The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 16

After skinning the direwolf and discarding its carcass by burning, it seemed impossible to carry the hunted prey deep into the forest, though it could fetch a decent sum if taken back.

I retrieve the card given during the exam, which records the subjugation of monsters.

Sure enough, it recorded “C-rank Monster: Direwolf Subjugation.”

“It’s been three weeks so far. Considering it didn’t take a month for the first task, I guess I’m doing alright?”

Considering the difficulty of the upcoming exams, I can’t afford to be complacent yet. For now, I’ll celebrate clearing this task.

“Congratulations. Though, I didn’t expect you to hunt a direwolf instead of a troll.”

At the National Adventurers’ dedicated counter, the receptionist who had assisted me before smiled and remarked.

“Well… I couldn’t find any trolls at all.”

“Ah, maybe those who took the exam before you already hunted them.”

She dryly laughed, seemingly having an idea.

“Then, please give me the next task.”

“Understood. Please return the magical device for recording subjugations.”

I comply with her request and submit the card from my pocket.

The receptionist places it on a smooth platform and performs some operation.

The card shines brightly.

“Now, please come back after collecting at least three types of rare items listed on this card.”

Among them are rare herbs, rare minerals, and strong monster parts, items that are unlikely to gather in one place.

“Is this ‘Cockatrice Egg’ referring to the B-rank monster, Cockatrice?”

I spot a rare item that seems easier to obtain at this moment.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Isn’t that quite a challenging task?”

While I managed to defeat the direwolf, that was after taking precautions. If this is another level up, it would be a reckless gamble for me now.

“In fact, this list reflects items requested by nobles and merchants. This magical device is something all national adventurers carry. With it, you can find out what items are needed at any given time, which is quite convenient.”

“I see, so the second exam changes its content and becomes a competition?”

“Yes, adventurers scattered throughout the royal capital also have these lists, so it’s first come, first served.”

The receptionist said with a broad smile.

It’s going to be tough indeed.

The competition includes active national adventurers who have the advantage of familiarity with the areas around the royal capital.

Thinking I have just two months left to obtain five types of items from now on, it doesn’t seem like much time.

“By the way, about the Cockatrice Egg, it seems a certain national adventurer has recently set out to collect it.”

I received the sighting information a week ago. I don’t recall encountering anyone resembling them when I returned from the forest, but are they still in there now?

“Thank you. I’ll head there for now.”

In any case, there’s no way I’m letting a certain rare item slip through my fingers.

Despite having just returned, I find myself heading back into the forest.

I exit through the north gate and re-enter the forest.

At the gate, I asked the soldiers on duty and learned that several top-notch adventurers had recently left through the gate towards the forest.

There are probably national adventurers among them, but if it’s just a day’s difference, I might still be able to make up for it with a thorough search in the vast forest.

Entering the forest through a route different from the direwolf search, I proceed cautiously.

Since my goal this time is a Cockatrice Egg, I absolutely must avoid combat.

I plan to quietly locate the Cockatrice, separate it from its nest using traps, and seize the egg during that time.

Cockatrices are known for their slow movement, so this method should have a good chance of success.

As I ponder this, searching for suitable trap locations, I suddenly exclaim,

“Oh, there’s some herbs growing here.”

It’s been a while since I found some herbs.

Currently, Purple is still being looked after by the Tamer Guild, but they might be delighted if I bring this back as a souvenir.

I casually pick the herbs, and

“E-rank item: Herb collected.”

I check the card in my pocket, which trembles, and see that the items I’ve collected are perfectly recorded.

“This… is quite handy, isn’t it?”

No wonder it’s a magical device carried by national adventurers. It’s incredibly useful how it updates information as soon as you obtain an item.

From then on, every time I casually collect items growing in the forest, they are recorded on the card.

Some are items I’ve never encountered before, but thanks to this magical device, knowing their names is incredibly useful.

After spending a whole day advancing deeper into the forest…

“Huh? What’s that?”

I spot an egg lying in the forest clearing.

About the size of a bundle, with red markings floating on it.

It’s definitely not the Cockatrice egg I targeted, but it clearly exudes even greater rarity.

Approaching cautiously, I touch the egg.

“S-rank item: Phoenix Egg collected.”