Chapter 17: Nootkerane

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We ate breakfast at the inn although it appeared that Sierra had already eaten.

Im sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion earlier.

If it had continued the in was likely to have been blown away. In fact, Toa was still a bit angry about the whole thing.

Dont worry about it. I laughed bitterly.

Sorry. Sierra apologized once again.

By the way, earlier Toa-dono called Nito-dono, Masamune.

Uhhh, yeah that was..

Careless.

Nah, its fine, its just a name anyway.

As it seemed impossible to hide it at this point I explained the alias to Sierra.

While we are in public please refer to me as Nito.

I see, actually I thought it was just a strange name, but I understand. By the way, how are you planning to spend the day today?

Well we have no money so, for now I think we will go to the guild and take a request.

I see. Well then I shall accompany. I may not look like it but I am an adventurer as well.

It seemed that the knights of this country were required to register as adventurers. Sierra was an A rank adventurer.

With me around youll be able to take higher reward quests.

F ranking adventurers could only accept up to an E rank request. However, it seemed that should an adventurer of higher rank be accompanying them they can accept requests of equal rank.

It will be easier to raise your level this way too.

Toa seemed to be dissatisfied with the whole ordeal.

Do you see anything good? Well, if its Nito-dono anything is probably fine huh.

We were standing in front of the guilds bulletin board. Originally I had hoped to not be seen in public with a Royal White Knight but compared to the day before today there was at least double the amount of people crowding the guild.

There isnt a problem, only someone that knows the faces of the Royal White Knights would know me. Besides I didnt come here as a knight today.

Apparently it seems that the knights were able to live ordinary lives.

Sierra, what is this?

I cant read it, but its not something I can afford to not understand just in case.

Thats a Kerane.

Kerane?. Whats that?

It a huge beast that lives in the forest, its two large horns are its main feature.

It seems it was the first time Toa heard that name as well. Since she didnt know it seemed like it was OK if I decided.

Alright. This one.

We accepted the request at the reception area but, before heading out Sierra said she needed to buy something. So we headed over to Sharons shop near the guild.

Hello.

Oh Sierra, youre not working today?

Nope, were going to hunt the kerane. So I came to buy some of the catherine potion.

Catherine potion? I asked Sierra what it was.

The keranes voice can strip the opponent of their movement. This protects against that so its essential when hunting the kerane.

There seemed to be various amounts of knowledge thats required for hunting monsters.

Oh! Im seeing you guys a lot lately. Arent you two the healer and the paladin girl from yesterday?

You didnt notice us until now?

Huh? Toa-dono is a paladin?!

Yeah.

Sharon made an expression that seemed to be the embodiment of oops.

Oh no, you let it slip. Toa spoke as though she had nothing to do with the situation.

Youre seriously a paladin?

I was surprised too, you guys know Sierra?

What are you talking about the fact that shes a paladin is the bigger surprise in this situation!

According to what Sierra was saying paladins were rare, although the royal white Knights did have one. Sierra continued talking lightly before finally regaining control of her mouth. She looked at the equipment with a bitter smile.

This should do.

What is up with everyone being so loose lipped around here.

The forest where we hunted the goblins. Even from a distance one could see four other adventurers sitting on the outskirts. One with blood gushing from their arms and another with bandages covering their face. It appears that they were attacked.

What in the world happened?

We went into the forest in search of orcs. At first everything was normal you know? Its a beautiful forest, but suddenly the atmosphere just changed. Not just orcs but goblins and hunting wolves came out of nowhere.

The adventurers appeared to be frightened of something.

We should have left then, but there was a kerane. Things got out of hand. Weve seen them plenty of times, but this one was different, Its whole body was glowing. As if it was wrapped in little particles of light.

Particles of light? Sierra seemed to believe their story.

At that time a horrible sound came from the forest. The sound was so sharp it seemed to be slicing right through the forest.

Thats it!

Its chasing us!

Something could be heard crashing through the trees as birds flew from the canopy. The same cutting sound seemed to vibrate out. Something was getting closer.

Theres no mistake, it followed the smell of blood! Everyone stand up! Run to the wall!

They gathered their strength within their injured bodies as they tried to flee. At that time, making the same sound the kerane appeared.

Thats it! Its chasing us!

The adventurers were terrified.

Please escape quickly! Well hold it off here!

Im sorry! Lets get out of here guys!

They shambled away as fast as they could.

I suspected it when I heard the story but this isnt a kerane after all, its a nootkerane.

Nootkerane?

Larger than a bear with reindeer like horns, a reptilian like body and the face of a ram.

Masamune-dono! Sierra has already stopped calling me Nito.

Yeah!? I reply a little stronger than usual.

Is your body alright?

My body? Yeah? Im fine.

What kind of question is that? Sierra had a bitter expression on her face and her body seemed to be convulsing slightly. Toa had the same expression on her face as well.

I expected nothing less. The nootkeranes voice affects the semicircular canal sealing our movement. The normal kerane cant be compared to it.

An A rank request for a b rank monster. It made sense now, the nootkerane is truly an A ranked monster. In this case, the strange voice of the nootkerane was filled with violence and echoed over a wide area. This request should have had a danger tag.

Masamune-dono, Ive only seen your strength once and even that time it happened in the blink of an eye. If something goes wrong Can

Can I leave it to you?

Of course.

The nootkerane is only level 32.the air is way too tense for such a weak monster.

Toa, are you OK?

Yes Im fine.

Masamune-dono, Im going! Sierra rushed forward.

Toa, Ill be fine. Go help Sierra.

Alright.

[Ice Speed]!

Sierra attacked from the left, a path of ice appeared under her feet as she slid quickly across the grass.

[Ice Blade]!

The ice wrapped around her rapier. She accelerated bringing the thin sword around to attack the nootkeranes right foot.

No good.

Appearing as if she expected that result Sierra retreated immediately.

[Lightning!]

Toa attacked. Lightning fell atop the monsters head but for some reason the magic was erased.

Masamune, magic doesnt work!

I heard the horns can manipulate magic, we should try breaking those first! Sierra proposed.

The particles of light began to gather around its horns.

Somethings coming!

Sure enough the nootkerane let out a roar narrowly missing Sierra.

Masamune, Im going!

A magic circle appeared around Toa.

[Lightning Roar]!

There was a roar as two bolts of lightning shot straight out at the horns.

Thats a paladin for ya.

Toa blushed, but again the magic disappeared.

This doesnt work either.

We have to fight without magic.

Sierra appeared unusually timid.

The moment I fired the Particles of light disappeared. If we aim for that chance.

Do you think we can damage it? Sierra asked.

Its possible they could have taken advantage of that chance, but was Sierra alright? The strange roars seemed to have had an effect on her, it looked painful. So I chose the safer option.

Ill take care of it. I signaled Toa with my eyes.

understood.

Let me at least support you.

No need, this will be over quickly.

With that I activated [God Speed] and appeared atop the nootkeranes head.

[Soul Break]

I got the feeling I was breaking glass. I smiled, it was as I thought. This skill erases magic, even a monsters magic.

Hey, what exactly

It was as if the clothes had been stripped from the nootkerane. Neither of the two girls had any idea what just happened.

I reached out, breaking bother horns off before the nootkerane could start rampaging.

Alright, that should do it.

With [God Speed] I returned back to the girls.

Alright magic should work now.

No way, the horns..

There was one more thing I wanted to try, based off of something in Tanya Village. Back when I stabbed Oliver Joe in the neck.

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