Tusk strapped on his supplies to his cart, pulling the ropes tight. The crowd stood beside him, sighing.

"Shame you have to so soon," he mumbled. "And after you only just got here."

"The guild wants me back for a full report. I wish I could stay... I'm gonna miss this place. Again."

It was a few days after our hunt with "Subject K." Tusk had sent a letter off to the Hunters Guild telling them of our victory over the Kirin. He got a message back soon after from the researchers, asking him to come back in to share all the details on it he could. I knew that Tusk wanted to stay in Kokoto a little longer, but he also had his responsibilities. He had to leave, and for some reason, I wanted to go with him.

I couldn't stop thinking about the monster in the wind. It sat in my slightly injured head for days, tumbling about in my thoughts. I was so intrigued by it and wanted to know what it was. However, I couldn't do anything of that while also protecting the village, helping them with their monster problems, but if I went to the guild hub with Tusk, I might be able to find out more about what it was.

I was with Tusk and the others when he was starting to pack up. He stood by the cart, saying out last goodbyes. After him, I figured Cal and Malcom would head out soon after. I was the most quiet out of them all. The chief looked over at me, his face straightening out.

"Ria?"

"Hm? Yes, Chief?"

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I may be old, but I'm still perceptive. I know you want to leave the village."

"What? But I couldn't do that."

"But you want to, don't you?"

I looked at everyone. All eyes in the group were on me, making me blush.

"I... yes. But I couldn't leave the village unprotected."

"I figured you'd say that. That's why we got some new hunters to help take care of us."

"You did? Who?"

He only smiled, tilting his head to the side Cal and Malcom stood on. I looked over at them, slightly stunned.

"You two?"

"It was his idea," Cal said, pointing down at Malcom.

"Chief said mew wanted to leave village, but didn't want to leave it unpurrtected, so I suggested Cal and meowself stay behind to do that job. After all, I like it here, and so does Cal. It'd be our purrleasure."

I remained silent, looking down at the grey felyne. I felt a warm pressure build up behind my eyes. Knowing I might regret it later, I picked up the cat and hugged him, squeezing him into my breasts in a warm embrace. Cal looked away embarrassed as Malcom practically melted into my boobs, purring loudly. I set him down soon after, tears in my eyes.

"I can't thank you both enough."

"Nya... I think that was a good method...," Malcom mumbled.

"Okay... but what about my parents? Or all my things and-"

"All taken care of."

I turned and saw Mira walking up. My mother and father were behind her, and dad was carrying the case I kept in my room.

"Wha... you packed for me?"

"I'm still against this whole hunter thing," Dad said, "but... I can't say no. I remember traveling around the world in my merchanting days. That's how I met your mom."

"We want you to go out and see the world. Just promise us you'll be careful on all those hunts."

Mira came up to me, hugging me. She was crying a little too.

"I'm going to miss having you around. Make sure you come back once in a while to visit."

"Of course I will."

"Oh yeah! And your new gear just got delivered. Might as well model it for us before you go."

She held up a small package. I knew what was inside and took it. Quickly, I ran off into the house, pulling on my new armor. A few moments later, I walked back out into the village. My body was more exposed, like it was with the bone armor, but I could feel it's power flowing through me. The white fur fell from the straps, warming me up. It fit like a glove, far more comfortably than anything I'd had before. Sitting on the headband was the blue horn, shining in the sunlight. I back out to the group, dressed in my full Kirin armor and Wyvern Blade "Verde."

"Wow... now that's stylish," Mira said.

"Nya, not the word I'd use," Malcom said, grinning a little.

I blushed and walked up to Tusk. He smiled, admiring the armor.

"Looks good on you. Elder Dragon armor does have that special flare."

"We defeated it together, but you gave me most of its parts."

"You deserved it. You finished the fight, and we didn't need any of its parts. I'm perfectly fine with my gear."

My things were secured next to Tusk's as I hugged my parents goodbye. They stood off to the side as I moved up to Cal, taking his hand.

"Don't worry," he said. "The village is in good hands."

"I know it is. Thank you."

"Alright," Tusk called out as he hopped up into the cart. "Let's head out!"

I jumped into the wagon as it started to pull away. I waved goodbye to everyone as we left Kokoto behind, traveling down the forest path towards the city. The warm wind blew over me as the cart bumped along, traveling over the country side. I smiled, eager to start a new chapter in my hunting career out in the world.

"What's it like? The rest of the world?" I asked.

Tusk looked up at me, gazing into me with his soft green eyes.

"Beautiful."