A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 172

“So… you barged in during their meal, toyed with them, and then killed them?”

“Yes.”

“You dealt with them immediately because they sensed your presence?”

“Yes.”

“Hah, unbelievable…”

Rex reacted with disbelief at my monotonous answers.

Eventually, he turned his gaze toward the Forest Ogre. Its corpse lay there, its head and mouth split cleanly apart.

It was a monster far larger and more dangerous than the average ogre, but not to me.

To me, large monsters are nothing more than easy prey. Their movements are usually sluggish.

“So the rumors were true? That you lived in the Forest of Chaos?”

“Seems like it. The proof is right here, isn’t it?”

“Good thing that axe wasn’t swung at us.”

Rex’s group, the adventurers, chatted casually as they examined the ogre’s corpse.

They decided to dismantle the ogre themselves, which was fine since I had no reason to keep it.

I had plenty of money and wasn’t short on food supplies. So, I decided to just give it to them.

“I’d feel bad just taking it, so I’ll make sure you’re rewarded later. If I talk to the guild, you might even get requests above the orange level.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Anyway, are you sure we can really take this?”

How many times do I have to say I don’t need it? I’ve lost count.

The Forest Ogre is highly valuable as an alchemy ingredient and fetches a considerable price.

For Rex’s group, it’s probably more than enough to live lavishly for a month.

Giving it away so easily must be pricking their conscience.

“Kid, no matter how much you have, you shouldn’t just give something like this away. Do you know how expensive it is? Someone else might’ve taken it without even offering you a reward.”

This is how they are—desperate to offer me more compensation.

In a harsh world like this, especially in a profession where you live by the blade, you can’t afford not to be calculating.

Otherwise, you’d just end up being taken advantage of. The moment you seem easy to exploit, people will start pushing their luck.

“It’s fine. I have plenty of money.”

“A kid like you living in the forest instead of coming back?”

“I’m used to it.”

“Used to it or not, go clean yourself up. Look at your clothes! They’re filthy already. I don’t think they can even be washed.”

Rex was right. It had been over a day since I entered the forest, and my clothes were already a mess.

From the blood of beasts and monsters to dust and dirt. The forest welcomed me with open arms as soon as I stepped in.

In the morning, simple monsters like goblins and gnolls attacked, while wolves came at night.

I wanted to avoid wasting energy, but they charged at me relentlessly. Honestly, it was a bit absurd.

‘A little intimidation should’ve been enough to make them back off.’

Beasts and monsters are far more instinct-driven than humans.

They’re inherently equipped with a fear of predators and can instinctively sense that I’m dangerous.

It was the same in the Forest of Chaos. Unless they were monsters that had come from outside, most tried their best to avoid me.

But not here. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a New Face or if they’re just naturally savage.

‘It’s probably due to the demon’s influence.’

Demons have the ability to control monsters, but only starting from the blue level.

For example, just as a Hobgoblin commands its subordinates, demons operate in a similar way.

“Hey, Rex! Got everything packed? If we stay here too long, something might catch the scent and come.”

“Got it! So, what about you? Are you leaving now?”

“No.”

I need to confirm a few things before I go. I had planned to stay in the forest for several days anyway.

But Rex seemed worried about me. With a troubled expression, he started scolding me again.

“Kid, no matter how strong you are, the forest is dangerous. Especially the Northwest Forest—it has a bad reputation. Academy students like you have come back severely injured.”

I wanted to say that I didn’t just adapt to the Forest of Chaos—I ruled it as a predator.

But since he was genuinely concerned for me, I didn’t bother responding. I just blinked at him.

Eventually, Rex seemed to half-give up. With a sigh, he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small cylindrical object, its red color making it stand out.

“It’s a flare. Use it if you run into any trouble, got it?”

“Yes.”

“Just pull this string here. Be careful out there.”

Rex’s group packed up their things and left. They would’ve taken everything if they could, but time was short.

I saw them off and then turned to look at the ogre. Its heart and organs had been completely extracted.

If I were hungry, I would’ve told them to leave it, but it didn’t matter. I checked my compass and started walking.

‘This guy is likely some kind of gatekeeper.’

Forest Ogres usually have a wide range of activity. Yet, this one stayed in one spot.

As if guarding an entrance. Judging by this, there’s a high chance the demon’s habitat is nearby.

It’s probably using monsters as its army while slowly building its strength.

‘If things get dangerous, I’ll kill them all and move elsewhere.’

Demons are truly unique beings. Even without a defined form, they possess intelligence from the start.

The more life they consume, the higher their realm ascends, but their intelligence remains constant. In this sense, they’re similar to humans.

Of course, their actions are no different from actual demons. Being inherently lifeless, they must consume life to maintain their form.

That’s why they commit all sorts of evil deeds. Sometimes, demons are even behind human trafficking rings.

‘This one’s cunning, too. It’s using monsters to hide its tracks.’

The one I’m after must have a deep understanding of human behavior.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be able to use monsters as shields to conceal its demonic handiwork.

And it’s incredibly quick-witted, fleeing at the slightest sign of trouble.

Before escaping, it even absorbs the vitality of the monsters it commanded.

-Kirik? Kiririk. Kirik.

-Kerek. Kererre.

That’s when I heard it. A faint sound reached my ears.

As soon as I heard it, I crouched down, minimizing even the slightest noise.

I then moved very slowly. Unless they came right up to me, it’d be difficult for them to find me.

Luckily, the area was dense with thickets, making detection nearly impossible. I picked up my pace slightly.

‘Is it over there?’

Before long, I spotted a cave with a very wide entrance.

In front of the cave stood three goblins, two orcs, and one ogre, all seemingly acting as guards.

Normally, they’d be at each other’s throats, but seeing them together like this… it’s clear.

There’s no doubt the demon I’m looking for resides in that cave. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be this organized.

“Unit 3. Where’s the boss?”

“Inside. Hungry.”

“Who’s the target today?”

“A human. Caught one.”

A goblin reconnaissance team had just returned. Strangely enough, I could hear their conversation clearly.

Monsters like goblins, gnolls, and orcs, which are closer to humans, can communicate with each other.

The same goes for ogres. However, most of the time, they just make beast-like noises.

I wondered if it was due to an increase in faith. Last time, when my faith rose, I could understand a foreign language.

‘A human, they said?’

This is the first I’ve heard of it. My expression hardened.

I might already be too late. I wanted to complete the subjugation without any victims.

‘No, there might still be time.’

They wouldn’t kill them right away. The demon’s method of absorbing life was through its sword.

If the sword was already “full,” there’d be a grace period. If not, there’d be no hope.

I hesitated for a moment as the reconnaissance team entered the cave, thinking about how to get inside.

‘In the Soul World, I used another cave to sneak in.’

The problem is, I don’t know where that cave is. It’s more like a small hole, and finding it could take a long time.

The deliberation was long, but the action was short. I gripped the axe strapped to my back.

Then, holding it with both hands, I swung my arms back and hurled it forward with force.

Wham!

The axe left my hand with a powerful sound, spinning as it flew straight toward its target—Ragnarok in motion.

Crash!

At last, the axe struck the ogre square in the face. Its head was on the verge of splitting apart.

Thud!

The ogre collapsed to the ground without even a scream. Its massive body hitting the ground caused a slight tremor.

“Huh? It fell.”

“Is it hungry?”

As expected of a low-intelligence monster. Even after the ogre had died, they were spouting nonsense like that.

It was probably because it wasn’t one of their own. Moreover, the ogre had fallen forward slightly, making it hard for them to check.

If they had seen the axe embedded in its face, they would’ve been horrified. Without hesitation, I dashed toward the cave entrance.

Crunch!

“Kerk?!”

I grabbed the goblin heading over to check on the ogre’s condition by the neck. Its small frame fit easily in one hand.

The sudden appearance of someone like me startled the other monsters. Regardless, I did what needed to be done.

Snap!!

By tearing the goblin’s head from its body. Quite literally, like ripping apart a cabbage with my hands.

Green blood spurted from the goblin’s neck like a fountain, but I didn’t care. I immediately threw its head at the orc.

Smash!

“Kehk!”

It probably felt like getting hit by a basketball. I’d put a lot of strength into the throw.

While the orc staggered, I took care of the remaining two goblins. A few punches were all it took to kill them.

Finally, I finished off the orc with the axe. In an instant, the monsters guarding the cave entrance had turned into corpses.

‘It’s quite spacious.’

After surveying the eerie atmosphere of the cave entrance, I stepped inside.

Relying on only a few torches for light was perfect for me.

******

Before Sivar entered the cave, a new face had arrived at Unity Village.

That face belonged to none other than Luna. She had arrived at the village two days after reporting Sivar’s “runaway.”

Even Rod, upon hearing about Sivar’s runaway, had hesitated briefly before deciding to send only Luna for now.

The issue was that she, like Sivar, had walked. Fortunately, she realized midway that she could take a carriage, saving some time.

‘It’s quite a large village.’

Luna looked around the village. It wasn’t quite Byzantium, but it was a bustling place.

It had everything one could need and lacked nothing. For her, someone from the countryside, it was no different from a city.

‘Where could Sivar be?’

Her top priority was finding Sivar. His appearance was distinctive enough to make asking around easy.

She first searched for places Sivar might go. The restaurant was the obvious choice.

Given Sivar’s enormous appetite, there was a high chance he had already made a name for himself there.

“Ah, that red-eyed young man? He’s been here a few times. Every time he came, he ate so much that our sales skyrocketed.”

“Do you know where he is now?”

“Hmm? That, I’m not sure. Try checking the guild. He frequents it.”

“The guild?”

Luna tilted her head in confusion. Despite gaining much knowledge at the Academy, guilds weren’t among them.

After hearing an explanation about the guild from the owner, Luna headed straight there. As soon as she entered, she began looking for Sivar.

But even after scanning her surroundings, there was no sign of Sivar. Not even a trace of black hair.

Eventually, she approached a staff member to confirm his whereabouts. Instead of his name, she described his appearance.

“Ah, you must mean Mr. Sivar.”

They understood immediately, leaving Luna feeling slightly uneasy.

Just as she was wondering if he had already become a local celebrity, the staff member maintained a professional smile and spoke.

“Mr. Sivar is likely in the forest to the northwest. He took on a reconnaissance request.”

“He… hasn’t caused any trouble, has he?”

“Trouble? On the contrary, he’s been a great help.”

It seemed he hadn’t caused any accidents, much to Luna’s relief. She immediately set out for the forest in the northwest.

Although all she had was a compass, it didn’t matter. Her sole purpose was to find Sivar.

‘Why does it have to be the forest again?’

Could he really not abandon his wildling instincts? Luna pondered this as she pressed forward.

Occasionally, wild animals approached her, but it wasn’t a concern. It wasn’t the Forest of Chaos, after all.

How long had she been walking? Suddenly, Luna sensed presences ahead.

Not just one, but several. Naturally, she became cautious.

“Let’s hurry and get some food—huh?”

“Who’s that?”

It was Rex’s party. The moment they saw Luna, they wore puzzled expressions.

Realizing she was human, Luna lowered her guard. Still, she greeted them just in case.

“Ah, hello.”

“Oh, hi there.”

“Excuse me, may I ask you something? It’s a bit urgent.”

“A question? Go ahead.”

As expected of the ever-kind Rex. The moment Luna approached politely, he responded with equal kindness.

Feeling the warmth in their words, Luna explained the situation, starting with Sivar.

Rex quickly realized she was talking about Sivar. If nothing else, those red eyes were unforgettable.

“Are you talking about Sivar?”

“Ah, yes! That’s right!”

“What’s your relationship with him? Is he your boyfriend or something?”

“Uh… no, not really… I’m just worried about him.”

It was true she was worried he might cause trouble. However, Rex’s party seemed to interpret it differently.

“Sounds like it to me.”

“No, it’s a denial before affirmation.”

“Coming all the way here to find him—it’s obvious they’re not just ordinary acquaintances.”

It wasn’t her words but the situation itself that led to the misunderstanding.

Of course, to Rex’s party, it was just another topic for amusement. Still, they had to provide the necessary information.

“If you keep going down this path, you’ll find him. But it’s dangerous, so I’ll go with you.”

“That’s alright. Thank you for the information! I’ll see you again!”

In her urgency, Luna politely declined Rex’s offer and ran ahead. Her haste was evident.

Rex watched her retreating figure with a satisfied smile.

“Come to think of it, isn’t there a saying in the East? Birds of a feather flock together.”

“I thought it was ‘harmonious couple.’”

“Hey, that’s for married couples. Anyway, both of them are so polite.”

Another seed of misunderstanding was planted.

“But Sivar’s really something, isn’t he? Making such a pretty girl worry like that.”

“Yeah, yeah. When he gets back, we’ll have to give him a good scolding.”

Sivar remained blissfully unaware of all this.