Japhy and I leave the shack geared up for the hunt that we're headed to. Japhy decides to take a moment before we head off to test his spear's stability. It makes me question even leaving the save point where it is, but I'd rather not test changing them yet.
"Just a second."
I stand witness to Japhy's endless barrage of spear thrusts with no loss of form or strength. Thinking about it, I remember that Japhy actually has a neurogram that improves his usage of spear weapons. It's no wonder he isn't even tired after swinging and thrusting the damn thing almost a hundred times.
"Japhy, how much do you know about neurograms?"
He relents a little bit to speak in between his practice strikes.
"I only really know about my own. What's got you curious?"
"Just asking, but did you always know how your neurograms worked, or did you only understand after going to an appraiser?"
"If I'm being honest with you Relwing, and I'm not trying to brag or nothing. I kind of intuited at least one of my neuros before I even stepped foot in the guild for my appraisal."
Japhy stopped practicing to directly inspect the spear's attachment and the bolt I fastened. It isn't hard to guess, given that I do remember Japhet brings it up once in a while, especially when he's been drinking. His dad was also talented with the spear before getting the neuro that made the talent far more effective. Although if I go based on that I guess it would make sense to compare what I can do to what my father's neuros are. But he's never actually told me what neurograms he has as a Neurovant himself. Tsk.
"Well, it's not just curiosity, check this out."
As we start to head into the foggy forest, I show Japhy the insignia from my left arm. At first he looks with a mild face of faint interest but then his brows furrow and he gets this look in his eyes of concern.
"Since when?"
"Since this morning, I know it's kind of surprising because more than anything it's unusual. I just turned eighteen after all."
"Hmm, don't you think it'd be a better idea to sit this one out and head back to Linktown for an appraisal?"
I thought about doing the same thing, but the truth is I don't think it's right to try and change everything and drop whatever it is that needs doing once it's already set for today. Not just this hunt but also that birthday party Clara's mother planned out for me. Plus I need the experience again. A real monster hunt, otherwise it'll gnaw at me that I haven't done it in a while.
"Don't worry about it, that stuff can wait till we finish this hunt."
"Are you sure?"
Japhy gives me a concerned look that almost looks unnatural on him, mostly because he's usually so sure of himself.
"Yeah."
I consider creating another save point here but it'd just be redundant, I don't think I'd say all the same things either but it's just small talk.
***
We arrive at the marker that designates the mirage zone of the forest's protective barrier. Here onwards the path becomes confusing and hallucinogenic to anyone untrained in how to navigate a hidden village. As a hunter, part of the training is how to discern the true landmarks from the illusions created from the mind and barrier.
The simplest way of describing it is: 'Always look at objects that look the most out of place, those are reality. Everything else is your mind's attempt at rationalizing the bombardment of illusions created by the barrier.'
That's how my father put it anyhow. The effect is immediate as what feels like only a few steps instantly put me and Japhy a significant distance from the marker we barely passed a second ago.
It seems to be the only point where the mirages felt overwhelming. I continue walking with Japhy towards the direction of the western sector that was marked as the possible nest of the lizardthings. We will know immediately that we are close when we get to a point the fog doesn't cover.
Naturally, monsters have a way of finding their way through a mirage zone like this one. Instinctually they release a countering agent through their sweat that permeates into the air and negates the fog. The longer a single monster goes into a forest like this the weaker their countering agent becomes as the barrier adapts to it. However, at that point they become delirious enough to get spotted by hunters and get killed on sight.
In this case, a significant amount of monsters came into the zone at the same time making it possible for them to find a deep path inwards and start building a nest. The effects of the countering agent become refined and carve a hole in the barrier once the nest is completed, hence the lack of fog around the nest.
We arrive at the nest to see the lizardthings rummaging around attempting to make tunnels to expand the already large nest.
I unsling the bow from my back and draw three arrows from my quiver. Japhy starts to slow his breathing down in anticipation. How we usually work these out is I stay in cover to strike from afar and he goes in to corral them. If it even looks like he's about to get surrounded I jump in for more close quarters shooting and melee.
Letting the first arrow fly, the fight begins, Japhy springs from the tree line we stood at to the nest in the clearing. He activates his spear's runic attachment and forces three of the lizardthings prone with the vicious wind from his swipe. I confirm the lizardthing I hit with my first arrow is dead, before quickly launching the next two at the lizardthings that were already closing in on Japhy.
Without even realizing it, I already had the next three arrows in my hand. It feels off, as I rapidly shoot out the second volley of arrows. They each hit their target with maximum force dropping them to the ground where they twitch before succumbing. I'm aiming each shot at the head in the specific part where their cores are usually located. I've never been this precise before. As that thought ends, I realize the next four shots are in my hand already too.
The other concern I'm having is that my arm and back don't even feel the least bit of exhaustion after firing off that fast. I can remember being rather good at managing my stamina and I know I'm stronger than Japhy in strength alone, but this feels absurdly easy.
I hear rustling behind me as I finish sending out the next volley of four shots. Without skipping a beat I take out the axe from my belt and step aside as a razor claw slashes where I had been a moment before.
It wasn't my intention to get into a short range brawl, but I don't have that choice anymore. The lizardthings with steel-like claws, razor claws, they're a lot tougher in flesh and strength than the regular brood. I wouldn't call myself cocky but they really don't seem as scary after I've fought and killed many before today.
Taking a feinting step in one direction I prompt the razor claw to slash forwards. A huge opening to its neck easily shows itself from the mistaken attack it makes. My arm whips viciously and takes the head off the damn thing and with a second reverse slash I take off its hands as well. The body of the reptile beast flails around as if it's claws were still in tact, but instead it just flaps around its bleeding stumps before dropping dead. Hunting is still a messy affair no matter how many times I go through it.
I turn to see more lizardthings swarming on Japhy, some from the other side of the clearing. That's way fucking more than a dozen, whatever, I didn't need my new power to hunt before today, I won't need it for now either.
Picking the remaining arrows out of my quiver I rapidly fire them off one by one at the swarm of them that Japhy pushes away. I can tell he's still managing in his own way. After every gale swipe, Japhy mixes in a quick jab of the spear into the throat of the lizardthing closest to him. He's fast enough to get the ones already on the ground at times.
Right as I get close enough I sling my bow behind my back and two-hand the axe right through another lizardthing's head breaking the core inside. I must've caught him by surprise because the swarm suddenly split between me and Japhy. Stepping back to avoid a slash from one of the regular lizardthings I heave the axe down on the head of the closest one. Damn, it's harder to keep my distance given the axe's length. Japhy doesn't seem to have the same issue with his spear.
Although in that regard, it only matters that I'm fast enough and keep my eye out for their rhythm of attacks. It's not like I learned how to take out these monsters on my own all this time. Nah, I've always followed your directions dad, and that's all I've ever needed before. I activate the dual minds.
Suddenly, the flow of time begins to crawl, I can see how each lizardthing edges forward and the ones which hesitate to even get close. Monsters don't usually have any fear of humans, but Instinctually smelling the blood of their fallen it makes them wary of approaching.
While the other me focuses on monologuing, I envision the perfect path to end the wave of monsters in front of me. I don't hesitate for a moment longer.
My focus shifts from just staring at the monsters in front of me to following a path of destruction that seemingly comes from nowhere. I guess I don't remember it too well but part of me mapped out what to do, now I gotta do it.
Now that the other me is acting out on the formulated attack, I can focus on the little things. Making sure we aren't taking too many unnecessary steps and avoiding any sneaky counters from the wretched reptiles. Every swing of the axe postures to the next swing and puts me out of reach from the intact enemies. One single swipe and I've disarmed one lizardthing and a half, the next swipe kills the one with the remaining claw and in its mindless aggression it lobs off the head of the stumped one.
Effortless, that's the only way to describe clearing this pathetic bunch of scaly freaks. My body swiftly jumps around and pivots to the beat of my swings. There's no fear in any of my movements, because I'm not afraid of being hit, because they can't hit me. Every step I take, every move I make, it's far faster than what should normally be possible. This is probably the mastered version father kept badgering me to reach.
Hmmph. There isn't a remaining challenge at this stage, only a couple stragglers. Japhy can take care of it. Besides using Syzygy anymore than necessary becomes a detriment, regardless of if those neuros made it easier to enter this time around. I'd done this before in the sparring matches with my father where I managed to actually keep up with him for a bit of time. Ultimately, I still haven't beaten the old man a single time.
The world returns to a steady pace, time moves normally again. Japhy jabs one lizardthing through the throat again, and quickly slaps the enclosing lizardthing with the other end of the spear. He jams the spear back into its core while it's disorientated.
For once, Japhy actually looks a bit exhausted. He must've used quite a bit of his ronto, the only real limit to the power behind his spear. Me on the other hand, I'm just ready to burn up the bodies and get back home. Something about using my father's fighting style has me itching to practice with him again. To see if I'm finally on his level.
Japhy heaves for a second and then stands up straight before speaking.
"Alright, time to clean up this mess. Here, I'll carve out the fragments of their cores and drag the bodies into their unfinished hole. You gather up some kindling."
"Hmm."
I stare at the arrows on the corpses, each arrow is dead on for where the cores were located.
"What is it? Relwing, come on I don't want to stay here all day. I kind of wanted to go fishing with Wendall."
"Give me a second, you didn't notice how perfect all these hits were? They're not off by a single hair or anything."
"Yeah, it's pretty impressive, I guess."
"Come on, even you know that's not how it usually goes."
"You are pretty good with the bow... Oh! Right, yeah I guess it is a sign about at least one of the neuros you have. Your dad has a similar one, I think it's called Rapid Shot. Let's him practically empty out the quiver in a second and perfectly aimed too."
Well that does explain how the arrows showed up in my hand and the lack of fatigue from pulling the string back so fast. The only other thing that was new was how easy it was to get into the dual minds, normally it takes at least a couple seconds of concentration. Easier to use it to go to sleep, but in actual combat. High stress, and the general unease that comes from being in a fight for your life, it isn't easy to use the dual minds technique like that on the fly.
I stop contemplating to gather the wood and dry grass needed to start a small fire, then I wipe off the monster blood from my arms and axe using a rag in the quiver's satchel. After that I take out the fire stone and ignite the rag on top of the wood. It's curious but I never really thought about magic too seriously, mostly 'cause dad warned against it. He wanted me to wait, at least until I get my neuros.
Monster blood is super flammable, so after grabbing a twig from the fire I made and tossing it into the pile Japhy gathered instantly gets it blazing. It doesn't take long for the fire to die down, and the nest to fully vanish into a pile of ash along with the corpses. The fog begins to descend into the clearing again.
"Guess it's time to head back now."
"Yep. Hey, Relwing?"
As we start walking back to the marker and out of the forest Japhy grabs my attention.
"What's up?"
"You planning on becoming an adventurer now?"
"I don't really know. Why do you ask?"
"You've got neurograms now and that rare insignia is sure to net you a sponsorship and a decent starting rank. I just wanted to train a little more before dipping my toes into it too. Technically I've already had my G-rank plate. But I haven't taken any quests."
"Is that your way of asking to partner up?"
I look at Japhy with a smug smile. He isn't taking it too kindly.
"No, I was just asking is all, if you need advice or something you should ask Seth. He's already C-rank."
I sigh, the people I was raised alongside include those two siblings, this guy, and another friend of ours who's been missing for the past three months. Seth, Clara, Japhy, and Otis. They're the people closest to me outside of my father, and Seth and Clara's mother. There was a fifth, but he taught me the most valuable lesson I ever learned as a hunter, people will die.
"Yeah, I'm aware, Clara is too. Hey where do you think Otis is now?"
"Meh, who knows, I can't stand him anyway, he always does this shit. Disappears and then says 'Sorry guys, I was on vault streak. Forgot how long it's been.' Drives me insane the fact he doesn't care that we worry."
"I'm sure he cares otherwise he wouldn't show up for way longer, since he'd only do it when he needed to."
"Yeah, you're probably right. But that's his own fault too, having seven kids already. I plan on staying at just the four until I start taking quests."
It didn't hit me earlier, but strangely enough people in this world get together really soon and have crazy amounts of kids. It's not strictly out of choice, if you have a daughter, you're actually having daughters, but with a son it's mostly only ever one out of a dozen kids. Clara was a twin too, but she was a rare case, she would've had a brother.
"What about you?"
"Huh?"
Japhy interrupts my somber thinking.
"When are you getting some kids?"
"I-I, uh, don't know, heh. I guess as soon as I get married. Eheh."
Thoughts of the many times Clara gave her confession to me fill my head. I guess I thought I didn't deserve her, or maybe I thought it was too soon. Regardless if she says that shit again, I don't think the new me could resist at all. I remember the lewd words she whispered to me the day before.
"You're a late bloomer for sure, neuros at eighteen, kids at nineteen I bet. Then again at least you ain't like Seth, he straight up says he'll do it when the time is right. Fucker could just say he doesn't want them."
"Sometimes I get the feeling you think we're all messing with you Japhy. But I think you just care too much."
"Oh shut up. I just can't stand Otis being the only one I can talk about kids with. It's the little things you know like little Alei learned how to paint."
"You've got two babes, to talk all day about your kids with."
Japhy himself was a bit of a playboy when we were younger, he ended up with two of the village triplets. Dia and Mia, I never really spoke with them but occasionally when Japhy invites me over I greet them.
"Trust me we don't talk about them, taking care of them takes all the wind out of having any kind of talk, but at night..."
"Come on man, I don't wanna hear about that."
"Hehe, you've always been a bit squeamish about that. Relwing can chop up a monster and cut open its skull but as soon as it's pussy, ass, or tits you can't bear the thought of tearing that up."
"It's just not something I'm comfortable talking about."
Dying a virgin and still being a virgin, it's kind of comical, if it wasn't my life we're talking about.
"Sorry, I get it, it's like a bit more personal to you. Not that it isn't for me, it's just not as sacred I guess. I don't know I'm just theorizing. I figure you'll end up with a single lady and put all your time into just her."
"Who says I don't want one on each arm and another around my neck?"
Shit, I said that out loud without thinking. That's nowhere close to how I normally act. Though part of me wants to say it was a joke, the other part of me is being completely serious. Japhy stares at me wide-eyed at the response I gave.
"Heh! Yeah, I thought that way too, but I don't know if it was okay for me to get after Charlotte too. Might be getting to be too much like my old man. Fuck him though, wherever he is."
On the other side of families, specifically when it comes to relationships as in moms and dads. It's fairly common for a man to have children with various different women, and still more common for the fathers not to stick around. I want to think my Dad is different, but I already know he's only here because mom isn't.