Chapter 155
Chapter 155. Eras Rhino Hunt
Their massive bodies were visible even from a distance.
Two of them.
They should travel in herds—but these two must have gotten separated too.
As we approached, the relationship between the two became clear.
One was smaller, and the other was female judging by the shape of her horns. Apparently, they were mother and child.
I looked down at what had brought them to this state.
Two men lay dead.
Warriors in chainmail and leather armor. Neither had visible wounds, but their arms and legs were bent in impossible directions. They must have taken a direct charge.
Compared to those adventurers, the Eras Rhino was in terrible shape. Arrows pierced its entire body, and it bore severe burns.
The child had fewer arrows and wasn't as badly injured, but its leg had been deeply slashed.
They must have immobilized the child to restrict the mother's movements.
From there, they could whittle her down from a distance until she fell.
An efficient tactic typical of adventurers—but they must have misjudged the moment of death and paid the price.
What caught my attention were the burn marks.
The grass was scorched in a perfect circle around the mother. Oil wouldn't leave such a clean pattern. There must be a fire magic user.
With their frontline warriors dead, did they retreat?
More importantly—what's this one thinking?
The variant was looking up at me while pointing at the child with the tip of its tail.
Right, the child was still alive.
Thanks to the mother shielding it with her body, it had somehow survived.
But it was gravely injured, unconscious, and still bleeding.
"I don't have any potions on me. And even if I did, what would you do with it?"
In response, the variant pointed its tail at the sled.
Understanding its meaning, I couldn't help but sigh.
"You want to have it carry its family? I doubt it'll listen."
As I argued, I shifted my gaze northward.
They're back.
Soon, two men appeared from beyond the undulating terrain.
Noticing me, they stopped and tensed.
A scout and a mage.
[Appraisal] placed them between high D-rank and low C-rank.
Not nearly strong enough to take on an Eras Rhino, and they wouldn't normally carry so many arrows.
They must have planned this after learning about the separated pair.
After confirming I was alone, they cautiously approached.
Stopping at a distance, the scout spoke first.
"What are you doing here, beastman?"
"A difficult question. I'm still deciding what to do."
The scout reached for the dagger at his waist, and the mage raised his short staff.
"That's our prey. Or are you here to scavenge our comrades?"
"Like I said, I haven't decided yet."
Growing impatient, I answered dismissively.
Now that their party had returned, saving the child would require bargaining chips.
Excluding the Lightning Phase Sword and the Hare's Chestpiece, I had nothing.
If I wanted to negotiate, I'd have to gather magic stones in the forest—but even if they agreed, I had no way to treat its injuries.
Saeon grass had minor healing properties in its raw state, but it couldn't mend wounds this severe. That meant I'd also have to get healing potions from the scouts.
No matter how I looked at it, this was a waste of time.
Then, my eyes fell on the mother again.
It wasn't an unusual sight.
I'd done similar things myself—killed countless monsters and animals.
It'd be hypocritical to preach about the value of life now.
Even as I dismissed the thought, I couldn't look away from the bloodied mother.
Forcing my gaze aside, I saw the sled carrying the family instead.
Sighing internally, I addressed the scouts.
"I have a proposal. Hand over the Eras Rhino child. Its horns are still short, and its magic stone—if it has one—would be smaller than an adult's. It's not worth much. That said, I'm short on funds right now. I'll gather magic stones in the forest. Wait here until I return with a satisfactory amount."
"Are you mocking us?"
My proposal was instantly rejected.
Waving off the scout's glare, I continued.
"That wasn't my intention. Butchering the mother will take time and energy. I'll return before you finish resting. Just spare the child for now—leave it for later."
Considering the effort involved, it wasn't a bad deal.
The two exchanged glances and a brief discussion. They seemed to conclude there was no downside.
The scout was about to agree—when his gaze suddenly shifted.
Following his line of sight, I saw the pure-white beast sitting there.
"Is that… a Hunter Fitch?"
"Why's it here—"
Hidden in the mother's shadow, they hadn't noticed it until now.
Though startled, the scout and mage shifted into combat stances. Unfazed, the variant pointed at the child with its tail, as if asking what they thought they were doing.
Watching this, the scout spoke again.
"Is that your familiar?"
"I'm not a tamer."
"Then we're free to hunt it, right?"
As the scout drew his dagger, the mage stopped him.
"Wait. Those red eyes… It might be the monster the guild warned us about."
"That thing's supposed to be deep in the forest. No way it's here in the grasslands."
When the scout insisted, the mage reluctantly agreed.
His doubts lingered, but greed seemed to win out. They should've heeded the guild's warning.
Even Pidosios and the [Sword of Deep Repose] were helpless against it. These two stood no chance.
"More importantly, I'd like your answer."
The scout kept his eyes on the variant as he glanced at me.
Then his gaze dropped.
"That's a fine sword you've got there."
"Sorry, but this isn't negotiable."
The scout twisted his lips in displeasure.
Once he confirmed the variant wasn't fleeing, he looked to the mage.
A silent exchange passed between them before they nodded.
"That's quite the load you're hauling. Let's see what's on it."
The scout stepped toward the sled.
In that instant—
"DON'T TOUCH IT!!"
Before I realized it, I'd cast [Earth Bolt] with [Multi-Chanting].
Countless stone arrows shot past, freezing the scout in place.
But only for a moment—he leaped back in panic, raising his dagger.
"You brat!"
"Careful, it's [Flake Spear]! I'll use an intermediate spell!"
"I know!"
Their misunderstanding escalated as they plunged into battle.
Watching the scout slink forward like a snake, I sighed.
We were supposed to be negotiating. How did it come to this?
Ah… Right. Because I used magic.
Dodging the scout's slash, tilting my head to evade the mage's [Fire Bolt], and deflecting another slash halfheartedly.
At this point, they wouldn't listen to reason. I'd have to humor them until they exhausted themselves.
But the moment I met the scout's greed-filled eyes, I reflexively kicked him away.
He rolled but managed to recover.
The pain must've been intense—his face contorted.
"Dammit! I'll hold him off! Prepare it!"
"Got it!"
They should've realized the gap in our strength, yet they fought on.
As I watched incredulously, the mage began concentrating.
Likely preparing his sole intermediate spell, [Fireball]. He must've thought an area spell could finish me.
Easy to counter, but at this range, it might catch Father and the others.
Turning to move away, I froze in disbelief.
The scout's back was shrinking into the distance.
The one who'd vowed to "hold me off" had turned tail and fled.
Even the mage was stunned when he noticed.
"A practical decision… but was sacrificing your ally necessary?"
Pitying the mage, I looked up and shook my head quietly.
They attacked first, and I even kicked him. If that scout made it back to town, he'd spin all sorts of tales.
Too late now.
Activating [High-Speed Movement] and [Physical Up], I lunged at the scout.
Using [Leaping Rabbit] for momentum, I kicked the back of his head.
A bizarre scream, the sound of impact, and a crash into the ground overlapped.
When I reached him, his neck was bent at an unnatural angle.
Gasping desperately for air, his breaths grew weaker until, after a final twitch, he went still.
That settled the scout. The mage couldn't be spared either.
As I turned, a [Fireball] came flying.
I cast [Fire Spirit Summon: Salka] with [Multi-Chanting].
"Devour it, Salka."
Twelve fiery serpents surged toward the [Fireball].
One touched it, and the sphere burst—but the flames were [Absorbed] before they could spread.
As the magic faded, the Salkas had thickened to the size of arms.
Dumbfounded by his spell's failure, the mage barely raised his staff as the Salkas turned on him.
Against twelve great serpents, resistance was futile.
They coiled around him effortlessly, and he flailed wildly as he burned.
Soon, he too stopped moving.
Rewarding the returned Salkas with [Flint], I glanced at the variant.
While my magic caused this, the variant had set the stage.
The scouts had been willing to negotiate.
But the variant's appearance ignited their greed.
With its intelligence, it must've known how humans would react.
Was this… a test?
A child near death, its mother slaughtered.
Those who killed the mother and sought to kill the child.
This was the scenario, stripped of race.
Would I abandon the child bound by species, or save it beyond such divides?
Three years ago, I'd helped the variant despite knowing it killed adventurers.
Had I not changed since then? Or was it testing me?
Dismissing the Salkas, I faced the variant and met its crimson eyes.
"My life is mine to decide. Don't interfere."
Hearing this, the variant lowered its gaze.
As I watched, something dawned on me.
No. This wasn't about testing. I'd been wrong from the start.
I knew there were rear guards.
And adventurers always return for their comrades' remains.
How would they react to a beastman boy there?
I couldn't reveal my identity, and I had no adventurer's card.
A beastman boy with a fine sword and a fortune in magic stones?
Nothing about this was normal.
If just seeing the variant drove them to greed, negotiations would've failed anyway.
They'd have demanded endless stones and stripped me bare in the end.
Adventurers included both good and evil.
Knowing rear guards were present, I should've left immediately.
This outcome was my mistake.
The variant seemed dejected.
Even knowing its expressions weren't human, I hated my own foolishness.
Come to think of it, back then—
"I won't take back what I just said."
As I spoke, the variant looked up.
"But I'm not so righteous as to dictate your actions. So let me retract what I said three years ago—about not attacking humans near Reedwalt. These men were warned by the guild. Against foes like them, there's no need to hold back. With your strength and wisdom, you'll judge appropriately. From now on, trust your own judgment—"
Suddenly, the variant vanished, cutting me off.
Startled, I scanned the area but found nothing.
Activating [Presence Sense], I finally detected it.
Northeast.
East of where the scouts had come from.
Puzzled, I followed and looked down from a grassy rise.
The variant sat primly, gazing up at me almost proudly.
Around it lay three fallen men.
Frowning at the fresh blood, I approached.
All three had their throats slit halfway through.
No signs of struggle—they hadn't even drawn their weapons.
At that speed, they likely died without realizing it.
Kneeling, I examined them.
One had a small sword, the others daggers.
The small-sword wielder wore leather armor reinforced with metal; the others had cloth armor.
All three were likely light warriors or scouts.
Their adventurer cards marked them as E-rank, issued in the imperial capital.
Probably not part of the earlier group. Seven was excessive.
Had they stationed a separate party to retrieve the Eras Rhino hide?
For a moment, guilt gripped me—but it faded as I inspected them.
Their belongings were eerily uniform.
Identical rations, only water for drink. No personal snacks, seasonings, or alcohol.
Their weapons were plain but well-made.
A few potions and one necklace that cast [Pure Water].
Tracing their tracks, I found they'd hidden them skillfully, avoiding muddy areas. The footprints led east—into the Reknod Forest.
The conclusion made me sigh.
"We were being followed…"
As if confirming, the variant wagged its tail vigorously.
I was utterly exasperated.
What was this absurdity?
Leaving town so easily was because they were investigating me.
And I'd dragged a sled, leaving clear tracks. Even a child could've followed.
Had the variant known from the start?
That's why it led me to the Eras Rhino—heavier, leaving deeper tracks, but harder to follow than a sled. The speed difference was vast, too.
It provoked the adventurers to sabotage negotiations, preventing the pursuers from getting information.
Such a roundabout method—all because of the promise I'd imposed.
Don't attack humans near Reedwalt.
The variant had obeyed faithfully, sparing both pursuers and adventurers.
Only after I retracted that order did it eliminate the pursuers.
Sitting before the variant, I straightened my posture.
"I've caused you trouble. My sincerest apologies. And… thank you, truly."
Bowing my head, I expressed my gratitude.
Perhaps embarrassed, the variant spun in place.
Smiling, I stood.
"Very well. I'll accept your proposal. Let's save the Eras Rhino child."