"Don't get excited, I'm just a scholar who enjoys investigating Elder Dragons in my spare time. These are all just speculations," Li Fan explained.
"I see... But with the method you described, we might actually be able to locate the steel dragon," Eudora said, taking out a small notebook and diligently recording.
The next day, the sky was clear.
Sharing a tent with a three-star hunter, Li Fan slept more soundly and woke up around nine in the morning.
Yawning, he walked out of the tent. Eudora was already fully geared up, looking ready to depart.
Li Fan had little to prepare. He opened the small bamboo cage hanging from his belt, let the light bulb fly in, and then slung his backpack over his shoulders, ready to go.
He did this not to restrict the light bulb's freedom, but out of fear that some monsters that prey on insects might swallow it in one gulp.
At the foot of the mountain, Taimai, who had quickly run to meet them, arrived with a branch from a fruit tree in her mouth, laden with bright red small persimmons.
Li Fan ate two. They were sweet and juicy, likely found by Taimai during her foraging.
Unfortunately, Li Fan could offer nothing more than praise at the moment.
Fortunately, Taimai didn't seem to mind. Seeing Li Fan eat the small persimmons, she flapped her wings and hopped on the spot, appearing very cheerful.
Li Fan had expected them to go to the public hunting camp to find an investigator and confirm the completion of the hunting mission on-site. He quietly followed Eudora.
However, she led him to the spot where they had placed the bamboo cage the previous day. From her backpack, she pulled out a tube-shaped explosive resembling a firecracker.
After placing it and lighting the fuse, she ran a considerable distance away, covering her ears.
*Fwoosh! Bang!*
The projectile ascended into the sky, exploding into a plume of blue smoke.
"It's a signal flare, meow! That's great! We don't have to rush to the public camp!" Felyne exclaimed happily, pointing at the blue smoke dissipating in the air.
So that's how it worked. A signal flare could guide guild investigators to their location.
Li Fan realized with a jolt. There was no overhead map or teammate markers here.
And with no modern communication devices like mobile phones, they had to use some means to transmit information remotely.
He glanced at his handheld device. The Great Jaggi's HP had recovered to 201.
Participating in a real fight was out of the question, but this condition was perfect for an act.
He threw a Poké Ball, and the Great Jaggi appeared on the grass, looking a bit bewildered.
Li Fan didn't rush to brief his "actor" but instead worked with Eudora and Felyne to resecure the collapsed bamboo cage.
"Big Bear, this cage is a bit small as it's temporary. Please bear with it, it'll be fixed soon."
Under Li Fan's direction, the Great Jaggi walked into the bamboo cage.
He had initially considered naming it "Bully," as per the guild's designation, but then realized it might cause trouble if it was identified as the same Great Jaggi. So, he simply changed its name.
The Great Jaggi sat obediently in the bamboo cage. Li Fan circled it, observing, and then asked, "Eudora, the certification standards for capture hunts vary by region. Do you think this is acceptable?"
"Hmm... it's best if it's in a sleeping state," Eudora suggested.
Li Fan immediately gave a command. The Great Jaggi lay down, closed its eyes, and a large, glistening bubble of snot emerged from its nose.
Checking his handheld device, Li Fan saw that it wasn't an act; the monster had genuinely fallen asleep.
Li Fan felt a bit speechless but thought this state was perfect.
About forty minutes later, a Pterodactyl flew overhead near the bamboo forest.
Beneath the Pterodactyl was a female investigator wearing a green leather uniform.
When she was about fifteen meters from the ground, the investigator released her harness, bent her knees slightly, and landed steadily on the ground.
Although her attire was simple, she wore a small yellow round shield on her right wrist.
On the buckle of her scabbard, a single-handed sword, slightly longer than a hunter's knife, dripped water onto the ground along its blade.
Li Fan felt that if he wasn't mistaken, her weapon was the Sword and Shield, the "Water Serpent's Claw."
She lifted it slightly. The investigator, whose thick glasses resembled the bottom of a wine bottle, introduced herself, "Hello, I am the sharp-eyed, impartial hunter guild investigator, Chu Yan."
"Um... Investigator Miss Chu Yan, we're over here," Eudora called out, waving towards Chu Yan, who was introducing herself to the air.
"When did you get there... so fast. Ah, today's hunters are so mischievous," Chu Yan remarked.
"We didn't move... meow," Felyne said, sounding a little wronged.
"That's solid," Li Fan, leaning against the bamboo cage, said with great satisfaction.
"Incredible, it's a capture hunt!" Chu Yan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the Great Jaggi asleep in the bamboo cage.
Capture hunts had a much higher threshold than simple kill hunts, and beginner hunters rarely succeeded in them.
"Excellent. However, during transport to the village, please pay close attention to the Great Jaggi's condition. Also, choose a transport team with sufficient qualifications. If any incidents like the monster breaking free and escaping occur, report it to the Hunter's Guild immediately."
Li Fan nodded solemnly at Chu Yan's reminder.
"By the way... why are you three gathered around the bamboo cage?" Chu Yan asked curiously.
The two humans and the cat looked at each other. Finally, Li Fan cleared his throat and explained, "We were too tired from hunting last night and were resting."
"Oh, remember not to push yourselves too hard during hunts, and certainly don't overwork yourselves for the sake of results," Chu Yan said, expressing understanding. She then took out a round seal from her satchel.
Seeing this, Eudora presented the contract she had taken from the notice board.
Dipping the seal in a bit of red ink, Chu Yan pressed it firmly onto the bottom right corner of the two-star contract for hunting the "Bully" Great Jaggi.
A simple dragon-shaped stamp appeared on the paper.
"Please submit the contract to the Hunter's Guild at the location where it was posted as soon as possible. On behalf of the Hunter's Guild, I thank you three for your efforts in maintaining regional stability. Goodbye."
Chu Yan then whistled. A Pterodactyl that had been circling overhead swooped down.
Taking a green pellet from her pouch, she tossed it towards the sky. The Pterodactyl caught it in its beak and let out a clear cry.
Immediately after, Chu Yan threw a grappling hook, which precisely latched onto the harness below. She was then lifted into the air and soon disappeared from sight.
"Are all guild investigators this skilled?" Li Fan marveled.
"I think you have to get a four-star hunter badge before you're qualified to take the exam, meow," Felyne recalled.
*Crash!* The bamboo cage immediately fell apart, having fulfilled its purpose.
The Great Jaggi, having completed its performance, was returned to its Poké Ball.
At this point, Li Fan and Eudora's plans diverged.
One wanted to go to a gathering spot to collect blue mushrooms.
The other wanted to return to KALA Village to submit the quest, collect the reward, and rest.
Due to her exceptional insights into Elder Dragons, Eudora did not wish to part ways with Li Fan just yet.
She expressed her willingness to accompany him to collect blue mushrooms.