Chapter 265
Chapter 265
In his previous life, Zeke made a covenant with his master, the Hermit of the Forest, as a Highlander.
Thanks to his master, he awakened the Healer class and opened his middle diantan, developing power that wouldn't lose to knights.
The reason his master gave Zeke such power was to make him a Highlander to catch magical beasts.
In his previous life, Zeke hunted countless magical beasts following his master.
Among them were magical beasts called "Ancient Species" like Gaguk, whom he had caught with King fist.
Ordinary magical beasts are usually monsters transformed by magical energy or chimeras cursed by ancient evil.
But Ancient Species magical beasts were different from ordinary ones.
These evil beings, whose origins are unknown, kill and eat other creatures in clever and cruel ways.
Among these Ancient Species, there are particularly terrifying beings.
Zeke's master called these beings "Aberrant Species."
They were either unholy things from another dimension or beings that had repeatedly corrupted from ancient times until they transformed into something completely different from what they originally were.
These Aberrant Species build their own territories and command other magical beasts to catch prey, then devour their souls to grow their evil power.
When they grow strong enough, they move to another place and repeat the same process.
Among these Aberrant Species, the four most powerful magical beasts were called the "Four Fiends."
In his previous life, Zeke's master had captured and dealt with two of the Four Fiends personally.
And one of them was "Qiongqi," believed to be in these Southern Archipelago.
When his master hunted Qiongqi in his previous life, Zeke had just opened his middle diantan so he couldn't provide direct help, but he vividly remembered the appearance of the mighty Qiongqi.
Even his master, who was stronger than anyone, had to fight for nearly three days, and had to use Triple Spell, which he rarely used, to catch Qiongqi.
His master had part of his body petrified from Qiongqi's attack and had to leave the forest for a month to treat it.
Zeke recalled the information he had heard from his master and what he had seen firsthand, explaining about Qiongqi to those gathered. Everyone's jaws dropped at Zeke's explanation of Qiongqi.
Jeffrik, who regained his senses first, said to Zeke.
"A-are you saying such a dangerous being is on this island?"
Zeke nodded.
"It's the only magical beast that commands beast-type magical beasts and has the power of petrification."
Though not the legendary monster Medusa, Qiongqi was an even worse opponent.
Being fierce and cruel in nature, as well as cunning, even his master had trouble hunting it.
Zeke looked at his companions with darkened expressions and said:
"It won't be easy, but don't worry. I know how to catch it."
His companions looked at him in surprise at his words.
Arina, as if representing the companions, asked Zeke:
"Sir Zeke, what method could catch such a terrifying magical beast?"
Zeke said to Arina.
"We'll dig a trap and use bait to lure it in."
At those words, Jason raised his hand and said:
"S-Sir! What kind of bait would you use for that magical beast?"
Then Zeke said with a subtle expression:
"Though hard to believe, Qiongqi has a habit of pursuing and punishing those who are pure and good."
Jason was surprised at those words.
"There are magical beasts like that?"
"Yes, and it's not just Qiongqi, there are occasional cases like this. Usually in these situations, we choose the purest man and woman from the village as bait to lure the magical beast into a trap. For example..."
Zeke's gaze turned toward Jeffrik and Arin. Their faces reddened at his gaze.
"Why are you looking at us?"
When Zeke turned his head toward Jason and Claire, they understood the meaning and shook their heads, saying there was still no progress in their relationship. In fact, both were very considerate of others, making them perfect as bait.
"Perfect. The two most pure and good people will be the bait."
At those words, Jeffrik and Arin's faces turned pale blue.
Just then, Nerissa entered the tent.
"Captain Zeke! Will this much net be enough?"
Nerissa and the fishermen had been hiding in the surrounding sea avoiding the magical beasts, but returned to camp after seeing Triangle.
And Zeke had asked Nerissa for tough nets to use in the trap.
He examined the nets Nerissa brought and nodded.
"This should be enough."
"When will what I asked for be completed?" Zeke asked the Dwarf captain.
The Dwarf captain showed his thick biceps and said:
"Don't worry, Sir! We'll have it completed as you asked by tomorrow."
The Dwarves, who owed their lives to Zeke, were preparing the trap exactly as he said with all their effort.
"Good. The selected personnel will move with me to the target point tomorrow and lure Qiongqi and the magical beasts."
Zeke looked at Kei and said.
"Kei, stay here with Lady Arina and protect the remaining personnel well."
Everyone gathered nodded at Zeke's words.
* * *
As soon as the next day arrived, Zeke led the selected personnel to the target point away from the camp.
There was no worry about magical beast attacks as Richmond guarded the inside of the camp, while Cayman and the Gurab unit guarded the outside.
The mermaid youth group who would handle the nets, along with Jeffrik and Arin who would be bait, Felix, Claire, Diego, Aster joined him.
And one more , Zeke brought an unexpected person as selected personnel.
He selected Aaron, the former Knight Killer.
Zeke had made another one, referencing how the Valdek family had disassembled and modified their gun.
Then he gave this magic gun and bullets filled with compressed air to Aaron, assigning him the role of sniper.
Aaron was more surprised by Zeke giving him the gun and ammunition than when Zeke had saved his life.
"Aren't you worried I might betray you?"
Zeke smirked at his startled question.
"You can betray if you want to. If you're ready to deal with the consequences."
Zeke operated on the premise that any companion could betray him from the start.
That's why he could accept and assign roles even to former enemies.
Aaron, freed from Jiemens' brainwashing thanks to Arina's power, had initially hated Zeke, but now he could view him differently, so he couldn't completely see him as an enemy anymore.
Zeke took the selected personnel, including Aaron, into the forest.
He sent ghost soldiers to scout the surroundings and unfolded a simple map to explain the operation.
"This is where we are now. The trap made by the Dwarves is up north. When Qiongqi appears, Jeffrik and Arin will catch its attention and lure it here."
Then Jason raised his hand and asked:
"Sir, how will we know which one is Qiongqi?"
Zeke looked at Jason and said:
"You'll know exactly which one it is when it appears."
Jason tilted his head at Zeke's words, but Zeke just gave a smile instead of explaining.
After checking all the Dwarves' traps, he prepared to call the magical beasts. It was the surest method he learned from his master.
He took out magic bombs from his chest.
Then he threw the magic bombs in all directions.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Explosions that shook the forest occurred everywhere.
His companions were bewildered by Zeke's eccentric behavior.
"S-Sir Zeke! What are you doing?!"
Diego shouted in surprise.
But Zeke paid no attention and took out large quantities of magic bombs he had prepared from his inventory.
"Don't just stand there, earn your keep. Throw them in all directions except north."
It was an absurd order, but everyone carried out Zeke's command anyway.
"HEEYAH!"
Starting with Clonne, everyone threw bombs in all directions.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
After setting off bombs for quite a while until the whole forest shook, in the ensuing silence, Zeke quietly listened.
Then he drew his sword and said firmly.
"Everyone get ready. They're coming."
Zeke stretched out his hand and lit the holy fire.
WHOOSH!
The holy fire's flames formed a circle around Zeke's group.
Those who had been to the Deep Sea tribe's island skillfully attached the holy fire to their weapons.
Those seeing the holy fire for the first time followed what others were doing while watching carefully.
THUMP THUMP THUMP!
GRRRROAR!
Before long, magical beasts that had caught the human scent came running.
A magical beast resembling a Minotaur tried to charge through the holy fire's flames.
The holy fire blazed on the Jewel sword Roland that Zeke held.
SWOOSH!
Roland cut the magical beast in half.
Then magical beasts charged in from all directions.
Zeke shouted:
"Everyone maintain formation and fight within the holy fire!"
At his command, Clone stood at the outermost position and crushed the charging magical beasts' heads with Light's Punishment using his mace.
CRUNCH!
"KEEAAK!"
Everyone else also faced the magical beasts from behind the holy fire's flames with their weapons.
Surprisingly, Diego and Aster stood out the most while fighting the magical beasts.
"Come at me!"
Diego subdued the magical beasts spectacularly with his twin swords lit with holy fire, while Aster used his spear's reach to keep the magical beasts at bay, precisely striking their vital points.
'As expected of Five-Star Knights.'
Jeffrik also showed much improved movement after training with Farrell.
That's when it happened.
WHOOSH!
Zeke saw Felix swing his sword and behead a magical beast in one stroke.
Zeke was slightly impressed seeing Felix's sword.
'Felix has grown even stronger.'
Though he hadn't confirmed Liam's skills after following Hades' group, the two were clearly acting as catalysts for each other's growth.
'Mercenary King Liam. And Felix, heir to the Arch Paladin. These two will be the key figures of the future Black Sword Knights.'
Zeke smiled faintly as he swung his sword.
SWOOSH!
Dozens of magical beasts charged in, but the group could handle them without difficulty.
This was because Zeke appropriately used healing when his companions grew tired, and raised morale using the Battle Cry skill he had absorbed from Orc's medal.
"HAAAAH!"
When Zeke shouted as if to encourage them, everyone's morale actually rose and they could draw out more strength than usual.
Zeke replenished his power by appropriately absorbing the corpses of magical beasts piled around with Gluttony.
Then at some point.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The whole forest shook and the ground trembled.
His companions looked around in confusion.
"W-what's that?"
SCREEEEECH!
A terrible cry echoed as if tearing the sky apart.
Zeke said with a tense expression:
"It's coming."
Even the magical beasts that had been charging in ferociously trembled at the echoing cry and stopped moving.
That's when it happened.
WHOOOOSH!
A fierce wind sound was heard from above.
Naturally, Felix raised his head and looked up. Something massive was flying in from the sky.
"Th-that!"
SCREEEEECH!
The terrible cry grew closer than before.
A massive wind swirled around Zeke and his companions.
Zeke spread his wind field to create a wind wall to protect his companions as much as possible.
WHOOSH!
As the wind died down, something descended from the air.
Everyone except Zeke turned pale.
"I-is that Qiongqi?"
It was more massive than any magical beast.
A black-striped beast with a huge body that looked like it could devour even an ogre in one bite bared its sharp teeth.
Its body resembled a tiger but its face was like a human face dyed red.
Moreover, it had huge wings on its back covered in black feathers like its body color.
GROWL!
Zeke faced Qiongqi holding Roland.
'That's it.'
Though smaller than when he saw it in his previous life, it looked exactly the same.
It seemed his master had faced it after it had grown more.
Zeke shouted:
"While I hold it off, Arin and Jeffrik head to the target point!"
Since it was such a cunning creature, it would never fall for an obvious trap.
As Zeke spoke, Claire and Felix took Jeffrik and Arin and ran north as previously planned.
GROWL!
When the virgin Arin and Jeffrik moved, Qiongqi turned its head.
Given its habit of wanting to punish the pure and good more severely, it would try to attack them first.
Zeke planned to use this habit of Qiongqi to look for an opening to wound it and make it fall into the trap.
But then….
SCREEEEECH!
Suddenly Qiongqi turned its head and charged at Zeke instead of Arin and Jeffrik.
'What?'
BOOM BOOM!
Qiongqi struck down at Zeke with its massive foreleg, and Zeke hastily spread Mirror Shield as he retreated.
The ground where Qiongqi struck with its foreleg was completely excavated.
GROWL!
Its eyes glowing red, Qiongqi bared its teeth at Zeke again.
'Why is it after me?'
Unbelievably, Qiongqi seemed to have judged Zeke as the most pure and good person here.
Zeke pointed his sword at Qiongqi and said.
"Change of plans!"
He shouted:
"I'll be the bait! Everyone run toward the trap!"