Free Web NovelChapter 15: Checking out the camp
Ren made it back to the swamp. Before he arrived, the former chief was already at the edge of the swamp with his knees on the ground and his head bowed.
"Greetings, Chief," he spoke with the same reverence that the other monsters had for Ren.
Ren looked at him with a calm gaze and then spoke, "There seem to be humans in the forest, and Remu tells me you know about it?"
"Remu?" The former chief raised his head in confusion. Who was Remu?
"Oh, you don’t know yet. I named him Remu," he said and pointed to Remu. Only now did the former chief notice the changes that were now on Remu’s body. He was stunned by it.
"I see, Master. You are indeed powerful, being able to name a monster with such ease."
"Huh? It was not really a big deal. Either way, tell me about the humans in the forest."
"Yes, Master." He stood straight and began his explanation.
"This forest is at the edge of the human kingdom. The humans use it to train their young in the hunting of monsters.
The humans have a deal with the forest lords. This deal allows them to come in and do what they want, as long as they pay the forest lords what they want," he explained as best as he could.
"Forest lords? Who are those?" Ren asked, curious about these new figures that had found their way into the story now.
"The forest lords are extremely powerful monsters that have claimed significant parts of the forest under their rule. What they say goes inside the forest."
"Hmmm? I see, so how many of them are there?"
"There are four known forest lords: the Orc of Calamity, the Thunder Wolf, the Ogre King, and the Spirit King. The four of them rule over everything that is in the forest."
’Talk about some badass names,’ Ren thought. He looked at the former chief and asked another question. "With the permission of the forest lords, these humans come and do what?"
"Train their young by hunting monsters. If they are close by, it means the forest lord that rules over our territory, the Calamity Orc, has given permission to hunt in this specific part."
"Hmmm, I see. So we are going to be the targets since we are basically the monsters on this side," Ren said.
"Yes, Master."
"Tch, this information just managed to piss me off," Ren said and turned around.
"Ensure none of your young wander about. I’ll end this entire thing."
"Master, do you want to go against the forest lord? It’s extremely dangerous to do so, Master. I acknowledge your power is great, but the forest lords are immensely strong. No one who has dared challenge their strength has ever survived." The former chief tried to warn Ren.
Ren tilted his head and looked right at him, his dragon eyes squinting. "So you’re saying I’m not strong?"
The former chief flew into an instant panic. "No, no, never, Master. I would never say that."
"Ahh, it’s okay. I’m just playing with you," Ren said. He faced forward. "There is nothing I cannot defeat with the right amount of time. I’ll be coming for the forest lords soon, but for now, let’s drive the humans out of the forest," Ren said and kept walking.
If there was one thing he knew about humans, it was the fact that they fucked shit up, and they did it massively. He could already tell that they would somehow be an issue for him going forward if he allowed this to play out. Plus, he was not going to lose any of the monsters that were under him now. From the moment they swore to follow him, they became family.
"The both of you head back and ensure no one is moving about until I’m sure when these humans will attack," Ren said before flapping his wings and shooting into the air. He tore through the sky at a stunning speed and yet somehow managed to keep himself quiet to avoid being spotted. He could do that because of Glide.
He used Dragon Vision the farther he went. His eyes locked onto their camp, and then he found the best place to perch on a tree. He flew down fast and landed, his eyes already locked on them and his ears perked up to listen. As a dragon, he was capable of hearing from far away, so that feature did its work now.
"Let’s see what’s happening," he muttered.
[...]
Inside the camp, one of the students was seated on a rock, drawing on the sand with a stick. He had somber hair and wore round glasses. There was a staff leaning against the rock, which meant he was some sort of mage.
He gave off a loner vibe, the kind of person that did not want to mix.
At the same time, a girl was approaching from behind. Golden hair, blue eyes, pretty without doubt. She strutted along and got behind him.
"What’s got you so distracted?" she spoke, and the boy leaped from the stone and nearly fell over.
"Dawn!" he said in a whiny tone. "Don’t do that."
"Hmph, you should be able to sense me coming. Isn’t one of your affinities Space, Luka?" she asked.
"It is," he said while adjusting his glasses in a shy manner. "It doesn’t mean I can use it constantly. It drains a lot of mana, and now that we are in the forest, I need to conserve my energy for when the hunts start."
"Come on, the hunt will not start till tomorrow. We have the full day to do what we want. Also, the teachers are having a meeting inside the main tent. Some of our mates have gone off to see the forest. You and I should as well," she said and grabbed his hand.
He pulled back. "Dawn, we can’t do that. It’s risky to leave without the teachers. We don’t have to do what the others do," he said.
"Tch, don’t be whiny, Luka. You are always trying to stay alone and hide from fun. I’ll not let you this time. Let’s go," she said and flashed him a bright smile, the type that would melt the heart of anyone that age.
