Akasha strengthened Eugene’s barriers. In addition, Mer didn’t need to sleep and was connected directly to Eugene. If somebody tried to interfere with or infiltrate through the barrier, Mer would instantly notice it and notify Eugene. This fact alone eliminated the need to keep a night watch, but Eugene went strictly by the book in matters like this.

He hadn’t started a fire. Thick darkness covered the forest, but it wasn’t a problem for Eugene. He had chosen a terrain that was not suited for an ambush and hadn’t spread any rugs over the ground.

Wrapping himself with the big cloak, Eugene sat on the ground. If he had to sleep, he would sleep light and short. He could spend the night sleeping like that. Of course, he had set several spells nearby, but he had no plans to have a deep sleep and sweet dreams.

Genia, who had chased him from afar, quietly gave him a passing mark when she saw what he did. Of course, there was no judge in this hunt, and even if there were one, it wouldn’t be Genia.

In any case, she made some amendments to her assessment of Eugene. His talent had already been recognized by other people anyway… If she saw a sign of naiveness that suited his age, she was going to criticize him right away, but Eugene stayed on guard even in a situation like this. He was worthy of a passing mark.

“I can see you are having fun,” Genia snapped, regardless. Brushing off dirt from the edible roots in her hand, she glared at Eugene.

Unlike Genia, who had foraged uncontaminated plants, Eugene was unsparingly spreading fruit jam on a piece of bread. He had more of them in his cloak.

“I would prefer the term ‘well-prepared,’” Eugene calmly answered.

“I could also do your preparation. I didn’t do so on purpose. Why, you ask? This hunt is about testing our ability to survive as a hunter—”

“Since when was this a test?”

“Ever since the bracelets that record the head count were wrapped around your wrist and mine, this hunt was no longer an ordinary one. It also became a test, Sir Eugene.”

“I’m not going to care even...