Despite the challenges of the journey, their sharp vigilance ensured a safe passage for the group. Moving with efficiency and discipline, they successfully transported the alpacas to the safety of the camp, completing their mission without a single setback.
As they approached the heart of the settlement, a towering figure awaited them. An elderly man, yet still possessing the physique of a seasoned warrior, stood with arms crossed, his powerful muscles evident beneath his weathered skin. His presence alone commanded respect.
Standing at an imposing 190 cm, he bore a short beard and a bald head, his expression unreadable. One of his eyes, sharp and calculating, studied the arriving hunters, while the other was clouded over with a milky film, a mark of past battles. He was no ordinary elder—his name was spoken in hushed tones, both with reverence and a hint of fear.
Draped in the rugged attire of a hunter, he wore a garment crafted from crocodile hide, its thick, scaly texture proof of the dangers he had conquered. Atop his head, the fearsome skull of a crocodile served as his distinctive headpiece, its gaping jaws a silent reminder of his prowess.
This was The butcher Vetron, a living legend among the hunters. His reputation was one that traveled far beyond the confines of the camp, whispered in the wilds and feared by beasts and men alike.
"Simon," Vetron addressed, his tone authoritative. 
"Wow, an Alpaca, a rare species. Who among the three of you hunted that creature? It seems impossible for Lok , as he had just become official hunters as for Henry he was only trainee," Veltron remarked.
 "Haha, Veltron, how could we hunt such a creature individually? Even the elite would struggle to survive if they fought alone." Simon, with a bear-headed mask, chuckled, a smile playing on his lips as he spoke. 
" Sir Veltron, it was Sir Ferdinand who caught that creature," Lok, with an excited expression, interjected, his mask resembling that of an ape.
 "Right, Teacher Veltron," Henry said, his voice carrying a mixture of slight envy and deep admiration. The wolf-headed and bird-headed hunters nodded in acknowledgment. 
"Oh, Ferdinand, if I recall correctly, you're ranked number 7 among the Elite hunters. If you managed to capture that creature, it implies that your strength is on par with the top 5 Elite," Veltron remarked, his tone tinged with slight disbelief. The group, including Ferdinand, reacted with shock and disbelief. Lok's mouth fell open in astonishment at the revelation. 
The top 5 hunter elites were considered the pinnacle of skill, just beneath the elders in rank. They possessed the ability to defeat at least three elite hunters combined. This meant Ferdinand's strength could potentially rival that of the top 5 elite and was only slightly inferior to the elders. 
"Hahaha, how could that be! Me, on par with the top 5 Elite? Even Elite Mardoc could easily beat me with one arm," Ferdinand exclaimed with a mixture of pride and modesty. 
"Eh, Ferdinand, I'm curious about your strength now. I really want to spar with you," Vetron said, his curiosity evident in his tone. 
"Don't joke around like that" Ferdinand replied anxiously. 
"Come on, Ferdinand, let's spar with just our fists," Vetron urged him. Ferdinand started to sweat, feeling nervous and scared. He knew Elder Vetron's capabilities well; a mere wave of his hand could cripple him. 
"No, no, no, I can't accept sparring with a respected elder like you," Ferdinand denied anxiously, his forehead now beaded with sweat.
"Excuse me, Vetron, but we're still here, and our arms are starting to feel numb," interjected Anthony, the wolf-headed hunter, as he struggled to carry the alpaca's body, his arms trembling under the weight.
"Oh, my apologies," Vetron said, acknowledging his oversight. "Come, follow me to the camp. Put that in the second cart; it has some space," Vetron directed, gesturing for them to follow. Ferdinand breathed a sigh of relief when Elder Vetron didn't challenge him, silently thanking Anthony for the interruption.
"Thank you, Anthony," Ferdinand said sincerely, grateful for the reprieve. Anthony simply smiled in response as the group carried the alpacas toward the camp. 
The camp serves as a central hub for post-hunt activities. Here, all captured prey undergo a thorough inspection. 
A grading system is then employed to assess the hunters' performance in accomplishing the given mission tasks. This system ensures accountability and rewards the successful completion of assigned objectives. At the center of the camp are seven tents arranged around a roaring bonfire. 
Adjacent to the bonfire rests a large cart laden with spoils from the hunt. Nearby loom three massive creatures, resembling goats in head structure but devoid of horns. 
Their bulky bodies are covered in dense fur of various hues. Each creature possesses long, sharp claws adorning their formidable feet, and their muscular tails snake behind them, a testament to their strength and agility. 
They are called Kawarao domestic creatures from the hunter hall. As they approached the camp, they were greeted by the astonished hunters and their admiration. 
"Wow, Anthony, you caught an Alpaca!" exclaimed an official hunter. "It wasn't me; it was Ferdinand," Anthony quickly clarified. 
"Wow, Ferdinand, you've become even stronger," said the official hunter. 
"That's right, Ferdinand. How did you become so strong? Last year, you were just a newly official Hunter, but now you're elite, almost on par with the top elites," said the Elite Hunter, with admiration. 
"I just trained hard," said Ferdinand, with modesty. As they go toward the three huge kawarao, at the back of each are three carts. 
The first and third carts are almost full of creatures that were hunted by the hunter, but the second cart is not yet filled. 
"Put it in the second cart," instructed Vetron, gesturing towards them. 
The group lifted the alpaca and placed it in the second cart, releasing a collective sigh of relief after the strenuous task of carrying the heavy creature.
 "Finally!" Lok exclaimed, removing his mask with a breath of relief. With youthful features and innocent black hair, his expression mirrored the sense of accomplishment shared by the group. 
After successfully completing the delivery, Henry was the first to bid farewell. 
"Sir Simon, I'll take my leave now. There's something I need to attend to." 
"I'm heading off as well. I'm eager to see the results of my hunt," Lok chimed in. 
"Of course, go ahead. Thank you both for your assistance," Ferdinand acknowledged with a nod of gratitude.
 "It's no problem at all, Sir Ferdinand," Lok replied with a light giggle. With nods of acknowledgment from Henry, the two of them set off on their separate ways. 
After Henry and Lok departed, the remaining group members removed their masks. Simon's small eyes, snobby nose, and large lips combined to give him a somewhat intimidating appearance. 
Rony stood out with his strikingly long blue hair and handsome features, characterized by his sleepy eyes. Meanwhile, Anthony's distinguishing features included a wide hairline, a convex nose, and thin lips.
"Thank you all," Ferdinand expressed sincerely. "It's all right, Ferdinand. We've lived in the same village since we were young; we're almost like real brothers," Simon said gently. 
"Exactly. Don't be ashamed if you need some help, Ferdinand," Rony chimed in. 
Suddenly, Vetron interjected, reminding them of something. 
"Boys, as usual, you know the drill. The rewards from your hunt will be sent to your homes. Hunter Hall will assist in preserving your prey until they reach your doorstep. 
We only require certain parts: the heart, liver, and other valuable materials like skin for armor, teeth, and claws for weapons. Specifically, Ferdinand, we'll need the entire tail of your alpaca," Vetron explained.
 "Also, Ferdinand should go to the medical camp to ensure he hasn't been contaminated by the poison," said Vetron. 
"This creature's poison is colorless and odorless, making it difficult to detect, but don't worry; it takes 3 hours before it takes effect." Ferdinand was almost scared out of his wits when he heard about the poison, but fortunately, it only took him 1 hour to reach the camp. 
Vetron paused, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility. 'I have something to attend to first. We'll wait for the other hunters before heading home. You can take a rest,' he said reassuringly. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he turned to Ferdinand.
"Oh, and Ferdinand, I'm still up for sparring matches,' he added with a teasing tone, lightly tapping Ferdinand's shoulder before departing. Ferdinand's eyes widened in disbelief at the mention of sparring.
The laughter of Simon, Rony, and Anthony only intensified his unease as he realized the extent of his predicament. 
After a couple of Hours
"Faster, pack your things; we're going home now," ordered Vetron to the group. 
"Report," said the random Elite Hunter respectfully.
"All the hunters have arrived safely," reported the random Elite Hunter.
"Good, good, there was no problem during the hunting mission," Vetron replied, sighing with relief. 
"We're going home now," Vetron shouted hurriedly while holding a piece of paper in his right hand. After they packed their belongings, they left. Unbeknownst to them, there was someone staring at them in the dark.