Chapter 229: Tuition Fees (5)  

On a moonlit night,

Vikir quietly stepped out of the academy grounds into the outdoors.

By Vikir’s side, MiniPin was driving a carriage.

“Um… Sir. What kind of monster are you trying to hunt?”

Having experienced Vikir’s strength and temperament firsthand, MiniPin treated Vikir with extreme caution.

MiniPin had directly responded to Vikir’s request for a guide.

He had decided to take on the responsibility himself because stirring up the crazy guy’s emotions could result in losing a valuable guild member. Vikir, however, didn’t pay much attention to MiniPin’s intentions.

“Considering I’m a student of the academy, it shouldn’t be anything too abnormal when we catch a considerable amount of them.”

“I see.”

MiniPin nodded in response to Vikir’s words.

Certainly, Vikir’s strength was far from that of an ordinary academy student.

‘Where did this monster come from?’

MiniPin sighed quietly to himself.

Meanwhile, Vikir was contemplating something different himself…

‘…MiniPin. He’s one of the talents I must keep on my side.’

He was the best guide, one of the heroes who had contributed greatly to the Human Alliance during the era of destruction.

In addition to creating the majority of the Monster Compendiums that Vikir is aware of, he also formed the branch of study known as “Monster Eco-geography” based on his research.

However, MiniPin died prematurely during the battle against the demons, mainly because he lacked a significant background to support him.

A wild man without a specific affiliation. In other words?

“The one who grabs him first, owns him.”

In this life, MiniPin’s lifespan would be significantly extended.

Vikir would make Sherpa guild, the swallowed-up guild, his subordinate sooner or later.

“…Originally, I was considering gathering strength under my command.”

Vikir had tested MiniPin, who would eventually become his close aide and rise to the ranks of heroes.

“What monsters are suitable for students to catch, and give me some decent money?”

“Well, monsters that are not too strong but still profitable… ‘Gnolls’ are the only ones.”

Gnolls. Bizarre creatures with the body of a dwarf, with a hyena’s head.

They dispersed filthy fur and had an awful stench as they walked on two legs. These low-level monsters dwelt in the hilly terrain around the wasteland in clusters, creating a headache with their many tunnels beneath the surface.

They were a nuisance during construction, but their attacks on workers also presented an increasing threat. MiniPin knew a great deal about monsters.

He graciously imparted to Vikir his extensive knowledge of the Gnolls.

“Gnolls have weak individual combat abilities, making them easy to catch even for a first-year academy student. Surprisingly, their fur is tough, and their hides are valuable. Moreover, their bones and organs can be sold as meds for profit.”

“But selling them won’t be as good as selling a big monster, is it?”

“You don’t understand! Gnolls are designated as an ecosystem disturbance species by the imperial family. Just killing them is enough to earn a lot of money.”

In that case, the story changes.Not only would there be a reward for killing each one, but you could also sell their skin, meat, and bones, it would be quite a lucrative venture.

“So, how do we catch Gnolls?”

“Well, since Gnolls have a habit of collecting shiny objects, the most common method is to dazzle and confuse them by scattering glass beads when you encounter them…”

But Vikir shook his head.

“That’s a method used when dealing with a small number of Gnolls.”

“Yes, well, that’s true, but…”

“I’ll use a different method.”

“…?”

Vikir’s chosen method was simple.

“Gnolls are drawn to the fresh blood of recently killed animals. Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect the scent from kilometers away and gather.”

“Yes, that’s correct. How do you know that? Does the academy teach such things these days?”

What Vikir had just mentioned was either known to seasoned hunters or was considered advanced knowledge, so MiniPin appeared quite surprised.

A species that, even though each individual has a danger rating of little more than C+, first gathers in a pack near a wounded prey. They serve a similar purpose on land as sharks do in the ocean.

After catching a wild boar, Vikir pulled its carcass around, dripping with blood, spreading the fur and droplets of blood all over the place.

The damp scent of blood and the pungent smell permeated the forest carried by the night breeze.

Vikir wandered around, burying the boar’s fur and drops of blood all over the mountain.

Of course, MiniPin, who had to follow behind, couldn’t help but be horrified.

“T-this is provoking the Gnolls! It’s suicidal! While individually, they are only rated as C+, when gathered in groups, their danger rating can go up to A!”

The sight of Gnolls within several kilometers converging on this location is a scene that even seasoned hunters would find unimaginable.

But Vikir just nodded with an indifferent expression.

“Don’t worry. I’ll only lure them and hide, so they won’t notice me.”

Upon hearing this, MiniPin felt somewhat relieved.

“Ah, you’re gonna hide? That’s a relief. Indeed, their concentration drops when they’re eating. Moreover, if there’s competition for prey within the group, surely weaker individuals will be left behind. Then, it becomes easier to pick off the vulnerable ones that have fallen behind…”

However, at Vikir’s following words, MiniPin couldn’t help but be shocked once again.

“No, we’re not chasing. We’ll be at the forefront. We’ll pursue where they’re dragging the prey.”

“What? Why…”

“Well, that’s to locate the main den, of course.”

Vikir wasn’t targeting just one or two Gnolls, not even a small group, but the entire clan.

Hunting a Gnoll pack, was something even the imperial guard unit couldn’t accomplish.

MiniPin was left with his mouth half open, facing Vikir, who casually talked about it as if it were easy.

“Why, why would you go to such lengths…?”

And to MiniPin, Vikir spoke briefly.

“It’s good to make a lot of money.”

* * *

Finally, a herd of Gnolls arrived and rummaged through the wild boar carcass. They tore open the boar’s belly, consumed the still-warm innards, and then dragged the remainder through the low path in the thicket. Vikir and MiniPin quietly followed behind.

Before long, they discovered a large burrow hidden in the low hillocks. MiniPin climbed up onto a high branch to survey the surroundings. ‘Does he think this will work?’ But what was visible proved once again that Vikir’s plan was anything but conventional.A bustling horde of Gnolls, an enormous number circulating, left MiniPin astounded. “Sir, this seems a bit too much. The size of this clan is considerable. Gnolls that used to give the royal family a headache have gathered here. If we recklessly disturb this place, the Gnolls might flood nearby villages.”

Monster Wave. There was a significant risk of unintentionally setting off a chain reaction. However…

“We need to find the entrances to this burrow and any others connected to it.”

Vikir remained nonchalant. Within a few hours, Vikir identified several other burrow entrances presumed to be connected to the one he first discovered.

MiniPin admired Vikir’s seasoned tracking skills, but he still couldn’t grasp how they were supposed to deal with so many Gnolls.

Then, Vikir infused mana and struck the earthen wall with his fist. …Crash! Rumble! The tightly-packed mounds of dry earth forming a cliff collapsed, blocking some of the burrow entrances.

Memories of popping champagne bottles in a club flashed in Vikir’s mind, making him chuckle wryly.

“Now, let’s move to the main entrance burrow.”

Following Vikir’s command, MiniPin steered the carriage toward the highest entrance.

Swish- Thud!

Several Gnolls rushed, but MiniPin swiftly beheaded them with his greatsword.

“Sir, what’s your plan… huh!?”

MiniPin gasped in surprise.

Vikir unloaded everything from the carriage. It was oil. Vikir had bought up expired waste oil from the academy, intending to dispose of it, and was now pouring it at the topmost entrance of the Gnolls’ nest.

Squelch-squelch-squelch…

The viscous, verdant oil made from sapient tree fruits flowed down into the burrow. Clanging noises and rumbling sounds echoed from below.

“What if they come from above…?”

MiniPin voiced his concern, but Vikir continued pouring the oil without hesitation.

When dozens of empty barrels had been kicked over, Vikir kicked the remaining barrels into the burrow. Then, whoosh! He threw the torch he had been holding deep into the burrow.

…Boom!

A thunderous explosion echoed. Simultaneously, highly flammable sapient tree oils with low boiling points began to blaze loudly.

Sizzle-sizzle-sizzle- Crackle-crackle- Sputter!

The Gnolls that hadn’t managed to exit the burrow were now making a crying sound as they sizzled in the oil. The boiling oil continued to flow through the burrow, and those below were being fried alive.

Crash- Clang!

Thud!

Krrrunch…

The Gnolls from the upper layers were being fried in the oil, and those from the middle layers were suffocating to death in the thick smoke.

The Gnolls in the lower layers tried to escape quickly, leaving their dead comrades behind. However, most of the burrow entrances were already blocked by mounds of earth, making escape impossible.

The oxygen levels plummeted rapidly, and the air filled with smoke and stench. The temperature rose sharply, and those still alive were suffocated at the blocked entrances.

…! …! …!

MiniPin could only stand there with his mouth agape. He had never seen someone hunt a clan-type monster like this.

Yet, Vikir maintained his calm demeanor even in this chaotic situation.

“This kind of noisy strategy is effective against low-intelligence monsters.”

In reality, pouring boiling oil at the entrances in the upper layers was more of a performance, and it couldn’t cause substantial damage. The real purpose was to instill fear in the prey, creating chaos.

…Splat! …Sploosh!

Scared and burned, the Gnolls plunged into the lower part of the burrow. Consequently, smaller or slower Gnolls were trampled by their companions, and conflicts arose as they tried to pass through narrow tunnels. In the confusion, only the strong and swift survived.

The survivors rushed towards the burrow’s lower entrance.

“…Now they come out.”

The hound gazed toward the place where the last remaining gnolls were emerging, his eyes gleaming.