Bab 672
"Tapi aku tidak menjinakkan mereka atas kemauanku sendiri, itu karena lingkungan khusus Einroguard... Dan ada siswa yang bahkan lebih tidak biasa dariku di Einroguard..."
Yi-Han mencoba membuat alasan yang absurd, tidak mampu menyerah.
Saat itu, pemburu tanpa nama itu mengulurkan tangannya dan memberi isyarat agar dia diam.
"Babi Hutan Rintihan datang ke arah sini. Rendahkan suaramu."
"!"
Babi Hutan Rintihan, monster yang muncul di Pegunungan Kesedihan, adalah monster yang sangat mengancam.
Pantas saja para pemburu liar tadi mencoba mendekati perkemahan dengan alasan diserang Babi Hutan Rintihan.
Meskipun gerakan ceroboh dan daya tembusnya yang ditunjukkan oleh penampilannya yang menyerupai babi hutan raksasa cukup tangguh, senjata paling mengancam dari Babi Hutan Rintihan bukanlah ukuran atau taringnya, melainkan jeritannya.
Ia memiliki jeritan yang berdampak kuat pada jiwa mereka yang mendengarnya, seperti jeritan banshee atau mandrake.
Ekspresi pemburu tanpa nama itu, yang sedang mendengarkan suara lawan dengan menempelkan telinganya ke tanah, menjadi serius.
"Aneh... Babi Hutan Rintihan biasanya tidak bergerak dalam kelompok. Tapi hari ini mereka bergerak bersama. Seolah dikejar sesuatu."
Pemburu tanpa nama itu merasa gelisah dengan perilaku monster yang tidak biasa itu.
Ketika monster bertindak berbeda dari kebiasaan biasa mereka, biasanya ada alasannya.
Memangnya kenapa?
"Mungkinkah karena Profesor Bentozol?"
"...Ah, bukan. Profesor itu mungkin orang yang ganas, tapi dia tidak bisa menakuti semua monster di sini. Bagaimanapun, seorang mage bukanlah monster."
'Hmm. Pemikiranmu akan berubah jika kau bertemu kepala sekolah.'
"Satu datang ke arah sini. Kita harus menanganinya. Tutupi telingamu."
"Baik."
Yi-Han memasukkan kapas ke telinganya sesuai instruksi pemburu tanpa nama itu. Melihat ini, pemburu tanpa nama itu mengangguk dan bergumam.
"Penguasa gunung, kutawarkan sumpahku padamu sekarang."
"...Kau seorang mage?!"
Yi-Han terkejut membaca gelombang mana dari pemburu tanpa nama itu.
Pemburu itu menggelengkan kepala, membaca gerakan bibir Yi-Han.
"Ini adalah berkat tradisi."
Para pemburu tanpa nama adalah mereka yang mendapatkan kekuatan dari puluhan tradisi dan tahayul yang mereka pegang.
Semakin ketat dan sulit tradisi yang mereka pegang, semakin kuat kekuatan yang bisa mereka peroleh selama perburuan.
'Sihir primitif!'
Yi-Han memahami prinsipnya setelah mendengar penjelasan itu.
Sama seperti ada orang di kekaisaran yang secara alami menunjukkan kemampuan supernatural meski bukan mage, para pemburu tanpa nama adalah kasus serupa.
Jika dipaksakan untuk dikategorikan, itu mirip dengan sihir suci.
'Mengagumkan. Bisa menggunakan sihir setingkat itu tanpa mempelajarinya secara khusus.'
Pemburu tanpa nama itu mencengkeram tombaknya dengan erat dan menunggu dalam diam.
Berapa lama waktu telah berlalu?
Dengan suara kuku yang menggetarkan tanah, seekor Babi Hutan Rintihan muncul. Begitu melihat pemburu tanpa nama itu, ia menyerbu untuk menusuknya dengan taringnya.
Wush!
Pemburu tanpa nama itu menghindari serangan menggunakan kemampuan fisiknya yang diperkuat sihir. Sebaliknya, mata tombak meninggalkan luka dalam di tubuh Babi Hutan Rintihan.
Babi Hutan Rintihan menatap pemburu tanpa nama itu dengan mata ganas.
Jeritan pertama meledak keluar. Untungnya, baik Yi-Han maupun pemburu tanpa nama itu tidak terlalu terpengaruh.
Menyadari hal ini, Babi Hutan Rintihan menjadi marah dan menyerbu pemburu itu lagi. Tapi kali ini juga, pemburu tanpa nama itu menghindar dengan cekatan sambil mengayunkan mata tombaknya.
Babi Hutan Rintihan mengatur napasnya dengan suara dengusan. Ia menyadari bahwa ia tidak bisa menangkap manusia gesit ini hanya dengan dua serangan.
-■
Sekali lagi, sebuah jeritan keluar.
Kali ini, itu bukan jeritan yang dilepaskan untuk menyerang. Pemburu tanpa nama itu menyadari dengan terkejut bahwa Babi Hutan Rintihan sedang memanggil monster lain.
Semula, Babi Hutan Rintihan bukanlah monster yang hidup berkelompok seperti ini!
"Kita harus keluar dari sini!"
"Mengerti!"
Yi-Han juga merasakan urgensi sang pemburu. Dia menampakkan dirinya dari balik persembunyian dan segera merapal mantra.
"Berkumpul, berputar!"
Sihir yang telah dia siapkan untuk berjaga-jaga aktif dan menghantam Babi Hutan Rintihan secara langsung.
Bola air dapat meretakkan tulang dan mengguncang organ dalam bahkan monster kokoh seperti Babi Hutan Rintihan.
Buk!
Dengan dampak yang hebat, Babi Hutan Rintihan terlempar ke samping.
Babi Hutan Rintihan yang marah memulihkan posturnya dan mencoba mencabik-cabik mage sombong yang berani menyerangnya.
Namun, mage yang telah bersiap jauh lebih kuat daripada monster itu.
"Kegelapan, menyapulah!"
Sebuah gelombang kegelapan sesaat menguras vitalitas Babi Hutan Rintihan, membuatnya lamban.
"Dingin, menjadilah panah dan tembakkan!"
Setelah itu, dua belas panah dingin menembus tubuh Babi Hutan Rintihan. Meski tidak bisa menembus kulitnya, itu cukup untuk membekukan Babi Hutan Rintihan yang terkena.
"Serang!"
Prajurit kerangka elemen gelap meledak keluar dan melemparkan tombak mereka ke arah Babi Hutan Rintihan.
Menyadari bahwa dia telah memastikan untuk mengikat kaki lawannya, Yi-Han menyiapkan bola air lain.
Peluru air dengan putaran yang bahkan lebih ganas dari sebelumnya menerobos udara dan meledak di titik vital Babi Hutan Rintihan.
Bang!
Melihat dia membanjiri Babi Hutan Rintihan dengan tembakan sihir yang bertubi-tubi dan kemudian mengakhiri hidupnya dengan serangan terakhir, pemburu tanpa nama itu takjub.
"Lu-luar biasa! Aku bisa melihat dari mana reputasi siswa Einroguard berasal!"
Meskipun kesalahpahaman konyol tentang siswa Einroguard telah menumpuk, Yi-Han tidak sempat menjelaskan.
"Bukankah kita harus mencari tahu dari arah mana yang lain datang?"
"Jangan keluarkan kapasnya. Itu yang mereka incar!"
Pemburu tanpa nama itu berteriak dengan tegas.
Saat mereka mengeluarkan kapas untuk mengetahui dari mana Babi Hutan Rintihan lainnya mendekat, mereka akan dengan bangga melepaskan jeritan kematian mereka.
Namun, Yi-Han tidak ragu dan sejenak melepas kapas tersebut. Kemudian, seperti yang telah dilakukan sang pemburu sebelumnya, dia menempelkan telinganya ke tanah dan berkonsentrasi pada suara.
"Mereka datang dari arah itu!"
-
Babi Hutan Rintihan melepaskan jeritan mereka.
Itu adalah jeritan ganas yang mengatakan bahwa mereka akan membunuh semua makhluk hidup di area ini kecuali diri mereka sendiri.
Pemburu tanpa nama itu tanpa sadar memejamkan matanya rapat-rapat.
Dia tidak ingin melihat mage muda ini membayar harga atas kesalahan yang baru saja dia lakukan.
"Ayo!"
"...?!"
Yi-Han baik-baik saja sepenuhnya.
Pemburu tanpa nama itu bergerak bersama Yi-Han dengan ekspresi seolah tersihir.
***
"Yang kau lakukan tadi benar-benar bagus. Tapi jeritannya...?"
"Kupikir aku bisa menahan jeritan yang terdengar dari kejauhan karena aku secara alami memiliki ketahanan yang kuat."
"Siswa Einroguard benar-benar luar biasa!"
"Ah, tidak. Ini hanya aku."
Yi-Han cepat-cepat menjelaskan, khawatir pemburu tanpa nama itu mungkin memiliki kesalahpahaman aneh.
"Yah. Siswa lain sepertinya tidak menjinakkan griffin dan basilisk."
"..."
Saat Yi-Han memandangnya dengan ekspresi tidak senang, pemburu tanpa nama itu tersenyum dan berkata,
"Jangan tatap aku seperti itu. Sekarang aku tahu betul bahwa mage bukanlah orang jahat. Jika mage benar-benar raja monster, apakah
Chapter 672
"But I didn't tame them of my own will, it was because of Einroguard's special environment... And there are even more unusual students than me at Einroguard..."
Yi-Han tried to make absurd excuses, unable to give up.
At that moment, the nameless hunter extended his hand and gestured for him to be quiet.
"Wailing Boars are coming this way. Lower your voice."
"!"
The Wailing Boar, a monster appearing in the Grief Mountains, was a very threatening monster.
No wonder the poachers had tried to approach the campsite using the excuse of being attacked by Wailing Boars.
While its reckless movements and breakthrough power shown by its appearance resembling a giant wild boar were formidable, the Wailing Boar's most threatening weapon was not its size or tusks, but its cry.
It had a cry that strongly impacted the souls of those who heard it, like the cries of banshees or mandrakes.
The expression of the nameless hunter, who was listening to the opponent's sound by putting his ear to the ground, became serious.
"Strange... Wailing Boars don't usually move in groups. But today they're moving together. As if being chased by something."
The nameless hunter felt uneasy at the unusual behavior of monsters not normally seen.
When monsters act differently from their usual habits, there's usually a reason.
Why on earth?
"Could it be because of Professor Bentozol?"
"...Ah, no. That professor may be a ferocious person, but he can't scare all the monsters here. A mage isn't a monster after all."
'Hmm. Your thoughts would change if you met the principal.'
"One is coming this way. We'll have to deal with it. Cover your ears."
"Yes."
Yi-Han put cotton in his ears as instructed by the nameless hunter. Seeing this, the nameless hunter nodded and muttered.
"Lord of the mountains, I offer my vow to you now."
"...Were you a mage?!"
Yi-Han was surprised to read the mana wave from the nameless hunter.
The hunter shook his head, reading Yi-Han's lip movements.
"It's the blessing of tradition."
The nameless hunters were those who gained power from the dozens of traditions and superstitions they kept.
The stricter and more difficult traditions they kept, the stronger power they could gain during hunting.
'Primitive magic!'
Yi-Han understood the principle after hearing the explanation.
Just as there were people in the empire who naturally exhibited supernatural abilities despite not being mages, the nameless hunters were a similar case. �
If forced to categorize, it was similar to holy magic.
'Amazing. To think he can use magic of that level without specifically learning it.'
The nameless hunter firmly gripped his spear and waited silently.
How much time had passed?
With hoof sounds that shook the ground, a Wailing Boar appeared. As soon as it saw the nameless hunter, it charged to pierce him with its tusks.
Whoosh!
The nameless hunter dodged the attack using his magically enhanced physical abilities. Instead, the spear blade left a deep wound on the Wailing Boar's body.
The Wailing Boar glared at the nameless hunter with fierce eyes.
The first cry burst out. Fortunately, neither Yi-Han nor the nameless hunter was affected much.
Realizing this, the Wailing Boar became enraged and charged at the hunter again. But this time too, the nameless hunter dodged skillfully while swinging his spear blade.
The Wailing Boar caught its breath with a grunting sound. It realized it couldn't just catch this agile human with two attacks.
-■
Once again, a cry came out.
This time, it wasn't a cry unleashed for attack. The nameless hunter realized in shock that the Wailing Boar was calling other monsters.
Originally, Wailing Boars weren't monsters that lived in groups like this!
"We need to get out of here!"
"Understood!"
Yi-Han also felt the hunter's urgency. He revealed himself from behind and immediately cast a spell.
"Gather, spin!"
The magic he had prepared just in case activated and hit the Wailing Boar directly.
Water orbs could crack the bones and shake the internal organs of even sturdy monsters like Wailing Boars.
Thud!
With the intense impact, the Wailing Boar was flung sideways.
The enraged Wailing Boar regained its posture and tried to tear apart the arrogant mage who dared to attack it.
However, a prepared mage was far more powerful than the monster.
"Darkness, sweep through!"
A wave of darkness momentarily drained the Wailing Boar's vitality, making it sluggish.
"Cold, become arrows and shoot forth!"
After that, twelve cold arrows pierced the Wailing Boar's body. Although they couldn't penetrate the skin, it was enough to freeze the struck Wailing Boar.
"Strike!"
Dark element skeleton warriors burst out and threw their spears down on the Wailing Boar.
Realizing he had surely tied down the opponent's feet, Yi-Han prepared another water orb.
A water bullet with even fiercer spin than before tore through the air and exploded on the Wailing Boar's vital point.
Bang!
Seeing him overwhelm the Wailing Boar with a barrage of magic and then end its life with a final strike, the nameless hunter marveled.
"Ex-excellent! I can see where the reputation of Einroguard students comes from!"
Although a ridiculous misunderstanding about Einroguard students had built up, Yi-Han had no time to explain.
"Shouldn't we figure out which direction the other ones are coming from?"
"Don't take out the cotton. They're aiming for that!"
The nameless hunter shouted firmly.
The moment they took out the cotton to know where the other Wailing Boars were approaching from, they would triumphantly unleash their death wail.
However, Yi-Han didn't hesitate and briefly removed the cotton. Then, like the hunter had done earlier, he put his ear to the ground and concentrated on the sound.
"They're coming from that direction!"
-
The Wailing Boars let out their cries.
It was a ferocious cry saying they would kill all living beings in this area except themselves.
The nameless hunter unconsciously squeezed his eyes shut.
He didn't want to see this young mage pay the price for the mistake he had just made.
"Let's go!"
"...?!"
Yi-Han was perfectly fine.
The nameless hunter moved with Yi-Han with an expression as if bewitched.
***
"What you did just now was really well done. But the cry...?"
"I thought I could endure cries heard from a distance since I naturally have strong resistance."
"Einroguard students are truly amazing!"
"Ah, no. This is just me."
Yi-Han quickly explained, worried the nameless hunter might have a strange misunderstanding.
"Well. The other students didn't seem to have tamed griffins and basilisks."
"..."
As Yi-Han looked at him with a disgruntled expression, the nameless hunter smiled and said,
"Don't look at me like that. I know well now that mages aren't evil. If the mage was really the king of monsters, would he have fought the Wailing Boar to help me?"
"...I knew you'd believe me!"
Yi-Han brightened as the other finally let down his guard.
As expected, sincerity would be understood if one persevered. Even the most stubborn hunter had begun to understand Yi-Han.
-Hey, you poacher bastards. I told you not to come any closer! Do you want to see the hostage eaten by the unicorn!-
"!"
The two turned with surprised expressions.
While avoiding the rampaging group of Wailing Boars, they had accidentally approached the area where Professor Bentozol was staying!
"I'll send a signal."
"Then I'll threaten the professor."
"Alright... Huh?"
The nameless hunter doubted his ears.
Did he just hear wrong?
"Go ahead and try feeding Gainando to the unicorn, Professor! I'll report you to the principal right away! With the principal's personality, he'll chew up the unicorn alive!"
-...You vile bastard, may you walk for the rest of your life unloved by horses!-
Professor Bentozol spat out curses as if Yi-Han's threat had hit a sore spot.
Still, as if he didn't want to lose to a student, Professor Bentozol shouted.
-Hmph! Gonadaltes won't know about what's happening here!-
"One of my friends has gone down to send a message to Einroguard right now. Go ahead and keep doing that!"
-You'll be hated by everything from ponies to donkeys, you bastard!!-
"..."
The nameless hunter looked at Yi-Han with eyes that had become slightly more distant than the friendly gaze he had sent earlier.
However, Yi-Han didn't notice as he was busy dealing with Professor Bentozol.
"Professor. We know there's a problem with the unicorn too!"
-You spying poacher bastards! Did Bungaegor tell you!-
"Let us help you! Aren't we both Einroguard mages!"
-Ha! If you're an Einroguard mage, I should be even more suspicious. What year are you?-
"..."
Yi-Han momentarily accepted this and almost lost the war of words.
-I can't trust poacher bastards! I'll protect the unicorn. Get lost!-
"This boy here is much more loved by monsters than you, Bentozol!"
The nameless hunter, unable to watch anymore, stepped in instead.
That arrogant statement seemed to properly stimulate Professor Bentozol's pride, as even more vicious curses flew out than before.
-%&@#die%#! $@^%donkey#$son#%!-
"...What kind of curses are those?"
"You don't need to understand them!"
After spewing out curses, Professor Bentozol seemed to come to his senses a bit and spoke normally.
-What kind of blind person came that they say a mere young poacher bastard is better than me! Do you know what kind of monsters I've tamed? I've taken care of everything from the empire's smallest fairy to the largest dragon subspecies!-
"That's just taking care of them at best. You won't be truly loved by monsters!"
"Ah, no. I'm not exactly truly loved either..."
Yi-Han was slightly flustered.
Wouldn't someone listening think the griffin and basilisk loved Yi-Han very much?
At that, the baby basilisk in his sleeve became angry and repeatedly hit him with its tail.
How dare he ignore its love, even if the griffin was different!
"This boy here has tamed a griffin and is loved by a basilisk. Can you do that?"
-Don't spout nonsense that even a mule wouldn't believe! If a mere brat like you has tamed a griffin and is loved by a basilisk, I swear by the unicorn's name that I'll crawl on all fours to greet you!-
***
Professor Bentozol glared at the students with a very disgruntled look while on all fours.
Unable to watch anymore, Nillia said to Professor Bungaegor,
"Professor. Shouldn't we at least let him stand..."
"No. Tell him to stay prostrate a bit longer. That posture is good for the back too. He took a few hits earlier, so he needs to take a posture that's good for his back."
"..."
The students looked at Professor Bentozol crawling on all fours with complex expressions.
Every Einroguard student had a desire to make a professor kneel, but when they actually saw a professor crawling on all fours, the feeling was a bit...
"So, Professor Bentozol. What's the problem with the unicorn?"
"I met it a few years ago. It was drizzling that day and there was a crescent moon. Seeing the air glow, I knew one of the most beautiful creatures..."
"We're not curious, so just get to the point, Professor Bentozol."
Professor Bentozol grumbled and muttered curses before opening his mouth.
"Right now, the unicorn is taking care of its foal while its wound hasn't healed."
"!"
Professor Bungaegor was surprised.
It was surprising that the unicorn was injured, and it was surprising that it was taking care of a foal. Both were very rare occurrences.
"I see why you went berserk!"
"Then will you get lost?"
Professor Bungaegor was about to kick Professor Bentozol but held back. It wasn't good for the students' education.
Professor Bentozol growled, looking up at Yi-Han.
"Cunning con artist."
"...Professor. I wasn't the one who proposed the bet, it was that hunter..."
"Hmph!"
Professor Bentozol turned his head as if he didn't want to hear it.
At that, Niffirg swung its long tail and slapped the professor's face.
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