Chapter 186: Do Slimes Count as Snacks?
The investigation of the Fairy Circle created by the Caterpillar Monster has led to the conclusion that it is indeed a Magic Essence Hotspot.
Defining a Hotspot as a location with a higher concentration of Magic Essence compared to its surroundings, and where this state persists for a relatively long period, the Fairy Circle under investigation fits this description perfectly. Given that slimes have been confirmed to be born here, it is safe to assert that this is a Hotspot.
However, it remains unclear whether all Fairy Circles exhibit such properties or if this particular one is an exception. Further investigation will be necessary.
“Still, a Hotspot, huh… What we know is that the Magic Essence concentration is high, slimes are being born, and herbs are growing. Additionally, it seems to attract Monsters.”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is difficult to determine whether Fairy Circles become Hotspots or if they are Hotspots that become Fairy Circles. At this point, further investigation is warranted.”
Is the Caterpillar Monster somehow creating this Hotspot? Or is the Butterfly Monster seeking out Hotspots to lay its eggs?
To conduct this investigation, we will need to locate other Hotspots and observe whether Butterfly Monsters visit them.
“Hmm. It’s an interesting topic, but I wouldn’t call it essential… We could consider testing it once we can mass-produce Magic Essence Meters.”
“Yes, Ma’am. For now, let’s celebrate the discovery of a readily investigable Hotspot. We will deploy ground forces and establish a perimeter for research purposes.”
We will surround the area within approximately 500 meters of the Fairy Circle with a fence and proceed with the investigation of the Hotspot. I issue instructions to the Local Strategy AI, Cosmos. Upon receiving the orders, Cosmos promptly begins loading Multi-legged Tanks onto transport aircraft, preparing to airlift ground forces.
“The enclosure should be completed within a few days. After that, we will confirm the absence of dangerous wildlife and Threat Creatures before constructing our research facilities.”
“Hotspots can sometimes disappear in a short period. Are there any signs of that? We can’t leave the Magic Essence Meter there indefinitely, can we?”
“Yes, Ma’am. For the time being, we will deploy a Magic Essence Meter Drone to patrol once a day. The distance from the forward base is about 12 kilometers in a straight line, so it is certainly feasible. We plan to have it fly over a considerable area, which may allow us to detect any Magic Essence anomalies along its route.”
Traveling this distance on foot would take at least two days, possibly three. There are no paved roads, only the undulating terrain of a forest. Without landmarks, reaching the site is uncertain—a gamble.
Yet, with the ability to bypass all that and arrive from the sky, the aerial forces of The Tree are practically cheating.
“So far, there have been no encounters with any Threat Creatures above the Demon Forest. The nearest Wyvern is over 500 kilometers away from its territory. For the time being, The Tree has secured air superiority.”
To be precise, at least the Butterfly Monsters have been confirmed. However, they are only about half the size of the Air Superiority Fighters operated by The Tree, and as far as we can tell, they have a very slow flight speed. There is a possibility that a colossal bird, like a Roc, might inhabit the area, but Asahi predicts that none would be found here, given that this region was recently close to Wyvern territory.
If Wyverns are the apex of the ecosystem, then larger flying Monsters would have been eliminated through the struggle for survival.
This is a reasonable assertion, which is why The Tree’s forces are using aircraft almost without restriction over North End City and its surroundings.
Of course, we understand the nature of radar detection, so we refrain from using it at high altitudes.
As I continue to relay this situational report…
“Ma’am, a massive creature is approaching the Fairy Circle under investigation.”
“Huh?”
This report comes from Ringo.
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“Estimated weight: 1,840 kg. Length: 5 meters. It resembles a wild boar.”
“Wow. It can really charge through trees like that!”
In the footage captured by a four-legged, two-armed Jumper, the enormous creature thundered through the trees, crashing through them with a resounding thud as it made its way toward the Fairy Circle.
“It might be able to detect the Magic Essence. It’s heading straight for the Fairy Circle.”
It can sense the Magic Essence. If that is the case, it must possess some organ, either internal or external, capable of detecting it.
This could potentially allow us to use it as a new Magic Essence Meter.
“Wait, that’s a Monster… a Threat Creature.”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is likely a Threat Creature known as the Forest Boar. It is said to be spotted occasionally at Hotspots.”
The Forest Boar is recognized among adventurers as a highly dangerous Monster.
Its skin is tough, impervious to ordinary weapons. Its muscular body can withstand considerable blows. No matter how much one tries to escape, it will track you down by scent. With the strength to trample trees, fleeing is futile. It is omnivorous, consuming anything from tree bark to humans.
“So it’s big, fast, and strong. Definitely a threat in close combat.”
“They say that even a moderately skilled fighter would be minced by it. It requires weapons specialized for piercing or slashing to inflict deep wounds quickly.”
“Ugh. I wonder if an adventurer could handle it…?”
If it were a being like those from Aflarasia Royal Capital, they might be able to take it down head-on. She knew that among the adventurers who delve into the Demon Forest daily, there were indeed such beings.
“Even if they manage to defeat it, it’s so large that dismembering it would be difficult, and it poses a significant risk to life, making it an unpopular Threat Creature. However, when it appears at the forest’s edge, it can draw a crowd, turning it into a festival.”
They hunt at the outskirts, gather in large numbers to dismantle it, and feast on the spot.
“If the location is good, they might even transport it to the city.”
Well, such festivals occur only once every few years.
“The Forest Boar has reached the Fairy Circle.”
The massive boar, shaking the ground as it approached, crashed through the trees and entered the Fairy Circle.
“…It’s targeting the slimes.”
It lowered its nose to the ground, sniffing around as it began to move.
From prior information, we know that Threat Creatures, that is, Monsters, tend to eat or crush slimes. This will be the first time we document such an occurrence.
“Oh, it’s eating them.”
The Forest Boar voraciously chewed through the wriggling slimes along with the surrounding vegetation. It seems slimes are a food source for Threat Creatures.
“I thought we could study the slimes, but this might complicate things.”
“If we defeat it, we can gather more research materials.”
In just ten minutes, a squadron of Multi-legged Tanks for suppression will be airlifted here. Six enormous combat machines, comparable in size and weight to the Forest Boar.
Given that the Forest Boar lacks any special attack methods, it should be easily defeated. In fact, a single shot from our artillery should suffice.
“Hmm, well, I guess we’ll go ahead with it… Can the escort aircraft provide artillery support?”
“Yes, Ma’am. They are equipped with 20mm multi-barreled machine guns. With armor-piercing shells, they should be effective. There have been no records of any defensive functions like the Defense Membrane being activated.”
“I hope this doesn’t turn into a flag…”
And then, ten minutes later.
The Forest Boar was successfully defeated by the armor-piercing shell fired from the escort aircraft above.