Extra in a Romance Fantasy

111 – Monster (2)

It could be that the creature is hunting us.

The terrifying assumption Max put forth gained credibility as time passed.

Because similar incidents had occurred several times since then.

A horde of monsters had launched an attack, and while responding to that, casualties had arisen elsewhere.

“I think it might be right?”

Johanna said.

“This creature is hunting us.”

It was a statement filled with certainty, not mere speculation.

“Hmm, it does seem that way…”

Max also expressed his agreement with that opinion.

And though I didn’t say it, I felt the same.

“No matter how much it’s a forest, I never expected a creature like this to appear.”

Hector, who had appeared beside us, clicked his tongue as he spoke.

Max looked at Hector with a subtle gaze.

“…But weren’t you on a mission? Is it okay to abandon your client like this so frequently?”

“It doesn’t matter since the progress has stopped anyway. I just tell them it’s for smooth proceedings and to prevent any unforeseen threats, and they don’t say much.”

“…You’ve really caught yourself a good client.”

After that brief exchange, the topic of conversation among the group returned to its original course.

“This creature isn’t just a bit intelligent.”

“Has there ever been a creature like this before?”

“Probably not…”

“If there had been, we would have known. It would have circulated among mercenaries as a legend.”

Just because it’s a monster of the forest doesn’t mean it lacks intelligence.

Most act on instinct, but there are entities that possess a certain degree of intelligence, both in the past and present.

However, it seems there has never been a monster that moves other monsters to create openings and then exploits those gaps to ‘hunt’ humans.

Even though I learned various knowledge while working as a mercenary in Darville, to my knowledge, such entities did not exist.

—

“It’s not just that this is the end. It’s not merely high intelligence. It’s strong, fast, and above all, incredibly stealthy.”

Right. The creature’s uniqueness and difficulty were not solely due to its high intelligence.

It was strong and fast enough to kill a skilled warrior in no time, and stealthy enough that other warriors couldn’t even respond.

In fact, despite the number of casualties so far, no one had seen it properly.

It meant that before it even came into view, before the opponent could even recognize it, it had already cut off the victim’s breath and vanished.

Aside from a fleeting glimpse of black, there was no information about it at all.

“It’s hard to detect it with magic because of the forest’s characteristics,” Johanna added.

As she said, if this were an ordinary place, we could have spread our magic wide to find it.

However, due to the unique flow of magic in the forest, it was not easy to spread our detection widely.

Because of that, we were currently in a state where we couldn’t even grasp a clue.

“Hmmm… what should we do…?”

At this rate, it was clear that the damage would accumulate.

That’s why Max and the others had no choice but to ponder.

After a considerable amount of time spent in thought, Max finally spoke up.

“When the monsters attack, it’s better for us not to intervene. Instead, how about we patrol the outskirts and wait in case it shows up?”

“That sounds better.”

“Hmm… it might not be enough with just us, so we should look for more personnel.”

Could they really be called seasoned mercenaries? The speed at which they organized their opinions was quite impressive.

In no time, the plan was set.

“Anyway, a troublesome creature has appeared.”

After the discussion had more or less settled, Hectro frowned and said.

A troublesome creature.

Considering all the havoc it had caused so far, it wasn’t an incorrect statement.

However, I didn’t entirely agree with that.

I couldn’t be sure if it would remain merely troublesome.

After it began its activities in earnest, after the casualties had started.

I was also surveying the area with magic detection.

Due to the forest’s unique flow of magic, it was not easy to detect, and the deeper I went, the stronger the influence became, so I couldn’t use detection as smoothly as in other places. However, since I could use my will, I was relatively free from that influence.

Yet, even so, I still couldn’t properly detect it.

In this case, the possibilities narrow down to two.

First, if the creature is at a level capable of perfectly deceiving even my senses.

Avoiding detection and completely masking any sense of alienness are two different matters.

Even that skilled being would not be able to completely bypass my senses; a slight sense of alienness would surely arise.

For me to be unable to feel even a hint of alienness, it would require someone standing at a level far beyond my own.

So, is the creature at that level?

I thought it unlikely.

Setting aside the sheer implausibility of such a monster existing, if it truly were at that level, there would be no need for it to engage in such cumbersome tactics.

It could simply confront us head-on and annihilate everyone here in an instant.

Thus, I considered that possibility to be low.

The remaining possibility is that the creature possesses the ability to evade detection.

The forest is indeed a place filled with all kinds of mysteries, and the monsters residing there possess a uniqueness that cannot be compared to ordinary animals.

Even among typical monsters, there are occasionally those that are exceptionally special.

Entities with bizarre traits that are generally unattainable.

However, this creature is already special in that it possesses intelligence far surpassing that of other monsters.

But if it also has the ability to mask its magical presence…

If it is not merely a special entity…

Then I began to think that it might not just be a troublesome level of threat.

*

To capture the elusive creature, Max and the mercenaries devised a plan.

When the monsters launch their attack, skilled mercenaries like Max, Johanna, and Hector would not participate in repelling the assault but instead wait and rush to subdue the creature when it appears.

Originally, the plan was to proceed solely with the mercenaries, but some of the warriors also stepped forward, expressing their desire to participate.

After much deliberation, the mercenaries decided to accept that proposal.

However, to prevent unnecessary casualties, they would first consult with Max and a few other mercenaries.

Having good intentions but lacking skill would only lead to an increase in fatalities.

There were those who found the entire process distasteful, but the ones stepping forward were among the more reasonable of the warriors, so thankfully, their numbers were not too many.

Given the creature’s high intelligence, there was a possibility it might sense something amiss and choose not to appear, but Max and the mercenaries calculated that such an outcome would not be entirely negative.

If the creature gave up, there would be no further casualties, and the group’s progress would not be delayed.

However, it was still too dangerous to leave it completely unattended, so once the task was complete, they would need to set aside time to deal with it.

But now, with the time for the hero’s tomb to open drawing near, they were in a position where they could not afford to delay for the sake of just one creature.

—

Anyway, perhaps it was thanks to the effort of wracking my brain.

“It’s him! He’s appeared!”

At last, the group was able to seize the creature by the ankle.

As soon as the sound reached them, everyone waiting rushed to that spot.

And finally, they could see the creature with their own eyes.

“A shadow…?”

Yes. It was a form that could only be described as a shadow.

Even with the sun shining brightly, it appeared dark and murky, like a shadow.

“Don’t just stand there! Capture that thing!”

At Max’s shout, the group lunged at the creature, but whether it sensed the situation or not, it was already pulling back.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

However, Max immediately blocked its path.

With a speed that could only be described as lightning.

In his hand, he had drawn a hand axe.

“You’ve been a real nuisance until now!”

With a glint in his eyes, Max swung the axe, infused with magical power, at the creature.

But—

Clang!

Max’s axe was met with a shower of sparks, blocked by something that suddenly sprouted from the creature’s body, resembling a long, sharp claw.

“Oh.”

A fleeting moment of surprise crossed Max’s eyes.

But it was just that—a moment. His body was already executing the next move.

He pushed the creature’s claw aside with the axe, creating an opening, while simultaneously extending his foot, charged with magic, toward the creature.

Though it wasn’t a weapon, it contained enough force to shatter even a rock to pieces.

Perhaps due to the sheer speed,

Thud!

The creature couldn’t evade Max’s foot and was struck directly.

Kraaah!

In that instant, the shadow split open, revealing sharp teeth, and a sound emerged from it that was too bizarre to be called a scream.

—

—

It was a noise so unpleasant that even the mercenaries and warriors, accustomed to all sorts of disturbances, frowned in distaste.

Even Max, hearing it up close, wore a deeply furrowed brow.

Yet, even in such a situation, Max did not falter.

With the intent to finish off the creature, which had stiffened in pain, he swung his axe with all his might once more.

However.

Wobble—

“……!”

The creature dodged Max’s axe as if it were truly a shadow, swaying away effortlessly.

Max, flustered, quickly regained his stance and attempted to launch another attack, but the creature had already slipped away.

Its speed was so astonishing that there was no time to intercept it.

In a hurry, the mercenaries and warriors around tried to block its path, but the creature had already vanished at a pace that left them no chance to pursue.

“…That thing, its speed is disgustingly fast.”

With a face thick with regret, Max sheathed his hand axe at his waist.

And then Hector trudged over to Max.

“What the hell is that thing? What kind of creature looks like that?”

“How would I know?”

Max shook his head.

“Still, I landed a hit, so it should be quiet for a while.”

That was Max’s assessment.

Though its form was alien, it was not immune to damage.

Having taken a direct kick infused with magical energy, Max was certain its condition wouldn’t be good.

Indeed, that judgment proved correct, and for a time, the shadow monster did not reappear.

However, the peaceful time did not last long, and after a few days, it revealed itself before them once more.