Chapter 9
Chapter 9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Malicious Beasts (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Terti's reaction ended with a hollow laugh, but the Noils were thrown into disarray after losing one of their own before they could even make a move.
These malicious beasts possessed intelligence but lacked true wisdom; there was no way they could instantly grasp what magic had done.
Regardless of how the Noils reacted, the water—now sticky and mingled with blood and brains—surged upward, reversing time itself.
It split into two masses that suddenly shot off to either side.
Sploooosh!
The targeted Noils panicked. One hurled itself sideways to dodge, while the other tried to block with its front paw.
But it was too late. If they had moved nimbly from the start, maybe—but flailing in confusion before reacting late meant this wasn't an attack they could evade so easily.
Thud! Thud!
Almost simultaneously, the heads of the two Noils shattered like they'd been struck by heavy blunt weapons. The water masses had been plenty hefty, so it was as good as a bludgeon.
A human might have fled in terror by now, but these were malicious beasts through and through. The remaining four surrendered to their instinctive hatred of humans and charged all at once.
"You okay?"
Terti asked curtly. Galen, understanding the intent, replied just as briefly.
"One's fine."
"Then I'll handle three."
Terti stepped forward and drew his sword—a slightly long blade that could be wielded one- or two-handed depending on the situation. This time, it was one hand.
Slash!
The lead Noil charging at the front lost its head in a single stroke. A clean, swift arc.
The sword, extended outward, smoothly halted and changed trajectory. The blade plunged into the brow of the Noil coming from the right.
Stab!
By then, the third Noil was nearly upon Terti, but his claw withdrawal and two-step retreat after the thrust were faster than the beast's talons could reach him.
Riiip!
The Noil's final swipe clawed only empty air. Decapitation was its end. The headless body pitifully spurted blood.
Almost simultaneously, the last charging Noil collapsed from behind as a whip-like water stream shattered its spine.
Terti exchanged a brief glance with Galen and moved forward. A hole pierced the throat of the twitching fallen Noil, silencing it.
"Didn't think you came just for real combat experience?"
Terti asked, pulling his sword free with a flick. Galen nodded.
"Correct."
"Thought you were a total rookie, but you fight too well."
"I am a rookie. This is my first real fight. Of course, I've watched before, even if I didn't participate..."
"Watching and doing are worlds apart. That's talent territory."
"Safety guaranteed, I could use magic freely. In a pinch, who knows if I'd perform?"
"Warriors mess up in crises too. Mages using magic with escorts is a given anyway. That was plenty impressive."
Galen gave an awkward smile at Terti's thumbs-up.
Honestly, it wasn't so much his skill as the Noils being that weak.
A Bronze-rank with proper gear could handle one or two Noils without much trouble.
Three or more at once? Risky, but fight shoulder-to-shoulder with allies and it's solved. Since when did Bronzes solo?
Galen, knowing Jerbon's rough skill level, figured surpassing him meant breezing past Bronze.
So taking down four Noils wasn't brag-worthy. Terti was impressed since it was his first sight of Galen's prowess.
"Your skill impressed me more, Terti. You didn't even take off your pack."
"Haha, as a Silver, going all-out against Noils would be embarrassing."
Mages had mana; warriors had prowess—the fruit of sweat and toil.
No flashy fireballs or wind control like magic, but straightforward physical enhancement.
Silver-rank mercenaries reached bodily specs unattainable by ordinary folk without prowess. Noils' efforts would look like mere tricks to Terti.
"Anyway, nothing much for me to advise at this level. Escort duty's enough. Any special requests?"
"Keep fights like this. Otherwise... take it easy on the hiking?"
"...I am taking it easy."
"We climbed nonstop from the mountain till we met the Noils."
"Barely an hour."
"An hour, yeah. I don't hike normally."
Galen had Earth's knowledge and did bodyweight exercises since childhood, keeping him reasonably fit.
But against trained warriors? No contest, prowess aside.
"Hanging with mercenaries, I lose perspective. When do I ever mind a mage's stamina?"
Terti scratched his head.
"Tell me when you're tired. Exhaust ourselves hunting beasts and miss the real ones? No point. We'll go slow."
"Appreciate it."
"Speaking of, rest now. I'll grab the trophies."
As Galen sat on a nearby rock, Terti wandered, methodically slicing off the left ears of the dead Noils.
This was the guild's announced 'trophy'—proof of beast kills, redeemable for cash later.
Noils weren't pricey, but no mercenary left money behind. Terti was thrifty.
"Water Burst was so strong, some ears blew with the heads."
"Oops. Aim right-side next time."
"Heh, no need to force it. Missing a few bounties won't kill us."
"Practice for me. Plus, earn cash."
"Grateful. Caught your breath? Let's move."
"Urgh."
Galen groaned but stood. Resting too long early wasn't smart.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Traveling leisurely, tracking beast signs, they encountered two more Noil packs. Total slain: twenty.
Before full dark, Terti found a campsite. A small cliff blocked one side—no need to watch all around.
"Fewer than expected."
"Beasts?"
"Yeah. Regular purges, probably."
"If they're swarming this close—day from town—they'd send a big force pronto."
"True."
"Three packs? Lucky. Some see none."
Calling beast encounters 'lucky'? Debatable, but for them, yes.
"Two more days, ridges thicken. Sightings ramp up."
"Guild's seven-day limit for that? Six just round-trip?"
"Sharp. Yes. Guild clears threats near Nijerte borders, not profit-hunting deeper."
Beyond? Too risky for Bronze, unrewarding for Silver given effort, Terti added.
"Then this purge's no big incentive for you?"
"Nijerte's my home."
"Ah."
Volunteer. End of story.
"Anyway, it's you that matters. Combat experience satisfying?"
"Eh. Glad I came, but..."
Galen summoned his status window discreetly in his vision's corner.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
Water Flow Manipulation Lv.39
Progress to next level: 37%
Morning departure: 32% progress.
Lately, 1% daily was lucky, no matter the effort. Now, after three packs: +5%.
Without draining mana fully—just moderate use. Clear beast-slaying boost.
Game-like XP? Or other reason? Positive change was good news for Galen.
But satisfaction was from confirming accelerated Water Flow Manipulation leveling.
"A bit disappointing, though."
"How so?"
"The water magic itself."
"Hm?"
Terti raised a brow.
"Power was flawless, no? Everyday utility too. Never camped this comfy."
"Latter, sure."
Travelers freak over streams because normal camps suck. Ration drinking water? Bathing? Dream on.
With Water Flow Manipulation, drinking and washing solved. Push it, even shower. Comfy indeed.
"But combat relies too much on surroundings. Knew it, but feeling it firsthand hits different."
Silver Terti soloed seven-ish Noils easy.
Galen couldn't. Time them one-by-one, yes—but they'd close before all dead.
Rainy? Fine. Clear day, gathering ambient moisture? Limits. Not enough water mass to swing like a weapon.
Canteens? Pack-weight rivals full gear. Not portable.
"My magic's just flinging water like a ranged bludgeon. At my level, complex stuff tanks mana efficiency."
"Simple or not, if it hits hard? Silver's overkill. Plenty Golds brute-force over finesse."
"That's why I kept it simple. Not ignorance—capability. Higher realm, better efficiency."
Galen smacked his lips.
"But applications have limits. Can't dry-wither eye-contact foes to mummies, say."
"...If water mages could, they'd rule the world by now."
"Exactly. Handful of water? Finite tricks. So need more volume... back to environment dictating power. Even max realm, unchanged. Disappointing."
"Get the gripe, but unavoidable?"
Terti looked troubled.
"Mages aren't omnipotent. Hyper-specialized in niches."
"True."
"What to do? Can't switch spells now. Play to strengths: stick near water."
Not expecting answers—just venting. Warrior Terti couldn't solve it.
Or maybe only Galen saw it as a problem.
Past-life fantasy novels: mages near-omnipotent, few limits.
Here: drill one field to extremes. Weaknesses, counters? Common sense.
"...?"
A hazy idea flashed. Replay conversation; Galen muttered.
"Other magic..."
"Pardon?"
"Mages drill one magic. Usually."
Usually.
Not mandatory.
Recent non-mage life had Galen trapped in norms.
"...No way you're thinking dual-specialize? Mages like you know precedents are nil."
Lifetime on one barely masters it. Two? Jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none.
Genius acing both? One alone hits higher peaks.
Secretive transmission: where's second spell from? Practical issue.
Terti's unease made sense.
"Just offhand."
Galen shrugged outwardly.
Inwardly? No.
He had status window. Dozens-times faster growth.
Lifetime unnecessary for mastery. No fixation needed.
Teacher for other magic?
Like Water Flow Manipulation, just learn it.
'Secret Manual.'
Galen's eyes gleamed.
```