"Hey, Truck, why not join us on our hunting trip?" Galu asked.

This time, he was properly geared, wearing some sort of light armour that glinted in the light and the same bag he had yesterday. I noticed it looked a lot smaller for some reason. Behind, his mother, Alena followed in fairly similar gear, but with a normal longsword in a scabbard on her belt.

Did I really have to? I had so much fun reading... Reluctantly, I looked up from my book and checked the time on Tablet.

[1:02 PM]

I guess I really shouldn't pass up on the chance to 'power-level'. Still, I thought they already had enough food?

"I thought you already had a whole ice ape?" Radio asked.

"We sold most of it to the butcher. Eating the same thing every day would be boring!" said Galu.

He stabbed the ground with his sword repeatedly, excited. Were all kids that hyper, or it was just him?

"Yueler! Are you sure you don't want to come along?" Alena turned to the house and shouted.

"Someone needs to guard the house!"

The woman sighed.

"He's like that sometimes, don't mind him," she said to me. "I wonder when he got so lazy? Was it when we settled together?"

Please don't blabber like your husband and son.

"Oh, by the way, mind letting us in?"

Wait, what?

"Mom!" said Galu. "It's not as fun if we just ride all the way!"

He looked at me with an 'I've got you' face, which surprised me. So it wasn't just him being hyper. I should find some way to thank the nice boy later.

"Well, you can run outside if you want, I'd rather-"

"Ah, what if Galu runs away again? You might want to keep an eye on him."

Nice save, Radio!

"Oh, that's true. I really need to keep a closer eye on him." Alena mused.

Galu looked at me with a betrayed look. Haha, sorry.

Along the way, I was pleased to find out she was not the talkative type. Galu handed her his sword and got busy running around and picking up various plants and bugs he saw, which meant he wasn't blabbering. Ah, so peaceful...

"Mom, look! A giant snowbug!"

Galu held up a squirming white pillbug thing about the size of a basketball, before stuffing it into his bag. Was he really supposed to collect bugs while looking gathering?

"Nice," she said in a bored tone.

It wasn't the only bug he grabbed either, he probably gathered dozens. I was surprised she didn't stop him.

With how much time he ran around, I was surprised we reached the destination so quickly. It was the cavey area Yueler led me to previously.

Galu ran into one of the caves right away. Really? Without his sword?

"Wait for us here," Alena said.

"Okay."

She plopped down his sword beside me and entered the same cave at a leisurely pace. I guess they must be pretty strong for them to be so confident.

Wolf barks echoed out of the cave. Wolf meat? I felt like that was kind of wrong after making friends with Biggie. Maybe I'll just say I'm not hungry later during dinner...

Wait, if they just went into the dens and fought there, then what's the point of me coming here? I wouldn't get any EXP this way! So unlucky...

Two wolves ran out with, practically grinning. Huh? Alena and Galu followed out too.

"They're our helpers," she said, petting one of them with a vague smile.

Oh. I felt somewhat relieved.

Galu tried to climb onto one of them, but it shook him off.

"Hey, stop! How many times did I tell you we're not for riding?" it said angrily.

"I'll give you double the meat later!"

"Y-you..." the wolf looked conflicted. "I- We have pride as wolves, too!"

Galu took out a piece of jerky and dangled it before the wolf with a devious grin on his face.

"Stop!" Alena smacked the jerky from the hands of her son.

"Awwww..." Galu whined.

"Sorry, he's being a pest again. I'll give you a bit of a bonus later."

The wolf peeled its eyes from the piece of jerky reluctantly and bowed slightly.

"Thank you, madam!"

"Now, let's go," she said.

As I followed her, I noticed the wolf looking around cautiously, as if to make sure no one was looking. Then it ran back and ate the jerky on the floor before hurriedly catching up with us.

Heh. I'm gonna call it Jerky from now on.

"Where are we going?" asked Radio.

"We're planning to hunt some ice boar. Our two friends here are experts at tracking prey." Alena pointed to the wolves.

Ice boar? The people here really weren't creative with names...

The wolves began sniffing around. Around twenty minutes later, Jerky suddenly turned to us.

"I smell it... be quiet," it said.

"You! You are too obvious." the other wolf barked at me. "Get out of the vehicle!"

Dammit!

"I need to look after the vehicle, sorry. I guess I'll stay here?"

"We don't have a choice..." Radio whispered to me.

Urgh.

"You do you. Just don't blow our cover," said Jerky.

Whatever, jerk. I'll just sulk here alone...

They continued without me, completely quiet. Even Galu didn't make a sound.

"HRRRRUUUUUUU!"

I heard loud running and panicked barks.

"Cover blown!" I heard Jerky yell in the distance.

So much for that. In the distance, I saw a boar covered in ice armour running towards me. It quickly turned to the left after seeing me. It won't evade me so easily!

With some masterful wheel shapeshifting and engine burst, I barely managed to intercept the boar with a crash.

"HUUUUU!" the boar was knocked over.

[-2]

My bumper had a tusk shaped imprint from the impact. So tough... The beast seemed fine and tried to get up, but it got dizzy and fell over again.

"Nice!" Galu shouted.

The quartet ran over and started whaling on the poor boar. Galu took out his giant sword and instantly smashed through the armour, while the wolves bit its now exposed neck. Alena drew her sword.

Wait, if they killed it, I probably won't get the EXP!

I quickly charged over and rammed it. Galu and the wolves ran away in panic.

[+1481 EXP]

[Level up! +2 Stat Points. HP refilled.]

Whoa, that was a lot! It was probably actually really strong then.

STR.

[STR 5 -> 7]

[HP 60 -> 80]

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT!" Alena yelled.

That scared me! Why was she so angry?

"Look, the meat is ruined!" she pointed at the corpse.

Oh...

"I don't care if you were trying to help. Next time, stay out of it. YOU GET ME?"

Sheesh, so fierce.

"Y-yes, madam... Sorry." Radio stammered.

Galu looked at me with eyes of pity. Don't give me that look!