༺ Back Story – Hunting Evaluation (2.5) ༻
※ This takes place after the events of Part (2) and before Part (3) of the Hunting Evaluation.
Elt Island.
In the midst of the Hunting Evaluation, I was about halfway through after I defeated Rose Red Rivera
Before long, I found myself within the marshlands. Crossing it would be a daunting task due to the watery mire that ford a large lake.
I could build a bridge with ice or rock magic.
However, the marshlands were likely to harbor demonic illusions and enemy familiars. I could use elental magic to get across sohow, but if these creatures were to ambush mid-way through, I’d be at a significant disadvantage.
‘I might be better off turning back.’
I shifted my foot to the side, contemplating an alternative route.
And then it happened.
Puuuuuuuu—!
“Whoa!”
Without warning, the swamp surged up!
Sailing through the air amidst the splattering mud was a reptilian magic beast, its size akin to that of two grown n combined. Cloaked in water mana, it was the swamp-dwelling crocodile familiar, Dove.
[Dove] Lv: 60
Race: Magic Beast
Elents: Water
Danger: Low
Psychology: [Wants to defeat you and earn praise from its master.]
It opened its mouth, baring its nacingly sharp teeth.
[Gahhhhh!]
Deploying a blue magic circle, the crocodile magic beast tried to leap toward . Perhaps hidden within the swamp, it had gone unnoticed by Hilde.
I hastily clasped my fingers together and condensed ice mana. The magic circle of [Frost Explosion] conjured in front of my hands.
「Cascade (Water Elent, ★3)」
As the crocodile beast unleashed a large amount of water with its magic circle, I detonated the condensed ice mana toward him.
「Frost Explosion (Ice Elent, ★5)」
Kwaaaahhhh—!!
The powerful shock from the explosion of frost engulfed both the crocodile and his [Cascade] spell.
In an instant, the spreading frost enveloped the crocodile magic beast, swallowing him and causing him to soar onto the trees.
Kuuuuu──!
The elongated ice chunks that had frozen the crocodile familiar fell into the marshland and transford into a robust bridge-like structure. The solid block of ice, condensed by mana, didn’t crack in the slightest.
It was significantly longer compared to the one I had created during the first sester. Clearly, my mastery over [Frost Explosion] had greatly improved.
I resisted the urge to cross imdiately. As I said before, if enemies swooped down on while I was crossing the ice bridge, I’d be dood.
[Master, another magic beast is approaching.]
[Kyuuuuuu—]
Drrrrrrrrrr—
A magic beast covered in rock-like armor rolled toward with a crouched posture. It was an armadillo familiar with a body that could easily asure around 2 ters when stretched out in its rolled form.
It must have heard the sound of magic being cast and the sound of ice chunks falling into the marshland.
[Arivori] Lv: 56
Race: Magic Beast
Elents: Rock
Danger: Low
Psychology: [Wants to defeat you and be petted by its master.] 「Ice Spear (Ice Elent, ★4)」
Gently extending my arm upwards, I conjured an [Ice Spear] above my head.
I aid it at Arivori, the armadillo familiar that was rolling towards . The mont I was about to fire the [Ice Spear] —
「Thunderbolt (Lightning Elent, ★4)」
Kwaaang─!!
“…!”
A bolt of purple lightning pierced through the gaps in the foliage and struck Arivori. The powerful thunderbolt paralyzed its entire body, and its rock armor was lightly shattered.
Arivori didn’t have ti to scream before it lost consciousness, its four legs sprawled out. Only its feet twitch intermittently.
Purple electricity began to crackle in the aftermath of the [Thunderbolt].
‘What is this, another…?’
[Master, sothing dangerous is coming!]
Upon Hilde’s urgent warning, I felt a sinking feeling spread through my chest.
Why, why? What’s going on again?!
────── [Kiaaaaaah!]
Suddenly, the familiar screech of a bird of prey echoed throughout the jungle.
“Ugh!”
Through the trees, a black bird enveloped in purple lightning swooped down and landed in front of Arivori, the armadillo familiar. Electric currents and gusts of wind spread in all directions.
Well, that certainly caught off guard…
“Galia…?”
Before stood a black grouse, ‘Thunderbird Galia’. He was smaller than usual
[Thunderbird Galia] Lv: (100)
Race: Magic Beast
Elents: Lightning
Danger: X
Psychology: [Delighted to see you.]
“Isaac, I found you.”
A rose-golden-haired female student was perched on Galia’s back. She was Luce Eltania, the first year top seat of the Magic Departnt.
“Luce?”
Galia hunched his head down to the ground, and Luce slid down his nape and onto the ground.
A gentle smile adorned her face.
Thank goodness… I was scared when that [Thunderbolt] struck.
A sense of relief washed over . If it was Luce, she would definitely be on my side.
“Hey, how did you manage to find ? That’s amazing…!”
I intended to approach Luce with a smiling face and greet her, but I stopped abruptly.
Sohow, her condition seed off.
Flushed cheeks. Breath so hot and ragged that it produced visible puffs of air. A seductive smile.
Almost as if… she was excited.
A chill ran down my spine. It reminded of the Luce from Extra Bad Ending N.13, 「The Birdcage」, in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
[Luce Eltania] Lv: 151
Race: Human
Elents: Water, Lightning
Danger: ?
Psychology: [Wants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with youWants to be with you…]
A shiver ran down my spine, and I quickly closed Luce’s status window.
‘What’s this? What’s…?’
What’s with this sudden emotional outburst?
When I saw her at the academy’s dock, she wasn’t any different from her usual self…?
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Luce steadied her breath and began to slowly approach .
“Whenever I saw soone use ice magic, I’d go and check it out. I finally found you.”
Only when we were closer could I make out a faint erald-green powder faintly drift from Luce’s head.
‘Oh my god…’
How could I not recognize what that was?
It was a substance that oozed from those who had been struck by the spores of the ‘Choro Mushroom’.
From what I rembered, in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the choro mushroom was primarily found in the highlands.
When a creature approached, it released spores that amplified the emotions the person harbored.
For example, if you hate soone, you wouldn’t be able to overco the urge to harm them.
And if you harbor even a slight crush towards another, it could turn into passionate love.
I rember it being described in the community as ‘becoming an easy woman’.
After a certain period of ti, those affected by the spores would fall into a forced slumber.
In the process of completely detoxifying the effect, the person would sleep as if they were dead. They would beco completely defenseless and would lose all mories associated with the effects of the choro mushroom.
This ant that if you ca across one, you had to run away as fast as possible.
‘How much of the spores did Luce inhale?’
She had most likely inhaled a significant amount of the mushroom’s spores.
For the record, the fus wafting out were a natural part of the detoxification process and weren’t toxic.
Anyway,
As I pondered over what Luce had said, I inferred how she had ended up in this state.
She must have climbed to the highlands to find . And with her keen eyesight, she must have searched for my whereabouts from the cliff.
Even if the forest was filled with trees, Luce’s vision was monstrous enough to track my movents through the gaps in the leaves.
During this ti, the mushrooms clustered on the highlands would have begun releasing their spores, causing Luce to inhale a considerable amount of the spore.
Gradually, her emotions intensified, turning her into an easy woman.
Luce approached as if she was about to embrace and looked at with a smile one would use for their lover.
“I missed you, Isaac.”
“…!”
Her voice, as soft as moonlight, gently caressed my eardrums. Combined with her warm breath, it transford into a bewitching lody that had the power to paralyze my senses.
A sensation of intense pleasure.
I froze like ice under its influence.
“This place is dangerous…. I’ll protect you from getting hurt, so stay by my side, Isaac.”
No amount of ASMR could beat the sound of Luce’s voice. It felt as if all my clothes had been stripped away and feathers were lightly caressing my entire body—it was a shivering ecstasy.
No, snap out of it.
I barely managed to regain my composure and began to think.
‘If I had Luce, it’d feel like I’ve got an entire army on my side.’
With Luce as an ally, the difficulty of 「Act 4, Chapter 2, Food Chain」would drastically drop. It would be a great advantage for .
I had originally planned to recruit an ally at this point, as I knew I’d be facing tougher enemies going forward.
However, I was afraid of Luce’s habits as an easy woman.
Perhaps due to the fact that I was lost in thought without offering her a response, Luce’s expression grew cold.
“Do you… do you dislike being around ?”
Luce discreetly moved her right hand behind her back.
I don’t know what she’s reaching for, but a strong sense of unease is hitting like a battering ram.
In a panic, I hastily summoned my inner actor, the seasoned Isaac. I put on my best acting face, flashed a natural smile, and reassured Luce.
“I was just overwheld with joy for a mont. Why would I, hate being around you, does that even make sense?”
“…”
Luce stared at with seemingly emotionless eyes, unable to brush off her suspicion.
“Thank you for coming, Luce. You’re my anchor.”
As soon as I added a warm comnt, Luce’s expression began to soften.
Brush-
Luce discreetly slid sothing into her skirt’s waistband. Though she muffled the sound as much as she could, I could still hear it distinctly from being so close.
I had a strong feeling that the ‘easy woman’ Luce was a double-edged sword due to her strong inclination to keep people she cherished by her side and protect them.
She had been burdened by the guilt of being unable to protect the Great Witch of Heaven’s Wrath and Hansel, shaping her current self.
However, when wielded skillfully, a double-edged sword could cut through anything.
“Isaac, where were you going?”
“To the center. I heard it’s a sweet spot, so I wanted to check it out. Can you take there on the Thunderbird?”
Luce nodded with a smile.
I tried to read Luce’s psychology again, out of habit, but quickly shut it down, feeling a shiver.
‘Well, that’s enough of that.’
Preventing a bad ending is my top priority.
I forced a smile and turned to walk with the double-edged easy woman.
And then it happened.
“…!”
Luce suddenly embraced .
‘What the heck!’
I could feel the soft sensation and warmth of her chest against my own.
The sll of Luce’s erotic body odor and the faint grassy sll of the fus from the choro mushroom detoxification assaulted my sense of sll.
I looked down at Luce in surprise.
“Haah, haah…”
She struggled to cling to my clothes. Her breath was labored, as if she was suffering from a severe flu.
It seed like the side effects of inhaling too many choro mushroom spores had kicked in.
Her earlier moans and blushing were partly due to her deteriorated physical state.
“Isaac… I’m having a bit of trouble maintaining my balance… I’m sorry. I couldn’t increase Galia’s size either… I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a ride…”
“…What are you apologizing for? You should rest here for a bit.”
Currently, it seed impossible for Luce to increase Galia’s size with her current mana control. There wasn’t enough space on Galia for both and Luce to ride…
Anyway, the fact that I was trying to rely on soone like her for help made feel guilty.
I held onto Luce’s shoulders and guided her to sit against a nearby tree. Galia, even after being reduced to level 100 and shrunken, would be able to protect Luce, allowing to leave her behind without concern.
And the side effects of the choro mushroom would disappear after a good night’s sleep.
Shove.
But Luce pushed my arm away and shook her head.
“Stay with , Isaac… I want to be with you. If I just catch my breath for a mont, I’ll be fine again… And if I’m not, we can ride around on the Galia…”
Luce gently stroked my sleeve, the sa area that had been charred by Rose’s magic earlier.
“I’ll protect you, Isaac… So please co see more often. Don’t get hurt like this…”
Luce clasped my wrist with the sa slender hand that had been stroking my sleeve.
“If you get hurt… It hurts so much…” Her voice contained a hint of tears.
The effect of choro mushroom was to amplify the emotions harbored by the affected person.
Seeing Luce openly express her inner feelings as well as her vulnerability, I froze in place. I felt as if a heavy iron weight was being pressed down on my heart.
‘Is this a friend or a lover?’
Hidden beneath Luce’s usual language and bland remarks, there was sothing that unexpectedly ambushed to stop in my tracks, as if it were trying to freeze ti.
I sighed and gently let go of Luce, startling her. I turned my back and sat down, bending one knee and stretching my arms back.
“Get on.”
I said as I slightly turned my head.
Luce looked puzzled, her face showing that she didn’t understand what I ant.
“You said you were coming with , right? I’ll carry you.”
How can my heart not lt from all the concern she’s showing ?
If anything, I wanted Luce to stay by my side. After all, I couldn’t hate her.
Plus, with her by my side, Galia could fight more comfortably.
“Hehe.”
Luce giggled playfully, and clung to my back without hesitation.
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and I grabbed onto her legs and stood up.
“It’s not uncomfortable, is it?”
“No, it’s fine. Isaac. You won’t get tired, will you?”
“Don’t worry, I’m strong.”
Luce smirked.
“Galia, I’m going to take a shortcut, so back up.”
[Leave it to .]
Galia’s deep masculine voice echoed in my mind.
With that, I picked up Luce and set off. I trudged across the marshland, stepping over the icebergs I had created.
I knew that since we had Galia, we would be safe.
“Isaac.”
“…!”
As soon as Luce’s voice rang in my ear, a shiver ran down my spine. Her tone was like a sweet and seductive tactical weapon.
“What?” I replied emotionlessly.
“Your hands… are quite lewd,” Luce said with a faint smile.
She seed to be referring to my hands that were supporting her legs.
…Co to think of it, that was true. It had been so long since I had carried soone that I didn’t realize I didn’t need to grasp her thigh. Sohow, the sensation felt enchanting. It was making blush.
I slid my arms further under her knees. Luce giggled at the sight, finding it amusing.
Thanks to Luce and Galia joining , I didn’t have to do much. They would take care of any demonic illusions or hostile familiars that might attack.
‘Thank goodness, really.’
If I were alone, this would have been a challenging section where I could be eliminated at any mont.
“Sniff. By the way, you don’t sll like Isaac today…?”
“That’s because I used an odor remover.”
“That’s a sha.”
There might be enemies who could track by scent.
I masked my body odor with an odor remover I had purchased at an unmanned shop.
“But Isaac, there’s sothing I’m curious about…”
“Yeah.”
“Can you give so… relationship advice today as well?”
Luce’s voice started to fade as she began to doze off.
Relationship advice. I’d been giving her nothing but stereotypical advice.
At first, when Luce first asked to teach her how to be in a relationship, I was stumped, but now it didn’t seem like a big deal. Humans are adaptable creatures, after all.
“What is it? Tell .” I asked absentmindedly.
“If I had a crush on soone, and they were carrying … what should I say?”
I stopped in my tracks. I involuntarily froze.
My head started to spin at her words.
Am I supposed to interpret this as her confessing that she likes ? But that wouldn’t make sense, right?
“You… you like Greung, don’t you?”
“…”
“…Ah.”
I realized I had misspoken.
Maybe it was just because of the situation where I was carrying her that such a question ca to mind.
Asking, ‘You like Greung, don’t you?’ here could easily be interpreted as, ‘Are you confessing your feelings to right now?’ There was plenty of room for that interpretation.
“I didn’t an it that way…”
“I misunderstood. I’m sorry.”
I moved on again.
“Is there sothing Isaac needs to apologize for…?”
Luce buried her face in my shoulder. I could feel a feverish heat through the fabric.
Even if the side effects of the choro mushroom would improve with so sleep, I was deeply concerned about Luce’s condition right now.
I kept a close eye on Luce to make sure nothing was wrong with her.
“Then, Isaac. I have a favor to ask… Can you please tell sothing?”
“What is it?”
Kwagwang──!
A demonic illusion popped out, but Galia killed it with a single thunderbolt.
I quickened my pace along that path.
Luce breathed heavily for a mont, then managed to calm herself and continued speaking.
“Tell that Isaac is Greung… Please just say that…”
I expected it.
Sorry, but that’s not going to work.
To be honest, I don’t trust Luce. At least until I defeat the Evil God, I intend to keep her from obtaining as much confirmation as possible.
If she found out, it would increase the potential for a bad ending. It was already hard enough to get stronger and focus on killing demons.
So when I defeat the Evil God and no longer have to worry about preventing bad endings…
…At that mont, I will reveal everything.
Well, surely she won’t resort to torture by demanding, ‘Say you’re Greung.’
…Huh? She actually didn’t?
“You’re so stubborn, seriously. Of course, I’m not. For you to do all of this just ans you must like or sothing, right?”
I intentionally used a casual tone to block Luce’s line of questioning.
From Luce’s perspective, she couldn’t be fully certain unless she found definite proof that I was Greung.
This psychological distance was just right.
Luce wasn’t in a position to freely pour out her emotions.
However, her next response was so unexpected, I found myself at a loss for words.
“Maybe I do…”
Luce flashed a faint smile.
Her soft whisper resonated in my mind like a distant echo.
“Luce…?”
“…”
After that, Luce didn’t utter another word. I called her na repeatedly, but to no avail.
Her body went limp. Soft breaths followed one after another, gently seeping into my ear.
“Are you asleep?”
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips.
In the end, it seed like Luce’s body had fallen into a state of forced slumber to detoxify the effects of the choro mushroom.
Beep──
Luce’s bracelet signaled her elimination.
The exam bracelet continuously monitored the wearer’s physical condition and signaled elimination when they beca incapacitated. Luce’s was no different.
I leaned Luce against a nearby tree. Galia, who had been providing support, settled down next to .
Luce was sound asleep. Her head was tilted to the side, and her silky rose-gold hair dripped with rainwater.
When she wakes up, she’ll have lost her mory.
“Galia, you’ve done well. The proctor will co to take her away soon. You’re eliminated along with your master, so just follow along.”
[What are you going to do?]
“I’ll go where I’m going. Thanks.”
I stretched my stiff shoulders, which had beco sore from carrying Luce.
“I’m off.”
[I have sothing to tell you, though.]
Galia gazed at with his eyes crackling with lightning.
[When do you plan to reveal your secret to this child?]
It was a natural question considering that Galia viewed Luce as if she were his own daughter.
“…By the way, thank you for keeping the secret. I’ll reveal it when the ti is right.”
[Please don’t be late. This child, she really likes you a lot, you know.]
”…”
[I also want to et my grandchildren soon…]
“I’m in a hurry, so I’ll go. See you next ti.”
I quickened my pace as if running away, interrupting Galia’s unfiltered words.
As if to warn to be careful, Galia spread one of his wings and waved at . I waved my arm in return.
‘Cheer up.’
I took a deep breath to compose myself. From now on, challenging monts awaited. I needed to avoid combat as much as possible to reach the center.
Let’s do this. I’ll prevent a bad ending, just like I’ve done until now.
I pushed through the dense forest toward the center.
– [Back Story – Hunting Evaluation (2.5)] End.
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