Volume 8 Chapter 10 Hunting
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A few days have passed since we test-fired the Fairlater, the anti-Beast Monster rifle, at Aida’s workshop.
Now, the day of the eagerly awaited operational test has finally arrived!
Officially, it’s a field test for the Fairlater, but it’s also a chance for me to retrain as a Monster Hunter.
This time, the party consists of me, Manon, Beatrice, Flamil, Carly, Ines, Feria, and Milly.
We’re planning the experiment in the Hunting Ground near Godard Village in the Southern Region.
Milly wanted to bring in a much larger escort, but Manon argued that it was a top-secret operation for the South District Margrave country, involving the Fairlater.
She insisted on keeping it within the Blackdagger family, and Milly reluctantly agreed, selecting the smallest possible party of 8.
We chose people skilled in magic and long-range attacks, with the [Maid Dragon] duo selected to provide aerial detection.
As for me, I lost my job and skills in the battle against Orphée Bleu.
My old Armor of Darkness wasn’t strong enough anymore, and my abilities were taking a hit.
So, I quickly ordered an Elite-level Steel Armor, Steel Shield, and a steel sword from Mr. Golerg to boost my defense, which had dropped since losing my job.
I spent every spare moment training with Milly and Ines, trying to reacquire a [Warrior] or [Swordsman] job before the hunt.
But, alas, I failed.
In other words, my abilities were only slightly better than a generic ‘Villager A’ without a combat job.
And so, with that ability, I welcomed the day of the hunt today.
The day before, I rolled out the Blackdagger family’s exclusive hunting carriage and stayed overnight in Godard village, heading towards the nearby monster Hunting Ground at dawn.
The Hunting Ground, our destination for this sweep, was a place where Intermediate-level Hunters came and went, and the Hunter Guild recommended a HR (Hunter Rank) of 50 or higher.
Although my jobs and skills have vanished, I’ve participated in large-scale hunts and taken down Beast Monsters many times, so my HR is high, and the Guild never tried to stop me from entering the monster forest.
Moreover, since today’s mission includes confidential experiments, I made sure to pave the way with the Hunter Guild so no other Monster Hunters could enter the Hunting Ground.
”Finally, we’re here. This is where the experiment will take place. It’s a pretty open grassland area, so we should be able to spot enemies easily.”
I stepped down from the hunting carriage and scanned my surroundings.
The gentle grassland stretched out, dotted with a few slender trees here and there.
”Kent, be extra careful, okay? I want you to realize that your abilities have dropped significantly compared to before. If you get hit in the wrong place, there’s a chance you could die in one shot.”
”Yes, I’m fully aware. I’m just the leftover bait aiming for a LV up and Job acquisition, nothing more.”
”I didn’t say that. But I think it’s fine if the newly minted South District Margrave, Kent, doesn’t have to deal with monster extermination on the front lines.”
Milly had reluctantly agreed to my participation, and it seemed she was still hesitant about my involvement in the fight even now that we were here.
”Lady Miriallia, if that’s how it goes, then Sir Kent will never be anything more than a pathetic king-nya. If he can’t even defeat a single monster, the people of the South District won’t follow him-nya. To make matters worse, some of the citizens are already calling him a weak-willed king or a lovestruck fool-nya. I’m sure gossip like that has reached the ears of you, the head of the Intelligence Organization, Lady Miriallia-nya.”
Milly seems worried about my unemployment, but I figured if this monster hunt goes well, I should be able to snag some kind of Combat Job.
”Manon’s right. I have to become stronger to protect my people. I might not need to be the strongest, but I can’t let the top-tier monster hunters look down on me.”
Milly nodded, clearly steeling her resolve.
She slapped her cheeks, chasing away her worried expression, and returned to her usual enthusiastic self.
”Exactly! If Kent gets stronger, my worries might ease up a bit. If that’s settled, then I’ll hunt monsters like crazy!”
With a fierce determination, Milly pulled out her favorite dagger, wearing the face of an S-Class Hunter.
”My lord, in terms of usefulness, I’m way better than that weeping, cowardly Miriallia Blackdagger. She’s been far away from real combat for too long. Let me, Carlamia, show you what it means to be a true S-Class Hunter, the real master of monster hunting in Abyss Vena! So after we successfully complete this hunt… ugh!”
Just as Carly was about to continue, Milly’s fist suddenly connected with her gut.
”Oh? Ms. Carlamia, what’s wrong? The so-called strongest hunter in Abyss Vena looking a bit unsteady there?”
”M-Miriallia Blackdagger… that sneak attack was so unfair…”
Maybe choosing these two was a mistake…
I couldn’t shake the worry that crept into my mind as I witnessed the tension between Carly and Milly.
”Well, let’s put a stop to the playful tussling, you two. I may have a wealth of Combat Jobs, but when it comes to Monster Hunting, I’m practically a novice. I would appreciate your guidance, given your extensive field experience.”
Just as the two were wrapped up in their play, Flamil, who was about to join her first Monster Hunting expedition, appeared.
In her home, the True Demon Dukedom, there was no such system as the Hunter Guild’s Monster Hunting.
Instead, whenever monsters emerged, the Magic Corps dispatched from the dukedom would handle it.
Flamil had been part of the Magic Corps since she was young, having participated in numerous monster slaying missions.
She was undeniably a seasoned Monster Hunter, but since she hadn’t registered with the Hunter Guild, she was listed as a beginner with HR1.
This time, she was brought to the Hunting Ground using special connections from the Blackdagger family, despite her rank being below the usual restrictions.
Normally, she would have been turned away at the door, but thanks to Lina’s ability to identify her potential and Flamil’s display of magic prowess before the Hunter Guild leader, her exception was recognized.
”This is also your first hunt in the South District, right, Flamil? Be careful, as the monsters here absorb quite a bit of magic and tend to grow larger.”
”Yes, I’ll do my best not to slow down Sir Kent.”
Flamil elegantly grasped the hem of her long black robe and bowed gracefully.
Her attire was a favorite of Fortesia, the spirit within her, reminiscent of the time she fought alongside the Garuda Clan under Orphée Bleu, where she was known as the ‘Black Slaughter.’
With her black hair, dark eyes, and ebony skin wrapped in a dark outfit, Flamil wore a seductive expression on her face.
”Mr. Kent~! Bea has spotted the enemy! About one kilometer ahead, there’s a C-Rank Crystal Narshorn Rhino soaking up the sun and glimmering! There are also around ten D-Rank Land Jellyfish floating nearby!”
Just as I was getting swept away by the alluring sight of Flamil, Beatrice’s voice echoed from above, relayed by Feria, who was scouting the area.
Since we had ventured further south from Godard Village, the monsters lurking around were of a higher rank.
A C-Rank monster, if you think about it, is almost a main-class beast in the region north of the Great Wall, a rare sight indeed.
Yet here in the Southern Region, they roam freely in hunting grounds, hinting at just how perilous this area truly is.
”Everyone, we’ve got enemies. For now, let’s proceed with the operational test of the Fairlater against Beast Monsters.”
”Leave it to me! At this distance, hitting it will be a piece of cake! If I can take down a particularly tough C-Rank Crystal Narshorn Rhino, this gun should prove its worth against Beast Monsters too!”
Manon started assembling the anti-Beast Monster gun, the Fairlater, that she had pulled from the hunting cart.
According to Feria, the enemy still hadn’t noticed our presence and showed no signs of coming our way.
”Sir Kent. I’m ready──sniper mode activated!”
Completing the assembly, Manon took up a prone shooting position, narrowing her focus on the target.
”Understood! Everyone, prepare for combat!”
Without even needing my command, the seasoned Monster Hunting team had already drawn their weapons, poised for action.
KA-BLAM!
Manon fired the first shot at the monster.
The bullet erupted from the gun, resonating with a thunderous boom that shook my stomach.
”Hit! It didn’t penetrate all the way──it’s tougher than I thought! I guess even the Fairlater has its limits at this distance. Looks like it’s noticed us; I’ll continue with sniper shots!”
It looked like a nearly perfect sphere to the n*ked eye, but something was charging towards them.
One shot won’t take it down… But Crystal Narshorn Rhino is known to have incredibly tough skin.
Even if I can’t pierce it, it won’t bounce the bullet back.
*ZAGUN!*
*SGAN!*
Thanks to the automatic loading system, there’s no need to reload each bullet, and the firing speed is amazing.
”Hit! Hit! Critical! Black mist eruption confirmed! Enemy movement stopped! Sir Kent, finish it off!”
The Crystal Narshorn Rhino charging at them shook its body as if struck by something and collapsed on its side.
It seemed Manon’s bullets had dealt a fatal blow.
”Got it. Sorry everyone, I’ll need protection.”
”Understood.”
I started advancing toward the Crystal Narshorn Rhino Manon had critically wounded, to deliver the final blow.
Ines, Flamil, Carly, and Milly followed as my escorts.
Feria and Beatrice continued to monitor for anything else.
As we ran, it became clear that the Crystal Narshorn Rhino was a massive creature.
As we got closer, we could see that Manon’s bullets had pierced through its tough, crystalline hide and reached its insides.
The Crystal Narshorn Rhino, lying on its side from the gunshot, was releasing a massive amount of magic elements from its wounds.
It seemed to be on the brink of death.
”Kent, don’t let up until the very end.”
”Understood.”
”Ines, Flamil, Carly, eliminate the Land Jellyfish! I’ll remain as Kent’s escort.”
The 3 of them, on Milly’s orders, moved towards the Land Jellyfish, drawn in by the magic elements.
Milly, on the other hand, started binding the weakening Crystal Narshorn Rhino with steel wire, just in case anything unexpected happened.
I readied Elitzina while observing the scene unfold.
At this distance, barely ten meters away, I figured there was no way I could miss, even without a job.
The Crystal Narshorn Rhino let out a deathly roar, thrashing around, but Milly’s steel wires held it in place, restricting its movements.
Sorry about this.
Blame yourself for becoming a monster.
I aimed for the struggling Crystal Narshorn Rhino’s head and pulled the trigger.
Bang, bang.
At point-blank range, my bullets hit perfectly but bounced off its head harmlessly.
”Are you serious?! How tough can it possibly be?!”
In a hurry, I swapped out the magazine and fired at the open wound created by Manon.
Bang, bang, bang.
Grrrrroaaaaar!
The wounded Crystal Narshorn Rhino writhed in pain, trying to move, but Milly’s wires kept it completely immobilized.
After enduring the gunfire, the Crystal Narshorn Rhino slowly twitched before going limp, its life extinguished.
──Job acquired [Gunsmith].
──Skill point gained: 1 point.
──Job bonus: Dexterity increased.
──[Gun Handling I] skill unlocked.
──[Sniper I] skill unlocked.
──[Magic Bullet Creation I] skill unlocked.
With the final blow dealt to the Crystal Narshorn Rhino, I joyfully reclaimed my Combat Job.
As it turns out, hunting monsters was the most efficient way to acquire jobs.
I began to reinvest the skill points into the unlocked skills.
”Yes! I got the Combat Job!”
My excitement skyrocketed at having regained the Combat Job after so long, and as I replaced the magazine in Elitzina, I charged into the chaotic battlefield between Carly and the Land Jellyfish.
”Kent! Calm down!”
Milly was trying to calm me down, but ever since I got the Combat Job, my adrenaline was through the roof, making me super bold.
I saw Land Jellyfish, circling around Ines, so I shouldered my gun and pulled the trigger, aiming at it.
*Tatatan*
The bullet hit Land Jellyfish’s core, and its body exploded in a mess.
I thought it was done for, but the tentacles were like another creature entirely.
They shot out sharply, aiming for my heart.
With my heart pounding from the first real fight in a while, I whipped out my longsword with one hand and chopped off the tentacles.
──Job acquired [Warrior]
──Skill point 1 point acquired
──Job bonus Physical Strength increased
──Swordsmanship I Skill unlocked
──Martial Arts I Skill unlocked
──Defense Technique I Skill unlocked
Just one hit with the sword unlocked the [Warrior] job.
Thanks to the Job bonus, my armor and weapons, which had felt so heavy, suddenly felt light as a feather.
With all these skills unlocking in a row, my mood skyrocketed even further.
”Raaah! Got it! [Warrior]! YES!”
Ines, who had been fighting right next to me, nearly fainted at my outburst.
”Sir Kent is broken. Lady Miriallia! What should we do?”
”Ines! Don’t get distracted during battle!”
Land Jellyfish, seeing Ines’ distraction, lunged at her with its tentacles.
I rushed to Ines’ side, blocking the tentacles with my shield and then cleaved through them with my longsword.
Land Jellyfish, deprived of its tentacles, tried to drain my magic, but I slashed it across the chest, severing its core.
──Job acquired [Swordsman]
──Skill point 1 point up
──Job bonus Speed increased
──Sword Technique I Skill unlocked
──Counter I Skill unlocked
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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