Chapter 299

The Lizardman Village is located in the heart of the Verde Jungle.

It is so deeply hidden that, except for a few seasoned merchants or adventurers, most outsiders are unaware of its existence.

However, this does not mean that the Lizardman Village is always in danger from the monsters of the Verde Jungle.

On the contrary, it is a very peaceful village, rarely touched by outsiders.

This is because the Lizardman Village lies at the intersection of the territories of the four monsters that rule the Verde Jungle.

The Verde Jungle is divided into four directions—east, west, south, and north—each ruled by a monster. The Lizardman Village is perfectly situated at the crossroads of these four territories.

And the path Iot often takes Kurt for hunting training also lies between the territories of these four monsters.

This was knowledge Kurt had learned when he first started hunting training with Iot, but in his panicked state, none of that knowledge came to mind.

*Thud thud*

“Huff… huff…”

Kurt ran aimlessly until his stamina gave out.

Deep down, he knew.

He knew that Iot’s words were true and correct.

That as a Lizardman, he could no longer become a chef.

But even so, Kurt had no choice but to keep running.

Because if he stopped, he would have to face the truth.

And that was too terrifying.

So Kurt didn’t stop.

He ran to escape Iot, who might be chasing him, or perhaps to escape a reality he could never overcome with his own strength.

“Huff… huff…”

*Thud thud*

*Thud thud*

*Thud…*

*Thud*

After running for a while, Kurt gradually came to a stop.

It wasn’t because his directionless anger had subsided, nor because he had finally succumbed to the absurdity of reality.

It was simply because, even in his chaotic state, his instincts were screaming a warning he couldn’t ignore.

.

.

.

*Screeeech───!!*

“Gah!”

By the time Iot found Kurt, the worst-case scenario he had feared was already unfolding.

The ruler of the Western Jungle.

The monster had already attacked Kurt.

“Kurt! Are you okay!?”

“Ugh…! Iot!?”

*Screeeech──!!*

When Iot found Kurt, he was already wounded from the monster’s attack.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a life-threatening injury, but his right side was horrifically melted, as if doused in acid.

*Screeeech──!!*

*Clang!*

“Ugh…! Kurt, run!”

As the monster moved in to finish off Kurt, whose skin was half-melted, Iot swiftly stepped in between them, wielding a spear.

Even for Iot, blocking the attack wasn’t easy. The impact was so great that his arms creaked, but he managed to hold it off.

Having barely saved Kurt’s life, Iot turned his gaze to the ruler of the Western Jungle.

It was a monster in the shape of a bird.

But it was far too large to be called just a bird.

A monstrous bird, larger than a bear or an elephant.

Perhaps comparable in size to the dragons said to inhabit the jungles where dwarves live.

The monster was easily over 5 meters tall, with a massive bird-like form.

And on its body were not one, but eight heads.

Each head spewed a different substance—flames, lightning, acid, petrifying liquid, and more.

Its name was the Eight-Headed Bird.

Also known as the Ruler of the Silent Forest.

Fierce and hysterical, it would kill anything—monster or human—that caused a disturbance in its territory. Thus, the Western Verde Jungle it ruled was also called the Silent Forest.

Perhaps the monster attacked Kurt because it was displeased with the noise he made in its territory.

“Ugh… Of all places, you had to run into the territory of the most ferocious ruler of the jungle…”

*Screeeech──!!*

Honestly, even though Iot was known as the greatest hunter in the Lizardman Village, this monster was on a completely different level.

But even so, Iot had no intention of backing down.

“What are you doing!? Run!”

“Idiot! You’re the one who needs to run!”

Because behind him was his only son.

“That thing is the ruler of the Western Jungle! You remember what I told you, right? You know what that means. I’ll buy you time, so run!”

“But then you…”

“I may look like this, but I’m the greatest hunter in the Lizardman Village. Surviving for decades as a hunter means I’ve faced many monsters and lived to tell the tale. I’ll find a way to survive, so don’t worry about me. You’ll just get in the way.”

Of course, there was no such way.

A hunter who survives long isn’t one who faces strong monsters and lives, but one who avoids monsters they can’t handle in the first place.

But Kurt, who hadn’t yet learned enough as a hunter, couldn’t possibly know Iot’s true thoughts.

Taking Iot’s words at face value, Kurt looked at him with a determined expression and said, “Alright. If I’m in the way, I’ll run. But, Iot. You have to survive and come back.”

“That’s the plan. I still have a son who needs to finish his education.”

“…I didn’t know you could joke.”

“Yeah. Maybe we don’t know each other as well as we thought.”

With that, Iot, his arms numb from just one clash, raised his spear and smiled at Kurt as he kept the Eight-Headed Bird at bay.

“…So let’s talk more when we get back.”

“Yeah. It’s a promise. You have to come back. No matter what.”

Kurt said this, glancing back at Iot several times as he limped away toward the village.

Seeing that Kurt had escaped to a safe distance, Iot smiled in relief.

The Eight-Headed Bird, having missed its prey, turned its full fury on Iot.

*Screeeech───!!*

A chorus of screeches erupted from its eight heads.

And then,

A one-sided massacre began.

.

.

.

“Cough…”

How long had it been since Iot faced the Eight-Headed Bird?

10 minutes?

No. Maybe 5?

He just hoped Kurt had enough time to escape safely.

Even in his dazed state, Iot worried about his son.

His arms had gone numb after the second attack.

The spear he held shattered, flying off to who knows where.

His legs had lost all feeling, and at some point, he realized the cold winter wind no longer bit as sharply.

“I see… So this is…”

Death.

*Screeeech───!!*

As Iot watched death scream toward him, a voice he shouldn’t have heard reached his ears.

“Iot!”

“Ku… Kurt? Why…?”

“What is this!? You said you could handle yourself! That a hunter who survives long has ways to escape even strong monsters!”

It was Kurt, who had turned back after running away.

“What… are you doing? Why didn’t you run…!”

“Is this how you escape!? Is this your survival technique!?”

Kurt, his skin melted and tears—or perhaps pus—streaming down his face, wiped it away roughly and glared at the Eight-Headed Bird.

“Run…! Run!”

“No. I won’t run. Iot. It’s my turn to protect you now.”

“Kurt!”

“I told you. Let’s go back to the village and talk. A promise is a promise, right?”

*Screeeech───!!*

Perhaps delighted that its lost prey had returned, the Eight-Headed Bird let out a joyous screech from all eight heads.