episode_0025

“Screams! It’s a mon, monster!”

“R, run away!”

A sudden monster commotion in the middle of the marketplace immediately stirred up chaos in the surrounding area.

Katarina and Isabelle, who were returning with me to the city entrance, also expressed their own sense of urgency, pointing in the direction of the voices.

“Mo, monster?! What is this?!”

“Screams! R, release! Over there…!”

“….”

…Yes, it certainly is a monster.

Moreover, it was a monster of a slightly challenging level for an ordinary person to face.

*Snort…!*

With a fierce appearance resembling a wild boar born with strong tusks, the monster cried out with an angry pig-like voice.

Based on my past life memories, it was undoubtedly the beast-type monster known as the Hookfang.

The appropriate hunting level was around level 10. For the protagonist, after only progressing through the early stages of the story, reaching this level was not a significant threat in the actual game.

Of course, that was only applicable to specialized professions like “Academy Aspirants,” and the feeling would be quite different from the perspective of an ordinary person.

“Help me!”

“Guards! Call the guards!”

No matter how vast the Blackwood Territory was or how skilled the knights were, it was only the level of the guards protecting the Blackwood Territory.

To the citizens of the Blackwood Territory who lived within well-defended walls and rarely saw monsters other than slimes, the level 10 Hookfang was a considerably threatening monster.

Even for Lillies, who could only use magic at level 2, it was the same.

“But seriously, how?”

This wasn’t some frontier town or outpost; it was quite strange for a Hookfang to appear inside the walled territory.

The monsters that could appear within the walls were at most slimes that appeared the day after rain, and most of them were creatures that didn’t venture out of the mountains or forests.

What naturally answered the question that arose in my mind was an old scroll that had fallen near the Hookfang.

“Monster Sealing Scroll…!”

In this world, scrolls were typically used as items to store something.

They were mainly used to seal magic or special skills, but there was one exception—the Monster Sealing Scroll.

“It must have been a technique developed by a professor at the Academy for practical training.”

Among the scrolls, the only one that could seal material things was the “Monster Sealing Scroll.”

One of these scrolls seemed to have been unsealed in the middle of the city, summoning the trapped monster inside.

Whether the seal had weakened due to age or had accidentally torn during transportation.

“…Perhaps, this could be an opportunity.”

Finally, a chance given by the heavens to escape this damned level 2 segment and leap forward.

Ideally, it would be proper to gradually level up by dealing with small monsters like slimes or shell beetles, but that was only applicable to ordinary individuals who could freely roam outside.

For Lillies, who needed permission just to leave the mansion, this opportunity was welcomed in many ways.

“Moreover, if the monster was trapped in a scroll, it should be much easier to deal with.”

To confine a monster in a “Monster Sealing Scroll,” the first thing to do was to weaken the monster to a vulnerable state.

Even if it was incapable, the level 10 monster might be close to half health, possibly even nearing a state of defeat.

Merely judging by its level, facing a creature five times stronger than a release was undoubtedly a reckless move. However, the fact that it had emerged from a scroll indicated that its stamina was below half.

In many ways, everything seemed to align perfectly for me to not just avoid but engage in this battle.

“Squiiiiirk…!”

“Uh, oh, mon, monster… Wh-what do we do…”

“Re-Release! Let’s run away quickly! We need to call the guards first!”

“Isabel, you go ahead with Katarina senpai.”

“…Huh?”

“…I have something I need to take care of briefly.”

“W-wait! Where are you going, Release…!”

Trapped in the scroll and now causing a commotion in the marketplace, the Hookfang Gnoll began thrashing around.

And amidst the chaos, residents panicked and dodged the sudden appearance of a Level 10 monster.

Without hesitation, I swiftly moved towards the monster.

“I’ll settle the score later.”

“Wh-what?! Miss, it’s dangerous!”

There was no time to waste. I grabbed three iron skewers from a nearby skewer stand and directed my attention towards the rampaging Hookfang Gnoll.

“Hey!! You ugly piglet!!!”

My sudden outburst caught the attention of the surrounding people instantly.

Ignoring their stares, my focus was solely on diverting the monster’s attention towards me.

I needed to start and finish the battle as quickly as possible.

“…Before the territorial guards arrive.”

“You piglet!! Over here!!!”

*Squelch?!*

Waving the fragrant skewers provocatively, I successfully drew the Hookfang Gnoll’s interest towards me.

It seemed loud voices and food were indeed effective in diverting a monster’s attention.

As the creature rushed towards me, I carefully observed its movements until it was within striking distance.

“Release! It’s dangerous!”

Isabel urgently called out my name from behind.

Given the circumstances, it was a nerve-wracking situation, but my focus had to be on the battle at hand.

Just as the Hookfang Gnoll’s teeth were about to pierce me, I swiftly dodged to the left, evading its initial attack.

*Whoosh!*

Accompanied by a gust of wind, the massive monster passed by me.

Seizing the opportunity, I plunged one of the iron skewers into the creature’s neck as it brushed past me.

The monster, with the skewer lodged halfway into its throat, let out a piercing scream.

*Squelch!!*

Though I couldn’t drive it in all the way, the attack was still effective due to hitting a vulnerable spot.

With no proper attack skills or a significant amount of magic power left, ensuring safety was paramount.

As the monster, lured by food, charged towards me again after being stabbed in the neck, it emitted furious cries of pain.

Nevertheless, thanks to the damage inflicted during the first attack, the monster’s speed had noticeably slowed down.

Being trapped in the scroll from the start, the monster’s condition wasn’t great to begin with.

“Almost there.”

After taking one of the skewers in hand and placing it in their mouth, they swallowed about half of it without hesitation.

It wasn’t because they were particularly hungry; it was to drive the second strike a bit deeper.

To land a slightly more impactful blow with a brief strike, it was necessary to minimize any elements that could hinder the friction.

As the slowed-down monster approached me, I rolled on the ground again, dodging its second body slam.

Turning one of the skewers inside the creature’s side as it staggered past me, they drove it in as deeply as possible.

“Squuuueeeaaak…!!”

Damn, it’s so damn loud.

Anyway, judging by the size of the piercing scream and the significantly slowed movements, it was practically over for both of us at this point.

If they could land just one more attack on the neck or face, it would undoubtedly be the end…

“…Miss! Quickly, run from there!”

Ah, damn it.

Why is the security in Blackwood Territory so good?

Monsters appeared, and not even five minutes passed before soldiers from the territorial patrol arrived to subdue them.

Someone who seemed to be the highest-ranking among them shouted at me to retreat.

“The rest will be handled by our patrol, Miss, please run away quickly, hurry!”

“…What?”

The rest will be handled by your patrol?

You mean this nearly finished-off monster that’s on the brink of death after I managed to somehow land two strikes on it, risking my life?

I’ve barely managed to bring it to the edge of death by rolling on the ground twice, and these bastards are trying to steal my finishing blow?

“Miss! If you don’t retreat quickly, it’s dangerous…!”

“I said get lost, all of you!”

“Huh…”

“I’m definitely finishing this bastard off! Just try to come a step closer…!!”

After how long it’s been since an opportunity for a level up presented itself, surrendering it to the territorial patrol? Unacceptable.

Even if a knife were at their throat, they couldn’t allow that much. They had to safeguard this potential leveling-up chance, no matter what.