. Otherwise, she wouldn't need to work so hard."
"I heard there's also a little bug called a scoutfly in the New World?" Kagetsu, ever curious about anything "insect," seized the chance to ask. "The tracking ability of those little cuties isn't inferior to a Cohoot's, right?
"Is there a way to introduce them here? Insects should be easier to raise than birds!"
"Scoutflies are not insects in the conventional sense. Their classification is still debated in academic circles." Sheila corrected, "Scoutflies can only survive in high-energy environments. The New World meets this condition, but the vast majority of the Old World does not. Therefore, they cannot be introduced and popularized."
"What a pity. I'll have to find a chance to get some and try raising them someday." Kagetsu pulled out a jelly-like object from her pocket and fed it to the Kinsect on her arm, "I'm the best at raising bugs."
"Are the differences between various types of Kinsects significant?" Altaïr asked curiously.
He knew that Insect Glaive users cultivated different types of Kinsects according to their own combat habits, but he had never learned about the specifics in detail.
Hearing this topic come up, Kagetsu immediately launched into an enthusiastic explanation: "Of course! For example, the Culldrone is the easiest to raise, so novice Insect Glaive users almost always start with the Culldrone.
"Stag Beetle types are mostly sturdy in body and skilled in offense (attack up). Rigiprayne types specialize in brewing captured Monster Body Fluid into essence that can heal wounds (recovery up). Moth types are fast and have high attack precision (Affinity)... and there are so many more!
"Speaking of which, this little one was originally a Culldrone too, but I cultivated it using a special method to evolve it into a special breed, called the Elscarad! Doesn't it look beautiful!"
Kagetsu raised her arm, displaying the golden-glinting beetle perched upon it.
"How did you cultivate it? Would you mind briefly explaining?" As a scholar, Sheila asked with some interest.
"The core principle is feeding specially prepared food to supplement nutrition, and then quantitative change leads to qualitative transformation! That piece of Kinsect Jelly I just fed it, for example, cost over two hundred z. And that's just its daily food; some of the special 'supplements' are on a whole other level price-wise, practically limitless.
"I raise several of these little darlings."
"That expensive?" Altaïr looked at the girl in surprise. "You can afford that?"
Kagetsu's face instantly broke into an embarrassed smile. "So, when I'm not Hunting, I also do odd jobs at the Guild Hall to earn a bit of money. Skimp a little on myself, but I can't let the kids go hungry."
Altaïr: "..."
Sheila observed the beautiful Kinsect, which seemed carved from gold and gemstones, with keen interest. "Compared to the original Culldrone species, does this Elscarad have any distinct differences?"
"Of course!" Kagetsu clenched her fist forcefully. "It's more affectionate with people! Not just with me, but other people too. Like this!"
As she spoke, she scooped up the large beetle and placed it onto Altaïr's arm.
The Kinsect showed no sign of fear or unease whatsoever. Without the slightest reservation, it used its legs to anchor itself on this unfamiliar arm, and even extended its mouthparts to nuzzle the back of Altaïr's hand.
That's it? What is this, some kind of public carriage...
Altaïr's eye twitched. He couldn't help but feel that the nearly ten-thousand-z monthly cultivation cost Kagetsu spent was a complete waste.
Sharply detecting the scorn in Altaïr's heart, Kagetsu immediately raised her eyebrows. "Don't you dare look down on Glint! He's incredibly formidable!
"Honestly, you laymen just don't understand how precious a Kinsect that bonds with people truly is!"
Altaïr spread his hands, making a gesture that said, "Go on, I'm listening."
"Do you know why a Kinsect, after drawing substances from a Monster and refining them into essence, can only inject it into its master?
"Because a Kinsect only trusts the master who raised it. They're simply unwilling to get close to anyone else!
"But Glint is different. Glint bonds with anyone, so he can inject the monster essence into anyone! (Essence effect: Wide-Range)
"And this kid was meticulously selected and cultivated by me since the egg stage. His crop is more developed than other Kinsects, allowing him to absorb and inject more monster essence in a single go, greatly extending the duration of essence enhancement effects! (Triple effect extension)
"If you ever want Glint to inject you with essence enhancement, apologize to him right now!"
Altaïr opened his mouth, his words stuck. This was the first time he'd ever heard of an Insect Glaive user being able to command their Kinsect to inject monster essence into someone else.
Was this person's entire approach, from Armor to weapon to Talisman, even to her Kinsect, built around a support path?
"I'm sorry." Altaïr decisively scooped up the Kinsect named Glint and apologized.
"Bzz–" As if understanding Altaïr's words, the Kinsect trembled its wings in response.
Altaïr instantly found this Kinsect utterly adorable and appealing, no matter how he looked at it.
What was wrong with a public carriage? A public carriage could help more people!
"That's more like it." Kagetsu huffed, taking back her precious Kinsect. "What type of essence enhancement do you prefer? I'll prioritize injecting you with that kind from now on."
"Anything that boosts offense works. Thanks."
"Honestly, you people with nothing but offense on the brain..."
Kagetsu was still muttering when Olivia led the group through the camp gate. Blood stained their armor and weapons, but from the look of them, no one was injured, that was all monster blood.
"Back already, Olivia? Did it go smoothly?" Altaïr raised a hand and called out.
"Two of the four Yian Kut-Ku were Hyper specimens. It took a bit more work, but overall it went pretty well," Olivia replied with a smile.
At first, after hunting Yian Kut-Ku, they would carefully carve materials. Later, as they hunted more and more, they gradually started taking only the best parts. And by now, they couldn't even be bothered to spend the time carving anymore.
The open ground outside the camp was already piled high with orange-red Yian Kut-Ku materials. Figuring out how to transport all these materials later was going to be a real headache.
"Nymera has arrived. She's already entered the Jungle and begun scouting to confirm the boundaries of the Yian Kut-Ku's range. If all goes well, we'll have word back before dawn." Altaïr reported the most important matter to Olivia first.
"That fast?" Olivia couldn't hide her delight. "Excellent. According to Lord Fabius's letter, the support team will arrive by tomorrow morning.
"If Nymera can really bring back intelligence before dawn, the large airship the support team is on won't even need to land; it can follow us directly and push toward the target area.
"With an airship that massive looming overhead, I'd like to see those Estrellian keep their nerve and stay holed up!"
Niro, the Great Sword user following behind Olivia, rubbed his fists eagerly. "These past few days of hunting Yian Kut-Ku have nearly made me sick. Finally getting a change of flavor?"
Dawn, the Lance user with a steady temperament, looked at Olivia. "There's still some time before dark. Should we go on one more hunt, or use this time to fully rest and recuperate?"
Olivia glanced up at the sky. "Rest up. The final assault is about to begin. Three or five more Yian Kut-Ku, more or less, won't make much difference.
"Everyone, thoroughly check your weapons and armor, ease your fatigue, and replenish your energy."
"Let's roast plenty of meat." Altaïr brought out a portable spit. "Anyone else know how to cook?"
(Translated by yourtl.app)