During our explorations around the camp, we were no longer finding prey as frequently. All we found were some wild boars and deer. Besides them, the others we encountered were those we couldn't kill because we couldn't reach them, such as monkeys and birds.

Among the birds, there was a species that stood out quite a bit. It was a huge eagle that, when standing, was almost the same size as Rin, if not the same size.

As for the goblins we used to find so frequently, we haven't found a single one of them. But today will be different, we're going southwest, following the river current. The reason for the choice is simple, yesterday, I sent Kurama and Usagi to explore, each in a different direction.

To my happiness, both of them found prey. While Usagi found wolves, Kurama had more success. He smelled some goblins. Since they're our preferred source of XP and they're easier to hunt, we headed towards them.

During the journey, all we initially saw were wild boars, foxes, and deer. Although I had already caught many of them, since they can be stored at no cost at my inventory and won't rot, it's okay to have a little more.

When I leave the forest, maybe I can find an adventurers guild and be able to sell everything. Then there will be a commotion and I'll increase my fame and fortune quickly. From then on, I'll start forming a group with a bunch of beautiful girls who will later be part of my harem.

Ahem, I may have gone a little too far with the last part, but continuing on, I would like to emphasize my dissatisfaction. When we found the deer and chased them, the only ones who managed to catch up to the herd and kill one were all of my companions, except for me.

Even Usagi with her harmless appearance managed to kill one with a headbutt to the chest, and I didn't.

It seems like it might be a good idea to learn more convenient skills, even if I don't master them. After all, as their master, I don't want to be left behind the next time we encounter prey.

***

After half a day of walking, I was determined to find prey to hunt and, as if to appease my dissatisfaction, we spotted goblins. More specifically, we found a small den full of them.

Although I say den, they were simply huddled under a huge tree that seemed to have fallen a long time ago. But since the dry branches were densely covered with vines, it served as protection against rain and sun.

As far as I could count, there were around thirty goblins, but there were some with bulging bellies, about two-thirds of them. Given my experience with Rin and the goblins I've hunted so far, their bellies probably weren't like that due to food.

Although I feel no remorse when I kill goblins, killing some humanoid creatures that are pregnant would weigh on my conscience, so I didn't kill them. But since every drop of XP is precious, I'll come back for them later.

The wait will also be worth it, after all, there will be more goblins and consequently more XP.

Almost reaching noon, we took a break for lunch and started making our way back through the forest. Unfortunately, our harvest wasn't very productive. Despite finding some fruits, we couldn't catch a significant amount of monsters.

When we arrived at night, after a tiring day of constant walking, all I did was take a shower and prepare a simple dinner. Before going to bed, I spent some time by the fire practicing a bit of magic.

However, to my misfortune, Rin's mating period had not passed yet. I continued to be harassed, but since I threatened her with going without food, she didn't go too far.

***

Early the next day, we headed in the opposite direction of the previous trail, to the northeast, where Usagi had spotted wolves near the river. As the chance of finding goblin colonies seems to be higher near the river, we decided to follow the riverbank upstream.

Since Kurama's keen sense of smell was reliable, I could count on him to sniff out the stench of goblins or wolves. Even though we were walking at a fast pace, we didn't find anything until shortly before noon - it was a goblin den.

As happened the day before, I thought there might be some pregnant goblins again, but there were none. Instead, we found them in the process of producing baby goblins.

When I consulted the glossary, I found out that the goblins' mating season depended on the colony to which they belong. There were twenty-seven goblins in total, all under a dense, wide-canopied tree, with the ground covered in leaves.

Since the numbers were within what we could handle, and I didn't have to worry about the weight on my conscience, I approached the goblins openly. But they were so engrossed that they didn't even notice our presence even when we were less than twenty meters away.

"They're really enjoying themselves..." I murmured as I listened to the goblins' ecstatic groans.

"Rin, throw a stone at them," I ordered.

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"Guiiii!"

With a battle cry, Rin used her Heavy Blow and hurled her club towards the goblins.

If I may say so, her aim is exceptional. With a glorious arc, the club hit one of the goblins in the head, causing him to fall limp to the ground.

Well, although it wasn't a stone like I asked for, it still served to get their attention. The goblins interrupted their activities and ran towards us while screeching shrilly.

Grabbing another club from the countless ones in my inventory, I handed it to Rin.

"Get ready for a frontal attack!" I shouted.

During our training, Kurama, Rin, Usagi, and I practiced group combat. Considering our level difference, I'm pretty confident that we can win. Since Usagi isn't good at fighting groups, I gave her a different task.

"Usagi, go around the flanks and take out those that look easiest to knock down," I instructed.

We were already prepared for battle when the goblins finally came close enough for confrontation. Rin was the first to act, hitting a goblin with a precise blow to the head, knocking it down. Following her, Kurama and I also advanced while running around the flanks.

***

In the end, it turned out as expected and we defeated all the goblins without much difficulty. The connection created by the Monster Tamer skill was crucial for this. Although we didn't have anything like shared vision, we were aware of attacks in blind spots as long as another member of the group had the target in sight.

This, combined with our superior agility, makes our efficiency in team combat extraordinary. Moreover, Usagi performed much better than expected, her flanking attacks were fatal.

We still had some time before noon, so we continued exploring and soon found another smaller group of goblins who were in the middle of reproducing. Without mercy, we killed them.

After that, for safety reasons, we started our way back to the camp. My goal was not only to locate more monsters, but also to find another good shelter so we wouldn't have to travel as far.

"What bad luck," I murmured to myself as I looked around. "We didn't find any caves to take from the goblins. They are all using trees or what's left of them to shelter themselves."

Not far away, I spotted a group of monkeys eating a small purple fruit on a low tree. As it looked edible, I decided to try it.

"On the outside, it looks like a purple acerola," I examined the fruit carefully before putting it in my mouth.

Despite the similarity to an acerola, the taste was completely different. It had a sweet flavor and just a small pit in the middle.

If I had to define this fruit in one word, it would be 'delicious'.

Throwing another one in my mouth, I started picking a bunch of them and added them to my inventory.

*Roar*

Turning towards the growl, I came across a reddish-brown bear that was a few meters away from us and approaching rapidly. Its size was bigger than a regular bear, and its level was 17, superior to ours.

Due to its heavy body, it was slow, so we easily dodged it.

Without wasting a chance, Rin hit its head, but the impact was only enough to make it angrier.

Ignoring the rest of us, the bear started to charge at Rin ferociously, while she skillfully dodged. As it was slower due to its size, I was sure Rin could win if she had a little more time.

With several well-executed blows to its head, it began to bleed. Rin was controlling her strength better, so her clubs didn't break as often.

In response, the bear became even more furious and attacked frantically. In one of its attacks, its claws tore through a tree trunk like a hot knife through butter.

Seeing how dangerous a bear attack can be, I drew my sword.

"Let's take it down," I ordered Kurama and Usagi.

Being the first to reach him, Usagi pierced the bear's thigh with her horn. The bear then turned to her and attacked with its deadly claws.

However, as I was already by her side, I intercepted its attack. Using the speed of its strike, I easily cut off its paw.

While the bear grunted in pain, Kurama leaped and bit its trachea with his fangs. Before it could retaliate, I pierced its chest with my sword and it soon lost its strength and fell to the ground.

Due to the bear higher level, I thought I would have more trouble cutting it, but surprisingly it was easier than I thought. The fatty boar offers a little more resistance to the cut than this bear.

Breaking off the bear's head, I retrieved its magic stone. It was a small blue stone just like the one in the giant black wolf.

After storing the bear carcass, I noticed something strange when looking down.

"Hmm? Why is my tent pitched?"

The tent I was referring to was the one that had formed in front of the crotch area of my pants. No matter how much I tried to understand why this happened, no answer came to mind.

"I didn't turn into some kind of battle-excited maniac, did I?"

Although since I came to this world, I haven't spanked the monkey...

Ignoring my state, which disappeared during the walk, we returned to the camp before nightfall.

***

There was still some time left until evening, so I decided to occupy myself by deboning the deer we had hunted the day before that were still stored in our inventory. Somehow, I feel like I'm able to separate their skin from the meat more skillfully than before.

Could this be the effect of the Handicraft or Cooking passive?

After that, I seasoned the meat with the freshly made mixture of boar fat and rabbit horns and then buried the pot with the meat beneath the fire. Unlike the first time, where the quantity was far from enough to satisfy our hunger, this time I filled the pot up to the lid.

While the meat started its long cooking process, I prepared some roasted slices for our dinner. Unfortunately, Usagi didn't want to try them, so I prepared some leaves and fruits for her.

Remembering the delicious purple acerolas, I ate a bunch of them for dessert.

Strangely, Rin, who usually ignored any other food when there was meat in front of her, asked me for some fruit. But after just five, she lost interest and went back to meat.

I, on the other hand, lost count of how many of these little fruits I devoured. Since they were small, there were many of them.

After the meal, accumulated fatigue took over me. My mind was a bit hazy and tired, and despite not having practiced magic that day, I decided to sleep early to recover.