When Ren returned to the guild, he found himself the center of attention once again.
Because he was usually so composed, his uncharacteristic behavior earlier had left everyone bewildered. Many watched him with curious eyes, wondering what could have possibly come over him.
Ren, the subject of their scrutiny, could only manage a wry smile. He returned to his meal while the image of the woman in the clerical robes lingered in the back of his mind.
"Yo!"
A voice called out shortly after.
It was the rough-spoken adventurer he’d chatted with on several occasions. The man gave Ren a friendly greeting and took the seat opposite him, a grin plastered across his face.
"Heading to the Eastern Forest again today?"
"Yes. That’s the plan."
"In that case, how about we head out together? Truth is, a few of the younger lot are heading pretty deep into the woods. The guild staff asked if I’d mind hunting nearby to keep an eye on 'em."
It wasn't a formal escort request, but rather an informal plea to lend a hand if things went south. One of the staff members had likely mentioned it to the man in passing, and since he had nothing better to do, he’d agreed.
However, Ren had his own responsibilities—investigating the state of the local monsters. He was currently employed to report on habitats, populations, and any other anomalies he encountered, so he couldn't simply abandon his post to join the man.
The man shrugged his shoulders. "Well, can't be helped, I guess."
"I'm sorry. I would like to try hunting with you if the opportunity ever arises, though."
"Gahahaha! If the Lord Hero himself says that, I’d better work twice as hard to make sure I’m ready for it!"
With a boisterous laugh, the man stood up. He spotted his werewolf partner entering the guild and gave Ren a wave.
"I’m off, then. You stay safe out there too, Lord Hero."
After exchanging wishes for each other’s safety, the man departed the guild.
Left alone, Ren finished the last of his meal, his thoughts drifting back to the mysterious encounter.
I wonder who that woman in the clerical robes really was...
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The strange encounter of the morning faded from his mind as Ren became absorbed in his work. By the time noon approached, his investigation and hunting were well underway.
The day proceeded smoothly, much like any other.
However, the Wooden Magic Sword remained stuck at its level cap. He was desperate to know the conditions for reaching the next level, but with no clues in sight, he had no choice but to keep hunting and wait for a change to occur.
"...Alright."
He decided to call it a day and head back. He’d had a good run, and he realized that transporting any more would be a struggle.
He had been lucky enough to take down three Earthworms, which was a more than sufficient haul. His survey of the monster population was also complete. If he left now, he would reach the town well before evening.
Having made up his mind, he prepared to leave—
"Waaaah!?"
"Gaaaaah!"
A scream, followed by a piercing roar.
Startled by the violent sound that suddenly tore through the air, the birds perched in the trees took flight all at once. Ren froze, his gaze snapping toward the source of the noise.
"...Why would there be one this close to town?"
Recognizing that roar, Ren immediately dropped the Earthworms he was carrying. Realizing that something was terribly wrong, his feet moved before he could even think.
He kicked off the ground and sprinted toward the sound, weaving through the trees like the wind. He used his Iron Magic Sword to slash through branches and foliage that blocked his path, moving in a straight line toward the disturbance.
Soon, the scent reached him.
It was the thick, metallic stench of blood.
(It should be right around here...)
After ten minutes of running, he reached a massive fissure that had split the earth wide.
The interior of the chasm was vast, a chaotic landscape of exposed tree roots and half-collapsed slopes. If someone fell in, they would have a nightmare of a time trying to climb back out.
Ren looked down and spotted several people at the bottom of the fissure. Every single one of them was covered in blood.
(They're alive... but...)
Escaping the chasm on their own would be impossible. Without intervention, they would surely perish.
Ren prepared to move. With the power of his Wooden Magic Sword, rescuing them would be simple enough. But just as he was about to jump down—
"Oraaaaaaa!"
"Kuh... It’s too hard!"
Deep inside the fissure, a familiar voice echoed from a short distance away from the fallen adventurers.
Recognizing the two men, Ren turned his gaze and saw the werewolf and the rough-spoken adventurer from the guild. The ear-splitting screech of metal clashing against metal rang out.
Then, Ren saw the black-iron monster they were facing. "I knew it," he thought, though he still found it hard to believe.
There was no mistaking that creature.
"A Steel-Eating Gargoyle... What is it doing in a place like this?"
It was definitely one of them. With wings flapping, it flitted across the bottom of the fissure, its entire metallic body serving as a weapon. Its agility and incredibly durable frame placed it far above standard gargoyles. Along with the Thief Wolfen, it was a special creature counted among the high D-rank Unique Monsters.
Ren was baffled. The Steel-Eating Gargoyle was supposed to live much further away from Clausel. He was certain that was what the information in the guild had stated.
"Dammit... at this rate...!" the werewolf groaned.
Both men were covered in wounds. While the rough-spoken man was still standing his ground, the werewolf looked unsteady, his arm hanging limp and useless.
The Steel-Eating Gargoyle nimbly used the walls and tangled roots as footholds to dart through the air. Seeing an opening, it circled around to the werewolf's back.
"Gaa!"
"—Eh?"
"Shiii!"
A panicked cry escaped the werewolf as a black-iron arm swung down toward him.
"You... bastard!!"
Just before the blow could land, the rough-spoken man threw himself between them. He raised his shield to block the strike, but the gargoyle’s arm pierced straight through the metal and smashed into the man’s shoulder.
"Kaha!?"
The man was sent flying. He slumped against the wall, unconscious, leaving the werewolf alone to face the monster’s fury.
The Steel-Eating Gargoyle hovered in the air for a moment before lunging at the werewolf, its iron arm raised for the kill—
"Kaka!?"
In that split second, Ren dropped into the chasm and intervened. The werewolf’s eyes widened in shock at the boy's sudden appearance.
"L-Lord Hero!?"
"—This is no time to be surprised! Get out of here, now!"
Positioning himself in front of the werewolf, Ren braced his iron sword. The earth beneath Ren’s feet splintered and gave way under the force of the gargoyle's blow, but he didn't retreat an inch. Instead, he threw his weight forward and repelled the creature.
(I forced my way in using my raw strength and the Wooden Magic Sword, but...)
He had jumped in the moment he saw them in danger, leaving him with no time to prepare mentally. He wasn't entirely ready for a fight of this scale.
"...Kururu."
The Steel-Eating Gargoyle landed on the wall, its claws digging into the stone as it hissed. The air was heavy with tension, and a bead of sweat rolled down Ren's cheek.
"...Tell me one thing. Why is that thing here?"
"I-I don't know...! But it must have moved here from its usual territory!"
That was all the werewolf could tell him. He explained that they had been watching over the rookies while they gathered underground resources from the fissure.
(I see. That makes sense.)
The minerals they were digging up were likely the Steel-Eating Gargoyle's preferred food source.
"Can you get your partner and the others to safety?" Ren asked.
"Y-Yeah! If you can distract it, I'll make as many trips as I need to get them up!"
Ren nodded. "Then do it."
The hostility radiating from the monster was intensifying by the second. It watched Ren warily, refusing to attack blindly. Unlike the Mitsume or Earthworms, this creature was intelligent. It would pounce the moment anyone made a move.
"Sorry! I owe you my life!"
The moment the werewolf moved, the Steel-Eating Gargoyle lunged. Ren had anticipated this and moved instantly to intercept the monster before it could reach the werewolf's back.
He swung his Iron Magic Sword at the black-iron arm extended toward the werewolf.
"Kura!?"
"Tch... It really is a tank!"
The Iron Magic Sword's sharpness was incredible—especially after its level increased recently—but even so, he couldn't sever the gargoyle's arm. Instead of a clean cut, the blade only managed to gouge and crush the surface. A small amount of reddish-brown fluid leaked out, staining his blade.
"Kaka! Kuru—Kaaaaa!"
The gargoyle leaped again. It flapped its wings, gliding through the air with terrifying force as it swung its iron limbs. Cold sweat pricked at Ren's neck every time the wind pressure from a near-miss brushed his skin.
Eventually, an arm he failed to dodge grazed his thigh. It tore through his trousers and sliced into his skin, sending a spray of blood into the air.
(Don't forget. This thing isn't some common monster.)
Still, he forced himself not to overthink it. While it was a D-rank Unique Monster like the Thief Wolfen, it wasn't as versatile a threat. The Steel-Eating Gargoyle had superior defense, but in every other category, the Thief Wolfen had been far more dangerous. Facing it head-on, the difference was clear.
"...Besides," Ren muttered.
He wasn't the same boy who had fought the wolf. He had grown.
"The only question is how long it’ll take me to kill you!"
He had always intended to fight one of these eventually, though he’d planned to get the Baron’s permission first. This battle was an unscheduled detour.
"—!?"
Ren used the roots of his Wooden Magic Sword to bind the black-iron arm that had just grazed his cheek. A deep cut opened on his face, and though the pain flared, he ignored it.
"Gaa! Giii!"
(It’s fine. Its counterattacks are nothing compared to the Thief Wolfen's.)
As the gargoyle screeched in surprise, Ren lunged. He ignored the iron limbs flailing around him and thrust his Iron Magic Sword straight at the creature's non-metallic eyes.
He had grown accustomed to its rhythm. He could see the gaps in its movements, the slight tics in its habits. Ren found his opening and poured everything he had into a single thrust.
"That spot isn't armored, is it!?"
With surgical precision, the Iron Magic Sword pierced home. A sharp whistle of air was followed by a spray of reddish-brown fluid as the blade found the gargoyle's eye.
Howling in agony, the Steel-Eating Gargoyle tore itself free from the roots and retreated to the wall, clinging to the stone. But Ren gave it no room to breathe.
"Kuruaaaaaaaaaa!"
The monster let out a roar like a cannon blast. Ren ignored the booming sound and pressed the attack. He swung the Wooden Magic Sword, erupting roots from the ground beneath the creature.
This time, the gargoyle dodged. It had learned from the first exchange and was changing its tactics.
The damp air at the bottom of the fissure grew heavy with the scent of blood. Amidst the suffocating tension, Ren saw the werewolf reach the surface with the last of the wounded. In less than a few minutes, the werewolf was already on his way back to help the others.
"Lord Hero! Are you alright!?"
"I'm fine! Just get them out of here!"
Ren held the advantage. The Steel-Eating Gargoyle had lost an eye and was now treating Ren with extreme caution. Between his battle with the Thief Wolfen, his training in the forest, and his encounter with Jelququ, Ren had evolved. With his leveled-up Magic Swords, he was a different person entirely.
(I can do this. I can win.)
Even as he thought it, he didn't let his guard down. His body, fueled by the adrenaline of battle, felt stronger than ever, humming with a power he could never quite reach during his daily drills.