Chapter 40: Cute things have (physical) horns

Chapter 40: Cute things have (physical) horns

After leaving the guild, we check in at a cheap inn recommended by the staff.

Even adventurers with low earnings can afford long term lodging through the use of guild card, which guarantees them reasonable rates. There’s no bath as expected, but it’s not a problem because there’s a public bath nearby.

The day after accepting Ryuujin grandma’s suggestion, I visit the Adventurer’s Guild and receive my guild card safely. As promised, two of them.

「Do you understand!? I implore you!! Never ever!! Lose both of them!! At the same time!! Please!?」

A familiar face from yesterday is there to hand it over, the female guild staff. For some reason, during the handover, she approach me with dreadful pressure. Advising (threatening?) me to be careful with the cards.

As expected, it’s difficult to agree with an unprecedented case like mine. It might be better to buy a special container so as not to lose it. At any rate, I’d like to say thanks to the grandma if I ever get the chance.

The two guild cards have my name on them.

「With this, Kanna-shi has cleared the path to become an adventurer de gozaru.」

「We were met with unexpectedly delicate situation but somehow, I’m deeply moved.」

There was a bit of trouble but the rest came out fine, so let’s just say, it’s all a-ok. Let’s try to receive a request immediately.

「Now then, Kanna-shi, please do your best gozaru yo. This one will also work wholeheartedly to repay this one’s debt even a single day sooner!」

「Then do your best moderately.」

「Waffu!」

When I stroke her head, Chloe’s motivation skyrockets. She runs to the bulletin board where C-rank request are posted with her ears and tail standing up straight.

Strapped on her waist is a one-handed sword purchased yesterday at a weapon shop. Of course, I’m the investor. It seems that Chloe’s specialized weapon skill isn’t for a one-handed sword but the thing on her waist is the closest in comfort.

After looking at Chloe’s back for a while, I turn back to the staff. The seemingly recovered guild staff begins her explanation.

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「Since this is the first job request for Kanna-sama, only the request specified here are available. First of all, please remember the flow of order processing. After confirming the contents of the request from the bulletin board on the wall, please choose requests at your own discretion.」

It’s like a simple tutorial. With gentle handling of the newcomers. Incidentally I’m from the faction that reads the game manual thoroughly.

「There are three types of requests.

Magic beast subjugation.

Harvesting and collecting herbs, materials and catalyst needed for alchemy and compounding.

Miscellaneous tasks which does not correspond to either of those above.

Which group would you like to choose this time?」

「Subjugation.」

「Certainly. Here is the request.」

The staff takes out a piece of paper that appears to be a request. In the center is a picture of a rabbit with horns (quite precise, honestly), and a brief description of the request is written at the bottom. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

「The contents are also included in the request form, but if you submit it to the receptionist, a more detailed explanation will be provided by the staff. If you are satisfied after hearing the details, please sign the order certificate. After doing so, the order processing for the request is considered complete.」

A separate paper is taken out, a certificate of acceptance.

「By the way, this [horn rabbit request] specifies hunting a number of them.」

「Do I just bring back certain body parts in this hunt?」

「Its horn is light and durable. After undergoing treatment, it will last for a long time. While its meat is considered as high class ingredient compared to ordinary domestic animals. If you can deliver a certain number of horns, this request will be completed, but if you also deliver its meat in undamaged condition as much as possible, additional reward will be given. This additional reward also applies to certain other subjugation targets.」

Reminds me of a certain Monster Hunter. It was a system where additional rewards are generated when monsters are captured.

「This advice is true for any rank and type of request; even if the reward is attractive, it’s important not to be too greedy. Some magic beast, in particular, rather than being hard to subjugate, are extremely difficult to collect specific parts of them. Please undertake your request with that in mind.」

「……I’ll keep that in mind.」

I’m not going to let my guard down against the magic beasts, but I became tense after hearing the staff. Even if it is a system close to Monster Hunter, this is reality for me. I have even experienced it before arriving at this city.

「Would you like to accept this request?」

「Yes, please.」

Finally, my first request as an adventurer begins. The subjugation target, horn rabbits can be found in every part of the continent’s forest. The reason for its high quality food evaluation is because of how dangerous they are compared to livestock. Non-combatants can’t capture them by ordinary means nor by traps.

I’m directed to a forest about thirty minutes walk south from Draknil.

「I have confirmed. I think you’ll find them quickly because they live in the outskirts of the forest. Nevertheless, you should always be alert, because a moment of carelessness can be fatal.」

「Yes, thank you.」

At the gate near the entrance to the forest, I show the gatekeeper my request certificate and obtain permission to enter the forest.

The forest is a treasure trove of natural raw materials near the city, which is publicly managed by Diagal Empire to prevent excessive hunting and harvesting of the flora and fauna that lives there. It also has a fence surrounding the forest to prevent trespassing by poachers.

When a person tries to get over this fence illegally from a place other than the checkpoint, the magic installed to the fence would activate, and the alerted soldiers would immediately deploy from the checkpoint.

Furthermore, all the guards at the station are Ryuujin. I’ve never seen them in battle but their fighting prowess are said to be top class among all races. It could be said to be the perfect arrangement of guarding with a small number of elites.

After rechecking the equipment on both arms and legs, I head into the forest.

In retrospect, it may be the first time for me to visit a land full of trees since I came to this fantasy world. Up until now, it was snowy mountains, grasslands and valleys. I only ever saw forest areas from a distance.

「The air is somewhat refreshing. Is this the work of ma○nasu○on? 」

《no idea what reference this is. circle=cencored words》

Even while grumbling, I advance without neglecting vigilance.

I encountered a caterpillar-like magic beast and the familiar goblin after entering the forest, but the rabbit I’m looking for doesn’t appear at all. I even ran into normal beasts, some kind of deer lookalike and a rabbit without horns.

The horn rabbit is a high class ingredient but it’s not a super rare magic beast. Nevertheless, it seems to be difficult to find your target in a forest with a wide variety of flora and fauna residing within, magic beasts included.

Two hours after starting the search, I finally found a horn rabbit.

Thinking of finally starting my hunt, instead of being enthusiastic, I groan unintentionally.

「……Damn it, its so cute.」

With the exception of a horn protruding from the middle of its forehead, the horn rabbit has no difference if compared to a regular rabbit.

Long fluffy ears, fluffy body fur and a fluffy tail. Above all else, that hateful round eyes.

Even though it’s a magic beast, this is making me hesitant to kill it. Coming this far, I have already killed many magic beasts. Even if it’s an unavoidable situation, I have committed murder. It’s surely a mistake to hesitate killing just because its [cute].

With my mind still conflicted, I suddenly match eyes with the rabbit.

「Kishaaaaaa!」

………Where did that adorably cute face go?

The horn rabbit confirms me in its line of sight, raises a strangely fierce growl while baring its fang and after accumulating power in just an instant, jumps vigorously at me.

The gap between past and present is too extreme. Isn’t this just a devil wearing angel skin.

ーーーI will hear about it later, contrary to that cute appearance, the horn rabbit is a very ferocious carnivorous beast that attacks without fear and hesitation even against opponents several times its number. Adventurers who are unfamiliar with that adorable appearance would often react slowly, falling into catastrophe because of it.

A magic beast with the nickname [Beginner Killer].

「Uwaaa!」

Fortunately, I felt killing intent even before the rabbit starts to move. My body reacts just as the rabbit commence its charge, by jumping sideways while screaming pathetically.

Brandishing its sharp horn, the horn rabbit goes straight through the space I was at just a moment before and puncture a tree at the back.

True to its namesake and its selling points, the horn rabbit manage to pierce the tree trunk up to the base of its horn with only a light sound. It was a combination of sharpness and momentum that can penetrate a human easily.

I was able to avoid the Beginner Killer’s first strike, and immediately manifest an ice axe to intercept the next attack. But the rabbit is still stuck in that same position, struggling to break free.

………Got stuck too deep?

ーーーThis is also what I will hear later but the horn rabbit is definitely a ferocious carnivorous beast with the nickname [Beginner Killer]

……However, it seems that their head -mildly speaking- are not that good. If a prey happens to be present in front of it, hunting urges will dominate its head, while ignoring the surroundings completely.

In the forest, surrounded by all these trees, I have splendidly fallen into this ridiculous scene right in front of me.

In the area where the horn rabbit lives, it’s an everyday scene.

Without knowing such a thing at this moment, I cautiously approach the struggling rabbit and strike it in the neck with the blunt end of my axe. When the feeling of broken bone gets transmitted through my axe, the rabbit stops moving, hanging limply from the tree.

Somehow I manage to secure my first target. Surely with the corpse in good condition, I’m eligible for additional reward.

I applied [Bleeding] on the corpse as is. I never met an edible magic beast so far in order to use [Bleeding] on, but still, Real taught me how to do it.

When it’s over, I try to pull the rabbit from the tree.

…This guy got itself stuck too damn hard.

In the end, I had to resort to using Spirit Art, materializing a huge ice plier to pull it out. I was nervous when pulling it out, afraid the horn would break halfway, but its horn and skull are sturdier than expected. Processing will be difficult, but it’s excellent as a material.

I throw the corpse of the horned rabbit into a bag provided by the guild. It’s sturdy and waterproof, a very useful item. Next, I produce cold air using Spirit Art and fill the bag with it. This keeps the rabbit meat from rotting too quickly.

I found the second one without any particular hardship.

That’s because I’m now able to recognize the signs of the horned rabbit as a species. When I walk through the forest by relying on it, I immediately found a horn rabbit. It was as if the time spent searching for my first rabbit was a lie.《orz》At least I’m lucky enough to discover a hunting method for the horn rabbit after my first kill.

Committing to memory of the danger, I confront the horn rabbit with a tree behind me and calmly avoid the initial charge. Once it got stuck in the tree, I strike it in the neck to kill it. After I finish draining its blood, I pull it out and stuff it into the bag. Thus completes the cycle.

About an hour later, the subjugation of five horn rabbits, as per the request quota, is finally complete. Moreover, when I discovered the last one, it was already struggling to break free with its horn stuck in a tree.

『Is this okay?』

Though I retort as such my mind, I secure the prey without mercy.

The sun is still high in the sky, just a little past noon. According to my presence sensor, it seems that there’s a rabbit nearby but let’s stop here. Although not strictly prohibited, the guild does not recommend hunting magic beast beyond the specified number.

No matter how harmful the beast is, if you hunt more than necessary, the ecosystem in the vicinity – in other words, the food chain – is likely to be destroyed. Of course, there are some species that are recommended to be subjugated actively, such as the goblins. However, horn rabbits are not included in that criteria.

The trick to living a long life is to make a timely withdrawal.

I decide to turn back to the forest entrance obediently. On the way back, however, I encountered another rabbit. Of course, into the bag it goes.

All specified subjugation targets must be submitted to the guild but subsequent hunts are the property of the adventurer.

As I’ve said before, horn rabbit meat is a luxury item. I’m very interested in its taste, so I secure one to eat myself.

I return to Draknil in search of the Adventurers Guild, with a sense of anticipation for a dish I’d never tasted before.