Chapter 12 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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Kwaaang—!
Ten minutes into facing off against the direwolves, I once again swept my wand across the air, unfurling a barrier.
The massive body of a direwolf slammed into it.
I poured mana forcefully into the arm holding the wand, holding my defensive stance. Once I regained some stability, I scanned the pack of direwolves.
'The others aren't chimeras, at least.'
The forest depths were pitch-black, untouched by moonlight, but the constant barrage of spells ensured I had no trouble seeing.
Whether from tension or the chill of dawn, my skin prickled. Biting my lip, I kept swinging my wand.
'Honestly…'
I hadn't expected direwolves to show up in a low-grade mana beast zone like this.
Let alone ones tampered with maliciously.
The novel never even mentioned direwolves appearing here. The protagonist had chosen this spot deliberately for its safety during his simple scouting mission.
My own prior investigation had confirmed it was safe, backed by countless records.
My plans had gone completely off the rails, putting my life in danger… but right now, I needed a change in perspective.
'It might actually be a good thing.'
If I looked on the bright side, it wasn't all bad.
I shook my head immediately after the thought.
'What am I, crazy?'
Truth be told, I was scared. No amount of reframing could make me think positively with death staring me down.
But what's done is done. All I could do was give it my all to survive. I didn't need to be upbeat—just refuse to hand my life over to regret.
I gripped my sweat-slick wand tighter.
Kwaaang—! Kwuung—!
The direwolf charged at the thick barrier relentlessly, showing no sign of tiring. After bashing its head so many times, you'd think it would back off, but no such luck.
I thrust my wand forward like a spear, blasting one direwolf far away.
Kwaaang—!
[Grrrrrraaah….]
A pained howl echoed from the direwolf.
The thick, headache-inducing stench of blood in the air grew even more fishy with fresh blood added. The pack went even more berserk at the scent of their kin's blood.
I ramped up my attack speed to match. That's when something flashed in the corner of my vision.
"…!"
The space to my right lit up.
A direwolf's red eyes slid across its face like film frames, bunching up beside its head.
Kwaaaang—! Kwuung—
"Ugh!"
The recoil sent me crashing to the ground.
I'd swung my wand in haste, with no time to infuse strength into my legs.
The direwolf slumped dead alongside a fallen tree, its blood scent assaulting my nose once more.
"Lucas!"
Leo's voice rang out from somewhere.
We'd drifted apart while driving off the direwolves, so it echoed distantly.
"Watch your own surroundings!"
I swatted away a leaping direwolf and yelled back, veins bulging.
The guy had the nerve to worry about others in a situation like this.
I kicked off the ground and stood.
I knew I'd given the direwolves an opening the moment I fell.
This choice now would decide my fate.
As expected, the remaining two charged me madly. I gripped my wand with both hands, eyes squeezed shut, and plunged it into the ground without hesitation.
Kwaaaaang—!
A burst of pure white light from the wand illuminated the forest.
Leo, who'd been rushing over after finishing his foes, shielded his eyes in front of me. Sensing his approach, I bolted toward the distant wolf and shouted.
"Leo, handle that one!"
Leo dropped his arm abruptly and checked the ground. One fallen direwolf was staggering to its feet. It was obvious it couldn't walk properly—already drained.
"...."
Leo took a step back as the direwolf approached, drool dripping from its jaws.
It snapped at where Leo had stood, then staggered again. A spell sent it crumpling limply to the side. Leo stepped up and gazed at the dying beast.
'Thinking of that chimera earlier…'
Humans must have done this to these direwolves too.
Leaving them alive threatened our lives, and even if we survived, they might head toward villages. We had to kill them all here. No regrets on that.
But…
'What if there was a cure?'
They wouldn't have to suffer like this. Casualties from mana beasts would drop sharply. It would've been good for everyone.
Leo placed his hand on the direwolf's chest.
Infusing mana outlined its core.
'What poison did Lucas drink? If it suppresses the core, it could work as a temporary fix. Ultimately, we'd need to remove the core… so inject something.'
Leo stroked his chin.
Maybe find ingredients to enhance that poison.
It'd need to act just before reaching the heart, so species-specific testing.
Detox after core removal, factoring in spread time and antidote timing.
'Supplying up to formula 2 would be costly.'
Lost in thought, Leo didn't notice Lucas right behind him.
"...."
I let out a hollow chuckle.
Leo was absorbed, observing the dead direwolf.
'Is this what I think it is?'
It felt like I was witnessing the pollution cure's development accelerated way ahead of schedule.
I plopped down beside him and asked.
"Making a cure?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"It's all over your face."
"Huh? Anyway, I'll give it a shot. A shot."
"Good. You'll pull it off."
"Hmm…"
Leo, who'd been furrowing his brow over calculations, grinned.
"Yeah, I'll make it happen."
Seeing his growth process firsthand, from my 10-years-ahead perspective, hit differently.
In this unfamiliar place, it felt like running into someone I kinda knew.
'…I might've rushed things a bit, but whatever.'
Good is good.
I stood and asked.
"Any injuries?"
"Just a scrape on my forearm. You?"
"Nope."
Unlike Leo, I couldn't risk scars that might identify me, given my identity issues. Luckily, no major wounds.
I grabbed our sack and nodded toward the direwolves.
"Alright, let's pack up and head back."
* * *
"You're back. I was worried since it's nearly morning…."
The manager greeted us warmly, then froze.
The sack, half-floating in the air, was even bigger than before.
'How many did they take down?'
It was a mana beast zone, sure, but not a high-risk one. No way that much should've been caught. It was awe-inspiring, wondering how far they went.
His eyes, filled with shock and admiration, finally noticed their clothes. Dark fabric hid it well, but up close, they were stained with blood and mud.
"Are you alright?!"
"Fine. Process this first, please."
Leo gathered and set the sack down. The manager took it, untied the strings.
"Let's see… Hm?"
The manager paled and stiffened.
'Knew it.'
I explained quickly to cut off more shock.
"Direwolves. You'll need to contact the Security Bureau."
"D-Direwolves here…? No way…"
At minimum, mid-grade mana beasts.
Even I could tell that much. Definitely not for a low-risk designated zone.
Of course, regardless of grade, I'd never seen direwolves here in my whole life growing up in the area.
"Oh, one's a chimera direwolf."
"What?!"
"Someone deliberately fused it with another creature via magic. They'll probably slap a gag order on that part. Don't breathe a word to the press."
Mages venturing here wasn't common—reporters would swarm.
Ideally, keep it quiet, but we'd receive payment from the connected bank, so leaks were possible.
At my words, the manager nodded vigorously, paling like he'd stumbled into shady business.
"Of course, naturally."
His panic brought silence, so I cut to the chase.
"So, when's payment? Cash on hand won't cover it."
They kept only small amounts here due to theft risks.
Plus, past recipients were all non-mages, so sums stayed small.
"Ah, right…"
The manager stood, opening a desk drawer.
A communication magic tool stamped with the Imperial Central Bank logo appeared.
* * *
Covered in cobwebs from disuse, the tool was no mere ornament.
Less than ten minutes after contacting the bank, a new transaction hit Leo's account.
"N-Nine hundred fifty thousand…"
Warp back to the start point, Leo muttered, face ashen.
I agreed fully. Equivalent to 100 million won.
'Insane.'
Even risking life, half a day's pay like that? Absurd.
Even Leo, naive as he was, knew earning nearly 1 million in so little time was rare.
Raising my internal opinion of his street smarts, I spoke.
"Ten thousand pell per direwolf."
10 million won each.
Unsure if they'd set it arbitrarily assuming no one would hunt them, or premium for elite handling of a pack, it felt unreal either way.
Of course, danger premium made it reasonable.
Polluted beasts exerted tens or hundreds times normal power—face them unprepared, and you're dead.
"…Unexpected issue, but we handled it without major injuries. Lucky."
Leo pulled out his enchanted bank book, staring at the new figure.
"Head back, and I'll add enchantments to that item I picked earlier. Price matches now—can upgrade it."
"Thanks. Oh, use half for yourself. Feels wrong taking it all solo."
I'd have shrugged it off if it were minor beasts as imagined, even if he offered it all. But after dragging him through life-or-death, taking every coin felt off.
Unlike me, Leo tilted his head curiously.
"Hm… I don't need it."
"...."
What's with that 'need'? Casual remark, but with my near-zero balance, I could only chuckle dryly.
Hearing my deflating sound, Leo hurriedly explained.
"Ahem… Not what you think. Better pour it all into stabilizing the core ASAP. I insisted on tagging along first. Said from the start I'd give it all to you. Plus, nothing I want to buy…"
"Got it. Stop explaining."
"Ok."
Leo cast a location shift from a clear spot.
The space shifted instantly to his training ground.
Leo glanced at the open ceiling, then knocked on the training ground door.
"Alright, off to the dorms. Rest up tonight—meet tomorrow evening."
"Yeah, good work today. Head in."
Leo waved at my farewell.
I grabbed my pendant but paused, speaking softly.
"Leo."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for today."
Without him, soloing the pack would've been impossible. Plenty to reflect on. Great luck starting with a solid ally.
Surprised, Leo shrugged with a grin.
"That's my line."
* * *
'What makes it your line?'
Typical magic maniac.
Basically said facing a direwolf pack was fine if he got to see magic.
Passion like that explained why the protagonist stuck with him for 10 years.
Lost in thoughts, I grabbed my books and left the room.
Before reaching the stairs, a familiar conversation drifted over.
"Hey, heard someone raked in 950,000 pell from the northeast forest today."
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