According to Xie Wen's original plan, they would first use the cave they currently inhabit and the surrounding areas as a base to develop for a while before exploring the islands. This was not influenced by previous readings of those writings by Gou Dao, but rather due to Xie Wen's current half-grown body, which, although stronger than before his transmigration, still had many inconvenient aspects.

From a cost-effectiveness perspective, as he grew, his physical condition would certainly improve significantly. Moreover, during the waiting period for his body to grow, Xie Wen would engage in rigorous training, supplemented by Sanji Cat’s cat food for nutrition. So, it seemed like a very sensible plan. Therefore, it was sufficient to practice against a few small monsters nearby, while he would wait another two or three years before confronting large monsters.

Of course, Xie Wen had to admit that his reluctance to explore was somewhat due to his own fear of death. In summary, training while waiting for himself to grow was a plan he established after thoroughly sorting out his situation post-transmigration, and he didn’t think there was anything wrong with this approach. Even Sanji Cat, who was eager to find the beautiful Ailu Cat big sister, recognized Xie Wen’s plan.

To be fair, there was indeed nothing wrong with the plan itself. Although it might seem a bit cowardly, it was, conversely, the safest option. However, there is an old saying: "Plans cannot keep up with changes," and Xie Wen also overlooked one thing: even in games, those large monsters do not just stay in one place; they wander around. If this is true in games, how much more so in a world that likely isn’t a game and has little to do with Monster Hunter?

“So, this is truly the worst-case scenario…” Xie Wen looked at the suddenly appearing monster in front of him, revealing a helpless bitter smile. As usual, he was engaging in various exercises in the clearing in front of his cave, while Sanji Cat had already left early to explore new areas.

Just as he was nearing exhaustion and about to take a break, a creature resembling a goat but the size of a rhinoceros, with sharp teeth, suddenly intruded into his territory. The creature’s bloodshot eyes and the heavy breathing from its mouth and nose clearly indicated that it had no intention of coexisting peacefully.

Fortunately, after depleting his stamina, Xie Wen had considered similar situations and had Sanji Cat prepare portable dishes like grilled meat that could restore stamina, which he requested to be made into easily consumable meatballs. So, while confronting this obviously carnivorous goat with his Fresh Knife · White Calm, he reached into his waist pouch, pulled out two meatballs, and quickly stuffed them into his mouth.

Xie Wen was lucky; the goat monster did not attack him during this time, allowing him to smoothly overcome the stamina crisis. After recovering his stamina, Xie Wen did not consider the option of running away. Not to mention that his two legs could not outrun the creature’s four, the memories he had gained from his hunter inheritance clearly stated that running away was the worst response when encountering monsters…

In reality, hunters could not avoid monsters’ pursuits like in games by switching maps. “Huff—hiss—huff—hiss—” Xie Wen tightly gripped his Fresh Knife · White Calm, trying to steady his breathing. Although he had a wealth of hunting experience in his mind, the memories that were instilled in him were completely different from actual combat. Just standing in front of this goat monster, Xie Wen’s thoughts began to freeze, and his body became stiff with tension.

After all, based on his recent experiences in this other world, if he were to be overturned by a monster, it was highly unlikely that a suddenly appearing cute cat would come to transport him to safety on a cart. However, Xie Wen’s streak of good luck could not last forever. The goat monster seemed to have confirmed that he posed little threat, or perhaps it was provoked by his confrontational stance. In any case, before Xie Wen could adjust himself to the best state, the goat monster let out a roar and charged at him with its head lowered…

“Woof!”

“…”

This bark, completely inconsistent with its appearance, eased some of Xie Wen’s tension. Just in time, before being gored by the horns, he used the essential skill that every hunter must master—

Roll!

The continuous training Xie Wen had undertaken during this time paid off, and after rolling to avoid the goat monster's attack, he instinctively followed up with a spinning slash, striking hard at the goat monster's hind leg.

“Woof!!!”

After being slashed, the goat monster became even more furious and turned to bite Xie Wen. “Your speed is much slower than a Velociprey!” Xie Wen taunted while rolling again to avoid the monster's teeth. Although he had never truly faced a Velociprey, he had countless memories of battling them from his inheritance. However, Xie Wen said this mainly to encourage himself and establish a psychological advantage over this monster.

After all, “he” could easily hunt Velociprey, so how could he not handle this creature, which was inferior in strength, speed, and even biological model? It must be said that Xie Wen’s method of achieving a psychological victory was far more successful than that of his ancestor Ah Q. With Velociprey as a reference, he finally shook off his inner fear and tension, making his movements and thoughts fluid.

Thrust, slash, air blade cut, roll…

The first rule of Monster Hunter: Do not be greedy for hits.

Once calm, Xie Wen patiently grappled with the goat monster. A good hunter must understand how to seize the best opportunity to attack; if no opportunity arises, then one must actively create it.

Step slash, cross cut, air blade great rotation, draw blade!

The third rule of the sword master: Seize every opportunity to draw your blade.

At this moment, Xie Wen was more focused than ever. He dodged as many of the goat monster's attacks as he could, and for the few he couldn’t avoid, he parried with a well-timed cut…

After all, reality differs from games; one wouldn’t simply bounce back after taking a series of attacks from a monster and continue fighting. Therefore, Xie Wen had to ensure his ability to act before finding the right moment to deal damage to the goat monster. Even if most of those damages were negligible, over time, these minor injuries would accumulate to the point of turning the tide of battle…

This was a judgment made by an excellent hunter based on his own experience.

Long cuts, thrusts, upward slashes, small backward jumps…

Guerrilla warfare is indeed a superior strategy passed down from the ancestors. As Xie Wen continued to wear down the goat monster, it finally revealed a more fatal flaw.

The seventh rule of the sword master: Dragon climb! Dragon climb! Dragon climb!

Charging thrust, jump, dragon climb slash!

Soaring high, Xie Wen executed the signature Dragon Climb Slash of the sword master, aiming for the goat monster's neck. The creature, however, did not sit idly by, desperately twisting its body to evade the blow.

“Slash…”

Accompanied by the sound of the blade sinking into flesh, the Fresh Knife · White Calm sliced down along the goat monster's left shoulder, nearly severing its left shoulder along with the left foreleg.

A large amount of blood spurted out, and the goat monster let out a wailing cry.

“Roar——!!!”

The serious injury to its foreleg caused the goat monster to topple sideways to the ground, its remaining three legs flailing wildly as it tried to stand up again.

Such a situation was nothing new for a monster hunter, and with his memories gradually transforming into his own experience during the battle, Xie Wen naturally wouldn’t let this hard-won opportunity slip by.

“Now is the time!”

Xie Wen reached back with his left hand to grab the sheath hanging at his waist. In order to deliver a final blow, he, with very little stamina left, drew his knife while simultaneously entering the state of Demon Transformation.

The second rule of Monster Hunter: Do not hesitate when it’s time to fight with all your might!

So, this was the final strike…

Godly Strike!