Monster Hunter in League of Legends

Tallinn was not too surprised to hear the old man's words.

Unlike other parts of Runeterra, Ixtal is separated from the Shurima desert by only a mountain range, and Icathia, where the Void War broke out, is located on one side of the mountain range. However, thanks to the protection of the ancient lord Skarner, Ixtal was spared the damage of the Void War.

In this context, most people in Ixtal knew only of the existence of the Void in legends—a rather ancient history.

Now that Skana has been hidden from the world for a thousand years and is regarded as a legend by many Ixtals, the Void creatures have naturally become part of the legend as well.

Thinking this, Tarin nodded and said, "That's exactly the problem—Ixtal has been infiltrated by those vile Void creatures, and I must report this to the Yuntal to prevent any potential disaster."

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on the old man's face. He stared at Kha'Zix's corpse for a while, then said with some bewilderment, "A mere beast, and it's enough to alarm the Yuntars?"

Yuntar, the ruling class of Ixtal, is the supreme ruler of the entire city-state, the elite of the elders and elementals, a political and cultural group that has lasted for thousands of years, and is now the only group in Ixtal that has the right to communicate with the Skana, who live underground year-round and listen to the ley lines fluctuations of the entire world.

"This is no ordinary beast; it is a creature of the void."

Tarin frowned and corrected, "This means that the Void creatures have crossed the Green Wall of the Wilderness that shelters Ixtal, and the ancient war may be about to return."

Hearing Tarin's words, the old man seemed somewhat incredulous. However, seeing Tarin's resolute expression and considering the life-saving grace Tarin and the others had shown him, the old man pondered for a moment before saying:

"There is a village nearby where the priest is said to be an ancient Yuntar who was exiled for some unknown reason. I think that Yuntar will give us the right guidance."

"The exiled Yuntar?" Upon hearing the old man's words, Tarin was taken aback at first, then nodded as if he remembered something and said, "Alright—then please wait for us to pack up before we set off. There are many other members in the tribe."

"no problem."

Upon hearing this, the old traveling merchant's eyes lit up, and he nodded excitedly, saying, "There are so many wild animals in the wilderness; it will be safer with more people!"

It was clear that these traveling merchants were filled with tension and unease after suffering an attack from Kha'Zix. Now they heard that Tarin was willing to travel with them, bringing along other 'people' from the settlement.

The mere belief that there is strength in numbers gave these itinerant merchants a sense of reassurance.

Tarin nodded in agreement, then instructed Rengar to wait there while he led Nidalee quickly toward the lair.

While Nidalee was talking to the old man in Tallinn, a complex mix of emotions flickered across her face, but she didn't express them. Now, with only Tallinn left, Nidalee asked in a low voice, "Are you preparing to leave the wilderness?"

"Yes." Tarin nodded, then turned to Nidalee beside him and asked softly, "Are you feeling uneasy?"

"...Some."

Hearing Tarlin's words, Nidalee nodded, then sighed:

"I grew up in the wilderness, and I'm not sure if leaving the wilderness was the right choice... but you are the leader of the pack, so no matter what, I will follow your will, hunt in your name, and fight in your name."

Upon hearing this, Tarin's heart stirred slightly, and he nodded, saying, "Don't worry, I won't let you down, nor will I let the beasts down..."

After a pause, Tarin added, "Paka jungle cats are powerful predators and possess a higher level of intelligence than ordinary wild beasts. Proper symbiosis with humans, especially the Ixtals, can make the group more resilient to risks."

"Especially some intelligent individuals within the race, if they possess the resources of Ixtal, then they also have the opportunity to master the power of magic, rather than relying solely on instinct and luck to survive."

Hearing Tarin's words, Nidalee pursed her lips and couldn't help but say, "But a safe environment will dull your claws..."

"This is where we need to handle things properly."

Tarlin ruffled Nidalee's hair and said, "While possessing civilization, we still maintain the wildness of our tribe; while having more rationality and wisdom, we do not forget our hunting instincts."

"Moreover... the original forest of the Paka Jungle Cat has been depleted of resources. Although the Shadow Wolves abandoned their original forest, the remaining forest is just a drop in the ocean compared to the sheer number and appetite of the Paka Jungle Cats."

"Simply hunting is no longer enough to satisfy the expansion of the Paka jungle cat population. Perhaps the Paka jungle cat population should also undergo new changes."

Upon hearing this, Nidalee nodded thoughtfully, and then said, "You are the lord of the beasts, so I will listen to you."

"Good girl." Tarin nodded, patted Nidalee on the shoulder, then thought for a moment, took out the extra stamina bead and handed it to Nidalee, saying, "Oh, right, this is for you."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Nidalee accepted the green, pigeon-egg-sized stone that Tarin handed her, somewhat puzzled.

Holding it in her hand, Nidalee didn't feel much.

Meanwhile, a new option appeared in Tallinn's view—whether to grant access.

According to the instructions, giving Nidalee the stamina orb grants her access to it. However, according to Tarin's will, this access can be revoked at any time, and a certain amount of points can be paid to forcibly reclaim it regardless of distance.

Stamina beads are only level three at most, and equipping more won't have any effect, so Talin simply agreed.

Then, a hint of surprise appeared in Nidalee's eyes.

Because she clearly felt that the green bead in her hand had just been released from some kind of restriction, and a warm current instantly swept over Nidalee's body. After it stabilized, Nidalee could clearly feel that her life force had increased.

Not many, but at least one-fifth of the level.

If Nidalee hadn't known what use this was before, now, feeling the life force swirling within her, she subconsciously turned her gaze toward Tarin.

Noticing Nidalee's confusion, Tarin said, "The Vitality Bead can enhance the wearer's vitality."

Upon hearing this, Nidalee was also taken aback, then shook her head and reached out to push the stamina bead back to Tarin, saying, "No, I know this kind of magical item is very precious, I can't take it from you for nothing."

"Just accept it as I told you to," Tarin refused. "It's an order from the Lord of the Beasts."

Seeing Tarlin's resolute attitude, Nidalee pursed her lips and then nodded to accept the gift.

But then, after walking for only a short while, Tarlin noticed that Nidalee kept glancing at him every now and then.

Somewhat confused, Tarin asked, "Are you still unhappy about the stamina beads?"

"...No, not at all." Hearing this, Nidalee shook her head, then pointed at Tarin and said, "It's your armor..."

The Odogaron's armor has a close-fitting tough leather lining, which leaves noticeable bulges when filled with items. While chatting with the old merchant earlier, they had been intentionally concealing it. Now, traveling with Nidalee, they had momentarily overlooked it, and the enhancement effect of the Shield Bash's Hardened Head modifier immediately became incredibly apparent.

This made Tallinn raise an eyebrow.

Meanwhile, Nidalee asked softly, "Are you... at... your breeding season?"

"...No, there must have been a slight accident."

Logically, things should have calmed down by now, but instead...

Thinking it over, Tarin opened his personal panel and looked at the gleaming "Uplifting Bead" effect "Enhancement Duration" in the status bar. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

The enhanced duration of the Proud Jewel's skill effect can indeed extend the duration of the Kinsect Boost and Essence buff on the perfect Insect Glaive...

It may have been applied to the wrong place, but Tarlin thinks it's like the hard head of the Crowned Dragon—not a bug, but a mechanic.

Thinking it over, Tarlin nodded and looked at Nidalee calmly, saying, "It's normal, she's just exceptionally talented."

"?"

Upon hearing this, Nidalee tilted her head blankly, then nodded with a similarly bewildered expression: "I don't know what you're talking about, but it's good that you're alright... Let's hurry up and go, we need to check the road conditions along the way if the herd is migrating."

"Yes." Tarin nodded, and the two quickly set off, soon arriving at the beast's lair.

After Nidalee gave the order to migrate, the herd stirred briefly, but quickly regrouped, surrounding the cubs in the center while the able-bodied ones stood guard on the perimeter. They then set off quickly with Tarin and the others.

Meanwhile, the old merchant from Ixtal, who was waiting for Tarin and his companions to arrive, couldn't help but glance at Rengar beside him and ask curiously, "Mr. Flesh-toothed Beast, may I ask where you come from?"

"Me? I'm just a wandering hunter," Rengar said calmly. "As for Tarin and Nidalee... you know, those two from just now, I've only known them for a little over a day, that's all."

Upon hearing this, the old merchant couldn't help but ask, "How many people are in their tribe?"

"People?" Upon hearing this, Rengar chuckled and said, "Not a single one... Well, if you really want to count, just the two of them."

Although it's a bit dishonest to say it like that, in the entire beast horde, only Tarlin and Nidalee can truly be called human.

Upon hearing Rengar's answer, the traveling merchants looked bewildered.

Just then, a chaotic sound, the sound of wild beasts galloping and rubbing against the leaves, suddenly came from deep within the dense forest.

The sounds were quite mixed, but it was clear that there were a considerable number of them. Looking in the direction from which the sounds came, a large amount of smoke and dust rose up, and flocks of birds took flight in fright. Amidst the chirping and shouting, the traveling merchants instinctively tensed up instantly.

"It's here... What is it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the trees were pushed aside, and a large group of figures emerged from the bushes and dense forest.

These are a group of wild animals that can certainly be called apex predators.

Each of them was agile and muscular. Their smooth fur gleamed coolly in the forest light, and their claws flashed with wildness. Their fur was brownish-yellow, their faces covered with stone armor, and their eyebrows extended with bluish-gray whiskers. Some cubs could be vaguely seen, their steps light and nimble. But more than the adorable cubs were the exceptionally robust male cats leading the charge.

One by one, they emerged from the forest, their bodies bulging with muscles, their aura deep and powerful. The sunlight reflected off their wild eyes, revealing a cunning savagery of the wilderness. One glance was enough to tell that they were no benevolent creatures.

The traveling merchants were so frightened they almost suffocated.

"Beasts! A horde of beasts!"

"Jungle cats! They're all Paka jungle cats!!"

"Were they lured here by that void monster?!"

Some people were already preparing to turn and run away, and the old man clenched his fists nervously, his expression one of extreme terror.

Just then, Rengar chuckled softly and said jokingly, "These guys are Tarin's people."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the old man beside him also opened his eyes wide in bewilderment.

Seeing the bewildered and astonished expressions on everyone's faces, Rengar understood even more why that guy Tarin hadn't given them a heads-up beforehand.

Shortly after Rengar finished speaking, Tarin followed Nidalee out of the dense forest, greeted Rengar, and then gestured with his chin toward the old merchant, saying, "That's about it. Our clansmen have all gathered. Let's pack up and set off."

The old man hesitated for a moment, then cautiously looked at Tallin and said, "Sir, these Paka jungle cats..."

"Don't worry, they won't hurt you."

Without Tallin speaking, the female leopard beneath him began to speak in human language.

Nidalee gave the old merchant a cold look, then slowly transformed into human form after descending from Tallinn. She said indifferently and unhurriedly, "I have already restrained them. We will find our own prey along the way."

Seeing Nidalee transform from a gigantic Paka jungle cat into human form, even the experienced old merchant looked on in disbelief, before stammering, "Well... alright then, we... we'll set off now..."

Seeing the old man's frightened expression, Tarin shook his head and said with a smile, "Don't worry so much, the Paka jungle cats will protect you."

"Okay, okay..." Upon hearing this, what could the old merchant say? He could only nod hurriedly.

With worries in their hearts, they traveled for about three days before arriving at the nameless village on the outskirts of Ixtal, where the exiled Yuntar family lived, as the old merchant had described.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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