CHAPTER 38: It's a bit more usable now (1)

As they left the Palors' territory, the brutal battles resumed.

Relentless waves of monsters left the mercenaries increasingly exhausted. Even Ghislain felt the temptation to abandon everything and return for a well-deserved rest.

'This is the Forest of Demonic Beasts, all right. But I can't give up.'

The reason no one ventured here was simple—no one knew what lurked within, and risking one's life for unknown rewards was foolish. If Ghislain hadn't known precisely what he was seeking, he would never have entered such a dangerous forest.

What surprised him, however, was how resilient the mercenaries had become. Though exhaustion weighed heavily on them, the fire in their eyes still burned strong.

'I may have underestimated them.'

He had originally planned to offer them additional compensation around this time, knowing the journey was grueling. But seeing their determined expressions, Ghislain realized it was unnecessary. They were fulfilling their duties with genuine resolve.

Only Manus wore a pained expression, shuffling nervously as he moved among the other mercenaries.

Day by day, the mercenaries gritted their teeth and held out, and as the battles continued, their injuries gradually decreased. In less than ten days, they had pushed themselves to the edge so often that many of them surpassed their limits.

After about fifteen days, Ghislain finally delivered some hopeful news.

"We're almost there. Just a little farther to the destination."

Hearing this, the mercenaries gathered their remaining strength and pressed on.

As they moved forward, a sense of unease began to settle over the group.

"What's going on?"

"Aren't monsters supposed to be attacking by now?"

"Isn't it strange how quiet it's gotten?"

The relentless assaults of monsters had suddenly stopped. Though the constant attacks had been tiring, the sudden silence made everyone uneasy.

Ghislain, too, felt the strangeness of the situation. They'd fought so hard up to this point that it was almost unbelievable for the forest to become so quiet.

'It's too quiet.'

The forest had always been silent, with even the sound of insects barely audible. But now it felt as if even the wind had ceased, creating an oppressive stillness.

He sent Gillian and Kaor to scout the surrounding area, but they returned with nothing to report.

'Is it luck? Or is there another reason? There was no record of any specific danger here….'

After pondering for a while, Ghislain decided to seize the opportunity.

"Everyone, halt and rest. We'll recover our strength and clear a path to our destination tomorrow."

The mercenaries, visibly relieved, immediately dropped to the ground, grateful for the chance to rest. They hadn't had a proper break since entering the forest, and exhaustion quickly overtook them.

Surprisingly, not a single monster appeared through the night.

"Ugh, my back! I'm more sore after sleeping."

"But it feels like I can finally breathe."

"We'll reach the destination today!"

With renewed strength and the end in sight, their work proceeded faster than usual. The unfamiliar silence made some nervous, but they continued clearing the path without incident.

After a while, Ghislain frequently checked his map and their position. Finally, with an excited expression, he announced to the group, "We're really close now. Just a little further, and we'll be there."

With this news, the mercenaries focused entirely on clearing the path.

Everyone's face held a mix of relief and satisfaction. They had endured so much, and with the end in sight, their spirits were lifted.

But Ghislain felt the most excitement.

'We're almost there.'

Everyone had called him mad for attempting this journey, yet he had pushed forward with certainty and determination. Now, the fruits of that confidence would soon be within reach.

Then, suddenly…

Boom… Boom…

A distant rumbling echoed through the forest, as if the ground itself was trembling.

Everyone froze, tension immediately replacing their earlier excitement. The mercenaries scanned their surroundings warily.

The good mood evaporated, and a sense of dread began to spread.

"Gillian, go scout ahead. Everyone, prepare for battle."

Gillian nodded and set off to investigate, while the mercenaries halted their work and readied their weapons.

By now, they were used to forest battles. The only concern was the nature of the enemy; the act of fighting itself was no longer daunting.

As they waited in tense silence, Gillian returned, running with all his might and shouting, "Evacuate immediately!"

"What?" Ghislain barely had time to respond before the sound of trees crashing reached them.

Crash! Boom! Crash!

Something was tearing through the forest, heading straight for them.

As it appeared, it released a terrifying, high-pitched roar.

Kaaaa!

Ghislain's expression hardened as he looked at the approaching creature.

This monster belonged in the deeper parts of the forest.

It had no business being in the outskirts.

The mercenaries' eyes widened in horror as they took in the sight.

"What… what is that?"

"It wasn't that monsters disappeared… They were all avoiding this thing."

The mercenaries stared in shock at the monster before them.

It was a snake.

A gigantic snake, large enough to swallow a person whole.

Its crimson scales shimmered in the sunlight, and its gaping mouth was lined with razor-sharp fangs capable of tearing through steel.

"Blood Python…"

One of the mercenaries muttered the name.

Giant snake monsters called Pythons were known by the color of their scales. The Blood Python, covered in blood-red scales, was the most fearsome and aggressive of them all.

Its fangs dripped with venom, and its scales were so tough that weapons would barely make a scratch.

"It's even bigger than a normal python."

The mercenaries trembled at its overwhelming size.

Pythons were already classified as dangerous due to their size, but this Blood Python was far larger than usual.

Even Ghislain hadn't anticipated encountering something like this.

According to the records from his previous life, the Blood Python resided much deeper in the forest.

'Why now, of all times… the timing couldn't be worse.'

The destination was close, not far from the forest's entrance. The journey had only taken so long because of the need to clear the path and fend off territorial monsters.

When planning the expedition, Ghislain had confirmed multiple times that the more powerful monsters were all deep within the forest, well out of reach.

Yet here was a monster of an entirely unexpected caliber.

Sssssss…

The Blood Python flicked its tongue, its eyes scanning the group with a predatory gleam.

It seemed almost amused, as if savoring the sight of prey standing before it.

The mercenaries, paralyzed by its presence, couldn't move, frozen like frogs before a snake.

Ghislain shouted, "Get a hold of yourselves! If you stay still, you're dead!"

The mercenaries snapped out of their daze and quickly formed a battle formation.

Dying while doing nothing wasn't an option—they would have to try something.

"Fire!"

At Ghislain's command, the shield-bearing mercenaries took the front, while archers unleashed a hail of arrows.

Thwap! Thwack!

Countless arrows flew, but the Blood Python's crimson scales repelled them all.

The snake, unfazed, began slithering toward them.

"Fall back!"

The mercenaries, maintaining formation, retreated while the Blood Python moved with alarming speed for its size.

Kaaa!

In a flash, it closed the distance, opening its maw and swallowing a mercenary whole.

"Ahhh!"

The mercenary was swallowed so quickly he didn't have time to resist.

Gulp, gulp.

As if swallowing a lump, something moved down the snake's body, stopping in its midsection.

Witnessing someone being devoured alive by a monster for the first time, everyone was struck with horror.

Ssssssss!

The Blood Python, seemingly pleased, narrowed its eyes and scanned the group, as if selecting its next meal.

Despair filled the mercenaries' eyes.

Every monster they had encountered so far, except for the Palors, could be wounded and defeated if fought with the right strategy. Even the Palors, invulnerable in the dark, could be harmed if exposed to light.

But the Blood Python's scales were tough enough to deflect every arrow they had.

How were they supposed to defeat a monster they couldn't even scratch?

"Pull back! Keep falling back!"

The group retreated, desperate to put distance between themselves and the monster.

Sssss…

The Blood Python didn't immediately pursue them. It seemed to be watching, waiting to see if its prey would flee or fight back.

For now, it seemed satisfied after devouring one of them, but its unblinking gaze made it clear that it didn't intend to let the rest escape.

"Young lord! What do we do now?"

"There must be a way to deal with it, right?"

Without any prompt, all eyes turned to Ghislain.

But he stood silently, his expression hardened as he watched the Blood Python.

'Why isn't he saying anything?'

'Does the employer have no plan…?'

Normally, Ghislain would be the first to issue orders and charge into battle whenever a monster appeared. But now, he was saying nothing.

Despair began to spread among the mercenaries.

They sensed that an unavoidable death was closing in.

Belinda approached Ghislain and whispered urgently, "Young master, please flee. We have no chance against that monster."

"If I run, what about the mercenaries?"

"They're just mercenaries. Whether a few dozen or a few hundred die, saving you is more important to me."

Gillian, too, stepped forward, standing in front of Ghislain as he quietly spoke.

"Young lord, please retreat with Belinda. We'll hold them off. Your safety is also part of our contract, so don't worry about us."

"Gillian…"

"Take care of my daughter."

Though his voice was low, Kaor overheard the exchange. After a moment of thought, he spoke to Ghislain as well.

"It's time to go. If you give the order, they'll scatter and escape on their own. Some may die, but that's just part of being a mercenary, isn't it?"

With Kaor adding his voice, Ghislain lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

If he fled now, most would be caught and killed by the snake.

Some might survive, but if they strayed from the path, they would likely wander the forest and eventually die.

'We were so close. Is this how it ends?'

Ghislain clenched his eyes shut.

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