Unexpected

"EVERYONE! WATCH OUT FROM NOW ON!" someone shouted from the front.

After hearing that, many people started chatting among themselves. Their voices were loud enough to be heard at the back.

"Looks like our job will start now."

"What do you think will be the first thing to appear here?"

"Oh, scrape that! How do you think that guy will kill it?"

"That guy? What are you talking about?"

"See that guy in a blue robe? I bet he will jump at whatever pops out first."

"But, don't you think he's different from rumors? I thought he was quite normal."

"That's because there weren't any energy beasts until now. Once we enter the wild area, he will change entirely."

His voice carried certainty so no one argued on that statement.

On the other hand, the person in question was indifferent thoughts.

'It seems there will be more dangerous monsters this time.

I have to protect her at the back. Everything else can wait...'

The Mana in the air was thick, perfect to attract the unknown beasts to that area.

It was also a clear road ahead of us.

Though he still had the urge to kill them, now that urge was different.

He looked at the other side of where merchant leader Cody and his assistant were.

And just when he turned around, his eyes unexpectedly met his.

And, just when their eyes met, both of them turned their heads to the other side in embarrassment.

The mood between them was a bit awkward after the night.

Well, it was expected.

It would be a bit strange if they acted as if nothing happened.

Other than that, everything was good enough.

Though people were talking about him, it was none of his business.

And more than anything... it was about time, for something to appear.

—Shrrr. —Shrrr. —Shrrr.

Multiple rustling sounds came from different directions at a distance away.

Everyone got on their guards, ready for any kind of fight.

Some took out their swords, spears, and bows. And some prepared their spells.

Then, a moment later...

"Hu! Hu! Hu!"

From the huge trees before us, some large black shadows jumped down in a group.

With silver fur covering their body, standing on their back legs, creatures resembling monkeys appeared.

Not only the front but also the right flank was blocked by them.

A green magic circle appeared under my legs as soon as I spotted them.

A small wind current passed in the surrounding.

It was a (tier-3) spell (Detection wind).

'Thirty-four. That's quite a lot. Well, it looks like they are just (red) level beasts.

These people can take care of them by themselves.'

They had the advantage. Both in numbers and power.

He can just leave them to others. He wasn't greedy for money anyways.

"Hu! Hu! Hu!"

The monkeys shouted and jumped forward.

The monkey-like creatures were called [Steel body chimpanzee] and they were weak against fire.

Magicians in the group shot out their spells.

I stood back and watched them fight without any problems.

This confused them but they continued with their attacks.

—Clank! —Clank! —Clank! —Boooooooom!

Their bodies were like metal so, the clanking sound of metal rang in the surrounding.

Spells collided with them and small explosions rang out in the surrounding.

Just after 5 minutes of the fight, all of them died down.

And, to everyone's surprise, the so-called bloodthirsty (Red-eyed hunter) didn't move an inch.

He just stood there, protecting the carriage.

"Hay! What happened to him! He's acting weird today!" someone shouted in the middle of cleanup.

"See. I knew he was a decent person. He is just doing his job."

"No, you little! Have you ever seen him in the fields? Have you ever seen him take out those bodies from his storage device!"

"Yes! They fill the floor with blood! you are new so you don't know much. So, just shut up!"

Their voice was quite loud so everyone in the quiet area heard them.

They weren't the only ones confused by this situation.

Others looked confused but, they didn't say anything.

Again, the person in question just stood there quietly.

Guarding the carriage or, more specifically, the one person he was protecting.

"OK! WE START MOVING!"

With the shout, everyone started walking forward.

On their path, they faced many opponents.

Large wolfs with red fur, called [Dark fire wolfs]. Though they had more strength than the monkeys, their numbers weren't enough.

They were taken out in less time than the previous ones.

Next was a large group of [Acid slimes].

Though they weren't even red energy beasts, their numbers were a lot.

They were omnivores creatures so they even ate their own kind after their deaths.

and to kill those slimes, I had to step forward when they reached for us.

With a (tier-4) spell (Ice needles), I destroyed their central nucleus.

These slime bodies disintegrated when killed so, they were the most annoying ones.

Just like that, many other creatures like [Wind snakes], [Dead Mana spiders], [Blood mosquitoes], and much more.

***

At night, some different creatures came out but, they too were wiped out in seconds.

This trip was just like that. This didn't contain anything greater than yellow-ranked energy beasts.

It was an easy kill for someone like me but, I was still worried.

As we got closer to the lack, the monsters coming toward us increased many times.

This was strange as if they had run away from something.

Their numbers were increasing at an unexplainable rate.

He had to keep his guard up all the time from the midway point.

His work increased as well.

He always tried his best to protect the carriages and the people around them.

He hunted those energy beasts that was all; seeing human blood wasn't something he was found of.

So, he protected everyone when the situation looked unlikely.

It was nighttime right now and they had set up a camp in an open area.

Everyone had a tense atmosphere around them.

The changes in the forest were unexpected variables for this 'safe' trip.

But, after today's accidents, everyone now had a more positive opinion of the man known as (Red-eyed hunter).

He saved many of their lives and, they were grateful for that.

*

"Brian...?"

A sweet voice of a girl called him out from the back.

Still his guard up, he looked back and replied in a serious voice.

"Miss Nolen, I don't think you should come out like this. There are many weird things going on."

Looking at his serious eyes, she sighed.

"You should take some rest as well. Others can handle here for the time being."

She was worried. Her voice also contained great emotions.

He was on edge for quite some time now.

Though only two days had passed in this forest, he didn't take any rest from the moment everything started to seem weird.

He felt her concerns and replied with a small smile.

"It's ok miss Nolen. It's normal for me to not sleep for days. I will be fine."

He was happy to see someone being concerned for him.

He felt calm, just hearing her voice now was everything to him. And, that was enough.

"You should go in. I will be fine. Really."

His voice contained confidence and his eyes had warmth.

She understood it and nodded.

"If you say so. Take care of yourself."

She gave him a small smile and turned around.

He looked at her departing figure and smiled slowly.

And then...

-KSHIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

Everyone in the area heard an ear perching noise that filled their hearts with fear.