Episode 76
I looked inside the cabin.
There was nothing that could be called furniture in the narrow cabin. There was only one dirty fireplace connected to a narrow chimney.
There was no place to hide, but I turned on my eyes and checked the surroundings one more time.
There is no sign of anything suspicious.
Before examining the body further, I called my team members.
The group members who were far away approached the cabin.
“Ugh… “The smell of blood?”
“This… … .”
“… “Pam?”
These guys also identified Pam’s body.
“It hasn’t been that long. “I saw him alive and well in the morning, so it’s only natural.”
“… Are you dead?”
“okay.”
“Nonsense… … . It’s a lie, right? “Pam couldn’t have died.”
“Close your mouth, Evan Helvin.”
When I warned him in a low voice, Evan trembled.
“Didn’t you expect this? I’m sure he didn’t treat Badniker’s retreat as a picnic or something. The instructors clearly said this from the beginning. “It wouldn’t be surprising if one of the Yeongdo members died.”
“that… … ! but… … .”
I sighed.
Even if I say this, it doesn’t mean I don’t understand Evan’s feelings.
However, there is a risk that panic in this situation may spread.
In many ways, it felt like Evan’s stress was reaching its limit, but there was no time to offer warm consolation.
“Mir, can you please check the surroundings one more time and make sure no one is coming?”
“hmm. i get it.”
Fortunately, Mir’s mind seemed to be the most intact. Is it because of the environment I lived in, or because I was born as a giant?
That guy doesn’t seem to have any aversion to blood.
In the meantime, I investigated the body in earnest.
Streaks of tears remained on Palm’s face. It appears that she felt extreme fear right before her death.
‘It looks like he barely resisted… … .’
Even though the farm looks like this, it is still a zero island.
Moreover, he was a brave enough to volunteer for Badniker’s training camp.
That guy died so scared that he couldn’t even resist properly… … .
An unidentifiable sense of discomfort.
And as the investigation of the body progressed, that sense of discomfort took on a more definite form.
“hey. “Do you find anything if you rummage around like that?”
“Roughly. “First of all, it’s not the monster’s doing.”
Their expressions immediately changed at my words.
“That can’t be possible. You said it right? It is against the rules for groups to attack each other. “Can’t the instructors also intervene at any time?”
“But that doesn’t mean killing him is impossible. “It’s an extreme example, but they could have killed him even if they had to risk punishment.”
“… … .”
Charles looked at the body and said:
“… “What is the basis for this being a murder case?”
In fact, I never said anything about it being a murder case.
Of course, it is more likely that it was killed by a person rather than a monster… Somehow, there are many things that make it difficult to divide it into two categories.
“It’s too clean for a corpse killed by a monster.”
If this was the work of a monster, Palm’s body would have looked much more terrible.
It wasn’t a corpse, but maybe a few human pieces had fallen.
But the question that follows is who?
First of all, assuming Yeongdo, the first thing that comes to mind is Charon.
A guy who will do anything to get first place.
If it were him, wouldn’t there be a possibility that he could harm Farm?
‘… … .’
Is it too early to jump to conclusions?
Because there is still too little information.
“Evan, do you remember who was in the same group as Pam?”
“… huh.”
“say it.”
“Denma Galgar, Basil Jul, and… … .”
Evan said while looking at me.
“Hector Badniker.”
* * *
About ten hours after entering the Butterfly Forest, Hector Badniker felt a sense of discomfort.
‘The number of monsters is too small.’
Hector knows the butterfly forest well.
Not only about the characteristics of the forest, but also about the types and numbers of monsters that live here.
This is because information was provided by my maternal family.
Thanks to that, Hector even knew that one of the special tests of the retreat was taking place in the Butterfly Forest.
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‘The instructors’ surveillance area is approximately 15 kilometers from the camp.’
In fact, it would be difficult for leaders to go beyond this range.
This is because a barrier is formed based on the retreat camp, and even if you try to leave this range, you will naturally come back inside.
The person who set the barrier was none other than Archmage Asad,
No matter how excellent your divine protection is, you cannot escape even if you die or wake up at the spirit level.
“I don’t know if the other one will be okay.”
Basil Jules.
said Youngdo, a dwarf who had already grown a bushy beard despite being of similar age.
“I guess it’s okay since I’m just catching a butterfly. If I were to be honest, it’s more about gathering than hunting.”
“hmm… … .”
Hector chose butterflies as the target for this test.
Of course, it is not an ordinary butterfly, but a rare butterfly named Scarletfly… … . This is an entity that exists in only a very small number of places in the butterfly forest.
What makes it different from other butterflies is that the color it emits when it emits light is blood-red.
Additionally, Scarletfly’s human feces are a rare material used in magic and alchemy, and their appearance is so beautiful that one can admire them, so neatly stuffed corpses are sold at high prices among collectors.
‘The problem is how to find it.’
It is difficult to spot a scarlet fly in this wide, dark forest.
Of course, Hector knew one more piece of information.
sunset.
At the time when the sun begins to set, the Scarlet Fly’s brilliance becomes strongest.
So much so that it can be seen from quite a distance away.
Of course, that intense luminescence disappears in less than 10 minutes… … .
Because of that, I entered the forest and spent most of my time looking for the place with the most butterflies.
And I spotted a scarlet fly at sunset.
An unexpected situation occurred at that time: there were two red radiances discovered.
If you rush to one place and miss it, you have to wait until the next day.
So Hector divided the group into two and instructed them to track down different radiances.
“I told you not to go too deep, so nothing bad will happen.”
“That would be nice, but… … .”
Basil Jool was a spirit who shattered many of Hector’s preconceptions about dwarves.
This Youngdo was neither rude nor arrogant like other dwarves.
His personality is basically cool, calm, and respectful to everyone.
The downside is that there are too many worries.
Hector took his eyes off the fussy Jo Won.
Instead, he smiled as he thought of the Scarlet Fly he kept in his arms.
‘There is nothing more precious than the scarlet fly in this forest.’
So, you will be able to defeat not only that cocky Charon Woodjack, but also Goodspring and Luan.
‘… Luan Badnicker.’
Thinking of his youngest brother’s face, Hector’s heart was filled with pride.
At first I thought it was a coincidence or a misunderstanding, but not anymore.
Hector came to recognize Luan.
And at this retreat, I felt like I wanted to proudly defeat Luan.
There are some regrets.
For some reason, Luan didn’t seem to be serious about this retreat.
Hector, who has experienced the true nature of it, is frustrated.
Charon Woodjack?
Of course, I admit that he is excellent.
If I had faced that incident without experiencing it, I might have felt inferior.
But now I’ve met a monster even bigger than that.
At best, people who are evaluated as excellent among Yeongdo are not even in sight.
‘I wonder why I’m not showing off my skills… … .’
If Luan had only intended to show off his true skills, that arrogant Hyde’s only son would not have dared to take first place… … .
“… Hector.”
At that time, Basil spoke in a stern voice.
Hector slowly opened his eyes and answered.
“I know.”
I feel a presence beyond the bushes.
Judging from the presence felt, it is clear that they are not the other members of the team – Pam and Denma.
Hector drew his sword.
Kieeek!
At the same time, the bushes are split and a monster appears.
It was a monster that looked exactly like a wolf, with three eyes and strangely sharp teeth.
Hector’s expression hardened when he saw the monster, but he soon swung his sword.
The wolf fell down, spattering black blood.
‘… ‘It’s tougher than I thought.’
If mana had not been injected, the sword might have gotten stuck in a muscle or joint.
“Woman, you are amazing as expected! This is the swordsmanship of Hector, the genius of the Badnicker family… … .”
Basil made a fuss and exclaimed, but Hector did not respond.
Instead, he narrowed his eyes.
‘… A wolf?’
I know that wolves also live in the Butterfly Forest.
But I’ve never heard of such a strange-looking wolf-type monster.
Of course, no matter how good your maternal family’s intelligence is, you won’t be able to thoroughly understand the forest of butterflies… … .
“Could it be the famous remnant sword that you just used?”
“Basil, take out your weapon too.”
“yes?”
“More coming.”
Kurrrr… … !
At the same time, the entire forest felt like it was shaking.
Basil, who was dull, realized this and his expression turned pale.
“Hey, how many of these are-.”
At least a few dozen.
Of course, I didn’t say it out loud because I thought it would only make me more scared if I found out.
‘Basil is not a combatant.’
Of course, it doesn’t mean you can’t fight at all, but I can’t see it being of much help in battle.
In other words, Hector has to drive out these dozens of wolves by himself… … .
‘It won’t be easy.’
It may be out of the blue, but a life-threatening battle suddenly strikes.
“Follow me!”
“Yes, yes!”
Hector continued to have doubts as he raced through the forest.
Although wolf-type monsters may appear.
It is obviously strange that so many people rush to capture just two young people.
Karung!
A wolf appeared as if falling from the sky.
Did it fall from a tree?
Hector gritted his teeth and swung his sword.
Squeak!
“Hey, Sir Hector!”
“Keep running!”
You won’t be able to run away like this.
In the terrain of the forest, you cannot run faster than a four-legged animal.
Hector continued to look around and finally found a suitable place.
The terrain is difficult to move because the roots of giant trees are entangled everywhere.
There, at least, there is no need to be surrounded on all sides.
‘The drawback is that there is no place to escape to.’
Hector twisted the corner of his mouth.
Anyway, if you don’t kill them all, you’re going to die anyway.
“Basil, I don’t think I have time to take care of you. Take care of yourselves and survive.”
“… Ah, I understand.”
The only consideration Hector could give was to stand on the side where most enemies came.
Fortunately, Basil did not panic and followed Hector’s instructions.
Wow!
At the same time, a pack of wolves attacked.
* * *
How much did you cut?
Hector could not tell whether the wetness he felt all over his body was due to blood or sweat.
‘Basil is… … .’
When I looked to the side, I saw that although it looked like a mess, it was still alive.
“Whoa… … .”
Hector took a deep breath.
I wanted to collapse right away, but the battle wasn’t over yet.
Crumbling… … .
The wolves were standing not far away.
It was somehow eerie to see the monsters just watching without even attacking.
‘Thanks to this, we were able to secure some time to rest… … .’
… What are you waiting for?
“Hector Badniker, you look dangerous.”
At that time, a voice was heard from above.
When I looked up, I saw an unlucky face sitting on a tree branch.
“… Charon Woodjack.”
“hmm. Do you have any strength left to speak?”
Hector’s expression hardened slightly.
Seeing the sudden appearance at this moment, an absurd guess suddenly came to mind.
“… Are you sure you are handling this wolf?”
“well. “But we can change this situation.”
“What are you saying.”
Charon said, resting his chin.
“It’s a deal, Hector Badnicker. “If you hand over all the points you have, I will save you.”
fantasy,
