1-28 Zag
The unremarkable town of Goti, located in the eastern reaches of the kingdom, thrived thanks to its mild climate and prime position along the road leading to the main highway. Merchants came and went in droves, bringing prosperity to the land.
Near the town entrance, a parking area was filled with countless wagons.
Just as close by, in the inn's spacious common room, the primary merchants had gathered, their faces grave as they huddled in discussion.
"...So the governor won't make a move, then."
"That's right. At least not for a week."
"A week's delay, huh..."
"At least. Honestly, who knows how long we'll be stuck waiting."
The conversation revolved entirely around the monster stirring up trouble on the road to the main highway.
Back in early June, a swarm of monsters had appeared, prompting the local lord, House Aizonreg, to dispatch their warrior squad westward.
Around the same time, sightings began of a mid-sized monster called a Zag near the road to the main highway.
Even for a mid-sized monster, deploying the warrior squad for a single beast wasn't standard procedure—especially since the main force had just headed west days earlier.
So the sighting was ignored. Unfortunately, this particular monster was far from ordinary.
As if it had a target in mind, it zeroed in exclusively on merchants in their wagons.
Perhaps it had tasted something delicious from the local merchants and decided to stick to that menu, ignoring everything else.
Patrolling warrior squads were bypassed entirely, allowing the damage to merchants to spread unchecked.
The merchants had had enough. Zags were no joke—they were dangerous beasts—so out of caution, those waiting for a subjugation force held off on departing, staying put in Goti.
And just as they were watching the lord's movements closely, that earlier report came in.
"At this rate, should we all band together and head out?"
"You mean pooling our forces to take it on? Hmm."
"Isn't that too risky?"
The merchants were torn.
Zags could fly and cast magic. Tough opponents, but if they rallied the guards of all the merchants currently in town, they could surely handle it.
Still, they hesitated because any casualties wouldn't be worth it. A large group subjugation might yield magic stones and materials, but not enough profit. Meanwhile, damage to dedicated guards—who were key business partners—or to cargo and horses would mean losses.
But relying on the lord's indeterminate subjugation team risked time dragging on and deficits ballooning. They weren't enthusiastic, but they couldn't just sit idle either. The mood was tense.
"...I'm in."
A young merchant stood and declared it. He was a traveling peddler who'd signed procurement deals with several guilds; any more delays could mean breach penalties bankrupting him.
A few others—merchants facing similar time risks or too honorable to leave it to others—voiced agreement.
Those with more leeway opted to wait and see. If it succeeded, they'd tag along; if not, the lord's team would handle it.
The young merchant shot venomous glares at those fence-sitters making their no-lose calculation.
"...What about us, boss?"
Tors, Dentol's exclusive guard, asked his employer.
"Hmm. We could play it safe and sit this out, but pissing off the trading partners isn't smart..."
Dentol stroked his chin, eyeing the young merchant and his honorable supporters.
"Let's at least show some cooperation."
That evening, Yoyo was summoned to Dentol's room.
"...Twenty silver coins?"
"That's right."
A king's ransom just for participating. Bonuses for standout performance were possible too.
"Is it that dangerous a monster?"
No other way such an offer would come up.
"Tough enough. A mid-sized beast called a Zag."
"Just one?"
"Probably. But it flies, casts magic, and packs a punch. No pushover."
"..."
Yoyo pondered. Taking it as refusal, Dentol hurriedly added,
"That said, we'll have over twenty participants—maybe more. No way we can't take it down."
"I see."
"We need to show cooperation too. If you're out, I'll ask another guard..."
"Got it. I'll take the job."
A bit uneasy, but it was good money. Worst case, bail. Decision made.
"Excellent, excellent. My thanks."
Dentol looked relieved, bowing politely.
"In exchange, tell me everything about Zags."
"Of course."
From Dentol's description, Zags were flying quadrupeds about two meters long, with a three-meter wingspan.
Size varied—juveniles were smaller. Combat power too: mature ones ravaged prey with aerial dives and wind magic, but magic proficiency differed wildly. Some fell easily.
Appearance: Raptor-like head, bird-like talons on forelegs. But torso, hind legs, and tail like a lion...
(Wait, that's a griffon!)
Yoyo couldn't help but mentally retort as he listened.
The next day, they joined a group just outside the gate and headed south.
Over thirty strong total. The young merchant drove the bait wagon, with guards protecting it. Obviously, that wagon was the lure.
From Dentol's group, Yoyo and one other guard joined—temps, not exclusives. Easier to stomach losses that way.
Most were archers; key was knocking the aerial Zag to the ground.
A staff-and-robe classic mage was mixed in too.
"Old timer, you a mage?"
"A Water Mage, lad."
The grandpa mage was a Water Mage. Specialized derivative job boosting water magic, right?
"Huh, how's an elemental mage different from a regular one?"
Just gathering intel straight from the source.
"Not much diff'rence. Can't use other elements worth a damn—that's the downside. Easier control o' water magic's the upside."
"Huh."
Matched what he'd heard.
"Ye interested in magic, boy?"
"Yeah, I'm a Magic Swordsman myself. Cousins, sorta."
Grandpa looked surprised.
"Thought ye just some two-bit merc. A Magic Swordsman? Not just cannon fodder, then."
"Who knows. Low level, so don't count on me."
"That so."
Whim struck; offered a handshake—"Pleasure working with ya."
Grandpa eyed him suspiciously but shook. Yoyo slipped in Status View.
Whoa, level visible. Lv61? ...Insane.
"Hm? Somethin' funny ye did?"
"Nah, just... stronger than I thought. You're high level, right, gramps?"
Deflect with the ancient art of changing the subject.
"Not really."
Couldn't meet the suspiciously grinning grandpa's eyes. A monster had slipped in among them.
"One tip for a fellow magic user."
"Shoot."
"Ye might know, but Zags resist magic heavy. As a Magic Swordsman, stick to sword skills."
"What about you, gramps?"
"Plenty o' experience. Got a trick or two for magic-resistant foes."
"Right."
Just leave it all to grandpa? Lv60+ derivative job.
Large group this time, no need to stand out. Even if Dentol's crew knew, didn't wanna flash the magic gun in front of everyone—too high-end, might draw eyes. Or if word spread it didn't need magic stones, complications with Dentol.
Magic barely worked anyway. Play defense.
No risks, so left Sarsa at the inn. She was getting battle-hardened, but still low-level archer. No reason to risk losing her.
Act enough not to get called out, dodge to survive, grab base pay (20 silvers). That was the plan.
Dentol probably figured Yoyo's surprise showings against thieves meant reliable performance.
If Yoyo shone, sending minimal temps would save face.
But he didn't get it: Yoyo's "successes" were all surprise attacks via pocket space or magic gun, then overwhelming. Never straight fights. If surprises failed, Yoyo'd bail without hesitation.
Just luck it hadn't come to that this trip.
"You fought Zags before, gramps?"
"Not many."
"Some, though?"
"In my youth. Normally ye find 'em deeper inland."
"Huh. Stray, then?"
"Single one? Gotta be a stray."
Inland crawling with solo riot-causers? Yoyo's monster-hunting holy land might be dicey.
"Zag wind magic packs a punch, dependin' on the specimen. Stay sharp."
Taking gramps' advice, Yoyo resolved to dodge.
Brushing off small monsters now and then, the group reached halfway to the highway. Late lunch, then debating next moves.
No Zag yet; young merchant regretted single bait wagon, antsy.
Or too many people scaring it off?
Such thoughts swirled when a low, screeching cry echoed from above.
Silence gripped the group. All scanned around, eyes skyward.
Like with "Night Hunter" Harpuadon, aerial ambushes were trouble—and terrifying.
"KEEEEEE GYOOOO!"
Sun-backed silhouette cast shadows over them, announcing itself as a watery membrane spread overhead.
"Breath attack! Brace!"
Yoyo snapped eyes up: jaws wide, body faintly glowing red, spewing something.
(Wind magic, wasn't it!?)
Red energy clashed with the membrane—goooosh!—gramps' magic, apparently.
(Breath? Water Wall counters, then...)
Channel water magic into sword.
Arrows flew skyward. Hitting allies up there okay?
Gotta join attack—loosed water blob from blade tip.
It rose, slowed, arced down under gravity.
"..."
"Hey, that."
Rare magic drew stares of disbelief. Whatever.
Only practiced Fireball and Air Pressure much. Never sniped with water.
"I-I'm on defense."
"..."
"..."
"Do that."
Half-teary, prepped Water Wall.
Most arrows lost steam midair, veering off—Wind Wall type? Rest dodged by Zag's mighty flaps.
Tough customer.
"F-Fast!"
"Zags that big?"
Subjugation team voiced jitters. Mob extras in a movie. Humans crumble under unknown threats. Another life lesson.
Then translucent tubes formed in air, rocketing off like missiles—homing on circling Zag.
"Water Missiles!? Awesome!"
Someone clocked it. Gramps' spell.
Chance to regroup while Zag tangled with missiles. "Wings! Down it!" Orders flew. Can we?
Focused on instant defense prep, tracked sky-Zag visually.
Missiles pierced torso... or seemed to. No damage.
"Magic resistance..."
Zag irritably flapped, refocused on ground, neck rearing.
(Breath...!)
Snap-cast Water Wall—covered Yoyo and nearby few. Extra mana infused.
"Gwaaaah!"
"Run! Dodge!"
Chaos as breath grazed wall edge. Sizzle-pop, but core held.
Phew.
"Close one."
"Saved us, kid."
Neighboring uncles thanked him. Truly close—10 MP gone easy.
"Post-attack opening! Pile on!"
Gramps' yell; arrows loosed. His magic and some stuck, but minor damage.
"Tch, tanky."
"Arrows penetrate! Keep firing!"
Yeah, gramps' spells just annoyed; arrows stuck.
Yoyo held walls ready, spectating. Magic resist that high? Magic gun pointless... Go team.
Each breath got a wall—wasted mana, but better than hits.
Arrows studded wings; movements grew sloppy. Gramps halted missiles, floated water blobs near head.
Disrupting breath?
Glanced: gramps smirking evilly, impish. Nasty personality!
Going smooth—then Zag vanished, screams erupted.
Frustrated, diving to ground level.
"Why not flee?"
"Monster, duh," came the toss-off reply.
"Watch out! Strong too!"
Heavy-armor warrior blasted away by dive. Unhurt, but shrugging full plate? Insane strength.
"! Incoming!"
Someone yelled; low-fast shadow charged.
Yoyo readied blade to intercept. Arrows flew; Zag midair-adjusted with chirps, whiffing all.
"Guh!!"
Post-turn, it targeted Yoyo. No time!!
Snapped Air Pressure—not at foe.
Low-tier: compress air for pressure push.
Practiced wind (no prep needed) en route. Discovered unbooked use: self-push.
(Guh, ugh! Hurts like hell! Damn, overdid force.)
Left-side pressure hurled body right. Botched control... but evade success!
"KEE!"
Reflex-slashed passing bulk. Blood spray, shallow cut... but connected!
"Uoooh!!"
"What was that move!?"
(Shoulda stuck to defense? Nah, alive = win...)
Stunned Zag ate arrow barrage, wide open.
Finally landed, menaced—then water erupted around, coiling whip-like, binding and immobilizing.
"Water Bind. Learn somethin'?"
Gramps laughed, eyes on prey.
Cool as hell. Resist damage, but restrain works.
Warriors swarmed: slashed, stabbed, bashed. Zag collapsed. Subjugation success.