The Mage's Laboratory (4)
Krout selected a separate team to go rescue Laila, while Calix scanned the minimap with fire in his eyes.
They haven't arrived yet, which means something's gone wrong. What the hell happened? Given the confidence she showed before leaving, there must be some variable beyond expectations...
But no easy way to pinpoint Laila's location came to mind.
He decided to calmly piece it together step by step.
First off, only two things around here could put her in real danger: that leader Sasquatch we saw before, or trackers—or scouts—from the organization she used to run with.
No matter how he thought about it, the former seemed far more likely.
The trackers don't even know we're here. Scouts then? No. Laila already knew about them. She even said she'd cut off their trail. For her to end up the one being chased? She's not that sloppy.
Calix was convinced it was the Sasquatch.
But that alone wasn't enough.
I've got the cause. Now how do I find her position? Wait—no, change perspective. Forget searching for Laila. Hunt the Sasquatch. She'll be at the end of that trail.
Krout, having finished preparations, approached and asked,
"What will you do, my lord?"
"We're going to get revenge on those Sasquatch bastards."
"Pardon? You're serious?"
"Yeah. So boil these herbs in oil. Then coat your weapons with it."
"What is...?"
"Shut up and do as I say. You still questioning my orders?"
"No, sir. As you command, my lord."
Overawed by Calix's charismatic command, Krout saluted crisply.
The once listless expedition team was completely transformed.
Now, at Calix's word, they would gladly leap into a pit of fire.
The knights who had sworn loyalty to him slathered Siren's Temptation—reeking foully—over their bodies without hesitation.
They didn't forget to poison their blades, either.
Before long, they had rallied tightly around Calix.
He left the wounded and mana-illiterate regular soldiers in the ruins.
In such an urgent situation, he couldn't drag everyone along.
Fortunately, blocking the entrance would keep monsters at bay.
Taking only the knights, they followed Sasquatch tracks to a massive cave mouth before long.
Thanks to the hints Laila had dropped.
Calix lowered his voice so the monsters inside wouldn't hear.
"Only females and young ones will be deeper in. The males are busy chasing Laila after she trashed their lair or hunting food. Take out the ones inside first. That'll draw the males running."
"Tracing back the male Sasquatch that were after Laila—clever idea. But is it wise? We've fought them before; they're no pushovers."
"You'll see how potent this poison is once you tangle with the females."
"...Understood."
Calix and his group plunged into the pitch-black cave.
The stench of monster dung assaulted their nostrils.
Then, a monstrous wail echoed from within.
Krout whispered to his men,
'Looks like we hit the jackpot.'
The knights nodded and crept forward behind him.
Thomas glanced at his claymore.
A faint purple sheen flowed along the blade.
Poison extracted by boiling Siren's Temptation in oil.
He muttered under his breath,
'Will this really work?'
He quickly steadied his wavering resolve.
'The young master says so. That's enough.'
The knights advanced cautiously.
Soon, they reached a dead end.
And there, huddled together, were the Sasquatch.
Mostly females and young under 3 meters tall.
"Kill them."
The cold verdict fell, and the massacre began.
Each flash of the knights' swords filled the cave with the Sasquatch's pitiful cries.
The females fought desperately, but a mere graze from a blade slowed them visibly within minutes.
Realizing the poison's true power, the knights pressed harder without mercy.
The cave became a bloodbath in no time.
One knight, drenched in gore, muttered excitedly,
"Never thought it'd be this easy."
Krout warned with a stern face,
"Don't let your guard down. The real fight starts now."
Wooooooo—
A male Sasquatch howl reverberated from afar.
Laden with thick rage and grief.
They'd instinctively sensed their lair's destruction.
Thud thud thud—
Calix, emerging from the cave, felt the ground trembling through his soles and commanded,
"Krout, you take the leader. Thomas, you're with me now—backtrack its trail immediately."
"Yes, my lord."
Krout said worriedly,
"Young master, don't push yourself."
"Don't worry. This is Sasquatch territory—no other mid-to-large monsters. And we've drawn them all here, so I'm actually safer."
Krout realized he couldn't dissuade him further.
"Understood. We'll wrap up fast and follow."
Calix just nodded silently.
Soon, Sasquatch began appearing one by one.
The knights burned with fighting spirit.
Memories of their brutal defeat days ago fueled them.
They bared white teeth in grins.
"You bastards. Payback time."
Calix rode on Thomas's back, moving swiftly.
Tracking the black-striped Sasquatch's footprints wasn't hard.
Deep gouges trailed messily from its frantic sprint.
"Did she catch your eye, by chance?"
"Huh?"
"Laila, I mean. Face is plain, but that body's something, right?"
"Plain face?"
"Clean skin's a plus, but if she were stunning, she wouldn't be a maid. Doesn't she seem a bit too girlish?"
Calix realized their sense of beauty differed slightly from his.
Truth be told, Laila wasn't a classic Western beauty but more like a Western-Eastern mix.
Minus the dark brown hair, she resembled a typical elf character from a Korean game.
Come to think of it, he'd been so nonchalant around celebrity-level looks that would've been unapproachable back on Earth.
Probably the desperation to survive.
"Nothing like that. Just focus on tracking."
"Heh heh, got it. Still, didn't expect her to volunteer for such a dangerous mission. Makes me see her in a new light."
"She needs us too. Right now, the main house is her only umbrella in the storm."
Thomas nodded.
"Makes sense. Even so, enduring that brutal training as a woman... not easy."
Calix just nodded silently.
The first continent-scale event in Heroes Destiny was the Jaipur Kingdom invasion.
Mountain Rangers shone there.
He'd thought they were mere insurgents in the game.
But now, he wondered if forces like Servio Viscount had deliberately cultivated them.
Maybe this is another hidden side of history the game didn't reveal... Regret not poring over those in-game records more carefully.
"Young master."
"Hm?"
"Over there..."
Calix's gaze followed Thomas's point.
A woman lay collapsed, bleeding.
Her back torn wide, exposing glimpses of white ribs.
A pack of gray wolves circled, drawn by the blood scent.
Thomas flung a small dagger from his bosom.
It streaked like an arrow, nailing one wolf precisely.
"Kyip!"
The wolf, hit in the rump, glared at Thomas.
"Kyaha!"
But at Thomas's booming roar, it sensed defeat and fled.
The pack followed.
"Killing breeds grudges, so I just scared them off."
"Good call."
Calix slid off Thomas's back and rushed to Laila.
Up close, her state was graver.
No time for thoughts.
He uncorked a mid-grade potion and sprinkled it on the wound.
Sizzle—
White smoke billowed as new flesh sprouted rapidly.
Good—she wasn't dead yet.
If she were, even potions wouldn't regenerate skin or muscle.
Calix flipped her over, trickled another mid-grade potion into her mouth.
Color faintly returned to her pale face.
He bandaged the wound, then hoisted her piggyback.
Taller than him, her feet dragged.
But with his leveled-up strength, it wasn't taxing.
"Let's move."
"You sure?"
"Rushed here carried, but monsters might hit. Need you free to fight."
"Heh heh, understood."
Thomas let out an odd chuckle.
"You're misunderstanding something..."
"Don't worry. Lips sealed."
"No, that's not—"
"Hahaha, young master, a man after all."
"Listen to me!"
Calix aimed a kick at Thomas's rear but staggered under Laila's weight.
"Ngh!"
"Want it secret? I'll carry her just before rejoining the group."
"Shut up and hurry."
"Heh heh, on it."
A week had passed since returning from the Golda Plateau ruins.
Calix ran the knight order's training grounds shirtless, as usual.
Before the expedition, he'd been pitifully gaunt; now, a sleek, well-toned physique.
Thanks to leveling up once slaying Sasquatch, again gaining a fragment of divine power.
Now level 18.
Level 20 was average for a fit adult male without military training; for 15-year-old Calix, solid growth.
"Hardly started exercising, yet your stamina's leaped. No combat talent maybe, but body's a natural."
"Yeah, night and day from pre-ruins. Sneak some good stuff?"
"This punk."
Calix spotted Russell and Krout beaming from afar.
He knew their thoughts.
Misconception, but no need to correct.
He'd exceed even their highest expectations easily.
"When to resume sword training, young master?"
"Don't rush. Full recovery first."
"Understood, master."
Calix approached, done running.
"Already?"
"Got business at the magic tower."
"Magic tower?"
Krout tilted his head.
"Prep the magic tower branch visit while I wash."
"Yes, sir."
Still puzzled, he nodded without protest.
Watching, Russell said,
"He trusts you fully now."
"Can't read him completely yet... but two things are certain."
"Oh? Which?"
"One, he's beyond my league. Two, he truly cares for his subordinates and people. Can't trip him with needless doubt."
"I see."
"And... kinda excited what he'll pull next. Heh."
Russell nodded.
"Same here. Thought I'd guide him at first, but just keeping up wears me out."
"Still needs you, master. Lacks outward authority."
"Inevitable. Just 15, no formal title... Needs coming-of-age rite and class 4 soon."
"At this rate, won't take long."
"Thought dark clouds over the domain after Count Collin's death... but an heir steps up immediately."
"Lions breed lions, eh?"
"True. Underestimated him from that frail childhood."
"Don't blame yourself. Anyone would've."
Despite the comfort, Russell's wistful expression lingered. In mere weeks, his wrinkles deepened.