Chapter 361: Monster Hunter (4)

"

Krrrr

."

"

Krrr?

"

"

Kyaoo

."

"

Krrwah, krawrr

."

The conversation(?) appeared to be going smoothly. The ones who had initially been wary of Blizzard began to speak up one by one once the conversation started.

A short while later, the elite interpreter returned proudly like a victorious general. Judging by his rather pleased expression, it seemed the conversation had gone well.

"Master, the discussion is complete."

"Excellent. What did they say?"

"They said, 'Get lost if you don’t want to die.'"

"

Huh?

" Kai blinked. "I thought it was going well, so why..."

"Their distrust and rejection of humans is immense. To think they fail to recognize your mercy and greatness, Master... I feel ashamed as a fellow lizardman."

"Then what was with that proud face when you came back?"

Blizzard replied with an apologetic expression. "

Oh

, that was because it’s been a while since I spoke the tongue of my tribe, but I haven’t forgotten it..."

Staring at him in disbelief, Kai glanced over at the lizardmen. Judging by the fierce look in their eyes, it seemed like a full-scale battle would break out if they didn’t back off. Of course, he could understand their perspective. What they were protecting were none other than the young and females of their tribe.

At this point... we should retreat.

Kai had no desire to become a lizardman butcher in front of Blizzard, but just as he was about to withdraw...

"

Krrk... krrrk...

"

"

Kraaaah!"

The condition of the lizardman with a hole in its stomach suddenly worsened. The atmosphere instantly turned cold, and the lizardmen’s expressions hardened.

Blizzard observed the situation and whispered, "That one lying down is probably the head of this lizardman tribe."

"How can you tell?"

"Lizardmen honor and respect the strong. Naturally, someone with that many guards must be..."

"... the head of the tribe. Got it."

But the leader’s condition looked very bad. From a glance, it wouldn’t be surprising if it died at any moment.

Thus, Kai didn’t hesitate and said, "Let’s start by saving that guy first."

"Pardon? But if you get close, they’ll attack you immediately."

"Then should we just let him die?"

"That’s..."

Reading the conflicted look in Blizzard’s eyes, Kai lightly hit his chest. "I’m your master. I can tell what you’re thinking just by looking at you."

"I’m sorry. I always feel like I’m just a burden."

"Burden? If you’re a burden, I’d carry a hundred of you around."

"Master..." Blizzard gazed at Kai with eyes full of emotion.

Even though loyalty and affinity between them were already maxed out, it was almost overwhelming. Kai deliberately avoided his gaze and looked ahead. He had said it was for Blizzard’s sake, but the truth was, he would have treated the leader even if Blizzard hadn’t been there.

Because I made a promise with Helik.

When he became a Solaris Cleric he made a vow with her. He had vowed to become someone whom evildoers would fear and the weak could lean on. The weeping children and the females embracing to soothe them looked like the weak in his eyes.

"So, I’m going to heal it."

"There will likely be a lot of resistance. Allow me to clear a path then."

"Look at this guy. You’ve forgotten all about your tadpole days now that you’re all grown up."

"

Huh?

" Blizzard was confused by the sudden scolding.

Kai then asked, "Think about when you were a warrior of your tribe. If you were in their position and someone tried to force their way through, would you just bow your head and step aside?"

Of course not. Blizzard was known for having an unmatched sense of pride, even among the lizardman warriors. He had even once gone on a solo trip, insisting he wouldn’t be a burden to Kai.

"My thinking was shortsighted. But if that’s the case, is there any insight you could offer...?"

"Have you ever heard the story of the North Wind and the Sun?"

"I’m sorry, I haven’t."

"Really? Then think carefully about what kind of story it might be. Just so you know, you were trying to be the north wind and I’m about to become the sun."

As Kai approached, the lizardmen instantly raised their weapons as expected. The difference in their response from when Blizzard approached was like day and night.

Their leader’s worsening condition has put them on edge.

Kai raised both hands to show he had no intent to attack, but it was no use.

"

Krrr, krrrrr

..."

"

Kyaak! Kraaaak!

"

Kai didn’t understand a single word of the lizardman language, but he could tell that was a curse.

He tried to calm them down. "It’s alright. I mean no harm."

"

Kraaaa!

"

But no room for talk. Sharp spears and curved blades flew toward Kai.

"How dare you...!"

"Kai!"

When Blizzard and Yoo Ha-Rin, who had been watching the situation, drew their weapons and prepared to step in...

"Don’t move!" Kai shouted firmly, keeping his gaze forward as he slowly gathered his energy.

A warmth bloomed from deep within his chest. The holy energy of the Solarian Church radiating with a presence that made resistance falter. The immense holy power, strong enough to shake the ground, took form and wrapped around his entire body.

Staring at Kai’s back surrounded by golden light and forgetting about the situation, Yoo Ha-Rin muttered, "Beautiful."

To her eyes, Kai looked like a saint descended from the heavens.

The attacks headed toward Kai came to a sudden stop in midair. It was instinct. A signal deeply engraved into the DNA of the lizardmen that they must not attack this person.

Then Kai said again, "If you let me through, I will heal your leader."

Just as Kai and Yoo Ha-Rin couldn’t understand the lizardman language, the lizardmen couldn’t understand human speech either. However, they could see with their eyes, and feel through their skin, the sacred aura enveloping Kai. They began to realize that he held no malicious intent.

Eventually, the lizardmen looked at each other and slowly lowered their weapons and stepped aside as if in silent agreement. Some even bowed their heads deeply. They were likely asking him to save their leader.

I will honor that request.

Kai approached the leader without interference and knelt beside it. Up close, the leader’s condition was far worse than he had expected.

Even his organs have been torn apart. The pain must be unimaginable.

Kai couldn’t help but admire how the leader hadn’t lost consciousness even in that state.

Is this the weight of responsibility borne by one who leads a tribe?

Murmuring softly, Kai reached out his left hand and gently grasped the trembling hand of the leader. The lizardman’s razor-sharp claws dug into the back of his hand from the pain, but Kai didn’t flinch. He raised his right hand and placed it over its wounded abdomen.

"Sunlight’s Warmth."

Fwoosh!

The holy power surrounding Kai lit up brightly and illuminated the area like broad daylight. At the same time, the wound in the lizardman leader’s belly began to heal rapidly. Organs and bones regenerated, flesh grew back, and blood began to flow through connected vessels. The guards surrounding him opened their bright yellow eyes wide in shock as they witnessed the miracle.

Thank goodness.

Kai had worried that his power might cause damage since the target was a monster, but fortune was on his side. He was thankful the lizardmen weren’t undead or demons.

"

Whew

."

He had to pour in a large amount of holy power before the healing was complete because of the leader’s severe condition. The process took about five minutes.

"...

Krrk

."

The lizardman leader who had been wavering between life and death, slowly opened its eyes. It instinctively touched its belly, then blinked its large eyes. Perhaps the memory of dying pain had dulled its awareness, as it even stared blankly at the human holding its hand.

Realizing what was happening, one of the guards quickly bent down and whispered something into its ear.

"

Kyaruk

."

"

Krarara?

"

Wearing a look of disbelief, the leader slowly tried to get up.

However, Kai lightly pressed a finger to its shoulder. "It’s not done yet, so stay down. You were on the brink of death just moments ago."

Sunlight’s Warmth restored the target’s health and removed debuffs, but it didn’t restore stamina or mental energy.

Its physical strength and mental fatigue are probably still the same.

Of course, there was a solution for that too.

Kai brought his hands together and said, “Land of Healing."

At the same time, a massive holy magic circle formed around him.

"

Kyaak?!

"

"

Krrrk!

"

The lizardmen were startled, but once they felt their health and stamina returning, they quickly calmed down.

"

Whew.

"

Sweat beaded on Kai’s forehead as he finished casting Land of Healing.

I really have to focus my mind during the cast to cover an area this large.

Even for Kai, healing hundreds of lizardmen at once meant he couldn’t afford to use moving casting. But the effect of the new skill was overwhelming. The lizardmen, who had looked like a defeated, ragged bunch, now looked as lively as young heirs and heiresses from wealthy homes.

With eyes full of life, the leader suddenly got up and then knelt before Kai, bowing its head.

Ding!

[The head of the Dark Lizardmen has given you a gesture of gratitude.]

[The Dark Lizardmen are the original lineage of the lizardman race and possess immense strength befitting their heritage.]

[Though they are nothing more than monsters, you treated them as patients.]

[Whether to classify them as monsters or as patients was up to your heart.]

[Dark Lizardmen’s affinity increased.]

[You may now request a duel between Blizzard and the leader. If Blizzard wins, he will become the new head of the Dark Lizardmen tribe and lead them.]

[+15 Benevolence stat.]

"

Hm?

" Kai blinked blankly.

He had only intended to heal the leader and gather information on the one responsible for their situation.

What is this? I’m getting a strange sense of déjà vu.

Kai turned his head and looked at Blizzard. Seemingly reminded of something as well, he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish look.

The leader raised its head and spoke, "

Krrrrrk.

"

Unable to understand a word, Kai gestured toward his interpreter. Blizzard rushed over and, without even needing to be told, began translating on his own.

"First, he offers his thanks on behalf of the tribe. His name is Cha-Or."

"Tell them my name is Kai, and also ask what happened here."

"Okay."

Blizzard and Cha-Or engaged in a lengthy conversation.

"The conversation is complete."

Blizzard had a very proud look on his face.

That expression made Kai a little uneasy, so he asked cautiously, "You're not going to tell me they said to get lost if I don’t want to die, are you?"

"No. It was a genuinely peaceful conversation this time."

"That’s a relief. So what did they say?"

"Apparently, the one who did this to them was a single human."

Kai furrowed his brow and asked back, "

Huh?

A human?"

As far as he could tell, the wound on Cha-Or’s belly was clearly from a massive claw.

"Yes, but not an ordinary human. He’s someone who comes and goes from a large temple in this region... and he wields the power of darkness."

"Wait, a large temple?"

"Apparently it’s a temple that has been here since ancient times. It’s difficult to approach as it constantly emits a dark aura."

Hearing that, Kai turned to look at Yoo Ha-Rin. They locked eyes and, without needing to say a word, nodded at the same time. It seemed they had found the base of the Church of Muldine hidden deep within the Dark Zone.