Preparations

We returned to the village and Olken gave everyone the all-clear that the bandit threat is resolved for now. Despite having a skill increasing my endurance, fatigue still exists and I can't let it catch me in the most crucial moment. Everyone that see my monsters were shocked beyond belief and hid back in their houses.

Of course it's normal, they never seen anything like it, but Olken reassured them they are harmless.

Hyoran and I bathed in the river with our fresh clothes waiting on the side. The blood that was on me melted away, but...only on the surface.

If I remember correctly, the Bandit King had occupied the Valtuz mountain mines. Where it has excellent materials like Azurite, Onyxium, Drakenite, Gold, Ruby, Emerald, and more. It also has high grade Mana Crystals as well. However, it is not a high end mine.

The army of Valtuz isn't weak by any means, they got the forces to get rid of the bandits AND the leader. The problem is that the current lord is in bed with Zaneth.

I bet it's one of those cliche fat greedy nobles with a curly mustache lining his pockets. I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

I remember the layout of their base because I used to grind and consume crystals. Also, most of their territory is outside the mine, making it easy to strike from above. For that, I should get more flying monsters like Schwarze. Also, I want a monster that can dish out and take punishment. Gris and Noire are hit-and-run kind of monsters, judging the way they fight.

I want a monster that can bum rush many people without losing steam. On the ground of course. And I know where to find.

[Rank S+ target slain. 750,000 EP acquired.]

[Ezo acquired a Unique Skill. Dragon Slayer.]

[Tuya acquired a Unique Skill. Dragon Slayer.]

Then this must mean they have slain the dragon and gotten the unique skill on top of that. I'm sure they're stronger now.

First, I should find a Rock Bear or Wood Bear in Nolten forest. Slower than any monster I have, but I know for a fact the monster is a tank against lower level adventurers.

If I can find a bull in Valtuz, I can have the bull for going through camps. I know that these bulls in the game are omnivorous especially bears.

Also, once I get more monsters, I have to readjust the formation.

Next, a bird type monster. I need more eyes in the sky and air support. However, I want a bird that can use Fire or Light. Schwarze can use Dark, but with sunny days in Valtuz, this element suffers.

If it's possible, I can recruit a horse monster to travel further distances.

I dive deeper in thought on how can I succeed in getting rid of the bandits until Hyoran calls out.

"Kain? Are you thinking about getting rid of the bandits?" Hyoran inquired.

"Yeah, we're gonna need more monsters if we're gonna win. I believe there will be way more than what we just fought recently." I replied.

"What type of monsters?" Hyoran asked.

"A bear, a bull, and a couple more birds. Maybe a horse along the way." I said. Hyoran's eyes lit up.

"Like the horses we saw as we went to Noltia?" Hyoran said excitedly.

"Better. A wild one." I said.

"But how?" Hyoran said.

"We'll have to get to the forest and Valtuz." I said.

"Should we let mama and papa know before we leave?" Hyoran said.

"Yeah, we're not going anywhere at night anyway." I said. With Schwarze most active at night, he will keep a close watch of any invaders and he'll give them a scare. Paura will also kill if scaring wasn't enough.

We hear the door open and two figures enter through the doorway, but Hyoran knew who they are.

"Mama, papa! You're back!" Hyoran yelled happily. She then jumped in the arms of the two. I did so as well.

"Oh, my sweet children! Are you two well? Did anything happen?" Tuya said.

"There was a bandit raid!" Hyoran said.

"What!?" Ezo yelled. "It happened while we're gone!?"

"Yeah, but Hyoran ran to Mr. Olken about it while I held it off. Mr. Olken helped taking out the army." I explained. Well I did have to lie there, because I know how mothers and fathers in general react when a child is being...let's say bullied or in danger. Once they know who did it, it's on sight. Be it if a mother is a moose, bear, cat, or a dog, it's on sight.

What beastkins can do is sense people's emotions more precisely, but not what the people say. Meaning, they don't know if it's a lie or not. Sorry, but I can't let y'all tear Olken a new one.

"You slowed down the bandit advance so Hyoran can escape to Olken? That's amazing that you two did something so heroic. I'm sure you'll be strong adventurers." Ezo said.

"Guess what? We've gotten rewarded." Tuya said, showing a heavy bag of coins. We looked inside and see 30 gold coins, 450 silver coins, and 33 copper coins. However, that's the portion of killing a dragon. Killing a adolescent dragon nets me at least 100 gold coins. This could turn any hobo into a high class citizen living in a luxury home.

"Wow...that's a whole lot, we could use that to get better equipment." Hyoran said, mesmerized by the sheer coins.

But what about my longsword? I crafted it without paying a single penny. Or should I say a copper. Anyways, I think we do need some equipment down along the line.

Let's hope Zaneth doesn't catch wind of his bandits getting deleted.