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“I’m pretty sure we can stop now…”

Robin, pulling the cart, looked up at the Tower of Sea he had crafted with his own hands. No sooner had he spoken those words than a new sea monster carcass was dropped beside him.

This time, it was a massive saber-toothed tiger caught by Damian. Swollen with the mana sprinkled across the mountain range, its bulk was not to be compared with an ordinary saber-toothed tiger. The residual mana left in its carcass told of how powerful it must have been when alive.

Roughly speaking, at least on par with a monster.

If such a creature appeared before him, Robin would be ready to bolt, but since it was dead, there was no need to run. He drew a dagger from his waist, as he always did, and began to make an incision in its neck to drain the blood.

The towering pile of sea monsters showed no sign of making room for new tenants. It seemed he would have to share his space, but he didn’t have any particular issues with that, yet felt strongly that if they continued like this, he might end up unable to handle the horses atop the cart.

In the end, Robin couldn’t hold back and vented his frustrations to Gwen.

“Captain! Isn’t this a bit excessive? If things keep going like this, the beasts residing in the Legion will run out of progeny!!”

“Well, what of it? It’s nice to see you so enthusiastic after a long time.”

Robin turned, now resting against the cart, and spoke to Gwen, but the response he received was not particularly welcome.

Gwen was the only one among those present who had a tournament victory under his belt, so surely even Damian would hesitate if Gwen spoke up. However, contrary to his hopes, Gwen chuckled at Robin’s words and approved of Damian’s actions.

“The mountain range is vast. We’re still far from worrying about the ecosystem with just this amount. This is hardly a scratch compared to the claws of the sea monsters living in the Legion.”

“Still…”

“He hasn’t revealed his abilities to the outside world until now. This time, it seems he’s determined for the tournament, so let him do as he wishes. Look, doesn’t he seem to be enjoying himself?”

With a bright smile starkly contrasting with his usual stoic face, Gwen replied, and Robin realized that he had no intention of stopping Damian.

The more prey Damian captured, the more famous he would become, so from Gwen’s perspective, there was little reason to rein in his actions.

Robin turned his gaze to the forest. A faint smile spread across Damian’s lips as he darted among the trees.

It was almost unbelievable how much he had been holding back. This forest had become his stage for unrestrained abandon. One arrow shot would bring down two or more beasts, and every time he unleashed a flash from his hand, the creatures lurking in the darkness of the forest fell one by one.

Seeing this, Robin had no rebuttal for Gwen’s words.

He knew well that Damian had not displayed his talents until now.

When novice knights participate in Knights Order training, the first talent they experience is that of a Lesser House.

Although they might carry the label of “novice,” they are the closest to the superhuman “knight.” Among the countless swordsmen, they had been selected, but being near Damian made them sympathize with those who had fallen short.

Genius.

Truly a talent bestowed by the heavens.

Just as beasts living close to the ground might envy a bird soaring in the sky, there is such an overwhelming gap that jealousy does not arise.

Before Damian, Robin’s talent felt as insignificant as a matchstick held in front of the sun. Yet, even someone like him harbored a desire to showcase his talents to others.

Perhaps it could be called a boastful desire.

However, the honor that knights held most dearly can only be recognized and applauded by others rather than themselves, so wanting to reveal one’s talents should not be seen as a shameful thing. Instead, it’s almost as if they could never detach from this knightly lineage.

Kraus was regarded as a prestigious family because they had proven their abilities to others. And as a knight from the empire’s foremost swordsmanship family, Robin always looked upward to demonstrate that he was a knight deserving of his family name.

If a mere novice possessed such aspirations, how much more would a lesser house bearing the weight of their lineage?

Whether voluntarily or otherwise, he would eventually have to prove himself. Not just in front of his retainers, but to those beyond the family’s confines.

In that sense, the hunting tournament was a great opportunity for Damian to showcase his abilities. It was an event steeped in history, and with clear results visible; it wouldn’t be difficult for the once unremarkable noble to become a beloved figure in the south overnight.

Thus, Robin nodded along to Gwen’s words without voicing further objections.

“I know… I understand that.”

‘But isn’t this just over the top?’

He swallowed his thoughts and kept silent. While the reason was understandable, the pile of sea monster carcasses accumulating behind him was anything but normal, and the fact that this was all precipitated by Damian’s fiancée complicated Robin’s feelings further.

Well, she was probably entirely unaware of what was happening.

The reason behind Damian’s sudden change of course, which had timidly gone unnoticed until now, was something neither Gwen nor Robin nor even Damian himself could deny.

“Seriously, if we pile up any more, the horses won’t be able to pull.”

“Then you just need to push from behind. What are you saving your strength for? It’s been the young master moving things around, not you, aside from making the incisions.”

“…You really won’t let up, will you? Fine, fine, I get it. But if the Graham House comes complaining afterward, I’m not taking responsibility. I tried warning you two!”

“Child, speak sense… Fine.”

Though he verbally endorsed Damian’s actions, even he recognized that the quantity Damian had caught was extraordinary. Robin’s complaints, somehow laced with childishness, received acknowledgment from him.

Even for someone who participated every year, the number of sea monsters Damian had caught was unprecedented. This amount easily surpassed last year’s winning record, and given how many more participants there were, there was no doubt it would surpass it even further unless they were actively trying to wipe out the sea monsters in the Legion.

Basically, victory was all but assured.

Nonetheless, that didn’t mean Gwen was inclined to stop Damian. Still, she felt that after such a vigorous run, he ought to take a little rest.

Robin’s continuous whining certainly contributed, but no matter how exceptional Damian’s stamina was, there was no need to push himself to such extremes in the tournament.

After scanning the forest briefly, Gwen addressed Robin again.

“When the young master returns this time, tell him it’s enough.”

“Eh? No way. You tuned me out earlier when I was talking…”

“Enough. But if the young master insists on continuing, don’t obstruct him. He wouldn’t distribute his stamina foolishly in such matters.”

“Eh… Understood.”

Robin replied with a tone that spoke of disbelief, yet he had mostly expected such a response from Gwen. He returned to dismantling the disarray around them so he could leave at any moment.

“That fellow…”

As he dashingly ran off, perhaps recalling some old memory, Gwen watched Robin’s departing back with a warm expression that was unusual for him.

But that moment was fleeting.

As if nothing had happened, Gwen and Robin’s faces stiffened as they fixed their gazes on a particular spot in the forest.

“Captain…!!”

“I know.”

Unlike the panic-stricken Robin, Gwen’s voice remained composed as usual. Yet embedded within it was a subtle tension.

Gwen swiftly pulled out a horn made of animal horn from a small leather pouch. Even Damian, despite possessing extraordinary perception, was likely to miss it as he hid in the forest’s shadows. Calling him here with the horn was the priority.

The mysterious mana ensnaring both of them far surpassed that emitted by the sea monsters they had faced so far. Though it was merely an echo carried on the wind, this was an issue that could not be overlooked now that they stood in the Runeproud Mountain Range, a habitat of monsters.

At least, the fortunate part was that this mana source was in the exact opposite direction from where Damian was.

Before long, Damian, having heard the horn, appeared before them.

“Lesser House member! Hurry to the camp…!!”

Robin shouted upon spotting Damian, but Damian continued to run in one direction, ignoring Robin’s cries.

He was heading straight for the origin of the mana they sensed.

Damian hadn’t come out because of the horn. Like them, he had felt the monster’s mana and had rushed out. Seeing him leave without a moment’s hesitation, Gwen followed right behind.

“Captain?!”

While protocol would suggest that they should immediately return to camp to report, Robin couldn’t help but be shocked when both the top decision-makers headed toward the field. Of course, the instructions also indicated to take swift action when adequately prepared.

“Ugh… This is maddening…”

Robin gazed at the cart filled with carcasses of sea monsters. If he left it here, more sea monsters would come, causing chaos in no time. He certainly didn’t think the two who had gone ahead would remain oblivious to that fact, yet it was unavoidable for his eyes to keep lingering on the matter.

‘I’ve already gone through so much trouble…’

But he couldn’t just stay behind to guard the monster corpses in such an emergency.

“Sigh… I’m at a loss.”

His internal debate wasn’t very lengthy. Letting out a deep breath, Robin spoke briefly before moving his feet to follow the residual mana, leaving the cart behind in the forest.

*

“Haah… Haah…”

Leaning against a tree with sword in hand, the boy gazed at the monster standing before him with a terrified expression.

The monster that had suddenly barged in and tore apart his family’s knight and attendant in an instant.

The image of that scene haunted him still, and the emotion of fear was not something easily erased.

Summoning courage, he raised his sword, looking the monster in the eye. That was the best he could do.

He wished he could let out a battle cry and swing his sword, but the weight of his terror paralyzed him even that much. After all, this was the creature that had easily devoured the knight his father had proudly introduced him to; could a novice with a sword make even a scratch?

Still, he did not want to die so pathetically, standing there with his sword raised.

The monkey-like face of the monster twisted grotesquely.

It seemed to mock him with a smile, inducing a deep sense of humiliation, but the monster’s blood pouring from its mouth, fresh and unceasing, only amplified the boy’s terror.

The monster did not kill him. It simply loomed over him and continued to smile.

As if to show him that the sword he clutched was utterly meaningless.

Staring into the monster’s abyssal yellow eyes, myriad emotions surged within him.

From the moment he had been pushed to join the tournament without a second thought by his father’s coercion, to trivial reflections on the dog they had raised at home.

In just a few seconds, a storm of thoughts surged through his mind. Among them was resentment towards his father for pushing him into this position, but simultaneously, the image of his father never taking his eyes off him until the moment he entered the forest to be paired with the most trusted knight in the territory also manifested.

As the storm calmed, what remained within the boy was pure rage directed at the monster that stood before him, placing him in that situation.

“Haah… This damn thing…”

The more his rage intensified, the curiously colder his head felt.

Regaining his breath, the boy gripped his sword tighter.

With his mind cleared of distractions, he could feel a newfound strength filling his hand. While it only allowed him a bit more freedom of movement, his situation remained dire. Just because his thoughts were a bit clearer did not mean strength would miraculously surge within him.

Unlike before, when fear had clouded his senses, the monster seemed to notice the change in the boy’s gaze as it no longer appeared to wish to wait.

The boy knew that, too, so he clutched his sword tight against his body. Without having awakened the aura that could symbolize a martial artist, he had no hope of piercing the hardened skin of the monster, but he knew there was a part of it where he could draw blood.

‘The beast has killed with its bite until now. Then perhaps… its eye…’

He couldn’t tell if he was even breathing properly. All he could focus on was the monster’s yellow eyes. The moment it came to bite him, he would have to thrust with his sword.

Slowly, the distance between the monster and the boy closed.

As tension peaked, he felt something within him tell him that the monster would pounce on him any moment now. Sure enough, the monster moved toward him.

However, unlike the previous tactics used to kill, it wasn’t using its mouth, but rather lunged to snatch him up with its long arms.

“Damn it..!!”

Taken aback by the unexpected action, the boy desperately tried to resist, but just as he had anticipated, his sword left no mark on the monster’s hide. In fact, his fierce struggle only served to strengthen its grip.

“UAAAAAA!!!”

Was this a scream born from pain or one from the bravery that accompanied impending death? The boy himself could not tell. All he knew was that he struck blindly at the hand that held him with his sword. Knowing full well it wouldn’t work, he nonetheless refused to give up.

In the chaotic moment, the boy caught a glimpse of the monster’s face.

The monster was grinning.

Just as it had before when it cornered him against the tree with fear in his eyes, it wore a strange smile upon seeing him thrash about in desperation.

He knew the monster had been toying with him this whole time, yet the boy could not contain his anger at that realization. He glanced at the sword in his hand and relaxed his grip. The sword was his last means of resistance, but he decided to let go of the useless attachment.

Attempting to judge the distance between the monster’s head and him was futile. All he could see was its yellow eyes shining on him from afar, the same length as the monster’s arm.

It wasn’t the precise plan he had originally intended, but the boy hurled his sword towards the monster’s eyes. Maybe it would ricochet off and hit elsewhere, but this was his last stand.

[■■■■■■■■■-!!!!!]

A chilling roar echoed through the forest, sending shivers down the boy’s spine.

As the piercing sound reached his ears, the boy realized he had succeeded. Yet, there was no time to celebrate. The monster howled in pain, but it swiftly regained its composure and, the moment it pulled the sword out, its mouth opened wide toward the boy.

Perhaps it was the impending death that made everything feel like it was moving in slow motion.

Even if he had the ability to slow down time, it wouldn’t save him from death. The monster had him firmly in its grasp, and even in slow motion, each movement of its jaws grew closer.

The boy felt no fear of death. Achieving his goal had liberated him from that burden; he cast away his sword and regrets. However, in this slowed down reality, he could see something he had never noticed before.

“Huh?”

A figure appeared behind the monster’s head.

Everything surrounding it was obscured in black, but the two golden eyes shining amid the darkness resembled a beacon of light. As they met his gaze, the boy felt both overwhelming pressure, just like when he first confronted the monster, and an unexpected sense of relief.

Swish!

Ultimately, the monster’s jaws never reached him. Its neck fell to the ground before it ever got close.

As the reaching blade from the darkness severed the monster’s neck, hot liquid blurred the boy’s vision.

With the head severed, the body, too, lost all control, falling to the ground. As he felt the weightlessness of the fall, the boy’s consciousness began to fade into darkness.

In the stream of fading awareness, he inscribed the last image of those shining eyes into his mind as he succumbed to the flow.

 

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