Episode 672
Episode 672
"But taming them wasn't my intention—it was due to Einrogard's unique environment... And there are students in Einrogard even more unusual than me..."
Lee Han couldn't give up and attempted to make an absurd excuse.
Just then, the nameless hunter stretched out his hand, gesturing for silence.
"Wailing Boars are coming this way. Lower your voice."
"!"
The Wailing Boar, a monster that roamed the Sorrow Mountains, was an extremely threatening creature.
No wonder the poachers had used the excuse of being attacked by Wailing Boars to approach the campsite.
While its boar-like appearance, reckless movements, and sheer charging force were formidable enough, the Wailing Boar's most dangerous weapon wasn't its size or tusks—it was its cry.
Like a banshee or a mandragora's scream, its wail struck the souls of those who heard it with devastating force.
The nameless hunter, who had been pressing his ear to the ground to listen for the creature, now wore a grave expression.
"Strange... Wailing Boars don't usually travel in groups. But today, they are. Almost as if they're being chased by something."
The unusual behavior of monsters, something rarely seen, made the nameless hunter uneasy.
When monsters acted against their nature, there was always a reason.
Just what was it?
"Could it be because of Professor Bendozol?"
"...Ah, no. As fearsome as that professor is, he couldn't possibly scare every monster here. Mages aren't monsters themselves."
'Hmm. If you met the headmaster, you'd change your mind.'
"One's coming this way. We'll have to deal with it. Cover your ears."
"Understood."
Lee Han followed the nameless hunter's instructions and stuffed cotton into his ears. Seeing this, the hunter nodded approvingly and muttered under his breath.
"Lord of the Mountains, I offer my oath to you now."
"...You're a mage?!"
Lee Han was startled as he sensed the ripple of mana from the nameless hunter.
Reading his lips, the hunter shook his head.
"It's the blessing of tradition."
The nameless hunters drew strength from the dozens of traditions and superstitions they upheld.
The stricter and more difficult the tradition, the greater the power they gained during hunts.
'Primitive Magic!'
Listening to the explanation, Lee Han understood the principle.
Just as some people in the Empire, though not mages, could manifest innate supernatural abilities, the nameless hunters were similar.
If anything, it was akin to Divine Magic.
'Amazing. To wield magic of that caliber without formal training...'
The nameless hunter gripped his spear and waited silently.
How much time passed?
With earth-shaking hoofbeats, the Wailing Boar appeared. The moment it spotted the nameless hunter, it charged, aiming to impale him with its tusks.
Thwack!
Using his magically enhanced physical abilities, the hunter dodged the attack. Instead, his spear left a deep gash across the Wailing Boar's torso.
The Wailing Boar glared at the hunter with murderous eyes.
—■■■■■!
Its first wail erupted. Fortunately, neither Lee Han nor the nameless hunter suffered any significant harm.
Realizing this, the Wailing Boar roared in fury and charged again. Yet once more, the hunter deftly evaded and swung his spear.
The Wailing Boar let out a guttural groan, panting heavily. After two failed attempts, it understood that this swift human wouldn't be taken down so easily.
—■■■■■...
Another wail sounded.
This time, it wasn't an attack—it was a call. The nameless hunter paled as he realized the Wailing Boar was summoning others.
Wailing Boars weren't supposed to live in packs like this!
"We need to retreat!"
"Got it!"
Lee Han, too, sensed the urgency. He revealed himself from behind and immediately cast his prepared spells.
"Gather and spin!"
The spells he had readied just in case struck the Wailing Boar head-on.
Even a sturdy monster like the Wailing Boar couldn't withstand the Water Prison Bomb—its bones cracked, and its organs were violently shaken.
Boom!
The Wailing Boar was sent flying sideways from the intense impact.
Enraged, it steadied itself and prepared to tear apart the insolent mage who had dared to strike it.
But the mage, fully prepared, was far more formidable than the monster.
"Darkness, sweep forth!"
A wave of dark energy instantly drained the Wailing Boar's vitality, dulling its movements.
"Frost, become arrows and strike!"
Twelve Frost Arrows embedded themselves into the Wailing Boar's body. Though they didn't pierce its hide, the impact was enough to freeze the wounded beast.
"Attack!"
Dark-element Skeleton Warriors surged forward, thrusting their spears down onto the Wailing Boar.
Realizing he had firmly immobilized his opponent, Lee Han prepared another Water Prison Bomb.
The spinning water projectile, even fiercer than before, tore through the air and exploded against the Wailing Boar's vital spot.
KABOOM!
After overwhelming the monster with a relentless barrage of spells and delivering the final blow, the nameless hunter couldn't help but marvel.
"Hah, impressive! Now I see where Einrogard students get their reputation!"
Though a ridiculous misunderstanding about Einrogard students had piled up, Lee Han had no time to explain.
"Shouldn't we figure out where the others are coming from?"
"Don't let your guard down! They're waiting for that!"
The nameless hunter shouted firmly.
The moment they lowered their vigilance to track the approaching Wailing Boars, the beasts would proudly unleash their deathly wails.
Yet Lee Han didn't hesitate—he briefly let his guard down. Pressing his ear to the ground like the hunter had done earlier, he focused on the sounds.
"They're coming from that direction!"
■■■■■■!
The Wailing Boars let out their cries.
It was a savage roar, declaring they would slaughter every living thing in the vicinity—except themselves.
The nameless hunter instinctively squeezed his eyes shut.
He didn't want to see the young mage pay the price for his reckless mistake.
"Let's go!"
"...?!"
Lee Han was completely unfazed.
With a bewildered expression, the nameless hunter followed Lee Han as they moved.
"You handled that well just now. But what about the wails...?"
"I have a natural resistance, so I figured I could endure their cries from a distance."
"Einrogard students truly are incredible!"
"Ah, no. That's just me."
Afraid the hunter would get the wrong idea, Lee Han quickly clarified.
"Well, I suppose the other students haven't tamed Griffins and Basilisks."
"......"
As Lee Han stared at him blankly, the nameless hunter chuckled.
"Don't look at me like that. I know mages aren't evil. If mages were truly the King of Monsters, would you have fought the Wailing Boar to help me?"
"...I knew you'd believe me!"
Relieved that the hunter had finally lowered his guard, Lee Han beamed.
As the saying goes, sincerity moves even the heavens—even the most stubborn hunters could understand Lee Han's intentions.
"Hey, you poacher bastards! I told you not to come any closer! You wanna see a hostage get eaten by a unicorn?!"
"!"
Both turned their heads in shock.
While evading the rampaging Wailing Boars, they had accidentally strayed into Professor Bendozol's territory!
"I'll send a signal."
"Then I'll threaten the professor."
"Right... Huh?"
The nameless hunter doubted his ears.
Had he misheard?
"Why don't you try feeding Gainando to the unicorn as bait, Professor?! I'll report you to the headmaster immediately! You know how he is—he'll chew that unicorn alive!"
"...You despicable brat! You'll never be loved by horses and will walk everywhere for the rest of your life!"
Lee Han's threat must have struck a nerve, as Professor Bendozol spat out curses.
Still, unwilling to lose to a student, the professor roared back.
"Hmph! Gonadaltes won't find out about this!"
"One of my friends just went down to send word to Einrogard. Keep it up, why don't you?!"
"You're a despicable brat hated by everything from ponies to donkeys!!"
"......"
The nameless hunter looked at Lee Han with a gaze that had grown slightly more distant compared to the friendly look he'd given earlier.
But Lee Han was too preoccupied dealing with Professor Bendozol to notice.
"Professor! We're also aware that there's something wrong with the unicorn!"
-These damn poaching spies! Did Lightning Steps tell you?!
"Please let us help! Aren't we all fellow mages of Einrogard?!"
-Hah! If you're from Einrogard, that makes you even more suspicious. What year are you, brat?
"......"
Lee Han momentarily understood and nearly lost the verbal battle.
-I can't trust poachers! I'll protect the unicorn myself. Get lost!
"This boy here is far more beloved by monsters than you'll ever be, Bendozol!"
The nameless hunter, unable to stand it any longer, stepped in to speak for him.
That arrogant remark properly pricked Professor Bendozol's pride, eliciting even more violent curses than before. -%&damn#dying%#! $@^%donkey#$bastard#%!
"...What kind of curse was that?"
"No need to understand it specifically!"
After spewing curses, Professor Bendozol seemed to regain some composure and spoke normally.
-What kind of blind fool came here to claim this young poaching brat is better than me?! Do you know what kind of monsters I've tamed?! I've cared for everything from the empire's smallest fairies to the largest subspecies of dragons!
"At best, you merely cared for them. You could never truly be loved by monsters!"
"Ah, no. I'm not exactly 'truly loved' either..."
Lee Han was slightly flustered.
Anyone hearing this might think the griffin and basilisk deeply loved him.
At that moment, the baby basilisk hidden in his sleeve angrily thrashed its tail in protest.
Ignoring its love while the griffin's was questionable—how dare he!
"This boy has tamed a griffin and is loved by a basilisk. Can you say the same?"
-Stop spouting nonsense even a mule wouldn't believe! If you've truly tamed a griffin and earned a basilisk's love, I swear on the unicorn's name I'll crawl to you on all fours to greet you!
Professor Bendozol glared at the students while on all fours, his expression extremely displeased.
Unable to bear it any longer, Nilia spoke to Professor Lightning Steps.
"Professor. Shouldn't we at least help him up..."
"No. Let him stay down a bit longer. That posture is good for his back. After taking those hits earlier, he needs a back-friendly position."
"......"
The students watched Professor Bendozol crawling on all fours with complicated expressions.
Every Einrogard student harbored the desire to make a professor kneel, but seeing one actually crawling on all fours made them feel a bit...
"So, Professor Bendozol. What's wrong with the unicorn?"
"I met the creature years ago. That day, a light drizzle was falling, and a crescent moon hung in the sky. I saw the air shimmering, and among the most beautiful creatures..."
"We're not curious, so get to the point. Professor Bendozol."
Grumbling and muttering curses under his breath, Professor Bendozol finally spoke.
"Right now, the unicorn is nursing its young while injured and not recovering."
"!"
Professor Lightning Steps was startled.
Both the fact that the unicorn was injured and that it was caring for a foal were shocking—both were extremely rare occurrences.
"Now I understand why it was rampaging!"
"Then will you kindly get lost?!"
Professor Lightning Steps barely restrained himself from kicking Professor Bendozol. It wouldn't set a good example for the students.
Professor Bendozol glared up at Lee Han and growled.
"Deceitful little swindler."
"...Professor, I wasn't the one who proposed the bet—it was the hunter..."
"Hmph!"
Professor Bendozol turned his head away as if refusing to listen.
At that moment, Ponlig swung his long tail and smacked the professor across the face.
"Ponlig!"
"Y-you...!"
As Professor Bendozol trembled with rage, Lee Han opened his mouth to apologize.
"Professor, let me apologize on his—"
"...Such vigor! That creature!"
"......"
"Swing it again! Hahaha."
Ponlig recoiled in horror at the human mage's madness, backing away hastily.