Butcher (3)
A certain scholar once said that the dawn of civilization began with a broken leg bone that was set and healed.
In the wild, a broken leg is almost always a death sentence. Most creatures simply abandon the injured. Even the most devoted mother beast will ruthlessly cast aside her young if it can't walk or shows no hope of recovery. That's the brutality of nature.
Civilization, on the other hand, is different. It protects and sustains even those with broken legs, forging stronger bonds in the process.
In that sense, putting the baby Usk out of its misery aligned with the laws of nature. A young one without its mother has no future in the wild. Even if it somehow survived to adulthood, it might harbor hatred toward humans since I killed its dam. Usk are monsters too dangerous for academy students to handle, so better to nip the threat in the bud.
"...Sivar's actions were right. You might think it cruel, but it's best to eliminate dangers before they arise."
Sara, who had been stunned by my deed at first, now backed me up, albeit belatedly. Coming from Frozen, she knew a thing or two about the wild. The students still looked unconvinced, though Luna seemed to grasp it a little.
Beasts and monsters are dangerous for the same reason: the high probability they'll harm humans. Even herbivores aren't safe—large dogs can kill people without hesitation. In those cases, the rule is to shoot first and ask questions never. Even if it's a beloved pet.
"If that Usk grew up, it'd wreak havoc on the academy. Plus, as a lone individual, it has no future."
"Still, the baby was just..."
"Where would you release it? The grasslands where Usk live are over a week away, even crossing through the interior."
"......"
The students fell silent in the face of Sara's counterarguments. The shock of killing the baby must have hit them hard. Baby Usk, unlike adults, had an oddly cute look. Most younglings do, come to think of it.
They say babies are cute precisely to avoid being attacked.
I'd spared a few in the past myself. But one grew up and smashed the back of my head for it. After that, I never let any live, no matter how young. There's a reason they say raising a tiger cub is a bad idea.
"For now, the priority is dealing with the Usk carcass. Sivar."
"?"
"Think you can drag that body back? It looks like it has tremendous strength."
Sara pointed to the mother Usk with its shattered skull. The baby lay beside her.
Usk weigh tons, matching their elephantine size. I could use mana to lift it, but that's a hassle. A good rope would do the trick for dragging.
I examined the Usk slowly, then turned to Sara.
"Need rope."
"Mm. Got it. Hold on."
She spoke into the communicator on her wrist, like a watch. It was standard issue for guardians, but Grace had taken mine. It also had a directional beacon, so everyone would converge here soon enough.
"Whoa, you took down a Usk solo? These are brutal to hunt."
"The blade tusk is snapped in half. How strong is he?"
People started gathering quickly, murmuring at the elephant-sized corpse. Even the professors were impressed, which spoke volumes about its value. On the flip side, it meant the forest's balance was wildly disrupted.
"Sivar! What were you thinking, running off alone? I was worried sick!"
"Sorry."
While the professors assessed the body, Ellie scolded me. No excuses there. I had to charge at the roar, but leaving the others was my fault. Even with Grace and Lee Yeonju watching, a Usk would've been too much.
"You hurt anywhere? Show me your hands."
"......"
"Huh? Why not?"
She'd spot the blood right away and launch into a lecture. I kept my hands hidden and ignored her. The angrier she got, the cuter her pouty face became—not real anger, just sulkiness.
"Let it go. He heals fast anyway. And it's weird not to get hurt taking down something that size."
My timely savior arrived: Kara, slinging an arm around my shoulders. Ellie frowned at the casual touch but sighed it off.
"...Still, it doesn't feel good when Sivar gets hurt. Wouldn't you hate it if he did, sis?"
"I hate it too. But combat roles come with risks. It's our daily life."
"Right. Totally."
Kara was spot on. I nodded along. Injuries were routine for fighters—unavoidable. Ellie had no comeback, so she shot Kara a sharp look before sighing.
"Fine... But no more charging off alone next time, got it?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Now apologize to Grace and Lee Yeonju too."
Ellie smiled brightly, as if the scolding never happened, and took my hand gently. Heading their way, apparently.
"Kara! Mind helping out a sec?"
Marlboro called just then. Kara released my shoulder and went over. I followed quietly, hand in Ellie's, ready to apologize for ditching them.
"Ah, there you are. Brought Sivar."
"Sivar? You know what you did wrong, right?"
"Yeah."
"I'll let it slide this time. But explain yourself before leaving next time. You're my 'escort,' after all."
Grace emphasized escort. Ellie caught it, her expression subtle. Arms crossed, Grace glanced at me and proposed carefully.
"Or maybe we should train separately from now on. Any free time lately?"
"Uh... dunno?"
"Then I'll schedule it for you. We'll adjust soon."
Grace seamlessly hijacked my calendar. As long as it didn't eat my free time, fine by me. Once tasks were done, the rest was mine. She knew that, so she wouldn't overstep.
"But no leaving my side during those times. Even if something comes up like today. Understood?"
"Escorts always that harsh?"
Ellie questioned Grace's terms, which did seem strict. But that's the job: fail to protect, face dire consequences. Slack off and let your charge die? Even worse.
"Normally, yes. But Sivar bolts unpredictably. Call it training his judgment."
"Ah. Whew."
Treating me like a time bomb. Fair enough, my karma.
"Escort, huh..."
While I grumbled inwardly, Lee Yeonju muttered softly from behind. Barely audible, but I caught it. I turned; our eyes met. She switched from serious to her usual dopey face.
Come to think of it, when's that Hwan Empire transfer student arriving?
I only knew mid-semester, not the exact date. Maybe after finals. Whatever. I waved lightly at Lee Yeonju. She waved back awkwardly with a smile.
"Sivar! Over here a moment!"
Marlboro's booming call. Prep was done. I started toward him but paused for Grace's okay. She smiled approvingly.
"No need to ask for something this minor. Good boy—I'll buy you cake later."
"Oh."
Permission for cake? Insane value. I mentally praised her en route to Marlboro.
At the Usk, the mother and baby were roped up tight for dragging, as I'd suggested to Sara.
"Normally we'd butcher here, but it's too risky. Can you help pull? Other profs will too."
"Mm..."
I eyed the roped Usk and the drag line on the ground. Grab and pull. Simple. I yanked it without delay.
Scraaaape—
Heavy, but doable solo. I nodded to Marlboro.
"Alone."
"What?"
"I can do it alone."
"......"
He blinked at my claim, then at the elephant-sized beast. Stroking his chin, he seemed to doubt his ears.
"Nah, we'll all pull. Looks bad otherwise."
"Got it. Er, yes sir."
"Haha!"
He laughed heartily at my slip from casual to polite, ruffling my hair.
The strong ones—Marlboro, Kara, etc.—took the ropes. I could've soloed, but yeah, optics.
"First Usk I've seen up close. Edible?"
Kara, pulling beside me, asked. I shrugged.
In Soul World, Usk meat was legendary—juicy, melting tenderness. Even butchered poorly, grilled fine.
"FYI, since Sivar soloed it, it's his call. Do what you want."
Marlboro, pulling alongside, seemed worried about poachers. Usk were top-tier for gear or food—auction material, as mentioned.
"Kara should help with this. Auction experience?"
"Academy has one?"
"Every weekend. Good to try. Word spreads, folks'll swarm Sivar first."
Inevitable. Especially scammers. I'd be prime bait—cheap Usk feast.
"Heard Tatars are sharp with money. Yours to handle."
"Mm... Got it. Gotta check Usk market this week. Taxes how?"
Total gibberish to me. Auction to Kara it was.
Chatting away, we reached the safe zone. Guards gawked at the corpse. Now, reports and basic butchering.
"What about this blade tusk? Snapped in half—no display value."
"Blacksmith. Ask Sivar first."
The tusk I'd shattered. I had plans. Staring at its razor edge, I scanned for Luna.
Nah. Too item-reliant?
Wanted to gift her—S-grade weapons minimum. But she'd lean on gear over growth. Personal strength first.
Can make better later.
For top performance, not academy smiths—but theirs suffice. Only one fit now.
I called to Kara, wiping sweat from her brow with her shirt. Her chiseled abs flashed.
I glanced, then met her eyes.
"Kara."
"Yeah? What?"
"This."
"...Why?"
"You use."
"Huh?"
Offering the massive blade tusk, she startled. Others too. Understandable—my kill, free gift? Shocking.
She stammered, flustered.
"S-Sivar? You don't get it—this is valuable. Could make great weapons."
"Fine."
"I'm not fine. Still..."
"Don't want?"
She'd hurt my feelings. Lips pursed, I pouted. Unprepared for that, she panicked more.
"Take. My gift."
"Gift?"
"Yeah."
"...Pfft."
She chuckled softly, accepting it.
Thud!
"Ack!"
Heavier than expected; she toppled. Cute yelp. She lifted it carefully—clearly heavy.
"Th-thanks. I'll take it. Can I make you a weapon too?"
"Got one?"
"That's Dad's. Gotta return it. Plus, engrave it."
Twin-axe warrior? Romantic combo.
Warm moment... till whispers.
'Weird. Sivar suits Kara better...'
'Luna already drifting?'
'Nah, just nice.'
Ignored the nonsense, one ear in, one out. Gift given, I headed to the baby Usk.
One task left.
"Heave."
"Why the baby?"
Luna approached. Kara headed to the smithy with her tusk.
"Gonna eat."
"...What?"
I asked stunned Luna,
"You want some?"
She eyed the baby Usk.
"...Tasty?"
"Probably."
We'll see.