Revelry in Agni Village

The brief respite operation wrapped up as dusk fell. Fighting at night carried far too many risks. In a clearing deep in the forest, I watched from afar as the priests drove crosses into the ground, then dusted off my hands. My gaze shifted sideways.

Don't I even need to go to the Great Forest anymore?

Even after just a day's fighting, the experience that had started at 0% shot straight up to 45%. Growth speed comparable to that dungeon in the Helm Mountains. Truth be told, each demon beast only gave a modest amount—1-2% at best, 3% if lucky. Considering wild Helm Mountains beasts outside the dungeon gave about 0.8%, it wasn't anything special on an individual basis. But their sheer numbers made the progress feel relentless.

Should I just stick around here? Leveling Demonic Body seems like a breeze.

I considered it, but soon shook my head. Still, it couldn't compare to the Great Forest. Why else would it be called the Great Forest? This world's largest natural zone, forbidden to civilians, a true land of the unknown. Online rumors claimed it was half monsters, half demon beasts. Not just quantity, but higher-grade demon beasts too—my goal inevitably pointed there. Once the demon beast detector's done, maybe hit it during break? Civilians barred, but an academy professor might swing it.

-Static. The radio crackled into my distracted ears. Faint sounds of ragged breaths and weapons being stowed drifted from afar—the other squads. I looked up at distant Kargas Volcano. We'd covered decent ground, but it was still far. Sweeping this whole volcanic zone would take time. Probably resume here tomorrow.

Can we wrap in five days? Gotta be back at the academy by next Monday.

Time was short for me. But I couldn't ditch those high-rank demon beast cores either. Might need to extend the trip... Sorry, Reina, but you might cover next week's classes.

Am I working her too hard? Hope she doesn't get pissed.

"Phew... finally over."

Alice plopped down beside me with a sigh of relief. Her face was pale from expending mana to sustain her spirits.

"Good work. Not bad for your first real fight, Alice cadet—er, target practice."

"Target... what?"

I ignored her. My Z-team was wrapping up too, each in their own way. Juwon brushed dirt off his robes; Ryan stared blissfully at the wreckage from his firepower. Kairon, who'd fought the mid-tier centipede demon beast with me, avoided my eyes as he stowed his trident. For the record, I landed the killing blow. His helmet hid his face, but frustration radiated off him. Serves you right. Don't eye my finishes.

Turning, I spotted Beowulf wiping blood from his greatsword before sheathing it.

"Everyone, great job! Solid teamwork for day one. Especially you, Han Seongjin—that... tentacle thing? Super efficient."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Head to camp now?"

Beowulf grinned and shook his head at my question.

"Nah, why bother with those drab tents? There's a little village nearby I know. As long as we're back in the op zone by morning, we're golden. How about a proper rest there tonight?"

"Ooh, a village? Sounds perfect—I've been craving hot tea."

"If it's got a Philia relief station, I'm in!"

Juwon and Ryan perked up. No reason for me to object either. Beats tent floors.

"Ugh..."

Especially with Alice looking like she desperately needed rest.

"Sounds good. Let's go."

We slipped from the retreating main column into the forest path. Following Beowulf's lead, a village soon appeared: Agni Village. Buildings of stacked volcanic rock, lanterns strung along streets—charming vibe.

"Hey, Beowulf! Long time! You good?"

"Well if it ain't Beowulf. Look at you, all skin and bones. Here, take this."

"Uncle Beowulf! You're back!"

"Welcome home, Beowulf."

He strode through like it was his own home. Villagers greeted him warmly.

"Haha! Thanks, everyone. These are my teammates. Say hi."

Beowulf beamed, introducing us.

"Local boy here. Know most folks."

"Makes sense—you fit right in."

Light greetings exchanged, we headed to the inn.

"Rooms by headcount—unpack and hit the dining hall downstairs! Dinner's on me!"

His booming declaration scattered the team. I rinsed off quick, changed, and went down. The central table groaned under steaming dishes.

"Come on, sit! You too, fish-face!"

Beowulf dragged a reluctant Kairon—who'd tried sitting apart—to the table. Kairon started to protest but got ignored.

-Nom nom. Alice beside me ate with a beaming smile.

Simple girl.

Watching her made me smirk involuntarily. I sliced meat and chewed. Not the softest, but not tough. Gourmet compared to field rations.

"Care for a drink?"

Mid-meal, Beowulf pulled out a bottle.

"This here's the village specialty—volcano brew! One sip, and flames ignite inside."

He poured my glass full without asking. Lamplight danced on the surface.

"Professor, I... I really can't."

Alice waved it off mid-bite, grimacing. Fair—the smell screamed over 50 proof.

I downed it in one go.

—Whoosh!

Oof.

Throat felt like swallowing burning coals. 50? Easily 60+. Alice would've been out till morning.

But soon my gut warmed, veins dilating in euphoric bliss. Demonic Body for the win.

"Damn, that's good."

"Hahaha! Knew you'd like it! You lot too!"

"Monks swear off booze, but... on a night like this, refusing'd be rude. Just one."

Juwon said, eyes already locked on his glass. He sipped reverently; soon his face flushed, chanting "What wondrous ki!" nonstop.

Ryan dubbed it holy water, chugging wildly. Priest through and through.

Surveying the boozy chaos, I spotted Kairon silently nibbling bread in the corner. Helmet on, mouth peeking through the slit—pitiful sight. I grabbed the spare bottle and approached.

"Hey, fish-head."

"...What do you want?"

He gripped his fork warily.

"Have a drink. You busted ass on that centipede."

"...No pity from you. Coward human who stole my kill."

"Stole? Skill, baby. Hate it? Be faster."

I grinned, pouring his glass full. He glared at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it, then snatched and chugged under the helmet.

"Blurgh!!"

Less than a second, booze sprayed back out. I doubled over laughing.

"Puhahaha! What the hell?!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Gack, cough! Hack! What kinda booze is this?! Poison?!"

"I one-shot it. You can't even swallow? No wonder I sniped the finish."

-Crunch.

A vein bulged on Kairon's forehead.

"...Fine. If you want a show."

"Oho, gonna impress?"

Determined face, he poured and one-shot. Sprayed after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠three seconds.

How much time passed? The dining hall was a wreck. Kairon passed out face-down on the table; Alice headed up for rest. Juwon and Ryan, beet-red, poured for each other. Oddly good chemistry there.

"Whew... head's spinning a bit."

Even I felt a buzz. Beowulf slowed too, hitting his limit. For air, I scanned the room. Wall ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠art caught my eye. Then it locked on one spot.

Shelf above. Something there.

A statue?

Monster figurine, palm-sized, with protrusions on its back. Surrounded by flowers, bells, letters.

"What's that statue? Weird-looking."

Beowulf glanced where I pointed.

"Oh, that? Our village guardian deity. Folks say praying keeps outsiders at bay."

"A monster as guardian?"

"Yup. Think there's even a song..."

I tilted my head. Here, monsters were ecosystem members, not just game fodder. Hunt recklessly, get punished. But worship? Not quite.

"You mean spirit beasts?"

Juwon chimed in. Ryan was out cold like Kairon. This guy's weaker.

"In Yeon, rural mountain folk revere them. Not common, but not rare."

"Huh. Fair enough."

Juwon's words clicked. Like Korean myths from bear- and tiger-worshipping tribes. Made sense. Powerful monsters reshape terrain—natural for cults.

"Ah, got it! Lyrics like this."

Beowulf, chin-stroking, sang.

"...Roughly that."

"Humpback? What kinda name's that?"

"Kid-friendly, probably."

Beowulf swigged and continued.

"Ten years back, volcano blew—village barely scratched. Elders swear it's the guardian."

"Half the zone's devastation from that eruption?"

"Dunno details—far off. But it popped once, small scale."

I eyed the statue again. Abstract, lumpy—four legs, back protrusions. That's it.

Humpback, huh... Back is humped. Otherwise, meh.

Monsters ain't my problem anyway.

I needed demon beasts. I chugged the rest and peered out the window. Night deepened.