Chapter 49: Ruthless Action (1)

The Rite of the Crimson Wind had finally begun.

As morning broke, all the children entered the Hunting Ground.

Now, each would scatter in different directions toward their own prey.

“Hmm.”

Standing at the crossroads, I paused for a moment, deep in thought.

I needed to figure out how to sweep up the prey assigned to our team.

I recalled the locations of the prey in my mind.

And my honest impression was this:

‘…What a pain.’

A huge pain, at that!

The prey we had to hunt down were scattered all over the Hunting Ground.

The Orcs were to the north.

The Lizardmen to the west.

The Kobolds to the south.

The Grol were to the east.

Their positions were a complete mess, making it impossible to find any efficient route.

In short, to achieve all the targets, I’d have to crisscross this vast Hunting Ground in every direction.

Working my feet to the bone.

“Ha.”

I missed the days when I could just use a keyboard and mouse.

‘When am I supposed to finish all this?’

Just thinking about it was exhausting.

And more importantly than hunting prey, I had a quest to complete.

‘I have my own Quest to do.’

Strictly speaking,

this “Rite of the Crimson Wind” wasn’t my quest.

For the kids like Baruel and Shark who were participating in the rite, it was a crucial trial of a lifetime.

But for me, it was just a “background event” in my quest.

In other words, even if Karls, Tirvaen, and I didn’t hunt down any prey, it wouldn’t stop me from completing my quest.

However.

……………Perfect completion was out of the question.

Securing the prey affected the quest’s completion quality, so I couldn’t simply ignore it.

Especially for players obsessed with rewards like me, it was a part that had to be achieved no matter what.

So a heavy sigh escaped me.

“Phew, should I start with the Kobolds then?”

To manage both strategy and hunting, I’d really have to keep moving without a break.

Well, at least the experience rewards were decent, so I could console myself with that.

“Ah, if only there was a kind and diligent shuttle who could hunt for me………….”

As I writhed in my annoyance,

thud thud.

Another team was following behind ours.

And their leader called out to me.

“Hey, Shan.”

The moment I heard that obnoxious voice, I actually cheered inside.

Ha, just in time, a sucker appears.

It was Hexter Walt.

I’d vaguely sensed a team tailing us since earlier.

‘I just thought our paths overlapped………….

Then suddenly, this jerk popped up.

But this time, I didn’t dislike his appearance.

Actually, it was the opposite.

‘That bastard must’ve known I needed a hunting shuttle and showed up just in time.’

After Shark Robren, now even the prey!

‘At this rate, he’s like a tree that gives without reserve.’

So how could I not be pleased?

He approached with a cold smile on his face.

But inside, I was smiling too.

“Hey, Shan.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

Of course, Hexter, who had no clue about my thoughts, started growling at me.

“You stole my friend, and now you’re paying for it? An Orc Shaman, huh? Heh heh.”

You can interpret that however you want, huh?

“What are you gonna do? Soon we’re gonna have to hunt in style, have you thought about how?”

I just listened as he kept babbling.

“But they say that prey only shows up once every ten years? No participant has ever succeeded in hunting it.”

It’s only right to have a good reason when you hit it.

“Ugh, what a pity. Guess we’ll have to wait for next time? Heh heh heh.”

‘He’s really enjoying himself.’

But then he seriously warned me of one thing.

“Still, you’ve gotta take care of Shark’s prey. That guy’s gonna crawl back to me anyway, that bastard.”

He spoke of Shark Robren like a borrowed item.

“If you don’t do it….…”

The same tired and bitter smile.

“I’ll make sure to shut down all your brothers’ futures. Since I’m passing the Rite of the Crimson Wind, joining the Border Guard is a done deal, so don’t even think about doubting that.”

He even tapped my cheek twice.

“Got it?”

Having delivered his little threat, Hexter withdrew with a smug look.

But I chuckled inwardly.

‘Ah ha, he thinks I won’t pass the Rite of the Crimson Wind, so he’s trying to suppress me with power?’

Well, if that’s cunning, it is.

‘Sorry to say, power is far away but force is close.’

And I had a plan.

“Hexter, come here for a moment.”

I beckoned to him quietly.

He grinned and started acting like he didn’t need to flatter me already, pouring me a bowl of “Kimchi soup” in advance.

But I didn’t hesitate and punched him squarely in the face.

“Ugh!”

Grasping his nose and staggering, I then delivered a rising kick right between his legs.

Crack.

It was the unmistakable sound of something breaking.

“Hurk, huuuhk.”

“Hey, even if it hurts, you still gotta breathe, right? Hoo ha, hoo ha, breathe.”

This time I smacked him on the cheek.

Hexter grabbed his groin and slowly fell backward.

“…Kyaaah!”

A mournful scream erupted belatedly.

It was the lament for lost potential and future descendants.

“Whoa, th-that!”

His team members, who hadn’t been able to grasp the situation at first, suddenly widened their eyes.

“Hexter got hit!”

“But right there! Aaah!”

“Cowardly bastard!”

Finally drawing their weapons, they snarled and shouted at me.

Likewise, their crude and laughable threats followed one after another like sausages.

“This bastard dares!”

“You don’t know the terror of our Hunting Ground?”

“I’ll make sure you understand there’s no one to help here no matter what happens!”

But I covered my ears.

“You’re the ones who don’t know fear. I actually have something terrifying right beside me, and you don’t even realize it yet.”

“…!”

Hexter’s team members belatedly realized that presence.

‘Kal Aledro.’

They finally sensed the overwhelming killing intent pouring out, something they had never felt before.

But it was too late.

I glanced at the escort knight who was about to explode.

“Bro, give them a proper lesson. But don’t break anything. We’ll need it later.”

“……”

Karls stepped forward, radiating a terrifying aura as if waiting for this moment.

He hadn’t even drawn his sword, just holding it in its sheath, yet the fearsome energy made my skin tingle.

And his voice was as cold as ice.

“Alright, I’ll give you a harsh lesson.”

Ugh, spine-chilling.

Truly, here, even if someone was beaten to death, no one would come to help.

“Kyaaah!”

“Sorry! I was wrong!”

“Uwaaah! Somebody save me!”

…………..No matter how much they screamed, it was useless.

“One.”

“Get your head straight!”

“Two.”

“……Shape up!”

“One.”

“Get your head…”

“Huh? The noise is getting quieter? Am I hearing things?”

“Ah, no!”

Hexter’s four friends were getting whipped into shape, their faces swollen black and blue.

Except Hexter, who was still crawling on the ground foaming at the mouth.

Karls really punished them as hard as possible without breaking them.

And I steadily applied what I learned in my own world.

‘The corporal Yeom in the Army Training Camp was truly harsh.’

How could someone drill recruits so mercilessly?

Anyway, thanks to that, I was able to discipline them effectively.

It didn’t even take 30 minutes.

“I-I’d rather take more beatings!”

“Please! Stop!”

Beaten until dust flew on rainy days, now rolling around in pain with blood and tears, they begged me.

“Alright, just hunt three prey for me.”

The prey for our team.

“Three Lesser Lizardman Archers, one Inexperienced Kobold Squad Leader, one Mad Grol Warrior.”

Their faces twisted at the piling tasks.

“Th-that’s too many!”

“Just take one off.”

No, not a chance.

“Hunt safely without getting hurt and bring me proof. You’ve got one day.”

“……”

“No?”

“Ah, no! Got it!”

[Random Event ‘Proxy Hunting’ Activated!]

[Gain partial experience and rewards without hunting directly.]

Just as the event name says……………

These guys would hunt the targets for us and come back.

“Alright then, good luck.”

…….

“No answer?”

“Yes! We’ll do our best!”

As they finally tried to leave, carrying Hexter,

“Leave him. I’ll handle it.”

I stopped them.

“H-How do you plan to do that?”

“Hexter is our team leader………….”

Suddenly at risk of losing their captain, they grew uneasy.

But I smiled faintly.

“He’s got a broken egg and can’t even walk. Leave him be.”

“Our healer wants to treat him………….”

It was obvious.

“I said leave him. What’s more important? His egg? Or yours?”

“Yes, then we’ll be off.”

“Alright, take care.”

The key to the “Proxy Hunting” event was holding NPC weaknesses hostage.

And their weakness right now was their team’s center, Hexter Walt.

In other words, as long as I kept Hexter as a hostage, the Proxy Hunting event would continue.

Honestly, I doubted the four without Hexter could chase down the prey properly.

Oh……

Judging by how Karls beat them earlier, I didn’t have to worry.

As expected of Hexter’s handpicked crew, their endurance was excellent.

They were probably the strongest among their peers, so they could handle it.

The four of them trudged away.

“Good, very sweet.”

Humming, I turned around, and two surprised faces caught my eye.

Baruel and Shark’s pupils were wildly shaking.

“Unbelievable…………”

Especially Shark, who was one of them until yesterday, looked utterly flustered.

‘I guess they never expected me to go this far.’

For them, turning Hexter — like the sky itself — into a seedless watermelon was indeed shocking.

Baruel’s trembling hands moved here and there.

Everyone・・・

What would they say?

Are they crazy? Out of their minds?

Or just nuts?

But the one destined to become the Revolutionary Army Camp’s greatest magician had exceptional insight.

“These aren’t just participants, huh? What on earth is your purpose?”

“Guess that’s why the sharp kid…………”

No, that’s not it!

“Yes, exactly. Good eye, Baruel.”

I smiled faintly.

The team was formed, the rite had begun, so there was no need to hide anymore.

In fact, it was easier and more comfortable to just lay everything out here.

Of course, I couldn’t reveal that I was the Third Prince of the Empire…….

“I came here on other business. More than the Rite of the Crimson Wind, I have business with you performing it.”

To the two puzzled faces, I began explaining the conspiracy behind this event step by step.

The more I spoke, the more they were left speechless.

No way.

“Th-that’s true!”

The disaster planned by the Order of Kishiris.

It was more than astonishing — it was utterly horrifying.

“Hard to believe, but it’s all true. That’s why the Order of Eolem sent me here.”

“Team leader, if that’s true………..”

After I finished, Baruel signed with a serious look.

His hands trembled enough to show how important his question was.

・・・・・・So what’s your solution?

Refusing Eve’s carefully prepared Special Task Force and taking the Detached Squad Route.

How do you plan to stop that Great Flood? Are you even competing with Eve?

That’s what the smart one pointed out.

I smiled faintly.

“Do you know the saying ‘the best defense is a good offense’?”

-Offense? What kind of offense is that?

“Eh? No way?”

Shark seemed to have understood.

I was going to hit Eve with a strong offense right from the start.

“Getting rid of the obstacles first is only natural.”

I had a lot to do for this quest.

So there was no way I was going to back down.