#216
Lycanthrope (1)
Harris, who suddenly became the leader of the investigation team, did his best to pursue a careless life.
Now, he left the movement itself to Pascal, the spirit of the wind, and moved while hanging limply in the air.
Since he and the spirit were connected through the mind anyway, it wasn't that difficult to control his movements with just his thoughts.
'You can also practice elemental arts.'
Pascal, the wind spirit, is still at the upper level.
Since the only top-level spirit he had was Watt, the lightning spirit, this could also be said to be a good opportunity.
Of course, to those around you, your dignity and physique as a high elf may seem like nothing, but who cares when you're so comfortable right now.
And besides training, he had a reasonable excuse.
In this state, I try to become one with nature and feel the will of the World Tree once again.
Isn't that why he started investigating in the first place?
'There is no harvest so far.'
Perhaps the first sensation I felt was really an illusion, but there was no significant progress after that day.
The same goes for revelations that do not come down from the World Tree in particular.
But a little while ago, he was lazy… no, when he was floating in the air, doing his best to unfold "Nature's Fairy Tale".
A very subtle sense of heterogeneity was detected at the edge of Mother Nature's widely felt breath.
A subtlety that would have been difficult to notice if it weren't for Harris' level of crazy immersion.
At that time, other elves were scattered in all directions conducting investigations, so he headed to the location alone to at least check out the situation…
and what he discovered was a group of fifteen lycanthropes.
They were suspicious people, all of whom had strange red emblems engraved on their chests as if they were conscious of something, and were surrounding the makeshift altar in the center, looking at the abyss crack that had appeared above it.
-Heinz II: Are they really lycanthropes? I heard that movement on the Aeon continent has decreased noticeably in recent years. It seems they have secretly migrated to Enamel.
-Hugo: Rather than that, isn't that an abyss? It seems dangerous…? Wasn't the Enamel Continent safe because of the influence of the World Tree?
-Harris: …Oh, I really hate it….
Among the education Harris received as an elf, there was also a story about the birth of this enamel continent.
A myth-like tradition that happened thousands of years ago.
At first, different races were living together on the Aeon continent, but for some reason they needed a new home without humans.
A benevolent god felt sorry for those who were wandering with nowhere to go and sent his incarnation to earth.
That was the sapling of the World Tree.
The sapling turned Enamel Island, which was only a bit large, into a huge continent that could accommodate all different races.
Eventually, several countries centered on migrated races were born, including the Elven Kingdom, which protected the central World Tree.
'I said that's why the Elven Kingdom is at the center and why elves are respected by other races.'
Of course, because it happened thousands of years ago, there are no proper records, and for some reason, even the legends of the High Elves, the representative species of longevity, omit detailed stories, so it was unclear how much of the story was true.
At least the existence of the World Tree and its influence were immediately visible facts, so there were not many people who denied it.
And I heard that thanks to the World Tree, which is the pillar and root that supports the Enamel Continent, we were able to avoid the aftermath of two Immortal King invasions…
-Hannibal Strauss: Oh, that's how you weaken the border with the abyss. Is it okay? This is my first time seeing it in person. It's a unique way.
The best expert on the floor was watching their consciousness through Harris's eyes at that time.
The Immortal King himself diagnosed this situation.
-Hannibal Strauss: It's not a direct hole. If I had to compare it, it would be closer to the scars left all over the Aeon Continent. It looks like twigs and leaves of the World Tree were used as sacrifices in the process. … Plus, the marks on their bodies are quite unusual.
Well, if it was truly a passage connected to the abyss, it would have been impossible with that many people and preparations.
Secretive work like now would have been impossible.
'The problem is that they are the ones doing such things in the Enamel Continent, that is, in the realm of the Elven Kingdom.'
Harris sighed softly, still assimilated into nature and hiding his presence.
It is clear that this is not a good intention, without even thinking about it too deeply.
It seemed like I was faced with something bothersome.
'Still, are you glad you found it before it got worse? Now we can find out how they prevented the World Tree from intervening.'
Of course, that was something that had to be resolved at the national level.
There is no guarantee that they will only be carrying out their tricks here, so maybe all the different races on the Enamel Continent will have to step forward.
'My job is done now that I have figured out this situation. There is no need for me to suffer alone! What happens afterward is left to others…'
But.
The moment he made up his mind to pull himself out.
Sniff? Sniff—
Among the group of about 15 people, one of the nearly 3 meter tall werewolves in front of the altar sniffed—.
He turned his head and looked with his shiny bright yellow eyes at exactly where Harris was hiding.
"Oh my."
Before Harris' soft lament could even end…
Kwaang –
A vicious hand rushed towards him, closing the distance in an instant with a burst of drinking.
***
Vampires and lycanthropes were equally ostracized by other races, but as their tendencies were completely different, there was a big difference in their positions.
Unlike vampires, who have a strong sense of reason except when they feel the urge to suck blood, easily hide in the darkness of human society and steadily increase their power, these werewolves were prone to going on a rampage as if the entire race was suffering from anger management disorder, making it impossible for them to coexist. .
In the end, one by one, they were driven to the outskirts, except for some who were active as leader of violent organizations or war mercenaries…
Their numbers also dwindled to the point where they were insignificant compared to vampires.
Even if you add up all the remaining races, it doesn't even reach the level of the Vampire's Eupersch Clan.
"Kikikick, this, this~ After all, things in the world don't go as planned? Anyway, you should know that this revolutionary guy was so confident that he wouldn't be caught, but it was completely pointless. Ugh~ tsk tsk."
Above the tall trees.
A man sitting on a branch at the top looked towards one side of the forest and started giggling like crazy.
It was so far away that he couldn't even be seen from here, but that didn't hinder him from checking on the condition of his subordinate.
"It's a little early, but… we've already been caught, so there's nothing we can do!"
He shook his head roughly, slid his body, and jumped down the tree.
Tooung!
And after a short flight time, he landed lightly on the floor.
It was already a gigantic werewolf, well over 3 meters tall, with not a single trace of human appearance remaining.
Awwww——
I took a deep breath and howled towards the sky.
One by one, black shadows began to gather around him due to the strange sound, the meaning of which could not be understood by anyone other than his own race.
"Is it finally starting? I've waited so long, King! "Let's move now!"
"Krrr—there's still a lot of time left, are you really moving now? "If it's too early, I think a lot of people won't be ready."
"If King decided that way, there must be a reason. "Hehehe!"
Among those who approached, three particularly large werewolves stepped forward and growled.
"Kkkkkkk! The cartrophe was properly caught. "It looks like they are fighting very fiercely."
"Krrr—that stupid thing. Could it be that the High Elves have moved? Then I really don't have time. "There's no way to prevent those in other places from getting caught."
The person, who had reacted somewhat skeptically to King's brief addition, immediately understood the situation and nodded.
Once caught, speed was key in this matter.
When everyone seemed to be convinced, King looked around at his subordinates gathered around him and slowly nodded.
Among the eight generals, the strongest three are knights over fifty and other beggars.
Moreover, once the work begins, the rest scattered everywhere will immediately respond.
…And more than anything else, he himself was his greatest strength.
"If it's not enough, do whatever it takes!" We've already endured a lot! Hahaha! let's go! "To burn the entire World Tree!"
Oooooh——
Awwow——
He is the leader of the last 'Wolfpack' and the last king of werewolves, now famous.
Because he was a lycanthrope king who declared himself a clown in the oath of reverse heaven.
***
As lycanthropes are a race often compared to vampires, their systems were somewhat similar in some ways.
If vampires are divided into true blood, true blood, pure blood, residual blood, and extra-blood servants, slaves.
Lycanthropes were divided into levels of generals, knights, warriors and soldiers under the king.
As can be seen from their rank name, their identity was purely their fighting power.
It is focused solely on the physical aspect, without the miscellaneous abilities or unique skills that vampires have, such as blood magic.
However, sometimes something simpler is more effective.
Their strength, agility, durability, anti-magic power, and regeneration ability were far superior to those of vampires of the same level in a head-to-head match.
…Harris was keenly feeling it in real time.
Although I didn't really want it.
Crumbling—!
Like a lightning strike in a dry sky, bright blue sparks flash once again.
"Kuhuhuhhh!"
The charred monster that came out of it instantly stepped on the surrounding trees and rushed at Harris, who was floating in the air.
In addition, it followed him who had dodged to the side with the spirit of the wind, kicking the air in the air and changing its orbit.
'Oh, that's really tricky!'
No matter how you look at the lycanthrope in front of him right now, he was a general-level individual… that is, a master.
Although his level is nothing compared to Stav, the Imperial Guard Captain who gave Hesperon a hard time some time ago, it still doesn't change the fact that he is a troublesome opponent for Harris, who has just become a high elf.
It's so hard!
"Crraaaaaa! You fight cowardly! "If you're a man too, face it confidently!"
Of course, it was just a hassle, but that didn't mean he was an opponent he couldn't beat.
'What nonsense?'
Since I was beaten for over thirty minutes, I understand that reaction.
This is an Elven Kingdom with a forest and even a world tree a short distance away.
And Harris had a plethora of skills specialized in affinity, such as "Legitimacy of the World Tree," "Nature's Fairy Tale," "Star Observer," and "Nature's Call."
With decibel, the spirit of sound, it blocks not only his sensitive hearing but also the vibrations that reach his skin.
The wind spirit Pascal and the fire spirit Kali blocked the sense of smell and heat detection.
In addition, all the spirits were mobilized to create light and dust to interfere with vision, so it had no choice but to delay one beat at a time as it blended in with nature and searched for Harris, who had disappeared.
'And at our level, that one beat difference is fatal.'
Immediately after another storm passed.
In a time of extreme calm due to his nervousness, he took out Themis, a bow made from the branches of the world tree.
"Whoa—."
If Hesperon had moved at this speed, his entire body's muscles would have ruptured, but as a high elf, it was not a big burden.
Puzzle! Grumble—!
Whiiing! Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
As the power increased, natural power slowly gathered around Harris and as his right hand pulled the empty bowstring, the surrounding natural power was sucked in and an arrow was formed.
One breath is over.
The lycanthrope resisted fiercely again, and Harris struck it with lightning again.
Second breath.
Once again, natural forces were gathered, united, and combined with the existing arrows.
"Kaaah! "You!"
As expected, he resisted, but it didn't mean much.
I repeated that simple process several times.
Squeeze!
An arrow that appears to be made of lightning.
Burning—
Compressed flames were contained in the arrowhead.
Whiuuuung—!
Soon after the wind and vibrations enveloped it.
"~~♪"
The arrow fired with "Fairy Justice" along with "Melody of Harmony"—.
———!
It crossed the air like a beam of light without any noise.
And to deal with a guy who has already been beaten for dozens of minutes and is weakened.
That was enough.
***
As soon as the fight began, the sentinels summoned by the sound spirit Decibel surrounded the area, so it was not difficult to eliminate the remaining lycanthropes.
They were strong, including two knight-level soldiers and five warrior-level soldiers, but since the sentinels were an elite fighting unit of the Elven Kingdom, they had nothing to worry about.
While the situation was being sorted out, Harris took advice from Hans and destroyed the unfinished makeshift altar…
《The World Tree Looks at Its Child.》
Immediately after the abyss rift closed, you encountered a very familiar system message. I was able to.
'Huh?'
Following that, the warm energy I had felt before began once again, starting from my toes and reaching up to the top of my head.
'…The quest reward is really cool.'
The first time I received this was when I met Hans at the first summit and became a high elf.
There were no changes as drastic as then, but there were no complaints at all.
Whoa whoa—!
Thanks to this, Pascal, the wind spirit, was able to become the second highest level spirit after Watt.
Harris closed his eyes and expanded his senses as much as possible.
As his natural power and affinity increased, the range of his perception became much wider than before.
Of course, the annoyance caused by the side effects has become much greater.
Still, this is still enough to overcome, so support like this is always welcome….
'Wait a minute… Is this really an experience booster event?'
At that time, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.