Desert's Grace
"Instructor Myurn, Harun and the others—three in total—are all here."
Standing before the barracks deep inside the Nest, Harun placed a hand over his chest and spoke.
"Come in."
With permission granted from within, Harun glanced back at Adel and Kasla with a slightly tense expression, then nodded. He pushed open the door to the barracks.
"As you all know, winter in the southern desert is an incredibly grueling time. Nights bring a sharp drop in temperature, and days are plagued by sandstorms unique to the season, making hunting nearly impossible. That's why this extermination..."
There wasn't just Myurn inside—three others were present as well.
Syrin and Yoran. And as expected... it's Big Brother Hul.
Adel had heard from Harun beforehand that he'd be joining Syrin's Beast Squad for this extermination, so he wasn't surprised to see Syrin and Yoran there. And once he realized this sweep marked the day of the 'Shallon Catastrophe', he could guess who the third person was.
Hien's third son, Hul Temir. With a red headband holding back his long hair tied tightly behind him, he had thick eyebrows. He resembled Merka more than Syrin, and despite being younger, Hul was massive—standing head and shoulders above Syrin. Two swords hung horizontally at his waist, another trait he shared with Merka. Unlike his other brothers, he was a hunter skilled with blades.
"You're late."
"Sorry. It's just that..."
"It was the final day of Taeogul training. We were wrapping things up."
"Hmph."
Myurn nodded as if understanding, but his gaze lingered sharply on Adel.
"Arrogant brat. You should come running when a superior calls. The meeting's delayed because of you."
"I'm a trainee in the Nest, but I don't have a direct superior. If I had to weigh my duties, the training Father assigned me takes priority."
"...What?"
"It's been a year, hasn't it, brother? How's your injury?"
"You little shit..."
Syrin's face twisted at Adel's smile.
"Enough, all of you. Adel, you three have been specially selected for this extermination. It's no light matter, so approach it with the joy of a hunter—but the reason I called you here is to emphasize caution. That goes for you two as well. Understood?"
"Thank you."
"We'll keep it in mind."
Harun and Kasla replied to Myurn, who nodded in response.
"Stand back and listen."
Adel eyed the map spread across the table in the center.
The marked location is definitely the Shallon region. Which means the overall commander for this sweep is Muel.
Though he hadn't participated in this extermination in his previous life, Adel remembered the day's events vividly.
The Shallon region was known as the 'Spider Den'. True to its name, it was infested with spider-like monsters, making it a prime hunting ground for desert tribes.
The red-patterned spiders in Shallon look grotesque, but their flesh inside the carapace is highly nutritious. For preparing for harsh winter, it's a natural target for extermination.
It was just the annual winter prep sweep. That's why trainees from the Nest could join.
If my memory's right, in my previous life, Harun wasn't standout, so Kasla and Nok-on joined this sweep instead.
Nok-on was the son of Huon, one of the ten great hunters called the Ulan tribe's Ten Commanders.
Like Magon and Ur who follow Merka, he was another commander's son. But not being called this time is probably because of me...
Two years younger than Magon and Ur, Nok-on was a year older than Adel and in his second year at the Nest. He had decent talent worth cultivating, but he didn't meet Adel's standards.
Well, such minor changes are inevitable.
Compared to the alterations his own participation would bring to the looming Shallon Catastrophe, Nok-on's absence was trivial. If anything, it was a blessing. Without Adel, Nok-on would have ended up just another corpse from Shallon.
And you too, Big Brother Hul.
Adel recalled that day's memories.
This extermination, carried out by three hunting squads, would go down as the Ulan tribe's most horrific incident in history. Of the 150 hunters who entered the Spider Den of Shallon, barely fifty survived.
Adel could confirm it by looking at Hul, Hien's third son—because Hul would lose his life in this very sweep.
"So you're the kid who caught Father's eye this time. I heard about it from Syrin. Even after a year, the village is still buzzing about you. Good to meet you."
Hul smiled and greeted Adel first.
"First time meeting you, brother. I heard you went hunting a giant beast. Looks like you succeeded. Congratulations."
"Hahaha, didn't expect congrats from a little brother. As you know, our family isn't exactly affectionate."
"No need for everyone to bare their fangs at me."
"I heard from Father. You plan to put us under you? Is that what you mean? A true lord hopes his subordinates don't fight among themselves, right?"
"Before loyalty to lord and vassal, I'm just thinking of brotherly bonds."
"Haha, is that so?"
Hul laughed heartily at Adel's response.
"You're humoring a child's nonsense, Hul. It's been a year since that nonsense. You gonna fall for his games like the fools in the village?"
Syrin still glared at Adel with distaste.
"Brother, but Adel clearly broke Father's record. None of us seven brothers managed it. And the Tomb Tournament? Word reached me even out in the field."
Yoran's shoulders twitched at Hul's words.
"He'll get his one day. The punk's basically saying he's better than Father. No manners from the one Father took in."
Yoran glared at Adel.
"Haha, Yoran. You saying you could've broken Father's record but held back on purpose? Wouldn't that just piss Father off more?"
"Th-that's..."
"Know your place, Yoran. Don't assume Brother will always have your back—strive on your own."
Yoran's face crumpled at Hul's words. Syrin did cover for him, but that didn't put him on equal footing with Hul. Hul was older, but more than that, he was different from Merka.
'Decapitator Hul.'
That was his nickname. True to it, unlike his brothers, Hul hunted only large monsters—and severing their heads was his hobby and signature move. Everyone suspected those twin blades might one day turn on other lives—like their own necks.
"...I'm trying."
"If you were really trying, the wolfmen in Guja Valley would've been wiped out by now. I hear their numbers are growing instead. You actually doing your job?"
"That's..."
Yoran looked troubled at Hul's words. Adel found the scene quite entertaining.
"Hul, we're not here to reprimand Yoran. We're gathered for the winter prep extermination. Separate personal and official matters."
In the end, Syrin stepped in to defend Yoran. Yoran sighed in relief, unaware it only made him look weaker.
Yoran will never escape Syrin's shadow. Not all of Hien's blood heirs are exceptional.
If anything, the adopted fifth daughter, Rania—who didn't share his blood—was far superior.
"Haha, Brother Syrin. The Spider Den extermination's an annual event, isn't it? No need to worry so much."
"Who knows. Hunting always has variables."
Syrin's vague reply grated on Adel.
"Is that so? It'll be fine. My Nakrang Squad's joining this time. No offense, but among our brothers' squads, none have as much experience as Nakrang."
Did Hul sense Adel's mood? He placed a light hand on Syrin's shoulder.
"I'll look after the inexperienced little brothers. Won't cause any trouble."
"Unnecessary worry. As the eldest among the participating brothers, caring for the young ones is my duty. Don't concern yourself. That kid's joining the Beast Squad anyway."
"...The Beast Squad?"
Hul's face hardened at Syrin's words.
Big Brother Hul's noticed Syrin has ulterior motives.
Not that anyone among the brothers was oblivious to Syrin's schemes. His faction was just overwhelmingly strong, so they held their tongues—for now.
Syrin's Beast Squad is indeed the strongest in the Ulan tribe. Only Big Brother Merka's Sprout Squad could match him.
Adel had to admit Syrin excelled at building power, even if he was insufferable.
"Syrin's right. All Nest trainees are assigned to the Beast Squad for this sweep. Hul, your Nakrang Squad is excellent, but none are as solid as the Beast Squad. No need to worry."
Myurn looked at Hul as he spoke.
"Plus, Muel's commanding this time. That woman's more than capable of ensuring everyone's safety—even internal squad issues."
He seemed to subtly warn Syrin. Hien's sons or not, they weren't yet above great hunters like Myurn. The Ten Commanders kept them in check, though some undoubtedly backed certain brothers. Once a successor was chosen, their own positions would shift accordingly.
Myurn originally backed Merka. Can't call him my ally yet. With Hul supporting Merka, that attitude's natural.
And Adel was using these five years—skipping the ritual he failed before—to clearly sort allies from enemies.
"The mission's simple: hunt red-patterned spiders in the Shallon region, the so-called Spider Den. But be cautious—recent reports mention missing hunters there."
"Missing persons?"
"Not from our tribe, but hunters from nearby minor tribes have vanished."
"Hmph."
"Weaklings biting off more than they can chew. We've hunted the Den for years, but it's no easy place."
Syrin snorted at Myurn's words.
"True, but still—stay alert. Especially you three, on your first sweep."
"We'll keep it in mind."
"Yes, understood."
"Normally, exterminations are post-graduation... but Hien ordered it specially."
From Myurn's words, Adel realized Hien had personally selected him—not the influence-less Syrin.
Though he pulled strings for the squad assignment.
It was transparent, but Adel wasn't worried. He already had a counterplan.
"This winter prep concerns the tribe's survival. Steel yourselves. The sweep starts in three days. Trainees, prepare in the meantime."
Myurn addressed the three.
"I called you for the sweep's importance, but also for another order from Hien."
"What is it?"
"Despite your inexperience, you've stood out in the Nest. Hien's granting you three a chance to challenge the Desert's Grace."
"...!!!"
"...!!!"
Everyone in the barracks was stunned.
"Is that true? Not one, but all three? That's impossible, Instructor Myurn!"
Syrin shouted first.
"The Desert's Grace is for one graduate per year. This can't happen!"
Adel knew why Syrin was furious. He'd never received it.
Merka taking it the same year was his misfortune.
Narrow-minded as he was, he couldn't know Merka had delayed his own Hunt Day out of consideration.
"Hien set the rule. Only he can make exceptions."
Syrin's face twisted at Myurn's reply.
A challenge to the Desert's Grace... This is more unprecedented than I thought.
Even Adel was surprised.
Now I get it. Father's test isn't the sweep.
But he quickly saw through Hien's intent.
He wants to test me with the Desert's Grace.
And what Hien expected was simple: Adel's Taeogul training results.
This is my chance.
Unexpected, but it let him skip waiting for Nest graduation.
Above the Great Bow Nest sits the mid god of conflagration, Garon.
Each year, one graduate could challenge the Desert's Grace—Garon's trial. Passing granted a god's blessing, even a contract.
But for Adel, contracted to Kalderet, Garon's power wasn't the goal.
Garon's relic, 【Rundel's Gloves】.
Adel sensed he could accelerate his plans far beyond expectation.
When I leave the desert, I need to build my own power base. The ardragonkin, led by the red dragonkin, will be its foundation.
"As you know, passing the Desert's Grace brings powerful blessings—but failure means death."
Myurn emphasized gravely.
"Will you challenge it?"
"Of course."
Adel replied as if he'd been waiting.
It was the perfect opportunity.