[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 126: It’s Not Bad to Live as an Ordinary Man
The breath of Nepherus that I absorbed with my left hand was quickly enveloped and assimilated by the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique.
It was as if an unwelco guest, caught between two opposing forces of varying magnitudes, was being disciplined with a firm slap to the back of the head, bringing it under control.
‘I can’t quite figure out what’s going on.’
Regardless, the important thing right now isn’t uncovering the truth but the battle before my eyes.
I kicked the intruder’s rear end, tad it, and transford it into a force that served .
‘In terms of mana purity, it’s quite crude.’
Nepherus's energy was like salt riddled with impurities.
But even a low-quality spirit dicine, when consud to the point of bursting, would still be of so use, wouldn’t it?
Whoooosh!
I channeled Nepherus's mana into my sword. The once-clear blue sword energy now rippled turbulently, unstable and murky.
‘No matter.’
All I needed was to draw Nepherus's attention with a slash.
Sssshhhhk!
I unleashed slashes in all directions—up, down, left, and right—to catch Nepherus's gaze. Then, with swift three-dinsional movent, I kicked off the cliff face and positioned myself behind the beast.
Nepherus's reaction to my movents was delayed. By the ti it turned, I was already descending from above its head.
Chak!
As I infused my bracelet with aura, a sword materialized in my hand.
‘Here!’
I drove the bracelet sword like a wedge into the gaps between Nepherus's scales.
“Got it.”
The slashes I had been unleashing while circling Nepherus earlier weren’t aningless flailing.
“This is your weak spot.”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Using the bracelet sword as an extension, I pried off the scales as if pulling out nails. With little effort, the scales ca loose.
‘I knew it.’
While testing slashes from various angles, I noticed that the scales peeled off easily when struck from the opposite direction.
‘And without your scales, your hide’s defense isn’t all that impressive. Right?’
“Kieeeee!”
As the scales protecting its head were torn away, Nepherus began to convulse violently.
But it was too late to shake off now. I had already driven my blade deep into its flesh.
‘So, this is your vital point, huh?’
I recalled a conversation I had retrieved from the library of my mories.
“Listen, Karzan. When hunting large, tough monsters, the key is figuring out how to compensate for the lack of reach.”
He was a renowned monster hunter in his pri, a man who lost an arm while chasing after even more dangerous prey, wearing that loss like a badge of honor.
“Think about it. To pierce a single point, a thrusting attack is obviously more effective than a slash, right?”
He was right. The best way to penetrate the gaps in armor was to stab with a dagger.
“That’s why I developed this technique.”
He lifted his sword horizontally, demonstrating the move himself.
“It’s not just about extending the sword energy. Think of it as shooting the sword energy like a javelin. Or maybe it’s more like using the elasticity of a bow? To explain in detail—”
“Ah, so it’s like this?”
“…?”
The principle was simple. Instead of slashing wildly, you compress the sword energy and focus it into a single point, firing it like an arrow.
‘It’s similar to harpooning a whale.’
Of course, I had no idea how Nepherus's internal organs were arranged, where its weak points were, or what lay inside its body.
But one thing was certain.
‘Pierce the brain, and it dies.’
That applies to , to Venion, and to you as well.
“Hyaaaah!”
I poured every ounce of strength I had into the Voyager of the Night.
Grrrrrrr—!
Suppressing the aura’s desperate struggle to break free, I pressed the tip of the blade against Nepherus's exposed skull.
Pshooooom!
The sword energy, shot like a harpoon, tore through Nepherus's flesh and—
t the hard skull, spinning like a top.
‘Please!’
If it stopped here, it was over.
I clenched my teeth, squeezing out the last of my strength, and then—
‘Got it!’
I felt sothing give way. Sothing soft and squishy ca into contact with the sword energy. It was unmistakably Nepherus's brain.
“Now, die!”
Like a skilled swordsman preparing to finish off a target, I twisted the hilt, scrambling the beast’s brain.
Kieeeeeeeeeeeee!
With a horrifying scream, the monster thrashed violently. Without hesitation, I pulled out the sword and used the montum of its convulsions to leap down.
Keeeeeeek!
Thud!
Landing lightly, I flicked the sticky blood off the Voyager of the Night and sheathed it.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
With its brain completely turned to mush, the giant serpent, now disoriented and thrashing, slamd into the rocks.
The massive collision undoubtedly dealt a devastating blow to its already ruined brain.
“Tsk, that stupid snake-headed bastard.”
Nepherus's convulsions slowly subsided. I quietly watched as the giant serpent brought its own life to an end, then turned my head.
“Young Master.”
As if he hadn’t expected this outco, Venion shook his head and spoke to .
“This ti, I’m truly amazed. I never thought you’d be able to hunt Nepherus on your own.”
“Did I defy your expectations? You probably thought I’d die, didn’t you?”
Perhaps it was the adrenaline from the battle still coursing through , but I didn’t bother hiding my suspicion and spat it out bluntly.
“No way. My plan was to watch how far you could go and then intervene if necessary.”
I snorted.
“I almost died from that breath attack earlier, you know?”
“That was my oversight. I didn’t expect it to pull off such a precise attack.”
“Huh. Is that so?”
“It seems that because it was such a strong and massive entity, its intelligence was higher than expected.”
Venion spoke as if he had no intention of hiding his knowledge.
“I owe you an apology for that. However, if you had been seriously injured, I would have done everything in my power to heal you.”
“I said I almost died, and that’s your response?”
“Haha, weren’t you prepared to sacrifice your left arm to hold out? An arm can always be restored, after all.”
“Well, well.”
If he had even read my intentions that far, I had nothing more to say. I shrugged and replied.
“In any case, consider today’s events a debt you owe .”
“That debt will co at a high price.”
Venion nodded, then suddenly asked.
“By the way, what was that power you used earlier?”
“…I don’t know either.”
“Absorbing an enemy’s attack like that… Such a thing is rarely seen.”
“Even to you, it’s rare?”
“Rare enough that I can’t think of any examples off the top of my head. I’m also curious as to why such a power suddenly manifested…”
Venion trailed off. But both he and I likely harbored similar suspicions.
‘The incurable disease that made terminally ill.’
There must be so clue hidden within it.
“In any case, I’ll report this to the Clan Head.”
“You should.”
“Hmm, before that, as your instructor, let offer you one complint—”
Venion spoke with a serious expression.
“That was an incredibly difficult fight. Yet, you didn’t give up and managed to land the finishing blow. It was truly impressive.”
“Is that so?”
“You weren’t swayed by the enemy’s strength. Instead, you observed, found its weakness, and executed your plan flawlessly. Most importantly, you succeeded in delivering a deep, internal blow.”
Venion pointed at the lifeless body of Nepherus.
“It sounds simple when said aloud, but this is by no ans an easy feat.”
“That’s true.”
Venion looked straight at .
“I’ll admit it. Today’s performance deserves nothing less than full marks—and beyond.”
I chuckled.
“Weren’t you the one who said talents like mine are a di a dozen?”
“That was a warning to keep you from becoming complacent. Every teacher fears their student growing arrogant.”
Venion laughed heartily.
“But now, I’m at a loss for words.”
“As you should be.”
“…Perhaps—”
Venion’s tone turned peculiar.
“It might be ti for you to move on to the next stage.”
Now that’s sothing I’d like to hear.
But when are you planning to teach the special techniques?
.
.
.
“By the way, just dismantling and transporting the remains of that carcass is going to be a huge task.”
Venion pointed at the massive corpse of Nepherus.
“Now that you ntion it, you’re right.”
“Its value will be imnse.”
Hunting a large monster like this was, in other words, hitting the jackpot.
“You’ll be handling a large sum of money, so how you use it will be important.”
“You’re not going to suggest splitting the profits now, are you?”
“Of course not. The entire 100% belongs to you, young master.”
“Good.”
“However, if you entrust the processing to the clan, you’ll need to pay a small fee.”
“Naturally, that’s only fair.”
After all, middlen need to make a living too, right? Not that I’m speaking from experience in that line of work or anything.
“This hunt has made a fortune.”
The reward from this single hunt was staggering. Just how much money are we talking about here?
“That’s why, since ancient tis, many monster hunters have beco wealthy.”
“Indeed.”
Even in my past life, the ones who splurged the most in the underworld weren’t your average organization mbers. They were hunters and rcenaries who had struck it big.
‘And among them, no one could match the extravagance of hunters.’
Back in my younger days, whenever hunters visited the establishnts I managed, I’d personally serve them drinks and treat them well to earn their favor.
Of course, in this world, hunters and rcenaries were the kind of people who could switch professions at any ti and carve out a place for themselves in the underworld.
That’s why they were seen as people who straddled the line between day and night, existing in the gray areas.
‘But above all else.’
I had saved a man’s son and avenged him. That, to , was the most satisfying part of it all.
“Phew.”
I let out a deep breath. Only now did I realize that every muscle in my body was screaming in pain.
“I’m fucking exhausted.”
“And rightfully so.”
Excluding my sparring matches with Ulbhild, this was the strongest enemy I had faced in this life.
“I guess being a hunter just isn’t for .”
“You seem quite suited to it, though.”
“Then it must be a lack of interest.”
Venion suggested.
“Young Master, it would be best to return and rest now. I’ll handle the cleanup.”
“Agreed.”
I nodded without argunt.
“But I’ll take the child back myself first.”
“Are you sure you don’t need an escort?”
I shrugged.
“This entire territory belongs to my father. Who would dare harm here?”
“Even so, your life is far too precious to dismiss caution so lightly.”
“True enough.”
I tilted my head, studying Venion’s expression. Despite the techniques I’d used during the fight—clearly rooted in the underworld and unmistakably tied to Karzan—he hadn’t pressed for answers. Soone of his insight would’ve recognized their origins. Yet his playful smile gave nothing away, his eyes as unreadable as ever.
‘Why?’
‘Venion. Just who are you?’
He carried a different air from loyal retainers like the head butler or Ludan—a scent of secrets yet unraveled. For now, whether I’d uncover his depths before he uncovered mine remained to be seen.
***
When I returned with the child, the fishern wept and bowed deeply.
“Thank you. How can we ever repay this kindness…?”
“Protecting your people is a ruler’s duty. I rely followed the Duke’s orders. Save your gratitude for him.”
I replied stiffly, like a soldier.
The tear-streaked village chief looked up at .
“…Young Master Allenbert.”
“Hm?”
I blinked.
“How did you know?”
Had my disguise been so flimsy? Not that it mattered. If anything, this would spread as a favorable tale.
I approached the old man, trembling between grief for his lost son and relief for his surviving grandson.
“Elder. Listen closely, Chief.”
“We are listening.”
“Inform the duchy to collect child-rearing funds under my na.”
The costs would be covered by the proceeds from Nepherus's remains.
The elder stared in shock, while the chief pressed his forehead to the ground.
“This is too much! We’ve already received your grace—how could we dare impose further…?”
To them, even kindness from their superiors seed perilous.
I turned to the old man, who faced a future of struggle to raise the boy alone.
“Elder. Raise him well. Ensure he grows without bitterness over his father’s absence.”
The old man wiped his tears and bowed. “Th-thank you… Such boundless rcy…”
Watching him weep, I thought of my grandfather.
‘Grandfather, how I wish I could’ve saved you as you saved . Or as this boy was saved today—by a stranger on a white horse.’
“If the boy shows talent, send him to Grunewald. So long as I rember this day, he’ll have a chance.”
“Thank you…”
“But there’s no sha in living as a simple man—nding nets, catching fish ‘like my grandfather did.’”
As I turned to leave, a quiet truth settled in my heart.
‘Whether I’ll live long enough to see that day depends on miracles. To defy my fate, I must et Mother soon.’
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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