Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Catching the Demonic Beast
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"Stop right there, you wild boar!"
Oink! Oiiink!
Thud thud! Thud thud thud!
This must be the profound thrill of youthful vigor.
Back on Earth, I'd been trapped on a rock for half a day because of a wild boar, but now here I was, chasing down a massive one instead.
I hadn't even cast Haste, but as soon as I gathered mana in my feet, my body shot forward like an arrow.
And so began the great pursuit.
After wandering into the back mountain about two kilometers from the village for around thirty minutes.
I spotted a house-sized wild boar digging around on the sunlit ground, munching away, and immediately gave chase.
'All because I wanted to test out Aura Blade—now look at the mess I'm in!'
It had already been over a month since I started living in Luna Village.
During that month-plus, I'd survived in this world like tough rubber, pondering all sorts of ways to return to Earth.
Piecing together the villagers' stories, I realized this was a place ruled by nobles—a gang of political thugs—where power and fists trumped the law.
Thanks to my master who dimension-shifted me here without a second thought, all I had was my pitiful mana skills.
To get strong enough to return to Earth and pursue my dreams in paradise, I desperately needed to build my power.
So, I threw myself into training like a madman—nosebleeds and all—focusing on 4th Circle magic, mana accumulation, and swordsmanship.
For the first time in my life, I gritted my teeth and shed blood to master magic and the sword.
Through refined mana breathing, I built up so much mana that my 4th Circle rippled, and I gained the ability to double-cast 4th Circle spells.
Especially the swordsmanship I focused on.
Seonmu Swordsmanship, which I'd trained in for a whopping eight years starting from elementary school.
Despite investing so much time and effort, I'd only reached 3rd Dan.
But on the day I earned that 3rd Dan, my grandfather—the grandmaster of Seonmu Swordsmanship—came in his traditional robe, stroked my head, and said I was a genius at swordsmanship.
'Aura Blade... so that's what an Aura Blade is! Heh heh heh.'
Just hearing the name Aura Blade made it sound like some elegant technique.
At first, I agonized over it plenty.
All the knowledge my master taught me was about magic.
For someone like me, swords were a real headache.
I'd heard that with the new mana breathing technique my master invented, I could create an Aura Blade, but the execution was the problem.
One wrong move, and it could cause mana overload or mutual mana annihilation, so I was extra cautious.
Then, not long ago, I had a revelation by chance at a cliff struck by lightning.
Watching those blue lightning bolts, wrapped in something ethereal, relentlessly pounding the sea like a furious husband beating his cheating wife—I gained insight.
'Aura Blade... heh heh heh.'
Even thinking about it now gives me chills.
The feel of slowly channeling circle mana into the sword.
The way the blade started emitting a blue glow, like plugging in an electric cord.
The thrill when that sword aura from martial arts tales manifested through my hands—it must be like the time my dad received me at the maternity ward and cried his eyes out.
'Urgh! Still gives me goosebumps.'
The sensation of the energy pulsing like a living thing every time mana flowed in, making my hands tremble.
When I poured in all my 4th Circle mana, my precious Aura Blade shone into the dark night like a lighthouse beacon.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I danced a frenzied sword dance on the cliff, wind whipping around me.
'Aura Blade is the ultimate close-range attack. Heh heh.'
It couldn't slice rocks like tofu from wuxia novels, but it could gouge deep scars into solid stone.
'What I need is real combat! Sorry, boar—you're dying for my sake.'
I already had bad memories with boars back on Earth, so seeing this fat-assed one shaking its rear while plowing through the forest at insane speed ignited my burning determination.
After a month of grueling training without proper nutrition, this boar was my destined meal—I couldn't let it get away.
'Tch, magic's useless for catching moving targets.'
I suddenly recalled the chatter from game-loving kids gathering in the classroom every morning: mages suffer hard early on before they power up.
Even as a 4th Circle mage, slinging spells from hiding like a cowardly assassin didn't suit me.
I wanted the thrill of charging in with a sword and clashing head-on.
So instead of magic, I opted for the sword to cook this boar, and the moment I showed up, the big brute sensed me and bolted for its life.
'You slippery bastard!'
Time to use one of the spells I'd been saving for emergencies.
Chasing like this, I might lose this level-100 infinite-stamina boar.
I recalled one of the 4th Circle spells memorized in my head.
'The most versatile spell for a forest: Wind Cutter, the pinnacle of 4th Circle wind magic!'
The fleeing boar was about 10 meters away.
Even at 20 meters, Wind Cutter was worth a shot.
'You bastard! I'm eating you no matter what!'
I halted my run.
"Wind Cutter!"
From a standstill, I spread both hands and unleashed the memorized spell.
Fwoosh!
My will and mana briefly resonating with the earth's mana.
In the blink of an eye, a spell flashing with blue mana light.
Shiiiiiieeeeeek!
A deafening roar like a souped-up biker tearing through the forest suddenly struck.
"Whoa!"
With the boom, dozens of semicircular blue light blades shot toward the far end.
The massive trees and underbrush that had blocked my path moments ago were shredded into dozens of pieces as the wind blades flew like arrows.
"Incredible!"
I'd practiced magic on the cliff, but I'd never unleashed a full-power memorized spell like this.
I always held back my mana to avoid scaring the faint-hearted villagers with weak hearts.
But this full-throttle 4th Circle spell's spectacle.
My gaze swept over more than 20 meters ahead—it was completely devastated.
"So this is why mages get all the perks."
Magic was hard to cast, but once unleashed, it delivered flashy, devastating power.
I suddenly felt immensely proud of myself.
"Huh? W-wait, the boar?"
As I nodded contentedly at the satisfying scene, musing on my genius, the life-or-death target from moments ago popped into my head—Brother Boar.
Gone.
Not a trace of that massive bulk amid the forest sliced clean like asphalt.
Thud thud!
I hurriedly dashed to where the boar had fled.
"Oh no... damn it."
Just as expected, it'd made it about 20 meters.
Like a butcher prepping it for sale, the meat was neatly portioned into a dozen chunks, scattered amicably among the fallen trees.
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"No magical beasts, not even a single monster in sight."
Traumatized from the past, the villagers had spent the last month under Luena's Moon just basking in the sun inside the village.
I'd wanted to see a magical beast like they described, but the poor boar got caught instead and checked out of this world.
"Heh heh, Cecil will love this."
I selected some ribs and legs from the separated boar meat, tied them with tough vines to thick branches, hoisted them, and headed back to the village.
Remembering the villagers surviving on potatoes and barley bread daily made my conscience twinge at the thought of eating alone.
"Huh? Mushrooms here?"
As I passed the spot where I'd first spotted the boar, carrying the hefty meat with glee, some mushrooms caught my eye.
Dug up by the boar, dozens of brown mushrooms lay exposed on the ground.
"Ahh, covered by leaves. What a killer aroma."
I'd been too intoxicated by the forest's intense scent since entering to notice the mushrooms' fragrance.
Brushing aside the leaves revealed fist-sized brown-spotted mushrooms wafting a sweet smell.
"Pork belly with grilled mushrooms—perfect!"
A basket would be ideal, but I only had two small pouches on my clothes.
I picked the ripest-looking ones and stuffed them into the pouches.
"Two Nights and Three Days: Wild Survival Show! Inviting Hodong hyung would be spot-on."
Back in Korea, I'd be watching Two Nights and Three Days every weekend.
I wanted them to taste this brutal reality I was living.
'But what's this feeling?'
The chill that halted my steps toward the village, laden with heavy meat.
It felt like someone was watching me—my nape prickled.
'Am I too sensitive?'
Ever since my senses sharpened with mana, I'd been picking up all sorts of stray energies from everywhere.
'Weird.'
I tilted my head and quickened my pace.
The eerie sensation, like watching Legend of the Hometown as a kid, was far from pleasant.
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"Wh-what is this?"
"You can tell at a glance, right? It's meat—packed with protein, fat, and all sorts of nutrients essential for survival."
"Pro- protein? Fat? Nutrients?"
Yans blinked his ox-like eyes at my Earthly jargon.
"B-brother, how'd you know? I dreamed of eating meat last night! Waaah! As expected from my second-favorite person in the world after my brother Kayer!"
'Kid finally recognizes my worth.'
I patted Deron's head, his eyes spinning at the sight of meat.
"Did you... go into the forest? It's dangerous..."
Entering the house with the meat, Yans and Cecil—who'd been carving wood into odds and ends—gawked at the fresh boar alongside Deron, who'd rushed in hearing the news.
"Who are you, really? First you catch a Madir a month ago, now you solo a boar from the dangerous forest... Were you a mercenary in a past life?"
Not even suspecting mage, Yans eyed me suspiciously as a mercenary at best.
"I've had my moments, you know. Cecil, look forward to dinner tonight too."
"Yes..."
I brushed off Yans's question lightly.
'Her shy look is pretty cute, huh?'
I gazed fondly at Cecil's flushed face.
"Yans, are these mushrooms edible by any chance?"
I pulled out the ones I'd picked in the forest.
"Gasp! Th-that's!"
"Sh-Shariff Mushrooms!"
'What? Poisonous?'
Yans and Cecil freaked out at the mushrooms.
"Where'd you find these?"
"In the forest, obviously. The boar was eating them, so I figured they were safe and dug some up. Poisonous?"
Yans's shocked question made me feel like I'd messed up.
"Come on. Let's go to the Village Chief right now!"
Excited Yans fixed his eyes on the mushrooms and dragged me along.
'Sheesh, why the fuss over a few mushrooms? I'm starving here.'
My mind pictured sizzling pork belly.
Grilled on a hot stone slab with onions and mushrooms—saliva flooded my mouth.
"Ooh! God! Thank you!"
Heading out, Yans crossed himself in prayer.
I followed, holding the mushrooms.
'Should I give some meat to the Village Chief too?'
Pondering that kindly thought.
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"I-isn't this Shariff?"
"Yes, Village Chief. It's definitely Shariff Mushrooms."
The Village Chief was just as excited at the sight.
"Heavens! These huge Shariffs must be worth several gold already!"
"Even ten years ago, we never found ones this big in the forest... I never thought I'd see Shariff Mushrooms again in my lifetime!"
'Gasp! Several gold?'
Hearing that the boar's casual snacks fetched several gold, I pictured gold coins in my head.
The village was so poor I'd never even seen gold before, so "gold" carried real weight.
"How much gold do these go for?"
"Where'd you find them?"
"In the forest, of course. Not just a couple—hundreds at least..."
"H-hundreds?!"
That's how it looked, roughly.
'Whoa! What's the deal with this place?'
Fish worth gold whenever caught, now mushrooms too.
My mind raced.
'Can't head out empty-handed, right? Need magic stone powder for magic circle practice, a staff for a proper mage... and a sturdy sword too.'
Money sinks everywhere.
'Heh heh, just catch some tuna and pick mushrooms.'
The villagers feared it, but the forest held no terror for me.
"Anything else valuable besides mushrooms?"
Knowledge was money.
"Our village has long been known for Shariff Mushrooms. Mercenaries couldn't venture deep because of magical beasts, so we scraped by on decent Shariffs and occasional Madir. Besides Shariffs, there's Ludi Mushrooms that feed on tree sap, Puieden and Kasol herbs for mages' research—plenty of profitable stuff."
'No greed needed. Madir stick around for two more months, mushrooms just need a basket. Heh heh.'
By the book: gather mushrooms, collect honey, catch pheasants, snag eggs, sweep the floor, pick up cash.
My exact mood.
"Um, could you maybe go with the villagers tomorrow?"
The Village Chief asked cautiously.
He'd been sighing over the meager harvested grain.
With shrinking farmland, taxes and potions left them woefully short.
"Village Chief, but isn't it too dangerous? Kayer got lucky with the goddess of fortune and returned safe, but taking everyone risks disaster."
Yans put the brakes on.
"Sigh, I know. But what choice do we have? We head to the castle for taxes soon, and all we've got are potatoes and barley... If we can't pay and buy ten decent potions this time, we'll all be serfs next year."
21st century or here, making ends meet was always a headache.
The rich splurged, but the poor tightened belts daily—same everywhere.
'Aw, hell, it's not costing me. Might as well help big.'
I wanted to hit the world before winter anyway.
Post-4th Circle, insights weren't coming; I needed to see the wider world.
"If everyone goes, it's risky, so I'll handle it alone."
"Alone? No. I know you've got skills, but Luena's Moon nights are deadly."
The Village Chief waved it off.
"Alone's easier. Shariffs are deep in anyway. Monsters could hurt villagers."
"Still..."
Torn between taxes and my safety.
"Village Chief, fortune favors the faithful."
I filled my eyes with conviction.
Going with them would expose skills I wasn't ready to reveal.
"You sure?"
He asked again, apologetic.
If ten years younger, he'd have volunteered.
"Haha! Trust me. I'll bring back enough Shariffs tomorrow to cover taxes and more."
I puffed my chest and laughed heartily.
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"Pretty Cecil is so kind~ Lululu~ Lulululu~"
A Cecil praise song burst out naturally.
Back from the Village Chief's, kind chef Cecil had prepped hearty meat stew and charcoal-grilled cuts.
She even shared chunks with villagers milling outside beyond family portions.
And morning came.
I shouldered a massive basket with straps half my body width and headed into the forest.
'Heh heh, who knew Shariff Mushrooms were this good!'
Shariff Mushrooms boasted aroma and chew surpassing Gangwon-do matsutake I'd tried once.
Yesterday's windfall let me grill noble-tier gold-per-piece Shariffs with pork.
'Kyaa, pair with booze and it'd be heaven.'
That moment alone was regret-worthy sans alcohol.
The dirt-poor village lacked barley or wheat for beer.
No wasting on drink amid survival struggles.
'Gotta buy booze in the castle this time.'
Minor back home, but here I was a full adult.
How could I forget sneaking Dad's foreign liquor?
Entertaining fantasies, I delved into the forest.
Zing.
'Hm?'
A sudden sharp prickling.
I stayed vigilant on the move.
Stabbed by Triad thugs before, caution was my motto; I heightened my senses against potential monsters or beasts.
'Something's there.'
Vague yesterday, but now I clearly felt eyes watching me.
'Monster? Or magical beast...?'
Magical beasts even hard for Aura Blade knights.
Eager to test myself, I tensed without fear.
'Clever bastard.'
As I tensed, it hid its presence.
Playing hide-and-seek, huh?
'No rush. I've got time.'
Time overflowed anyway.
Casually, I headed to the Shariff spot, sword gripped in right hand, mind rehearsing attack spells...
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"Arrow!"
Thwack!
"Heh heh, magic's so convenient."
The head-sized mushroom cleanly felled by Arrow.
No need for Fly or Levitation—I plucked Ludi Mushrooms from 10+ meter trees.
"Isn't this like oyster mushrooms?"
Ludi Mushrooms blended so well with bark, you'd miss them without looking.
Like Dad's home-pickled ones in booze.
"100% wild, sucking up tree essence—must be potent."
When did I ever tonic-up in Seoul?
Parents loaded up on red ginseng and wild honey seasonally as "old folks," but me? They fed me just rice, preaching "kids eat iron at that age"—nonsense.
'Jackpot today.'
Selected good remnants from boar's Shariffs—big volume—plus Ludi and other money-makers, basket filled.
"Huh? A path here?"
Wandering a bit longer to fill it, I spotted a small trail in the forest.
"Whoa! Wh-what's this?"
Pondering the path, a fishy smell hit my nose.
"Blood!"
The unforgettable metallic tang, only sniffed during nosebleeds, stabbed my nostrils.
Thud!
I leaped forward.
Bad premonition in my head.
'This stench means serious bleeding...'
Only heavy blood loss perfumes a forest like this.
Thud thud thud!
Activating mana, I raced along the trail.
Moments later, the scene halted me.
"..."
End of dense forest: a sizable clearing on a ridge.
Clustered wooden huts and barricades.
"O-orcs!"
First orcs I'd encountered.
So common in fantasy novels and movies, instantly recognizable.
All down.
Over a hundred torn orc corpses scattered amid huts and barricades.
'No fightback—they died without resistance!'
Short but sturdy orc bodies at a glance.
Orcs armed like humans—spears, swords, shields—lay dead in blue blood.
Each with a single wound, like picked off one by one.
Swoosh.
A breeze blew.
Every hair stood on end.
Back unseen, but palpable alien terror.
'Magical beast!'
It was him.
Thump thump.
Heart pounded.
Killer instinct dwarfed the Triad thugs'.
Swish.
I slowly turned.
"...Gah!"
A groan slipped out cautiously.
Exactly 15 meters away.
A leopard-like beast with golden stripes.
But unlike a leopard, its protruding fangs could one-shot most things.
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Grrrrrr!
'This guy's the killer.'
The one who shredded a hundred orcs.
Unknown name, but over 3 meters tall, its body splattered with orc blue blood.
"Hi! New friend? Hahaha!"
Nothing shakes fear like laughter.
Set the cumbersome basket down, gripped sword two-handed.
'Tough hide blocks Aura Blade, bounces most magic, huh?'
Village Chief's tales of hunting beasts young with knights.
Low-circle magic and weak Aura Blades just slid off its leathery toughness.
Slink.
'Claws are no joke.'
Entering combat mode, black claws extended like a cat's.
'Most would freeze just looking.'
Explains villagers' beast terror.
'No playing around.'
Beasts and monsters raged during black moon—the savage season Luena's Moon—wilder instincts confirmed.
Grrrrr!
Red eyes gleaming.
Fwoosh!
Its form vanished from sight.
"Whoa! Air Shield!"
Boom!
It vanished; I cast the quick shield spell. Its claws slammed the forming Air Shield.
'Fast!'
Insane agility for its bulk.
Like a Kia Tico with a Porsche engine.
Crunch! Kwang! Kwang!
'Whoa, brute force...'
The beast shredded the nearly complete Air Shield with claws.
Shield cracking under overload.
"Eat this!"
Gawking as it broke? Only an idiot cousin would.
Poured mana into sword, thrust hard at its belly.
Kclang!
'Mother of—! What the hell!'
Monster-tough, sure, but this strong?
My full-force Aura Blade sword blocked by claw.
Worse: claws steel-hard, my one sword vs. four paws.
Crack!
Shield shattered.
Shiiik.
Its inky steel claw lunging.
"Hyah!"
Retrieved sword, ducked, slashed horizontally at its underbelly.
Leap.
But the golden leopard backflipped with absurd jump power.
Left an afterimage, ghosting away.
'Damn, 4th Circle won't cut it?'
Confidence entering forest? Now pure crisis.
Grrrrrrrr!
Licking claws, growling bitterly at just-prior hit.
This wouldn't end quick.
'Already past noon. Moon rises... dangerous.'
Luena's Moon I'd eyed for a month.
Massive silver platter moon beside heavy black Luena.
Chilling dread from mere sight.
It'd rise soon.
Lost track deep in mushroom picking.
Shwaaaaack!
No need waiting for moon.
Bad-tempered beast charged again, whirling four paws.
"Hold!"
Cast memorized 3rd Circle Hold.
Halt.
Fast for a 4th Circle mage's Hold.
Its body twitched mid-air.
'Chance!'
Smart beast, but underestimated me.
Body frozen invisible by magic, I loaded sword with mana and power, stabbed belly full-force.
Squelch!
Deep penetration feel.
Intense hand transmission raised goosebumps.
Rooooaaar!
Shiiik.
'Gah!'
But a mere stab didn't kill. Roared huge, swiped claws at my head.
"Yah!"
Yelled hard, spun body like windmill, backpedaled.
'Close call!'
Aura Blade sword deep in belly good, but its vitality topped troll legends.
Rooooaaar!
Roared skyward as attack didn't faze.
'Yes! That's it!'
Lost sword, but crisis brought opportunity.
One spell flashed in mind.
Shwaaak!
Pissy beast leaped despite stab.
"Lightning!"
Clear chant burst.
Hide resists magic, but not coated guts.
Zzzzzzzzzzzt!
Lightning spell struck belly of airborne beast charging me.
Yelp! Yiiiip! Yip yip yip!
'Eh? What the dog crap?'
Pain's no excuse—a leopard barking?
Undignified, it belly-zapped to ground, yelped like a pathetic mutt.
Flop! Flap flap!
Briefly: foam-mouthed, trembling, the golden leopard sprawled limbs akimbo, eyes rolled back.
Poked with foot.
No twitch from massive body.
"Uwaaahahahaha! I'm a magic genius after all!"
Confirmed its heavenly demise—laughter exploded.
Perfect spell combo, undeniably.
Who reaches 4th Circle under a year post-learning?
Master in panties chasing? No way.
"Lulu~ Made money~ Made some cash~"
Beast hides need Aura Blade to skin safely—normal knives fail.
"Time to earn?"
Smacking lips, approached soul-weeping flesh en route to afterlife.
"People leave insurance on death; beasts leave lotto!"
Joy swelled in chest.
Heaven rewards hard workers—truth reconfirmed as busy hands flew.
Wanted to rush back, share joyous news with waiting Cecil, Yans, Village Chief.