Chapter 86 : The Monstrous Anomaly

Chapter 86: The Monstrous Anomaly

The deformed monster knew the very moment it opened its eyes in this world that it was a special being.

Krrrrrrrr—

A colossal tiger, its soft fur fluttering as its eyes brimmed with lightning.

From its mouth, it exhaled heavy, steaming heat, while its long tail blazed with fire.

The anomalous tiger sensed that there was another being similar to itself nearby, but soon realized that it was far more superior.

Krrr—

It wondered. What was it that I had to do?

The answer rose immediately, as if it had already been planted within its heart.

To eat and drink.

To endlessly consume and drink, in praise of ‘That One’s’ greatness.

The tiger’s lightning-filled gaze swept across its surroundings.

It saw the creatures thriving upon this land.

And in its sight lay two cities—Loensi City and Rundna City.

Individually weak, yet strong when gathered together.

It reached its own conclusion.

Then I, too, must gather together.

*         *         *

After Haarun’s death, Rundna City instantly fell into chaos.

While Haarun had been alive, there had been at least some semblance of order.

He was, of course, a ruthless conqueror who treated his people and vassals as tools.

But, by placing himself at the pinnacle, he suppressed his vassals so they dared not act recklessly.

Once Haarun died, each day became bliss for the House of Esir, the long-standing noble clan and ruling power of Rundna City.

The vast wealth of Rundna City that Haarun had wielded now flowed entirely into the coffers of the House of Esir.

And yet, their greed knew no end. Like a spring unbound, they craved more, ever more wealth.

In the end, it was the powerless commoners who shouldered the burden.

Summer was nearing its end, and at times the breeze already carried the scent of autumn.

At the fountain of Rundna City. A young couple, facing one another, broke down in tears.

“Sorry... I think we have to postpone our marriage.”

At those words spoken by the man, the woman lowered her head.

“I’m sorry too... that I couldn’t be of much help....”

Though they apologized to each other, both already knew.

That the money needed for the two of them to leave their homes and build a new household together no longer existed.

The House of Esir extorted special taxes under all sorts of pretexts—saying they needed to strengthen the military now that Haarun’s protection was gone, or that long-neglected roads needed to be repaired.

The sudden, crushing taxes that descended upon the citizens were nothing more than poverty striking like a bolt of lightning…

And poverty was simply another name for giving up.

“Father? You said you would send me to study abroad at Ilunael....”

“....”

“Father...! Do you know how hard I’ve been working, clinging to only that promise...!”

The desperate cry of a son—foolish perhaps, but earnest nonetheless. And a father’s burning heart, forced to answer only with silence.

Thus the citizens of Rundna abandoned their dreams, their plans for the future, one by one.

And every opportunity thus relinquished turned into the indulgence and extravagance of the House of Esir.

Strengthening the military?

Repairing the roads?

They had no intention of honoring even a single one of the causes they proclaimed.

“Victory banquet for the warriors? What’s that! Cancel it!”

The youngest daughter of the House of Esir wrinkled her brow and threw a fit.

“Ugh, I don’t care! Whether it’s a victory banquet or a beggar’s feast, hold it somewhere else! At that time, the First Banquet Hall is for my dress party! It’s the biggest, prettiest, and nicest place!”

A dress party where gowns worth more than a hundred Dallon apiece—luxury imports from both the Eastern and Western continents—were spread across the vast hall. Guests tried them on, dressed one another, and played to their hearts’ content.

The eldest young master, sipping expensive tea and delicacies from Oldland beside her, chimed in.

“Little sister. You’re the one hosting this banquet, right?”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Then we can’t let it pass unnoticed. My dear little sister, what shall I do for you.... Ah, I know! Dresses are nothing without accessories, are they? Prepare every jewel in the world. It’ll be fun to match them with the gowns.”

“As expected! Brother, you’re the best!”

Thus the wealth of Rundna—one of the three greatest cities in all Norberju—flowed out, wasted in such ways.

And the head of the House of Esir himself not only overlooked such absurd excess, but encouraged it.

“Give performance bonuses to the Beast-Slaying Regiment? Ha! And what have they done to deserve that?”

Frowning, the Patriarch hurled the report submitted by the city’s administrator to the floor.

“There will be no bonuses this year. If they want something next year, tell them to work harder.”

“But, Mayor... recently the borderlands have been swarming with Demonic Beasts....”

“Enough! Did you not hear me? Do you have any idea how much money I must offer the nobles of Gloryland and the Sea King right now! Performance bonuses, you say? What nonsense!”

The Patriarch’s pride was stuffed to the brim with hollow vanity, leaving him concerned only with empty social gatherings and extravagant entertainments.

And so, while the ruling class rotted Rundna from within, the lives of those fighting to defend the city from without grew ever more desperate.

The Beast-Slaying Regiment of Rundna City, without proper support, ceaselessly fought to subdue the Demonic Beasts in the borderlands and secure the safety of the trade routes. And so, day by day, they withered away.

*         *         *

“My Lord. But why have you suddenly decided to hunt Demonic Beasts?”

Rivera asked, and I answered him honestly.

“The truth is, we didn’t come out here to hunt Demonic Beasts.”

“Then what?”

“Rundna.”

“Are we marching there as we are?”

“No. I won’t do such a thing.”

If we were to subjugate them one by one with force and slaughter every faction that resisted, how would that be any different from the Empire?

It wouldn’t even be efficient.

‘We need to become stronger.’

And for that, we had to establish firm allies in each city.

Just as the seasoned warriors of Gellan followed the will of Kashimir Gulak after his retirement, and joined my command.

“I want to try believing. That even within Rundna, we can create a solid faction we can trust.”

“Ah...! So this was meant as pressure. This isn’t a Beast Hunt... it’s a Beast Drive!”

“As expected, you’re sharp.”

Rivera Pietro. The man who once stood against the tyranny of Count Kxias.

Yes. I want to believe there is a man like this even in Rundna.

“Lete, right? I read about him in Lady Seah’s report as well.”

“Yeah. He seems to have conviction. Of course, conviction alone doesn’t guarantee anything.”

“That’s true, but....”

Rivera broke off mid-sentence, suddenly shouting in a booming voice.

“All troops! Do not pursue! Leave the fleeing beasts alone!”

At some point, our army had already crushed the horde of Demonic Beasts.

The cavalry, who had been about to chase the retreating beasts, halted and yanked back their reins.

Indeed, a capable subordinate is a blessing—they move without needing to be told, don’t they?

We had to let the fleeing beasts go. For in that direction lay Rundna.

“But, My Lord. Even if we keep driving these little minnows toward Rundna... will it have any real effect? No matter how rotten Rundna is, they should be able to endure this much....”

“They’ll endure. But the only ones who’ll truly suffer will be the warriors who still have conviction. And they aren’t the ones I’ve been waiting for.”

As I said this, I slowly moved my hand toward the hilt of my sword.

“It’s coming.”

“Eh? What is...?”

At that moment, my senses caught hold of a massive presence.

The Demonic Beasts multiplying rapidly in the borderlands—

They were, of course, no small threat.

But the true menace was something else.

“The Monstrous Anomaly is coming.”

The Monstrous Anomaly.

An existence overwhelmingly stronger and more alien than any ordinary Demonic Beast. That was the name we gave them.

On the Book of Fate, they appeared as red dots—

Demonic beings imbued with twisted worldlines.

The sudden increase in those red dots was worrisome... but for now, I could make use of them.

As a card to pressure Rundna City.

So this was the question I was throwing at Rundna City.

A monster among monsters—one that had even forced Knight Burson, a Swordmaster, into a hard fight.

Could they possibly withstand such a beast?

And if they could not... what choice would they make?

“Monstrous Anomaly sighted ahead! Everyone, brace for the roar!”

At Rivera’s command, the cavalrymen dismounted, while the warriors lowered their stance, set their heavy gear upon the ground for a moment, parted their lips slightly, and plugged their ears tightly with both hands.

And at last, the long-awaited Monstrous Anomaly revealed itself.

—Khuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrhh!

The instant it appeared, it threw its head back and unleashed a thunderous roar.

The shockwave it created made our bodies tremble violently.

I simply endured it, but ordinary warriors would have had their eardrums burst, been knocked down, and fallen into chaos.

That was why I had them crouch down beforehand and cover their ears—preparations made against the roar.

A strategy earned through many battles with Monstrous Anomalies.

But—

‘This one’s a bit different, isn’t it?’

Its roar was louder and more powerful than the others, but what set it apart most was its appearance.

‘It’s... beautiful?’

All this time, I had hunted Monstrous Anomalies wherever I encountered them. They were too dangerous to leave to other warriors, so Katrina Egion and Varen Rodona sometimes joined in, or Knight Burson stepped up, or even the surrendered Swordmaster Torban of Thunder’s Roar was dispatched. At times, I myself had to take the field.

After all those hunts, only two remained, existing between Loensi City and Rundna City.

The ones I had seen most often bore writhing tentacle-like features.

If they had fur, each strand squirmed like a larva. Their tails or tongues inevitably held elongated, snake-like appendages.

And another group, though fewer, unleashed shockwaves.

Parts of their bodies were formed like drums or flutes, producing sounds that could burst a person apart or render them unconscious with nothing but noise.

Their one common trait—every single one of them was grotesque.

But this one... was majestic, magnificent, even beautiful.

‘A crimson great tiger....’

Its long, red fur danced in the wind, gleaming with radiant luster.

Its eyes seemed filled with lightning, and its tail blazed brilliantly.

And this beast’s abilities matched its appearance.

‘It’s fast.’

Kwaaaang!

When its paws struck the earth, not a sound was made. Yet when it tore through the air to charge, an explosive detonation resounded.

The instant its eyes flared, bursting with light—

“Ugh...!”

“Khk...!”

The soldiers, hastily readying themselves for battle, froze stiff like stone.

The crimson fur fluttered in the wind, scattering light in every direction, and the soldiers—entranced by it—lost their sense of balance and collapsed one after another.

The colossal tiger charged forward to begin its slaughter, but the formation had already collapsed, and no warriors remained who could fight.

And then...

'The tail—no. That’s dangerous.'

My instincts flared a warning.

The tiger’s flaming tail swayed lightly. Leaving it unchecked would bring grave disaster—that chilling warning filled me.

I gripped the hilt of Banroa.

'Cut.'

I united the will of the sword with my own.

At that moment, the tiger’s eyes locked with mine, and—

Kwaaaaang!

The charging beast stomped the ground where it stood.

Kukwaaang!

It drove all its rushing momentum into the earth, crushing it, then instantly turned its body and bolted backward.

That is to say....

“...Huh?”

“...My Lord. Is it... running away?”

The tiger fled the moment it laid eyes on me.

At full speed.

In the blink of an eye, it vanished beyond the horizon.

“...Ha?”

It was true that Monstrous Anomalies, cunning as they were, usually fled when the battle turned against them.

“But this one really is different.”

Never before had one turned tail and fled the instant it saw me.

“Well, whatever.... One’s dealt with, so let’s go drive the other one.”

Two red dots had been spotted near Rundna City.

I intended to send both of them straight toward Rundna.

*         *         *

Before it encountered Ransen—

The Monstrous Anomaly, the Crimson Tiger, had been in a state of rage.

For the Demonic Beast horde it had gathered as underlings was being slaughtered by mere humans—nothing more than food.

Only by eating and drinking them could it sate its fury.

Before long, it sensed a human army beyond the horizon.

Krrrrrr—

Filled with rage, it made a final, desperate leap.

Chill—

Suddenly, the Crimson Tiger felt as though the entire world had shrunk into a single point.

Its vision narrowed to the extreme, reflecting only one figure—a tiny being far away.

The man who had just gripped his sword hilt.

And then—

'I’ll die!'

The Crimson Tiger felt the warning of a blade about to fall upon its neck.

'It will cut me—'

Just two steps more—no, even a single step forward—and it would enter that man’s range.

An illusion of invisible blades rising from every direction, all aimed at its throat.

Kyaaaaaaiiii?!

Boom!

It acted before thought.

The tiger screamed, twisted its body, and fled at full speed.

Its ears flattened, its tail tucked away.

It had to get even a little farther from that terrifying existence. And then—

'Eat!'

Was it a reaction born of fear?

The tiger was seized by a fierce compulsion.

It had to eat more, become stronger.

Only then could it survive.

The tiger ran and ran without looking back.

Toward Rundna City.

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