Nosubera's ashes had long since gone cold, but the Sapphire Star still hadn't found Inosuke.
Even the Palico was tired of walking and let out several disgruntled meows. The Sapphire Star was baffled too. The report had stated in black and white that Inosuke Hashibira and another swordsman were carrying out the hunt, but Nosubera had already been reduced to dust. Where were that boar boy and his partner? There wasn't a trace of either!
"Tch, where did they go?" The Sapphire Star frowned, pinched up a little soil, and sniffed it. All she caught was the scorched smell of rock and rotten wood, without the slightest human scent.
"Boss, meow, what does your friend look like? This kitty really can't walk anymore, waaah!" The Palico plopped down on the ground, refusing to take another step.
The Sapphire Star thought for a moment. "Hmm... basically, he's a very boar-like guy. Likes wearing a boar headgear..."
The Palico pressed an ear to the ground and listened for a while, then pointed southeast. "If it's a boar, there seem to be some piggy noises over there!"
The Sapphire Star extended her hunter senses. To the southeast, beyond several mountain hollows, she could indeed faintly hear the crisp clash of metal, along with a weak boar's roar.
"You're fucking amazing, silly kitty!" The Sapphire Star patted the Palico's head. The proud little cat practically stuck its nose in the sky.
They had a direction now, but the mountain paths were rough, and the Palico was too lazy to walk again, so it rode on the Sapphire Star's shoulder. After a long trek, they finally reached their destination.
The Sapphire Star's eyes lit up. For a moment, she thought she had found her target-until she took a closer look. They were all actual fucking