Monster Hunter: Wild Pointer

After saying goodbye to the boss lady, the man and the cat left the workshop.

Orlan took out the memo again and made preparations for the trip one by one according to the contents.

I packed the necessary luggage, said goodbye to the Marildans and their friends, left a letter in the mailbox at the doorstep explaining that I was going on a trip, and sorted out the materials I had accumulated in the past, selling what needed to be sold and sealing what needed to be sealed.

Finally, all the money was collected and, except for a small amount in cash, the rest was exchanged for easy-to-carry rough jewelry with the merchant introduced by Qiao Da.

These jewels are specialties of Rocklak and are relatively cheap locally. It is said that if they are taken to big cities outside the desert area, their value can be increased by 10% to 20%.

Even if you don't sell it, it's worth keeping it to make decorative beads in the future.

The things recorded in the memo were completed one after another, and when the last item was crossed out with charcoal, the day of departure was approaching.

Chapter 49 Travel Destination?

In the barbecue restaurant where they had eaten when they first met Boss Joda, Oran and Seabuckthorn were discussing a very serious and important issue - where to go for the first stop of the trip.

Before them lay a large plate of roast meat and a map of the Old World.

"How about East Dorma? It's the largest city in the Old World, the center of economy and politics, and the guild headquarters is right there."

"Tangia Port sounds pretty good too, meow. It's the most prosperous seaport in the southern part of the continent, meow. It's not far from Rocklark as the crow flies."

"The Western Continent seems to be suitable as well. Its natural landscape is completely different from the Great Desert."

"Isn't Grombaum pretty good, meow? Mr. Sayle is active in that city, meow."

"It doesn't have to be a big city, smaller places are also fine. For example, Pokai Village (Pocket Village) in the Flasiya Snow Mountain. I've never seen snow in my life."

"We don't have a cat either, but if we move from the southwest to the northeast of the continent, will the climate make us feel uncomfortable?"

"That's right." Orlan nodded and crossed out the option of Pokai Village from the memo.

However, the remaining choices were still so numerous that they were dazzled.

"Hey you guys, have you never been away from home before?" A man sat down at their table and talked to himself.

Aolan and Seabuckthorn looked at the man together. He was wearing a white chef's uniform and his apron was covered in oil stains.

"Who are you?" Seabuckthorn couldn't help asking.

Oran had some impression of that face, so he asked uncertainly, "Are you Karim?"

"It's me, long time no see, little hunter brother!" The young man in chef's clothes showed his white teeth and smiled happily.

"Do you know meow?" Seabuckthorn asked curiously.

"I guess so." Orlan nodded his chin. "I met Mr. Karim during the assessment to become a full-fledged hunter."

After briefly introducing the two parties, Orlan looked at Karim and said, "Mr. Karim, aren't you a traveling merchant? Why are you working as a chef?"

The young man named Karim shrugged. "I lost all my goods trying to escape that time, so I just had to find a job to save some money."

"Hey! Karim, where have you been slacking off?" The boss's angry roar came from the kitchen.

"Oh, sorry, sorry, I won't be off work for a while. Don't leave after dinner, we'll talk later!" Karim apologized with his hands clasped together, then hurried to the kitchen. "Here I am, boss! Communicating with customers is part of doing business!"

"That's not your place as a chef to negotiate! Hurry up and add more wood, the fire in the stove is too low!"

"okay!"

Orlan and Seabuckthorn looked at each other. After finishing the barbecue in front of them, they didn't want to leave immediately. After all, they hadn't refused Karim's suggestion of "talking later".

In addition, as the latter is a traveling merchant, perhaps he really has some good advice on travel matters?

Fortunately, Karim didn't make them wait too long. About half an hour after the meal, Karim, smelling of oil smoke, ran out of the kitchen with a plate of snacks.

"Sorry, sorry, I kept you waiting. This is my treat!"

Karim sat down and pushed the snacks in front of Orlan and the others. He poured himself a glass of water and then wiped his mouth and asked, "Where were we talking about just now?"

"We talked about how you lost everything and are working to save money." Seabuckthorn looked at him and said.

"Well, it's been building up for the past few months, so let's skip this topic." Karim laughed dryly. "I heard you guys talking about your destination when I passed by just now. You're planning a trip, right?"

"Yeah." Orlan nodded in agreement.

"The choice of destination is very important. You must first figure out the purpose of your trip.

For example, if the purpose of my travel is to sell goods and make money, then I have to consider where my goods are best sold, and also consider issues such as travel costs.

Once you choose the wrong destination, even if the journey goes smoothly, you may lose everything.

So why do you travel?"

Aolan and Seabuckthorn exchanged glances and tentatively asked, "To gain experience and see the outside world?"

"That's too broad! You need to have a more specific idea. For example, if you want to improve your strength, you should look for places where monsters gather. This example is just something I randomly gave. After all, I don't understand hunters.

In short, it’s important to understand your goals before choosing your destination!

Feeling that what Karim said seemed to make sense, Orlan and Seabuckthorn discussed it in a low voice.

For Orlan, improving his strength is indeed his main goal.

However, Karim really didn't understand hunters very well, because hunters didn't need to specifically look for places where monsters gathered. As long as you were willing to accept the task, there were endless monsters to hunt all over the world, and it didn't matter where you went.

Therefore, he decided to give the choice to Seabuckthorn.

After hesitating for a moment, Seabuckthorn tentatively said, "Can we find a place with more advanced industrial technology? I want to learn more about mechanisms and mechanics."

The industrial level in Rocklake is very ordinary, so we can only tinker with it ourselves. It would be great if we could find someone to help us.

“Is there a suitable place?” Oran asked Karim.

Karim stroked his chin, "There are many places with advanced industrial technology. To put it bluntly, which large city has weak industrial strength?

Rocklake is a special case, with a special environment and scarce resources, so the only option is to develop tourism."

"In other words, it's better to choose in a big city, right?" Orlan looked at the map and thought.

"Wait, that's not necessarily true. Even if the industrial technology in a big city is advanced, you can't access it. You can't just leave your Elu in a factory and let it screw in screws for half a year, right?"

"really."

"Wait!" Karim snapped his fingers and said excitedly, "I know a place that would suit you. It's not too far away, and it's perfect for your first long-distance trip."

"Where are you?" Seabuckthorn asked impatiently.

Karim pointed his finger at the map, circled the desert area further north, and said, "Mobile City, Barubare!"

"Balubare." Orlan pondered.

Of course he knew about this special city. After all, there were only a few human settlements of some size in the desert area, and Barubare was one of them.

What makes it special is that this so-called "city" has no fixed location.

It is a large group composed of countless caravans and sand boats, which migrate every once in a while and is a true "mobile city".

“Barubare is indeed a good choice. It’s not too far away, and I can easily adapt to the environment. I can also see a cultural landscape that is completely different from that of Rocklake.

But why is this place considered suitable for sea buckthorn? Isn't Barubale an industrial city? Isn't it a commercial city?"

"Little brother, your thinking is wrong." Karim criticized Orlan in mock dissatisfaction, "The little cat wants to learn about machinery and mechanisms, not the industrial city itself.

Although the industry in Barubare is not very developed, their mechanical technology is unique in the Old World. I have been there twice, and many things there can really scare your eyes out.

Houses that transform into caravans by pulling a lever can be seen everywhere in Barubare, and no two are alike.

Flames were spewing from the stern of the ship. The ultra-high-speed airship, which was more than three times faster than an ordinary airship, flew away with a "whoosh".

And the Hunter's Gathering over there can also transform into a massive sand ship!"

Seabuckthorn's eyes lit up when he heard this.

Karim's reminder reminded Orlan of something, "So, the transformable weapons, the slashing axes and shield axes, which have only become popular in the past two or three decades, seem to have been originally developed by the craftsmen in Barubare.

How about sea buckthorn? How about choosing Balubare as your first destination?

"Good meow!"

Chapter 50 Let’s go!

"Now that we've decided on our destination, the next step is to consider how we're going to get there." After Seabuckthorn finished cheering, Karim asked another key question, "Have you thought about how we're going to get there?"

"I've certainly considered this." Orlan nodded. "There are only a few ways to travel long distances: walking, airboat, and sandboat.

Airboats are convenient but too expensive, and may lose a lot of fun during the journey. Sand boats are suitable for sand sea areas and cannot go beyond the desert.

Plus, Baru Bare isn’t too far away, so I think walking is a more suitable option.”

"That's not wrong," Karim nodded. "Walking is the cheapest and most flexible way to get around. If we need to use public transportation in the future, we won't have to worry about what to do with our existing transportation."

However, crossing the desert on foot alone is still a bit difficult. You need to prepare a lot of supplies and carefully plan your route and itinerary to ensure you can find an oasis before running out of fresh water."

"Indeed." Orlan nodded.

As a desert nomad, he naturally understood the hardships involved, so he seemed a little hesitant when answering this question.

"But I have a good idea!" Karim grinned, "Let's find a caravan!

When caravans cross the desert, they are often attacked by monsters such as yellow speed dragons and sand dragons, so larger caravans will hire hunters as guards.

Forget about the caravans from those big chambers of commerce. They all have their own fixed hunter partners and don't like outsiders to join.

Smaller caravans are easier to talk to. In order to save money, they are sometimes reluctant to hire hunters to escort them throughout the trip. If a hunter wants to travel with them, they will be very happy to do so.

The caravan has herbivorous dragons, and camels and other livestock can carry large quantities of supplies, so the choice of route is much more flexible."

Ao Lang was excited after hearing this. Compared with walking alone, traveling in a group in the desert is much safer and more comfortable.

"Do you have a suitable caravan you can introduce?" Orlan asked Karim.

Karim scratched his head and said, "There are some caravans that I know of, but I've been working in Rocklake for the past few months and I don't know their itineraries.

I'll go and ask around for you. Remember, don't tell anyone you're planning to go to Barubare on the way. Have them submit the commission to the guild. That way, they should get an extra bonus for the escort."

"Thank you so much for your help." Orlan put his hands on his thighs, lowered his body, and expressed his gratitude sincerely.

He felt a little embarrassed by the other party's enthusiastic help.

"It's okay! Maybe I can even benefit from your help."

Karim smiled happily, "I've saved some money in the past few months, and it's about time I start my traveling business again. If you choose to go to Barubare...

Well, there's some business to be had in Barubare this season. Perhaps I could apply for a job as a cook at the caravan you've chosen, so we can look after each other on the road."

At this point, Karim patted his chest in fear. "I don't want to encounter a monster again, then have to abandon the goods and run away, losing everything."

A smile also appeared on Orlan's face.

His relationship with Karim is not close enough for one to give unconditionally to the other. If Karim helps him unilaterally, he will feel uncomfortable and even suspicious.

But since the other party could also benefit from helping him, he felt much more at ease.

Karim was a very efficient man. The next day, he took a middle-aged businessman who looked to be in his forties to the meeting place tavern to meet Oran.

From what they said, it seemed that the caravan leader originally wanted to save some money and take some risks, and was not planning to hire a hunter as a guard, but Karim persuaded him to find one, saying that he could introduce him to a cost-effective and reliable hunter.

When he saw Ao Lang, he looked at me as if to say, "Ah! What a coincidence that you are here! Let me introduce you to each other!" Ao Lang's eyes twitched.

businessman's mouth

However, being a cautious person, he also kept it in mind and mentioned this matter to the mustache president in advance.

The mustache-wearing president, who happened to be idle, came over leisurely. When he saw the old man, the middle-aged businessman became visibly nervous.

Most of the guild leaders of guilds in various places are retired hunters, but this man with a mustache is different. Before becoming the leader of the Rocklark Guild, he was a very famous businessman.

It can be said that half of the credit for Rocklark's current prosperity is due to him. This makes him, who has no dignity in front of hunters, have extremely high prestige among the business community.

There are countless businessmen who regard him as an idol. Looking at the way Karim looks like he doesn't know where to put his hands, he is probably one of them.

With the help of the mustache-faced president, the signing of the escort commission went quite smoothly.

From the perspective of the caravan leader, he hired a reliable two-star hunter certified by the president at a relatively affordable price.

From Orlan's perspective, he found a caravan that he could hitchhike with and could also earn a fee for escorting.

From Karim's perspective, he got his idol's autograph.

Triple win!

After signing an escort contract with the caravan, the date of departure was set for two days later.