Chapter 4, The King of Hunters

Hale was equally perplexed, as he pondered the source of the familiar feeling evoked by the words of the old man, Moon.

I do not wish to lead you to your death, as that would be murder. However, if you are willing to pay one thousand five hundred crowns, I can impart all my skills to you

In addition to training his memory, Hel also began training his observation skills. The instructors at the intelligence department did not provide him with any advice in this regard, so he could only start from the aspects he was most familiar with

He did not even dare to let those thirteen vicious dogs stay together; in less than a day, not a single one of the thirteen dogs would survive.

Apart from the central square, the most bustling place in the town is undoubtedly the long vertical stretch in the shape of a T, which extends far and wide, measuring a full 1 kilometer in length

At this moment, he appeared not at all like a bloated and dispirited old man, but rather like a cunning old fox.

Hale similarly chuckled lightly and shook his head, saying: "I am a stubborn person, and I have a certain degree of confidence in myself, so your words cannot sway me. I sincerely wish to purchase some hunting equipment; I need a sturdy yet lightweight hunting net, a machete, a pickaxe, a small shovel, and various types of traps.

The list stored in Hel's mind has finally been reduced to the last category of items—hunting tools

However, what I need the most is a map. I know that every excellent hunter will make some specific markings on their map to indicate dangerous areas or the ranges of various animals. As he spoke, Hel walked over to a wall, where a long gun was mounted in the center.

At this moment, I truly understood that for a hunter, the most important thing is neither precise shooting nor the skill of setting traps, but concealment

The second floor is much smaller than the ground floor, containing only a few bedrooms, as well as a recreation room and a study. Except for the recreation room, all the other rooms are quite small. Those bedrooms easily evoke in Hel the image of hotel guest rooms.

He informed the merchant of his residence, instructing the merchant to deliver all the goods to his estate

Hale is not concerned that those fierce dogs will defy his will

However, Hel could faintly detect a hint of skepticism in that laughter, as he saw the old man slowly raise his head to glance at Hel

Among these hunters, there are quite a few skilled individuals, some of whom are even somewhat renowned, each possessing one or two unique talents

Whoever can remain more concealed will be able to survive; this is the law of the Devil's Mountain Range. Whether human or demon beast, as long as one is within the Devil's Mountain Range, one must adhere to this law

In addition to the lobby on the lower floor, there is a large kitchen that can accommodate more than ten chefs working simultaneously, and a Turkish-style bathroom; the rest are servant quarters

The horizontal section of Snowlot Town appears somewhat desolate on the left side, while the right side, although not as impressive as the vertical section, boasts a continuous line of shops extending several hundred meters.

In addition to hunting tools, Hel also purchased thirteen hunting dogs. The criteria he used to select the dogs left the hunters feeling amused

However, crossbows and bows are not essential tools. As I become more proficient in the jungle laws of the Devil's Mountains, every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, and every plant in the mountains can become a tool for me to control the attention of my prey

"Choose a time, and take me to hetushu.com. How about the Devil's Mountain? Let me witness your natural skills with my own eyes," Helian quickly said.

All the most unruly specimens among the hunters in the town were presented before him, allowing him to choose at will. Perhaps even the original owners of these hunting dogs were eager to part with them, which is why the prices offered were exceptionally low

Suddenly, the old man seemed to pluck the strings of a zither as he lightly strummed the small crossbow, producing a continuous soft sound akin to raindrops falling. In an instant, each link of the chain was affixed with a small arrow.

He casually hired a worker to act as a guide and took a stroll around the town. He needed to purchase some items, and given that his purse was not very full at the moment, those items had to be suitable for his status while also being affordable

"Useless?" the old man chuckled lightly as he spoke

Hel was well aware of how poor his equestrian skills were; he knew there was much to make up for. Equestrianism was not originally on the list he had compiled. Training in horsemanship required good horses, and Hel found that this had already exceeded his original budget

The tools used by a skilled hunter are always somewhat different from ordinary goods, often featuring exceptionally intricate designs in certain small details

Although filled with doubts, Hel still spent a small sum to take in this old dog

The best hunter of Xuelute is called Moon, but when Hel stood before that hunter, he found it somewhat hard to believe

Although firearms are a powerful weapon, they contradict this principle; therefore, those skilled in the use of guns are always the most likely to meet their demise in the Devil's Mountains

On the western side of this wall, there stands a solitary fortress, whose design appears exceedingly ancient and bears a striking resemblance to the architectural style of the wall itself, being similarly composed of a mixture of earth and rock. The fortress originally had at least three levels, but at this moment, only some remnants of walls remain from the upper two levels.

Ten years after I arrived here, I was already known as the best hunter in Xuelute. At the height of my fame, I relied solely on one tool, which was the trap. Each time I ventured into the mountains, I only brought ten traps with me. No matter how deep I went into the mountains, whether for hunting or self-defense, I depended entirely on these ten traps

He realized after visiting several stalls that most of the booths here engage in wholesale transactions, with the vendors both selling goods and purchasing merchandise.

"Do you know why I gave up the gun for the crossbow, and then chose the bow?" the old man asked

What he saw was an old man sitting in a rocking chair, with a pipe in his mouth and a small knife in his hand, intently carving a piece of wood

This old dog is exceptionally cunning; even the fiercest beast can only inflict wounds upon it. Yet, the old dog possesses a remarkably strong healing ability, and even without treatment, its wounds will heal quickly.

The standard of a good hunting dog should be a keen sense of smell and obedience to commands; if it also possesses some intelligence, it can be considered a top-tier hunting dog

"Control of Lower Animals" is not a type of mental magic, but rather classified under summoning magic. The former only affects the mind, and as long as the subject possesses strong mental power, they can break free from the control.

It should be noted in advance that this 1,500 kronor is an additional tuition fee. If you intend to study, you must first purchase all the items here, and the price remains the same as the 700 kronor previously mentioned by hetushu.com.

The fierce hunting dogs are mostly strong, and Hel specifically selected twelve of the youngest and strongest among them. Originally, he only needed twelve hunting dogs, but when he was about to make the payment, he noticed that among those fierce dogs, there was one that was old and thin.

Its fur has largely fallen out, revealing red patches of skin. The other hounds are barking wildly, but this old dog lies motionless on the ground, its ears drooping as if it has been struck by a plague

With a sound of "whoosh," the small arrow flew out and firmly embedded itself in the iron ring at the bottom of the chain on the opposite wall

The old man placed the pipe, the small knife, and the partially carved piece of wood on the table, stood up from the rocking chair, and walked over to Hurl.

Three crossbows were also hanging nearby, with the one in the middle being of a common design

After having looked through most of the rooms, Hel understood that this is a villa very suitable for vacationing and seclusion, allowing one to enjoy the tranquility of country life

I initially used the crossbow for its penetrating power and the ability to coat the bolts with deadly poison, but after numerous experiments, I found that both were still of little use. However, after countless narrow escapes from death, I made another discovery

The person who built this manor must be a man of refinement, Hel concluded after taking a tour around the room

Hale almost immediately rejected a series of suggestions from the assistant mayor, as he had already made arrangements in his mind. It is likely that he would not hire any workers for a considerable period of time

I even tried hunting in the mountains without bringing any traps, relying solely on a shovel and a rope, using traps created by nature, which are far more effective than animal traps, although it was indeed quite exhausting

After a thousand years, these solid stone slabs, although covered with cracks and their surfaces mottled and shattered, still stand firm. On the inner side of the wall, it is constructed of rubble and earth, with a thickness of ten meters. However, years of wind and rain erosion have transformed the earthen wall into a sloping embankment.

He believes in God, but does not believe in the existence of spirits or deities; nonetheless, he still gave that worker one crown as a reward for the kind warning.

He spent a considerable amount of effort to find a shop that could take his order, and naturally, the price was much higher. He also asked that shop to help him procure some high-quality fabrics.

On the wall, in addition to the crossbow, there are several bows hanging, the most prominent being a longbow over a person's height, paired with arrows that are more than one meter long, although there are no particularly small ones among the bows

The most convenient place to purchase items is naturally the market in the center of the town

Hale first noticed the fortress, and only then did he see his new home, the estate he had purchased, which was situated right next to the fortress and the walls. Accompanying him here was the assistant to the town mayor, who also did not exert much effort in completing the procedures for land registration and property transfer.

The reason I chose traps is that this method of hunting is the most discreet. During the time I focused on using traps, both crossbows and bows were merely tools for controlling the attention of the prey

After walking a considerable distance from the place where the dog was purchased, the worker who had been silently guiding them suddenly approached Hel and whispered: "Sir, it is evident that you are a good person. It would be best for you to find a way to get rid of that old dog; otherwise, misfortune will inevitably befall you. The person who sold you the dog is likely celebrating at this very moment."

The latter forcibly imposes an entity similar to a soul, which lacks a life mark and self-awareness, onto the original soul, determining what it can and cannot do entirely based on that entity resembling a soul

The old man let out a gentle sigh, hung the small crossbow back in its original place, and said to himself: "When I was eight years old, I followed the adults hunting. By the time I was in my teens, people said I was quite a good hunter. The tools I used back then were not much different from what you just mentioned.

Those who are able to survive and leave this place are almost all poor shots; instead, most are inept and timid individuals. This reminds me that every time I found myself in a crisis, it was through evasion that I managed to escape with my life

He extended his arms, with the index and middle fingers of his left hand pinching a small arrow, gently resting it on the bowstring, which immediately tightened.

Most of the houses in the town are built along the road, with those facing the roadside designated as shops. Behind the shops are warehouses and living quarters.

"People like you should not come to Xuelute. This is the Devil's Mountain Range, and the animals living here, even a rabbit, are much stronger than their counterparts in other places," the old man said as he put down his pipe.

Hel looked puzzled, as the old man's words at that moment were clearly inconsistent with his earlier performance, so he interjected and asked: "I believe there must be a reason for your choice"

A hint of sorrow appeared in the old man's eyes as he gently caressed the long spear. After a long while, he spoke: "Many years ago, every year many hunters would come to Xuelute, and similarly, many would leave in disappointment. However, more people have died forever in the mountains.

The crossbow on the right is only the size of a palm, and the arrows beside it are just over one inch long, with shafts as thin as toothpicks and tips that are thin and sharp

The market also offers a variety of hunting tools, but what Hel wants is the best. Upon arriving in this small town, he had already inquired with the mayor about who the best hunter was, and this was confirmed to him by a worker.

From the owner of the hunting dogs, it was learned that this old dog is a ruthless character. Although it usually remains silent, once it attacks, it is as swift as lightning and nearly impossible to defend against. Several dogs have already lost their lives at its jaws.

After a while, he seemed to understand and nodded slightly

Hel is most familiar with clothing, so as his eyes scanned the people around him, he quickly assessed their identities and professions through their attire.

Although the metal utensils sold by that merchant include a complete set of sewing supplies, Hel does not find these items appealing; what he needs are expert-level tools that must be custom-made

At this moment, he still has 5,000 marks in hand, which is the amount he exchanged a month ago. If he were to exchange it now, it would certainly not be as much. If he saves a little from this money, it would be sufficient for his expenses for two years

Glancing at the wall filled with various tools, Hel shook his head and said, "I do not need so many things; many tools are of no use to me at all, just like books."

Most wild beasts, even when struck in vital areas by bullets, are reluctant to die immediately. As for those magical beasts, it goes without saying that many of them are not afraid of bullets at all; lead pellets can only penetrate their skin but cannot pierce through their muscles.

After listening to the words of the master of the hound, Hel felt somewhat puzzled. From this statement, he was already certain that the old and mangy hound before him was a highly spiritual divine dog. There were many skilled hunters here; how could they completely fail to recognize this?

According to the owner of the hunting dog, he had always intended for that old dog to meet its demise during the hunt, yet each time he was unable to achieve his wish

After dismissing the assistant to the mayor, Hel opened the door

If it were not for his identity as a hunter, killing or abandoning a dog would be the most inauspicious act, and he would have long since put an end to this old dog with a single stroke.

Heer furrowed his brow slightly, unsure why he suddenly felt that the old man's words were very familiar.

He seemed to have heard another person express the same reasoning before; at that time, he certainly did not understand it. Now, with the words of Old Man Moon confirming each other, he felt a sense of enlightenment.

Among all the rooms, the most unique is the hall. This hall appears somewhat elongated, resembling a corridor. There are no windows on the walls surrounding the hall; however, the upper corners of the outer walls are replaced by a circle of glass roofing, allowing for an exceptionally ample amount of light inside

When I was in my twenties, I moved here, brought by a leather goods merchant. Initially, things went relatively smoothly, but then an incident occurred in which I nearly lost my life, and most of the people who came with me also perished

The old man's eyelids were slightly swollen, giving him a feeble appearance. His head was completely bald, and his face had a slight flush.

The bedroom contains no furniture other than a bed; however, items can be stored in the closet, which occupies an entire wall and can hold a great deal of belongings

Additionally, there are two more crossbows; the one on the left is particularly large, with its drawn arms measuring over 1 meter in length, and the length of the sliding bracket exceeds 1.5 meters. Beneath this large crossbow lie ten crossbow bolts, each shaft being over 1 foot long and as thick as a thumb, with exceptionally sharp tips.

For summoning-type magic, as long as the spell is successfully cast, one can attain absolute control.

However, he clearly did not need Hel's response, and immediately continued: "In the Devil's Mountains, what is most abundant is formidable beasts, especially those magical creatures, powerful beyond your imagination.

He spent 5 kronor to hire a group of workers from the town, instructing them to completely clear the flowerbed. He planned to level the land and construct an equestrian training ground.

Unlike other towns, the central square of Xuelute is exceptionally spacious. At the very center of the square stands a three-story building, surrounded by a massive canopy constructed from large pieces of oilcloth connected together. Judging by the darkened appearance of the oilcloth, it is evident that this market has a long history.

He felt extremely depressed; two thousand two hundred crowns represented almost half of his wealth at that moment, and it was also equivalent to a year and a half of living expenses. Therefore, he could not possibly agree to the old man's request.

Like most towns built in the mountains, the shape of Xuelute is quite irregular. The town appears to resemble a large T-shape, with the intersection of the T naturally being the most prosperous area of the town.

As the old man said, every year there are many hunters drawn by reputation; the monsters within the Devil's Mountains hold an endless allure for those eager to get rich.

In the distance, behind the horizontal line of the T-shaped intersection, several hundred meters away, there lies a long wall. This wall, having fallen into disrepair over the years, is already overgrown with clusters of mugwort. On the outer side of the wall, it is constructed from blocks of green slate, each one meter thick and five meters long.

However, the criteria chosen by Hel are entirely different; the thirteen hunting dogs he selected are most notably characterized by their ferocity

Upon hearing this warning, Hel did not take it to heart at all

Although on the map, Xuelute appears to be an inconspicuous small place, one only realizes after seeing it in person that it is, in fact, not small at all

The smoothness of the situation is evidently related to his noble title, which made Hel feel for the first time that titles still hold significant value.

This villa is built at a rather low elevation, and this two-story building is surprisingly shorter than an ordinary single-story farmhouse. At first, Hel even had the sensation that the ceiling was easily within reach of his head.

"My gun is better than yours, and I don't think these crossbows and bows are of any use." Hel gently took down the small crossbow, cocked the string, aimed at the window, and gestured as he spoke

Hale did not parade through the streets with thirteen fierce hunting dogs, as that would only lead to a series of troubles

Having obtained the necessary items from Old Moon, Hel could only settle for a second option

Since then, I have never dared to claim that I am skilled at hunting. Five years later, I finally avenged myself, and from that moment on, I had the courage to venture deep into the mountains. At that time, I only used two tools: a crossbow and traps

Perhaps it was the unusual behavior of this old dog that caught Hull's attention, prompting him to inquire with the owner of the hunting dog about what exactly made this dog so fierce

Upon hearing Hel's intentions, the old man did not even lift his head. He merely pointed around with his finger and said, "Leave behind seven hundred crowns, and you can take everything else." As he spoke, he let out a gentle sigh.

At this point, the old man Muen revealed a glimmer of brilliance in his expression, as if he had become ten years younger.

From a merchant dealing in ores and metal tools, Hel spent over 200 crowns to purchase a barrel of gunpowder, 25 pounds of lead, two alcohol blowtorches, a graphite crucible with a diameter of 8 centimeters, a set of lead bullet molds of various calibers, and a set of finishing clamps

Before the attitude of the Berut Empire towards the occupied territories became clear, Hel absolutely did not wish to see a significant deficit

The encounter with the robber made him realize one thing: no matter how light and agile a carriage may be, it cannot be controlled as freely as riding a horse. The only advantage of a carriage lies in its ability to travel long distances.

He was deceived into accepting this dog six months ago. This dog has had seven or eight owners in total, and all those who owned it for more than a year ultimately met with untimely deaths

Just now, Hel inspected each room thoroughly, noting what was present in the villa and what was lacking; this too is a form of training

He took the small crossbow, and with his left hand, grabbed a handful of small arrows from the quiver hanging on the wall

A hunter will never be without cages for transporting live animals; even the sturdiest cages do not cost much. Only after he has used magic to control these fierce hunting dogs will he allow them to exit the iron cages