KHIIEEEEKKK KRRKK KRRRK THUD

  A pained shriek and a bloody battlefield. The sound of bellows and thuds resounded in the air and the forest was filled with the strong stench of bloom, the forest grounds dyed red with the blood of many creatures.

  They fell oer aheir lives ending in a fsh and their eyes turning white as they were greeted by death, mercilessly taking them away. The winds swept past them and they vanished into thin air, mere fragments of light drifting away.

  All that were left were gemstones and ons, and a couple items that are fairly easy to obtain. It was an utter and plete massacre, done only by a few figures, h in the air as they fired their magic.

  G G G BOOOOMMMMM

  The sound of soft chimes rang out like a sweet symphony in the forest. An explosion of fmes soon followed, and the forest was dyed red and e. Shrieks once again echoed in the verdant paradise, pilrs of smoke rising towards the sky.

  There weren't just fmes, but massive boulders, sharp ks of ice, and also some shing, poisonous vines as well. A barrage or death and chaos ensued, monsters eradicated oer another, soft chimes still ringing about.

  KHIIIEEEEEKK THUD THUD THUD

  The st of the ogres fell, pead quiet returning to the forest. Their bodies soon shattered into brilliant fragments and the winds carried them away. Only a number of drops remained, a couple craters and broken trees here and there.

  "Master... Mistress... Done... Win..." ［Scheat］

  "Un! You did a good job, everyohat was a good show!" ［Yuna］

  G G G G

  It has been a couple of days since Grey and Yuna arrived at Arihal, and ever sihen, they have been adapting to life there pretty quickly, expl and doing quests to spend their days, experieng something familiar in a fn pce.

  Now, they are on a quest to defeat some ogres iing the nearby forest, but rather than do the quest themselves, they tasked the spirits to do it and hoheir abilities and skills while they're at it, training once more.

  As frey and Yuna, they simply went around pig new herbs and some magits as well, harvesting new materials they've never seen before. It aradise with new flora and fauna, brimming with goodness aement.

  "Is there anyone hurt? Just line up so we heal you." ［Yuna］

  "No... Hurt... Mistress... Fine... Perfect..." ［Algenib］

  "Same... Me... Good... Well..." ［Alpheratz］

  Grey and Yuna also wao try some high-ranking quests, but wanting to avoid all sorts of troublesome situations, the two of them could only use their alternate guild cards. They don't want their identities to be exposed, after all.

  It was a new ti, and as it seems, their tales have yet to reach the people of Vartes. Other than the guild where they use their alternate identities, Grey and Yuna don't have to call one another by other names, free as be.

  The only one who somewhat knew of their identity was her thaarlgaing itself by the river. And as it seems, it has yet to tell anybody about who they were, not a single person inviting them for tiring formalities. It was the good days.

  They wao see the Tarlgan and thank it for the other day, but ever sihe day they've arrived, they've never seen it again. Acc to the locals, it only shows up once a week, so they could only give up ohought.

  "Hmm... There aren't any rare drops... Only horns, huh..." ［Yuna］

  "Well, they're the lowest variety of ogres, after all... I doubt there would be anythiely useful here for alchemy..." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... I tried to grind them to powder before, but they were useless. They just form sediments ale at the bottom. There aren't aions at all." ［Yuna］

  "Ogre horns are smithing materials, after all." ［Grey］

  The young dy was pining, but there was nothing she could do about it. All the ogres dropped were their horns and their mana crystals, no other drops like ons and blood which could be used for alchemy.

  However, seeing the spirits very delighted from defeating them, she could only give up and heave a sigh nation. They may not be very rare drops, but they were something the little spirits worked so hard to obtain.

  "Master... Look... Something... Matter...?" ［Alpheratz］

  "No, it's nothing.I was just thinking of something." ［Grey］

  It was a shame though, the spirits are pretty hard to reward. For the familiars, they could simply cook them up something delicious, but the same treatment couldn't be done for the spirits whose only food is mana and corruption.

  They have gained mouths sihey've beiddle Spirits, but all they could use them was for talkiing and drinking was pletely off the table. They don't even have any true internal ans in the first pce. It was a shame, indeed.

  "Here, everyone, you have all you want. Make sure to have your fill," ［Grey］

  "Thanks... Master... We... Happy..." ［Markab］

  "Don't be too excessive. You were the ones who defeated the ogres, so it's only natural that you receive these." ［Grey］

  Thankfully, they could still e mana from mana crystals, so Grey and Yuna always had them e the mana crystals of the mohey defeated. It was much better thaing it gather dust in the iory.

  Eating the mana crystals wasn't just for show either. Though only a little bit, they do get stronger much faster in such a method. It may not be as effective as corruption, but they still turn a portion of the mana they e into aether.

  It was a shame though. The spirits could only handle mana crystals of the same rank as them, uo bite through the hardness of mana crystals at higher levels. They would have given them some very high-ranking mana crystals, otherwise.

  "Master... Done... Eat..." ［Algenib］

  "Already? You only had one, Algenib. Eat some more." ［Grey］

  "Me... Full... 't... More..." ［Algenib］

  Surprisingly, the spirits have very little appetite as well. If it weren't for the fact that they get full after eating just a single mana crystal of their rank, they would have been able to get stronger faster and rank-up while they're at it.

  They could easily e corruption, and turn it into aether, but raw mana was a totally different matter. For some reason, it was easier to vert impure mana into pure mana, than turn raw mana into pure mana,

  Grey and Yuna don't really know much about the version of mana ihe spirits' bodies, and evehey ask the familiars who also eat corruption, they were just as clueless. They know nothing more as they do it simply by instinct.

  "Master, Mistress, we have returned." ［Sirius］

  "Look at this, Mistress! We caught a lot of things!" ［Yuna］

  "Master, Mistress, I think we found something iing just now." ［opus］

  Speaking of the familiars, they've also just returned from feeding off the monsters in the forest. They have been going off on their owime Grey and Yuna do quests, and the forest has been ed of all dangerous monsters.

  For now, the ones guarding Galderia were Arcturus and Rigel, rep back to Grey and Yuna if ever something major has happened. But so far, it has beeively peaceful, not even a single problem arising with them around to help.

  "Something iing?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah! We found a patagits up ahead! Should weー" ［opus］

  "U's go! Let's harvest those magits!" ［Yuna］

  opus couldn't even finish his words, when Yuna quickly cut him off. The moment she heard " magits" her pointy elven ears immediately perked up and her blood boiled iement, eyes sparkling ever shtly.

  There was no time to waste. With the familiars in the lead, everyohen headed towards the patch opus was talking about, and surely enough, there really were quite a handful of magits, each of them precious as be.

  They quickly started harvesting the magits, and just like that, time passed by in the blink of ahe sky has now turned a beautiful amber color and the two of them finally headed back to the city, lining up the lengthy lines as usual.

  "Ahh～! That was a lot of fun, wasn't it?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. It's a shame we'll have to depart so soon, otherwise, I'd love to stay here for a couple more days and enjoy the pce." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Their food is delicious, after all! I'll surely miss this pce." ［Yuna］

  The two of them were talking about their departure, already set to overmorrow. They would like to stay for a couple more days, but they still have a schedule to catch, and a couple more pces to visit. They 't just dilly-dally.

  "Hey, shouldn't we stop doing quests for the meantime?"

  "What?! Are you scared of those rumors? It's just a single beast!"

  "That's not it. I'm just being cautious. They say some adventurers were already hurt."

  "Hah! It's their fault for being weak and careless!"

  And just as they tio move along the lines, a number of unfamiliar voices rang out in the air, catg the attention of the two with their loud voices. There seems to be a certain rumor abrew, everyone is wary because of it.

  They were loud and boisterous, seemingly arguing about what seems to be a lo dangerous beast fouhe city. Grey and Yuna weren't intending to eavesdrop in their versation, but it couldn't be helped with how loud they were.

  "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being careful! I heard even Mister Evans who's a D-ranker was injured! You shouldn't uimate it!"

  "Tsk! Dammit... Why are ying up ranks all of a sudden..."

  "Now, now, let's cool our heads a little. We shouldn't disturb the others,"

  As if they were teasing the two, the boisterous group of adventurers in the front didn't even finish what they were talking about, suddenly stopping when it was finally getting iing, making Grey and Yuna even more curious,

  The line tio move and before long, Grey and Yuna were finally ihe city. They first headed towards the Adventurers' Guild to hand over and process their quest, heading back to their inn soon after.

  Night tio fall and the color of the sky faded into darkness. The stars popped out oer ahe moon leading them as its Queen. It was a gentle night, the cold breeze sweeping throughout the whole city, peaceful as be.

  DONGGGG DONGGGG DONGGGG

  And like everything else which started, also came and ehe night soon ended and the darkness was chased away by the sun. A new day has arrived, the resonant city bells resounding time and time again, waking up the slumbering folks.

  Grey and Yuna were woken up as well, soon enjoying a hearty meal and also a warm bath. They freshehemselves up for a new day, heading out to the forest once more and expl every nook and y like curious kids.

  However, uoday, they are not out on a quest or are they simply gathering some materials they fahey are now in a search for a certaiure which was all over the Guild yesterday, everyoalking and whispering about it.

  "Looks like it's not here either..." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... How long have we been searg for already..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. They did say it was a strange and rare beast, after all." ［Grey］

  What they are searg for is her than the rumored beast the adventurers from yesterday were talking about before. It was unfortuhat they didn't hear much from them, but thankfully, they weren't the only oalking about it.

  As soon as they stepped foot ihe guild yesterday, Grey and Yuna immediately heard many advealking about it, some whispering and speg about just what kind of creature has been attag the adventurers as of te.

  It seems like there wasn't just one, but several parties that have already falleo it. There were a couple people who died, and alse number of injured people. It was a dangerous beast which lurks hidden in the forest.

  What about you, everyone? Have you found anything else yet? ［Yuna］

  T-There's nothing strange here, Mistress... ［Capel］

  It's the same here, Mistress. There are only boars, squirrels, and deers around here, and nothing else. ［Rigel］

  I'm afraid I'm also in a simir situation, Mistress. ［Sirius］

  From what Grey and Yuna gathered, the beast was a rge feliype beast which resembles a bck panther of all things, it was agile and powerful, able to break and slice bones like kting through butter.

  The only things which didn't stay sistent was that some people said the beats was of ice-attribute, while some say its the fire attribute. They were two opposing things which couldn't be any further and different from one another.

  It was because of that fusion that the Guild has yet to announce what really the animal was. There is a quest yet to be posted, the fairly high ranking adventurers waiting for a bit to see whether they should take the quest or not.

  RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE

  The leaves shook and rustled, everyone's eyes soon directed towards the bushes that were moving and readied themselves for what's about to e. Well, all except frey as he already knew what's about to e and it was....

  SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK

  ... Nothing but a small little rabbit which seemed to be fing for food by the bushes. It was tiny and adorable, seeming like an adolest rabbit rather than a full grown one, sniffing the berries and taking a quiibble on them.

  Though, as soon as the rabbit spotted Grey and Yuna looking towards it with its little eyes, it was quickly armed and immediately started running away with panid turbulen its eyes. It was a meek and easily scared little guy.

  "Ahh... It ran away..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Did you want to pet it, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Just a little bit. I just thought its fur looked fluffy." ［Yuna］

  There was no point thinking too much about it. Grey, Yuna, and everybody else once again started expl the forest, heading towards all the dires, and sometimes even deliberately luring it with the use of alchemy.

  Of course, as they were already in the forest, everyone decided they'll pick all the herbs which seemed pretty useful. Bright smiles bloomed on Yuna's face again and again as she found rare magits and many more.

  There were also some new and iing edible fruits hanging by the fruit trees, so the two took the liberty of pig them aing them out. Some were bnd, but some were also some pretty delicious ones. Searg has bee fing.

  "Ohh! Try this o, Grey! It's very sour!" ［Yuna］

  "Hmm... How strange... I don't think I've seen this one in the market..." ［Grey］

  "Right?! But we surely use this for cooking! It's a bit like lime and tamarind, so maybe we use it iain situations." ［Yuna］

  "That sounds great. Maybe we could try it out ter." ［Grey］

  By luck, they also came across some fruits called "Senozal" which was quite sour and looked like lychee, only that its skin was brown rather than red. It had getinous texture as well, so it was something many people would surely enjoy.

  The two went around the forest some more and collected a couple more things here and there. There were so mahings to see, and so many new ingredients to py around with ter. The two were excited as be.

  'Hm? That is....' ［Grey］

  Just when they didn't think too much about it anymore, an elusive figure suddenly appeared on the edge of Grey's eyes, dashing like a darkened blur and hunting down all the prey in front of it, leaving everything else alone o caught one.

  There was no need for debate. With its slender and agile body, fur as bck yet shiny as obsidian, eyes like that of a hungry predator, and cws which easily tear through rge logs as if it were just tearing paper... It was the rumored beast.

  If there was anything to distinguish it from a normal bck panther, it was that rather than just o had two heads, making it even more intimidating. It was also pretty agile for its size, able to hop along the branches with ease.

  "Yuna, I found it." ［Grey］

  Said Grey and the young dy nodded in respohey didn't waste a single minute and quickly dashed towards the dire of the beast as if there was no tomorrow, kig up clouds of dust and leaves in their wake.

  They soon arrived at the location, greeted by an ued se. It seems like Grey wasn't the only ones who found it, but their tracted spirits as well, now engaging in a fight with the said beast, betting their lives on the line.

  G G G

  Scheat threw scorg fireballs, Aloheratz shed away with its vines and needles, Algenib unched a torrent of icices, and Markab hurled heavy bullets of rocks at insane speeds. The four worked together, not leaving any gaps,

  In respohe beast tried to poun them and ssh away with its cws, leaving only blurs behind with how fast it was. Unfortunately for it, it wasn't just offense which the spirits were good at, helping one another when it attacked.

  There was Algenib's frozen wall and Markab's rocky wall. Though they were easily destroyed by the beast's attack, it provided them enough time to hurry and escape, then tinuing the barrage from where they left off.

  "Looks like we're not needed here anymore..." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! They sure have grown a lot, haven't they?" ［Yuna］

  There were four bodies, but like Yuna said, all the familiars moved as if they were ohe coordination of attacks, and the way they draw aggression and defend is something eveeran adventurer parties struggle with.

  The spirits didly do much damage towards the beast, but they were stag damage slowly but surely. Wounds appeared on the beast time and time again, its head slowly losing its cool fre and irritation the spirits are bringing it.

  G G G G

  And while they were fighting with the beast, Grey used his eyes to appraise the beast, his eyes widening in shock when he finally uood what was going on. There was a wry smile on his fad a tinge of excitemeing in his heart.

  "I see... So that's how it is, huh..." ［Grey］

  "Hm? Is something the matter, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Nothing... It seems like we just found ourselves an iing spe." ［Grey］

  Grey already khe beast was not normal when he saw its two heads, but never did he think it was something so rare, it was his first time seeing it in nature despite having been living in Merusia for over 4 years already.

  What was before it was an E-ra called "Ragonea", a rge feliype beast which is of the fire attribute. It is known for its agility and ability to easily track prey by st. It is a great hunter and also an aggressive beast.

  G G G G

  The battle tinued and the spirits tinued hurling spells at the Ragoime and time again, sometimes missing and sometimes hitting. They left the beast with little to no time to think, hitting it with an attack as soon as it hesitated.

  Seeing that its attacks were of no use to the quickly-fleeing spirits, the Ragohen quickly ged its attack patterns and finally stopped running. The spirits quickly took the ge and took charge, quickly firing their shotsー

  "No! Stop! Trap!" ［Markab］

  ... Or at least, they were going to. But before they even pleted the spells, one of them quickly noticed something was off. There were sizzling fmes running rampant inside one of the Ragonea's mouth, ready to be fired at any moment.

  Markab didn't waste any time and quickly halted its spell. It then used earth magic to lift the ground below it, creating a wall of dirt and stoo protect themselves from the ining fmes. A pilr of fmes was released soon after.

  FWOOOOSSSSHHHHHHH

  The fmes crashed towards the earthen wall, but thanks to Markab tinuously p mana into it, it mao protect them from being turned into charcoal. They quickly used the ce to flee.

  And it was fortuhat they did, because out of nowhere, a k of ice suddenly pierced the earthen wall and broke it, letting the fmes run rampant after it. If they were just a sed too te, they would have been in danger.

  "G... Grey... That is..." ［Yuna］

  It was not because the wall was broken, not because of its iy. But the very fact that the Ragonea was able to use two different attributes simultaneously was a feat no normal beast could ever aplish.

  Grey had already seen it in its status s, but seeing it first hand was something else. Not to mention that those two attributes aren't just different, but opposing. It really was something very iing aing.

  "That's right... It's dual-attribute... A mutant!" ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 408 END