Chapter 40

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Sismund, the director of the extermination bureau, called Theobald, one of the top five magicians in the bureau, back to the extermination bureau near the training ground.

Theobald, a magician skilled in Fire and Wind magic, had mastered up to intermediate-level Fire magic and lower-advanced Wind magic. The lower-advanced magic [Nine Heaven Rending Wind] he had mastered had enough power to finish off a bicorn armored bear with a single strike.

Theobald entered the director's office and greeted Sismund. Theobald, a tall man with sharp, raptor-like eyes, was a rugged-looking man in his mid-thirties.

"It's the Nether Wolf, but we're the ones who will take care of it."

Theobald nodded at Sismund's words.

"Of course. Those who only write papers can't possibly defeat a Nether Wolf."

"No, Isarco has experience as a beast hunter. He's the only one you shouldn't underestimate."

"Did he hunt in the demon realm?"

"Yes. He was a person recruited by Lord Aias, the former representative director. His knowledge and skills are top-notch. However, he has no luck. He ended up as a deputy director under Reuben, who can only grind his sesame seeds."

Aias wanted to make Isarco the director of the extermination bureau, but Sismund prevented it and pushed him to the alchemy bureau.

"So, what about the Nether Wolf?"

When Theobald asked, Sismund, with a stern face, replied.

"I'm forming a team to hunt the Nether Wolf. I'll put you in charge."

"Understood. Can I choose the members?"

"I'll leave it all to you. But you must definitely take down the target beast."

"Got it. By the way, will the defense team participate as the shield?"

"No, General Samuele will send the royal guards."

It's difficult for magicians alone to defeat a powerful beast. Magicians need time to prepare their spells.

The Nether Wolf, the target this time, is very fast, so the presence of a shield is particularly important.

After leaving the director's office, Theobald gathered the magicians he usually gets along with. Four of them were skilled in Fire and Wind magic.

"I heard you accepted the Nether Wolf extermination request. I heard that beast is tough."

Santi, who was skilled in Fire magic, called out to Theobald. Santi, in contrast to Theobald, was short and muscular with a thick build.

"Hey, are you saying we can't take it down with this team?"

Theobald looked around at the gathered members.

"Was I worrying for nothing?"

The other members agreed. It seemed that the gathered magicians were all confident in their abilities.

"Prepare the catalysts needed for the extermination with this money."

Theobald distributed the preparation funds given by Sismund to the members. Theobald didn't know that Sismund kept about 30% of the preparation funds for himself.

The extermination team, which completed their preparations in a day, set out the next day with ten royal guards, heading south on the Kemral Road connecting the capital and the port town of Jibuka. Upon arriving at the scene of the tragedy, they examined the Nether Wolf's tracks.

The Nether Wolf seemed to have headed west.

The extermination team followed the tracks and headed west.

Meanwhile, the Nether Wolf was searching for new prey near the Second South Gate. To the south of the capital, there are the First and Second South Gates. The wide road extending south from the First South Gate is the Kemral Road, and the narrow road extending south from the Second South Gate connects the southern villages.

The narrow road is used by farmers from the southern villages to sell agricultural and specialty products in the capital and by traveling merchants who visit the villages.

On that day, farmers from a nearby village were hurriedly pulling carts loaded with pumpkins. It was a peaceful scene. However, the arrival of a beast turned the scene into a tragedy.

When the farmers carrying pumpkins saw the giant beast, they trembled with fear, abandoned their carts, and fled towards the Second South Gate with all their might.

"Help us!" "A monster has appeared!"

The gate guards, hearing the commotion, went to check what was happening. They confirmed the sight of a few farmers fleeing towards them and a giant wolf.

"Is that the rumored Nether Wolf... This is bad."

The gate guards started to close the Second South Gate upon returning. The farmers, seeing this, shouted loudly.

"Help us!" "Don't close the gate!"

One farmer was caught and torn apart by the giant, sharp fangs. The farmers screamed and tried to run faster. Only two farmers were left alive.

One of the fleeing farmers stumbled and fell. The Nether Wolf pinned the farmer's back with its front paws, which had sharp claws, and dug its claws in. The farmer's dying scream echoed.

The gate guards, pale-faced, hurried to close the gate. When the last farmer reached the gate, it was already closed.

"Please, open the gate... Please, I beg you."

The gate guards, who were listening behind the gate, heard the farmer's cries and the wolf's growls. Then, a horrific scream echoed, and the gate guards crouched behind the gate.

Suddenly, the gate shook with a loud noise. It seemed the Nether Wolf had rammed into it. The giant wolf repeatedly rammed into the gate.

"Someone, go to the defense force headquarters and report the situation."

One of the gate guards ran towards the city center.

Residents, hearing the commotion, started to gather, looking anxious. The gate guards loudly instructed them to return home, as a giant beast was on the other side of the gate.

When reinforcements from the defense force headquarters arrived, the Nether Wolf's ramming had stopped, and it was quiet. A soldier climbed up the city wall to check the outside and reported that the Nether Wolf was gone.

The gate guards opened the gate, and the smell of blood hit their noses. The road, covered in blood, had pieces of meat that seemed to be the wolf's leftovers.

The gate guards crouched, covering their mouths. The captain of the defense force, frowning, searched for the Nether Wolf's tracks. The tracks led towards the coast.

One of the soldiers who arrived as reinforcements said, seemingly blaming the crouching gate guards.

"Couldn't you save anyone?"

The captain frowned.

"Fool... The gate guards did the right thing. If the Nether Wolf had entered the capital, how many casualties would there have been?"

The captain himself was conflicted. If the gate guards had been equipped with the rumored magic cannon, could they have saved the farmers? This thought crossed the captain's mind.

The news of the Nether Wolf's appearance at the Second South Gate quickly spread throughout the capital.

Ricardo was chatting with Tania and Patrick in the magician's guild cafeteria when he heard a young magician start to cause a commotion and learned about the Nether Wolf.

"The Second South Gate... It's near the breeding grounds."

His older brother, Antonio, should be at the breeding grounds as usual. Ricardo hurriedly stood up and tried to leave. Monta, who was munching on almonds on the table, looked surprised and turned to Ricardo.

"Kyuka, Kyukye" (Rica, what's wrong?)

"Wait, what are you going to do?"

Monta asked, and Tania stopped him.

"I'm going to the Unius breeding grounds."

"There might be a Nether Wolf. It's dangerous..."

Tania noticed the determination on Ricardo's face and stopped speaking.

"Yossha, I'll go with you."

"Moqu, Kyukye" (Monta will go too)

Patrick offered to go, and this time Ricardo tried to stop him. However, Patrick's resolve seemed firm. Monta was willing to follow Ricardo unconditionally.

"Wait, I'll consult with Director Isarco."

Tania left the cafeteria, and Patrick said he would prepare a carriage and left.

Ricardo checked the catalysts in his catalyst pouch to ensure he was ready for battle. He had two expensive catalysts for [Solar Flame Bullet], two for [Earth Burst Spear], and many catalysts for Earth, Fire, Life, and composite magic.

He had lost the Damir-made magic rod but had a Tamir-made one. However, using [Solar Flame Bullet] would break it, so he had to be cautious about when to use it.

Tania returned with Isarco.

"I heard the story. A Nether Wolf appeared near the breeding grounds, didn't it?"

Ricardo nodded.

"Yes, I'm worried about my brother and the staff, so I'm going to check the breeding grounds."

"If you encounter the Nether Wolf, what will you do?"

"I have the magic to take it down prepared."

"You can't do it alone."

"Is it that dangerous?"

"The extermination bureau has dispatched a team of ten soldiers and five magicians. It's a monster that can't be taken down without advanced magic."

Ricardo was slightly shaken to learn that the Nether Wolf was as dangerous as a bicorn armored bear or worse. He had thought it would be at worst equivalent to a bicorn armored bear. He heard that the Nether Wolf's fur was so tough that even swords and spears couldn't penetrate it and had strong resistance to magic.

Moreover, hearing that it was fast made him feel his chances of winning had dropped significantly.

"I see, that's why ten soldiers are needed as shields. However, I think there's a chance if we use the moat and walls of the breeding grounds."

"To take it down, advanced magic is necessary. ...You don't mean... Hmm, you surprise me."

Isarco and Tania were surprised. Advanced magic users are so rare.

At that moment, Isarco seemed to realize something.

"Did you learn from Matou? He is a magic craftsman and a magician, isn't he?"

It seemed he had misunderstood.

"Yes... Well, my master used to be a magician."

From this moment, the legend of the magician Matou began to spread.

"Did Matou teach you composite magic too?"

Considering it was unwise to attribute everything to Matou,

"No, I discovered composite magic myself."

"Hmm, excellent students gather under a great teacher."

Tania, with a serious face, said,

"Let me meet Matou next time."

Ricardo shook his head.

"No, my master has become extremely distrustful of people and doesn't let strangers near him."

Isarco looked disappointed. He must have wanted to meet Matou.

"Anyway, I'm going to the breeding grounds."

"Right... Then, I'll go too."

Isarco offered to go, and Tania agreed. In the end, Isarco, Tania, and Patrick decided to go to the breeding grounds together.

While Isarco's support was welcome, Tania and Patrick didn't seem to be able to use advanced magic, so it was uncertain if they would be much help in battle.

Patrick, who had prepared the carriage, returned, and the four people and one creature headed to the Second South Gate by carriage. They got off the carriage at the Second South Gate and went outside.

The defense force, confirming that the Nether Wolf was not nearby, had started to clean up the bodies.

One of the soldiers called out to Ricardo and the others.

"There might be a dangerous beast nearby. It's wise not to go out today."

Isarco responded on behalf of the group.

"We appreciate your concern, but we are from the magician's guild."

"Oh, I apologize. I heard the magician's guild received a request to hunt a beast."

"We did. The extermination team should be searching for the beast."

"Is that so? Please take it down as soon as possible."

The soldier seemed to have mistaken Ricardo and the others for members of the extermination team.

Isarco nodded silently and started walking.

They arrived at the breeding grounds without encountering the Nether Wolf.

Inside the breeding grounds, Antonio and Dario were working busily.

Antonio, noticing Ricardo and the others, approached.

"What's going on? You weren't supposed to come here today, right?"

"A dangerous beast has appeared near the Second South Gate."

Antonio, looking at Ricardo's face, realized something had happened.

"Is it that dangerous a beast?"

Ricardo gathered Dario and the others and explained about the Nether Wolf.

"Antonio and the others, please evacuate to the safest utility shed. We'll bring the people working nearby."

Isarco gave instructions to Antonio and the others.

Nearby, the carpenters and day laborers hired by Bernardo were working on the construction of a new breeding ground. They called these people and had them evacuate to the work shed.

Just as the evacuation was completed, Monta, who was playing on the roof of the utility shed, started to make a fuss.

"Kyue, Kyokkyu" (Scary, a scary thing is coming)

Ricardo climbed up the ladder to the roof. Monta ran to Ricardo and clung to him, trembling with fear.

Isarco, Tania, and Patrick also climbed up to the roof.

They could see a giant wolf beast approaching over the fence.

"It's the Nether Wolf."

"Seeing it for the first time, it's scary even from a distance."

Just as Patrick and Tania expressed their thoughts, the Nether Wolf let out a blood-curdling roar. Everyone's faces turned pale at the sound.

Antonio and the others climbed onto the roof of the work shed and started to make a commotion upon seeing the Nether Wolf. Isarco reminded them to be quiet, not wanting to attract the beast's attention.

"Look, isn't that the extermination team?"

Tania spotted a group of about ten people and called out. It seemed the extermination team, which had been tracking the Nether Wolf, had finally caught up.

"Yes, that's Theobald. It's the extermination team."

Isarco identified the faces of the extermination bureau magicians.

As Ricardo and the others watched, the soldiers with large shields formed a line and started advancing towards the giant wolf. The soldiers' faces were pale with fear.

Behind them, the magicians were preparing their spells. The Nether Wolf charged at the soldiers. In an instant, it closed the distance and rammed into the raised shields. The force was so great that two soldiers holding the shields were sent flying.

The giant wolf tried to tear the soldiers' bodies with its fangs and claws. The soldiers managed to block the wolf's attacks with their shields, but the difference in strength was too great, and they were knocked away.

When the number of standing soldiers was reduced by half, the magicians' counterattack began. First, three magicians skilled in Wind magic cast the [Heavy Wind Hammer] spell at the Nether Wolf. The air above the beast was compressed into a giant hammer that attacked from above. It was an intermediate-level spell but had considerable power.

However, it seemed to only cause the Nether Wolf some pain.

The wolf, letting out a cry of pain, changed its target to the magicians. It kicked away the shield-holding soldiers and charged at Theobald and the others. Seeing the approaching giant wolf, Theobald and Santi cast [Flame Dragon Tornado].

Two fire tornadoes, about five meters high, appeared on either side of the wolf, trying to burn it to death with high-temperature flames. However, the Nether Wolf's fur was resistant to high-temperature flames, giving it enough time to escape.

The giant wolf, which had been caught in the fire tornado, was not unscathed, as its fur was charred. Then, a three-hit combo of [Storm Fang Array] was fired at it. It was a counterattack by the three magicians skilled in Wind magic. The wind blades that hit the unscathed parts of the fur were deflected, but those that hit the charred parts pierced the weakened skin and injured the muscles.

The Nether Wolf let out a scream that shook the air.

Hearing the scream, Ricardo was impressed. However, it seemed he was impressed too soon. The enraged Nether Wolf targeted the three who had cast [Storm Fang Array]. Despite the distance of about ten meters, it leaped and attacked the three in an instant.

The three, who had just cast their spells, could do nothing and were torn apart by the giant wolf's claws.

Theobald called out the names of the three, his eyes wide with anger as he glared at the Nether Wolf. Theobald started preparing to cast an advanced spell.

On the other hand, the Nether Wolf, bleeding heavily due to its injured body, growled and approached Theobald. Santi cast [Explosion Flame Bullet] to stop it. The explosion of flames at the giant wolf's feet tried to burn the target's body. It managed to stop the Nether Wolf's advance for a moment, buying some time.

Advanced spells require a lot of magic power, and preparing it takes time. When Theobald's magic power was ready, he sprinkled the valuable catalyst and cast the lower-advanced spell [Nine Heaven Rending Wind].

The air gathered rapidly, forming nine giant wind blades like axes above Theobald's head. The wind blades formed by the same system [Wind Slash] are thin like razors, but the wind blades of [Nine Heaven Rending Wind] were thick and massive.

The nine giant blades attacked the target simultaneously, surrounding it.

Sensing the danger, the Nether Wolf made an incredible leap and jumped straight up. Theobald tried to change the trajectory of the giant wind blades, but it was almost too late, and eight of them only left large gashes on the ground.

Just when it seemed the ace had failed, the last blade changed its trajectory and slashed the Nether Wolf's back. The giant wolf rolled on the ground, screaming. The scream soon turned into a growl, and the massive body stood up on its four legs.

Isarco, who had been watching quietly, suddenly shouted.

"It's coming this way!"

Theobald was out of magic power, and only Santi was left to fight. The Nether Wolf was injured but not fatally, and it was enduring the pain.

Isarco judged that the extermination team had failed the mission.