Emil's mistake last time was rushing and not paying enough attention to his surroundings.

He had to run again this time regardless, but he did so at a slower pace while being extra cautious of the dangers laying hidden.

He kept jogging for a couple kilometers before reaching a small river.

The current wasn't too strong so he could cross over.

But before he did so, just in case, he threw a rock at it and hurriedly retreated.

*Snap!*

The jaw of a crocodile snapped open and closed as it rose from the water and swallowed the rock.

Emil couldn't confirm since the creature only appeared for a split second, but it was most likely a Water Crocodile.

Water Crocodiles were much like normal crocodiles, except a layer of water was always surrounding their skin, deflecting attacks and making it difficult to penetrate.

That on top of their own vitality made them a resilient opponent, hard to deal with even for experienced hunters.

'yeah there's no way I'm getting through that.'

Having decided, Emil started running, this time to a different section of the river where he tested the presence of beasts again.

He picked up a rock and was about to throw it when something caught his eyes.

A carp, much larger than normal, and golden in color.

Emil could identify it at a glance.

'A Golden Carp.'

Golden Carps were oversized carps that could control the water surrounding them to attack and suffocate you.

Their defense was weak but since they lived in casts surviving them would be next to impossible, if you were caught that Is.

They usually dwelled lakes or larger bodies of water. for one to end up in a small river like this, by itself at that, meant that it was probably passing by.

Emil hid between the bushes while scrutinizing the Carp, waiting for it to leave.

The creature was a quick swimmer, Emil didn't have to wait long for its shadow to disappear from the water.

Still skeptical, he threw a couple more rocks at the river to make sure.

The experience with the Kurmushes left a bad taste in his mouth, he wasn't willing to become careless again.

Once he made sure the path is safe, he swam across the river at max speed.

More greenery was ahead of him, dense with leaves, trees, and flowers.

It was difficult to get a good look around since the trees were large and clustered.

The more oblivious of his surroundings Emil was, the more vulnerable he felt.

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the feeling of something watching him arose in his heart, and only got stronger as time passed.

There wasn't much left ahead though, he'd make it to the Volcanic Mountains in fifteen more minutes. Hence, he decided to push away his sense of danger and keep moving.

Lying not far ahead of him was a small cave.

Emil knew passing it could be dangerous but he decided to buy the risk since he didn't want to spend another second in these woods.

plus, it seemed fairly quiet to his eyes. There was probably nothing lurking around, and even if there was he wouldn't be noticed as long as he was quick and quiet enough.

Or so he told himself.

When he reached the cave, he started sprinting like mad. His heart dropped and his body almost became numb with fear upon feeling a certain presence behind him.

'I'm fucked I'm fucked I'm fucked.'

He ran for dear life as he cursed in his mind.

'I'm an idiot, oh Lord please have mercy. I'll never be careless again just let me get out of this one alive.'

Looking back, one could see a hulking bear running after him on all fours, its salivating mouth open, revealing a sharp row of teeth.

The bear had an intimidating presence, much stronger than Emil's. It was a Second-Stage Scarlet Rank Magical Beast, an Earth Bear.

Earth Bears were one of the most dreadful Scarlet Rank Magical Beasts in terms of strength, specially when they were a level higher than you.

Emil, not for a second, believed he would survive the monstrosity's claws if it caught up to him.

The problem was, they weren't just big and strong. Bears were good runners too, so Emil had little chances of outrunning it.

An idea struck his mind as he was escaping.

The bear would sooner or later catch up at this rate, so his best bet was using Pellets.

If even they didn't work, he'd have no choice but to rely on his Potions.

Without any hesitation, he took out two Pellets from his sotrage ring and popped them into his mouth.

A Strength Pellet and an Energy Pellet.

Emil felt his muscles bulge with power, and energy course through his body soon after consuming the drugs.

His speed increased exceptionally, becoming on par with the bear's, keeping it from catching up to him.

To Emil's dismay, the Earth Bear started speeding up even more in response.

He had to do something, but all he could do was pray.

He thought of using fireball, but that only worked in close quarters.

His only other option was taking a Potion.

A red vial appeared in Emil's hand as he felt the Earth Bear's presence got closer and closer.

However, just before drinking it, he caught sight of something.

'the Volcanic Mountains!'

He didn't even realize the distance he'd travelled in the heat of the moment.

According to his books, Earth Bears, or not just them. Most Magical Beasts were territorial creatures.

More likely than not, the Earth Bear wasn't gonna chase him to the Volcanic Mountains.

'Oh thank goodness!'

Emil started thanking god after seeing the creature slow down as he approached the mountain range.

It indeed wasn't planning to chase him there.

After feeling the Earth Bear's presence completely disappear, Emil climbed on top of a tree and started panting with his tongue out, all the while taking a water bottle out of his ring and chugging it down his throat.

He was exhausted, both mentally and physically.

His body was left without an ounce of strength now that the Pellets' effects wore off.

No, it wasn't entirely the Pellets' fault. He pushed himself above and beyond to outrun the Bear, an outcome like this was in order.

"Huff, Huff, why can't one, just one hunt go smoothly?"

Emil complained as he laid sprawled on the tree, his voice frustrated.

He was beginning to understand why hunting missions were categorized as B rank and above.

With great rewards come great risks.

Not everyone could hunt, specially not someone as weak as Emil, by themselves at that.

The fact that he was still alive was partially because of his own strength, partially because of his decision making skills, and largely thanks to luck.

He was beginning to realize just how lacking he was in so many areas.

'That settles it.

If I want to hunt without losing an arm or a leg, or my life for that matter, I'm gonna need to expand my arsenal.'

Emil eventually reached a conclusion.

By arsenal, he meant a set of equipments every hunter had.

He needed a new spell for variety, which was what he was here for.

He also needed an armor, one clean hit from the creature earlier and he'd have been reduced to meat paste.

Last but not the least, he needed a complete set of Pellets on each and every one of his hunts.

They were life savers, an essential part of every hunter's kit. The more he had the better.

Only then could he increase his chances of surviving every hunt.

Once Emil was finished organizing his thoughts, he jumped down from the tree and started moving.

His strength had mostly recovered by now, and he still had a mission to complete.