Chapter 8: The Fox Hunt

As soon as Evan returned, he immediately called for Alburton.

‘The forest side can be taken slowly, no problem there. But the hidden quest… I never know when it’ll trigger.’

It was the very first quest—and a hidden one at that.

Depending on the outcome, his future path might change entirely.

He couldn’t afford to miss the reward from a hidden quest.

‘I did find out that a gate will appear somewhere in the Kerthen County…’

But the county wasn’t exactly small.

It was far too wide.

He needed to find a way to narrow the range.

‘In my previous world, the Hunter Association would have picked up on mana fluctuations and responded quickly. There has to be something similar here.’

Just as Evan was deep in thought, there was a knock at the door.

“You called for me, Young Master? Is there something you need?”

“Ah, come in.”

Clack!

At Evan’s permission, the door opened and Alburton entered with his usual kind smile.

Evan got straight to the point.

“There’s something I want you to look into.”

As his butler, Alburton essentially acted as Evan’s hands and feet, handling everything administrative.

He was far more competent than he looked.

Alburton tilted his head, curious at Evan’s request.

“What is it you’d like me to look into?”

“Who would be the first to detect a dimensional rift if one occurred?”

Alburton looked slightly flustered at the unexpected question.

It was strange to hear such a thing come from the mouth of the infamous Evan.

“D-dimensional rift, sir?”

Evan replied calmly.

He had good reason to be curious.

“I heard there’s a way to obtain mana through dimensional rifts.”

Alburton’s expression shifted from serene to troubled.

“Y-young Master…”

Just as Alburton was about to speak, Evan waved him off.

“If you’re planning to talk me out of it, don’t bother. You know just as well as I do—I’ve tried everything in the past to get mana.”

“B-but this is different. It’s far too dangerous. Of course, there are rumors, but nothing has ever been confirmed.”

Evan shook his head firmly.

People already saw him as a scoundrel—he had nothing to lose.

“Enough. I’m not giving up. Just follow my orders.”

Alburton hesitated.

After a brief moment of inner conflict, he reluctantly spoke.

“Understood, Young Master. Dimensional rifts are typically managed jointly by the Magic Guild. However, I doubt they’ll share information so easily… and they might not even agree to meet with you.”

In other words, Evan’s notorious reputation would ensure no one would help him.

Even as a noble-born of a great house, it meant nothing if he couldn’t leverage it.

‘I’ll just have to level up and build my reputation.’

With more power came more authority and influence.

“So you’re saying there’s no immediate way forward?”

“No, sir. But please, whatever you do, don’t go off on your own. Call for me. I’m always here to help you.”

Alburton sounded genuinely worried as he gently tried to persuade Evan.

He clearly didn’t want Evan to act recklessly again without telling him.

Evan smiled faintly.

“Got it. You can go now.”

After Alburton left, Evan sank into thought.

To complete the quest, he needed information about the gate.

That meant he had to bring the mages over to his side.

‘Do I need to jump into the family’s succession battle?’

In the previous world or this one, power was essential wherever people gathered.

That never changed.

‘No choice, then. If I want to move forward, my overall combat power needs to at least reach the level of an F-rank hunter. I’ll have to push myself today.’

Evan climbed onto his bed.

Sitting cross-legged, he began mana breathing.

Over the past two weeks, he had greatly increased his mana capacity and achieved remarkable progress.

Even the detoxification process was speeding up.

Soon, steam began to rise from his body.

***

Alan was waiting for Evan in the training arena.

At the center of the arena stood a massive crystal pillar.

It was three meters tall, surrounded by mana shackles, mana necklaces, and other mana-training equipment.

Alan had prepared everything since early morning.

‘Mana training gear, huh…’

Preparing all of this had left Alan feeling uneasy.

Evan was someone who could have anything he wanted—except for one thing.

Mana.

Watching Evan do something so meaningless reminded Alan of his past self.

Back then, he too had hit a wall.

He gave up his rest time and poured all his remaining hours into training.

He worked relentlessly.

But it was all in vain—and he faced even deeper despair.

To feel that wall… it was brutal.

He still remembered the mocking eyes around him.

And the devastating emotions he had to swallow alone.

“Alan. What are you doing? Hurry up and get started.”

Alan turned toward the voice.

At some point, Evan had arrived at the training grounds.

“Ah, you’re here. I was just lost in thought.”

Alan composed himself and walked over to Evan.

‘Wait a second…’

Something was off.

Evan’s body…

Though he had noticed a gradual slimming from all the recent training…

This time it was different.

There was still a bit of belly fat, but it no longer jiggled.

Even his face had thinned enough to reveal the beginnings of a jawline.

In short, Evan looked… decent.

“Young Master? You’ve lost quite a bit of weight…”

Evan responded nonchalantly.

“Of course I did. All those sparring sessions with you. Enough small talk—grab a sword.”

“B-but still…”

Alan scratched his head and went to fetch the wooden swords.

While he did, Evan equipped the mana necklace and mana shackles.

As Alan returned with the swords, he cautiously spoke so as not to offend Evan.

“Young Master, these tools don’t create mana. They only help nurture what’s already there. I think it would be more productive to practice swordsmanship or techniques at this stage…”

Once Evan had all the equipment on, he took the wooden sword from Alan.

Then, he said firmly: “Pick up your sword. And this time, fight back.”

“Pardon? Fight back?”

Until now, their training had only involved Alan defending.

Now, Evan was allowing counterattacks.

Of course, Alan would only pretend to fight back.

He raised his wooden sword and began to explain.

“Well, if you insist… I’ll explain. These tools resonate with the mana inside your body and activate its flow. Feel the flow of mana while swinging your sword.”

‘Not that it’ll help someone who doesn’t even have mana…’

Still, Alan maintained a proper instructional tone for Evan’s sake.

Even if it hurt to watch, he would do everything he could for Evan.

Moments later, their sparring began.

***

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The sound of wooden swords colliding echoed across the training arena.

Alan couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

‘His attacks are sharper than before. And I can’t believe all of my counters were blocked…’

Alan had only planned to block moderately and pretend to counterattack.

But Evan’s wooden sword struck at completely unpredictable angles.

It was tricky to block with ease.

Sure, the speed and power of the sword had decreased significantly, but that wasn’t the issue.

It felt like Evan was several moves ahead, choking off Alan’s breathing space with every step.

It was hard even to attempt a counter.

In terms of technique alone, it was like facing a knight who had spent years on the battlefield.

“When did you learn this kind of swordsmanship, Young Master?!”

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Alan finally asked.

But what came back was a sharp rebuke.

“I told you to stop thinking and counterattack, didn’t I?”

“Huh?”

The moment Evan finished speaking—

Alan noticed, a fraction too late, the wooden sword stabbing toward his throat.

Thwack!

Thankfully, the sword was slow enough that he narrowly managed to deflect it.

Alan broke into a cold sweat as he looked at Evan.

“I’m telling you nicely—take this seriously.”

A strange gleam appeared in Evan’s eyes.

Seeing it, Alan tensed and nodded silently.

This wasn’t the same young master who had once given up on everything and run away.

The person standing before him now was a true swordsman.

“Understood. I will respect your resolve, Young Master.”

Alan readjusted his grip on his wooden sword.

And with that, their sparring session resumed.

That day would remain the most shocking day Alan had ever experienced.

***

The next day.

As Evan opened his eyes, a message window appeared before him.

[Would you like to start a sub-quest? (Y/N)]

It was the regular sub-quest service he had purchased through the Arbiter last time.

‘Looks like it’s available starting today.’

Without hesitation, Evan accepted the quest.

[1,500 Contribution Points have been consumed.]

As the points were deducted, the sub-quest appeared before him.

***

[Fox Hunt]

[Description: Strange changes have been occurring among the foxes in the forest. They have begun absorbing mana, growing more aggressive, and attacking people. Eliminate the foxes.]

[Type: Sub-Quest]

[Difficulty: F]

[Objective: Defeat 0/10 foxes]

[Recommended Level: 1–3]

[Recommended Party: None]

[Reward: Small EXP, Heart of Vitality, x3 Lowest Grade Potions]

***

Evan arrived at the training ground.

As always, Alan was standing with a wooden sword, ready for their sparring session.

‘The only thing that’s different… is his eyes.’

Alan had always tried to stop Evan or treated him like a child.

That was because Evan had long carried the image of a useless, incompetent troublemaker.

To be fair, Alan’s intentions weren’t bad.

‘He was probably just worried about me.’

But maintaining that relationship would only lead to problems.

He needed to clearly establish a hierarchy.

That was why he had gone all out yesterday—to make a point.

And judging by Alan’s reaction, the shock had been significant enough to make him take things seriously.

At the very least, Evan needed to be able to command those beneath him.

‘If I was once a foolish and helpless troublemaker…’

Now, I just need to become a troublemaker no one can ignore.

“Shall we begin, Young Master?”

“Yes. Let’s finish quickly today. I have other places to visit.”

Evan immediately put on his mana cuffs and mana necklace.

‘Still not enough.’

His gaze then fell on the shackles embedded with mana crystals.

‘Should I push further?’

Yesterday, he had only used the necklace and cuffs for his training.

The result had been easier than expected.

But that wasn’t acceptable.

‘Training that feels easy is meaningless.’

Clack!

He locked the mana shackles onto his ankles.

Alan looked flustered and tried to stop him.

“Young Master, you don’t have any mana left. If you increase the load now, it’ll only harm you. Perhaps you should use different equipment—”

“Don’t waste your breath worrying. Just get ready.”

Mana training equipment resonated with the mana in the user’s body, forcibly amplifying its flow.

But for someone with no mana, it was just a hindrance.

Worse, it could damage the body.

Still, Evan ignored the risks and proceeded anyway.

Fwoosh!

Though it couldn’t be seen with the naked eye, the equipment began to resonate.

Mana flow was forcibly activated.

‘Just one extra shackle made this much difference?’

He could feel a much stronger flow than yesterday—difficult to control.

Still, Evan calmly focused, sensing the mana through his heightened sensitivity.

This much was nothing for him.

Carefully, he adjusted the mana flow and gripped his wooden sword tightly.

He charged straight at Alan.

Whoosh!

Clack!

Alan easily blocked the weighted strike.

Evan pulled back quickly.

Again sensing the mana flow, he stabbed toward a spot Alan would have difficulty defending.

Tap!

As expected, due to the physical gap between them, his attack was deflected.

But seeing Alan’s distorted expression, Evan was sure he was pushing him hard.

‘Keep going!’

Evan relentlessly swung his wooden sword.

Without even a moment of rest, he pushed his limits and continually controlled the flow of mana.

After some time had passed—

Something began to change within Evan’s body.

[Intelligence has increased by 3.]

[Wisdom has increased by 5.]

[Strength has increased by 1.]

Then, an achievement notification popped up in succession.

[You’ve demonstrated swordsmanship that exceeds physical limits through sharp senses.]

[Achievement Unlocked: “Talent for the Sword.”]

[You have acquired the skill: Swordsmanship Talent.]

‘Swordsmanship Talent?’

It was a type of ability he had never seen before.

He had only been doing basic sword training, yet he gained an achievement and a reward.

Evan was so shocked that he shouted without thinking.

“Wait a second!”

He stopped mid-swing and checked the new skill.

[Talent: All attacks using a sword are enhanced. Increases your understanding of enemy swordsmanship and boosts sword technique mastery. Allows you to read all movements involving a sword.]

The effect of Swordsmanship Talent was unbelievable.

It was practically a hidden buff for all things sword-related.

Even in his previous world, he had never seen anything like this.

‘What on earth is going on?’

He hadn’t done anything particularly difficult to deserve such an achievement.

‘I wasn’t even pushed to the brink.’

He had just performed normal sword techniques.

Then Alan, watching from the front with concern, asked, “Young Master? Are you feeling unwell?”

In that moment, Evan found the answer.

‘Right. If I think about it… this body itself is the problem.’

Compared to ordinary people, Evan’s body was worse.

His body had been ruined by the foolish actions of its previous owner.

Originally, it couldn’t even handle mana at all.

But Evan had forcefully stirred it, making the impossible possible.

And now, by manipulating mana, he was able to train like an average swordsman.

To outsiders, it may have seemed ordinary.

But for Evan’s body, it was a leap far beyond its limits.

To a normal person, walking on solid ground was natural.

But to someone living underground, walking on that same ground would feel like flying in the sky.

Realizing this made Evan chuckle bitterly.

‘So, becoming an ordinary person was like becoming a god for this body?’

An absurd stroke of luck.

Evan adjusted his grip on the wooden sword and looked at Alan.

“Alan, no more holding back. Come at me for real. Oh, and don’t use aura.”

Right then, a message appeared in front of Evan.

[Swordsmanship Talent effect has been activated.]