Chapter 31
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 031
Chapter Title: Monsters and the Junk Dealer (1)
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Right after crossing into the east,
we got a taste of what hell on earth was really like.
The state of the refugees fleeing from the central region was far worse than I could have imagined.
"Please... just share some food..."
People begged in skeletal husks of their former selves.
I had no idea if they'd fled in such haste they couldn't grab provisions, or if others had stripped them of what little they had.
Either way, there was no time to worry about the details.
They looked like they could drop dead from starvation at any moment.
"Here, eat this."
I handed out what food I had to the refugees.
It wasn't much—just jerky and hardtack bread.
"Lord Heros, is this alright?"
Bear asked cautiously upon seeing this.
He was probably concerned about our own tight supplies.
I nodded to ease his worries.
We could always hunt for more meat.
With magic, even the swiftest animals were easy prey.
Aa, of course, this would've been unthinkable in normal times.
Poaching was a serious crime.
These were exceptional times, though.
With nobles and priests dropping like flies, who had the manpower to punish a few hunters?
《Save eighty-four people and kill eighty-six.》
Whatever the case, the reward for these good deeds was clear.
The Underground Guide Grimoire's quota for lives saved was steadily filling up.
If sharing a bit of food could fulfill the grimoire's request, it was a steal.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Receiving their gratitude warmed the heart.
Truly a win-win.
That said, not every refugee was a good soul.
"Hand over everything if you don't wanna die!"
Some came at us with weapons drawn, threats flying.
Aa, to be precise, it wasn't one person—it was a group.
Those who preyed on others usually banded together with their own kind.
Robbery was too risky to pull off solo.
'Ten of them. Hmm... more than I expected.'
I thought to myself, then turned to Bear.
"Sir Bear, protect me."
I deliberately used the honorific 'Sir' to emphasize he was a knight.
Hoping a few would bolt in fear—or better yet, all of them.
"Sir? You mean a knight...?"
"No wonder! Look at that build."
"Should we run now?"
The daylight bandits started chattering, faces pale with panic, just as I'd hoped.
But one shouted at his crew.
"You idiots! What knight wanders around with just a sword? Use your heads!"
The man pointed.
There stood Bear.
The bandits followed his gesture, sizing Bear up and down before relaxing.
"His gear's too shabby for a knight."
"That sword looks scavenged."
"Ugh, we got spooked for nothing."
They regained their smugness, laughing it up.
Bear's forehead vein throbbed as he watched.
'Master was right.'
My mentor suddenly came to mind.
He placed great importance on appearances.
He believed a person's first impression was based on looks.
And it seemed he was spot on.
Look at this—Bear was being dismissed.
What if Bear had been in full plate armor?
I wouldn't have needed to point it out—everyone would know he was a knight.
Hell, they probably wouldn't have targeted us at all.
That's when it hit me.
"Lord Heros, shall I handle them?"
Bear asked, eyes locked on the bandits.
"Yeah."
I nodded.
Things had escalated too far for a peaceful resolution.
Plus, it was a good chance to check something.
'How strong is Bear, really?'
His raw power outstripped most knights—that was Jade's assessment.
But could brute strength alone match a knight's prowess in combat?
I had to wonder.
So, this was my chance to find out.
"Run while you can."
Bear stepped forward, striding toward them confidently.
They laughed uproariously at the sight.
Made sense.
Taking on ten alone looked like pure bravado.
'But that's where you should've thought twice.'
Why would he challenge ten?
Maybe he was confident in his skills.
I would've suspected as much.
"Die!"
While I pondered, one bandit thrust a spear at Bear.
A crude thing whittled from wood.
But sharp enough to wound.
Problem was, Bear wasn't ordinary.
Grip.
Bear didn't draw his sword.
Instead, he caught the incoming spear with his right hand.
Then yanked it toward him.
"Wha—?"
The bandit slid forward uncontrollably.
He braced his legs, leaning back desperately, but couldn't match Bear's strength.
He finally let go, tumbling to the ground.
He scrambled up fast, but his face was now rigid with tension.
Gulp.
Disarmed and empty-handed, the bandit darted his eyes around.
His comrades were frozen in shock at the unexpected turn.
No help coming.
Then—
Thrust!
Bear lunged with the stolen spear, returning it to its owner.
The tip pierced the bandit's body in an instant.
It didn't stop—bursting out the other side and skewering two more behind him.
Three impaled in total.
They writhed in agony before toppling sideways, shrieking.
"Huh?"
"M-Monster!"
"What the...?"
Three down in a blink.
The rest panicked, some charging, some fleeing.
Split like that, against a united front? No contest.
Bear's total victory.
He didn't even draw his own sword—just their weapons to finish all ten.
And I was convinced.
Bear had the skills to be called a true knight.
'Nice.'
Better than I'd imagined.
Made me all the happier.
And the good news didn't stop there.
《Save eighty-four people and kill seventy-six.》
The grimoire's kill quota dropped by the number of bandits.
Even though Bear did the deed on my orders, it counted.
Generous judging.
'Feeling good about killing people?'
The thought flickered, but I shoved it aside.
Dwelling on it would just breed guilt.
"Bear, grab anything useful."
Bandits down, cleanup was on us.
I rummaged through their packs.
Anything that could aid our journey was worth taking.
'Jerky? Not bad.'
Guilt over the dead only mattered if I survived.
So I forgot the bandits quick enough.
Travelers had more than humans and beasts to fear on the road.
Monsters too.
"What the hell..."
As we pressed on, meeting all sorts along the way,
something halted me and Bear dead in our tracks.
A blood festival was unfolding right in the middle of the path.
Off in the distance, bodies—likely refugees—were strewn about.
Five ashen-skinned monsters tore into them greedily.
They vaguely resembled humans in build, but their grotesque features ruled that out.
Boils covered their hides, and their gaping maws—packed with jagged fangs—could swallow a man's head whole.
'Nacherrs.'
Nacherrs.
Known as man-eaters... though that wasn't quite accurate.
They devoured humans, beasts—anything edible.
Master had taught me well; I knew them inside out.
'Surprised it took this long to run into one.'
In chaos like the east, monsters were inevitable.
Corpses galore meant plenty of chow.
Yet I'd dodged them so far.
Lucky, I guess.
"Push through or detour?"
As I observed the Nacherrs, Bear asked quietly.
Nacherrs were bona fide monsters.
Low-tier ones, sure—but far deadlier than men or beasts.
And there might be more lurking beyond these five.
Cautious approach required.
'Hunt them or not?'
Dozens of internal debates in seconds.
Decision...
'Yeah, let's hunt.'
Target the Nacherrs.
'Can't pass up a chance like this.'
Master said raising one's tier required killing.
And the higher the prey's tier, the greater the reward.
'Killing bandits won't cut it anymore. Need stronger foes.'
Alone, I'd hesitate.
But with Bear as my stalwart guard? No issue.
His skills could protect me.
Aa, just to be sure...
"Bear, can you handle them?"
"Yes."
His firm reply.
That confidence suggested prior experience.
Made sense—he'd been a sellsword.
Great for me.
Gave me victory assurance.
"I'll take those ones, so don't stray from me. There might be more around—focus on guarding me."
"Understood."
"Oh, and I'm leaving one alive."
"Why?"
"Gonna let it go on purpose, then track it. Lead us right to their nest."
Bear eyed me curiously.
Still questions lingering.
I could guess what, so I explained.
"Nacherrs hoard junk—they bury their scavenged loot in one spot."
"Ah... Never heard that. No one shared during my mercenary days."
"Knowledge is money these days. Folks hoard it so others can't profit."
But not Master.
I missed him today.
Truth was, this choice stemmed from him too.
He'd once told me about finding a grimoire in a Nacherr nest.
Extremely lucky break, he said.
But... why not me?
Snagging a grimoire before Rabbit Farm would hugely boost our trip.
"Nest's gotta be nearby—they move to where food's plentiful. Let's see what treasures they've buried."
I readied my magic as I spoke.
I only needed one to lead the way.
The other four? Expendable.