…

  Ranking up? Ferri? Even Stannum...

  I keep forgetting the rewards are not my priority.

  I have a home to return to.

  I still have leftover money from before my retirement.

  What's important is...

  …

  I will hunt.

  —

  I walked back to the guild to scroll through the quests.

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  Using the quests, I can see the areas where the maws are currently affecting.

  Stannum, even just that rank...

  I'd rather not go higher.

  The actual Stannum quest I did a few hours ago didn’t feel like a warm-up.

  This will be my warm-up.

  “Stannum quest. Two Natum Maws,”

  I muttered under my breath.

  Same as last time.

  I’ll test out this sword.

  —

  “This area is more formal.”

  I muttered, patting snow off my hair.

  Might buy a hooded cloak sometime...

  Taking a whiff of the air...

  …

  I smelled the scent of blood—human blood.

  Taking a few steps toward it, I ended up at the opening of an alleyway.

  I peeped around the corner.

  …

  It was a humanoid Maw eating the corpse of a woman.

  “That quest... the info...”

  I whispered under my breath as I pulled my head back.

  That was not a Natum Maw.

  It was a Mimic Maw. The shapeshifting was far more superior.

  This one was not young.

  “Hm...? Hello?”

  I said calmly in a confused tone.

  Faking it.

  If I faced it head-on, it would be a bad idea.

  “Where is everyone? Hello?”

  I added, acting.

  Making sure my tone was weary.

  …

  “Oh... h-hello~”

  It walked out of the alleyway and faced me.

  It had copied the body of the woman.

  However, I could see the visible flaws.

  The figure was taller, the voice stuttered, and the skin tone was slightly paler than the human woman’s.

  “Wh-what is the problem...?”

  It added.

  “Oh—it's a group of adventurers.”

  I pointed behind it.

  …

  It slowly turned around.