Becoming a Hunter in a Dark Fantasy - Chapter 94
Only Noblemtl
Episode 94: The Resurrection of a Lion (1)
Those who had been quietly listening to Elwin and Calix’s conversation began to tilt.
Elwin smiled slightly at the expression on her face that clearly showed that she found it difficult to understand.
“They were trying to tie me down politically.”
And he explained it kindly.
“First, let’s cause an incident in Mediale. In a big event like the Hunter Exam, many people can come and go, and the attention is high. At that time… …!”
Paang, Elwin clenched his fists together and then pulled them apart, making a sound effect. It seemed to express the appearance of an erupting volcano.
“It’s to cause a major accident. It’s to make people wary of any possible danger, and to prevent the special hunters of the Emperor who are responsible for protecting the central island, Mediale, from going outside.”
“ah……!”
“I see! Now I get it!”
Those who heard Elwin’s words exclaimed in admiration. When they heard it, it really hit the mark!
Since everyone here is smart and talented, they all understand what I’m saying.
Because I was so ignorant of politics, I just couldn’t come up with that idea right away.
“I understand now why they wanted to release Salamosa into the Nevera Valley. Think about it! The Gnaud clan has the ability to return what comes from nature to nature. Purify polluted areas… …!”
“That’s right! Deficio’s goal was to overthrow the Kingdom of Batevils, so he was planning to release the poison and have it spread throughout the entire Northern Continent… …!”
As soon as Sercia opened her mouth, Gale followed suit and spoke at a rapid pace. Calix swallowed and added.
“At the same time, they spread confusion in their own country, preventing other countries from paying attention to them.”
“The countries of the Northern Continent that need Depicio’s cooperation for the purification of water are putting political pressure on the World Hunter Association and the Emperor’s Special Hunters to refrain from intervening! If the parties involved refuse, there will be no room for the Hunters to intervene!”
“… … So Depicio can even purify a deadly poison like Salamosa?”
The Spero members were excited and spoke out loud. Yana and Hake also joined in the conversation, giving a positive response.
“There may be people with related abilities. Deficio has many minorities with unique abilities.”
“Yeah, yeah! Yana is right. Even we didn’t know in detail what abilities our other coworkers had. Only the executives had the right to know!”
Narhan and Nero were looking at them with pleasure.
“Isn’t it cute? It looks like a bunch of little kids gathered together playing house.”
“I see. It’s nice to see you all in harmony.”
Those two people had a rough idea of what was going on, even though they didn’t say it out loud.
“Haha! You’re all so cute~”
Of course, Elwin was there too, looking at them with admiration, as if he was looking after a grandson who had successfully completed his first errand.
… … By the way, the youngest person here was Elwin.
“Besides, didn’t we hear from Candela earlier?”
-Depicchio, those guys who obviously got the slush fund… … .
Candela, who had a bold and tenacious temperament, confessed in horror about another antics Depicchio was planning to commit.
-Suinwang, I’m trying to revive Balan!
“You’re trying to revive a lion.”
Dare.
“In a way, the attempt to free the Manticore in Mediale was a rehearsal.”
Trying to go against the natural order.
“How exactly are you going to achieve the feat of bringing the dead back to life… … That is the problem.”
But this time, Depicchio seemed to have a clear idea of what he was thinking.
The attempt to revive and use King Suin was an episode that already appeared in the original work.
‘But the subject has changed.’
I have a rough idea of how to revive it.
─The Gnaud clan.
It seems that they intend to utilize the ‘uniqueness’ that only the Gnaud clan, a minority group with a long history, possesses.
‘That won’t do.’
Of course, I’m a little, really a little excited about the battle with the Water King… … !
It was a bit awkward because of the restraints of the top hunters of the time and the many things that had to be taken care of.
Well then, let’s try another way.
‘I’ll do the same for you too.’
If Deficio could do it, then of course Elwin could do it too.
The resurrection of the dead.
“… … Hey, kid. Why are you smiling so suspiciously?”
“Haha! Just. I think I’ll be able to make Depicio suffer soon.”
When Gale, sensing something ominous, asked with a nervous expression, Elwin smiled brightly and hummed.
“I guess I have a very rebellious nature. I tend to want to ruin a well-made plan.”
Gail looked genuinely puzzled.
“Kid, why are you a rebel?”
To be called a rebel, wasn’t Elwin already one of the most ‘highest figures’ in the world?
Because he was one of only five special hunters in the world!
“Hmm? No. I’m quite the rebel.”
Perhaps it was the influence of living in a society of fierce competition in his previous life, but Elwin had a temperament that made him unable to tolerate oppression.
“Collapse the tower you worked so hard to build, overturn the solidly built existing system… doesn’t it feel good just to imagine it?”
“Wow!”
Gail let out a soft exclamation of admiration at the remark that seemed to have a twisted disposition.
“Kid, you have a really weird personality!”
It was hard to believe, given Gail’s usual attitude, but surprisingly, what he said just now wasn’t sarcasm, but genuine admiration.
“… … .”
But that made Elwin feel even worse.
“I’m sorry.”
Gale, who saw Elwin’s coldly frozen expression, tucked his tail faster than anyone else.
Soon I’ll be returning home to the airship, and the hellish training will begin again.
I didn’t want to be caught by a boss who has a bad reputation and end up having to suffer voluntarily.
“Okay, fine. Let’s just get through this once.”
“Whew… … .”
Gail sighed in relief.
“Let’s go back to the ground.”
Before they knew it, Elwin and his group had reached the portal.
“Whoa! Finally going back! Home! My sweet home!”
“I’ve been out here for so long, I already miss the warm sunshine.”
“Once you arrive at the ship, we’ll prepare a delicious meal for you. Enjoy your meal and get some rest.”
“Oh my! Can I have some lamb stew?”
“… … Huh. More than that, I feel sore because I couldn’t relax at all this time. I need to do some extra training.”
Unlike his comrades who were excited about returning to the airship, Elwin was busy checking his next plan in his head.
There was so much to do.
‘I guess I should start getting ready soon.’
Income earned from the underground labyrinth of Mediale.
I knew I would use it someday, but I didn’t think I would use it this soon.
‘The core of the manticore.’
Elwin had a deep smile on his lips.
If Gail had seen it, it was a sinister smile that would have made her raise an uproar, saying, ‘The insides are dark! Caution, caution! Everyone run away… …!’
‘It’s a perfect time for resurrection.’
Elwin, who smiled faintly as he thought of someone, strode into the cave. His chattering companions followed him inside.
Woohoo!
He felt a mysterious sensation of the portal’s magic enveloping his body, as if he was sensing people.
The golden cloak fluttered in a great wave.
‘I wonder what Depicchio is doing now.’
No matter what you try to do in the future, it won’t work out as you want.
* * *
A mysterious space surrounded by vivid tree trunks on all sides.
But this wide, seemingly lively place was filled only with sticky blood and fear.
“What? What did you just say?”
The man with snow-white hair looked back absentmindedly.
Every member within his sight naturally knelt down and bowed his head.
“That, that… … !”
The subordinate’s face turned pale as he reported to the man. His throat tightened and sweat poured down his face.
It had to be that way!
No matter how harsh the training was, the Deficio assassins were numb to their emotions, but there were still instincts that they could not completely get rid of.
─Survival instinct!
I couldn’t help but feel fear towards that man, who was closer to death than anyone else and who seemed to embody the concept of death.
“The bodies of the elite members, including Yellow Moon, were found in the wreckage of the crashed airship… … .”
The stillness of the dark mountains, how tense does that silence make the traveler walking along the road?
In the darkness where one cannot see even an inch ahead and in the forest where one does not know what will pop out, humans are bound to be frightened and afraid.
… … Yes. It was terrifying!
Death, the primal emotion towards the eternal unknown!
Silkworms weren’t the only beings who enjoyed such negative emotions.
The celestial god Rampas preaches that you, human beings, are made of light and goodness.
… … Aren’t humans the ones who can become the most evil if they so choose?
That is why Depicio, the leader of the grim reapers who continue living by harvesting the deaths of others, has been called the ‘Old Man of the Mountain’ for generations.
As a name symbolizing the fear of death that comes from night, mountains, and aging.
“White Moon’s body was nowhere to be found. If Spero, the Emperor’s special hunter, had personally stepped forward, he would have certainly been killed.”
“So what you’re saying is… … .”
Blink, blink.
The black pupils, like a bottomless pit, opened and closed between the eyelids.
I only blinked, but the air seemed to become several times heavier.
The subordinate was breathing heavily.
“Does this mean the white moon has betrayed you?”
“Oh, I am embarrassed to say this, but… … that is correct.”
“I see.”
The subordinate, who had lowered his head, could not read the emotions expressed on the mountain old man’s face.
Of course, even if I had met him face to face, I wouldn’t have been able to read it.
The face of the old man in the mountains was emotionless and indifferent, like a doll carved out of wax.
“Are you all gathered here the only ones who went to investigate the wreckage of the airship?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“I see.”
The old man in the mountains with his expressionless face smiled with only the corners of his mouth pulled up.
The sight was so grotesque that it looked like a doll imitating a human.
“So you are the witnesses who saw and heard the stain on the white moon?”
“……yes?”
Just as the subordinate was about to raise his head.
Puhwaaaa …
The upper and lower bodies of everyone in the space, including him, were separated and fell. Bright red fountains of blood burst out everywhere.
But strangely enough, the area around the mountain man was clean.
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
The old man in the mountains wiped the blood from his cheek, the only spot on his body, with his sleeve and said:
“I could have done it, you know.”
“That can’t be happening.”
Then a voice came from beneath his shadow.
Swish!
Suddenly, shadows rose up and quickly gathered together, forming a human figure.
What appeared soon was a man who looked like he was made of black coal from head to toe. He was black and dry, giving off that impression.
“Black Moon.”
He knelt on one knee before the old man of the mountains.
“The day will soon come when our cause will be fulfilled… … Now, only two bloodlines of the House of Batheville remain!”
Shhhhhhhh!
As the mountain old man kicked his foot toward the pool of blood, the tree trunks that had formed the space began to tremble and eat up all the blood and corpses.
“The time will soon come when our cause will be fulfilled! However, all our schemes to immobilize the Emperor’s special hunter have failed. If we confront him directly, we will surely be defeated.”
“… … .”
“But there is a way. Resurrect the King of Water… … and kill the Emperor’s special hunter!”
The old man in the mountains’ indifferent eyes occasionally flashed with a strange light.
“For the future of Depicio, for the great plan we have so longed for, I would not even spare my life! I would be the first to give it up!”
Its name was madness.
“But! In order to do that… … we need the White Moon, that child! Only that child can realize our Depicio’s cause! Without a single flaw, perfectly!”
The old man in the mountains, with mad eyes, grabbed the black moon’s shoulder tightly.
There was a sound like a bone breaking.
“So the child must be pure. … … If you are clever, you understand what I mean, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
The black moon bowed its head deeply and bowed straight down.
“Please leave it to me, Master. I will bring the White Moon back safely and educate it well.”
The black moon smiled gently.
“I’m good at soothing the mind. I’ll make it pretty and present it to you. I’ll make sure that you’re satisfied.”
An eerie smile that looks like blood might start to drip at any moment.