◆ Near the Border of Avangarde, Fourest Mountains ◆
“If you step any further, we won’t show mercy.”
Only the bandaged turban guy floating in the air and the broom-wielding girl were supposed to be here. A beautiful gray-furred cat with jewel-like eyes. No, it was a catfolk capable of speech and walking on two legs. Surrounding them were four similar beastfolk, resembling dogs or wolves. Though their builds varied, there was no mistake they were of the same kind as that catfolk.
Among monsters, there are those who can speak and walk on two legs, but they are different from these demi-humans. Above all, I sensed a different kind of rationality from them. They were asserting their intent to intimidate us, suggesting they might let us go depending on the conditions. There was no doubt they were allies of those floating above.
“Uh, I don’t really understand what you mean?”
“Currently, the Nation of Negesta is under our control, the Phantoms. Your entry is not permitted.”
“Well, that’s a pickle. So you see all our moves, huh?”
The beastfolk showed no change in expression, even at my playful attitude. If it weren’t for those floating ones, we would have an overwhelming advantage in numbers and strength. That cat must be the leader; she is the strongest. And above all, she remains calm, which opens up room for negotiation.
Rupie maintained a composed demeanor, focusing solely on the catfolk. If they possess beast-like instincts, then in situations like this, they must never look away from their leader. In their strictly hierarchical world, the leader is absolute and just. Ignoring the leader and directing attention to the subordinates would severely shake the leader’s pride. This was a perfect opportunity to probe their true identity and intentions; I couldn’t let it slip away.
“W-What is that monster…?”
“…Monster?”
Even a single comment could be fatal. The way they reacted excessively to the word “monster” was palpable in the air. The catfolk and her beastfolk companions radiated a murderous intent that was immediately clear. Leaves from the trees fell as if severed by something.
“I apologize; my subordinate has acted rudely. Please forgive us.”
“…Very well.”
“You mentioned that Negesta is under the control of the Phantoms, but what is your purpose?”
“I have no obligation to answer.”
“At least tell me your name. I am Rupie, their leader.”
“I am Nice, known among humans as beastfolk. These four are the same.”
“Beastfolk…? I’ve never heard of that.”
“That is to be expected. Long ago, you humans hunted us to near extinction.”
Nice’s voice, laced with clear resentment, had enough force to silence the B-Rank members completely. I wanted to ask her to repeat that, but would she even answer? It seemed unlikely, just as she said. She truly had no obligation to respond.
“After conquering an entire nation, what a thing to say, you monsters.”
“Stop it, Franks!”
Franks, losing his patience, readied his longsword with both hands. I had heard that he was originally a combative type, secretly waiting for a chance to get revenge since losing to me. He showed no signs of heeding Rupie’s restraint. When you think about it, someone who has risen to A-Rank is a bundle of pride. It’s hard to expect him to remain silent when looked down upon by these unknown beings. But that would be third-rate; Franks had no understanding of the disaster his actions could unleash.
“I’m with Franks on this one.”
“The Phantoms are right in front of us. What reason is there to hesitate, Rupie?”
“You’re pathetic. Apologizing to such monsters… You might as well give up the name Skyline.”
The adventurers, switching to combat stances one after another while criticizing Rupie, were infuriating. It was understandable that the younger ones, being more hot-blooded, stood out. Though I was still quite young myself.
“Gahahaha! The monkeys are making some noise!”
“Can’t stand their screeching! Nice-sama, can we take them out?”
“If they come at us, I don’t mind.”
Gantetsu and the others showed no attempt to hide their annoyance. We should be able to handle just those four subordinates.
“Let’s see how much these humans of this era can withstand!”
【The Mountain Dog Beastkin Bau has appeared! HP 2630】
【The Boar Beastkin Bufun has appeared! HP 4490】
【The Bear Beastkin Beia has appeared! HP 6712】
【The Deer Beastkin Impura has appeared! HP 1683】
The effects of Numark’s spell had long since worn off. With our feet freed, the seven of us surrounded the beastfolk. With B-Rank members, their skills were impressive. Nokiri manipulated the trees, providing support for our footing, which would also hinder them. This was a prime example of striking first. The beastfolk, caught off guard by the branches, stumbled and fell, and without missing a beat, our adventurer squad launched a fierce assault.
【Franks’ Death Rapier! Bau the Mountain Dog Beastkin has been defeated! HP 0/2630】
“Ge, haah…!”
“B-Bau!”
Franks’ slender sword ricocheted off the trees and pierced the neck of the dogfolk. The instant-death effect of the Death Rapier easily dispatched a large Floor Monster; it was the first time I had witnessed such skill. No matter how high their physical abilities, many struggle to react to the erratic Leaping Sword. That dogfolk had underestimated us, and it cost him his life.
“You stink like a beast; at least wash yourself a bit.”
“Y-You bastard! How dare you kill Bau!”
【The Bear Beastkin Beia’s sweeping attack!
Dealt 755 damage to Tart! Tart has fallen! HP 0/323
Dealt 910 damage to Kai! Kai has fallen! HP 0/286
Dealt 694 damage to Rebeck! Rebeck has fallen! HP 0/242】
“…!”
Three of our surrounded members were brutally taken down by the bearfolk’s powerful arms. Not just their insides, but their bones were scooped out as if they were soft dessert. Vivid, dark red entrails splattered against the rocky surface.
I couldn’t believe it; those who had just been killed had repeatedly taken down Raging Chief-level Floor Monsters. They were elite members who had even conquered Mist Village, and their skills were on par with lower A-Rank. Yet, they were reduced to mere meat chunks by that bear’s single blow.
【The Deer Beastkin Impura’s frenzied scream!】
“This is bad! Everyone, cover your ears!”
The piercing cry of the deerfolk invaded my brain, scratching it mercilessly. I was on the verge of losing my sanity from the sensation. This could cause confusion; many managed to hold their ground, but a few swung their weapons at allies or began stripping off their clothes to dance wildly. With several female adventurers present, this was a dire situation. But that was the least of my concerns.
“This is for Bau! You will all pay together with this Bufun!”
【Nokiri’s Tree Curse! The roots rise from the ground to ensnare the Boar Beastkin Bufun, the Bear Beastkin Beia, and the Deer Beastkin Impura!】
Suddenly, massive roots erupted from the ground, wrapping around the beastfolk from head to toe. They stood out distinctly, resembling humanoid forms wrapped in bandages. The roots intertwined so intricately that, despite their brute strength, they would struggle to break free.
【Rupie’s Stardust Memory!】
“Sorry, but I can’t afford to hold back against these opponents.”
Then came the concentrated bombardment of meteors from Stardust Memory. With a thunderous roar that sounded like a colossal creature stomping the earth, the three beastfolk were destroyed before they could even scream or flee. The bearfolk’s powerful arms were blown away, the deerfolk’s antlers shattered, and it wouldn’t take long before they were reduced to mere meat chunks.
“Rupie, I could have handled it with just the Tree Curse, you know? If I had suffocated them with carbon dioxide while binding them, they would have been dead in no time.”
“I told you, I can’t hold back.”
“You won’t get the chance.”
The conversation between Rupie and Nokiri, along with the sound of meteors crashing, was drowned out by a single word. Such an overwhelming presence, no, fury. There was no need to question what that anger was directed at. As one gray beast cut through the air, I prepared to counter, but my movements were far too slow.
【Franks has fallen! HP 0/547】
“Gu, bu…!”
The gray beast stood against the backdrop of the setting sun. At its feet lay Franks, who had succumbed to multiple fatal wounds, blood pooling around him. The speed at which that beast had brought Franks to his end was beyond my perception. The sight of Franks, grotesquely sprawled against the rocky ground, evoked no memories of the brave warrior he once was; he appeared to have been mercilessly devoured by the beast. Moreover, the creature’s actions had not only killed Franks but had also effortlessly severed the roots that bound three others.
An A-Rank Adventurer could bring such despair to others in no time at all. I could see the faces of my companions—pale and trembling hands clutching weapons, some frozen in shock, others dropping their arms in defeat. Even Gantetsu, the old man, stood still, gritting his teeth as he struggled to swallow the harsh reality.
“Excuse me for saying this, but… your movements appear to be in slow motion to me.”
With that, Nice turned on her heel and began tending to her dying comrades. It seemed she could use healing magic, as she enveloped the Beastfolk in a soft glow. Naturally, no one dared to interrupt her. Even Rupie had halted his Stardust Memory. He understood that attacking now would only lead him to share Franks’ fate.
“F-Franks… this is too quick… it can’t be real, right?”
“What kind of skill did that monster use?!”
“…It’s not a skill. It simply overwhelmed us with sheer physical prowess.”
Gantetsu muttered those words lowly. He was right; that otherworldly being was simply too overwhelming for us. If we took Nice’s words positively, it meant we should leave quickly. We had already killed that dog-man, and we had struck first. This was a fight that the other three B-Rank Adventurers had desired. Once our lives were on the line, there was no turning back. I wondered when I had become such a cold-hearted person; perhaps it was just the fear of Nice that had turned me this way.
“Bau… unfortunately, he’s gone.”
A chill ran through my entire body. That dog-man was indeed dead. This meant that Nice had ample reason to oppose us. She had every justification to kill us. My instincts screamed at me to flee this place with all my might.
“…What a predicament. How am I supposed to handle this boiling emotion?”
“W-We have nothing to do with this?!”
“That’s right! I haven’t even attacked yet! It’s Franks’ fault!”
It was a grotesque scene, the B-Rank warriors, touted as A-Rank candidates, pushing each other towards that beast as if offering themselves up. It was so awful that I could feel it in my bones.
“Let’s… go hunting. Though it’s forbidden by Elmera, it can’t be helped. If I think of it as a gift for Balbus, I feel no fear towards that girl. Yes, just the two of us will feast on your flesh. How shall we converse, ah…”
【Ash Cat Hunter Nice has appeared! HP 14306】
“Things are getting interesting, hehehe.”
What had just occurred was not even a battle, nor a hunt. It was mere extermination. I realized this as she targeted us. Her long claws spread wide, and the bristling gray fur reflected her fury. We, who had been driven to the hunted side, were now akin to small animals. The only difference was that a rabbit could survive while being chased. We had no time to escape.
“No, no, no! I’m not one of them!”
“Please, spare me! I’ll do anything! Let me join the Phantom! I can be of some use!”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to call you a monster!”
【Maelora has fallen! HP 0/312】
【Nochigoi has fallen! HP 0/299】
【Gurushi has fallen! HP 0/281】
All of them had their throats slashed, blood spraying in a fan shape from their wounds. They would never speak again, their lives extinguished. Rupie’s Stardust Memory and Nokiri’s Tree Curse were futile defenses, and another B-Rank Adventurer fell without even realizing they had been attacked from behind. Their heart had likely been pierced and pulled out with precision by those claws.
Nice moved deliberately, making it clear to us survivors what had transpired. Her extraordinary rage at the slaughter of her kin was evident, showcasing the beast’s brutality. Cats do not kill their prey immediately; they toy with it. To her, we were no more than mice.
“St-Stardust Memory doesn’t even graze her…”
【Rupie’s Stardust Memory! Ash Cat Hunter Nice deftly dodged!】
“She’s accurately reading our movements and increasing her precision. But I’ll say it again, to me, you all appear to be moving in slow motion.”
“Nice’s terrifying dynamic vision… every movement seems to be in slow motion… Hehe, humans, tremble in fear…”
One of the dying Beastfolk spoke in a raspy voice. This meant that no matter how much Rupie’s Stardust Memory tried to capture her movements, it was irrelevant. She dodged just before the attack landed, and there was nothing we could do against such absurdity.
“She’s like the Flash Strike Girl… no, perhaps even stronger than her…”
That couldn’t be true; what did Rupie know? She wouldn’t lose to someone like that. I would even bet my entire fortune on it.
“Have you given up on your life? Don’t all living beings desperately flee until the very moment of death?!”
“Whoa!”
Interrupting Nice’s words, a mass fell from the sky. Perhaps it was difficult to maintain balance on the rocks, as it stumbled and nearly fell, but managed to stop just in time.
“Hey, Lua-chan! You can’t just drop down like that! What if the bottom is a bottomless cliff?!”
Moments later, a golden-scaled dragon descended, transforming into a girl.
“I mean, look at this situation.”
Her appearance felt like a response to my plea. With her short, sky-blue hair and blue eyes, she wore shorts that left her thighs exposed in this mountainous terrain. Rupie, Gantetsu, Nokiri, and the other Adventurers seemed somewhat relieved. Franks had viewed Lua as an enemy in life. Yet, despite that, there was a strange sense of reassurance.
Nice narrowed her eyes, desperately trying to discern the girl’s true identity. She didn’t immediately attack or ask who she was.
“Seigel-san is being attacked by that monster, right?”
With no shame in calling herself a monster, the girl’s boldness seemed to earn Nice’s respect as she spread her long claws in a defensive stance. Yes, she was declaring herself an enemy. Perhaps her wild instincts were hinting at Lua’s true nature.
“…A strange human has appeared.”
Before I knew it, the turban-wearing man and the broom-riding girl had vanished from the air.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Oh, that… that is indeed a beastfolk!
It should have long been extinct, the beastfolk!
It’s not just the demons we face!
Elves, demons, and beastfolk!
What is this, what is this…
It’s all so jumbled!