Chapter 100

The time rewinds to three days ago.

The headquarters of the joint monster extermination team of the three countries' adventurer guilds, located at the edge of the Great Forest of Uun El Portan, was in great turmoil.

The guild master in charge of the headquarters was the one who managed all the adventurer guilds in the Quinbrand Empire. In his youth, he had been a Rank B adventurer.

However, he had lost his right leg due to petrification at the age of 50 and had retired from the front lines.

"The front line was breached?"

When the first report came in, he thought it must be a misunderstanding.

The abnormal proliferation of monsters in the Great Forest of Uun El Portan happened every year.

The spots where they proliferated were almost always the same. As usual, he had organized extermination teams led by Rank C adventurers.

"Tell me more."

"Yes—"

The guild staff member who had accompanied the extermination teams reported to the guild master.

During the battle with the expected large numbers of goblins, green wolves, and various plant-type monsters, something unusual happened.

More than ten Forest Barbarians appeared.

"Ten..."

The guild master was stunned.

Even a party of Rank C adventurers would struggle to handle four or five Forest Barbarians.

"I see, so this situation is due to the abnormal proliferation of Forest Barbarians?"

"No, that's not all."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw—just a glimpse, but—"

The guild staff member shuddered.

"—a dragon."

The guild master thought it must be a hallucination caused by fear. Dragons were known to inhabit the deepest, uncharted mountains. The Great Forest of Uun El Portan, though vast, was surrounded by the plains of the three countries.

If there were dragons, they would have been discovered long ago.

However, his perception would soon be shattered.

One report after another came in.

It wasn't just Forest Barbarians. Dark Night Wolves, Tyrant Snakes, and Dark Forest Fairies—monsters that Rank C adventurers could usually handle—were appearing in the dozens.

This was unusual. Tyrant Snakes, for example, were solitary creatures. The fact that they were appearing in groups indicated an abnormal situation.

Then, one adventurer brought in this information.

—A dragon was in the deepest part of the forest, eating the monsters. That's why the monsters were being driven out of the forest.

For some reason, the dragon had started rampaging and was preying on the monsters. Terrified, the monsters were trying to leave the forest.

Monsters that were usually scattered throughout the deeper parts of the forest seemed to have formed groups, driven by some instinct, and were fleeing en masse.

The guild master immediately issued an emergency request to the headquarters of the guilds in all three countries.

If the monsters continued to overflow, the nearby towns would be attacked.

The adventurer guilds of the three countries would request all adventurers of Rank D and above to participate in the monster extermination in the Great Forest of Uun El Portan.

"—I see."

Hikaru, who had heard the details from Mikhail, put his hand to his chin and thought.

"Teacher, will high-ranking adventurers gather for this emergency request?"

"Adventurers don't usually stay in town. Most of them are out on missions. If we call out to all three countries, a fair number should gather..."

"How long will the extermination take?"

"Given the scale, it might take until winter."

"That's a problem."

"Well, what can I do about it?"

If things continued like this, as Mikhail said, the National Foundation Ceremony would likely be canceled.

"Hey, everyone. Not exactly all together—"

Katie, who looked sleep-deprived, arrived.

She usually wore crisp clothes, but today even her white coat looked tired.

"Hikaru, I have something good for you."

What was placed in Hikaru's hand were—bullets.

Five of them.

"Is this... by any chance..."

These were different from the ones Hikaru had given Katie for her research. The original ones were silver, but these were a dull gold and had patterns engraved on the outside.

Katie whispered in Hikaru's ear.

(They're prototypes, but I confirmed they can contain magic. They can be reloaded, but only two or three times.)

Hikaru looked at Katie intently.

It had only been about 40 days since he gave her those bullets. She had no prior knowledge. Yet, she had prepared these prototypes.

—Katie Kotobi, the top researcher and magic tool craftsman of the academy.

He remembered the words of the headmaster.

She was a genius when it came to magic tools.

"Hikaru, you're blushing. Don't stare so much."

"Teacher Katie, what is this?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. It's a secret between me and Hikaru."

"…When did you two get so close?"

Hikaru also thought about the Alchemy King, but decided not to mention it to avoid stirring up trouble.

"Teacher Mikhail, I have a question... Is the dragon the cause of this abnormal situation?"

"Hmm? Well... it seems so, but it's not certain."

"But we have no choice but to rely on that. Fortunately, we've also received new weapons."

Hikaru put the bullets in his pocket and turned to Claude.

Claude, who had a serious look on his face, was also looking at Hikaru.

"Claude, I'm going to teach you a secret strategy. Can you defeat the boss of Jalarzak even if I'm not there?"

"Secret strategy...? Wait, you're not coming?"

"Can you do it even if I'm not there?"

When Hikaru asked again, Claude nodded, seemingly intimidated by Hikaru's strong tone.

Hikaru opened Claude's Soul Board and made some adjustments.

【Soul Board】Claude Zhard Kirihar

Age 18, Rank 7

3

【Vitality】

【Stamina】1

【Magic Power】

【Spirit Affinity】

【Wind】1

【Strength】

【Strength Level】2→3

【Weapon Proficiency】

【Sword】3→4

【Shield】1→2

【Agility】

【Explosive Power】1→2

【Spiritual Power】

【Mental Strength】1

【Charisma】1

He allocated one point each to "Sword," "Shield," "Strength Level," and "Explosive Power."

He called Claude over and whispered to him.

(Your Soul Card probably has the next "Job" available.)

(What!?)

(This is the result of your training over the past few days. Use it. And while moving to Jalarzak, keep moving your body to get used to it. You will definitely win.)

It was a less-than-ideal method, but by making "Sword" level 4, Claude had the potential to become one of the top swordsmen in the country.

"Teacher Mikhail, I have a request."

"O-oh... It feels weird to hear a request from you. What is it?"

"I want you to go to Jalarzak with Claude."

"What? I need to go to the monster extermination."

"Not just Claude, but Luka Roadgrad Ludansha is also going to Jalarzak to meet with Alexei Jalarzak."

"What!? That girl from the other day is the third princess of Ludansha!? What are you guys—what are you planning?"

"You can hear the details on the way. In other words, I want you to guard Claude and Luka. If the monsters from the Great Forest might overflow, it's even more necessary."

"That... I see... Hmm, alright. I can head to the Great Forest after delivering them. I'll do it."

Mikhail agreed more readily than expected.

"In return, tell me, Hikaru. What do you plan to do?"

Claude's eyes were also asking the same question. What do you plan to do?

Hikaru answered honestly.

"I'm going to slay the dragon. If it's really just one dragon and it's the cause, then this is a job for me."

The new bullets arrived just in time.

Finally, the stage is set for Hikaru to unleash his full potential.