Kapitel 44: Hunter?

'Haaa. In the end I couldn't hurt a single animal. Everyone's just docile and tame; I tried raising my sword against one and it immediately lain flat with its tummy on the ground and looked at me with a very scared expression.'

It happened after he asked the White Rhino for permission to try and hunt animals for food.

There was this spotted deer, yes, a deer in the desert, that looked very harmless. When he was about to kill it, it showed a human-like frightened expression. In the end he decided against killing the deer.

Then he tried killing a known ferocious animal, a lone hyena. Though hyenas were known for their teamwork, they are still a fearsome predator amonst the animal kingdom.

Like earlier, he wasn't able to kill the hyena. He just kept looking at its cuteness and made no progress.

"Hmmm. It seems you're having trouble picking a 'delicacy'. Perhaps you need my help?" the voice of the White Rhino sounded behind him causing the hyena scamper away.

"Yeah. I actually needed some help. I don't think I would be able to kill the animals here."

Even though he killed a Silverback Gorilla back then, and killed humans and humanoid creatures alike; he was just unable to hurt those animals.

Even if he did ended up killing them, he was unable to flay their skin or hide, nor does he know how to make a fire. He will just ruin everything and killed an innocent animal for nothing.

He wasn't equipped with the skills needed to survive alone. He was about to learn everything from his brother, Arthur, when he got separated and was brought to this desert.

"Hoh. Our dear hunter was unable to score some game?" the White Rhino teased.

"Oh come on! How can I hunt when I'm this weak?" Alex protested and grinned cheekily. He didn't want for the White Rhino to continue and tease him all day, so he immediately retorted.

"Hoh. But you've always been this weak. Okay, enough of that. I know that you're in need of food. I'll go get it and you can eat your fill later on."

"But-" before he could even finish his first word, the White Rhino interrupted him and said what Alex wanted to say.

"But you don't know how to light a fire, I know. That's why I'll be the one in charge of cooking." After saying his piece, the White Rhino turned back and slowly walked away.

It was already nearing dusk and the White Rhino that has been gone for almost three hours, was still on its journey back to the oasis.

During this time, Alex was practicing his sword skills. He was only swinging the sword that he got from the Scorpion Emperor's palace, very slowly. There was no finesse or any whatsoever, they were just slow and casual swings.

He finally got bored swinging the sword and he could also feel his arms beginning to sore, so he stopped his 'training' and sat down. As if his eyes were drawn into something, he looked towards the east and saw the enormous silhouette of the White Rhino.

More importantly, its mouth looked to be holding something. He stood and up to get a better look at it and noticed that it was a pig!

Heavens! A whole pig! His eyes glimmered even though his back was facing the setting the sun.

He was famished, really. And he knew that he could eat an entire pig right now!

A few moments later, the White Rhino arrived before him and removed the pig from its mouth.

Alex looked at the pig and noticed that it was already dead.

'Thank God it's already dead. Or its agonized squeals will haunt me everyday, for the rest of my life.' he thanked all the gods that he knew and let out a breath of relief.

Who would want to hear agonized squeals of a dying creature? They must be mad to endure hearing it.

His hunger pushed those remorseful thoughts away and looked at the White Rhino expectantly.

"Hey, watch it! Your drool's about to fall." it snickered.

'Sluurrpp!' he quickly slurpped to get rid of the drool on his lips.

"Just cook it already. Pleaaaase!"

"Alright, alright! Oh right, kid! Help me build a fire pit. One that's big enough for this pig."

"Yes sir!"

Alex cleared some space and took several rocks and twigs and made a fire pit in a few minutes.

The pig was then roasted on top of the pit. They waited for a long time and the pig was finally cooked. Alex took a bite and it almost made him cry.

Not by tears of joy, but real and sad tears! The meat was just too bland! As they say, beggars can't be choosers. He could only bite and swallow the food hard.

Noticing the change in Alex's expression, the White Rhino went towards some trees and picked some fruits.

"Try these. Just give them a squeeze and direct it at the meat. I bet it'll be tastier that way." the White Rhino handed him a yellow fruit.

He accepted it and squeezed them gently. After carefully putting down the fruit, he took a bite and shed tears.

'Yes! This is food!'

As for the White Rhino, it only looked at Alex ravenously eating the food and decided not to eat with him. It wasn't really hungry and it also didn't like to eat meat like other animals. It was vegetarian.

Eating the whole pig took Alex an hour to finish. He walked towards the very big pond and drank mouthfuls of water.

After that, he slowly walked back to accompany the White Rhino in this chilly and solemn night. Both of them stared at the starry sky and forgot everything as time passed.

Eventually, the White Rhino broke the silence and asked, "So when will you depart?"

"Maybe two or three days from now. I need to get back soon. My mom should be worrying." he answered with a smile while still gazing at the stars.

"Okay, just let me know and I'll send you to the nearest human village." there was a tinge of sadness in the voice of the White Rhino, however Alex didn't catch it and simply nodded his head.