Chapter 359

Porori might be strict about managing its territory, but it doesn’t have a style that carelessly takes lives.

The same goes for when it dwells in the Chaos Forest. Even if students cluelessly invade, it usually ends with one hit from Cheolsan-go.

It might shit on the person or animal that gets knocked out by Cheolsan-go, but it won’t go beyond that.

However, if a predator comes charging at it or blatantly invades its territory, the story changes. It will unconditionally end the opponent’s life.

The reason I’ve become enemies with Porori is precisely because of this. While living in the Chaos Forest, I marked its territory.

Seeing that, Porori got mad and we ended up brawling. So naturally, we know too much about each other.

‘What the hell? What did that prince do?’

I was confused as I glanced at Porori, Kara, and Leo, who had turned completely charred.

I didn’t really know what happened, but it was clear that Porori attacked the students.

But it was puzzling. Given Porori’s nature, it rarely harmed people.

“F-First, I’ll administer First Aid! This is a cardiac arrest situation!”

“Can you… save him?”

“That… I’m not sure, but I’ll do my best.”

The professor teaching the medical arts urgently assessed Leo’s condition. The other students were standing a distance away.

They instinctively realized. That squirrel handling lightning was not something they could deal with.

The professors also struggled to step in, as they had to evacuate the students, leaving it to Kara.

‘Looks like it’s been thoroughly roasted.’

I clicked my tongue as I looked at Leo, who was charred like a black mackerel.

That’s normal damage. I’ve been hit by lightning enough to have a resistance, but normally, it would end up charred like that.

The damage disregards defense like handling space, which is why it’s termed an evil act. It’s that powerful.

‘Seeing that the heart has stopped, it must be dangerous.’

If lightning hits directly, heart failure is the most dangerous outcome, more than just being roasted.

From the looks of it, he took a direct hit, so I wasn’t sure if he could be revived. I might have to consider the aftereffects too.

In any case, stopping the rampaging Porori was urgent. I approached Kara.

“Kara.”

“Sivar? You’ve come at the right time. Please calm that one down.”

“Kyaaaaang…!”

Hearing Kara’s request, I turned to Porori. Its fur was bristled, and it was crackling with lightning, exuding an ominous aura.

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t understand why Porori was this angry. Even if Leo had crapped on the ground, it would’ve let it go graciously.

Territorial markings aren’t just done once or twice; they need to be consistent for the beasts to recognize it. That’s one of the knowledge I gained from the Chaos Forest.

“Kyarrrng…!”

Porori stepped forward. At the same time, it told me to get out of the way immediately. It was going to end the life of that charred one.

Though it sounded like a simple animal’s growl, I understood it all. Now I can even comprehend animal language.

‘Is it because Porori is a spirit creature?’

In any case, it was clear that Porori held a grudge against Leo. Though I don’t know the reason.

I momentarily stepped back from Kara and opened my hand. Not long after I spread my hand, I heard something whizzing by.

-Thud!

After a long time, Ragnarok was in my grasp again. If necessary, I would have to fight Porori.

I opened my mouth towards Porori, which seemed to have gathered more lightning than before.

“What did he do?”

“Kyaang! Cough!”

“W-What did it say?”

Kara asked with a voice trembling slightly. She seemed worried another accident might happen.

Instead of responding, I frowned and looked at the prince, Leo. The professor was performing CPR from a distance.

The other students were also standing far away, just watching, and it seemed the professor was also considering leaving if need be.

“…He started it first.”

“He? You mean the prince?”

“Yeah. He killed one of his kind.”

“One of his kind? You mean the squirrel?”

“Yes.”

If it was an accident, like accidentally stepping on one and killing it, Porori might have been saddened but would have let it go.

After all, the size difference between the squirrels living in this forest and humans was like heaven and earth.

To put it in terms of Earth, it would be akin to a traffic accident. The driver and the pedestrian didn’t see each other, leading to an incident.

“That too, for fun.”

“For fun?”

“Yeah. Apparently, he kicked it just because he didn’t like it.”

“…”

But Leo had intentionally struck a being, simply because it irked him.

While the gap between a squirrel and a human is vast, to Porori, it must feel like a similar situation.

Honestly, I thought Leo was in the wrong too; kicking it just because it crawled up his leg was absolutely too much.

‘In other words, he has no qualms about taking lives.’

Generally, humans are hesitant to take lives unless they have a special occupation like a hunter.

Moreover, even hunters usually hunt animals for profit, not for ‘fun’ like Leo.

Of course, there are kings or nobles who enjoy hunting as a leisure activity. Even those tend to use tools like bows and swords.

Even hunting as a leisure activity is somewhat rigged, hence they feel less guilt.

‘He just got what he deserved.’

It’s pretty much the same as getting divine punishment. Considering Leo’s usual behavior, it’s not surprising he got it.

After asking Kara to evacuate the students, I faced off with Porori. It was still engulfed in rage.

“Even after being hit by lightning, you’re just going to let him go?”

“Kyaaaang!”

It insisted it couldn’t do that. For the vengeance of its kind, it needed to kill Leo. That was what its kind desired.

I had nothing much to say. Porori was expressing the natural fury of an animal.

“Kyaang! Cough!”

“Oh dear.”

I couldn’t help but sigh. It even claimed to have kicked a mere young one.

Young ones should be cherished and protected regardless of species. How would it feel to have killed something like that for fun?

Even the most trivial creatures become consumed with vengeance when their offspring is killed. It’s no different for humans or animals.

But even so, I couldn’t allow Porori to kill a human. Even though Leo had a heart attack, it’s a different story to finish him off.

“You’ve already received divine punishment. Now leave.”

“Kyarrrng…!”

“Are you trying to fight?”

It showed no signs of calming down. I lifted my foot.

-Thud!

As I slammed my raised foot down, the ground shook like an earthquake.

The vibrations startled those around us, but I didn’t care.

This was a sort of threat. If it continued, I would undoubtedly step in.

‘To prevent further damage, I have no choice but to intervene.’

If Leo had been alone, I might have thought, “What an idiot. Just die peacefully.”

But now, there were not only Leo but also professors and students watching.

Which professor would just stand by as a student was dying? Surely, they would fight Porori.

If that happened, the situation would spiral beyond control. It would be better for me to step in and resolve it.

“Then come at me.”

“Kyaaaaang!!”

-Crackle!

At my provocation, the lightning within Porori surged more abundantly than before.

I squinted, observing the amount. It felt like it had become significantly stronger.

It seemed that after being helplessly beaten by a hunter, it had improved its skills.

I had to stay alert. Quietly, I gathered my magic power.

-Crackle!

Then Porori’s body flickered as if lightning struck. With that flickering, its form vanished in an instant.

No, it didn’t disappear. As it flickered, its position shifted forward.

It was truly in the blink of an eye. My eyes widened in surprise.

‘Fast…’

That thought crossed my mind.

-Crackle!

It flickered again like lightning.

-Whoosh!

Its lightning-wreathed tail swung towards my face.

“!!!”

I barely turned my head to dodge the tail attack. The tail brushed past my cheek.

Had I taken a proper hit, my face would have been fractured and possibly caved in. As someone said, speed is weight.

-Thud!

As I dodged, I instantly retaliated. Just as I turned my head, I threw a punch towards Porori.

Seeing that it didn’t have much strength behind it, it seemed to have blocked it too. However, the difference was that it was airborne.

My blow wasn’t a proper counter; more of a push, sending Porori flying back.

-Crack! Crack! Crack!

Porori smashed into trees several times as it soared away. Once it momentarily distanced itself, I touched my cheek.

Even though I’d dodged the blow, my skin was slightly burned, likely due to the characteristics of lightning. It clearly had gotten stronger.

‘What did it do to become stronger? Did it require its underlings to pay more tribute?’

That could be a possibility. In that case, the whole forest would practically be Porori’s kingdom.

A single spirit creature could alter the entire forest. I was left speechless in astonishment.

For now, having bought some time, I shouted at the professor, who was still looking for an escape route.

“Professor!”

“Oh, uh?”

“Class is dismissed! Class is dismissed! Please hurry!”

“Alright! I understand! Everyone, move to the Main Hall! Don’t scatter, but move orderly!”

There’s a saying that leadership comes from command, especially during retreat. The students moved not in a chaotic manner but with a clear structure.

Had they moved separately, unexpected accidents could have occurred. It was better for me to take charge of Porori.

‘It seems like the prince is still dazed.’

Who cares? I couldn’t care less if that loser dies or not.

If the Matra Empire found out about this, there would be chaos, but let’s postpone that for now.

However, it was inevitable that news about a spirit creature residing in the forest would spread. There are many beings in the world who prey on spirit creatures.

-Flash!

Just as the students were starting to retreat, a flash caught my eye. It was definitely Porori.

Soon after, Porori quickly approached, crackling again. It was using the same attack pattern as before.

-Flash!

With another flash, Porori appeared right in front of me, swinging its massive tail.

Did it really think the same tactic would work again? Though fast, if I was prepared, the outcome would differ.

I was momentarily bewildered; with minimal movement, I dodged the attack and aimed for a punch. Up until that point, I was merely full of questions.

-Crack!

“Uh?”

But I never thought it would be a trap. My eyes widened in surprise.

The Porori I punched vanished. No, to be precise, it was disappearing.

Slowly, Porori’s shape crumbled away. Following that, I could see it was made of lightning.

So where is the real one? I quickly scanned around as Porori’s clone vanished.

“Ah.”

“Here. You idiot.”

It was right beneath me. But it was already too late.

Porori’s shoulder was already dangerously close to my solar plexus.

The real attack using speed while I was distracted by the clone, something I never anticipated.

-Thud!

Porori’s Cheolsan-go struck my solar plexus with a force I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Nrgh?!”

I screamed in a high-pitched voice as I flew backward.

---