V3 Chapter 79

“Behind you!!”

Jonathan warned, and hurriedly chased after it. Zia had noticed the monster as well and hurriedly swung her sword as she turns around.

Clang!

Her sword hit the Rock Panther’s arm, but the blade only slid through its rock-like fur creating sparks. Still, though she failed to injure the beast, she was able to alter the claw’s trajectory, letting her dodge at the right moment. She then rolled to the ground to get away from it.

The red-robed mage immediately entered a focused state of mind, and immediately cast a blazing fireball as the beast tried to chase after Zia. But with a sweep of its tail, the fireball was swatted away. It reached out with its solid and sharp claws, slashing toward her.

Zia’s sword let out electric sparks and slashed her sword. Jonathan also appeared behind the beast, swinging his sword. From the front and back, two swords hit the Rock Panther making it cry in agony. Blood spurted as Jonathan and Zia’s sword penetrated through its rock-like fur, wounding its flesh.

The armored knight jumped like a high jumper, vaulting over the wounded beast that started thrashing with its claws, his waist barely brushing past the claw. When he landed, his mace slammed down at the Panther’s nose, causing it to yelp out in pain again.

Jonathan took this opportunity to deliver an upwards slash towards its chin. The red-robed mage hurriedly shot another fireball, and then followed by a Flame Blast, both aimed at the panther’s head. All of this happened in a split second, causing heavy injuries and infuriating it.

Roar~!

The Rock Panther let out a roar and suddenly stomped the ground with its forelegs. The ground shook as if an earthquake occurred. Then rock spikes came out from the ground.

“Dodge!”

Jonathan yelled and the others immediately jumped away. However, its long, bristly tail whipped towards the armored knight, leaving a shadow. The armored knight, hit by the tail, was knocked to the ground. Even though he had managed to block with the shield, he still almost blanked out from the force.

The Rock Panther, succeeding in pushing the group back, didn’t pursue, instead, it turn around and jumped into the bushes, disappearing. However, it didn’t leave. Instead, it was circling the area, hiding behind the giant trees and thick foliage. It was running fast around them.

The group didn’t let their guard down. Looking around them, knowing that the Rock Panther could pop out from any direction.

Hm? Where’s Rain…?

As they look around, it was then that Jonathan finally remembered that there was another person that should be with them at the moment. However, glancing at the ground around him, there was no sign of the boy. The others don’t seem to notice his absence. Probably, because they were too focused on the fight. Or because they had been familiar with each other, leaving their backs with their companions, they had forgotten that there was someone else with them right now.

But where is he…?

As Jonathan was about to look for him, it was at this moment that the Rock Panther finally made his move. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed a shadow nimbly passing through between two tall trees and lunged at… Zia’s location.

Zia again!

It was pouncing in Zia’s direction. However, Zia has her back on the beast as they were all fooled by the sudden rustling of the bush in front of them. They had focused their attention on the front that they had not noticed the shadow coming out from behind her. Only Jonathan did since he was looking for Rain’s whereabouts.

Whether that was intentionally done by the beast or only a coincidence, the beast noticed that their attention was attracted somewhere else, and hurriedly took advantage of the opportunity.

It lunged at Zia’s back. Jonathan managed to react quickly, and slashed his sword in time, aiming at the Panther’s neck. But the beast’s animal instinct was quite sharp it still managed to dodge a fatal blow by tilting its head. Though the sword managed to stab right through its left head, wounding its eye. But the claws went straight at Zia.

Zia and the others had noticed what had happened. But it happened too fast. This time, Zia can’t dodge. The Rock Panther raised its claws and was about to slash her back.

Not good!!

Bang!

When Zia gritted her teeth, bracing herself from the incoming pain. Jonathan even tried to defend her with his sword, though still in the middle of pulling his sword back- a thunderous sound suddenly echoed in the forest and then followed by something hitting the Rock Panther’s head, causing it to sway in the air, the claws tilting on the side.

Screech!!

The cutlass-like claw grazed her back. Fortunately, she was wearing light armor, and it only managed to scratch it. Still, this gave them enough time to retaliate. Jonathan had pulled his sword in time, and slashed again at the Rock Panther, drawing a huge spurt of blood. He even lashed out with his leg, kicking the beast away.

With a loud metallic noise, the Rock Panther was hit and was blown away, crashing against a tree.

What was that?

Jonathan who had just managed to breathe a sigh of relief wondered- that thunderous sound, and that something hitting the Rock Panther’s head in that single moment, what was that? It looked like a steel ingot- a tiny, pebble-sized metallic ingot that struck the side of the beast’s head, causing it to get disoriented for a brief moment.

It didn’t have the power to penetrate through the beast’s rock-like fur. But the fact that it caused the Rock Panther’s brief disorientation upon impact had proved its power.

…still, where did that come from?

Grooowrrr!!

The rock panther slowly stood up and growled in anger. Not knowing where the sudden attack came from, it can only blame Jonathan who was in front of it. It then glared hatefully at him and with raging fury, pounced at him. However, just after the monster moved, the armored knight came charging with his shield, bashing the beast.

The Rock Panther struggled to get up, limping on one leg. It let out an enraged roar, but the moment it raised its head it was suddenly greeted by numerous spears formed from flames flying toward it. Instantly, a flash of horror appeared in the Rock Panther’s eyes.

“Flame Spears!”

Grooaaar!!

The Rock Panther issued a roar of agony as its body slowly was engulfed with flames and explosions. When the smoke slowly faded, the Rock Panther could be seen still standing. However, its body was now littered with grievous wounds and burns. It seems like even with its rock-like hide, the power of the flame spears overwhelmed it.

The Rock Panther’s eyes have now turned completely red, from anger, fear, humiliation, or whatever it is, it let out a loud, angry roar.

“Shield Bash!”

The armored knight once again charged forward and tackled the falling Rock Panther.

The poor panther was sent flying, spitting out a mouthful of blood in the process. And there, where it was going, Jonathan was already waiting.

With his sword, he unleashed his blade as swift as the blowing wind. Already flying in mid-air, there was no way for the Rock Panther to change its trajectory. The only thing it could do was pray that it could endure Jonathan’s attack.

“First Form- Raging Tidal!”

Water began to engulf the blade of his sword. And when he swing it, it carried a momentum of an ocean wave, striking the Rock Panther’s neck.

Slash!

As if the space distorted, a long bluish arc was made and when the blade landed on the ground, a deep crevice appeared.

Jonathan sheathed his sword and turn around. Behind him, the Rock Panther was lying on the ground. A long wound could be seen on its right foreleg and back. It’s still alive, however. But terribly injured.

“I applaud your toughness, beast. I had truly underestimated you. Your toughness exceeds the limit of a C-rank Beast.” Jonathan said, impressed. He didn’t even try to conceal his admiration for the beast that managed to endure his slash.

Grrrr-!

Truly, it was an amazing animal. Its toughness and even more so, its vitality is truly impressive. Still, the Rock Panther was not as haughty as before. It glared at the human group in front of it while desperately trying to stand up. Unfortunately, its legs are critically wounded. It could hardly even move.

“Indeed, very impressive.”

However, suddenly a black-haired boy appeared behind the beast. He was holding a strange black item pointing right at its forehead. And before it could register what happened, a loud baaaang! echoed in the surrounding, like a thunderous sound, and as if hit by a sledgehammer just right on its face, the Rock Panther’s eyes rolled on its head, and fell to the ground, twitching violently.

The bullet couldn’t even penetrate its skin, and fell on the ground, chipped and flattened. Though, the closeness and the impact are enough to make it lose its consciousness. Rain looks down on the fallen beast, somewhat disappointed.

As expected, although guns are effective, only for a few kinds of beasts and monsters. It depends on the monster's capability and toughness. And it only works against weak monsters, and barely works against C and above rank monsters.

But what if he can obtain an anti-material rifle?

A tank?

Or an RPG?

Though he didn’t have experience in using them, he had seen their terror in movies, so he was really, very interested in acquiring them. If not for the fact that even a Desert Eagle was very expensive, almost five hundred Gold Coins in the shop, he might buy even stronger weapons.

And if Rain can prove their effectiveness in combat in this world, he might even build a Gun Smith Workshop, or even a Factory in the village- but that is only a plan for a faraway future. Not only has he greatly lacked manpower currently, but also materials and money. Though Miyabila is currently studying the process of making a Gun due to her hobby, sadly, there’s barely any success in it.

Especially ensuring the overall balance of the gun and the ratio of gunpowder. Though he can buy blueprints in the Grimoire Shop, it’s expensive. And even those that can be found on the net are hardly accurate and needed to be studied carefully.

Without prior knowledge of things and science, even a Genius like Miyabila had a difficult time understanding them. Much less, Rain who didn’t know about how to make a Gun or Gunpowder. Furthermore, there’s still an issue with procuring the proper materials as well. So there are still a lot of things to consider… well, it’s not like modern weapons are necessary.

It’s just another means of increasing their power, which, at this moment, is not a factor of importance, unless they go to war. So only Miyabila who has some incredible thirst for knowledge is studying it to kill time.

Rain only bought two modern weapons; a simple Flintlock Pistol which is cheaper, and a Desert Eagle he can play with. He had given Miyabila the Flintlock Pistol since it’s much simpler to study it, while he brought the Desert Eagle with him. He always had an urge to play with a gun… after all, who wouldn’t?

Carrying a gun and shooting it like in movies, isn’t it quite cool?

Though he thought like that, as he used it often, he found out there are many monsters that made it useless. Most of these monsters are strong and with tough defenses. Just like the Rock Panther.

Perhaps, the Desert Eagle is enough to show off outside, humans and monsters alike could be killed. But in this place, it’s just one of the weak means, just a bit stronger and faster than normal bows. But it lacks power. A decisive-kind of power. Unlike bows, the gun cannot be used in accordance with this world’s combat arts.

The gun itself, and the bullet cannot channel magic. Still, it’s very effective against weaker beasts and monsters such as hunting rabbits, deer, or even goblins. Creatures with weak hide or skin are completely vulnerable in the face of modern firearms.

If Miyabila succeeds and recreates a magical gun, an era of new weapons might truly happen. With its size, power, and convenience, it’s much better than the bows. Stagna was even interested in having one. Although she still prefers her bow since she can use it effectively with her combat skills, having a gun as a trump card to be used in an emergency is much better.

Bows can hardly be used for close combat. Not to mention, Stagna dislikes fighting melee as well. So having a gun that can also work in melee due to its size would be much better than being pulled down in close combat.

It might not defeat her enemies, but distracting them for a bit to gain distance is already enough.

Just as the Lamians were fascinated by the modern weapon, more so Jonathan and the others. When they heard the loud sound, their bodies jerked in shock. They look at the black object in Rain’s hand and stared at it curiously.

What kind of weapon is that?

A wand?

Can that thing shoot magic?

They haven’t seen the bullet coming out of its muzzle due to distance, and also the Rock Panther’s body was blocking their eyesight… but, with their good eyesight and perception, they can easily see that something just went out from the black object, hitting the Rock Panther.

“Little brother, what is this magical item?”

Jonathan walks over, his eyes fixed on the strange black object in Rain’s hand.

With his long experience, this is still the first he had seen a weapon like this. It seems like it’s neither a bow nor a magic wand.

Rain shrugged with a grin; “Just a personal weapon. It’s not that strong, but it packs quite a punch,” he said while waving the gun in his hand.

He unsheathed his sword, and with one quick motion, stabbed the head of the Rock Panther. With a yelp, the Rock Panther jerked violently for a while, and finally died after.

“Now then, a Rock Panther can give good materials, do you want it?”

Rain squatted beside the Rock Panther pulled out a dagger and started to skin the monster.

Jonathan wanted to say something, after all, although Rock Panthers are quite good materials- in fact, expensive if sold in the City, they are not ordinary people.

The like of Rock Panthers would not appear in their eyes. Thus, dismantling it would only be a waste of time. He was about to tell Rain to move on, without bothering with Rock Panther’s corpse. However, upon looking at the latter’s actions, he stops and just watched.

“Oh? So skillful,” he couldn’t help but mused as he watches Rain skillfully dismantle the beast’s corpse.

He easily skinned the beast like a skilled butcher. Though the Rock Panther’s skin should have been quite hard, after all, even his sword hardly penetrates its defenses if he didn’t give much effort. But Rain easily did it, and it didn’t even take several minutes to do it.

Dismantling Skill…

So he even has it.

Jonathan and the others who saw how smoothly Rain skinned, and dismantled the monster parts by parts, couldn’t help but think in surprise.

Although most people at least know how to skin an animal or beast, without dismantling skill, however, monsters and magical beasts would be nigh impossible, and it would only result in a messy, wrecked barely usable material.

And the stronger the monster is, the higher the level of the dismantling skill is required.

Though the Rock Panther is considered weak for them, it’s still a C rank monster. To be able to skin and dismantle it so easily, Rain’s dismantling skill might be at least Lv3.

Dismantling Skill might be common, but still, it’s a skill that is not easy to obtain. Or else, most people would have it. Unlike most skills, it is mostly obtained through the third method of obtaining skills- [Training]. But it needed long years of practice of skinning and dismantling corpses of many kinds of magical beasts and monsters to get it. Thus, mostly skilled hunters possess this skill.

Now knowing that Rain has this kind of skill, and even at least at the 3rd level, amazed them.

Everything else aside, his handiwork is excellent. And above all, he’s quick…

Jonathan watched, fascinated as Rain took the monster corpse apart with amazing skills, to the point that the knife was swimming in the monster’s body like a hot knife into butter.

That knife is surely a high-grade magic item.

In a blink of an eye, before they knew it, the Rock Panther was already skinned completely. Even Zia and the other two men couldn’t help but watch as Rain worked in curiosity.

They had seen someone skinning preys they hunted often in their adventuring days. And in an expedition, it’s common to do it. However, they had rarely seen someone do it as perfectly as Rain.

Rain stored the skinned hide of the Rock Panther- it’s a very good leather material that can make high-level leather armors. And from what he knows, once it has been processed, the finished armor would have an automatic skill engraved on it- [Rock Skin] skill.

It's an innate ability of a Rock Panther that can make the armor as hard as a rock. That’s why this material is considered rare and expensive.

Rain then chopped off the head. He wanted the beast’s brain but eating it in front of Jonathan and the others would be awkward and so he can only set it aside for now. He also digs out its heart and magic core.

Storing it in the Grimoire’s Inventory would not make it rotten, so it was no problem to store it. He can just store the Panther’s corpse in the Inventory but he wanted to let Cyan absorb it. He cut off one leg, and give the other to Cyan, who happily devoured it with her body.

Now, Jonathan understands why Rain stopped just to skin the monster.

Rain wanted the Persona Slime to devour it, but it would be a waste if he includes the skin.