Chapter 31

Chapter 031: Going Home (1)

It seemed to be the cub of the dying beast.

The little one approached its mother while remaining wary of Mitchell, soon rubbing its snout against her face.

Seeing this, Mitchell understood the situation at once.

[Tsk tsk, to think it did all that just to save its child. It's better than most humans.]

“I agree...”

For a moment, Mitchell thought of his father but quickly erased him from his mind.

His surname was no longer Kellion.

The existence of a father did not exist for him anymore.

Snort—

While Mitchell was lost in thought, the mother Nightmare snorted and looked at him.

“Are you calling me?”

Seeing the mother Nightmare nod, Mitchell approached slowly so as not to startle the cub.

The mother Nightmare then closed her eyes and rested her forehead against Mitchell’s.

At that moment, emotions and thoughts flooded in.

“Ah...”

The mother Nightmare said she would give him her Inner Core and asked him to take care of her cub.

Mitchell flinched for a moment at the word 'Inner Core.'

He was tempted, but his conscience pricked him a bit at the thought of swallowing it in front of the child.

Snort—

As if sensing his thoughts, the mother Nightmare explained the reason.

“...So the cub can only form its own Inner Core if it stays near yours?”

Nod—

The mother Nightmare nodded and shared one more thing as if to seal the deal.

“What? You’ll put the Inner Core directly into me? Is that even possible?”

[It is possible. That is why the Nightmare’s Inner Core is so famous. However, it’s only possible if the Nightmare hands it over of its own free will. You are truly lucky.]

“That’s all well and good... but how am I supposed to travel around with that thing?”

At Karian’s words, Mitchell looked at the cub Nightmare with a troubled expression.

Even as a cub, it was the size of a full-grown horse. Its appearance was clearly that of a monster to anyone who saw it.

Even if he managed to take it along, he couldn't show it in public.

Snort—

The mother Nightmare looked at her cub after hearing Mitchell’s words.

Slowly, the cub’s appearance began to change.

Squeezing out her remaining energy, she transformed the cub's form.

The rising black smoke vanished, and in its place stood a black horse with a luscious, dark mane.

[Now the problem is solved. Hurry and receive the Inner Core. If she dies, you cannot receive it even if you want to. Then the cub will die without being able to form its own.]

“....”

Mitchell nodded.

Realizing he had accepted, the mother Nightmare stood up to perform her final task.

She began to gather all her remaining energy into one spot.

The black smoke emanating from her body stopped scattering and was sucked into the center.

Her physical body grew increasingly faint.

Just before her massive body disappeared completely, the mother Nightmare locked eyes with Mitchell.

They were filled with worry.

Mitchell nodded as if telling her not to fret.

“I will take good care of that child.”

Snort—

Having received her answer, the Nightmare looked at her cub one last time.

The cub cried out sadly, snorting repeatedly.

After a final exchange of gazes, the mother’s body vanished entirely.

Left behind was a single black Inner Core, the size of a fist.

The core floated toward Mitchell’s abdomen and began to seep in slowly.

Soon, he felt the core inside his body.

The pure dark aura he felt when he first received the Nightmare’s energy was now filling his abdomen.

However, it was slightly different from what he expected.

The Inner Core had replaced the spot where his Aura Hole used to be.

Karian examined Mitchell’s body in surprise.

[To think that receiving an Inner Core from a Nightmare meant this...]

“Even you didn't know, Master?”

[I’ve only heard stories; this is the first time I’ve actually seen it.]

“...This will be okay, right?”

[It will be fine. In the generation before me, there was a warrior who received an Inner Core from a Nightmare. With his overwhelming dark aura, he hunted countless magical beasts and brought many warriors to their knees. Because his talent wasn't exceptional, he passed away without reaching the Master stage, but that's why I went looking for a Nightmare myself.]

“You said before you were just looking out of curiosity...”

[That’s because I was afraid you’d go running off to find one right away.]

“Did you really think I was that thoughtless?”

Regardless, didn't this mean the Nightmare’s Inner Core had the power to turn even someone without talent into an expert?

Mitchell smiled widely at the floating sensation, but quickly lowered the corners of his mouth.

His eyes had landed on the Nightmare’s cub.

The creature was staring blankly at the spot where its mother had been.

“You’ll need time to pull yourself together too.”

Leaving the cub for a moment, Mitchell went over to Grant.

Grant, who had regained consciousness, was sitting up and staring blankly at the corpse of the Green-Scaled Ghost Snake.

“Did you really kill that monster...?”

“Yeah, I got lucky.”

Mitchell explained what happened after Grant lost consciousness.

Grant was impressed that Mitchell finished it off with the Sky-Shattering Formation and the Soul Absorption technique he'd practiced for the last ten days, but he nearly fainted again when the Nightmare was mentioned.

“Th-th-that black horse is a Nightmare cub?!”

“Yeah. Its appearance is changed, but it’s definitely a Nightmare.”

“...What on earth happened in the short time I was knocked out?”

Grant shook his head and stood up.

“Let’s head to the entrance for now. From what I know, it opens within a few days once the monster activity decreases. Since the snake is dead, it should open soon.”

[Yes, he’s right. It’s better to be at the entrance early. Things are still chaotic, so we don't know when it might close again.]

Nodding at their words, Mitchell went to the cub Nightmare.

He gently placed a hand on its mane.

“We have to go now.”

At Mitchell’s words, the cub snorted softly and lowered its body.

It was showing its intent for him to ride.

Mitchell didn't ignore the kindness and climbed onto its back.

As they headed toward Grant, Grant glared at the cub with eyes full of fear and suspicion.

“Is it really safe?”

“Of course. And he’s asking if you want to ride too.”

“Uh... I’ll just walk...”

Mitchell shrugged at Grant’s reply and prepared to depart for the entrance.

[Before you leave, go to the Green-Scaled Ghost Snake. It should have an Inner Core as well.]

Oh!

With shining eyes, Mitchell headed straight for the snake's carcass, searched the body, and pulled out an Inner Core.

As he did, the scales of the carcass visibly lost their luster.

‘So the Inner Core was what maintained those hard scales.’

Indeed, it didn't make sense that simple scales couldn't be pierced even with aura.

Mitchell nodded, looking at the core in his hand.

After staring at it for a moment, he let out a sigh of regret.

No matter how he looked at it, the energy of this core was too strong.

In his current state, where the Nightmare’s core had replaced his Aura Hole, consuming the snake’s core would likely cause a conflict.

[Heh heh, were you planning to consume that too? You’re quite greedy. Why not just sell it? There will be a long line of people wanting to buy it.]

“I have plenty of money. You saw it too, Master.”

Thinking of his mother’s account, Mitchell called Grant over. He then tossed the Inner Core to the approaching Grant.

“Huh? Why are you giving this to me?”

“You take it. I already got the Nightmare’s core.”

“Mitchell...”

Grant was moved to the point of tears.

To a warrior, an Inner Core or a spiritual elixir is a massive treasure.

Furthermore, the core of an adult Green-Scaled Ghost Snake was something that couldn't be obtained even for a fortune.

“There’s a condition, though.”

“What is it? Just say the word!”

Mitchell intended to make a very important deal using this core.

Luckily, Grant looked like he would accept any request after receiving the core, so Mitchell spoke casually.

“If I’m adopted into your family, I’m the older brother.”

“Huh...?”

“Don’t worry, I have no interest in the position of Family Head.”

“No... that’s not something I can decide...”

When Grant hesitated, Mitchell reached out his hand.

It was a sign to give the core back if he didn't like it.

Seeing that hand, Grant’s answer was swift.

“I shall serve you as my Big Brother!”

“Big Brother! Which way should we go?”

“Big Brother! Let’s eat while we move!”

“Big Brother...!”

“Stop it!”

Mitchell barked out a shout at the constant "Big Brother" calls.

It was practically mockery at this point.

Even if it wasn't, hearing a guy as big as Grant calling him "Big Brother" made his skin crawl with awkwardness.

“Fine. I haven't been adopted yet. Call me that once I am.”

“Hehe, as expected, I’m more like the older brother. You probably realized that subconsciously too.”

“....”

Mitchell glared at Grant and started moving again.

Just then, near the entrance of the Demonic Realm, a flock of birds took flight into the sky.

Not missing this, Karian urged Mitchell.

[The entrance is about to open, so hurry.]

“I get it. Nox, let’s pick up the pace from here.”

Since he couldn't keep calling it "Nightmare cub," Mitchell had named the creature ‘Nox.’

He remembered reading in a book that in some distant kingdom, night was called Nox.

It was a perfect name for a creature as black as the night.

Mitchell sat tightly to ensure he wouldn't fall off Nox.

However, Nox didn't run immediately but sent a thought to Mitchell asking what to do about Grant.

“He said he wasn't going to ride. He’ll follow on his own. So don't worry about him and run as fast as you can.”

Nox tossed his head, let out a cry, and began to bolt.

The acceleration was so fast that Mitchell, who was prepared, almost fell off.

‘Wow... that was close.’

It wasn't quite the speed the mother Nightmare used when attacking the snake, but it was still incredible.

Moreover, he seemed to be getting faster as they went.

Even Grant, a 5th-grade warrior, couldn't keep up despite using his best movement techniques.

After running for a while, they arrived near the entrance.

Dismounting Nox, Mitchell calmed his slightly nauseous stomach and looked at the barrier.

It hadn't opened yet.

While waiting for Grant, Mitchell looked back.

He could see the path he had traveled with Nox.

‘If he’s this fast even in a dense forest, he’ll be even faster on flat ground.’

Once that thought occurred to him, he wanted to leave the Demonic Realm immediately and run across the plains with Nox.

But first, Grant had to arrive.

Unless he planned to leave him behind.

“What’s taking him so long?”

Mitchell sat on a nearby rock and waited for a long time.

Just as his nausea faded and boredom set in, Grant appeared, glaring at Mitchell while panting heavily.

“Hey... how could you just leave me like that...?”

“I thought the entrance was opening.”

As soon as Mitchell finished speaking, a strong surge of mana was felt from the barrier at the entrance.

At the same time, the barrier began to move.

The sight of the massive barrier moving gave the impression of a mountain shifting by itself.

“Incredible...”

“I know. But how is something this big moving without making a sound?”

As Mitchell muttered in curiosity, Grant placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Don't try to understand it with your head. All the mages of the Empire worked together to create this.”

Though Mitchell had studied magic theory for a long time, he couldn't use mana, so his knowledge was superficial.

He could only tell that a massive spell was at work. Mitchell nodded and approached the opening entrance.

He stepped through the gap that was now wide enough for a person to pass and suddenly came to a halt.

Grant, following behind, did the same.

In front of them stood a crowd of soldiers with spears and knights on horseback.

Mitchell and Grant immediately raised both hands to show they were not enemies.

Since it was easier for Grant, a Grand Duke's son, to speak, he took a step forward.

“I am Grant of the House of Lunei.”

Seeing the two of them, someone stepped forward.

Unlike the other knights, this knight wore ornate armor engraved with magic circles.

Judging by his build, it was clearly a sturdy man, but nothing else could be known due to the helmet that even hid his eyes.

“Grant? To think I’d see you here. It’s been a long time.”

“I... I’m not sure who you are because of the helmet.”

“Ah, right. Now that you mention it, I am wearing a helmet.”

The knight removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm.

A middle-aged man with impressive blonde hair and a beard was revealed.

Grant stared at the face for a moment before his eyes widened in realization.

“Uncle!”

“Yes. You remember me even after all this time. And who is this next to you?”

“For now... he’s a guest. Though he might become family soon.”

“Family? Well, I’ll hear the details later. This worked out well. Come this way, there’s somewhere we need to go.”

He nodded and called Grant and Mitchell over.

Mitchell calmed Nox, who was nervous from seeing so many people, and followed behind Grant and the knight.

“I believe it’s been five years.”

“Yes, that’s right. I heard you went to the border of the Holy Empire. Have you been well?”

“Since I’m still breathing, I suppose I’ve been well. It would have been better if not for those religious fanatics, though.”

Mitchell flinched as he listened to their conversation.

Of all people, he had to be someone who was in the West.

Feeling guilty for no reason, Mitchell walked even more quietly to avoid drawing attention.

Nox, sensing Mitchell’s emotions, snorted as if asking what was wrong, but Mitchell sent a thought to be quiet and listened closer.

Fortunately, the conversation didn't mention the Kellion family.

“Uncle, where are you taking us?”

“To a place where someone you’ll be glad to see is waiting.”

“Who is it?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

After walking a bit further, they stopped at a place Mitchell and Grant recognized.

The only inn in the village.

It seemed the person they'd be glad to see was here.

“I should go look around the Demonic Realm for a bit, so go on in.”

Without revealing who it was, he left those words and returned to where the troops were stationed at the entrance.

“I wonder who it is.”

As Grant was about to enter in curiosity, the door opened and a person appeared.

“Huh? Silvia? Why are you here?”

“Why are you here, brother? The war with Rafel just ended, so you should be staying close to the family and helping Father.”

“Ugh, nagging as soon as we meet... Mitchell, this is my younger sister, Silvia. Silvia, this is Mitchell, who might become your brother soon.”

Grant grinned, expecting a shocked reaction from his sister.

Indeed, her eyes went wide.

However, her reason for being shocked was different, as the words that came out of her mouth were not what Grant expected.

“Mitchell? Mitchell Kellion?”