Butcher (2)
As I mentioned before, the deep parts of the Chaos Forest are places meant for high-level players in Soul World terms. With abundant prey, it's home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including plenty of top predators.
Porori, in particular, gives a very "warm" welcome to first-timers, politely smashing them into the ground with iron sand to say don't come back. On top of that, outer predators frequently wander inward.
Back when I lived in the forest, those intruders would barge into my territory whenever they got the chance.
"Kuuuurrr!!!"
In that sense, the Usk I'd just preemptively attacked was no different. I'd aimed for its head, but the thick hide deflected most of it. That appearance—like something straight out of a famous space war game. Just as tough-looking as it was, its hide resisted penetration like crazy.
Especially for characters focused on slashing rather than blunt force, Usk was a hard counter. Its slash resistance was a whopping S rank. Enough said.
Unless you were Lord, slicing through a Usk's hide was impossible. Even a professor couldn't kill one without targeting the head.
'Came a long way from the plains.'
I observed the Usk as it thrashed wildly with my axe embedded in its skull.
Usk were monsters native to the plains. Like how Earth's elephants were called the true kings of beasts, Usk held the elephant position in this world. There were actual elephants here too, but Usk were just as threatening.
Look at those blade tusks and that armored hide. No one in their right mind would pick a fight.
'Just the two of them means it got kicked out of the herd.'
I spread my hand to recall Ragnarok and stepped forward. As the axe pulled free from its head, the frenzied Usk locked eyes on me.
A smaller calf beside it marked this one as a female. And with only the two wandering, it was definitely separated from the herd.
Usk lived in groups like real elephants. Males roamed solo except during mating season. Exile from the herd happened for one reason only: losing a dominance battle within the group.
Just like human political infighting.
"Kuuuurrr!!"
As I recalled Usk behavior, the mother charged straight at me. She'd spotted the axe in my hand and pieced together the culprit. That's why I'd thrown it first—to grab her attention.
'They say it tastes amazing.'
I stood still, watching her barrel toward me, lost in thought. In Soul World, Usk meat had a reputation for being exceptionally delicious. Unlike elephant or other game, it wasn't tough, and there was barely any gristle thanks to all the investment in that armored hide.
Even a simple grill gave buffs, and market prices were absurdly high. Plus, those razor-sharp blade tusks were top-tier crafting materials.
'No harm in killing it early.'
A lone Usk this far out threw off the balance. Even separated from its herd, it'd wreak havoc on students. Those massive legs alone would turn smaller ones into paste. Most attacks wouldn't even scratch it.
Sorry, Usk, but dying here benefits everyone. Internal dwellers were fine, but the outskirts? No way.
'Picked the safer outskirts because of the calf, but...'
Rules were rules. As it closed in, I tensed both legs with explosive force. The axe lay discarded on the ground long ago.
Thud!
Soon, I collided with the massive Usk. Our eye levels matched perfectly, giving plenty of handholds.
Scraaaape!
Its momentum shoved me back, but my legs held firm without buckling. I'd braced perfectly—proof my strength matched or exceeded hers. And I'd barely budged, thanks to channeling mana as backup.
"Watch out!"
Sara's warning hit my ears. Instantly, a chill crept along my right side. I turned to see a blade tusk sweeping in to cleave me.
Usk tusks were infamous for their sharpness. Could they pierce my body?
Thwack!
I caught the tusk mid-swing with one hand. Pain sharper than a sting shot through my palm—like a deep cut.
A rare, biting ache after so long. How razor-edged did it have to be to slice me?
One more reason not to let this Usk go. If I did, others would hunt it down, leading to heavy casualties.
Crackle!
Gripping the tusk, I clenched my other fist. Crimson lightning flickered around it. I'd planned mana alone but added Thunder for safety—that tusk was both sharp and sturdy.
Counterattack ready. I slammed my electrified fist into the tusk's midpoint.
BOOM!
"Kuuuurrr!!!"
It snapped clean in half from the blow. The Usk shrieked in agony. I glanced at my throbbing palm.
Shredded beyond a mere cut—nearly bisected. I'd dodged that fate by a hair.
'Not called an elephant for nothing.'
In lore, these tusks fetched premium prices. Stylish and potent. Not like Earth's poached ivory, though—hunting Usk meant risking your life. Experts preferred easier prey.
Crack!
Regeneration mended my mangled hand in seconds. No time to waste—I slipped inside toward its remaining tusk before it recovered. Vision blocked, it flailed blindly.
Seizing the gap, I vaulted onto its back.
The moment I mounted, it bucked like a mad bull.
'Gotta use what I learned.'
I gripped tight for balance and powered my fist. Fused with red mana, but I knew the basics. Time for Chronos's compression technique.
Crunch!
I drove the compressed fist into its skull. Even that thick hide couldn't fully resist.
Usk skulls were thinnest there anyway.
"Kuuuurrr!!!"
It thrashed from the club-like impact—the same spot my axe had hit. I barely held on, yanking its head with my free hand.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Relentless hammer blows. Each sent it rampaging, smashing trees, boulders—everything. Tusks slashed, body rammed. The ecosystem was crumbling from its death throes alone.
Good call processing it.
Splorch!
"Kuuu....!"
Time to finish. Its cries weakened with each strike. I recalled Ragnarok, infusing it with mana and lightning, then smashed it down.
Krunch!
"Kuuu....!"
Before it could scream, I pinned its face and stomped.
Thud!
The elephant-sized beast collapsed limply. Skull trauma pulped its brain. I yanked the axe free and delivered one final overhead smash.
"Hup!"
Krunch!
It shuddered violently, then slumped dead.
One tusk shattered, skull caved in. Easier than expected—heavy bodies meant low speed and agility, especially turning.
'Processing this'll be a pain.'
I shook blood from my healed hand and eyed the corpse. I could carry it, but where? The academy forge existed, but Usk was premium. Better auctioned off—those tusks alone would fetch a fortune.
'I just need the meat.'
Tusks or hide? Didn't care. Butcher could handle it. Freshness faded fast, so hurry.
"Kuu...."
"?"
A faint cry reached my ears. I turned—the calf wailed beside its mother. Did it know she was dead? Heartbreakingly pitiful.
Even ferocious beasts were adorable as babies.
"What about the calf?"
"Best to leave it be."
"Even for a monster like that, it'll struggle alone."
Onlookers murmured sympathetically. I glanced at Luna amid their chatter. She and Sara alternated awed stares between me and the corpse.
Sara could've handled it too, but it'd take longer with more damage.
'Send the calf off first.'
I approached it.
I'd half-expected it, but still—impressive.
Luna's take on watching Sivar solo the Usk. He'd dispatched a Monkey in under five seconds before, so she'd figured this would be quick too.
But whether the Usk was tougher than thought or just resilient, Sivar struggled at first. Still, the moment an opening appeared, he pummeled its head mercilessly and subdued it. Capped with his signature axe smash.
Amazing was all she could say.
'Glad I wasn't born an animal.'
The thought crossed her mind. Enter the Chaos Forest as one, and Sivar would've ended you. Lucky to be human.
Then Sivar headed for the calf.
"Kuuu!"
It'd wailed mournfully at its mother's death but went on guard as he neared. Instinct told it he'd killed her. Sara said Usk were highly intelligent.
'Gonna let it go?'
Luna recalled stories of predators regretting kills upon finding young. Proof beasts felt guilt too. Memorable reads.
"Professor. What happens to the calf?"
"Calf or not, it's still a Usk. Out here, good chance it'll grow fine."
"Hmm...."
So, let it go? Luna pondered. Meanwhile, Sivar knelt slowly by it and extended a hand.
"Kua!"
It chomped instantly. Tusks immature, so teeth instead. Sivar's body was tough, but Usk bite force was no joke—crimson blood trickled.
Everyone, Luna included, gasped. Sivar remained stone-faced, serene even.
"Shh shh shh—"
He offered his hand like it was fine, soothing as if to reassure. The calf eased its jaw, relaxing bit by bit.
Smooth—
Sensing it, Sivar reached with his other hand. The calf flinched but waited. He patted its head—tap tap.
Apology for killing its mother?
'...Does Sivar feel guilt too?'
Luna watched, deeply moved despite the simplicity. He'd survived the wild, so animal rapport came naturally. Ratatosk brawled with him yet coexisted now. Maybe same for this calf.
"Situation sorted?"
"Yes. Other monsters might hear the commotion, so wrap up quick. Let's head back for today."
Sara smiled faintly at Luna's question and gave orders. Sivar kept petting.
The calf would thrive wild, they thought.
Smooth—
"Kuu?"
Sivar covered its eyes. It reacted curiously to the dark. But he wasn't done—with his bitten hand free, he slowly wrapped around its neck.
So natural, Sara and students blinked in confusion.
Then the result.
Crack!!
"Uh....?"
"Ah....?"
"...?"
Shock and horror incarnate. No other words.
Sivar snapped the calf's neck mercilessly. Joints broke the same in any beast—instant death.
Slump—
It collapsed like its mother. Sivar lowered it gently and stood.
No mercy in those cute features. As everyone reeled, he turned, sensing stares.
His red eyes calm, face placid—like routine work.
"...Why?"
He tilted his head at the gazes, puzzled. Like he'd done nothing wrong.
Luna stared between him and the calf, dissonance muting her. She forced words out anyway.
Curiosity won.
"S-Sivar? Why the calf...?"
"Yeah?"
"Why kill the calf...? Could've let it go."
Everyone wondered the same. Mercy was an option—why slaughter?
Sivar blinked—his thinking tic. Head probably spinning, unaware of the issue.
"Mercy."
"Mercy?"
"Yeah."
Then his words.
"Sent it together. With mom."
"......"
A statement demanding serious reevaluation of his ethics.