Outside the cave, the sky had already darkened.
This magical cave shed the green-dominated hues of the daytime; under the reflection of the moonlight, the moss and leaves cast back a dark, midnight blue.
Brightmoss on the rock walls, unidentified ferns growing in the corners, certain aquatic plants in the pools, and even tiny fish no longer than a finger all emitted a shimmering glow.
They flecked the entire cave until it looked like a starry sky.
The Hunters remained in hiding. According to the plan, they would lie in wait here until the following evening, a full day and night.
If the Estrellian had not appeared by then, they would have no choice but to return to camp first and reconsider their options.
Erik had been busy for several hours straight.
Every sampling jar and bottle on his person was full, and only one set of film remained for his portable camera; he had forced himself to save it specifically for the Estrellian.
To make up for the lack of film, he began using sketches to depict various things within the cave, from birds, insects, and fish to vines, shrubs, and ferns. In the end, he didn't even spare the moss clinging to the ground.
The charcoal pencil he carried had been sharpened down to a tiny nub; one more shave and it would be impossible to hold, yet he continued his work with tireless enthusiasm.
Watching helplessly, Altaïr tossed his own charcoal pencil over for him to use.
Erik, his silver hair looking greasy, gave a silly grin as he caught it. He offered a quick word of thanks before burying his head back in his drawings.
Withdrawing his gaze from Erik, Altaïr pulled out his pocket watch and took a look; it was already past nine in the evening.
After a moment's thought, he let out a low whistle to catch Isis's attention in the distance.
Isis poked her head out from the large-leaved shrubs where she was hiding. Altaïr made several hand signals to her, indicating that she could doze off for a while and they would swap in a few hours.
By alternating their rest, they could better preserve their energy.
Isis didn't stand on ceremony; she gave a nod and shrank back into the bushes, crossing her arms and closing her eyes. She was just about to drift off when a soft "thud" of something hitting the water startled her from her half-dreaming state.
That was the pre-arranged signal. If an anomaly was spotted, a small stone would be tossed into the pool. The sound wasn't loud, but in such a silent environment, it was clear enough.
The one who dropped the stone was Sajji. Hiding within the canopy of the giant tree in the center of the cave, a faint glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes.
It had heard something, a sound coming from outside the opening at the top.
The lurking Altaïr and Isis suppressed their Spirit to the utmost, lowering their presence.
And Erik, who had been sketching a strand of water grass, hastily packed away his paper and pencil, looking toward the opening at the top of the cave hidden by the giant tree's canopy with a mix of tension and excitement.
Suddenly, the noise vanished. Half a minute passed, then a full minute, a significant amount of time went by.
Sajji was certain he hadn't misheard earlier. Something, and something of considerable size, had arrived near the cave entrance.
Had it left? Most likely not. If it had truly departed, it wouldn't be this silent, especially not while Sajji was listening with such focused attention.
In other words, the creature was still lingering outside the entrance, watching. Sajji remained silent atop the canopy. Without his signal, the Hunters inside the cave naturally stayed hidden and motionless.
"Buzz–"
Amidst the low drone of wings vibrating at high speed, several shimmering Star Butterflies flew in through the cave entrance. They circled the interior as if scouting the area.
Altaïr could clearly feel his heart rate accelerating.
That creature really had come back!
Suddenly, one Star Butterfly wheeled around and headed straight toward the thicket where Altaïr was hiding.
This sudden turn of events sent a jolt of alarm through him. It was obvious that these Star Butterflies had been sent in as scouts by that timid, cautious creature.
If the Star Butterflies discovered dangerous elements like them lurking in the cave, the Estrellian, who would flee at the mere sight of a few Gajalaka, would undoubtedly turn and run.
They absolutely could not be discovered!
Altaïr tried his best to steady his emotions and suppress his heartbeat, but whether it was simply bad luck or something else, the Star Butterfly seemed fixated on this specific patch of brush, flying straight toward him.
"Hey! Look at me!" Erik suddenly shouted.
Immediately after, he leapt into a puddle of standing water ahead, bending down to splash the water with his hands, creating massive sprays and a cacophony of noise.
Altaïr knew Erik was attempting to draw the Star Butterfly's attention to himself.
The method was somewhat risky, but it was the only option left.
Erik hadn't hidden his presence from the beginning, so the coward outside the cave was certainly aware of him. Since the creature hadn't fled immediately, it meant it didn't perceive him as a threat.
In that case, Erik acting even more conspicuously as bait shouldn't be much of a problem; at least, it was better than the Hunters being discovered.
Erik's efforts paid off. Amidst the splashing water, the dim-witted Star Butterfly turned toward him. After circling his head twice, it moved on to search other areas.
The butterflies circled until they had scouted every inch of the cave.
Under the dual cover of the Ghillie Mantles and the "bait," the Hunters hidden in the brush managed to remain undetected.
Having completed their reconnaissance, the Star Butterflies fluttered their wings and returned to the opening at the top of the cave, settling in a circular formation.
Their wings, emitting a faint orange-red glow, trembled slightly as if welcoming their monarch.
Erik didn't even have time to climb out of the puddle; he stood there in knee-deep water, head tilted back, gazing expectantly at the hole in the cave ceiling.
The human instinct to fear Monsters seemed to have been purged from his brain.
His only hope now was that the sticky grease on his body would truly act as an attractant, giving him the chance to observe this mysterious creature, one for which the Great Library of the Royal Academy held barely a few pages of information, from up close.
The Hunters in the brush lowered their gaze.
A stare carries weight. To prevent the target from sensing their presence and fleeing, they only dared to peer at the entrance using their peripheral vision.
Footsteps that sounded like someone walking on tiptoe, light, slow, and even what could be described as cautious, echoed from the hole above them.
After a brief pause of a few seconds, a brilliant orange-red burst into their field of vision. What a color it was, like the lingering glow of a sunset, yet flecked with brilliant specks of light that rendered the bizarre, luminous plants within the cave dull and colorless by comparison.
Its body structure was fundamentally different from that of common Flying Wyverns or Brute Wyverns.
With a petite head, a flexible neck, and a torso and limbs that were slender yet possessed a peculiar sense of power, it was covered in countless Star Butterflies. Their faintly shivering wings looked like the feathered raiment of a goddess fluttering in the wind.
Even its cautious movements, as it poked its head into the entrance to peer around, exuded a particular air of elegance and refinement.
For a fleeting moment, Altaïr felt a twinge of reluctance at the thought of laying a hand on such a beautiful creature.
Of course, that reluctance lasted only a split second.
Considering the massive impact this creature had on the Jungle's ecology, let alone a Capture that would spare its life, he shouldn't hesitate even if it were a Hunt that had to be carried out on the spot.
"Oh..." Erik even forgot to lift the portable camera hanging around his neck; he held his face in his hands, letting out a soft, intoxicated cry.
Glancing left and right to ensure there was no danger, the Estrellian descended along the branches of the giant tree like a princess stepping down the long stairs of a palace, entering the cave with slow grace.
Its pure golden eyes naturally fell upon Erik.
In those eyes, there was none of the ferocity or bloodlust commonly found in the gaze of a Monster; there was only curiosity and a hint of timidity.
It twitched its nose, sensing that the strange creature before it smelled quite pleasant. It had caught a similar scent two days ago but hadn't dared to seek it out.
"My Princess~!"
Erik suddenly spread his arms wide, looking for all the world like a creep about to lunge for a hug. This sudden "aggressive" move startled the Estrellian; it cautiously backed away a few steps, preparing to flee.
Watching from the shadows, Altaïr decided to wait no longer.
"Go! Don't let it get away!"
With a loud shout, the fully armed Hunter and Felyne simultaneously burst from their respective covers, charging toward the poor Estrellian, who hopped in place from the fright, looking utterly bewildered.
(Translated by yourtl.app)