Forest Sasquatch (1)
In truth, Calix knew more about the monsters of the Eren Continent than anyone else, including several safe methods for hunting sasquatches.
But he couldn't use them.
Not for this reason.
"How about we try it my way, following the plan I came up with?"
Krout's expression hardened instantly.
"Young master. I apologize, but this concerns the lives of my men. I, Senior Knight Krout, am the commander of this expedition, and our mission is to escort you safely to the ruins on the Golda Plateau."
"That's why you should at least hear my—"
Krout cut Calix off sharply.
"I apologize, but we cannot risk an unproven method in actual combat."
Calix shook his head slowly.
Krout was fundamentally stubborn and loyal, but once he set his own standards, he never compromised.
If Calix had been the official count, he could have forced the order, but right now, his words carried no weight.
Well, even if Krout agreed, I doubt the others would follow properly.
Subordinates who moved like chess pieces at a command existed only in heroic tales. No one liked gambling with their own lives.
In the end, until he proved his abilities and established real authority, he was nothing more than a burdensome lump to them.
Proving my abilities, huh...
While Calix was lost in thought, the expedition began preparing to face the sasquatch under Krout's command.
They were truly the elite forces of Szczecin County, accustomed to frequent monster battles.
Even knowing this would be a tough fight, no one wavered; they silently carried out their duties.
Then Laila approached him and spoke softly.
"I have something to say."
Until now, in their subtly hostile atmosphere, she had kept silent unless absolutely necessary.
So her words piqued his curiosity even more.
"Speak."
"The expedition will fail. Most will die."
Laila nodded toward Krout as she whispered.
"Of course, that man will sacrifice his life to get you out."
"What, that's it? I know."
Her calm reaction surprised Laila instead.
"Th-then why are you just standing there?"
"I'm not just standing here—I'm thinking. About how to turn this crisis around and get a real grip on these subordinates."
"...I have an idea."
"I'm listening."
"Sasquatches have a strong attachment to their young. In battle, protecting the cubs comes first. Regardless of whether it's advantageous or not, the female flees with the young while the male buys time rather than fighting aggressively. But once the young are hidden in their lair, that's when the brutal retaliation begins."
Calix already knew this, but he nodded without showing it.
"I see. So what's your proposal?"
"First, confirm this: the expedition's goal isn't to exterminate the sasquatches, but to pass through here safely—and quietly if possible. Right?"
"Heh, not bad. Correct. We just need to get through."
"Then I have a way. Show them their lair isn't safe. Form a detachment to stir up noise around the lair, and all the sasquatches will pull back temporarily. The main force can slip through unharmed."
"Ho..."
It was a tactic Calix had considered himself.
The most efficient one, in fact.
But there was one critical problem that made it impossible.
"Who finds the lair and attacks it? The sasquatches will go berserk trying to save their young and chase relentlessly. It's basically a suicide mission."
"Naturally, I'll handle it—as the one who proposed it."
"Hmm."
Calix's eyes narrowed. He stared at Laila intently before speaking.
"Do you have Siren's Temptation by any chance?"
"H-how did you...!"
"Obvious. You wouldn't take a suicide mission. To shake off pursuit, you need to mask your scent—and that herb powder is the best for it."
"Really... I've been watching you for so long, but I've never felt you this unfamiliar. It's like you're a different person."
"Ahem, ahem!"
Calix turned his head to hide his fluster, coughing several times.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, just caught in my throat. Not a bad plan anyway. If it succeeds."
"Don't worry. I've roamed these woods alone since I was eight."
"Why go so far out of your way to help me?"
"...If House Szczecin falls, I'm in danger too."
Calix didn't fully believe her.
But she had no reason to betray him right now.
"You probably won't get credit from the others. That's fine?"
She nodded silently.
"Good. But before you go, do one more thing for me."
"What?"
"Look over there."
"Why there...?"
"They say when facing sasquatches, always assume there's one or two more than you see."
"Ah...!"
"There and there. Those two spots are prime candidates. What do you think?"
In the game Heroes Destiny, the biggest threat when raiding a sasquatch village was the hunters returning to hit the expedition's rear.
Their appearance spots followed predictable patterns.
Calix had predicted two based on that.
Unfortunately, he couldn't cover both.
No spare forces, and no way to convince the knights.
"My guess is definitely there."
Laila pointed to one decisively.
"Toward the hunting grounds."
"Right. There's a goblin settlement that way. Their favorite food."
"Thanks for the intel. Should make it easier to handle."
Laila nodded casually.
She assumed he'd have the knights block it.
Calix noticed but didn't correct her.
Sometimes ignorance was bliss.
Instead, he gave her a few requests.
A faint white smile bloomed on Laila's face as she pictured the plan.
In that moment, her usually rigid expression softened, revealing the stunning beauty hidden beneath.
"This'll be fun."
"Uh... yeah."
Calix, momentarily speechless, secretly wiped his chest.
Whew, now I get why idol fans risk it all at signings. Bad for the heart. Ugh!
"Young master, is something wrong?"
"No, oh right! Krout, get Laila the gear she needs. She's handling a task I assigned. Don't worry if she vanishes midway."
"May I ask what it is? Frankly, I can't trust her."
"Then trust my judgment. I think she's in the same boat as us."
"Urgh..."
He looked reluctant but couldn't openly defy Calix's call, so he nodded.
"...Understood."
The moment he turned to Laila.
His face froze in bewilderment.
"Ahem!"
"Kh-hm!"
Not just Krout—all the knights and soldiers coughed and looked away.
Laila had casually shed her baggy robe.
Revealing skintight black clothes clinging to her body.
Only her face and hands were exposed, but no one could look straight at her.
Her figure was laid bare.
A taut abdomen without an ounce of fat and thighs like a horse's muscles showed her grueling training.
The pinnacle of healthy allure.
"Wh-what...!"
Krout stammered in shock.
But Laila ignored him.
She simply pulled armor from her pack and fastened it calmly.
The securing belts had metal rings bound with leather straps to silence their jingle.
Once armored, she tied back her wavy brown hair.
Exposing her pale nape.
She smeared a black, sticky mass there.
Mud from a foul puddle mixed with dried herb powder.
The nape was just the start.
She applied it meticulously over her armor and even her face.
The scent of rotting leaves spread on the wind.
The knights and soldiers peeking at her soon turned away.
They used ash and clay to mask their own scents, but no one wanted that stench on their face.
"Tch, overdoing it."
"Ugh, the smell. My nose is rotting. Strong stomach."
To them, Laila was human trash—a female mantis assassin.
Moreover, she'd breached Calix's bedroom guard, forcing them into Russell's hellish training daily.
She was their shame.
Yet she focused solely on inspecting and adjusting her weapons, ignoring the jeers.
Not her usual gear, so she took extra time to prepare meticulously.
Her preparations flowed smoothly, like water.
Laila's eyes gleamed sharply, like a veteran hunter's.
I thought I'd secretly back up a finished hunter... My mistake.
Calix's mouth twisted downward.
Laila approached once ready.
"Shall we start?"
"Yeah, take a few soldiers if you need hands."
She shook her head.
"No need. They wouldn't listen anyway."
"Do as you like."
She dipped her head silently and leaped away.
Calix watched her vanish into the dense trees, then turned.
The sasquatch battle was about to begin.
The most important thing in battle? Probably seizing the initiative—striking first.
A surprise attack before they prepare inflicts heavy damage, making the rest easier.
The knights' plan stuck to this.
Krout, the expedition's sole Class 5, crouched in the underbrush.
He crept carefully toward the sasquatch village.
It was a careful plan, but sloppy in Calix's eyes.
Tsk tsk, didn't learn from Laila.
It might work on humans.
But not sasquatches.
They had keener noses than dogs.
That's why Laila coated herself in herb-mud—to hide her scent.
Rustle—
"Sniff sniff!"
A one-armed sasquatch rolling on the clearing's edge perked its nose.
This clever monster sensed the intruder but didn't alert or scout.
It just sharpened its senses.
Finally close, Krout swung his mana-infused sword.
Unfortunately, his second mistake here.
Tsk tsk, for a sneak attack, stab the vitals straight—not a slash because it's big? Frustrating.
As Calix clicked his tongue, the sasquatch reacted nimbly to the air-ripping sound.
Splat!
Red blood sprayed where the longsword passed.
Too shallow!
Krout's brow twitched.