Episode 667

The merchants who had thrown tomatoes and eggs scattered away, huffing indignantly.

Only then catching their breath, the hunters cleaned off the tomatoes and eggs before asking one of the Wasteland Star-Catcher patrol members:

"Why didn't you drive them away? As members of the Wasteland Star-Catchers, you could've easily intimidated them..."

"The Wasteland Star-Catchers who protect the Empire's people can't go around threatening citizens, can we?"

"Ah!"

Though the hunters who'd come from various regions were rough and fierce individuals, they all marveled at the courage and patience displayed by the Wasteland Star-Catcher patrol member just now.

Isn't the courage to hold back when you have arrows more impressive ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠than the courage to shoot them?

"Truly worthy of the Wasteland Star-Catchers."

"Can't help but respect that. Haha."

Lee Han noticed Nilia's expression darkening, her long ears drooping dejectedly.

"Nilia. Should I go incite the crowd to throw more tomatoes and eggs at them?"

"...Ah, no. Never mind."

Nilia, nearly swayed by her friend's words, quickly came to her senses.

These were people they'd soon have to work alongside—she couldn't afford to dislike them just for being Wasteland Star-Catchers.

"Are you perhaps students of Einrogard?"

The group who'd finished cleaning up the tomatoes and eggs finally noticed Lee Han's party.

"That's correct."

"Pleased to meet you! I'm Muranse, a patrol member of the Wasteland Star-Catchers."

The elven patrol member was tall and handsome, his patrol uniform modest yet neat and well-kept—a stark contrast to the Shadow Patrol who were often mistaken for bandits or barbarians.

Seeing Nilia's expression grow even more sullen, Lee Han whispered to Yoner:

"Did we bring Nilia along for no reason...?"

"...It'll be fine. She'll overcome it."

"We're delighted that renowned Einrogard students will be assisting us. We look forward to working with you."

"The pleasure is ours."

"Explorer Frost-Step here. A distant relative of Professor Lightning-Step."

The young dwarven explorer tipped his hat in greeting.

"As for the hunters behind us..."

"Don't speak our names."

The group of hunters recoiled in horror, cutting him off. Muranse smiled and nodded understandingly.

"I hope you'll understand. They have their traditions."

The so-called "Nameless Hunters" summoned by Professor Lightning-Step were individuals who lived alone in deep mountain cabins across various regions.

While undoubtedly skilled, they followed dozens of traditions and superstions even Professor Lightning-Step couldn't fully comprehend—one being the concealment of their dwellings and names.

"Speaking your name makes it easier for demons and monsters to track you."

At the hunter's words, Lee Han tilted his head curiously:

"From what I know, ordinary names don't hold much significance. True names come from the soul—"

"Typical mages!"

"Always reckless and fearless. Disrespecting traditions like that."

"......"

Seeing her friend get scolded, Nilia stepped in to apologize:

"My apologies. Hunters tend to be rather stubborn. Very particular about traditions."

"Didn't the Shadow Patrol just use names freely?"

"...We have traditions too, okay??"

"Why are you getting angry?"

"I'm not—I'm not angry! Anyway, we have traditions. We do."

Nilia regretted her outburst, realizing she'd gotten defensive for no reason. If pressed about what traditions, she wouldn't have a good answer.

"Everyone ready?"

Professor Lightning-Step approached from a distance. Noticing the gathered wyverns, he looked puzzled.

"They just left these tied up in front of the city? Didn't people complain?"

"They threw eggs and tomatoes at us."

"My. The people of Plaha City are quite kind. Other regions would've thrown stones. Everyone mount up."

Lee Han and his friends prepared to board the wyverns. Some had ridden before, and these were trained wyverns, so it wasn't particularly difficult.

"Wardanaz."

"Yes, I know. Since the wyvern might misunderstand, I need to make eye contact and blink slowly to show I mean no harm, right?"

Several hunters behind Lee Han made spinning finger gestures near their heads, implying he was crazy.

Then, the Frost-Step Explorer shook his head and said,

"That boy can genuinely threaten wyverns."

He must have heard it from Professor Lightning-Step.

"Is that true?"

"I swear on my honor, it's true."

"Then please don't let him ride the wyvern I'm on. My mountain has a tradition—never let a beast that can threaten wyverns ride atop one."

"But he's not a beast."

The hunters immediately recoiled in disgust, leaving Frost-Step in an awkward position.

They'd have to travel together for a while, yet they were already showing such rejection.

"Don't worry. Wardanaz here will ride something else. Wardanaz, look behind you."

Lee Han turned his head.

The griffin, now freed from its transformation curse, was glaring at him with an expression full of resentment and betrayal.

Lee Han quietly withdrew his foot from the wyvern's saddle steps.

"It's a misunderstanding."

"Sure. Clear it up on the way."

"I even bought food for you. Ponlig."

When Lee Han pulled out the meat he'd originally planned to grill for his junior, Eandurde grumbled.

The griffin's fierce glare softened slightly, and it approached Lee Han, rubbing its head against him.

Seeing this, several hunters spoke up simultaneously.

"Please keep that boy from getting too close."

"What tradition is that now?"

"Just fear. We won't approach until his safety is proven."

"......"

Frost-Step almost said, 'He can just intimidate wyverns and tame griffins a little—why are you experienced folks acting like this?' but gave up.

Even he had to admit it wasn't very convincing.

Professor Lightning-Step's wyvern eyed the griffin flying beside it with deep discomfort and unease.

"Not bad, right?"

At the professor's question, Lee Han tilted his head in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"The people we gathered."

Finding a unicorn was trickier and more exhausting than expected.

Tracking down a single creature hiding and roaming through vast, rugged mountain ranges? In a way, it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

The worst part? This needle could think for itself and use magic to escape.

That's why Professor Lightning-Step had gathered everyone—from nameless hunters to the Frost-Step Explorer, Mrangse the Wasteland Star-Catcher patrolman, and even Skull-Breaker, a former adventurer.

'What on earth did he do to earn the name Skull-Breaker?'

Lee Han was curious, but there were more pressing questions right now.

"What should we do?"

"I want to entrust you all with setting up the base camp."

Professor Lightning-Step adjusted his goggles as he spoke.

Given the vastness of the Sorrow Mountains, they couldn't search randomly. They had to systematically narrow down the area.

First, prepare the base camp.

This camp would serve as the operational hub for the assigned zone.

Then, the hunters and patrolmen would scatter in different directions to search for traces of the unicorn.

If found, they shouldn't approach alone—they had to lure it back to camp. Unicorns were highly intelligent and wary; rushing in would only scare them off.

In other words...

"We'll need to prepare spells for the hunters and patrolmen. And spells to calm the unicorn."

"Are you a five-year veteran adventurer? Exactly right."

Professor Lightning-Step had no intention of directly assigning the unicorn tracking to the students.

That was far too difficult and demanding.

Einrogard-trained mages were exceptionally versatile by imperial standards.

It made sense to leave the magic-related tasks to them.

The professor couldn't help but admire how Lee Han had deduced the necessary preparations without needing an explanation.

No wonder all the professors wanted him as their apprentice.

"And one more thing."

"Should we also prepare for fights with poachers?"

"...Call yourself a ten-year veteran now."

"Haha. I'm not quite at that level yet."

"Honestly, it would've been better if we'd called the Shadow Patrol..."

At Professor Lightning-Step's words, Lee Han grew puzzled.

Then why hire the Wasteland Star-Catchers and frustrate Nilia when you could've just employed the Shadow Patrol?

"Is there a reason ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you didn't call them?"

"I was a bit cautious because they might go crazy at the sight of a unicorn and try to capture it."

Lee Han vowed to keep what he'd just heard an absolute secret.

Though the winds of the open sky were noisy, Lee Han changed the topic, worried Nilia might overhear if they continued talking.

"What kind of person is Professor Bendozol?"

"Ah, unicorns. Unicorns are truly beautiful creatures. I've traveled everywhere from the empire's western coast to the eastern underground cities, yet I've only seen a unicorn two and a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠half times."

"Not the unicorn—Professor Bendozol... Wait, why two and a half times instead of just two?"

"Once, I was so drunk I still can't be sure whether it was a unicorn or a rhinoceros. Wait, you meant Professor Bendozol? Oh, my mistake. Why are you asking about Professor Bendozol?"

Professor Lightning-Step, who had assumed Lee Han was asking about unicorns, made a slightly sour face.

"He might return this year, right? Then I could attend his lectures."

"Well... I don't like speaking ill of other professors, but I'd actually advise against attending Professor Bendozol's classes."

"?!"

Lee Han was shocked.

Not because Professor Lightning-Step claimed not to enjoy badmouthing colleagues (gossiping about Professor Thunder-Step was practically his hobby).

But because he actively discouraged attending Professor Bendozol's lectures.

"Are his classes more dangerous than Professor Verdus's or Professor Bagrak's?"

'This kid really asks the toughest questions!'

After a long pause, Professor Lightning-Step answered slowly.

"The three have different approaches. Professor Bendozol is undoubtedly knowledgeable and exceptional regarding the empire's animals and monsters, but he cares too much for them."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"It's a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠problem because he values them more than his students. If Professor Bendozol had taught last year's mount training class, instead of riding horses, you'd have had to carry them on your backs and run."

"......"

For a moment, Lee Han thought the professor was joking.

But he was dead serious.

"W-wait. No matter how much you cherish horses, how does it make sense for us to carry them and run?"

"Hence, he's an eccentric. Still want to take his class now?"

'That's absolutely terrifying.'

Lee Han glanced at the griffin.

Had Professor Bendozol taught last year, Lee Han might have had to carry this griffin on his back to complete all assignments.

"Hmm. I'll just focus on finding him and skip his lectures."

"Aren't you being too greedy? Finding even one unicorn is hard enough, yet you're trying to track down the professor too... Though, admittedly, he'd be easier to locate."

Professor Lightning-Step marveled at Lee Han's loyalty, enduring all this from the faculty.

Of course, from Lee Han's perspective, it was all about the bounty.

Why else would he bother searching for some professor he'd never met?

"The Sorrow Mountains. Everyone, dismount! We start sweeping from here!"

"Aren't those poachers down there?"

When Lee Han pointed below, Professor Lightning-Step nodded.

"Good spotting! They're right at the mountain pass. Word must've spread. Prepare warning shots!"

Lee Han immediately began unleashing lightning spells. The griffin's swaying back was hardly an issue.

Crackle-crackle-ZAP!

As lightning bolts rained from the sky, the poachers screamed and surrendered.

-"We surrender! We surrender! Mage, sir! We give up!"

Professor Lightning-Step kindly explained to his student.

"Good spellwork. But when I said 'prepare warning shots,' I meant for the hunters behind us."

"......"

Turning around, Lee Han saw the hunters staring in horror, silently questioning them. His friends quickly replied.

"N-no. We can't do anything like that."

'Traitors!'