Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Northern Mountain Range (2)
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The undead disturbances across the four western kingdoms of the continent were gradually calming down.
Of course, it wasn't because they handled it well, but because the situation took an unexpected turn.
Right after the Immortal King brazenly revealed his presence and sent a signal, the undead—who had been acting on their own whims, either attacking humans or hiding in remote areas depending on their leaders' tendencies—suddenly all moved in unison.
Through telepathic responses, the undead army pinpointed each other's locations and, following the king's orders, avoided combat as much as possible while grouping up with nearby clusters.
'Of course, clashes with humans happened along the way, and some groups were outright exterminated.'
Once they had gathered to a sufficient degree, the army had grown large enough to be a burden even for the forces of an entire territory.
The kingdoms, on high alert to the undead movements, mobilized their armies and bustled about...
But then, they vanished without a trace in an instant.
The Immortal King Hans had personally visited, rounded them all up, and departed.
So even though the humans were free from the undead threat, they couldn't relax.
It wasn't like they'd been completely eradicated in battle; instead, the enemy had regrouped their scattered forces and retreated.
How could they let their guard down when such a massive army could strike anywhere at any time?
'And now, on top of that, the monsters are starting to act up.'
Not just any ordinary fuss, either—this was a continental-scale disaster brewing.
Among them, the Tulke Kingdom bordered the Northern Mountain Range, a monster paradise, making their headaches all the worse.
They had to defend the north with all they had, while also preparing for potential Immortal King raids.
That was why they were promising mercenaries top pay in Tarac to borrow their strength.
'Hans has no intention of stabbing them in the back... but they have no way of knowing that.'
In the midst of it all, Harley—who had been heading to the Steel Fortress—received a direct nomination request.
So now, he was at Tarac's central administrative office to meet the client.
Of course, the lord's name was intimidating, but he hadn't accepted out of submission to power.
It was just that the brief info provided upfront...
'...mentioned the request site was the Northern Mountain Range, same as my destination.'
It was likely more dangerous than just blocking monsters like other jobs, but danger was none of his concern.
'Perfect match for my goal, way better rewards, and no need to piss off the local lord. Plus, I'm curious what this is about.'
He arrived at the office and waited briefly before finally meeting the client.
Naturally, it wasn't the lord himself.
They'd used the lord's name to emphasize importance, but someone of that stature wouldn't meet a mere mercenary personally.
"...I've heard the stories, but you're huge."
The client was a stern-faced knight in his thirties.
"And... exceptionally unique."
Like everyone else, he couldn't help commenting on Harley's appearance, his face twisting awkwardly.
'Eh, that's the usual reaction.'
A muscular giant over two meters tall, bare-chested, beast skull helmet on his head, tattoos covering his body, and one eye glowing green with an odd eye.
Impossible to forget at first glance. The knight was speechless for a moment before clearing his throat lightly and continuing.
"Ahem. So you're Harley. Quite the famous mercenary, I hear?"
"Ahaha! You're embarrassing me! Well, I am pretty famous, yeah!"
True to form in a mercenary-packed city, the man meeting clients ignored Harley's rude demeanor as usual.
"To business. We nominated you because we need someone intimately familiar with the Northern Mountain Range."
"Hmm... Pathfinding isn't my specialty. I could manage, but if you need a guide, you'd be better off with someone else."
He didn't methodically scout paths into the mountains; he bulldozed through monsters with overwhelming mobility and power, hunting wherever his feet took him before heading back.
He could navigate forests fine, but not to the point of being hired as a dedicated guide for a nomination request.
"No worries there. We've sent requests to other mercenaries too, not just you. We've already hired one of Tarac's top guides."
"Oho! In that case... don't you have enough without me?"
"Someone who roams the Northern Mountain Range like their backyard, tackles high-grade requests delving deep inside routinely, and solos high-level beasts that stump whole parties."
In response to Harley's probing words, the knight continued slowly, then fixed him with a steady gaze.
"Is there anyone in Tarac more qualified?"
"You're right—only me! Hahaha!"
Harley laughed brazenly, but the knight, now accustomed, pressed on expressionlessly.
"That was long-winded. The details: location is deep in the Northern Mountain Range, deadline as soon as possible, type is VIP rescue, target is Jaonik Steelstone."
"Jaonik Steelstone?"
'Who's that?'
As if sensing his thought, the knight paused before speaking slowly.
"Special note: he's the territory's master blacksmith. Race... dwarf."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As an official territory request, things proceeded smoothly.
All necessary gear was prepped, and companions began assembling one by one.
The rescue target wasn't ordinary; he'd sensed trouble, dug a tunnel to hide, and sent a magic communication requesting aid.
Plenty of emergency rations, so no immediate crisis, but in that dangerous area, who knew what could happen.
Thus, once ready, Harley set off into the Northern Mountain Range with his six companions for the mission.
About a day later.
"Kah—ptui! Damn it, did that guy have to climb the damn mountain even in this mess?"
"Well, he probably didn't expect things to blow up like this. Dwarves loving rare ores isn't new."
Right after another battle.
Mikel, the female crossbow mercenary, spat on the ground in irritation, earning a mild scolding from the middle-aged man leading at the front.
"Still, something big is definitely going down. I've roamed here over ten years, never seen anything like it. All the monster territory and habitat info I mapped out is useless now."
Marcus, the veteran mercenary guide, sighed softly as he led the way again.
Just one day in, and they were painfully aware of the monsters' abnormality.
Previously, an ecosystem with rules had held; now, even traces of it were gone.
They smeared themselves with unidentified juices to mask scents, avoided fights, and handled unavoidable ones stealthily and swiftly—but limits were approaching.
"Hold up—more coming."
Harley's low murmur made everyone freeze.
"How many?"
"...A lot. Easily over thirty... Damn, they're coming straight for us. Must've picked up traces from the last fight."
Everyone frowned at his words.
Despite caution, the heightened senses from the anomaly had outsmarted them.
"What kind?"
"Hmm, size like orcs."
Harley's detection, once doubted, was now trusted implicitly.
It had repeated countless times that day, and his warnings never failed.
Shring—
"No choice. Process them fast and move."
Knight Robin in leather armor drew his sword slowly, his stern face unchanged as when briefing the request.
'This guy's no slouch either. Thought he'd just relay, not join the op himself.'
A veteran Steel Fortress ranger had joined too, but a knight in leather for such a risky mission was unexpected.
Madness-crazed monsters were hyper-aggressive, hard to kill, and this was their home turf.
So far, they'd dispatched quickly and fled, but deeper in, with rising density, limits loomed.
"I'll put up a concealment barrier. Once they're fully inside, take them out fast."
Fabiela, the mercenary mage, grimaced—mana strain from frequent casts showing.
A physically fit mage, famous in Tarac, he kept up admirably on the rough trek.
"...Incoming!"
Harley's second warning.
But this time, everyone sensed it without him.
Dudududu—!
"Kwaaagh—!"
"Kreek!"
No stealth; earth-shaking vibrations and unhinged monster cries echoed.
As the madness-mad orcs entered the barrier, battle erupted.
Shiiik—pfbt!
It started with bolts and arrows from the rear.
Harley, at the front with Knight Robin and the taciturn swordswoman Flora, charged as usual...
"Hahaha—! Let's play!"
Kwaaang!
Bursting with pent-up laughter, he kicked off the ground, bare-handed into the orc horde.
Glowing tattoos and writhing muscles unleashed explosive power, propelling him instantly among them...
Crack!
Snap!
His monstrous strength snapped necks effortlessly.
Dodging weapons in frenzied brawls, meticulously twisting heads—it might look like sacred toil... if it weren't absurd.
"Kuhahaha!"
A ferocious barbarian's savage laughter amid the acts—it was pure, one-sided violence.
"...Hard to tell who's the monster. Is that even possible?"
"Still not used to it, and this is my what, fifth time?"
Even battle-hardened comrades looked queasy.
Harley embodied why Tarac mercenaries deemed him untouchable.
Started to minimize blood scent, but paired with his freakish body, it rivaled armed combat.
Orcs charging him flew back, necks hyperextended beyond limits.
But he wasn't mindless.
'Weird. Lately, fighting monsters gives this itchy feeling.'
Even with bio-aura and tattoos maxing senses, or primal instincts, something unscannable scratched at him.
Pfuk—!
"Kreek!"
Mid-thought, he kept smashing heads, kicking guts, elbowing jaws.
Then, at some point.
Too focused, perhaps.
Pfook—!
His sharpened fingertips pierced an orc's heart.
"Ah."
He'd fought bare-handed to avoid splatter, but unconscious 「Feral」 triggered a lethal instinct.
Luckily, reason held; only nails slightly sharpened—no one spotted 「Body Shift」—but his arm was blood-soaked, undoing efforts.
"Tch—."
Harley withdrew his hand with a click of his tongue.
An orc manastone was now gripped in it.
'Spilled milk. Blood wipes off.'
More importantly, his energy was dipping.
Might as well use it well.
Harley popped the manastone into his mouth casually.
Crunch!
That instant.
Thump—!
His heart throbbed wildly.
Blood surged violently through his body.
The itchy aura sharpened upon ingestion.
'What the—?'
Senses expanding, he grasped the unknown.
'No way? This is...'
Spread across the world, blanketing the sky; dissolved in the air around them; dwelling in the red-eyed charging orcs.
And... now sprouting within Harley.
Yes, it was.
'Madness.'