War

Altitude 2,100 meters.

Sprinkling animal blood in places with dense mana concentration, the fishy scent rode the wind and permeated the thicket.

Red light rippled in the darkness.

‘C-rank demon beast Ruby Eye.’

Beautiful eyes rippling like rubies are utilized as various materials.

Their slender bodies easily dodge long-range attacks, and they easily slip through level 3 mage restraints.

Excellent mana resistance and always moving in groups makes them dangerous.

‘They said to bring those eyes.’

Red eyes lit up from all directions.

Twenty Ruby Eyes instantly surrounded Pernok.

Woooooo!

An especially large cry burst from a Ruby Eye with three tails.

The moment 20 demon beasts simultaneously thrust snow-white claws, Pernok kicked the ground.

Crack!

He kicked up the leading bastard’s abdomen with his toes.

He stuffed a fist into the mouth crying pain from broken bones.

As soon as the bastard’s body drooped, he pulled out fangs and swung them at other bastards.

At Pernok’s elastic movements, the ruby foxes hesitated and their judgment slowed.

Crunch!

Transforming the artifact to an axe, he minced approaching Ruby Eyes like chunks of meat.

When flowing blood pooled on the floor forming puddles, the leader-class demon beast stiffly raised three tails. However, it only kept distance without immediately charging.

It seemed to intend reconnaissance but was very clumsy.

‘That’s not how you scout.’

The axe Pernok threw barely grazed the Ruby Eye’s tail and lodged in the ground.

When Pernok exposed himself defenseless, the Ruby Eye didn’t hesitate.

“Kraaah!”

Pernok has no weapon. If fighting barehanded, he would win.

The leap born from such thinking was exceedingly monotonous.

Crack!

Pernok’s fist lodged in the bastard’s snout.

Solid Mana Reinforcement began crushing from the bastard’s nose bridge.

Though the Ruby Eye’s whole body fur stiffly stood, when Pernok snatched and snapped its nape, it drooped without any resistance.

Pernok plucked out the Ruby Eye’s eyeballs and put them in glass bottles.

And purified black souls surging from all directions to absorb spiritual power.

Synchronization Rate – 17.5%

Spiritual power filled smoothly.

* * *

Living up to the nickname Beast, he entered and exited the altitude 2,000 meter mountain range like his own home.

Demon beasts once overwhelming to face even one, he now didn’t tire facing many.

After about a month passed, Pernok accomplished the feat of rising to bronze rank in record shortest time.

“Here’s your bronze rank plate.”

Pernok never failed any commission even once all that time.

The association acknowledged this and gave several bronze rank missions too.

Most emphasized teamwork needing parties or guilds, but Pernok resolved all commissions single-handedly.

Moreover, he continuously brought results satisfying to requesters.

The association was deeply impressed watching him sprint over two weeks at altitude 2,000 meters and above where even surviving a week alone was difficult.

Even mercenaries were surprised and welcomed the suddenly appearing supernova’s appearance.

Some people hoped he might bring new winds to this stagnant castle where three A-rank guilds divided positions.

But Pernok as always silently performed his work while only emitting presence.

* * *

“Top quality today too. Thank you for always bringing good quality.”

As Pernok collected payment from Ramut, he asked.

“Quieter today.”

“Now A-rank guilds are finishing expeditions and descending. Each affiliated guild will move busily. Mid-sized guilds not belonging to them will run around with headaches redrawing hunting ground routes.”

“You’re saying they’re playing mind games.”

“Shouldn’t you prepare too?”

“Not interested in association affiliation.”

Ramut smiled faintly.

“Regrettable. Then at least look into guilds.”

“I’ll consider it. Rather, are you satisfied with current life?”

“…?”

“If you’re bored, how about working with me?”

“I like this daily life.”

“Unexpectedly modest.”

“I’m sick of blood-splattering battlefields.”

Pernok nodded.

“Just one question. Everyone watches A-rank guilds and affiliated guilds, but why does the association leave them alone even when they forcibly oppress others?”

“Because there’s no justification to restrain them.”

“Individual-unit mercenaries are suffering damage though?”

“The association doesn’t restrain mercenaries. We respect their free competition.”

“You’re saying you won’t intervene even if disputes arise?”

“Usually association mediation is only possible when unrelated civilians are dragged in, or when parties request it.”

“In other words, you watch disputes between parties if there’s no particular request?”

“Meaning we respect each method as much as possible.”

Pernok grinned.

“That saying that collision is freedom—I definitely remembered it.”

* * *

It was when Pernok roamed altitude 3,000 meter hunting grounds to resolve new quests.

One ice spike snatched already caught prey.

“What are you doing here?”

Sasak’s deputy guild leader Homan approached with a fierce expression.

Behind him, a crowd of 20 appeared holding Sasak’s flag.

“What are you doing?”

“That’s what I want to ask. Is there nothing visible in your eyes because you rose to bronze rank in shortest time?”

Homan stood before Pernok emitting vicious momentum.

Instantly it became a standoff between Sasak and Pernok.

“This is our spot.”

“Spot?”

“Territory, I said territory! Between east 2,000 and 3,000 meters is Sasak’s hunting ground. You’re arbitrarily using others’ hunting grounds now.”

A-rank guilds each occupy mountain range directions to avoid mutual collision.

And A-rank guilds hand over certain altitude zones as hunting grounds to affiliated guilds.

In short, a turf war.

Non-affiliated guild mercenaries could only watch eyes open as these quality hunting grounds were stolen.

Because if carelessly touching and disputes with A-rank guilds arose, they couldn’t stay hunting demon beasts at this castle anymore.

So most mercenaries were either watching affiliated guilds’ moods, paying them to use, or contracting guilds and affiliating for certain periods to use hunting grounds.

Pernok also well knew massive guild tyranny. But smiling, he pretended not to know and asked.

“It sounds familiar, but I’m on a quest now. Wasn’t there the association’s threat not to interfere with quests?”

“Didn’t know that. But this side also can’t just watch unwanted guests roaming hunting grounds.”

“You’re saying you’ll ignore association regulations?”

“There’s a simpler solution. Join Sasak.”

Pernok laughed.

“I wondered what nonsense you’d say—you’re just spouting idle chatter again.”

“Usually level 5 stars at bronze rank starts. You got a bronze rank plate despite being level 4. Meaning we rated your potential highly. But that talent also needs good soil backing to sprout.”

“The mountain range belongs to everyone. Since when was the method of arbitrarily seizing hunting grounds and oppressing the weak with greater force an upright and proud act? Enough to even ignore association regulations not to interfere with quests?”

Pernok shouldered the prey on his back.

“Even neighborhood mutts care for rookies.”

When Pernok turned his body, cold poured over his shoulder.

The prey froze solid by Homan’s magic handling ice.

“You’re not the only bastard like this.”

Turning his head, Homan was frowning.

“There were quite a few mercenaries who roamed alone disliking turf wars. But they all eventually lived within their means.”

“…”

“Ah, that’s a gift. I froze it so it won’t rot on the way back.”

Pernok scanned them.

‘Level 4 is only Homan. Three level 3s, and the rest are guards? Regrettable the level 5 guild leader is absent, but suitable for warm-up.’

He thought Sasak was acting too gentlemanly.

‘Perfectly ripe.’

Perfect weather to move according to plan.

When Pernok threw down the prey, Homan laughed.

“What’s with those eyes? I said it’s a gift? You should take it quickly?”

“Even crushing sprouts—this level is so blatant it’s not even funny.”

“Are you going to throw a punch?”

Chuckles flowed from surroundings.

“Take the force out of your eyeballs, think you got a good lesson, go back to the association and never come near here again.”

Pernok slowly surveyed them then shook his head.

“About one person seems worth keeping alive.”

“I’m telling you to scram…”

Homan’s shoulders flinched.

Pernok’s mana was rising chillingly.

“…What are you trying to do. You want to have a match with Sasak now…!?”

Crack!

A slaughter sound sharply cut Homan’s voice.

When the sound was heard, one guard was sprawled on the ground.

Pernok penetrated the center.

“One correction—my quest is also an excuse.”

He smiled back.

“My prey was you bastards from the start.”

* * *

Sasak’s guild leader Ramro is a level 5 bronze rank mage.

Unlike the free image of handling wind magic, he tended to excite easily.

“These bastards have been up for over 5 hours—why is there still no news!”

A certain mercenary recently stirring the demon beast mountain range was stimulating his nerves.

This time when A-rank guilds were descending was a major period for guilds to expand forces.

Sasak tried to recruit a skilled greenhorn rampaging ignorantly to look good to Flang.

Though initially refused, it didn’t matter. Sprouts are mostly like that.

They don’t come over when saying nice things, and join after applying slight pressure.

This time was the same.

He checked the route of Pernok who became bronze rank mage in shortest time.

When he entered their hunting ground at altitude 2,500 meters and above, assert territory and pressure.

Initially simply for warning purposes.

But afterward, interfere each time Pernok hunted, obstructing his hunting at every turn while promoting recruitment.

Pressure and appeasement, stick and carrot.

Or make those who couldn’t endure leave the castle themselves.

Take it, or if you can’t take it, kick it out—they firmly defended their own forces this way.

Crushing sprouts.

Sasak was an expert in this field.

But today there’s no news from Homan.

The first stage of instilling pressure shouldn’t take this long, but strange dissonance was felt.

“Go bring Homan.”

“Yes!”

The moment a guild member tried climbing the mountain, someone wounded entered the guild leader’s office.

It was the level 3 mage who’d climbed the mountain with Homan.

He shouted with a face crushed by fear.

“Th-that bastard is a beast. Blood covered his face but he was smiling! He’s crazy! He knocked us down and killed us!”

“What are you saying! Speak properly!”

“W-we couldn’t even use magic properly… That bastard rampaged alone…”

“You bastard! Get a grip and speak! Where’s Homan!”

The guild member stiffened rigidly as if his entire body was swallowed by shock.

“He’s dead. Throat cut before my eyes.”

“What?”

“That bastard says to bring the guild leader. Then he’ll spare me. He’s giving an opportunity because I’m useful…”

Ramro kicked the guild member.

The collapsed guild member kept muttering the word beast.

Ramro shouted to guild members who’d gathered before he knew it.

“To the mountain range! Right now!”

* * *

Ramro led 30 guild members up the mountain range. And witnessed a shocking scene.

Where Sasak’s flag had fallen.

Twenty guild members including Homan were sprawled miserably.

Pernok was sitting straddling a rock looking down at the tragic scenery.

“Are you guild leader Ramro?”

When meeting somehow disappointed-looking eyes, Ramro felt chilling goosebumps.

‘We weren’t the ones who targeted this bastard.’

Pernok was testing them.

Otherwise there was no reason for Pernok who killed Homan to wait for Sasak guild’s main force.

“A level 5 mage’s capability. It should be more amazing than rumors.”

Pernok slowly released mana.

That moment, Ramro’s eyes widened ready to tear.

Different from the report.

It was a storm of mana far exceeding level 4.