Chapter 100
Translator: Kell Editor: Weasalopes
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An Unforeseen Problem Right Before the Ceremony
Three days ago .
The Adventurers Guild from three different countries had formed joint subjugation teams to hunt the monsters in Un el Portan . As of this moment, however, their headquarters, located at the edge of the great forest, was in a state of chaos .
「They broke through the front lines?」the chief asked . He was the head Guildmaster in Quinbland, in charge of all the guild’s branches throughout the empire . A rank B adventurer in his younger days, he had an active career, but before he reached fifty, he lost his right foot to petrifaction and subsequently retired .
When the first report arrived, he thought it was some sort of a misunderstanding . The monsters’ abnormal growth in numbers happened every year . And every year it was almost always at the same location . The guild dispatched subjugation teams led by rank C adventurers annually to hunt them .
「I want details . Tell me more . 」
「Yes, Sir!」
The guild staff who went with the teams gave his report . While in the middle of fighting a mass of Goblins, Green Wolves, and Plant-type monsters, something unusual occurred . Forest Barbarians — more than ten of them — appeared .
「Ten…」
The chief was dumbfounded . A party of rank C adventurers could only take four or five of those at max .
「I see . So the problem is the appearance of said Forest Barbarians . 」
「No, Sir . That’s not all . 」
「What?」
「I caught a glance of it in the deeper part of the forest . 」The staff shivered . 「A dragon . 」
The chief thought the staff was simply seeing things due to fear . Dragons lived deep in the mountains, in places where humans had not set foot on . Un el Portan, while a big forest, was bordered by three countries . If a dragon inhabited the place, it would’ve been spotted long ago .
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But his assumptions would soon be proven wrong . More and more reports arrived . It wasn’t just Forest Barbarians . Dark Night Wolves, Tyrant Snakes, and Dark Pixies — monsters that were too much for C-ranked adventurers to handle — appeared in double digits .
It was nothing short of strange . Tyrant Snakes acted independently, but they grouped up this time . They had an abnormal situation at hand .
One adventurer gave his report as follows:
There’s a dragon in the deepest part of the forest and it was eating monsters . The creatures were forced to leave the forest .
A dragon, for some unknown reason, had gone berserk and preyed on monsters . Fearing for their lives, the creatures tried to leave the forest . Monsters that would normally be found only in the deepest parts of Un el Portan formed groups — perhaps their instincts kicked in — and escaped .
The chief immediately sent notice for an emergency request to each country’s main guild office . If the monsters escaped, nearby towns would be in danger of being attacked .
Adventures Guild from all three countries sent word to all adventurers rank D and above, requesting them to hunt the monsters in Un El Portan .
「I see . 」Hikaru had his hand on his chin as Mikhail explained the situation to him . 「Will high-ranking adventurers be there?」
「Well, adventurers usually don’t just stay put in a town . Most of them are out there clearing requests . But if three countries called for help, I think a fair number of them will show up . 」
「How long will the hunt take?」
「With a scale this huge, it’ll probably last until winter . 」
「That won’t do . 」
「Well, don’t look at me . 」
At this rate, the event will most likely get cancelled .
「Greetings, fellows . Fancy seeing you all— Huh, I guess not all of you are here . 」
Katy arrived, looking like she didn’t have enough sleep . Her coat seemed worn-out, quite the opposite of her usual classy attire .
「I brought you a present, Hikaru . 」
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She put five bullets on Hikaru’s palm .
「Is this what I think it is?」he asked .
They were different from the ones he lent to the professor . Those were silver, but these ones were gold with a pattern engraved on the exterior .
「It’s just a prototype . I’ve confirmed that they can be loaded with magic . They can be recharged, but only for about two or three times . 」she whispered into his ears .
Hikaru stared at her blankly . It had only been forty days since he handed the bullet to her . Even without any prior knowledge about it, she was able to create prototypes .
A researcher in the academy and the greatest Magic Item Specialist, Katy Kotobi .
He recalled the words of the principal . She must be a genius when it comes to magic items .
「Don’t stare at me like that . You’re making me blush . 」
「What’s that, Professor?」Mikhail asked .
「I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you . It’s a secret between me and Hikaru . 」
「When did you two get so close?」
Well, the Alchemy King knows about it too, Hikaru thought . But it wouldn’t be wise to tell Mikhail that .
「Professor Mikhail, I have a question . The cause of the abnormal surge of monsters is this dragon, correct?」
「That’s what they said . Though we’re not completely sure yet . 」
Hikaru shoved the bullets into his pocket and turned his attention to Claude . The young man looked at Hikaru with a serious expression .
「Claude, I’ll tell you about my secret plan . You can beat the boss without me, right?」
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「Secret? Wait, you’re not coming?」
「You can beat him even without me, right?」Hikaru asked once more .
Claude nodded . Hikaru then proceeded to open his Soul Board .
【Soul Board】Claude Zahard Kirihal
Age: 18 Rank: 7
3
【Vitality】
. . 【Stamina】1
【Magical Power】
. . 【Spirit Affinity】
… . 【Air】1
【Physical Strength】
. . 【Strength】2 →3
. . 【Weapon Mastery】
… . 【Sword】3 →4
… . 【Shield】1 →2
【Agility】
. . 【Power Burst】1 →2
【Willpower】
. . 【Mental Strength】1
. . 【Charisma】1
Hikaru put a point on Sword, Shield, Strength, and Power Burst . He then asked Claude to come closer .
(There’s most likely a new job class in your soul card . )
(What?!)
(A result of your training these past few days . Use it . And on the way you should try to move your body a lot so you get used to it . Make sure you get that win . )
Hikaru didn’t really want to do it, but with four points on Sword, Claude could now become one of Forestia’s best swordsmen .
「I have a favor to ask, Professor . 」Hikaru told Mikhail .
「You asking for favors feels weird, but okay . What is it?」
「Please go with Claude to Jarazack . 」
「What? I told you I need to go to hunt those monsters . 」
「Luka Lordgrad Ludancia will be coming as well and they will request an audience with Alexis Jarazack . 」
「What?! She’s a princess of Ludancia, isn’t she?! What are you guys planning?!」
「You can ask them on the way . I want you to be Claude and Luka’s bodyguard . They need one, especially with the monsters escaping from the forest . 」
「That’s true… Hmm, okay . I can head to the forest once I escorted them safely . 」Mikhail surprisingly agreed . 「In exchange, tell me what you’re about to do . 」
Claude’s eyes were asking the same question . What are you planning?
「I’ll get rid of the dragon . If the root of the problem is a lone dragon, it’s the perfect job for me . 」Hikaru answered .