Universe Infinite Canteen

"Hm?"

"I'm fine, just used up all my telekinesis, feeling a bit drained, that's all." Mai Mai's voice came from beneath the sand, sounding muffled, "That's how my power works, once I use it, I can't stop."

Boggy walked over, scooped her up, and set her on the back seat of the motorcycle.

Mai Mai closed her eyes to rest for a while, then spoke again, "Team leader, deputy leader, did I pass the assessment?"

Without waiting for Ma Lu to speak, Boggy said sternly, "You did, the strength you've shown is more than enough to join Twin Sunflower."

"Thank you, I won't leave the hunting group again, abandoning you all." Mai Mai said softly.

Boggy shook his head, "Leaving the group is a hunter's freedom; there's no rule saying a hunter must stay in the same hunting group forever."

"But I really like Twin Sunflower, I like the two leaders, and I want to stay here." Mai Mai said.

"Smooth talker," Boggy huffed coldly.

Ma Lu pointed at the nearby Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream and said, "Speaking of which, what are we going to do with this thing? It's definitely impossible to carry it back on the motorcycle, and my bag can't fit it."

The Giant Claw Lord we encountered on the last hunt was big enough, but compared to the Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream before us, it felt more like a river crab.

Moreover, the Giant Claw Lord's exterior had a thick shell accounting for about half of its weight, and after removing the inedible organs such as the internal organs, there was even less meat left.

But the Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream had no shell, and the meat to bone ratio was roughly seventy-thirty, Ma Lu estimated preliminarily, feeling that the yield could break ten thousand.

It could be said to be an unprecedented big harvest!

Luckily, he had upgraded the Collection Bag before coming this time, but even so, it could only take 600 pounds of meat back, less than a tenth.

The load capacity of Boggy's motorcycle was about the same, and even if Mai Mai recovered some strength and rode his motorcycle back, there would still be over eight thousand pounds of meat unresolved.

It would be a waste to just leave it here.

"I just rented an Air Transport from the guild," Boggy said, "After the hunting group is upgraded to bronze, this service becomes available, but renting an Air Transport costs a hefty fee each time."

"For the mid-sized transport I rented, the usage fee is 12,000 Electric Degrees for 2 hours, and each additional hour costs 2,000 more Electric Degrees."

"That expensive?"

"Yes, so most of the time, hunters still prefer to pull their game back using their own motorcycles."

"But we hit the jackpot this time." Mai Mai's voice also rose with excitement, "The meat of the Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream is currently priced at about 16 Electric Degrees per pound in the market, cheek meat can sell for 24, and mid-belly for 21. The total sales price for such a big one should be around 190,000.

"Even deducting the 12,000 for renting the transport, that's still 178,000, if you two split it..."

"Three people," Boggy corrected, "You are now a member of the Twin Sunflower Hunting Group, and you're the one who caught this Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream, so you'll definitely get a share of the final reward."

Hearing this, Mai Mai did not refuse, happily saying, "Alright then, if it's three people, we each can take 60,000, plus the other game, we should end up with 65,000. Hahaha, I didn't expect that after a two-year break, I'd make a big profit on my first comeback.

"Indeed, being a hunter brings money in faster, I shouldn't have gone off to open some perfume store."

The spoils of this trip were already quite bountiful.

Adhering to the principle of quitting while ahead, the three unanimously decided to end the bait fishing.

Boggy stood guard in front of the Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream with his Mechanical Spear, having wrapped up the remaining organs. However, the area had just witnessed a series of over a dozen fights, and the smell of blood was strong—an easy temptation for nearby beasts.

Fortunately, no creature stronger than the Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream showed up until the Air Transport arrived.

Only a group of Bloodsucking Tail Weasels looking for an easy steal approached, and they were swiftly dealt with by Boggy, who was layered with blessings.

Afterwards, the leader of the Twin Sunflower Hunting Group loaded the Thousand-Tooth Sand Bream, the other hunted creatures, and an overly drained Mai Mai onto the Six-Rotor Transport Aircraft that resembled a ladybug in appearance.

He, however, stayed behind to accompany Ma Lu to the nearest storage point to store the motorcycle and equipment.

"Ah, I really appreciate it. Honestly, I could have done it by myself."

As Ma Lu changed clothes inside the container, Boggy did not follow in, stopping at the door and speaking through the metal barrier.

"It's no issue; this way, it will be easier to find you next time."

After this remark, neither spoke again, leaving only the ping-pong sounds of gravel hitting the iron walls.

Feeling the atmosphere turn somewhat awkward after a while, Boggy took the initiative to speak again.

"I... plan to recruit two more people. Five should be about right. Adding more would reduce the share of the rewards for each person."

"Sure, whatever you decide is fine," Ma Lu said.

"Of course, our ultimate goal is to enter the Death Forbidden Zone. I'll adjust the team's structure and purchase weapons and equipment accordingly..."

As Boggy talked about business, he felt this couldn't continue and decided to clear the air. Otherwise, the misunderstanding about Ma Lu asking him to change in front of her was likely to happen again, making things more and more awkward for them.

Boggy took a deep breath and, finally resolute, said, "Actually, there's something I want to tell you—I'm not... what you think I am."

"After my father passed away, to carry on his legacy and uphold the Hunting Group he left behind, I cut my hair short, rode his motorcycle, mimicked his dress, behavior, and even the tone of his voice.

"I once desperately wished to become him... no, even now, I'm still trying to be like him, to become as excellent a Hunter and leader he was, to meet the expectations of those around me.

"However, only after actually becoming a Hunter did I realize the vast gap between us, a gap so great it drove me to despair. I finally understood that no matter how much I tried to imitate him, I could never come close, let alone become him.

"But I still want to thank you. If it hadn't been for you, I might now be drunk and wallowing in self-pity in some bar behind the Giant Curtain. You rescued me, bringing a glimmer of light into the darkest time of my life.

"Even if it's just for 12 hours a week, being a qualified Hunter is the most wonderful thing that's happened to me in recent years.

"Also, I didn't mean to deceive you; I just never found the right moment to explain that I'm not actually a boy. But finally, it's probably not too late.

"Anyway, I hope you won't mind and that we can continue to get along as well as we have been."

Having said everything in one breath, Boggy felt a sense of relief.

However, a reply from Ma Lu was not forthcoming. After waiting a while longer, Boggy stepped forward and knocked on the container door again, but there was still no response.

Hesitant, she finally pushed the door open and found only a motorcycle inside, along with a set of freshly changed Hunting Clothes.