Chapter 100

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

An Unforeseen Problem Right Before the Ceremony

Three days ago .

The Adventurers Guild from three different countries had formed joint subjugation teams to hunt the monsters in Un el Portan . As of this moment, however, their headquarters, located at the edge of the great forest, was in a state of chaos .

「They broke through the front lines?」the chief asked . He was the head Guildmaster in Quinbland, in charge of all the guild’s branches throughout the empire . A rank B adventurer in his younger days, he had an active career, but before he reached fifty, he lost his right foot to petrifaction and subsequently retired .

When the first report arrived, he thought it was some sort of a misunderstanding . The monsters’ abnormal growth in numbers happened every year . And every year it was almost always at the same location . The guild dispatched subjugation teams led by rank C adventurers annually to hunt them .

「I want details . Tell me more . 」

「Yes, Sir!」

The guild staff who went with the teams gave his report . While in the middle of fighting a mass of Goblins, Green Wolves, and Plant-type monsters, something unusual occurred . Forest Barbarians — more than ten of them — appeared .

「Ten…」

The chief was dumbfounded . A party of rank C adventurers could only take four or five of those at max .

「I see . So the problem is the appearance of said Forest Barbarians . 」

「No, Sir . That’s not all . 」

「What?」

「I caught a glance of it in the deeper part of the forest . 」The staff shivered . 「A dragon . 」

The chief thought the staff was simply seeing things due to fear . Dragons lived deep in the mountains, in places where humans had not set foot on . Un el Portan, while a big forest, was bordered by three countries . If a dragon inhabited the place, it would’ve been spotted long ago .

But his assumptions would soon be proven wrong . More and more reports arrived . It wasn’t just Forest Barbarians . Dark Night Wolves, Tyrant Snakes, and Dark Pixies — monsters that were too much for C-ranked adventurers to handle — appeared in double digits .

It was nothing short of strange . Tyrant Snakes acted independently, but they grouped up this time . They had an abnormal situation at hand .

One adventurer gave his report as follows:

There’s a dragon in the deepest part of the forest and it was eating monsters . The creatures were forced to leave the forest .

A dragon, for some unknown reason, had gone berserk and preyed on monsters . Fearing for their lives, the creatures tried to leave the forest . Monsters that would normally be found only in the deepest parts of Un el Portan formed groups — perhaps their instincts kicked in — and escaped .

The chief immediately sent notice for an emergency request to each country’s main guild office . If the monsters escaped, nearby towns would be in danger of being attacked .

Adventures Guild from all three countries sent word to all adventurers rank D and above, requesting them to hunt the monsters in Un El Portan .

「I see . 」Hikaru had his hand on his chin as Mikhail explained the situation to him . 「Will high-ranking adventurers be there?」

「Well, adventurers usually don’t just stay put in a town . Most of them are out there clearing requests . But if three countries called for help, I think a fair number of them will show up . 」

「How long will the hunt take?」

「With a scale this huge, it’ll probably last until winter . 」

「That won’t do . 」

「Well, don’t look at me . 」

At this rate, the event will most likely get cancelled .

「Greetings, fellows . Fancy seeing you all— Huh, I guess not all of you are here . 」

Katy arrived, looking like she didn’t have enough sleep . Her coat seemed worn-out, quite the opposite of her usual classy attire .

「I brought you a present, Hikaru . 」

She put five bullets on Hikaru’s palm .

「Is this what I think it is?」he asked .

They were different from the ones he lent to the professor . Those were silver, but these ones were gold with a pattern engraved on the exterior .

「It’s just a prototype . I’ve confirmed that they can be loaded with magic . They can be recharged, but only for about two or three times . 」she whispered into his ears .

Hikaru stared at her blankly . It had only been forty days since he handed the bullet to her . Even without any prior knowledge about it, she was able to create prototypes .

A researcher in the academy and the greatest Magic Item Specialist, Katy Kotobi .

He recalled the words of the principal . She must be a genius when it comes to magic items .

「Don’t stare at me like that . You’re making me blush . 」

「What’s that, Professor?」Mikhail asked .

「I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you . It’s a secret between me and Hikaru . 」

「When did you two get so close?」

Well, the Alchemy King knows about it too, Hikaru thought . But it wouldn’t be wise to tell Mikhail that .

「Professor Mikhail, I have a question . The cause of the abnormal surge of monsters is this dragon, correct?」

「That’s what they said . Though we’re not completely sure yet . 」

Hikaru shoved the bullets into his pocket and turned his attention to Claude . The young man looked at Hikaru with a serious expression .

「Claude, I’ll tell you about my secret plan . You can beat the boss without me, right?」

「Secret? Wait, you’re not coming?」

「You can beat him even without me, right?」Hikaru asked once more .

Claude nodded . Hikaru then proceeded to open his Soul Board .

【Soul Board】Claude Zahard Kirihal

Age: 18 Rank: 7

3

【Vitality】

. . 【Stamina】1

【Magical Power】

. . 【Spirit Affinity】

… . 【Air】1

【Physical Strength】

. . 【Strength】2 →3

. . 【Weapon Mastery】

… . 【Sword】3 →4

… . 【Shield】1 →2

【Agility】

. . 【Power Burst】1 →2

【Willpower】

. . 【Mental Strength】1

. . 【Charisma】1

Hikaru put a point on Sword, Shield, Strength, and Power Burst . He then asked Claude to come closer .

(There’s most likely a new job class in your soul card . )

(What?!)

(A result of your training these past few days . Use it . And on the way you should try to move your body a lot so you get used to it . Make sure you get that win . )

Hikaru didn’t really want to do it, but with four points on Sword, Claude could now become one of Forestia’s best swordsmen .

「I have a favor to ask, Professor . 」Hikaru told Mikhail .

「You asking for favors feels weird, but okay . What is it?」

「Please go with Claude to Jarazack . 」

「What? I told you I need to go to hunt those monsters . 」

「Luka Lordgrad Ludancia will be coming as well and they will request an audience with Alexis Jarazack . 」

「What?! She’s a princess of Ludancia, isn’t she?! What are you guys planning?!」

「You can ask them on the way . I want you to be Claude and Luka’s bodyguard . They need one, especially with the monsters escaping from the forest . 」

「That’s true… Hmm, okay . I can head to the forest once I escorted them safely . 」Mikhail surprisingly agreed . 「In exchange, tell me what you’re about to do . 」

Claude’s eyes were asking the same question . What are you planning?

「I’ll get rid of the dragon . If the root of the problem is a lone dragon, it’s the perfect job for me . 」Hikaru answered .