Chapter 11: Orb of Water (3)

The roar of the gunshot was enough to make someone hearing it for the first time in their life mistake it for thunder.

But that was only for a moment.

-Screech!

I hadn't particularly aimed for a direct hit, but luckily, the bullet must have found its mark as the demonic beast beyond the bushes screamed and collapsed.

World of Justice is a medieval fantasy world where not even a prototype of a gun has been developed.

Thus, in this world where magic is more familiar than science, all miracles are considered magic.

The same is true now.

“What…….”

“……As expected, what incredible magic.”

“…….”

Conlan, Albino, and even Alicia were agape at what a single gunshot had created.

They had already seen me use the gun once, but that was when I broke the Magic Sealing Stone inside the prisoner transport wagon.

The destructive power and effective range of the gun left even the unruly members of the 4th Special Task Force momentarily speechless.

“……Indeed, so that is your magic. The escort captain praised it so much, and it is as amazing as I heard.”

Even Edric, a powerhouse of level 6 or higher, couldn't hide his admiration, seemingly unable to help being surprised by the gun's power.

-Gurgle, gurgle!

-Gururu!

Taking the first gunshot as some kind of signal, the demonic beasts began to charge at us.

“They're coming!”

With Conlan's shout, the demonic beasts revealed themselves from between the bushes.

【Lv.1】

【Mutant Toad】

If the Demon head hounds I faced before had the form of dogs, the Mutant Toads that just appeared had a form similar to large toads.

'First, I'll pour out the first six shots without holding back.'

The number of bullets I could use right now was 12 in total.

Normally I would have saved them, but our purpose for coming here today was hunting, not survival.

As I was also in a position where I needed to show results, I planned to go on a bit of a rampage.

Clack─

Unlike archery, which requires the use of various muscles, using a gun only requires the minimum strength to hold it and simply pulling the trigger.

Of course, the recoil of the gun is considerable, but that is after firing, not before.

Therefore, for shooting like this where accuracy is more important than speed, the most crucial element would undoubtedly be composure.

As I've said before, hunters of the past were said to have watched for an opportunity without losing their composure, even with a tiger charging right before their eyes.

I didn't possess as much bravery as them, but at the very least, the Postponer of Ruin trait granted me a composure that surpassed theirs.

Bang─!!

With the gunshot that rang out once more, another Mutant Toad fell to the ground, bleeding.

If the previous shot was a fluke, this shot was impossible to miss as the distance was so close.

“……Using magic of that level consecutively? He's insane.”

Powerful magic requires an equally powerful price.

Albino, who should have known that fact better than anyone, couldn't hide his shock.

Regardless, I turned the muzzle of the gun again.

I had now taken down two Mutant Toads.

I was overwhelmingly ahead compared to the other competitors who had yet to catch even one.

“Uoooh!”

As Conlan's mace struck the Mutant Toad's body, the Mutant Toad's body went flying.

As I already knew, the divine power coming from Conlan's large frame was already beyond ordinary.

“Hmph!”

Albino, not to be outdone, also unfolded his magic and subdued a Mutant Toad.

[Kruk!]

The Mutant Toad's body stiffened.

Stab!

Albino very easily stabbed his sword into the heart of the stiffened Mutant Toad.

'Is it mental magic? No, it might even be sensory magic.'

Whatever it was, it was such powerful magic that I could understand the confidence Albino had shown so far.

Alicia also faced a Mutant Toad with fluid movements.

Although she didn't use the Punishment Order's magic she had shown before, her simple movements were more than enough to toy with the Mutant Toad.

'Indeed.'

I had no time to be idle either.

For now, I might be slightly ahead, but in the end, the bullets I had were limited.

It was a situation where I could have become anxious, but the composure granted to me by the Postponer of Ruin did not easily waver.

Aim, fire.

Baaaang!!!

With the gunshot, another Mutant Toad's head exploded.

[Kruk!]

As if I had already known, the 4th Special Task Force dealt with the group of Mutant Toads with surprising ease, even without their commander, Edric, stepping in.

Of course, there was no coordination or cooperation in the process, but there was no need for it as their individual combat abilities were so immense.

“Uryaaap!”

As soon as I pulled the trigger again, Conlan's mace spun around.

At that moment.

[Kururu!]

A Mutant Toad aiming for Conlan's back.

At this rate, Conlan's reaction would surely be too late, so I turned the muzzle of the gun.

Clack─

A spark flew as the trigger was pulled.

Bang!─

[Kruk!]

With the gunshot, the Mutant Toad that was about to attack Conlan's back was thrown off powerlessly.

“……I was careless. Thanks.”

“It's nothing.”

I hadn't expected Conlan to express his gratitude, so feeling a strange sense of awkwardness, I turned my gaze away again.

There were still Mutant Toads remaining.

'Let's keep going.'

The hunt continued.

***

“Hoo…… is it over?”

“Seems like it.”

With the efforts of the 4th Special Task Force, the group of about ten Mutant Toads was wiped out in an instant.

I don't know if it was fortunate or unfortunate, but among the group of Mutant Toads we hunted this time, there were no beings with the Demonic attribute.

Naturally, there were no Ascension Stone Fragments either.

Thanks to that, we cleaned them up without much difficulty, but it also felt a bit regretful to think that I had missed a chance to easily obtain Ascension Stone Fragments.

'Well…… there will be other chances.'

I took down a total of five Mutant Toads.

I didn't know exactly how many the others caught, but since I hunted about half of them, there was no need to even think about who had shown the greatest performance.

“Everyone was excellent. You did better than I expected. I have high hopes for the future.”

Edric praised us, looking genuinely proud.

“That's all for today's training. Return and get plenty of rest today. Also, based on today's training results, I will lift the fasting order for Vell and Conlan starting this evening.”

“R-really?”

Conlan asked back, his voice even trembling.

The starvation of the past two days had been that difficult for not only Conlan but for me as well.

“Yes. I'll make the arrangements, so you can look forward to dinner.”

“Oh, ooh…….”

Conlan seemed genuinely moved.

“The one who showed the greatest performance is Vell. You must have already expected it, so there should be no objections.”

“……None.”

“…….”

Albino seemed displeased but didn't step forward, and Alicia remained silent as always.

It was because the results I had actually shown in this demonic beast hunt were tremendous, making it hard to find fault.

“Then we will return immediately. Everyone, get on the wagon.”

“Isn't that just a cart?”

“It's a wagon.”

Edric was quite stubborn.

But…… no matter how I looked at it, it was a cart.

“Come to think of it, we didn't do physical training today. It would be good to run to Winter Castle.”

“The wagon is very cozy.”

“I'm glad you think so.”

Edric laughed heartily.

***

It had only been the second day, but for some reason, the way back to Winter Castle felt just like going home.

It was like the feeling of going home when returning to the barracks after finishing training in the army.

Well…… strictly speaking, this place I was in now was also the army.

When we finally arrived at Winter Castle, Edric spoke.

“Everyone, return to the barracks, organize your gear, and then you can eat. And Vell, see me for a moment.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Edric called me to his office.

I didn't know if it was because of his title as the commander of the 4th Special Task Force or because of Edric's strength, but Edric's office was quite nice.

It meant that his position within Winter Castle was not low.

“I saw the magic you use. It was an unbelievable power. Magic of that level must surely come at a great price, is there a reason you need to take a day's leave that badly?”

Edric saw through the fact that I was trying to get a leave of absence no matter what.

Of course, that was a misunderstanding born from thinking what I used was magic, but it was clear that he had seen through to the essence of the matter.

I also knew that making a clumsy lie here would be useless, so I decided to use this opportunity instead.

“There is something I need to find outside Winter Castle.”

“The leave is only for one day. Is what you're looking for something that can be found in just one day?”

“I'll have to try.”

“Hmm…… In that case, tell me if you need anything. If we were to lose a mage of your caliber due to insufficient support, it would be a great loss for Winter Castle.”

I had been waiting for those very words.

“Since you've said so, Commander, I'll speak shamelessly. First, I would like to borrow an officer's cold-weather uniform and hat. The place I'm going is quite cold. And also, shoes made of Rekos leather that don't get wet easily, a spare flint, a waterskin made of Rokg's leather, one day's worth of dry rations, and medicinal herbs, bandages, and a splint for first aid will be enough.”

“…….”

Edric's expression went completely blank.