Chapter 60
Nille resumed his hunt in Sector 12 with Scarf silently mapping the terrain ahead. The deeper he moved into the zone, the more unstable the environment became. The air itself felt heavier, layered with residual curse energy and instinct-driven hostility. What was supposed to be a controlled hunting ground had clearly become a breeding corridor for Malignant entities.
Within minutes of entering the deeper perimeter, the first wave emerged. Figures moved between the broken structures and overgrown ruins, low, fast, and erratic. Scarf immediately identified them as Chupacabra-class or in the Philippine name, a Sigbin variants, vampiric in nature and driven by hunger instincts rather than strategy. Their levels fluctuated around 100, making them dangerous in groups but predictable in behavior patterns.
They came in clusters, attempting to overwhelm him through numbers. Nille didn't rush. He allowed them to close distance just enough for identification, then moved with controlled precision. Each strike was efficient, no wasted motion, no lingering engagement. Scarf continuously updated positioning data, highlighting weak points and movement prediction paths.
The hunt lasted just under twenty minutes. By the end of the first engagement, Nille had eliminated thirty-six Sigbin entities in total. The area briefly quieted afterward, though the silence felt temporary rather than resolved. the creatures entire bodies didnt dissolved into ash residue, but a few part remain that can be harvested, it was a unusual train seeing this for the first time.
Nille paused for a moment while continuing his movement, quietly reflecting on something he might have overlooked in earlier hunts. He began to wonder if he had missed anything from the creatures he had killed before, especially the chimera and the basilisk serpent.
Before he could think further, Scarf spoke up and immediately apologized. It explained that it had already collected and stored the drop items from those Malignant kills. Nille slowly recalled the moment, the serpent's body turning into ash, the intense pain he had focused on at the time, and how he had only briefly noticed the fangs falling to the ground before moving on. In that moment of concentration, he had not paid attention to what was left behind.
Scarf clarified that those remains were not wasted. They were important materials used for enhancing weapons, crafting items, and brewing potions. Everything had been safely stored, following Nille's earlier command to prioritize gathering useful materials for forging and alchemy purposes.
Nille realized he still needed to understand the Malignant more deeply, so he asked Scarf what raw materials were currently stored.
Scarf replied that most of the materials had already been processed into usable forms rather than kept in their raw state. Following earlier instructions and optimization protocols, the items were refined primarily for practical use, especially for healing applications.
Scarf explained that several of the processed outputs had been converted into healing potions and restorative creams, similar to the one Nille had used after sparring with Instructor Kaori Takamura. Those formulations were designed to accelerate recovery, reduce curse residue damage, and stabilize internal energy after intense combat.
The remaining materials had already been categorized and stabilized under Scarf's guidance, ensuring they were ready for immediate use whenever needed.
Nille spoke calmly, "Okay, everything is fine. It's not your fault. I was just wondering about what I witnessed."
Then he let out a light laugh, almost amused at himself. He had always claimed he was attentive, always aware of details others missed, but now, looking back, he realized he was no different in some ways. He still overlooked things. He still had gaps in his understanding.
"It seems I'm the same as the others," he added quietly, more to himself than to Scarf. "Still lacking in many areas."
Nille's quiet words stayed in his mind longer than he expected. On the surface, it sounded simple, but inside, it reflected something deeper that many young adults go through.
He was starting to realize that the more he learned, the more he noticed what he still didn't know. At first, he had confidence in what he could do, survive, fight, and adapt. But now, with more experience, his idea of "being skilled" kept growing, and so did the list of things he felt he still lacked.
When he said he was "the same as the others," it wasn't really about comparing himself to people around him. It was more about how he saw himself. He was measuring himself against a higher standard than before, and that made him feel like he was still incomplete.
Even his small laugh after saying it wasn't just humor, it was his way of accepting the thought instead of stressing over it.
In simple terms, Nille wasn't failing or weak. He was just growing, and with growth came the feeling that there was still a lot more to learn. Nille took a mental note of this matter as he continued to walk forward.
when suddenly a arrow flew past his head , the lingering smell of poison filled the air , Nille crouch down and saw a small creature holding a privative bow, Nille knew what it was , "its a patianak, or a a subspecies of a Goblin , this type of race are vicious , that looked like a five month baby but it could already walk upright, and very agile and attack in large groups .
"Eliminating one in Bulacan was easy," Nille said quietly, "but seeing multiple eyes lurking in the dark only means there are many more of them."
Scarf responded immediately in a calm, precise tone. "I have already scanned their numbers. There are approximately 200 of them inside that cave system, spread across branching tunnels."
"Eliminating those things, what item would we get from them?" Nille asked Scarf.
Scarf answered without delay, its tone steady and analytical. "Based on previous Malignant classifications, neutralizing this type of cave-dwelling entity would yield several usable materials. Expected drops include fragmented core residue, darkness-infused bone shards, corrosive gland fluid, and shadow-coated hide. Depending on the purity of extraction, some of these can be refined into potion coatings, anti-curse reagents, or corrosion agents."
It paused briefly before adding, "However, due to their high population density and shared nest energy, there is also a high chance of obtaining condensed essence clusters from the group as a whole, not just individual drops."
"Are they sellable?" Nille asked.
Scarf responded after a short pause. "Yes, most of the recovered materials are sellable, but their value depends on condition and refinement level."
It continued in a clear breakdown:
"Raw materials like bone shards, hides, and gland fluids can be sold to alchemists, weapon crafters, and black-market material brokers. However, unprocessed drops usually have lower value due to instability and contamination risk."
"Refined versions, such as purified essence, stabilized venom, or treated hide, are significantly more valuable. These are often used for high-grade potions, enchanted equipment, and defensive gear."
Scarf then added a final note, "Core-related materials are the most valuable, but they are also the most regulated and difficult to sell openly. They usually require authorized channels or private buyers."
Nille considered it for a moment, then spoke quietly, "But because of their size, obtaining those materials might not be worth the effort. Each Goblin stands only about three feet tall, and harvesting anything from them would be too time-consuming and tactically inefficient."
Scarf processed the assessment and replied in a calm, factual tone. "Your analysis is correct. The resource yield-to-effort ratio is low for individual Goblin-class entities. The extraction process would require repeated engagements, disassembly steps, and purification cycles that exceed the practical value of their materials."
It then added a clarification, "In most cases, Goblin-derived materials are only considered profitable when collected in bulk after large-scale extermination events. Otherwise, they are typically ignored in favor of higher-tier targets with denser energy cores and more valuable byproducts."
A brief pause followed before Scarf concluded, "Strategically, prioritizing stronger Malignant entities would provide significantly better returns in both resources and time efficiency."
Nille started to understand the logic behind the hunt more clearly.
For small Malignant creatures that attacked in large numbers, a controlled explosive fire technique was the most efficient method. It allowed him to eliminate clusters at once without prolonged combat. The moment the flames stabilized, the beings he targeted would rapidly break down, most of their unstable flesh turning into ash on contact with the concentrated heat.
Now he understood the key point: it wasn't just about killing, but about how the hunt was carried out. The method directly affected what could be recovered afterward.
Low-level Malignants that moved in swarms only produced minimal usable materials. Even if harvested, the effort required to extract and refine them often outweighed their value. Because of this, they were not worth focusing on individually unless they appeared in massive, organized infestations.
In contrast, stronger Malignant entities were far more valuable targets. They had dense, stable structures that could be harvested properly, blood for alchemical use, spine and bone for weapon reinforcement, skin for armor crafting, and scales for defensive layering. Only the unstable or useless flesh would turn to ash after elimination, while the valuable parts remained intact for collection.
Nille finally saw the pattern clearly. Efficiency in the hunt wasn't about how many he killed, it was about what remained after the kill, and whether the method preserved or destroyed its value.
Nille condensed twelve units of fire energy into a tight orb in his palm. The heat didn't flare outward, it compressed inward, stabilizing into a controlled ignition core. Once it was ready, he threw it toward the direction of the goblin nest, about twelve meters away.
Arrows immediately cut through the air toward him, but Nille shifted smoothly, using his butterfly knife to deflect them one by one. The motion kept him mobile and protected, giving him just enough opening to complete the attack.
The fire orb struck its target and burst, not in a violent explosion, but in a spreading, sustained ignition. Instead of a single blast, the flame behaved like a living wave, crawling along the nest structure and burning deeper into tunnels and hidden pockets.
This wasn't designed for impact force. It was designed for persistence. The fire adapted to the environment, feeding on what it could while maintaining its spread inside the confined space.
Inside the goblin nest, the lack of oxygen no longer mattered in the usual sense. The fire was structured to sustain itself through energy conversion rather than airflow, allowing it to continue burning and expanding even in deeper, enclosed sections.
Nille kept his stance steady, watching the flames take hold, using minimal effort for maximum area control while Scarf tracked remaining movement inside the collapsing network of tunnels.
Nille asked Scarf as he waited for the enemy to die out "So the Encanto or Maligno I killed back home… they were all low level?"
Scarf answered calmly, "In terms of spiritual core classification, they ranged from level 20 to level 50."
It paused briefly before continuing. "However, if you were able to kill the Pilandok Urto Dimas, that entity was level 250."
" as you kill based on their evil action,"
Nille went silent for a moment as Scarf added, "That is also why many Encanto perceive you with fear. They refer to you as Lingkod Kamatayan."
Scarf then clarified the difference. "Eliminating a sentient Encanto is not the same as fighting a Malignant beast , Encanto possess intelligence, awareness, and structured behavior. Malignant entities, on the other hand, are generally lower in cognition, more instinct-driven, wild, and savage in nature."
It continued, "However, not all Malignants are weak. Some develop higher levels not through sentient evolution, but through extreme survival adaptation and repeated exposure to hostile environments. They become stronger by enduring, not by thinking."
Nille listened quietly, processing the distinction, realizing that strength in this world didn't always come from intelligence, but sometimes from pure survival instinct refined over time.
Nille smiled lightly and glanced at Scarf. "So going to class here is just formality. You alone at my side are like my walking advising Wikipedia."
Scarf paused for a moment before responding in its usual calm tone. "Clarification: I am not a knowledge repository in the traditional sense. However, your assessment is functionally accurate in terms of real-time guidance and contextual support."
It then added, "Formal instruction still provides structured frameworks, peer comparison, and exposure to controlled scenarios that I cannot fully replicate. My role is supplementation, not replacement."
Scarf's tone softened slightly in implication. "In short, classes build structure. I assist with refinement."
"And I'm only gathering this information within the academy premises itself," Scarf added calmly. "I don't provide everything at once. I only share knowledge based on your current situation, master Nille."
It paused briefly before continuing. "This ensures that the information you receive is relevant, timely, and does not overwhelm decision-making. You are given what you need when you need it, not everything at once."
Scarf's tone remained steady. "My function is to adapt information flow based on context. In that way, your understanding develops alongside your experience, not ahead of it in unnecessary detail."
As Nille stepped out of his hiding position, he finally understood something more clearly. Many shamans in the past had faded not because they lacked power, but because they lacked proper knowledge in handling creatures that attacked in large numbers. Without strategy, even talent could be overwhelmed by sheer swarm pressure.
He began to reflect on his earlier experiences. Back then, surviving things like a Gabunan or a ghoul attack had felt like skill, but now he questioned it. Maybe it had also been luck. Especially considering he was only eleven years old at the time.
The memory surfaced more vividly than he expected. It wasn't just confusion or fear anymore, it felt heavier than that. Looking back, he could no longer frame it as survival or luck. It felt like something he didn't fully understand at the time, something careless and unrefined.
The chaos of that moment, the way he struggled just to stay alive without real awareness of what he was doing, now felt uncomfortable to remember. Not because he had failed, but because he could see how unprepared he truly was back then.
It left him with a quiet sense of discomfort, an uneasy realization he didn't want to fully accept about who he used to be. but now changes were happening and he was sure its the best way of changing his mind set for the better.
As Nille continued his hunt, his thinking became clearer and more deliberate. He now understood that every action needed purpose, not just survival, but efficiency and value. Scarf, anticipating his direction, remained ready, already preparing information for whatever he might ask next.
He had already spent about one hour and twenty minutes dealing with the Patianak, or goblin-type Malignants. Even though the fight was manageable, it reminded him of something important: his current method was still slow. Moving one target at a time worked, but it wasn't efficient for large-scale hunts.
Nille wanted speed, but he also needed materials. That balance was difficult. Killing enemies one by one was the safest approach, and it ensured he could harvest everything properly. However, it consumed time.
Scarf suggested an alternative. "Targeting higher-level Malignants would increase material yield and reduce time spent per engagement," it explained. "However, the probability of failure is significantly higher."
Nille didn't need much explanation to understand why. He remembered clearly the fight against a level 300 entity, the way it pushed him to his limits and nearly cost him his life. That experience alone was enough to confirm Scarf's warning.
So he watch silently for a moment, weighing both paths: efficiency versus safety, speed versus survival, knowing that either choice would shape how he continued his hunt.