In Heavelyn country, the Crimson forest was an important destination for Mages and Hunters.

Most Mages that came to the Crimson forest were Apprentice mages who had just opened their inner mana pool and embarked on a Mage’s path. They came in groups to have a chance at surviving even though the Crimson forest wasn’t considered a real danger zone. The beasts found in that forest were only tier 1 comparable in strength with Apprentice Mages to tier 2 beasts comparable in strength with Junior mages. Of course, there could also be the rare tier 3 comparable to Senior mages. Tier 3 beasts existed in small numbers.

Compared to the other danger zones present on the Riren continent where you could find tier 7 divine beasts the Crimson forest was like a walk in the park for many.

As for the Hunters who came to this forest to hunt some game, they had to come in greater numbers than mages to have a chance at securing any kill since they were normal human beings, to begin with.

When it came to Apprentice Mages, it took a party of three or more to kill a tier 1 beast. Even though they were at the same level, Beasts tended to have an edge because of their superiority in terms of defense, cunningness and speed.

For Hunters, their only advantage was their numbers as well as their equipment. They could form a party of ten or more to hunt a tier 1 beast. Their equipment comprised of enchanted armor and weapons helped immensely. Without enchanted items for protection and offense, they would simply be forfeiting their lives.

Kyle had been in the Crimson forest for three days already and had hunted six tier 1 beasts. I stored the carcasses in the ring where they would be kept fresh.

With his cultivation of the late-stage Intermediary Hallowed Swordsman comparable in might to late-stage Junior mage. Being a Hallowed Swordsman gave him an advantage in terms of speed and strength. His powerful body strengthened with mana essence was capable of instantly reaching a Junior mage before the latter managed to cast a spell. Senior mages were also in the same danger as Kyle’s speed allowed him to keep himself alive from anything that could be sent his way.

As Kyle was roasting a wild boar, I was floating beside him, but at the same time, I had sent a part of my mind in the copper ring to continue investigating the Magus stone.

I suddenly turned my head towards the east.

Kyle then inquired: “What’s up Bran?”

“I can sense several humans not far from us. Five mages and twenty normal humans, probably Hunters.” I said.

“How long until they reach us?” Kyle asked.

“Fifteen seconds or more.” I said.

Kyle then appeared surprised. He asked: “and You only found out now? Do they have something that could hide them from you?”

“Relax, they’re mere ants. They do not pose any threat to us.” I said trying to hide the fact that I wasn’t vigilant enough.

Like I had predicted, fifteen seconds later a group of twenty-five arrived in the clearing we were in.

They all had strange looks on their faces as they eyed the lone human roasting a gigantic wild boar in the middle of the Crimson forest.

Kyle was also looking at them and didn’t know what to do. He turned to look at the invisible me and I sighed. I said: “Invite them to eat some meat. I just read their minds, they are just shocked at seeing a Hunter alone. Normally Hunters are supposed to stick together to ward off any unknown danger that may fall upon them in the forest…and since you’re also just wearing normal clothes instead of armor, you’re even more of an oddity.”

In a hushed voice, Kyle said: “Can’t they assume that I am a powerful mage?”

I shook my head saying: “Mages release mana undulations whether they want to or not and even non-mages can feel them or see them.”

Seeing him talk to himself and ignore them they all thought that he was crazy.

Kyle then turned around and faced them. He said with a smile: “Hello friends! Care for a little meat? I sure as hell won’t finish it all by myself.”

The twenty-five all looked at each other for a moment and then their eyes rested on the Mage in the lead.

The mage in the lead then said: “Hi. I’m Leo Crane from the Crane family. We will accept your invitation.”

He then gestured for the twenty-four behind him to follow him.

They all sat around the fire and waited for the gigantic wild boar to be ready.

Leo inched closer to Kyle and then asked: ”Pardon me asking, but what are you doing here alone?”

“Same reason you’re here. To hunt and become rich.” Kyle said.

“Alone?” Leo asked again.

Kyle then nodded without saying anything.

As I read Leo’s thoughts, I found that he was suspicious. He thought that if Kyle was alone, then how did he catch this tier 1 wild boar? It made no sense to him.

Leo then asked: “How did you catch this tier 1 wild boar?”

As Kyle tended to the fire, he absentmindedly answered: ”Oh! I punched it to death. I didn’t even have to use my branded sword.”

Immediately, Kyle realized that he had made a mistake. He wasn’t supposed to say anything about his powers such as the use of a branded sword or his bodily strength of 20000 kg per punch.

I, on the other hand, was shaking my head and I felt guilty for not coaching him beforehand. I then decided: “From now on, repeat after me when it’s time to answer his questions.”

Since he was the only one who could see and hear me, it would be a waste if I didn’t use it to our advantage.

Leo seemed to not believe him and then asked: “How can a human manage to have enough strength to kill tier 1 beast? And what’s a branded sword? Is it a kind of enchanted sword?”

Repeating word for word what I told him, Kyle answered:” The strength doesn’t come from me. It is granted by my enchanted sword.”

Leo wasn’t the only one listening to his answer. Those who had heard Kyle turned their eyes to the average sword that was next to him. The sword released no undulations that even the lowest-ranked of enchanted swords, a tier 1 armament, released.

It was at that time that Leo was starting to realize that the man in front of him was full of bullshit.