EPISODE 18

* * *

"Tsk, just when I thought I could finally showcase my skills."

Decom was greatly disappointed. He had been excited to finally show off his abilities in a real battle.

Up until now, the senior healers had only treated a mountain deer, and that was a simple treatment at best.

"They said there would be a lot of monsters!"

He had heard that there were monsters everywhere. From Dashta Mountain to Hallo and Jeluhill, where the border guards were stationed, monsters were said to be rampant.

If that was the case, there should be a normal amount of animals that had been attacked by monsters and were injured.

In reality, the path they were taking was the one the senior students had already cleared. The incoming freshmen would also be following the path that had been prepared by the seniors, so they shouldn't encounter any major dangers.

It was all part of the process to make sure the freshmen didn't fear the field.

Decom, who didn't know this fact, was becoming impatient.

"Something, anything, show up."

Even if it was a weak animal that had been attacked by a monster, or even better, an actual monster.

Something needed to show up so that he could showcase his skills.

He had to stand out more than anyone else. Filled with determination, Decom saw Assistant Tillen's instruction to rest as a perfect opportunity.

While everyone else was resting, he could go deeper into the field and find injured animals that his classmates hadn't discovered.

With that thought in mind, Decom unknowingly veered off in the direction Tillen had warned them not to go.

And finally, he found his target.

Under a tree, a golden deer lay wounded, blood streaming from its body. But it wasn't an ordinary deer.

"A Golden Deer...?"

The Golden Deer, covered in golden fur from head to toe, was a symbol of luck and protection, designated as a protected species by the kingdom.

In front of Decom now lay such a rare animal, injured and helpless.

"I finally have the chance to showcase my skills."

Filled with the thought of gaining recognition for his exceptional abilities, Decom, without even looking around, rushed towards the direction where the Golden Deer was.

That's when it happened.

Swoosh, swoosh.

I heard the sound of a pig squealing. Behind the tree, I saw the fierce eyes of a cormorant hawk, a creature that looked like a mix between a rhinoceros and a pig. It had incredibly strong power, and its horn on the forehead was a deadly weapon in itself.

"So, that golden deer's belly was pierced by that thing...?"

My suspicion was correct. The Cormorant Hawk had pierced the belly of the golden deer with its horn, causing a hole.

I was too shocked to scream, and I didn't even think about the glowing object that was given to me in case of emergency.

"Get away!"

Kwaak!

The Cormorant Hawk charged at me, exhaling hot air from its nostrils.

"......Aaah!"

I couldn't even scream properly as I saw the thick and sharp horn, the lethal weapon of the Cormorant Hawk, approaching me. I thought I was going to die, pierced by that horn.

Fear and resignation mixed in the trembling eyes of Decom.

"He won't spare you!"

Suddenly, I heard a thunderous sound from behind.

Who?

Without even having time to think, the owner of the sound appeared in an instant and jumped onto the back of the Cormorant Hawk. It was Marcus, the person I detested the most.

"M-Marcus!"

No matter how much you dislike someone, they can look like a savior in a desperate situation. Especially when you have a strong conviction that they will save you.

Thump, thump, thump,

Kwaaeeek!

"Ha...."

Unbelievable. How could that ignorant guy exist? He was fighting against that terrifying Cormorant Hawk with his bare hands.

I was right. He was definitely a madman. A madman who couldn't reveal his true self to others and was constantly frustrated because of it.

But he was a very likable madman. He was the madman who ended up defeating the Cormorant Hawk barehandedly.

"Hahahaha!"

After becoming iron-hearted, I laughed the loudest and most refreshingly after a long time.

* * *

"Crazy guy."

Seeing the guy named Decom laughing in front of the monster, I realized he was indeed insane.

I felt pathetic for running out of breath to save that crazy guy.

"Well, at least I saved one person."

That should be enough. After knocking down that useless hippo-like creature and sighing, I noticed Tillen examining a deer. But this deer's fur was unusually shiny.

The fur of the deer, which was falling down and dying, glowed golden. Could it be a divine or a half-divine creature?

"The golden deer is injured, this is a big problem."

Ah, this deer's name is Golden Deer.

"Sigh, the wounds are too severe."

"Why? Is it difficult to treat?"

Tillen turned his head to the senior healer who followed behind.

"He has lost too much blood. It seems difficult to treat here. I think we need to take him to the Healing Tower, but I'm not sure if he'll survive until then."

"I must save it no matter what, this is a big problem."

I sighed, hoping that I could somehow stop the bleeding in the severed blood vessels.

Is there no other way?

A potion? Or maybe mana infusion? Yeah, that's right. Hemostasis might be possible too, right?

But I'm still not at the level where I can do mana infusion. Is there anyone among us who can do that?

"May I take a look?"

Suddenly, Decom, who had been sitting there as if his mind had gone blank, stood up and walked towards the Golden Deer.

"You?"

"I may not know anything else, but I can infuse life force into it. Although it may not last long."

"Really? You're in a state where you have to try anything right now, so go ahead."

"Thank you."

He knelt down with a serious expression and placed his hand on the bleeding belly of the Golden Deer.

Could that guy have such a face?

He always had a haughty expression and seemed like the kind of person who only cared about appearances, but he wasn't completely thoughtless.

Decom's expression became more and more serious. Our expressions while watching him also became solemn.

After about an hour, or maybe just over a minute, Decom, who had only been placing his hand on the belly of the Golden Deer, was sweating profusely on his forehead.

It might be a delusion, but I even felt a divine energy emanating from him.

"Huh?"

The blood that had been flowing steadily seemed to be decreasing, and suddenly it stopped....

Is this possible? He was just placing his hand on it.

"So you were a healer. Thank you."

"Phew, that's one less worry. Tillen, contact the communication center. Let them know there's an emergency animal here. Make sure to mention the Golden Deer."

"Got it."

"But...."

While the seniors were exchanging conversation and feeling relieved, Decom interrupted.

"...This won't last for more than 30 minutes. We need to take it to the clinic quickly."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. My skills are still...."

Decom trailed off and bowed his head deeply.

Why is he like that? Why does the person who performed this miracle look like that?

There are truly so many people in this world that I can't understand.

Tillen pulled something out of his pocket. It must be a communication device.

It seems like the issue with the Golden Deer transport has been resolved. If that's the case, then this guy must be the problem...

The unconscious Cormorant Hawk regained consciousness and wriggled below.

"Eek!"

"Ma-Marcus, over there!"

"The monster guy is alive!"

The other members of our team noticed it too and screamed in fear.

"Well, shall we start again?"

I started to beat the fallen Cormorant Hawk again.

"I thought one hit would be enough."

This guy is tough, incredibly tough. Even after beating him like this, he's not dying, and my fist is numb.

Even with the strength of a giant, I almost couldn't defeat him. Am I just punching air? No, I remember knocking out the guy sent by Duke Olif.

So the problem lies with this guy. His skin is tough, too tough. Moreover, it seems like no bones are breaking even after beating him like this.

"Well, what kind of guy is this tough?"

[That guy won't die just because you hit him. Only your hands will hurt.]

I heard Tinger's voice.

-Then what should we do? Should I just throw him to Roykan and tell him to swallow him?

[No, I don't want that. If I eat him, I'll get sick. It takes a week of suffering to digest his skin.]

Even Roykan refused.

-Then what should we do with this guy? If we leave him, he might attack us.

[Ggwaeok! Surrender! Surrender!]

-Huh?

This clearly sounds like something this guy would say.

I punched him once more.

[Gwawok! It hurts! I'm dying!]

-You, are you the one talking right now?

[...Yes.]

-Good. Then let's fight. Why did you slit the deer's belly?

I mercilessly beat the guy who babbled nonsense.

-Ah! If I had a knife, I would just slit your throat.

No matter how thick the leather is, not every part of it will be thick. I just need to insert a knife into the most vulnerable flesh, sever the blood vessels, and it will be over.

[Gwaweoek! It was an accident! I didn't do anything. The deer ran at me and its antlers hit me!]

-What nonsense are you talking about?

Thump, thump, thump, thump. I kept punching the guy who spouted nonsense.

[Gwaeok! Surrender! Surrender!]

Despite the guy surrendering, I ignored it and continued punching him in the back.

Then it happened. Tillen's voice suddenly grew louder.

"What did you say? It takes an hour to get here? Then he'll die!"

I don't know what the other person said, but Tillen's face was filled with despair.

Oh, I shouldn't be doing this. Should I tell Roykan?

-Roykan! Can you take this guy to the infirmary? I'll buy you Atuvek beef later.

[Understood.]

"Roykan is really easy to handle."

I said to my seniors.

"I will take him with me."

"You? How?"

"Are you a wizard or something?"

"Not exactly. But still. Please step back, everyone!"

"Why, what's going on... Ah!"

"It's Captain Griffin!"

"Ahh! Save us!"

As Roykan descended from the sky, everyone scattered in panic.

Naturally, a spacious area was created, and Roykan gracefully landed in that spot.

"Master!"

[Master!]

Seigan and Spica jumped off Roykan's back and ran towards me.

"Ugh! It's the Golden Deer! Master, what's going on here?"

Seigan asked with a puzzled expression.

"We'll talk about that later. First, we need to move this Golden Deer to the clinic. It's urgent."

"Ah, I understand."

-Spica, you'll take care of this guy until I come back.

[Yes!]

Spica rushed over and subdued the Cormorant Hawk. I added a word to Spica, who revealed her ferociousness.

-You can kill him if you want.

[Groooaaar!]

[Gwaaek! Surrender!]

The two guys made whimpering sounds and I went to Roykan. Seigan had already placed the Golden Deer on Roykan's back.

Before getting on Roykan's back, I told Tillen.

"Contact the infirmary. I'll be right back."

"Y-Yes."

* * *

The appearance of Captain Griffin terrified the people. Decom was no exception. He had buried his head between his legs and was trembling.

He looked so frightened that one would wonder if he was the one complaining about the monster not appearing.

"I, I'm going to die."

You're wrong. Now you're going to die. It was a mistake from the beginning to come all the way to this infirmary, fueled by envy towards Hyung. It's because I was greedy that it ended up like this.

Decom regretted his narrow-mindedness all this time.

"Captain Griffin is terrifying, and yet my father and brother are able to heal the knights while all those monsters running around...."

Can I cast healing spells? Am I just useless?

As Decom berated himself, he suddenly recalled the broad back of Marcus, who had been rushing to strike down the Cormorant Hawk.

Where did he find such courage? That wasn't all.

He had knocked down the Cormorant Hawk without any weapons. There was no way he could be considered the same age as Decom.

Decom felt truly envious! Such bravery.

"No!"

If I'm going to die anyway, I should show the same courage as Marcus before I die!

"Yes, I am Decom Torredo of the great healer lineage!"

Even if I die, I will cast healing spells on the injured people before I die.

With that determination, Decom raised his head.

"Huh?"

Even though blood should have been splattering everywhere, with arms and legs flying off in all directions.

"I will be back soon."

W-Was that Marcus?

Marcus flew away on Captain Griffin.