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Chapter 76: The Great Hunt (2)

"The Serpent\'s hunting method is quite different. It’s as flexible as a snake, yet its fangs are said to rival those of a dragon in strength. But the real challenge lies in peeling off its armor-like scales, after all, it’s all meaningless if you can’t."

Beikan, setting down the arrow he was tending to, looked up and spoke. "Quite the chatterbox, aren’t you?"

Karyl shrugged and chuckled.

"Regardless of the target, the method of hunting remains the same. You just do your best with what you’ve got."

"Well, I hope we don’t end up bringing back more than one corpse from the rolling hills. That\'s all."

[You seem oddly excited. ...Wait! You aren’t into muscular men, are you?]

Be quiet!

[I was looking back at your previous life\'s memories, and there wasn’t a single woman in sight. I hope it\'s not some strange preference of yours.]

...You don’t know all my memories.

"It’s quite obvious. The stronger the memory, the more it lingers. In other words, the fragmented memories of yours I have are the most impactful moments of your life."

Umm, well, maybe I deliberately hid them? Karyl replied with a stiff face.

"Suuure~" But Allen, unlike his rigid appearance, spoke to him in a teasing manner.

It’s just... it’s been a while since I fought alongside someone I can trust without hesitation.

Both Aidan and Mikhail were exceptional, no doubt, but their skills were admittedly lacking. Mikhail, with his limited experience in subjugation, and Aidan, whose experience was mainly on human enemies rather than monsters, were both unneeded variables in hunting.

[They seemed quite capable when we caught the Twin-Headed Eagle.]

Well, they have their talents, that’s for sure.

Karyl watched Beikan meticulously check his gear and let out a soft chuckle.

But your opinion will change once you see him fight.

[Hmm...?] Allen Javius cocked his head, puzzled and not fully understanding.

***

Thunk—!!

The sound of rocks shattering echoed through the air, as fragments flew in all directions, scattering across the ground.

Picking up the rock fragments, Beikan, with a powerful swing, smashed the fallen monster’s head without mercy. The thick carapace cracked open, revealing the oozing brain fluid within.

“Phew!!”

Despite its head being shattered, the monster\'s remaining legs twitched, as if its nerves hadn’t fully disconnected. Beikan, unfazed, took a short breath and stomped hard on the creature\'s abdomen.

[Now I understand what you meant. He\'s on a whole different level,] Allen said, looking at Beikan with a bewildered expression as he spoke to Karyl.

Right?

Around Beikan, the corpses of exploded monsters were scattered everywhere. It was as if there was a mountain of bodies, likely amounting to thirty or forty. The monsters at the entrance of the rolling hills had all targeted him, but the outcome was clear from the scene before him.

[How can he fight like that? Without any magic, relying on pure physical strength.]

He\'s a man who single-handedly defeated five hundred soldiers. That\'s just the tip of the iceberg.

[It\'s not about the numbers. Even you could defeat a thousand now. What astonishes me is how he can fight without showing any signs of fatigue.]

Crack—!

Tearing off a shell from a monster’s corpse, Beikan spoke to Karyl.

“Can you wait for a moment? The cores of these monsters are valuable items. If they aren’t processed immediately, they become unusable. Just let me separate the materials and give a signal; my tribesmen will come and collect them.”

“Do as you please. I was planning to rest before entering the rolling hills anyway. But there was hardly any need for me to exert myself since you took care of everything.” Karyl waved his hand, giving his permission.

Once given the go-ahead, Beikan skillfully disassembled the monsters.

[Such physical prowess was rare even in the Magical Era... How fascinating.]

One can be strong without magic. Aren’t you overreacting a bit too much? There were people without magic in the Magic Era too.

[Of course. You call them immigrants or barbarians, but back then, everyone used to live together.]

Then, why do only the people from the North and the South seem to be born without magic?

[Well, not having magic isn’t necessarily strange, is it? You may think I find it surprising for one to be strong without magic, but you\'re mistaken. The current emperor may brand it as a heresy and whatnot, but magic isn\'t some blessing bestowed by a god,] Allen explained, crossing his arms.

[It\'s just one of the many natural phenomena that exist in this world. Humans are merely borrowing one of the elements that make up the world. So, curses, spirits, sorcery... There\'s plenty that could be labeled as heretical.]

That makes sense. Karyl nodded lightly, a slight smile tugging on his lips. A millennium ago, what was considered trivial, now divides continents and provides a pretext for wars.

[Those born without magic sometimes possess strong qualities in other areas. Your swordsmanship might be one example of that."

My swordsmanship is the result of my effort. It\'s not something “bestowed” upon me by any god.

[Haha... Pride, huh? It is quite something. Anyway, that’s how it is. I may have walked the path of magic, but the world isn’t run by magic alone.] Allen pointed at Beikan, who was extracting the cores from the monsters.

[Talking to you brings back memories I had forgotten. It seems that living for a thousand years makes one’s memory hazy... Anyway, I think I know why that big guy is so strong."

Hmm?

[He was likely born under the blessing of a spirit.]

***

A blessing of the spirits...?

In the current era, where the distinction between good and evil is determined by mana, the concept of “spirits” has been forgotten. It was only among the southern barbarians that this knowledge was passed down by word of mouth, almost like a tradition.

[Although it\'s called a blessing, it doesn’t necessarily have any direct connection to spirits. It is simply a term used to describe individuals with unique constitutions. Have you heard of Emperor Rainer, the Conqueror?]

The first Sword Master?

[Yes, exactly. While the legends of him being able to move mountains and split tsunamis with his bare hands may be exaggerated, there were intriguing research findings.]

What were they?

[It is possible that Emperor Rainer possessed a body devoid of magical power.]

"What...?" Beikan, who was dismantling a monster\'s corpse, turned to look at Karyl, surprised by his sudden interjection.

"It’s nothing." Karyl quickly waved his hand.

[It may just be one theory, but back then, mana was abundant, and so was the power of spirits. One of the dragons that coexisted with the Assembly of Seven said that Emperor Rainer used three types of elements.]

Not just one?

[Yes, that’s right. Unless one has consumed a dragon\'s heart like you, it is impossible to use different elements. However, there were exceptions."

Hmm... A Spirit contract!

[Exactly.]

So, according to your theory, Emperor Rainer might be an ancestor of the southerners?

[Well, as I mentioned before, during that time, there were no distinctions like immigrants or barbarians. However, compared to Imperials, there is a higher likelihood.]

I see.

[As you know, the power of spirits has weakened over time, so achieving what the Emperor did is impossible now... But occasionally, individuals born without mana possess abnormally strong physiques.] Allen pointed at Beikan and continued, [We called such people “blessed by spirits.” It seems that Beikan has been favored by the earth spirits.]

Karyl chuckled. What about me then? According to your theory, my swordsmanship could also be part of a spirit\'s blessing. Maybe I was blessed by the wind spirit? Karyl said it as a joke, not expecting a serious answer.

[No,] Allen replied without hesitation. But unlike his casual dismissal, Allen answered seriously. [If I were to go by the version of you in my memories... you are closer to lightning than wind. Wind can be sharp and gentle, but you possess ferocity rather than gentleness.]

Enough with the embarrassing talk.

[Hey, I’m not joking. I’m serious. Think about it. Have you ever experienced any unexplainable phenomena in your previous life?]

No, there is nothing like that. I have come this far relying on my own strength.

Karyl stood up as Beikan finished disassembling the last monster.

"Ready to go?"

Beikan nodded instead of answering.

After covering the pile of monster cores with a cloth, Beikan stretched his massive bow. The tendons in his arm, holding the bow shaped like a crescent moon, stood out. The arrow he released whistled sharply as it soared into the sky.

"From here on, it’s the Sand Serpent’s territory. According to the rules of the Great Hunt, there will be no cooperation. The one who claims the serpent\'s head will be the winner. Any objections?"

"None."

Beikan, as if waiting for his response, slung his bow back over his shoulder and started walking.

[Finally, we are getting started.] Allen’s eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he were a spectator waiting for an exciting match.

Lightning...

Strangely, despite the grand challenge of the Great Hunt, Karyl found Allen’s words lingering in his mind.

***

"...Damn it," Beikan muttered under his breath, his frustration evident.

Karyl, glanced back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You are tired, aren’t you?"

Beikan shook his head, his voice resolute despite his pale, parched lips. "Not at all." He pressed on, striding over the rocky terrain, determined to climb the rolling hills ahead.

[Quite impressive. He\'s able to keep up with your speed, even though yours is enhanced by magic.]

Karyl remained silent, his eyes fixed on Beikan’s retreating figure. The shoulders that didn’t tremble even after taking down dozens of monsters now showed a subtle, almost imperceptible tremor.

[At this altitude, even breathing becomes a struggle without magic.]

Right.

[Why not cast a support spell? After all, isn’t the whole purpose of this mission to win him over?]

No. That would defeat the purpose.

There was no such thing as an easy battle, and the upcoming wars would bring even greater suffering.

He’s remarkable as it is, but the more exceptional a talent, the more it needs to be tempered. For someone born without magic to stand against the Imperial forces, this much is to be expected.

[Is that wisdom born from experience?]

Karyl remained silent, simply continuing to walk.

"Huff... Huff..." Beikan\'s heavy breathing interrupted the silence as his steps came to a halt.

At the edge of the giant rolling hills, three towering pillars jutted into the sky, dominating the dry and desolate mountainous landscape.

Gulp—

Amidst the fierce gusts of wind, the sound of Beikan\'s anxious swallowing could be heard.

"We’ve arrived," Karyl spoke in a low voice, as if he already knew the sight that Beikan was witnessing. "At The Venom of Authority."