The trip to Goldenwoods was much shorter compared to the one between Iceland and Sharpstone. It was still night by the time the party arrived. Thinking it would be for the best if they got some rest they looked for an Inn and spent the night there.Once the morning came they gathered once more to plan their next move.Unlike the last time they decided to take a carriage to the next port city. They had already wasted enough time on the last island so they couldn't afford to do the same with this one.They managed to reach their next destination before the sun set but there was one problem. The ship going to Ironside would depart in the next morning so they were forced to stay a second night on Goldenwoods. With nothing that could be done they had to patiently wait. That night Roland and Loki went out to drink and ended up going too far almost missing the ship as a result. Edith gave them a long lecture forcing them to apologize to Drake. The trip to Ironside took about nine hours. D
"So the beast in question is a… Thundercloud?" Edith said sounding a little perplexed."This doesn't sound good…" said Roland. "Don't tell me…" Loki looked at him with a weak smile."Yes. Thunderclouds are beasts native to the mainland. Specifically in the Golden Darkness mountain range near Ouroboros kingdom." Roland explained. "If I have to guess I would say it got separated from its flock and somehow ended up drifting here.""That's quite a long distance from its home." Loki sighed."Thundercloud, huh." Drake said looking at the info poster he's unable to read. It contained a sketch of the beast in question. It looked like a giant black serpent with traces of gold here and there. A small stickman like figure was drawn beside it to show how bit it was and from the looks of it it was about twenty meters long and about two meters wide."Have you seen one before, Roland?" Drake asked, looking at the tallest among them."Not from up close. They usually stay in their flocks and rarely e
"So, Laura. What do you think our odds are?" A man asked, his eyes locked on the paper in his hands. "Not very good, I would say." A young girl replied, her fingers moving a pen as she scribbled something on another piece of paper. "We've gathered the numbers, but they're all amateurs when it comes to working in big groups. I'm afraid that would prove to be a big problem during this hunt.""I get what you're saying but…" sighing once, the man added. "We don't have a choice."The girl sighed as well, slowly shaking her head. Just then they heard a knock on the door."What?" The man said, annoyance cleared in his voice."Soldat, I've brought some people who want to participate in the hunt." "Hank, huh. Bring them in."Drake and the others had followed the man named hank to a certain inn. Waiting for them in one of the rooms was a pair of Hunters, one was a middle aged man with rough features and a brown toned body. His long black hair was bushy and unkempt, the bloodshot eyes peeking
"Scaring away an SS tier beast? Yeah right." Drake said as they exited the inn where they had their meeting with the leaders of the Little Giants.His annoyance was clear. Before this everyone thought he wasn't being serious when he spoke of killing the Thundercloud, however seeing his reaction to what Soldat and Laura said, a strange feeling began to ring the danger bells in their heads."C'mon Drake." Said Loki with his usual aloof smile. "You didn't really plan on killing the Thundercloud, right?""Ah I will kill it, alright."His answer only seemed to put the whole party on edge. "You aren't being serious, are you." Said Roland in a serious tone."Of course I'm being serious." Drake said. "From what I've heard so far it seems like a chance like this doesn't come by so often. Only an idiot would waste it.""Or maybe sane people who don't want to die." Loki retorted."I know you like your adventures, drake." Said Edith looking concerned. "But this isn't something you can decide on
"Aaaaag! That was great!" Drake exclaimed as he patter his belly."You sure like spicy food, huh?" Loki said, his mouth still open as he waited for the effects from the secret sauce to disappear. "You two are monsters." Edith said, subbing. "How could you do that to me!""Sorry sorry, it was just a harmless prank, you know."Roland's apology only served to anger the girl more and more. Unlike Loki who had forced himself to finish his sandwich, Edith gave up after the first bite. She cried real tears back then, but her shock inky increased when Drake asked if she isn't going to eat her share, taking it for himself. In the end she was givin a normal dish without the sauce free of charge as an apology. Even so she was still angry about what happened.Even Roland, the one who brought them to Frank's Corner, couldn't handle more than one serving. Drake on the other hand not only ordered seconds, he also took Edith's portion finishing all three without taking a sip from the milk that was s
"An SSS grade, you say?" Drake wasn't the only one shocked by the revelation. Loki, Edith and Roland all had their eyes wide open staring at hand unable to believe what he said."That's the reaction." Said Hank, pointing at the three. "This happens to everyone who hears it for the first time. Though you seem a bit different."His last remark was directed at Drake whose eyes turned to the girl on the platform, directing a sharp glare. "You've probably thought about it when you first saw her, right? What's a beautiful young lady doing with a group of rough hunters like us.""Well, rough doesn't really describe you." Loki said jokingly.Ignoring him Hunter went on with the indo dump."Apparently she's the daughter of a high ranking Nobel from Ouroboros. Thanks to her family's status and connections it's not difficult to see her obtaining something like an SSS grade Soul.""I see…" Drake kept glaring in the girl's direction. It only took her a few moment to feel his gaze but the moment
"I want to start by thanking everyone who had answered my call." Laura began her speech, her voice audible despite her small frame. "Today we'll be facing one of humanity's greatest threats. An SS tier Magical Beast has drifted away from the mainland and made this island a home for itself, striking fear into the hearts of innocent civilians. Our duty as Hunters compels us to repel such danger and restore peace to Ironside, to risk our lives so the people could live without fear."The noble girls went on for a couple of minutes, explaining the plan and everyone's part in it. Drake was surprised that the special equipment they had prepared for this hunt were just long iron rods, which were used as a countermeasure when facing Thunderclouds on the mainland. Making use of lightning rods was a good choice when facing lightning type beasts, however it was difficult to imagine then being that effective especially if the beast's attacks were created using magic.Once Laura's speech ended the
"What are you talking about?" Drake asked, confused by Laura's question."To think I was unable to notice it until now…" The girl said, her expression growing more tense by the second. "No, seriously? What are you talking about?"Stepping back another step, Laura slowly slid her thin sword out of its scabbard. Seeing her do that Drake quickly opened his inventory and equipped his twin daggers."I guess not answering is the smart choice here." She said. "But I'll warn you just in case, if you plan to interfere with my plans I won't hesitate to kill you."A faint red haze began enveloping the girl's figure along with her weapon. Seeing that Drake took a stance as well preparing to activate his skills the moment she makes her move."Sorry to say but…" choosing his words carefully, Drake smirked at the girl. "I'll be taking that Soul."Lifting his right arm a little Drake intercepted the needle like blade thrust straight at his face, deflecting it to the side and completely avoiding a de