Chapter 42: A Spirit Beast Beyond Death

“…Then why estimate it as 5th grade? Isn’t it more like 6th or even 7th grade?”

Gaon was puzzled.

High-tier Sword Experts, 6th Circle mages, and 6-star shamans—all were at the cusp of breaking through their respective walls, poised to become Swordmasters, Archmages, or Great Shamans.

If their attacks didn’t work, how could it be rated as 5th grade?

Even a 6th-grade spirit beast wouldn’t withstand them.

It had to be at least 7th grade.

“Well… it’s not aggressive. It only flees when attacked, never retaliating,” Rotes explained.

Gaon was momentarily speechless.

He’d encountered many spirit beasts, some non-aggressive, but that was because they feared his power.

Against anyone else, they’d bare their fangs.

Yet this one didn’t fight back despite countless assaults?

“Should we skip it?” Rotes asked cautiously, noticing Gaon’s silence.

The mission was optional—they could pass without issue.

“No, let’s go,” Gaon replied, snapping out of his thoughts.

“I’m curious.”

He wanted to see this spirit beast for himself.

My attacks won’t fail, right?

A fleeting thought crossed his mind, and he smirked.

…No, that’s absurd.

His magic worked even on dragons.

A spirit beast resisting it was unthinkable.

If it did, he’d have to flee—it’d be stronger than a dragon.

While pondering, Gaon asked Rotes, “Are the other two missions also spirit beast hunts?”

Rotes had selected three missions, and their difficulty piqued Gaon’s interest.

“No. One is repairing a magic circle, and the other is unspecified.”

“Unspecified?”

“Yes, only the conditions are listed, but the merit points and rewards are exceptional. Since it requires a 6th Circle mage, it’s likely no ordinary task. Should we skip it?”

“No, it’s on the way, so let’s check it out.”

If it took too long, they could abandon it later.

At the entrance to the Astarek Mountains, Mild let out a quiet sigh.

His eyes gleamed as he stared into the range.

He was here for the spirit beast rumored to dwell within.

This time, I’ll get it.

Initially, curiosity drove him.

The beast had eluded 6th Circle mages and 6-star shamans, sparking his interest.

As a high-tier Sword Expert, he’d been confident his physical attacks could succeed where magic and shamanism failed.

But after facing the beast, that confidence vanished.

His attacks landed but healed instantly.

He’d used the continent’s renowned Staren swordsmanship at full power, yet the beast’s nonchalant gaze—implying Mild couldn’t kill it—left him humiliated.

This time, he came prepared.

Unlike before, when he was alone, he now had the family’s 1st Knight Battalion, a 5th Circle mage, a 5-star shaman, and his second uncle, Carlin, a Swordmaster of twenty years.

If we fail, Uncle will step in.

While failure seemed unlikely, Carlin’s presence guaranteed the beast’s death.

A knight approached.

“We’ve located it,” he said.

Mild turned toward the mage and shaman, where a map of the Astarek Mountains—an artifact—displayed a red dot marking the beast’s location.

Closer than expected.

It was just twenty minutes away.

“Let’s move,” Mild ordered.

The knights prepared, and Mild approached Carlin, meditating atop a tree.

“Uncle, we’re departing.”

“Go ahead,” Carlin replied, eyes closed.

Mild bowed and rejoined the knights, who were ready.

Leading them into the mountains, he said, “Don’t be intimidated by its appearance.”

The beast’s imposing form had unnerved him initially.

“Despite its looks, it’s frustratingly docile. It won’t counterattack.”

He’d been cautious at first, preparing to defend, which cost him the kill.

He realized too late he should’ve focused on offense.

Soon, they reached a large clearing.

In its center, the spirit beast slept.

“Whoa…”

Some knights gasped, a mix of awe and fear.

Mild understood.

The beast was over six meters long, resembling a tiger—the king of the mountains—but with a circular horn on its forehead and inexplicable wings on its back.

It knows we’re here, yet it’s so relaxed.

Mild gave a wry smile.

The beast’s senses were sharp—it knew they’d arrived but slept anyway, deeming them harmless.

He signaled the mage and shaman, who activated an artifact.

Swish!

A translucent red barrier formed, trapping anything inside.

“Prepare for battle,” Mild said, channeling his energy.

The knights followed suit.

Growl?

The beast opened its eyes, rising.

Meeting its gaze, Mild frowned—it looked annoyed.

The beast glanced at the barrier, let out a low growl, and lay back down.

Swish!

A dense purple shield appeared around it.

…!

Mild was shocked.

Last time, it hadn’t used a shield, just tanked attacks.

Why now?

It must sense danger.

Mild grinned and approached the shield, followed by the knights.

Whoosh!

His sword struck the shield.

Clang!

A clear sound rang as the blade bounced back.

Ugh!

The recoil was immense.

Mild channeled energy to soothe his aching wrist and checked the impact point—no trace of damage.

What the…

He’d held back slightly, but it wasn’t a weak strike.

Yet it left no mark?

…Is this hopeless?

Initially, the shield seemed like an opportunity, but now he doubted even the knights’ full strength could dent it.

Their ranks—four high-tier and five mid-tier Sword Experts—were no stronger than his.

Striking would only hurt them.

He turned and saw Carlin entering the barrier.

“Giving up?” Carlin asked, eyeing the shield.

“…Yes, it’s beyond my level.”

“Don’t despair. Even I’d need full effort,” Carlin said.

…!

Mild and the knights were stunned.

Carlin, a Swordmaster for twenty years and one of the Rios Empire’s Ten Swords, needing full effort?

“Step back,” Carlin said, infusing his sword with energy.

Mild and the knights retreated.

Swish!

An aura blade, the hallmark of a Swordmaster, formed.

Carlin approached the shield and unleashed Paik, the Staren swordsmanship’s ultimate technique.

Slash!

The shield split and crumbled to dust.

But Carlin froze at the sight inside.

Gone?

The beast was missing.

Focusing his senses, he confirmed it was still within the barrier, just invisible.

…Hm?

He detected three new presences approaching from the east—none particularly strong, the highest at mid-tier Sword Expert, 5th Circle, or 5-star shaman level.

By his standards, they were weak, but they likely weren’t ordinary.

Who are they?

“Keep the barrier up—it’s still inside,” Carlin told Mild.

“Guests are coming from the east. Stay alert.”

“Yes!” Mild replied.

Soon, three people arrived.

The leader was a young man with a physique Carlin would’ve wanted as a disciple.

But the issue was the elderly man behind him.

Elder Baren?

It was Baren, an elder of Gardion Tower.

Swish!

The beast reappeared at the barrier’s eastern edge, roaring.

Roar!!!!

Oddly, the roar was filled with joy.

“Found it,” Gaon said, eyes gleaming.

“There are others here, though…”

He sensed numerous presences in the barrier, including a high-level Swordmaster.

“Let’s go. They can’t catch it anyway.”

The beast wasn’t 5th or 6th grade but a top-tier 7th grade, nearly 8th.

Even a Swordmaster’s full effort wouldn’t suffice.

Why does its energy feel familiar?

The beast’s aura nagged at him, as if he’d felt it before.

Racking his memory, Gaon’s eyes widened.

…Wait, could it be?

Kring?