Chapter 7: Dinner, Leaving in Ten Days
The western plains of the forest were bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.
Seven or eight red-furred armored boars were leisurely grazing on the grass. They were the size of small calves, covered in dark red, tough fur, with bony plate-like protrusions on their backs that effectively defended against ordinary attacks.
These creatures were quite vigilant, taking turns looking up to observe their surroundings while feeding.
Leo hid behind a bush downwind, patiently waiting.
About twenty minutes later, a younger armored boar broke away from the group and headed toward a berry bush at the edge of the plain.
The opportunity had arrived.
Leo approached as silently as a shadow. His physical abilities, enhanced to level 23, allowed him to achieve near-perfect stealth—his footsteps as light as fallen leaves, his breathing minimized to the faintest whisper.
Five meters, two meters...
The armored boar seemed to sense something, stopping its feeding and raising its head.
In that instant, Leo moved.
He didn't use a weapon, nor did he make any unnecessary movements.
He lunged like a leopard, his left fist striking precisely at the vulnerable spot behind the boar's ear. The force was controlled perfectly—enough to stun the brain without shattering the skull and ruining the meat.
The boar grunted and collapsed.
Leo followed up with a swift chop to the neck, shattering the vertebrae. The entire process took less than three seconds, clean and efficient.
[Aura +13]
[Level: 23 (18.4%)]
A decent harvest. Leo hoisted the roughly two-hundred-pound boar carcass onto his shoulder as effortlessly as if it were a bag of cotton.
He turned and headed back toward the palace, his steps steady.
Along the way, he pondered the future.
According to Selena, it was now January 1996.
The Hunter Exam storyline would begin in 1999, leaving him three years. This time had to be utilized fully.
First, lifting the Zetsu state was the top priority.
He was still two levels away from level 25. At his current rate of progression, it would take about a month or so.
And after that? What should he do after leaving this dimensional rift?
Leo thought of the Chimera Ant incident in NGL, which would occur around May 2000.
The King of Ants and the Royal Guards were terrifyingly powerful, but the ordinary Soldier Ants and Squadron Leader-level ants were perfect hunting targets.
Hunting them would yield vast amounts of Aura, offering him a chance to grow stronger quickly.
But with his current strength, he'd struggle even against a Brigade Leader, let alone the Guards or the King of Ants. He had to improve as quickly as possible.
Learning Nen was key.
Although he knew the basic theories of Nen from the manga—the Four Major Principles, the six categories, Vows and Limitations—self-study was no match for having a teacher.
Moreover, his lack of practical experience was a fatal flaw.
Heavens Arena was a good option.
It would allow him to earn money to solve his financial problems while gaining experience fighting other Nen users.
Reaching above the 100th floor would also grant him a private room and dedicated training time.
But all that was for later. For now, he needed to establish a good relationship with Satotz and his group.
The connections and resources of a Ruins Hunter would be helpful for his future development.
As his thoughts flowed, the palace came into view.
Leo stopped in the clearing below the palace and began processing the prey.
Six months of life in the wild had honed his skills: bleeding, skinning, gutting, and carving the meat—the entire process was smooth and efficient.
He deliberately kept the fur intact—the red-furred armored boar's hide, once treated, could be used to make high-quality leather armor.
He then lit a campfire, set up a grill, and placed large cuts of pork over it to roast.
He took out several small leather pouches from his backpack, containing a few natural seasonings he had discovered in the dimensional rift, a powder made from dried and ground berries similar to pepper, a salty mineral crystal, and several aromatic herbs.
The flames licked the chunks of meat, fat dripped and sizzled, and the enticing aroma of mixed spices gradually filled the air.
As dusk fell, Selena and Casper emerged from the palace.
"Smells amazing!" Casper's eyes lit up as he hurried over. "Such a big boar—you must have worked hard!"
Selena sniffed the air, a flicker of appreciation in her eyes. "Oh, I didn't expect you to be so skilled."
Leo turned the roasting meat and smiled. "It's nothing. This dimensional rift has some special plants that can be used for seasoning. I just happened to discover them. It's ready now, so come and eat."
"Then we won't hold back!" Casper quickly sat down, looking eager.
Selena shook her head helplessly at her companion's embarrassing behavior and sat down as well.
She seemed casual but actually chose a spot where she could observe both Leo and the surroundings.
"By the way, where's Mr. Satotz?" Leo asked, cutting off a large piece of golden-brown meat and handing it to Casper.
"Oh, him? He's still busy," Selena replied, accepting another piece of meat from Leo. "He'll come down later. Once he gets into work mode, he's very serious and focused—he won't rest until he finishes what he's doing."
Casper nodded while eating. "Mhm, don't worry, he'll be down soon. This meat is delicious! Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside..."
Just as he spoke, Satotz appeared on the palace steps.
He was still wearing his suit but had removed his white gloves. His purple hair looked softer in the firelight.
Leo stood up. "Mr. Satotz, you've worked hard. I saved the best part for you." He pointed to a large, perfectly roasted loin near the center of the fire.
Satotz looked at the enthusiastic Leo, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly with an almost imperceptible smile. "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Leo."
He descended the steps and took the wooden plate and roasted meat Leo handed him. The three of them sat around the campfire, and Satotz joined them.
"Regarding this expedition to the Capet Ruins," Satotz cut a small piece of meat with elegant movements, "we'll likely stay for about ten days for preliminary exploration. I hope that won't be a problem for you?"
Leo responded gently, "No problem at all. I've been here for over half a year, so I'm in no hurry. I'll wait until you finish your investigation."
Satotz nodded and began to eat.
His table manners were refined, a stark contrast to Leo, who wore animal skins and ate with his hands. Yet it didn't feel condescending; instead, there was a strange harmony.
The campfire crackled, and the aroma of meat filled the air. The four of them chatted as they ate, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
Casper took the initiative to share some amusing stories from his archaeological work—like being chased by ancient mechanisms in one ruin or discovering a stone tablet recording a ridiculous legend at another site.
He spoke vividly, gesturing animatedly, making Leo smile.
Leo also shared some daily experiences from his life in the dimensional rift, how he discovered those seasoning plants, how he avoided tracking by certain dangerous creatures, and how he found temporary shelter during heavy rain.
He deliberately omitted the specific details of hunting and his own growth in strength, focusing only on survival skills.
Selena then gave Leo an introduction to some basic information about the outside world—because she had heard Leo say he had lost his memory.
She mentioned the names of several major continents, an overview of the current international situation, and the existence of the Hunter Association, though of course, she didn't go into detail about the specific work of Hunters.
Her introduction was concise and practical, clearly tailored to what Leo would need to know after leaving the dimensional rift.
Satotz remained quiet most of the time, occasionally calmly correcting a detail or two when Casper exaggerated too much, or supplementing key information when Selena's introduction had gaps.
He spoke little, but every word was precise.
Leo took this opportunity to casually inquire about the timeline, technological level, currency system, and other aspects of the outside world.
This information was crucial for his future planning.
During the conversation, Leo also expressed his desire to systematically learn combat skills after leaving the dimensional rift.
This laid the groundwork for his future trip to Heaven's Arena without revealing that his knowledge of Nen exceeded what it should be.
The dinner lasted over an hour.
When the last piece of meat was finished, the campfire gradually dimmed.
"I'll take the first watch tonight," Selena stood up, brushing food crumbs from her hands.
"Casper, you'll take over after two hours. Mr. Satotz needs a full rest."
"Understood," Casper nodded.
Satotz looked at Leo. "Mr. Leo, you can follow your own routine. However, I suggest you rest inside the palace—the forest is unsafe at night."
"Alright, thank you for the reminder," Leo replied.
He did plan to return to the palace—after all, it was the "home" he had managed for half a year.
The four of them briefly cleaned up the dishes and food scraps.
Satotz and Casper returned to the palace to continue organizing the data from the day, while Selena leaped onto a nearby high rock to begin her watch.
Leo lay on his "bed" made of dry grass and animal hides, listening to Selena's faint breathing outside, his thoughts swirling.
Ten days. Satotz's team would stay here for ten days.
During these ten days, he had to seize the opportunity.
He needed to assist them with their investigation to build trust while continuing to hunt and level up.
Then, he would follow them out of the dimensional rift and into that vast, dangerous world.
The world of Hunters.
Leo closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.