Chapter 34 : Demon Chaser (1)
by AfuhfuihgsWhat’s the difference between monsters and magical beasts?
If you go into specifics, you’ll find a lot of differences, but it ultimately narrows down to two main distinctions.
The first is that magical beasts are unique entities.
Unlike the monsters that constantly appear in vast numbers through rifts, there is only a “single entity” for each magical beast.
It appears uniquely across the continent, and when it dies, it ceases to exist.
This is why, even if a magical beast shows up in a monster den’s “source area,” it doesn’t reappear once it’s been slain.
“There may be similar creatures, though…”
Of course, there can be similar entities.
For example, magical beasts of the saber-toothed tiger lineage are some of the more frequently encountered magical beasts across the continent, with each having its own name, like the “Saber-Tooth of the Border” or the “Blue Flame Saber-Tooth.”
Even if they look and belong to the same lineage, their names, as recognized by heroes, are distinct.
Thus, there are often cases where a beast has no name initially, only gaining one after it’s hunted.
“And then, there’s the matter of magic power.”
The second distinction is the difference in magical power.
Magical beasts inherently have an enormous amount of magic power compared to monsters.
They possess at least the level of a high-grade monster’s magic, and it’s not uncommon for them to have magic power rivaling the strongest monsters.
The higher the combat level, the more important it becomes to harness magic power, so the amount of magic power possessed serves as a gauge of strength to some extent.
Magical beasts aren’t always stronger than monsters, but most magical beasts are generally considered stronger than mid-grade monsters.
And so…
“Then that thing must be a magical beast.”
In that sense…
The strange creature that appeared before us seemed to be a magical beast.
Without taking my eyes off it, I asked Ray, “Ray, don’t magical beasts usually appear at the source of a monster den?”
“Yes, that’s correct. And even then, it’s quite rare. Monster dens are, after all, nests where monsters appear, not where magical beasts emerge.”
“Then, does that make this one a mutant?”
“The appearance of a magical beast outside of a source area is certainly something I’ve never heard of.”
When investigating the Red Grove just before the semester started with the Kleppe Knights, there were traces of a magical beast escaping from the source area of a monster den.
This phenomenon had never been observed on the continent until now.
And now, once again, signs of another mutation had been found in the Blue Marshlands.
Grrrrroooar—!!
And it wasn’t even trying to hide its presence, releasing raw, uncontained magic power in rough waves.
I slowly placed my hand on my sword, Galid, at my waist and said, “Ray. Can you protect the students?”
“…Are you planning to handle it alone?”
“Your help would be invaluable, but I can’t be sure what sort of variables this magical beast may present. We can’t risk the first-year trainees who came here for special training.”
“I will follow your orders, Edgar.”
As for Ray’s precise skills, I haven’t confirmed them yet.
However, when he previously unleashed his aura as a hero known as the <Assassin>…
I could sense that he wasn’t at a novice level by any means.
In other words, he has the capability to keep my students safe while I face the magical beast.
Seeing him nod in agreement to my request without hesitation only confirmed it.
The students who had unknowingly drawn closer showed visible signs of alarm.
They, too, sensed that the creature before them was anything but ordinary.
After hunting low-level monsters like Protos, suddenly coming face-to-face with a magical beast felt like a bolt out of the blue.
But I drew my sword and reassured them.
“From now on, all students will assume a defensive stance and follow Assistant Ray’s commands.”
As long as I was stepping forward, it didn’t matter if the opponent was a high-grade monster or a magical beast—I could handle it.
Moreover, if I managed any potential complications, I could ensure that not a single student would be harmed.
…Therefore…
“If an opportunity arises, observe this instructor’s sword closely. From now on, I’ll demonstrate the advanced Balut Swordsmanship— the Bellum Sword Technique.”
I met the gaze of each nervous student, letting them know that even an unexpected situation like this could serve as part of their training.
Grrrrroooar!!
The ominous wail that had been filling the air once again rang in my ears.
It was more like a vibration than a sound, a pulse of intense energy brushing against my skin.
I began to move, using the <Piarelli Footwork>.
As I approached the direction of the beast, its previously indistinct form started to emerge.
‘That’s…’
It sprawled across the marshy terrain, its greenish hue blending with the surrounding swamp.
And up from the towering ancient trees nearby…
A smooth, serpentine form began to slither upward.
Its length so massive, it was hard to tell where its tail ended and its body began.
A magical beast came to mind.
‘Lahara?’
It had the shape of a snake, yet its size was far too colossal to think of it as just a serpent.
It resembled a titanic serpent-like creature, akin to a titanoboa or anaconda.
Lahara was slinking its way up the swamp and ancient trees.
And then—
Grrrrroooar—
Kraaa, aaaah—!!
Its eyes opened.
A piercing shriek tore through the air, changing the once-silent atmosphere around us.
The magic power radiating from it grew even darker in hue.
And before I could attempt an attack—
Its head lunged forward at a tremendous speed.
Crash!!
Lahara’s hardened head collided with my sword, Galid.
Though it was faster than I anticipated, my body, supported by <Indomitable Physique>, managed to react in time.
But it wasn’t merely a clash.
In that split second, I channeled magic power into Galid, aiming to slice through its head.
“Tough, aren’t you?”
However, a single clash wasn’t enough to scratch its hardened hide.
The surrounding area was filled with magic power, and its speed was astonishing.
And on top of that, its defense was not easily breached.
Lahara’s power, now fully revealed, was surprisingly multifaceted.
Though I’d approached cautiously since it was my first time facing this magical beast, its strength was far beyond my expectations.
“Then I just need to hit it even harder.”
My body had yet to fully recover from the brink of returning. Technically, my skills were at their peak, but on a physical level, I still relied somewhat on supplementary support.
Even so, I was confident I wouldn’t lose to the Lahara in front of me.
There were two reasons for this.
First, the experiences I’d accumulated wouldn’t allow me to falter in a mere situation like this. And second…
“There is no hide that this blade cannot cut.”
I trusted in the power of my primary technique, the <Bellum Sword Technique>.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
I quickly chained my moves together.
First, I struck the left side of its face.
Next, the right side of its torso.
Then I leaped behind it, drawing a long line across its back.
The Lahara’s skin, like impenetrable armor, resisted my blade, but I continued moving my sword without rest.
The <Bellum Sword Technique> is a unique style. Designed to take on multiple enemies on the battlefield, it could be adapted for individual opponents by altering some intermediate maneuvers.
Though it was a technique I devised and perfected, it contained unique elements.
And its power was on par with swordsmanship specialized for one-on-one combat.
To put it more precisely…
“A blade that bites and tears until the opponent is dead.”
In other words, the <Bellum Sword Technique> was forged in the fires of battle, designed to kill.
“You have mastered the <Bellum Sword Technique> as a hero!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
Galid moved relentlessly.
As I demonstrated near-perfect mastery of the <Bellum Sword Technique>, the “Clock of Chance,” which had appeared once before, reemerged.
It meant that I was fully focused, producing my best swordsmanship.
“Faster.”
Though already fast enough, I added more speed.
Faster.
Even faster.
One of the traits I had honed as a swordsman over the years was speed.
I had wielded my blade at a pace unmatched by anyone in this world.
The title “Knight of the Gale” hadn’t been given to me by chance.
“Faster!”
At the beginning of the battle, I could have used <Blade Resonance>, the Fifth Inevitability, to unleash the <Tidal Wave of the Sword>.
But against a magical beast that thrived in a swamp, I judged that a water-based attack wouldn’t be very effective.
Thus…
I moved even faster.
Using pure swordsmanship, relying solely on the forms within my technique, I faced the beast head-on.
I knew.
A blade honed to its utmost could cut through anything.
Having lived with my sword for so many years and dedicated everything to it, I understood this truth.
Kaaah! Kaaaah!!!
Even the mighty Lahara began to falter.
The skin tougher than iron finally showed cracks, which soon deepened into massive scars.
In response, the creature’s fury intensified.
Its once cold eyes now blazed with bloodlust, and the magical energy roiling around it seemed on the verge of eruption.
Swish, swish!!
Swooosh!!
The energy coalesced into magic, surging toward me.
Each magical beast possesses its own unique abilities.
Given Lahara’s formidable physicality and impenetrable hide, I assumed those were its signature traits, but that wasn’t all.
As a beast of the swamp, it could apparently also manipulate water magic.
“Eight?”
Eight swirling vortexes of water surged at me from across the swamp.
They resembled a high-tier water magic spell, <Vortex>, often used by mage heroes.
In other words, getting hit would have significant consequences, even for me.
“Then I just won’t get hit.”
The answer was simple.
If I could avoid Lahara’s desperate water magic attack, the advantage would be mine.
Swooosh!!
The prepared whirlpools rushed toward me.
Standing on Lahara’s back, I tracked each spell’s path with my eyes.
Then, with fluid steps, I gracefully dodged them.
Slowly.
But with agile, smooth movements—
“You are a hero who possesses the Inevitability <Steps of the Falling Leaf>!”
An evasion technique of remarkable caliber, <Steps of the Falling Leaf> was linked to the Fourth Fork, <Knight of the Gale>, one of the finest abilities in my arsenal.
The final attacks crashed in vain, every one of them missing me.
Some even collided with Lahara’s own body, creating an almost comical sight.
…And then—
Thud, thud.
Flash!!
With graceful footwork, I moved along Lahara’s back, swiftly reaching its head.
In my hand was Galid, gripped in reverse.
The blade aimed precisely…
“Unfortunately for you, there’s no hide over your eyes.”
Squelch!
Kaaah—!!
…at Lahara’s enormous eye.
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