Chapter 76. Huh? Isn't that so?
I strolled through the quiet Hamein Great Forest at a leisurely pace.
The Golden Horse Clan invited me... of course, it hasn't been confirmed that they are the Golden Horse Clan yet.
Anyway, the one I suspect to be from the Golden Horse Clan was quite kind.
A small bug squished under a familiar.
"They even guide the way with familiars."
"They even clear the path."
A considerable amount of time had passed since I left the Second Base Camp, yet nothing blocked my path.
In other words, I couldn't even find a single monster.
Whatever method they used, it was clear that the Golden Horse Clan had cleared the path.
Walking through such a peaceful Hamein Great Forest, what should I say?
"Truly a magnificent view."
The great forest, preserving its pristine nature.
Without the monsters, it was not just wondrous but almost mystical in its peace.
A scene that naturally inspired reverence.
It had been a while since I had such a leisurely time.
'Salvatorium... thinking about it, I've had a deep connection with them since my previous life.'
After the Ordeal of the Guardian incident.
I had been reminded of it a few times by Frezen.
In my previous life, Frezen was fleeing from my pursuit.
That had always been a mystery.
Even though he had learned forbidden magic, he wasn't skilled enough to evade my pursuit or had deep expertise in evasion.
'An artifact for constructing a magical realm.'
'Adding Salvatorium makes it fit perfectly.'
There was an assistant helping Frezen escape.
Though, for some reason, he was eventually caught by Deculan and met a miserable end.
I passed another familiar, blasting it with a magic bullet.
'Come to think of it, did I get a taste of it once?'
Judging by the circumstances, that was the case.
Of course, this is only if my speculation is correct, but the facts didn't matter much.
No matter how much I pondered, it was an event that had already disappeared.
I had already purged the mental demons and past emotions when I dealt with Frezen.
'Even if I did get a taste of it, so what...'
I am a broad-minded person, so I easily let go of minor grudges from the past.
Especially, a potential grudge with unclear facts like this.
'They are the ones I will eventually confront.'
Salvatorium, which has been operating in the shadows for a long time.
Their determination is beyond imagination, and their actions are carried out slowly over a long period.
In other words, they don't mind spending ten or even several decades to achieve their goals.
'Don't I need to take some action?'
The momentum accumulated with each footprint.
Intentionally emitting momentum, the mana in the air screamed, though not as much as my senior.
Perhaps, he is also watching this scene through a familiar.
However, this is not a mere attempt to suppress his momentum.
It is my own form of respect towards the arrogant host who sent the invitation.
'Yes, he is incredibly arrogant.'
A rat hiding in the shadows, plotting foul deeds, yet organizing such an event.
How pretentious... well, hmm.
It's not that I'm annoyed by the weather or that I have a bad attitude because of the unclear facts from my previous life.
It's not that I'm irritated by the constant sending of familiars.
"The sky is really clear."
Because the sky is clear...
Raindrops falling from the dark clouds.
Before I could finish my sentence, a torrential downpour poured from the sky.
The already dense foliage of the great forest made it difficult to see, and now the torrential rain filled the world, making it impossible to see even a few steps ahead.
Yes, it's just like this.
That's why it's like this.
"Really, perfect weather for a beating."
It's just that the weather is so bad.
It's not that I have a narrow mind.
I picked up a bug struggling in the rain and met its eyes.
Whether it agreed or not didn't matter much.
A sufficient amount of violence always brings unconditional support.
In the center of the great forest, a large knot hole in a giant tree.
Laughter echoed from a space where even the torrential rain couldn't penetrate.
"Heh, heh. This guy... he's really not in his right mind."
Velok laughed pleasantly with his eyes closed.
The scene and voice transmitted through the familiar.
- The sky is really clear.
When did the sky clear up from the dark clouds? He's calmly talking about the weather.
He's walking through the foliage as if he's on a leisurely stroll.
The casualness in his every movement makes it seem like he's in a back alley of the Black and White Zone, not the great forest!
What's even more astonishing is the last words he left before the connection with the familiar was cut.
- Really, perfect weather for a beating. Don't you think so? Huh? Isn't that so?
As if victory is a foregone conclusion.
Yet, the overwhelming momentum around him is truly impressive.
'Indeed... he's the kind of prey that makes hunting worthwhile.'
Velok was delighted for this reason.
The moment he saw him, he instinctively knew that the masked mage was a hunter, not prey.
However, how many have disappointed him despite their initial impressions?
The old war mage, rumored to be fearless...
- Please, please save me. I have a young granddaughter. Without me, she will...
Did he learn fear over time?
Facing death, he begged for his life, knowing it was impossible.
It was a pitiful sight, but it wasn't what Velok had hoped for.
He felt disillusioned to the point of questioning the value of his collection.
- You, you... do you know whose disciple I am? My master is...
The mage, known for his pride, was nothing but trash.
His reputation was exaggerated, his magic skills were poor, and he fled without a fight when trapped.
Velok licked his lips like a snake.
'So far... he's living up to my expectations.'
With great expectations come great disappointments, so he was secretly worried.
But this time, his judgment was accurate.
This is no ordinary hunt.
A thrilling game where the hunter and the hunted target each other's necks.
Not a one-dimensional pleasure of hunting and feeling superior by conquering fleeing prey.
It's an exchange between kindred spirits who understand each other.
"You must not disappoint me in the future. Otherwise, it will be a very painful time."
I promise, even in death, you won't find peace.
Before you die, I will make you experience every kind of despair and pain a living being can endure, and after you die, I will take you to Solion to taste despair in the afterlife.
Of course, aside from these concerns...
'Let's see... it's about time to end, isn't it?'
Facing a once-in-a-lifetime prey, Velok did not neglect his preparations.
Velok cut off the communication with the familiar and stood up to check his preparations.
A black mage rose from the shadows at that moment.
"Preceptor. All the major rituals are complete."
"Thirteen, including me, as you arranged."
"Hmm, smooth. Understood. Go to the designated spot and wait."
The black mage disappeared back into the shadows.
Velok glanced at him and then took in the great forest outside the knot hole, now whitewashed by the sudden downpour.
"Like you said, it's really good weather."
Although his mood wasn't swayed by mere weather.
The great forest, shrouded in darkness due to the dark clouds even in broad daylight, was quite gloomy.
And the torrential rain, as if washing away the world, was something else.
A memorable environment for capturing the ultimate prey.
"You should be pleased with what I've prepared... no, heh, you can't help but be pleased."
Seventy black mages answered his call in the Hamein Great Forest.
Many of the fools fell behind and died while breaking through the forest.
In the end, a little over sixty completed the call.
A number that would cause the empire, kingdom, or noble families to mobilize a hunting party if they found out.
Individually, they were insignificant, but in such numbers, they could cause considerable terror.
Velok sacrificed them in a single major ritual.
He left only thirteen out of the over sixty black mages using a special ritual.
In fact, the sacrifices were not limited to the black mages. The mercenaries from the Second Base Camp were also sacrifices to awaken the ritual sealed in the crystal orb.
Thus, the name of the forbidden magic constructed by the ritual is...
'Really... it will be spectacular.'
Since it required sacrificing dozens of black mages, it was the first time he was performing this ritual.
Curiosity about its power was natural, even before being a member of the Golden Horse Clan.
More importantly, what he was curious about was...
The prey, as seen through the familiar.
How would this prey, who shows no hint of danger, react?
'You... are likely a great mage.'
But Velok defined the prey in his mind as a 'great mage.'
He was already a sufficiently attractive prey, but adding the seasoning of 'greatness' would enhance the flavor.
In fact, based on the first impression, it wasn't an exaggerated description.
The extremely bored voice in front of the Swamp's Overlord.
The scene that followed was truly...
- Now, let's end it. Thanks to you, it was interesting, so I'll show you something interesting.
Velok shuddered at the memory.
'Too precious a scene to be seen through a familiar.'
'The Sin of Thirteen' was a special gift prepared for that monstrous mage.
Velok took out a black orb from his pocket.
A black orb that reflected light despite the absence of light.
Inside, a pitch-black darkness lurked.
Occasionally, a human face screaming in agony appeared in the swirling mist.
'Solion's toy is also prepared.'
He would step in after all the arrangements had weakened the prey.
Anyone might call it cowardly, but Velok had no such awareness.
This is a hunt, after all.
[Is this the end? I'll see you soon.]
The prey crushed the last familiar.
[Preceptor, the prey you marked has arrived.]
The report from the black mage, who was waiting nearby, carrying 'The Sin of Thirteen.'
"Open the spiritual connection."
Soon, the black mage's vision was shared in his mind.
In the distance, the prey stood leisurely with his arms crossed.
Clearly aware of the black mages' presence.
Standing as if daring them to come.
Velok finished speaking and moved towards the rain-soaked Hamein Great Forest.
Although the vision was shared, it would soon be cut off.
He wanted to see with his own eyes the tragic scene of the prey's collapse.
In the middle of the rain-soaked Hamein Great Forest.
Below the calm and composed prey, a purple light flickered.
This is not 'The Sin of Thirteen.'
Just a trap the black mages prepared for the prey.
'It won't be of much use, but...'
It's still an entertaining spectacle.