Chapter 19: Life is Full of Scenery
Of course.
He was only referring to theoretical knowledge.
In terms of actually handling and preparing potions, much more practice is needed.
To successfully brew a potion, one must have precise control over both the ingredients and the magic involved.
Even the slightest deviation could cause a potion to fail.
In this area, his experience was virtually nonexistent.
After leaving the secret chamber...
Rhodes went outside the cabin, poured a bottle of powdered potion on the ground, and set it on fire.
A pungent smell quickly spread throughout the forest with the wind.
Rustling sounds!
The bushes shook, and a werewolf, drawn by the scent, walked over, standing dumbfounded in front of the clearing near the cabin.
Soon, all the werewolves scattered in the forest had gathered.
Rhodes picked up a cross and physically purified several werewolves, then sacrificed all of their bodies as well.
With the werewolf problem solved, the rest was simple.
Back in the village...
A few patrolling militiamen saw Rhodes walking out of the forest, their faces lighting up with joy.
Like fervent fans, they gathered around him.
"Did you encounter those cursed werewolves, Hunter?"
"There should be plenty of werewolves in the forest, right?"
"If you need help, we're ready to assist."
Ignoring their eager chatter, Rhodes simply tossed dozens of bloody fangs onto the ground.
These were the werewolf fangs he had deliberately collected before sacrificing them, as proof of his kills.
"I've cleared out all the werewolves around the village."
"Werewolf fangs…"
"How many werewolves must you have killed to collect so many fangs?"
Looking at the bloody fangs on the ground, the militiamen were left in disbelief.
In just one day, he had wiped out all the werewolves in the forest.
Is this the legendary power of a monster hunter?
"Gather all the villagers; I have something to announce."
Rhodes said slowly.
Hearing this, the militia leader immediately ordered the bell to be rung, his eyes filled with awe and reverence as he gazed at Rhodes.
The werewolves that had plagued the village for years were finally dealt with.
The villagers no longer had to fear werewolf attacks.
To him, this powerful monster hunter was practically a god.
If it weren't inappropriate, he would've built a statue of Rhodes in the church and had all the villagers of Red Forest Village worship him instead.
A great benefactor!
A few minutes later, all the villagers gathered.
The village chief, looking at Rhodes giving orders, was visibly displeased.
Since this guy arrived, he felt like his authority and dignity as the village chief had been completely overshadowed.
However, given the man's strength, he didn't dare challenge him.
But deep down, he grew increasingly resentful of this guy.
"I've got to find a way to have the werewolves kill this bastard."
The village chief thought bitterly to himself.
So what if he can kill a werewolf?
He didn't believe the man could kill ten of them.
Worst case, he'd just pay a price.
At that moment, the militiamen had already told all the villagers that the werewolves had been eliminated.
Seeing everyone's disbelief, the militia leader took out the bloody fangs as evidence.
Realizing these were indeed werewolf fangs, the previously skeptical villagers erupted in excitement.
Werewolf fangs were not something that could be faked.
Seeing that things had been sufficiently set up, Rhodes slowly spoke.
"The werewolves in the village were created by human hands."
"I've already killed the witch hiding in the forest, and she revealed that the village chief was her accomplice."
The excited villagers turned their eyes to the village chief standing in the crowd.
Some were in disbelief, while others were suspicious.
"I knew it! How else could the village chief have gotten so much food? He's been working with the witch!"
"That bastard tricked us out of all our money!"
Sensing the situation was getting out of hand, the village chief tried to flee but was immediately surrounded by the angry villagers.
"Don't listen to this outsider! He's lying to you all!"
The village chief tried to argue, but was quickly overwhelmed by the furious crowd.
"This is human nature."
Watching the villagers, who didn't even bother verifying the facts before taking out their rage on the village chief, Rhodes shook his head.
At this point, even if the village chief were innocent, no one would believe him.
Over the past three years, all the villagers' savings had ended up in the village chief's hands.
Now that the werewolf crisis was over, the village chief, the one who had benefited the most, naturally became the target of everyone's hatred.
In the face of self-interest, what does human nature count for?
This was the dark side of humanity.
Besides, the village chief deserved his fate; there was no reason to pity him.
Rhodes turned and walked toward the village's outskirts.
Even though he had saved the village, it seemed everyone had forgotten about him.
They were all rushing to the village chief's house, their ugly expressions and frantic actions revealing their greed as they raced to claim the chief's inheritance.
At that moment, a blonde woman in a long dress, her figure exceptionally full and voluptuous, stepped in front of Rhodes.
Rhodes glanced at her, his expression shifting slightly.
It was the innkeeper's wife.
"Aren't you going over to see if you can grab anything valuable?" Rhodes asked with a strange expression, his initial reaction fading.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving this village."
The woman slowly stepped forward, gently hugging Rhodes and kissing him on the cheek, a grateful smile on her face.
"Yesterday was the happiest day of my life. I'll never forget you."
Watching the blonde woman lift her dress and trot away, Rhodes shook his head and smiled.
Though life is filled with grim darkness...
The occasional beauty is the most precious scenery along the road of life.
Sadly, some things are never meant to be his.
Rhodes suddenly thought of Little Red Riding Hood, still in his portable space.
He silently added a thought in his mind.
Of course, there are exceptions.