Read Novel Full Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Chapter 217 – Exciting Developments
It was after 5 p.m.
I arrived above the town of Lowenfort, drawn by the lights that were visible even from a distance.
Looking down with Night Vision, the town appeared large. Unlike the other towns I had visited in Waltz, it did not seem to have a complex structure.
However, a portion of light extended outward from the huge, slightly distorted circle that formed the town, creating a shape resembling a water pitcher.
Gazing at this mysterious landscape, I descended, searching for the large building with the training grounds attached to it.
My accuracy rate is about 90% now.
In large towns like this one, the Hunter’s Guild is also large, so I rarely miss it.
I immediately entered the Hunter’s Guild.
“Is there anyone here who can use Ice Magic to create an ice wall or Water Magic level 4 or higher and is skilled at creating water walls?”
“I’m a gladiator with an ice-attribute weapon, and I’m a vanguard with a shield that’s completely fire-resistant. Let me know if there’s a party that can take me tomorrow!”
—The unprecedented energy made me stop in my tracks.
Wow, there are so many tough-looking people with flashy red and black equipment!
Looking around the reception lobby, I saw tons of people who looked strong based on their equipment and demeanor.
It was probably because it was just after hunting season, and everyone was cashing in.
Even though it was the same B rank, I could immediately tell that the quality of the hunting grounds was different from the big hole of Devour.
That’s why I quietly took a deep breath.
Then, I made up my mind and used it.
―Insight―
(…There are two suspicious ones. They seem weaker than the old lady.)
Unlike with Hans-san, I don’t feel the urge to escape immediately because there’s no hopeless gap where no matter what I do, I’ll end up losing.
Rather, it’s more like when I faced Lokish—an excitement that this will be a good fight rather than fear.
(A human and a beastman…)
Still, they’re just a tiny fraction of a large group.
Hunters operating at B rank are estimated to be around level 40.
As expected, that means I should have no problem with a B-rank hunting ground at my current level. I head to the usual reference room with light steps.
I carefully read through the reference book I’m looking for.
Entonia Fire Rock Cave.
It’s a massive cave located underground in the northern Abraum Mountains.
Its interior is mostly fire rock, making it extremely flammable and hot.
Creatures that inhabit the cave include salamanders that breathe fire and are about three meters long, as well as fire bats that hover in the air and cast fire magic.
Additionally, there are Flame Rocks that use magic stones as cores to manipulate fire rocks and ignite themselves, as well as other monsters that manipulate fire.
Metal armor is strictly prohibited in the cave. To avoid a hellish ordeal, it is essential to equip yourself with fire-resistant armor made from salamander skin.
Rarely, overflame rocks possessing high-demand seed fire magic stones may appear.
The Fire Rock Cave’s king, Varakan, resides in the cave’s deepest part.
Varakan is ranked at the bottom of the S rank when fighting alone, so if you challenge it with a mediocre force, you will surely be wiped out. Unless you are extremely confident, you should avoid venturing into the depths of the cave unnecessarily.
(I see, I see.)
I had the impression that party recruitment was active, but after seeing the contents of the hunting ground, I understand why.
Since the area heats up easily, metal armor is strictly prohibited, meaning your overall defense and agility are compromised.
No matter how resistant your equipment is, the parts of your body that are exposed will still be affected, as verified by the super-alloy Ril thigh check.
Additionally, the monsters are divided into ground, aerial, and slashing types, each with their own challenges. It also seems like each monster has long-range attack capabilities.
In other words, a balanced party composition is required in this hunting ground.
You need a shield-wielding tank that can withstand attacks even with leather armor, healers or buffers that can counter or mitigate the monsters’ ranged attacks while healing, and attackers with slashing, striking, and anti-air attack methods.
If you don’t carefully assemble a team like this, I think you’ll find yourself in a tough situation in every scenario—that’s the kind of hunting ground this is.
It’s hard to say which is better compared to the Great Hole of Devour, but I prefer this one because it’s less tricky, considering the ants that spew acid while attacking all at once in the dark maze.
Then there are the higher-ranked species—or rather, rare species similar to golden frogs—and the boss.
I had forgotten about regular bosses, but will they appear frequently in B-rank hunting grounds or higher?
There are hints at the presence of hidden bosses, but I’m not yet tempted to go take a look.
At the lower end of S-rank, it feels like it might still be too challenging.
It’s the deepest part, so I guess I just shouldn’t go.
Deep down, I know that, but I’ll definitely go, right? I asked myself that question. For now, though, I’ve decided to check the request board.
“Huh, this is interesting.”
Smiling at the information I obtained, I completely forgot about my earlier resolve as I headed toward the mercenary guild.
The next day:
“Hmm… I think I’m still okay.”
I took my time eating breakfast at the inn and checked the condition of my weapons in my room.
I’m not a professional, so I don’t know the details, but as long as there are no chips or cracks, they should be fine.
I came up with a plan last night while lying in bed.
First, I’ll go on a reconnaissance mission today to see how hot it is.
If I decide that heat-resistant equipment is necessary, I’ll hunt down a salamander—a creature that seems to be used for such equipment—kill it and have a blacksmith craft some armor for me. While I’m there, I’ll have my weapons maintained and focus on defeating the bandits with my secondary weapon.
If I can manage without the armor, I’ll stay there, collect skills, and earn money.
Either way, I plan to stay in this town for at least eight days.
Recruitment:
We are recruiting members to defeat Varakan.
There will be a selection process at the guild training ground in the afternoon eight days from now, so if you are confident in your skills, please join us.
Your job will be decided during the selection process, so it doesn’t matter for now. Your hunter rank must be at least “B.”
We are looking for about 50 people. The reward will be divided among the members after the guild sells all the materials.
A-Rank Hunter Fidel Markrent
The bulletin board for party recruitment was next to the request board.
I saw the “Raid Recruitment” notice posted there.
I had mixed feelings, thinking that I should have gone to other D-rank or C-rank hunting grounds to gain experience before coming to this town. If I had done that, I wouldn’t have made it in time for this recruitment.
After some deliberation, I decided to give it a try.
Maybe I could take it down alone.
These thoughts briefly crossed my mind, but when I saw the bulletin board, I suddenly activated my Keen Hearing skill.
I couldn’t hear anything from the two people who seemed to be the only ones in the guild evenly matched with me. However, I learned from a nearby woman that the human was called “Fidel,” and at that point, I immediately gave up on the idea of defeating it alone.
A human of similar strength was deliberately recruiting a party of 50 people.
That made it even harder to find a reason to take it on alone.
From what they were saying, I’m sure the other beastman will join them.
I flew up from the inn’s roof and headed for the watering can I had seen yesterday.
The road to the mountains seemed close enough, about a 30-minute walk. Several carriages were climbing the gentle mountain road, seemingly transporting hunters from early morning on.
Several restaurants that were clearly stalls were next to the road.
In the direction of the hunting cave, I saw carriages piled high with the same materials heading down toward the town. The large buildings near the hunting grounds must have included a place that bought those materials.
What was likely once a forest has been neatly divided by the wide path leading to the hunting grounds, creating an environment seemingly tailored for the Entonia Fire Rock Cave.
Excited by the scale of the hunting grounds, I overtook the carriages and descended into the nearby forest.
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