Chapter 26
When the dust settled, the creature standing there was...
Even if I was being generous, it was still smaller than two adult fists put together.
What is that?
Glossy black fur.
Four short, chubby legs.
Bright blue eyes.
But what stood out most was the clear white mark in the middle of its black forehead.
It looked like a small star.
“...A puppy?”
The moment I muttered in disbelief...
The little black furball stared up at the Black-Horn Boars that had stopped right in front of it.
Its tiny black nose twitched.
Then it puffed out its chest as much as it could.
It opened its little mouth and let out a fierce roar.
“KYUAAAAANG!”
...Rather than a roar, it sounded more like the squeaking cry of a newborn chick or puppy.
But the instant that tiny cry echoed through the forest...
The enormous Black-Horn Boars all foamed at the mouth and flattened themselves against the ground.
In front of a puppy barely larger than my palm...
They tucked their tails between their legs and trembled violently.
“What...?”
I stared blankly.
“What exactly am I looking at?”
The tiny black puppy stood proudly and glared at them.
The largest boar let out a frightened whine.
Then it turned around.
That was the signal.
The rest of the herd immediately followed.
They fled into the darkness of the forest as fast as their legs could carry them.
“...?”
Malko blinked.
“Am I dreaming right now?”
Peace returned to the Steelwood grove in an instant.
Zakan slowly lowered his greatsword.
Malko stood frozen with his jaw hanging open.
Then...
The little black furball that had chased away the boars slowly turned around.
It puffed out its chest proudly.
Its tail spun like a propeller as it trotted toward me.
Wait.
What’s that around its mouth...?
My eyes narrowed.
I hurriedly took off the leather sack hanging from my shoulder and looked inside.
“...Damn it.”
The inside of the bag was a disaster.
The ten carefully boiled potatoes I had packed as food for our expedition...
Were gone.
“Kyuang.”
While I stared hopelessly into the empty bag, the black furball walked over.
It placed both front paws on top of my foot.
Then lifted its tiny black nose and stared up at me.
Its blue eyes sparkled with expectation.
Its tail wagged furiously.
“...You want more?”
Pant, pant.
The creature stuck out its tongue and panted as if answering me.
“There aren’t any left. You ate all ten.”
The instant it heard there was no more food...
Its ears drooped.
The tail that had been wagging so excitedly stopped completely.
But...
Wait a second.
Haven’t I seen this thing before?
Black fur.
Blue eyes.
A white star-like mark on its forehead.
No way...!
This is the legendary Divine Beast Zakan rides in the original game!
The great Divine Beast known as the Guardian of the Northern Lands...
Had appeared in front of us as a puppy.
Had it been drawn here by fate to meet Zakan, just like in the original story?
...Or had it followed us because it smelled potatoes?
I glanced toward Zakan.
He stood there gripping his greatsword.
His expression was strangely complicated as he stared down at the young Divine Beast.
It looked like he also felt some mysterious pull of destiny.
Then...
Whoosh.
The great Divine Beast heard the tragic news that there were no more potatoes.
Without even the slightest hesitation...
It turned around coldly.
It completely ignored Zakan’s intense gaze.
Then it jumped lightly and disappeared deeper into the forest with tiny, quick steps.
“...Hmm.”
Zakan had one hand stretched toward empty air.
For some reason, his broad shoulders looked strangely lonely.
Yeah.
That thing definitely came because of the potatoes.
“Zakan. Let’s hurry and cut down the trees while that creature’s presence is still lingering.”
“...Understood.”
We had lost ten potatoes.
But in exchange, we had basically gained temporary control of the Steelwood grove.
Not a terrible trade.
Teren.
The frontier village closest to the Northern Frontier, and the final boundary of human civilization.
As soon as Topu arrived, he headed straight for the trading post.
“Mister! I’ve got a monster hide to sell today.”
Topu confidently slammed a huge hide onto the counter.
It was the Varg hide from the monster Izak had killed a few days ago.
The old merchant employee had been looking through his ledger.
But instead of looking at the hide...
He leaned slightly toward Topu.
“Topu.”
His voice lowered.
“You did well. But more importantly... you don’t happen to have any of those special potatoes today, do you?”
Topu shrugged and shook his head firmly.
“No potatoes today. Do you think such precious crops just grow whenever I want?”
“Tsk... Is that so?”
The old man looked disappointed.
“Anyway, when you get more, you must bring them to our trading post first. Understood?”
“We’ll see about that.”
Topu pointed at the hide.
“More importantly, look at this! Are you buying it or not? Anyone can tell this isn’t ordinary leather.”
Only then did the old merchant push up the monocle resting on his nose.
He carefully examined the Varg hide.
His brows slowly narrowed.
“...What kind of monster did this come from?”
He looked genuinely confused.
“I have worked for merchant companies for decades and seen all kinds of monsters, but I have never seen this before.”
The old merchant pulled at one end of the hide.
Then glanced sideways at Topu.
“The leather itself seems excellent, but... I’m not sure whether I should buy the hide of a creature whose identity we don’t even know.”
Topu immediately protested.
“Mister, what are you talking about? You can tell just by touching it that it’s ten times tougher than ordinary wolf hide.”
He slapped the leather.
“This wasn’t some normal monster. You have no idea how vicious that thing was!”
Topu passionately praised the hide.
But the experienced merchant deliberately maintained an uninterested expression as part of the negotiation.
“Even so, that doesn’t change the fact that it came from an unidentified monster.”
He rubbed his chin.
“Hmm... Still, the condition is quite good. I’ll give you fifty thousand shillings.”
“Fifty thousand?!”
Topu exploded.
“Are you joking?! Even a common Spotted Wolf hide can sell for fifty thousand if it’s in good condition!”
He pointed angrily.
“How can this be worth less than some ordinary wolf hide?!”
The merchant snorted.
“Then if you can find some fool willing to pay more, sell it to him.”
He waved dismissively.
“I have absolutely no intention of paying more than fifty thousand shillings.”
“Really?”
Topu narrowed his eyes.
“Fine! Don’t regret it later!”
Topu stormed out of the trading post.
He headed toward the central square.
“Who says this is the only place I can sell things?”
He found a busy spot with plenty of foot traffic.
Then spread out his mat and began selling in earnest.
“Come, come, good sirs! Freshly hunted hide from a legendary monster!”
Topu waved his hands dramatically.
“Top-quality leather so tough blades slide right off it! There’s nothing better for armor lining!”
Topu’s skillful sales pitch and the unusual shine of the Varg hide attracted passing customers.
One man stopped.
“Oh?”
He inspected it.
“That is certainly unusual leather. The quality looks excellent.”
He looked toward Topu.
“How much, boy?”
“Yes, customer!”
Topu smiled brightly.
“It’s an incredibly rare hide, but today I’ll give you a special price of three hundred thousand shillings!”
The man’s face twisted.
“Are you insane?!”
He pointed at the mat.
“You’re asking three hundred thousand shillings for a hide being sold on the ground in a marketplace?!”
Most people reacted the same way.
They showed interest...
Then heard the price or realized no one knew what monster the hide came from.
After that, they shook their heads and walked away.
This is bad.
Topu began sweating.
I bragged to Shaman that I’d definitely sell it for a huge amount.
I can’t go back empty-handed.
At that moment...
Three knights in heavy armor approached.
The crest of the baron’s household was engraved on their chests.
They surrounded Topu.
The large knight standing in front looked down coldly.
“Are you the merchant who sold our lord that magic crop last time?”
“Eh?!”
Topu went pale.
“M-Magic crop? I-I think you have the wrong person! I don’t know anything about that!”
The knight carefully examined Topu’s face.
Then he spoke with absolute certainty.
“That awful dialect...”
His eyes narrowed.
“It is definitely him.”
“W-What are you talking abooout?”
Topu suddenly tried speaking differently.
“I doooon’t use any dialeeeect.”
“...It’s you.”
Topu gripped his mat tightly and trembled.
“Our lord ordered us to bring you to him.”
