The shipment is ready, consisting of four cargo wagons. They are not the only ones providing escort; another team called the Gotu Slayer, which is ranked B, is accompanying them. Shaji's team is leading the caravan, while the Gotu Slayer follows behind. The caravan departed at exactly six o'clock in the evening, and the total travel time is estimated to be 12 hours. Although traveling at night can be frightening, it is a strategic choice since many dangerous beasts tend to be asleep during this time. The journey will be at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, and they plan to take a break at midnight, resuming their journey approximately two hours later. This is their travel setup.
[[Shaji]] Ms. Roxy, how are you feeling, Joyce? What do you think about our first quest? Is it scary?
[[Ms. Roxy]] The fear is intense, but the feeling of liberation is exhilarating. This is what I crave—freedom from all my constraints. Don't worry, I'm preparing for this, no matter what happens to me. I have no one to blame but myself.
[[Joyce]] Angkol Shaji, I hold no blame for what happens to me. I am grateful because of you. I will do everything, even risk my life.
[[Shaji]] I am committed to your success and will remain by your side throughout your journey. The Meat Tracker Team, of course, is the reason our group will succeed!
The caravan journey continued until the driver signaled for a two-hour rest at midnight. While everyone was resting and eating, nothing significant occurred. After resuming the journey, the horses grew apprehensive, sensing danger in the dense forest. Shaji noticed the driver's unease, and Joyce also felt the impending threat. Suddenly, two monstrous SIGBINs (Forest darkwolf), each twice the size of the carriage, emerged, their roars powerful enough to induce dizziness and hallucinations. A Gotu Slayer member quickly erected an ice wall barrier to protect the caravan. Roxy, with her lightning-fast reflexes, unleashed a flurry of arrows and executed a powerful dagger strike, momentarily repelling the beasts. The members of the Gotu Slayer, experienced in handling such creatures, took charge of protecting the cargo and passengers while engaging in a fierce battle. Despite their initial fear, Shaji and Joyce joined the fight. the Gotu Slayer leader delivered a devastating "Hell Punch of DEATH," piercing one SIGBIN's stomach, while another member paralyzed the second beast and finished it off with a powerful lightning strike. Once safe, the caravan continued its journey until it reached a large outpost guarded by fifty soldiers. They were greeted by Jaobo, a Special Rank A commander, who surprisingly knew Roxy's cousin.
[[Jaobo:]] Ms. Roxy! Haha! Hello, cousin! It's been a while since we last saw each other. Wait, why are you here? You should still be studying. Don't tell me you're trying to imitate me!
[[Roxy:]] How are you, cousin? How's life as a guard and hunter? You're right; I stopped studying because I'm imitating you—this is my passion. By the way, my teammates are Sir Shaji and Joyce. We're part of a newly formed group called Meat Tracker—that's the name of our team. Feel free to give us a label, cousin! Hehehe... Another thing, Shaji is from another world and was part of the previous summoning of the Palace.
[[Jaobo:]] Wait, are you saying you're with Sir Jojie and Sir Jimmy? That's impressive! You're as strong as they are. I witnessed their strength when we fought at the other station. Did you know that we took down five Rank S monsters there? I was one of the members of that group. They are incredibly smart.
[[Shaji:]] I know they are really strong; knocking down five Rank S monsters is easy for them. But you are mistaken about me—I'm not a real hero. I just got involved in the summon by accident.
[[Roxy:]] Yup! You heard right, cousin. But Sir Shaji, we haven't seen your true strength yet. Maybe you are strong. Joyce, have you seen the power of Sir Shaji?
[[Joyce:]] Not yet. We just recruited Sister Roxy, and earlier, during the fight against the SIGBINs, we only focused on defense. Don't worry; Angkol Shaji is strong. He's just hiding it.
[[Jaobo:]] Hahaha! That's enough; I know you're strong, Sir Shaji. Okay, let's go inside and eat first. We caught a dozen OrcPigs, and they're roasting. It'll be cooked in a few minutes.
Everyone ate and rested, sharing life stories, until the captain of the caravan announced that they would be returning to the city. He approached them and explained that they should prepare because the Gotu Slayer would not be joining them; instead, they would remain in this location. They decided to go hunting, undertaking a double quest, something Shaji had not realized was possible. This meant they were the only ones escorting the caravan home until their departure. Jaobo took the time to say goodbye, along with the Gotu Slayers, assuring them they would meet again in the city next week. The captain mentioned they would take a different route since there was still daylight, avoiding the forest despite the longer distance. This route would allow them to travel faster and safer, as they no longer needed to worry about the cargo, enabling them to move more quickly. However, the downside was that they would still be on the road when night fell. The captain warned that nighttime, especially in the area they were heading to, was known to be a hunting ground for fierce monsters. Fortunately, many hunters were also in the vicinity. If the worst-case scenario occurred, they could seek help from these other hunters. After traveling for five hours, they passed alongside a very wide lake. They all admired a beautiful sunset for about half an hour until their view was blocked by large trees, and darkness gradually began to settle in. This marked the beginning of the road leading to the hunting ground of monsters and powerful hunters. The captain advised them to prepare themselves for the dark road ahead. About twenty minutes from the entrance to the forest, they noticed some hunters blocking their path. The caravan stopped, and Shaji got out to see the bloody hunters. Three of them asked for help; one was injured, and Roxy quickly treated another who was badly injured using her healing magic, the Hands of Raphael. She applied it to the hunters' bodies, and gradually they healed, regaining consciousness, though not completely recovered. The three injured hunters were loaded into the carriage. One of them told Shaji that their two companions were fighting nearby and needed help, as they also had no strength left. Shaji instructed the captain to take care and stay put, warning that the monsters were close by. They then searched for the two remaining hunters they had seen hiding under a large tree. One of them had a significant wound, and his companion was supporting him. Shaji approached the pair, asking, "We are hunters. Where is the monster? What kind of monster did you encounter?" The hunters replied, "Rank A El Chupacabra..." Roxy recognized the monster—an opponent known for being incredibly fast. "But I know its weakness," she reassured. Shaji helped the two injured hunters back to the caravan, but the other two remained behind. Joyce noticed that the enemy was rushing toward the three remaining hunters. She summoned TUBER, the spirit of the forest, to fight the Chupacabra using her newly purchased wand, which enhanced TUBER's mana. While Shaji secured the two hunters in the caravan, he quickly returned and met Roxy, who whispered an important message to him. Shaji understood, and they fought fiercely for thirty minutes. Joyce then used her new technique, GRAVEYARD MINIONS, summoning skeletons of demons around the enemy, which confused the Chupacabra. Suddenly, Roxy rushed in front of the monster and unleashed a Ray of Light, blinding it. Shaji then appeared with his finishing move, WhirlPoLE, wielding a Rank S Panabas Blade, and slashed the Chupacabra in a beautiful butterfly cut, ending the creature's life. Shaji was the first to put the monster's meat into the Item Box. The three of them quickly got into the carriage and left the area. Shortly after, they were pursued by a swarm of WAKWAK (BATFOX) monsters, who followed them in large numbers. However, Roxy's bow proved effective against them. Thanks to her new ring, her ammunition became unlimited for ten minutes. Suddenly, Roxy collapsed and lost consciousness, evidently running out of Mana Power. Shaji quickly administered a boost, and after a few seconds, she regained her strength. They continued on their way until the WAKWAK monsters finally let them escape. As their vehicle slowed down on the road, they spotted a group of injured hunters. They stopped to provide first aid and ended up rescuing five groups of hunters along the way. Eventually, they crossed over to the hunting field, where many more wounded hunters were found. Having already left the hunting field, they soon encountered patrolling guards. One of the hunters informed them that many others were still hunting in the area and could use assistance, as there were numerous powerful monsters there. The guards wasted no time and rushed to the indicated area, signaling other nearby guards to join them. Almost all the patrolling guards were strong, each with rank A, and some possessed special skills equivalent to Rank S. These guards were tasked with assisting wounded hunters and would occasionally eliminate monsters if they saw hunters in danger. They adhered to a law that prohibited the killing of multiple monsters at once, as it could disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Everyone took a deep breath as the guards assisted them, and they traveled peacefully until they arrived at noon. They were all exhausted from their straight journey. The wounded had already been taken to the hospital, and Sahji reported to the Guild before heading straight to the BengBang Hotel. They didn't eat or bathe; instead, they went to sleep right away in their room.