Free Web NovelChapter 5: Chapter 5: Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas
The group stamped out the campfire and broke camp.
On this commission, they had eliminated a total of thirty-six wild wolves and harvested ten undamaged wolf pelts. The haul was pretty decent.
The pelts with wounds or blemishes were all discarded. Black Stone Town had no shortage of such resources, and even flawed goods wouldn’t fetch a price.
Marcus cleared his throat and spoke.
"According to the commission issued by the Adventurer’s Association, the bounty for one wild wolf is Three Silver Coins. I killed thirteen, Gray killed twelve, Valles nine, and Zelir two. Any objections to the count?"
They all nodded in agreement.
For commissions to eliminate beasts like this, payment was usually calculated per head. Only in subjugation campaigns where everyone worked together to exterminate a Demon would the rewards be split proportionally.
"On top of that, there’s a base pay of Five Silver Coins for everyone. That’s all the money you’ll be getting. All payments will be settled on the spot at the Adventurer’s Association after we turn in the commission."
Gray’s face lit up with joy.
After this mission was over, he’d be able to live it up at the tavern for a good while.
Zelir, on the other hand, was quietly calculating in his head.
’The bounty reward is Six Silver Coins, plus the Five Silver Coins base pay. The pelt from the wolf I killed was burned up by flame, so I won’t get a share of that money. All in all, I’ll get Eleven Silver Coins for this mission.’
This money should be enough to tide him over for a while.
The monetary system on the Candia Continent was simple. One gold coin was equal to one hundred silver coins, and One Silver Coin was equal to one hundred copper coins.
’It’s kind of pathetic, really... To work so hard in the forest for days on a mission and not even make a single gold coin.’
After the team finished packing their bags, they started heading toward the edge of the forest.
Marcus led the way at the front. He had been working in this forest for nearly a year and was the most familiar with the surrounding terrain.
Zelir looked around.
Gray Wood Forest was certainly an apt name. The tree bark was all a grayish-white, like weathered bone, and coupled with the morning mist that permeated the woods, even the air felt damp and heavy.
The party trekked on in silence, the only sound coming from the thick layer of fallen leaves crunching underfoot.
After walking for about another hour, Marcus suddenly stopped. His burly figure stood motionless, his voice heavy.
"Something’s not right."
"Are we lost?" Zelir blinked.
From his perspective, the scenery had barely changed—just the same gray-white trees shrouded in mist. He would’ve believed it if someone told him they were walking in circles.
"We’re not lost..."
Marcus looked up at the sky. "By this time, the sun is fully up. The morning mist should have dissipated, but instead, it’s gotten even thicker."
The four members of the party were barely a meter apart and could still make each other out, but whenever they glanced at their surroundings, the obstruction to their vision was obvious.
"A rare, heavy fog?" Valles said.
"Doesn’t seem like it."
Marcus shook his head.
"It didn’t rain yesterday, the forest is dry, and the ambient temperature hasn’t suddenly dropped. The conditions aren’t right for a heavy fog to form."
As if to prove Marcus’s words, the surrounding mist churned and billowed. Gusts of chilling wind swept through, and the visibility, which had been about ten meters, dropped another notch.
A strong sense of unease suddenly washed over Zelir. He sniffed the air reflexively.
The fresh scent of grass and trees was gone, replaced by a foul, gamey odor.
But it wasn’t a wolf. The scent of a wolf was more rank and musky, whereas this smell...
...was laced with a much stronger Bloody scent!
"Everyone, be careful."
Valles’s expression was grave; he had smelled it too.
His Longbow was already in his hand, a Feathered Arrow nocked on the string. "There’s something in the fog... We might be dealing with something tough."
Gray also dropped his usual easygoing expression. He gripped the hilt of his sword, the muscles in his forearm bulging slightly as he tensed, and warily scanned his surroundings.
"Could it be a bear?"
The words had barely left his mouth when deep, soul-shaking roars echoed from all around. The mist began to churn violently, like boiling water.
A massive black silhouette appeared without warning, flashing past them through the dense fog ahead!
Though it was only for a brief moment, all four of them witnessed it, and a sense of terror exploded within them.
"Dammit!"
Gray took two steps back, shouting in a mix of shock and anger, "What the hell was that thing?!"
Valles took a deep breath. Even he, who was always calm, had a slight tremor in his voice now.
"It’s a Fog Demon..."
Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas
[Entry 61]: Fog Demon
Individual Threat Rating: [Challenge]
Appearance:
The Fog Demon’s appearance is extremely unstable and can manifest in any form, but it is fundamentally an aberrant life-form created from the mixed flesh and bone of multiple creatures.
Its most distinct feature is the fluid, water-like Energy Barrier covering its body.
Habitat & Behavior:
A typical ambush predator, it is extremely aggressive and usually operates in forests, swamps, and other areas where it can easily conceal its movements.
The appearance of a Fog Demon is invariably accompanied by a widespread and persistent supernatural fog that defies the laws of nature.
Special Ability:
The Fog Demon’s Power is considerable, far surpassing that of ordinary beasts; not even bears can compare. However, its most central ability is the Energy Barrier covering its body.
It can dissipate most forms of pure physical kinetic energy. Specifically, ordinary slashes from swords, piercing from Arrows, and heavy blows from a Warhammer are all unable to harm its physical body.
Core Weakness:
The barrier reacts violently to attacks infused with Fighting Qi or Magic Power.
A full-powered strike from a Middle Level Warrior infused with Fighting Qi can destroy this barrier, while a purely energy-based attack—namely, Magic—is the most effective means of breaking through this "tortoise shell."
Association Notes:
WARNING! WARNING!
The Fog Demon’s [Challenge] rating does not stem from its destructive power, but from its nearly unbeatable defensive properties.
If a party lacks a Warrior who has mastered Fighting Qi or a Mage, the Fog Demon will be a Nightmare for the entire team!
Based on the few survivor reports, the following points have been confirmed:
1. Do not trust your eyes, and do not rely on your experience. When you discover the morning fog has not dispersed after the sun has risen, retreat immediately along your original path and report the incident to the nearest Adventurer’s Association. We will dispatch a team to purge the area.
2. If your party lacks a Middle Level Warrior who has mastered Fighting Qi, or at least one Mage who can reliably cast Attack Magic, and you encounter a Fog Demon, the Association strongly recommends fleeing immediately. Do not make any futile attempts to fight!
"What fucking rotten luck..." freeweɓnovel.cøm
Gray’s expression was incredibly grim.
"What’s a Fog Demon?" Zelir asked, looking utterly lost but sensing the gravity of the situation.
"A classic Demon. Its surface Energy Barrier can block almost any physical attack. Only Fighting Qi and Magic can break it," Valles explained quickly.
According to the Adventurer’s Association’s assessment, Gray Wood Forest did not have a high danger rating. The outer regions were only home to wild beasts, with traces of Demons appearing only in the central area. Moreover, there had never been a single reported sighting of a Fog Demon here before.
