Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Freak (1)
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A narrow country road snaked like a serpent up the steep mountainside.
Sunlight fell in long shafts through the dense foliage.
We had let the horses loose in the plains since we couldn't ride them here.
We climbed that steep path on foot.
The road to Cartusi crossed open plains, where enemies might pursue us.
Scaling the Kterer Mountains was the cleaner option.
"Shall we rest up ahead?"
Allen, leading the way, pointed to a rock visible in the distance. Beads of sweat rolled down his face.
"I'm dying here...."
Allen panted dramatically. The rock he pointed to jutted out from the slope, large enough for all four of us to sit comfortably.
Iriel, walking right behind him, turned to me with pleading eyes.
"...We'll really die at this rate."
Wanting to rest after just this much walking.
What a bothersome bunch.
I nodded reluctantly.
"Let's do that."
"Finally, a break."
Iriel slung her bag higher on her back with a bounce and let out a sigh of relief. Then she pouted at me and grumbled.
"But seriously, do you think it's normal to climb a mountain for half a day without a single break? You know this is our first rest since we set foot on this trail, right?"
True. I hadn't allowed a single break until now.
Her pent-up complaints were spilling out now that a rest was imminent.
"You saying you don't want to rest?"
At my question, she hurriedly continued despite her griping.
"What are you talking about! I was just about to thank you for making this upcoming break all the sweeter. Don't you know you have to hear out Valencia Continent sayings to the end?"
I jerked my chin, signaling her to keep walking without a word. Iriel muttered quietly to herself as she resumed her steps.
"Uncle Allen, you okay?"
Veron, riding on Allen's back, asked cautiously. Allen huffed loudly.
"Don't worry! You're not heavy at all!"
He had his backpack slung in front and Veron on his back as he climbed the rugged mountain path.
Veron's stamina couldn't handle this steep climb.
Shouldn't I be carrying him?
This was lower body training too.
Absolutely not because it was a hassle—I was doing it for Allen.
"Ughhh."
Allen arrived at the rock and collapsed with a groan.
The rock protruded from the slope, giving a clear view as if we'd reached the summit. The mountainside's scenery unfolded before us, dense forests rippling like waves along the ridges.
Whooo.
A cool mountain breeze rustled our hair. I held out my hand to Iriel, eyes fixed on the majestic vista.
"The bow."
"Why?"
Iriel handed it over without much fuss despite asking.
I plucked the empty string—twang, twang—to test its tension. It was made from monster bone. Its range seemed longer than Middle Realm bows.
"Arrows too."
She gave me a questioning look but handed over the arrows. Exhausted, she complied without her usual backtalk.
I'd have to push her harder from now on.
I nocked an arrow, aimed at the sky, and drew.
My gaze locked on a black dot flying across the heavens.
A crow.
I drew the string to my ear, the bow curving perfectly taut, on the verge of snapping.
Then.
Pang—!
The string sliced the air, and the arrow vanished from my fingers.
Shrieeek—!
The arrow cleaved the sky.
Its faint trail stretched like a meteor shower.
In an instant, the black thorn devoured space and pierced the distant black dot dead center.
The impaled crow dissolved into smoke and scattered.
"Wow...."
A short gasp came from behind.
I handed the bow back to her.
"A bow too good for your skill."
"That's a novel way to say the bow's great. I'll use that if I ever trade bows later."
Iriel took it back with a pout.
Allen beside us asked.
"Did it spot us?"
"No."
It hadn't seen us yet.
I'd just shot down a oblivious passerby.
I said.
"No more worries about crows from now on."
We were fully out of their sight now.
We didn't know their exact position, but given the distance and time, they couldn't pursue us.
"Phew, what a relief."
Allen slumped his tense shoulders and sprawled on the rock.
That's when I felt an unfamiliar gaze on the back of my head.
I whipped around, tracing the stare.
Focusing my senses visually, the surrounding greenery blurred as my sight zeroed in on one spot.
Quite a distance away.
Something dark ducked behind a tree in a hurry.
What was that?
It was too far, and the thick underbrush hid it from me too. But something was definitely circling us.
I'd felt it lurking around earlier.
That's why my nerves were sharp enough to spot the crow messenger.
Not a monster, though....
"What's up?"
Iriel followed my gaze and asked.
"Nothing."
I didn't tell them.
I'd only sensed its presence vaguely.
Telling them now would just cause needless panic over something unknown.
* * *
"Wow, that looks delicious!"
Veron swallowed hard, eyes sparkling. He stuck close to Allen, who was making pancakes, sniffing eagerly.
Darkness had enveloped us by now.
After resting at the rock, we'd walked much farther to set camp here.
A short cliff behind us, a forest swallowed by night ahead.
The mountain night was deep and thick.
Monsters' roars echoed sporadically through the peaks. Each time, Veron flinched and huddled his shoulders.
Allen flipped a pancake deftly and looked at him.
"Ever seen a real monster?"
"Just heard stories. Have you, Uncle Allen?"
Veron's big eyes blinked fearfully. Allen continued in a spooky voice.
"Oh yeah, I've seen countless. Dangerous bastards that eat people like snacks. Back in the day, they were everywhere—mountains, fields, you name it. Now mostly driven to the Black Forest. But deep in hard-to-reach spots like the Kterer Mountains, they still lurk."
"Tell me about meeting one!"
"Hmm, let me think... Which one? Ah, that guy'll do."
Allen flipped the pancake again with a satisfied smile.
Veron huddled in fear but was quickly sucked into the tale.
Watching him, Iriel sent a worried glance.
"We'll part with Veron in a few days. I hope he adjusts well to the orphanage...."
We'd have to leave him at Lennon City. Iriel seemed anxious about the child facing another farewell.
I looked at Veron and replied.
"He'll be fine."
The pain of losing his parents would last a lifetime, but he was much brighter now.
He'd adapt to orphanage life quickly.
He had to.
"Ooh, you can say that too?"
Iriel looked at me in surprise.
I gave her an incredulous stare.
"What do you take me for?"
"Someone who speaks harshly, threatens at the drop of a hat, scares people, and beats them if they displease you?"
I stared at her blankly.
It was somewhat accurate, but I wasn't entirely unjustified.
"I don't beat people just because I don't like them. I'd sooner kill them."
"...Impressive. Then why beat Brother Allen? Not that I'm saying you should kill him."
"He deserves it. And the chestnuts I flick at him are premium ones that sharpen the mind. I don't flick those without affection."
"What convincing excuses."
"Believe it or not, it's the truth."
"Oh, so you don't flick me because you have no affection? I thought it was because I'm pretty."
Iriel cupped her chin prettily. Unable to hold back, I flicked her forehead.
"Ow!"
Iriel yelped shortly, clutched her reddening forehead, and glared at me.
"Sheesh. You just said you don't hit, and now this. So I should take this flick as a sign of affection?"
"No. Take it as you deserved it."
Iriel grumbled something and hugged her knees. She gazed quietly at the laughing Veron, then spoke again.
"But how'd you get so strong at your young age?"
"Draw your sword."
I stood, brushing dirt off my rear. Iriel rose with me, looking up with sparkling eyes.
"Gonna teach me a secret technique?"
"No. Even a hundred years of training wouldn't cut it for you."
"Then why draw?"
"Enemy. Allen, send Veron to the back and prepare for battle."
Startled, Allen jumped up and hustled Veron to the safest spot behind the piled gear. That's why we'd camped with the cliff at our back.
I drew my sword and stepped forward. Iriel followed, drawing hers.
She shot me an anxious look.
"Not crows, right?"
"Monsters."
At my words, Allen sighed in relief and joined my side.
"Whew, better than that. They say monsters come if you call 'em. Not because of me, right?"
We formed a triangular formation centered on Veron in the rear. I was front and center, Iriel left, Allen right.
Weaklings, but as advanced mana users, they could handle mountain monsters fine.
No major worries.
I scanned for the approaching monsters' presences from all sides. The killing intent riding the night breeze was thick but weak.
Fourteen in number.
No real threat at a glance.
Soon, a sewer-like stench wafted, and pumpkin-colored starlight gleamed between the dark trees—their eyes.
Sensing our battle readiness, the Grolls growled and slunk into the moonlight.
Their rough green skin covered squat bodies—chest-high on an adult male, thick and rock-hard.
"Grolls."
Allen said casually.
Huge threats to civilians, but low-tier among monsters.
Allen and Iriel alone could handle this many easily.
"Keeak!"
Exchanging glances, the Grolls charged with rusty blades and sharpened stone knives.
I stepped toward them. A flash sparked from my fingertips, splitting into rays of light.
Popopopow!
The front Grolls' heads burst like fireworks and crumpled to the ground.
Allen and Iriel took out several in a flash.
Cleaning them up barely counted as post-meal exercise.
"Just ruined my appetite."
I looked down at their corpses disdainfully.
Then I felt an alien gaze.
Exactly like the one from earlier.
I kicked off toward it. The gap between me and the unknown entity vanished in a blink.
Swish swish!
A black shadow slipped through the brush like a snake, fleeing.
Pretty fast.
But it couldn't escape my grasp.
"Where do you think you're going?"
I caught up instantly and snatched the nape of the black-robed figure.
But my hand felt empty.
A sensation I hadn't felt in ages.
What?
I looked at the robe in my hand. The musty old cloth hung limp and empty.
It hadn't slipped off. Whatever was inside had evaporated.
No human vanishes like a phantom before me.
"...Magic?"
I dropped the robe.
As I turned, the clash of blades echoed from the camp.
I arrived to find Allen and Iriel fighting over a dozen Grolls.
I helped, slicing throats, and it ended quickly.
"Grolls attacking in two waves? Never heard of that."
Allen wiped blood from his blade. Given their intelligence, it was absurd.
"Veron?"
At my question, Allen and Iriel turned casually.
"Obviously in the back...."
They froze mid-sentence.
The spot where Veron should be was empty.