Chapter 74: Back Story — Hunting Evaluation (2.5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 74: Back Story — Hunting Evaluation (2.5)
※ This story takes place between Part (2) and Part (3) of the Hunting Evaluation.
Elt Island.
I was roughly halfway through the Hunting Evaluation, having recently defeated Rose Red Rivera.
Before long, I reached the edge of the marshlands. Crossing them would be a grueling task; the watery mire had expanded into the size of a massive lake.
I could have easily constructed a bridge using ice or rock magic. However, the marshes were notorious for harboring demonic illusions and enemy familiars. While elemental magic could get me across, I’d be at a severe disadvantage if I were ambushed mid-way.
‘Maybe I should find a detour.’
I shifted my weight, contemplating an alternative route.
And then it happened.
Pshaaaaaa—!
“Whoa!”
Without warning, the swamp exploded upward!
Sailing through the air amidst a spray of mud was a reptilian magic beast, its size rivaling two grown men combined. Cloaked in water mana, it was the swamp-dwelling crocodile familiar, Dove.
*
[Dove]
Lv: 60
Race: Magic Beast
Elements: Water
Danger: Low
Psychology: [Wants to defeat you and earn praise from its master.]
*
It unhinged its jaw, baring rows of menacing, razor-sharp teeth.
[Gahhhhh!]
A blue magic circle manifested as the crocodile beast lunged toward me. Hidden deep within the swamp, it had managed to evade even Hilde’s detection.
I hastily clasped my hands, condensing ice mana. The magic circle for [Frost Explosion] flickered into existence before my palms.
「Cascade (Water Element, ★3)」
As the crocodile unleashed a torrent of water from its own circle, I detonated the condensed ice mana directly at it.
「Frost Explosion (Ice Element, ★5)」
Kwaaaahhhh—!!
The violent shockwave of frost engulfed both the crocodile and its [Cascade] spell.
In an instant, the flash-freeze swallowed the beast whole, sending it soaring into the nearby trees.
Kuuuuu──!
The massive chunks of ice that had frozen the familiar crashed into the marshland, forming a robust, bridge-like structure. The solid blocks, reinforced by mana, didn't show so much as a hairline fracture.
The bridge was significantly longer than the one I had created during the first semester. My mastery over [Frost Explosion] had clearly reached a new level.
Still, I resisted the urge to cross immediately. As I’d thought before, if enemies swooped down while I was on that bridge, I’d be a sitting duck.
[Master, another magic beast is approaching.]
[Kyuuuuuu—]
Drrrrrrrrrr—
A creature covered in rock-like armor rolled toward me, tucked into a tight ball. It was an armadillo familiar, its body easily measuring two meters long when fully extended. It must have been drawn by the sound of the explosion and the ice crashing into the swamp.
*
[Arivori]
Lv: 56
Race: Magic Beast
Elements: Rock
Danger: Low
Psychology: [Wants to defeat you and be petted by its master.]
*
「Ice Spear (Ice Element, ★4)」
Raising my arm, I conjured an [Ice Spear] above my head. I aimed it at Arivori as it barreled toward me. But just as I was about to fire—
「Thunderbolt (Lightning Element, ★4)」
Kwaaang─!!
“…!”
A bolt of purple lightning tore through the canopy and struck Arivori dead center. The powerful discharge paralyzed its entire body, spider-webbing its rock armor with cracks.
Arivori didn’t even have time to shriek before it lost consciousness, its four legs splayed out and twitching intermittently. Purple static crackled in the air in the wake of the [Thunderbolt].
‘What now? Another one…?’
[Master, something dangerous is coming!]
At Hilde’s urgent warning, a heavy sense of dread settled in my chest.
Why? What is it this time?!
────── [Kiaaaaaah!]
Suddenly, the piercing screech of a bird of prey echoed through the jungle.
“Ugh!”
A black bird enveloped in purple lightning swooped through the trees, landing directly in front of the fallen armadillo. Gusts of wind and stray currents of electricity surged in all directions.
The sight caught me completely off guard.
“Galia…?”
Standing before me was the black grouse, the ‘Thunderbird Galia.’ He was currently much smaller than his usual size.
*
[Thunderbird Galia]
Lv: (100)
Race: Magic Beast
Elements: Lightning
Danger: X
Psychology: [Delighted to see you.]
*
“Isaac, I found you.”
A girl with rose-gold hair was perched on Galia’s back. It was Luce Eltania, the top-ranked first-year student of the Magic Department.
“Luce?”
Galia lowered his head to the ground, allowing Luce to slide down his nape. A gentle smile played on her lips.
Thank goodness… That [Thunderbolt] nearly gave me a heart attack.
A wave of relief washed over me. If it was Luce, she was definitely an ally.
“Hey, how did you find me? That’s incredible…!”
I started toward her with a smile, ready to greet her, but I stopped dead in my tracks.
Something was wrong.
Her cheeks were flushed. Her breath was so hot and ragged that it produced visible puffs of vapor. She wore a seductive, hazy smile.
It was as if… she was overstimulated.
A chill ran down my spine. This version of Luce reminded me vividly of the one from Extra Bad Ending N.13, 「The Birdcage」, in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
*
[Luce Eltania]
Lv: 151
Race: Human
Elements: Water, Lightning
Danger: ?
Psychology: [Wants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with you...]
*
I shuddered and quickly closed her status window.
‘What is this? What’s happening?’
Where did this sudden emotional obsession come from?
When I’d seen her at the academy docks, she had been her usual self.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Luce steadied her breathing and began to slowly close the distance between us.
“Every time I saw someone use ice magic, I went to check it out. I finally found you.”
As she got closer, I noticed a faint, emerald-green powder drifting from her hair.
‘Oh, no…’
I recognized that substance instantly. It was the residue left on those struck by the spores of the ‘Choro Mushroom.’
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Choro Mushrooms were primarily found in the highlands. When a creature approached, they released spores that acted as an emotional catalyst, amplifying whatever feelings the victim already harbored.
For instance, if you hated someone, you would be overcome by a murderous urge. And if you harbored even a slight crush, it would spiral into an all-consuming, passionate love.
In the gaming community, this state was infamously referred to as the ‘Easy Woman’ debuff.
After a certain period, the victim would fall into a forced, deep sleep. During this detoxification process, they would sleep as if dead—completely defenseless—and would wake up with no memory of anything that happened while under the spores' influence.
This meant that if you encountered someone in this state, the best move was to run.
‘Just how many spores did she inhale?’
Judging by the visible fumes, she had taken in a massive dose. For the record, the green mist wafting off her now was just a byproduct of the detox process and wasn't toxic to me.
Still, I could piece together what happened.
She must have climbed to the highlands to find me. With her monstrous eyesight, she likely tried to track my movements from the cliffs. While she was up there, the mushroom clusters must have released their spores, and she’d inhaled a significant amount.
Now, her emotions were dialed up to eleven, turning her into a dangerously affectionate version of herself.
Luce approached as if she were about to embrace me, looking at me with the kind of smile one reserved for a lover.
“I missed you, Isaac.”
“…!”
Her voice, soft as moonlight, caressed my ears. Combined with her warm breath, it was a bewitching melody that threatened to paralyze my senses. It was a sensation of pure, shivering pleasure.
No, snap out of it!
I barely managed to regain my composure and forced myself to think.
‘If I have Luce with me, it’s like having an entire army.’
With Luce as an ally, the difficulty of 「Act 4, Chapter 2: Food Chain」 would plummet. It would be a massive advantage. I had already planned to recruit an ally for the upcoming sections anyway.
However, I was terrified of Luce’s current state.
Perhaps because I was lost in thought and hadn't responded, Luce’s expression suddenly turned cold.
“Do you… do you dislike being around me?”
Luce discreetly moved her right hand behind her back.
I don’t know what she’s reaching for, but my survival instincts are screaming.
In a panic, I summoned my inner actor. I put on my best "seasoned Isaac" face, flashed a natural smile, and reassured her.
“I was just overwhelmed with joy for a moment. Why would I ever hate being around you? That doesn't even make sense.”
“…”
Luce stared at me with seemingly emotionless eyes, her suspicion lingering.
“Thank you for coming, Luce. You’re my anchor.”
The moment I added that warm sentiment, her expression softened.
Brush—
Luce discreetly slid something back into her waistband. Even though she tried to muffle the sound, I heard it clearly from this distance.
I had a strong feeling that this ‘Easy Woman’ Luce was a double-edged sword. She had a powerful, almost obsessive inclination to protect those she cherished—a trait born from the guilt of being unable to protect the Great Witch of Heaven’s Wrath and Hansel.
But when wielded skillfully, a double-edged sword can cut through anything.
“Isaac, where were you going?”
“To the center. I heard it’s a prime spot, so I wanted to check it out. Can you take me there on the Thunderbird?”
Luce nodded with a smile.
I tried to read her psychology again out of habit, but quickly shut the window, feeling a chill.
‘That’s enough of that.’
Preventing a bad ending is the top priority.
I forced a smile and turned to walk with my dangerous companion.
And then it happened.
“…!”
Luce suddenly lunged forward and embraced me.
‘What the—!’
I could feel the softness and the radiating warmth of her chest against mine. The scent of her skin mixed with the faint, grassy smell of the Choro Mushroom fumes assaulted my senses.
I looked down at her in shock.
“Haah, haah…”
She was clinging to my clothes, her breath labored as if she were suffering from a severe fever. It seemed the side effects of the spores were finally hitting her hard. Her earlier blushing and heavy breathing weren't just excitement; her physical condition was deteriorating.
“Isaac… I’m having a bit of trouble… keeping my balance… I’m sorry. I couldn’t increase Galia’s size either… I’m sorry I can’t give you a ride…”
“…What are you apologizing for? You need to rest.”
With her mana control slipping, she couldn't expand Galia, and there wasn't enough room for both of us on the bird's current form. Regardless, the fact that I was trying to rely on someone in this state made me feel like a jerk.
I took Luce by the shoulders and guided her toward a nearby tree. Galia, even at level 100 and shrunken, would be more than enough to protect her while she slept off the spores.
Shove.
But Luce pushed my arm away, shaking her head stubbornly.
“Stay with me, Isaac… I want to be with you. If I just catch my breath, I’ll be fine… And if I’m not, we can still use Galia…”
Luce gently stroked my sleeve—the same spot that had been charred by Rose’s magic earlier.
“I’ll protect you, Isaac… So please, come see me more often. Don’t get hurt like this…”
She clasped my wrist with the same slender hand.
“If you get hurt… it hurts me so much…” Her voice wavered, thick with unshed tears.
The Choro Mushroom amplified existing emotions. Seeing Luce openly express her vulnerability and her inner feelings like this made me freeze. It felt as if a heavy weight was pressing down on my heart.
‘Is this a friend… or something more?’
Hidden beneath her usual bluntness and bland remarks was something that had just ambushed me, threatening to freeze time itself.
I sighed and gently let go of her, which seemed to startle her. I turned my back to her and crouched down, bending one knee and reaching my arms back.
“Get on.”
I looked back slightly as I spoke. Luce looked puzzled, her face a mask of confusion.
“You said you were coming with me, right? I’ll carry you.”
How can I not be moved when she’s this worried about me?
If anything, I wanted her to stay by my side. I couldn't bring myself to push her away. Besides, with her here, Galia could fight at full capacity to protect us.
“Hehe.”
Luce giggled playfully and clung to my back without hesitation. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I hooked my arms under her legs and stood up.
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s fine, Isaac. You won’t get tired, will you?”
“Don’t worry, I’m stronger than I look.”
Luce smirked against my shoulder.
“Galia, I’m taking a shortcut. Back me up.”
[Leave it to me.]
Galia’s deep, masculine voice echoed in my mind.
With that, I set off, carrying Luce. I trudged across the marshland, stepping over the ice floes I had created. With Galia circling above, I knew we were safe.
“Isaac.”
“…!”
The moment her voice rang in my ear, a shiver ran down my spine. Her tone was like a sweet, seductive tactical weapon.
“What?” I replied, trying to sound emotionless.
“Your hands… are quite bold,” Luce said with a faint, teasing smile.
She was referring to my grip on her thighs.
…Now that she mentioned it, she was right. It had been so long since I’d carried anyone that I hadn't realized I was gripping her a bit firmly. The sensation was… distracting. I felt my face heating up.
I quickly adjusted, sliding my arms further under her knees. Luce giggled at my reaction, clearly finding it amusing.
Thanks to Luce and Galia, I didn't have to lift a finger. They obliterated any demonic illusions or hostile familiars that dared to approach.
‘Thank goodness, seriously.’
If I were alone, this section would have been a nightmare where one mistake meant elimination.
“Sniff. By the way, you don’t smell like Isaac today…”
“That’s because I used an odor remover.”
“That’s a shame.”
There were enemies who tracked by scent, so I had masked my smell with a neutralizer I’d bought at an unmanned shop.
“But Isaac, there’s something I’m curious about…”
“Yeah?”
“Can you give me some… relationship advice today as well?”
Luce’s voice was growing faint as she began to drift off.
Relationship advice. I’d been giving her nothing but generic, stereotypical tips. At first, when she asked me to teach her about relationships, I was stumped, but now it was just part of our routine. Humans really are adaptable.
“What is it? Tell me,” I asked absentmindedly.
“If I had a crush on someone… and they were carrying me… what should I say?”
I stopped in my tracks. I involuntarily froze. My mind began to race.
Am I supposed to interpret this as a confession? No, that can't be right… can it?
“You… you like Greung, don’t you?”
“…”
“…Ah.”
I realized I’d misspoken. Maybe it was just the situation that prompted the question. But asking ‘You like Greung, don’t you?’ in response to her hypothetical was basically asking, ‘Are you confessing to me right now?’ There was way too much room for interpretation.
“I didn’t mean it that way…”
“I misunderstood. I’m sorry.”
I started moving again.
“Is there something Isaac needs to apologize for…?”
Luce buried her face in my shoulder. I could feel her feverish heat through my clothes. Even if the spores' effects would fade with sleep, I was genuinely worried about her condition. I kept a close eye on her to make sure she was still breathing okay.
“Then, Isaac… I have a favor to ask. Can you please tell me something?”
“What is it?”
Kwagwang──!
A demonic illusion lunged from the brush, but Galia vaporized it with a single bolt of lightning. I quickened my pace.
Luce breathed heavily for a moment, then managed to whisper, “Tell me that Isaac is Greung… Please, just say it…”
I expected that.
Sorry, Luce, but I can't do that.
To be honest, I don’t fully trust the situation. Until I defeat the Evil God, I need to keep my secrets as guarded as possible.
If she found out the truth now, the potential for a bad ending would skyrocket. It was already hard enough just trying to get stronger and hunt demons.
Once the Evil God is dead and I don't have to worry about bad endings anymore…
At that moment, I’ll tell her everything.
I figured she wouldn't resort to torture to get the answer.
“You’re so stubborn. Of course I’m not him. For you to go this far, you must really like me or something, huh?”
I used a casual, teasing tone to shut down her line of questioning. From Luce’s perspective, she couldn't be 100% certain without definitive proof. This psychological distance was necessary.
However, her next response was so unexpected I lost my words.
“Maybe I do…”
Luce flashed a faint, weary smile. Her soft whisper echoed in my mind.
“Luce…?”
“…”
She didn't say another word. I called her name several times, but there was no response. Her body went limp, and the sound of soft, steady breathing tickled my ear.
“Are you asleep?”
A bitter chuckle escaped me. In the end, her body had forced her into a deep sleep to detoxify the spores.
Beep──
Luce’s bracelet signaled her elimination. The exam bracelets monitored the wearer’s vitals and triggered an exit if they became incapacitated. Luce was no exception.
I leaned her gently against a nearby tree. Galia, having finished his patrol, landed beside us. Luce was out cold, her head tilted to the side, her silky rose-gold hair damp from the humid air.
When she wakes up, she won’t remember any of this.
“Galia, you did well. The proctors will be here to collect her soon. You’re eliminated along with your master, so just stay with her.”
[What about you?]
“I’m moving on. Thanks for the help.”
I stretched my shoulders, which were sore from the weight.
“I’m off.”
[I have one thing to ask you.]
Galia gazed at me, his eyes crackling with static.
[When do you plan to reveal your secret to this child?]
It was a fair question, considering Galia looked at Luce like his own daughter.
“…Thanks for keeping the secret this long. I’ll tell her when the time is right.”
[Don’t be too late. This child… she really cares for you.]
“…”
[I’d also like to see my grandchildren eventually…]
“I’m in a hurry, so I’m leaving! See you later!”
I bolted, cutting off Galia’s unfiltered commentary. As if to warn me to be careful, Galia spread a wing and gave a small wave. I waved back over my shoulder.
‘Cheer up, Luce.’
I took a deep breath to steady myself. From here on out, things would only get harder. I needed to avoid unnecessary combat and reach the center.
Let’s do this. I’ll stop the bad endings, just like I always have.
I pushed through the dense foliage, heading toward the heart of the island.
- [Back Story - Hunting Evaluation (2.5)] End.