King Shakalaka

In the afternoon heat of Metabe Forest, the Mushroom Pig's miserable squeals alternated with a young girl's screams.

The two men and one cat "watching the fight" exchanged looks.

With absolutely no experience in "slaughtering something," Hayata kept failing to find the Mushroom Pig's vital spots. Unable to give the poor pig a quick death, she turned the scene into a bloodbath.

"Uh... should I go give her a hand?"

Even Gordon was starting to feel sorry for both the Mushroom Pig and Hayata.

"No need. She's nearly done," Amos said, his mouth twitching into an odd expression. It was hard to tell whether he was frowning or smiling.

Beside him, Porkchop covered his face with his little paws.

After ten-odd minutes of "mortal combat," the poor Mushroom Pig finally breathed its last in front of Hayata.

Spattered with blood, Hayata stood there holding her Hunter's Knife and panting, the light seemingly gone from her eyes.

Gordon gave the girl a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, then stepped forward to carve up the carcass.

Before long, he had cut away several large chunks of raw meat from the best parts.

As for the Mushroom Pig's hide, which could have become a delicacy with proper preparation, he gave up on it entirely-it was practically a fishing net by then.

"All right, let's leave," Amos said, beckoning to them once Gordon had finished carving. "We'll get out of Shakalaka territory and find somewhere quieter and safer to rest and roast the meat."

"Sounds good!" Gordon licked his lips, looking eager to get started.

Hayata followed as well, with Porkchop helping her along.

The distress of taking a life for the first time left her feeling sick in waves. She would not have been able to swallow any roasted meat even if it were put in front of her, but she was still curious about how it was cooked.

The weather was hot and muggy. To keep the Mushroom Pig meat as fresh as possible, Gordon hurried along at a brisk pace.

Gradually, Hayata felt herself struggling to keep up with him again. Too proud to ask him to slow down, she could only grit her teeth, endure the exhaustion, and follow.

This time, Amos did not call Gordon back either.

Although his expression remained unchanged, a growing sense of unease had taken hold of him.

Hayata had made an alarming amount of noise while killing the pig, and blood was spilled everywhere. The heavy smell should have attracted predators such as Velociprey or Great Jaggi.

Even if they were lucky enough to have none of those monsters nearby, surely there should have been more than a few flies?

The hunters wove through the forest and soon left Shakalaka territory, but Amos's expression only grew darker.

The afternoon forest was so quiet that even the faint crunch of their greaves brushing through fallen leaves and dry branches sounded harsh. Insects, birds, even the wind-all had fallen silent.

"Gordon!"

Amos, who had been walking beside Hayata, suddenly called out in a low voice. He grabbed the girl's wrist and picked up his pace.

Gordon, who was clearing the way ahead, finally noticed something strange in the forest as well. His gaze swept from side to side, and his expression grew wary.

Pulling Hayata along, Amos caught up with Gordon at the head of the group in just a few strides.

The middle-aged hunter's hand hovered over his sword hilt, his expression grave. "You and Porkchop take Hayata. I'll lead. They've caught up."

"The Shakalaka?"

"And the King Shakalaka."

"Really?!" Gordon could not help glancing at Amos, who had already moved ahead of him. "Are we that lucky? We actually ran into one?"

"Yes. Without a King Shakalaka leading them, ordinary Shakalaka wouldn't pursue and surround a party of several hunters."

"Tch."

Gordon clicked his tongue, marveling at his luck as he took Amos's place and grasped Hayata's forearm.

Without their help, Hayata, who could not even be considered a novice yet, would never have kept up with their newly accelerated pace.

"Meow!"

Porkchop, sprinting at full speed on all fours, suddenly shrieked a warning.

A moment later, two Shakalaka leaped out of the shade ahead with strange cries, throwing themselves at the hunters with reckless disregard for their lives, intent only on stopping them.

At the head of the group, Amos did not even slow down. The White Ape Cleaver flashed from its sheath, and a brilliant arc of light swept through the air as he swung his arms.

Kesa Slash!

The two Shakalaka blocking their path died before they even landed, tumbling to the ground as corpses coated in white frost.

"Gagaya!"

"Rukacha!"

"Gababacha!"

At once, a chaotic din of Shakalaka cries rose from the forest shadows all around them. Still running at full speed, Gordon tightened his grip on Hayata's wrist.

There were more than ten Shakalaka hidden around them-perhaps even more than twenty.

He had never faced a Shakalaka attack on this scale!

Another shadow darted out from beneath the trees. Keeping a constant watch on their surroundings, Gordon immediately realized that this Shakalaka was targeting the girl behind him.

"Porkchop, protect her!"

Gordon shouted and flung his arm forward, sending Hayata ahead. He turned and swung his Buster Sword, barring the Shakalaka's way.

He did not expect such a hasty swing to hit his opponent, but it should at least force it back and cover the rookie's retreat.

What happened next, however, took him by surprise.

This one, seemingly a little larger than the other Shakalaka, did not dodge his attack. Instead, it swung a scepter made from the leg bone of some unknown beast to meet his Great Sword.

This little monster, barely as tall as his waist, actually wanted to clash weapons with him?

Gordon gave a quiet snort, putting even more strength into his bulging arms.

Let's see how you like being cut in half, weapon and all!

CLANG!

With a metallic crash like a drumstick striking a gong, Gordon felt an almost irresistible force surge through the sword hilt into his arms.

The enormous steel blade, weighing as much as a person, bounced high into the air from the impact. Gordon's eyes widened in disbelief.

He had lost a contest of the very strength he was so proud of? To a Shakalaka?

With his weapon knocked aside, the young hunter was left wide open. The Shakalaka, which looked top-heavy beneath its bizarre headdress, moved with astonishing speed.

The rough, unremarkable Bone Scepter changed direction and drove straight toward his chest.

The parry and follow-up came in a single instant. With no time to dodge, Gordon's pupils contracted. Having felt the force of his opponent's attack, he was certain that if this blow landed, his Alloy Armor Set would never be able to stop it.

I'll be badly wounded. I might even die!

Just as Gordon was about to sink into despair, an oddly shaped, ice-blue blade thrust in from the side. It caught the Bone Scepter, then angled aside, deftly diverting the unassuming yet terrifyingly powerful strike.

"Amos!" Gordon cried in relief, his life saved.

"That's the King Shakalaka. Fall back."

Amos forced his opponent back with a Reverse Kesa Slash, his eyes fixed on the Shakalaka that had so easily overpowered Gordon. He did not dare let down his guard.

Gordon wasted no more words.

Their attempt to break through had failed. Now they would have to fight head-on. Since Amos had taken on the King Shakalaka, dealing with the other Shakalaka fell to him.

Looking up at the Shakalaka surrounding Hayata and Porkchop, Gordon gave his Buster Sword a firm shake and charged straight at them.