Neta Chara V10c8-2

Volume 10 Chapter 8 Village Of Sanctuary

Edited by: Kanaa-senpai

”Now that you know this place, you can’t escape. Just surrender quietly.”

As the leader said that, the rest of the Garuda Clan attacked me all at once.

The first one to attack me was a Garuda Clan with striped fur and sharp fangs.

The enemy had used Beast God Transformation──the Garuda Clan’s ultimate technique──and now looked like a tiger.

Their sharp claws grazed my chest, but I dodged by a hair’s breadth.

”Whoa, you’re strong. Even my full-speed attack barely missed!”

”So you really are skilled to make it this far. Everyone, this one’s tough──attack together!”

The remaining figures rushed at me all at once.

One was a panther with jet-black fur, one was a bear with thick hide, and one was a tanuki with a big round tail.

”All of them used Beast God Transformation?! Tch! What a pain!”

To dodge the 4 lunging at me, I fired magic at the ground.

The burst of magic split into dozens of tiny particles, sinking into the earth.

At the last second, I avoided their attacks──just as the ground where I stood erupted with a deafening explosion.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Kaboom!

Thanks to activating [Minefield] in advance, the 4 charging at me were blasted into nearby trees.

Even though I weakened it (since it’s No Chant), this Intermediate-level magic was still stupidly lethal.

I bought this magic at the Estfort Magician Guild branch, but I never expected it to be this strong.

”My bad. First time using this magic──didn’t know how strong it’d be. Sorry ’bout that. If you don’t attack, I won’t either.”

The Rakshasa Clan leader looked panicked after seeing my magic.

”…You’re seriously skilled…”

”Who the hell are you guys? Living this deep in the wilds with Garuda Clan members I’ve never even seen?”

A searing bloodlust turned toward me again.

My skin prickled under the weight of their violent killing intent.

”Whoa, you think I’m scared of you?!”

The Garuda Clan, transformed into beast gods, kicked the ground and charged in with a roar that shook my belly.

Their sharp fangs were aimed right at my throat.

I fired dozens of [Fire Arrows] at the tiger rushing toward me.

At that moment, I sensed a growing killing intent from behind me.

But I was so focused on controlling the [Fire Arrows] that my reaction to the killing intent was slow.

Grab!

I was caught in a tight grip by a thick arm covered in hard fur.

”Whoa! Seriously! When did this happen! Ouch!”

The [Fire Arrow] hit the tiger perfectly, but I ended up stuck and unable to move.

The strength of the Garuda Clan, transformed into a bear, was incredible.

I struggled to break free, but it only tightened its grip.

”Good job. Since you’re a guest, don’t be too rough. Later, I’ll erase your memory of this place and toss you near the safe Felward Fortress.”

”Don’t mess with me! I won’t go down that easily!”

I activated [Frozen Circle] without a chant.

Cold air began to rise from the ground in a ten-meter radius around me, and the bear’s feet that were holding me started to freeze.

”If you don’t want to be frozen, let me go! If you keep touching me, you’ll turn into an ice statue in no time!”

The bear hesitated at my words, and their grip weakened.

I took that small chance and managed to escape from the bear’s hold.

”What are you doing! Don’t let him escape! Catch him at all costs! Don’t give him a chance to cast magic, keep attacking!”

The Rakshasa Clan showed no signs of joining the fight, focusing instead on giving instructions to the Garuda Clan from the treetops.

As I watched, my vision was suddenly engulfed in darkness.

The pitch-black world, with no light at all, was an artificial darkness created by mana.

”Black Mist! Is the caster mixed in too! Ugh, this is beyond annoying!”

I quickly cast [Flash] to chase away the darkness.

What I saw next made me panic.

A black panther’s claws were already inches from my face.

I tried to dodge back, but the bear blocked my escape.

Crap!

No way to dodge!

The moment I realized I couldn’t evade, my attack instincts kicked in.

I activated [Light Blade], sliced the panther’s claws aiming for my neck, then touched its head with my left hand to cast [Paralyze].

With a yowl, the charging panther froze and started twitching.

[Paralyze] worked──its limbs were locked.

”Your training’s lacking! Hurry up and catch him!”

Knowing I’d be caught soon, I targeted the Rakshasa Clan leader.

I spread my [Flying Wings], launching to the treetops, and closed in on her.

She wore a hood with fake horns and a loose robe hiding her shape.

She tried to flee, but I caught her instantly.

”Eek! Let go! And where are you touching?!”

”Wait… a girl?”

The Rakshasa Clan leader was a woman.

Her voice was androgynous, but the softness under my hands wasn’t.

With their leader captured, the 4 beast-god warriors froze.

”Good! Don’t move! Revert now, or she dies!”

I wrapped an arm around her neck.

They hesitated but soon reverted.

All 4 were women──and now n*ked from the transformation.

”You disgrace us… Skilled but vulgar.”

The tiger-striped Garuda woman glared, furious.

”Unfortunately, I have a scary wife. I have no interest in anyone else. Put on some clothes.”

I urged the 4 of them, who were glaring at me while completely n*ked, to get dressed.

I kept a tight grip on the neck of the Rakshasa Clan woman, making sure not to let my guard down.

Once they finished changing, the 4 of them came closer to me.

”Can you return our guardian? That person is very important to the Sanctuary. If you return her unharmed, we will treat you well in the village.”

The oldest-looking one, a Garuda Clan woman with striped fur, demanded the release of the Rakshasa Clan woman.

”I can’t afford to be attacked again… but you don’t seem like the type to lie. I’ll trust you.”

”We will keep our promise. The guardian is someone we cannot replace… we will never break our word──”

Grrrrrowl!

My stomach growled loudly.

I had been moving and hunting since morning, and my hunger was at its peak.

I told the Rakshasa Clan woman in my arms the conditions for her release.

”First, feed me. I’m just training in the Southern Region. I have no intention of causing trouble in your Sanctuary. If you want me to keep quiet, I won’t tell anyone.”

”Hmm, for an outsider, you understand well. Recently, ‘another world monsters’ have been getting closer, and outsiders have been causing trouble, so the villagers are on edge. We mistook you for one of those.”

The Rakshasa Clan woman, struggling in my arms, was seen as a goddess by the 4 Garuda Clan members.

”Well, it’s not good to just stand here talking. Please come to our village. We have plenty of food, so if you want to train, you can stay here. Right now, many ‘another world monsters’ are coming from the Abyss Gate, and we need help… It would be great if someone as skilled as you could assist us.”

The Garuda Clan woman with jet-black fur bowed politely, then beckoned me to follow her.

”Sure. Cooking is a hassle, so I’ll stay here for a while. I just need to beat up some ‘another world monster’, right?”

I decided to follow the guide while carrying the Rakshasa Clan woman under my arm.

* * *

After walking for a bit, I saw a small clearing surrounded by giant trees.

It looked like a village with houses built high up in the trees, connected by hanging bridges.

I could see at least 50 houses, and it seemed like about 2 hundred people lived there.

”Whoa… I’ve never heard of a village deep in the Southern Region… and it’s pretty big too…”

As I entered the village, people gathered and bowed down to me.

”Everyone, this person is my guest. Don’t be rude.”

I thought they were bowing to me, but they were actually showing respect to the Rakshasa Clan woman I was holding.

”Are you the village head?”

”Something like that. I manage the village. By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Valentina Ockini, the guardian of this Sanctuary. What is your name?”

”I’m Clayd.”

”Clayd, huh… Who are you? You said you were training, but your fighting style against those 4 was not normal for Monster Hunting.”

I gently set Valentina down on the ground.

I know that Rakshasa Clan doesn’t grow much physically, but this woman seems quite small.

”Just call me the strongest man of the Demon Continent. Now, hurry up and feed me.”

So, I decided to stay in this strange village deep in the Southern Region.

~New Character~

Valentina Ockini

Rakshasa Clan, Engineer, age unknown, female, leader of the village in the Southern Region.

She commands the supposedly extinct Garuda Clan, a mysterious woman.

She claims to be the guardian of the Sanctuary built by Arsella Dorman.

—

~New Magic~

Gathered mana, heed my words for the Light Blade!

Become the sword of light and dwell in my hand!

• Attribute: Light

• Target: User

• Range: Can extend by user’s magic power.

This magic shapes a high-energy substance by condensing the magic element into a sword form.

Its power increases with the user’s magic strength and the Swordsman job bonus.

—

Gathered mana, heed my words for the Black Mist!

Become the dark mist and steal my enemy’s sight!

• Attribute: Dark

• Target: User can specify up to 100 meters.

This magic creates an artificial dark mist that absorbs light and blinds the specified person.

The person blinded cannot recover from [Blind] status until healed by Healing Magic or dispelled by a flash.

—

Gathered mana, heed my words for the Frozen Circle!

Become a cold gas and protect me!

• Attribute: Ice

• Target: Everything within a 10-meter radius from the user.

This magic indiscriminately freezes all living beings within a 10-meter circle centered on the user.

If you go outside the area, you won’t be frozen, but if you stay inside while it’s active, you will eventually be unable to move.

The freezing speed depends on the user’s magic power.

—

Gathered mana, heed my words for the Minefield!

Become an invisible trap and slay the approaching enemies!

• Attribute: Earth

• Target: Area within a 50-meter radius centered on the user.

This magic plants multiple explosive devices in a circular area.

The number of placements depends on the user’s magic job level.

The power relies on the user’s magic strength.

—

Gathered mana, heed my words for the Shining Flare!

Become a shining flame and burn my enemies!

• Attribute: Fire

• Target: User can specify up to 20 meters.

This magic releases a blazing flame that deals severe heat damage while emitting bright light.

The light may temporarily blind those around.

Its power depends on the user’s magic strength.

—

~New Job~

Battle Master

A job that is good at personal combat.

Job bonus: Magic power up, Physical strength up.

Job feature: Magic consumption halved, Physical strength recovery rate up by 150%.

Rare job.

—

~New Skill~

[Sword Equipment Level Up]

Increases sword equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Greatsword Equipment Level Up]

Increases greatsword equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Axe Equipment Level Up]

Increases axe equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Katana Equipment Level Up]

Increases katana equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Dagger Equipment Level Up]

Increases dagger equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Spear Equipment Level Up]

Increases spear equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Bow Equipment Level Up]

Increases bow equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Hammer Equipment Level Up]

Increases hammer equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Gun Equipment Level Up]

Increases gun equipment rank by one, regardless of main job.

Skill point cost: 20.

Modifier Skills: Rare Skill.

[Fist Equipment Upgrade]

Your fist equipment rank goes up by one, no matter your main job.