Dream Life Vol II Chapter 52.1: “The Black Panther Hunt”

　It is January 2, year 313 of the Tria calendar.

　Yesterday, January 1, Beatrice came to live with us, and yesterday she moved in.

　Even though she was moving, she was basically an adventurer living in an inn, so she did not have that much luggage. However, she had been staying at the same inn for more than 10 years, so she had more than she could carry on her own.

　With the help of the three of us, the luggage had been moved in by the afternoon of New Year’s Day.

　All that remained was to buy some dishes and other things for me, but for the time being, I intended to have them use the ones for visitors.

　One good thing about living together is that we can easily schedule our visits into the forest. The inn where Beatrice was staying was close to the Adventurers’ Guild and more than a kilometer away from our house. Therefore, when the weather was uncertain, with the possibility of rain, we had to go there to contact them.

　If we lived together, we could make that adjustment over breakfast, so there was no hassle.

　And today, we were to go into the forest in the morning.

　It is now January, but we have had many sunny days recently, and there is no snow on the ground. Compared to the village of Rathmore, this area is not as cold, and according to Beatrice, who has lived here for 15 years, snow only piles up from mid-January to mid-February, so there are no problems with entering the forest. However, the situation changes when you go through the forest to the Caelum Mountains. Strong cold winds blowing down from the mountains are mixed with snow, requiring heavy cold-weather gear.

　Today’s target is the Black Panther.

　This time, we received an urgent request from the guild to take down the Black Panther.

　This Black Panther has the same name as the black panther on earth, but it is a different animal.

　It has the same jet-black fur and supple body from the cat family, but its size and attack power are completely different.

　The Black Panther here is about three meters long without the tail, which is about twice the size of a tiger on earth. Its long, sharp claws are said to be strong enough to tear through metal armor, and it is also adept at cutting off any sign of life. Despite their huge size, they are good at surprise attacks from the trees and grass, and even a party of five or six can be easily wiped out if they are not careful. For this reason, it is considered a fourth-rank monster.

　The reason for the guild’s urgent request was that the Black Panther, which should normally be in the mountains, had appeared near the town. It entered the northern district yesterday, New Year’s Day, and although no one was killed, two residents were seriously injured.

　As it was an urgent request, adventurers of the sixth rank and above who showed up at the guild were head hunted. Since it was the second day of the new year and not many sixth rank and above were caught, the third-rank and above adventurers in town were contacted. And our party, with Beatrice in it, was also approached.

　This time, six other parties were to join us, and more than 30 adventurers were to work together.

　Gerald, a second-rank adventurer, would be in command of the whole group, and his party would be the main group. However, since they were dealing with a Black Panther that was very good at cutting off its presence, each party would disperse and hunt, and Gerald and his party, the main group, would rush to the scene.

　Gerald is a veteran swordsman of about 40 years old and uses the same bastard sword as I do.

　He has a large scar on his well-tanned face, which gives him a swarthy air, but when I talk to him, he has a charming smile that people like to see. He is not a very big man, but Beatrice tells me that he is a swordsman with a good balance of speed and power. In terms of type, he is probably closer to my grandfather, Govan Lockhart.

　His party is a well-balanced party of five people with a swordsman, a spearman, an archer and a magician who also doubles as a healer, with the rest of his party being third-rank adventurers.

　I had never spoken to Gerald directly, but I was quite excited to hear that we would be taking on a commission together this time.

　When Gerald spotted Beatrice, he came toward us.

“Beatrice’s party is coming with us. You have three mages at your party, so we’re counting on you for long-range support.” (Gerald)

　He didn’t say anything when he saw me and Sharon and treated us as one of his own.

　I was surprised and asked, “Are you sure you want kids like us with you?”

“You are a sixth rank, aren’t you? Then you are full-fledged adventurers. And I heard that your magic skills are approved by the academy. Show me what you can do, having risen to the sixth rank in a month, ‘Little Dark Magic Swordsman’.” (Gerald)

　When I made a blatantly appalled face at being called by that title, Gerald burst out cackling.

“Hahaha, sorry! I didn’t expect you to look so appalled. Well, whatever the case, I’m looking forward to working with you. ‘Tigress Rider’ Kukuku…” (Gerald)

　I’m stunned by the vulgar title.

　I thought it was just a joke from those who liked Beatrice, but I couldn’t help but throw it out my mind.

(…Hey, what do you mean “rider”? I haven’t done any riding yet, which includes being ridden…) (Zack)

　Gerald had no motive and had a refreshing personality, so even if I was teased, I didn’t feel any malice. However, Beatrice bites into the title.

“What do you mean by that, Gerald? You can’t just laugh it off, you know?” (Beatrice)

　Beatrice glares at Gerard with murderous eyes and thrusts a spear at his throat. Gerald laughs and raises his hands in surrender.

“I’m just paying my respects to the hero who ‘tamed’ you. Just think of it as the jealousy of an unpopular man.” (Gerald)

　Beatrice was about to say something else, but I opened my mouth first.

“I don’t care what you say about me, but I won’t let your insults about Beatrice slide. Please, apologize to her.” (Zack)

　As I say this, I gather the power of the spirits. Then, a magician from his party behind him hurriedly intervenes.

　Moving between me and Gerald,

“Boy, don’t try to cast magic in a place like this… Gerald, this boy is serious. Honestly, you always talk too much. Apologize quickly… Boy, stop collecting magic!” (Magician)

　I ignore the magician’s words and chant the spell.

“O Ignis, God of Fire, commander of the world’s fires…” (Zack)

　Then Gerald said, “All right, all right. I’m sorry. I apologize,” bowing his head.

　I stopped chanting the spell and released the power of the spirits I had gathered.

“Even so, unlike his appearance, the first time I saw him, I thought he was going to be a very dangerous boy. I had no idea he was planning to unleash magic in a place like this. If Rufus hadn’t noticed, you might have been scorched to a crisp.” (Gerald’s Party Member)

　The magician called Rufus said, “You really are a man who spews words recklessly. This child is a genius with all attributes. Think a little more before you do things…” he continued to nag.

　I bowed my head and said, “I’m sorry. Blood just rushed into my head.”

　Of course, I didn’t have blood rush into my head, nor did I really want to shoot magic. I was just making the first move because Beatrice was really angry. Beatrice was lowering her spear with a baleful look on her face, just as I had planned.

　Gerard scratched his head,

“No, I said too much. Beatrice, I’m sorry. I think I got a little carried away.” (Gerald)

　Beatrice turned away and said, “That’s all right,” but her face was a little red, looking like she was embarrassed.

“Even so, boy, no, Zack. You’re surprisingly shrewd, too. You made the first move before Beatrice exploded, didn’t you?” (Rufus)

“No, I meant it. I was going to shoot the [Spear of Hellfire – Hellfire Lance], whether or not it would work on the second rank Mr. Gerald.” (Zack)

　I said that with a serious expression, before chuckling,

“Even though we’re going to take the commission together now, I just don’t want to make things awkward.” (Zack)

　Gerald’s eyes widen for a moment at the mention of the [Hellfire Lance], but he laughs as well when I laugh.

　Then he pats me on the shoulder,

“You’re an interesting guy. I finally see why Beatrice wants to party with you.” (Gerald)

　Saying that, he smiled at Beatrice.

　I was relieved that the air somehow softened and that I could work with Gerald’s party.

　Around 9:00 a.m., we departed from in front of the Adventurers’ Guild and headed for the northern area.

　Based on eyewitness accounts, we estimated the likely hiding place and headed into the woods toward it.

　Gerald’s party walked in front of us, followed by me, Sharon, Liddy, and Beatrice. Even though it is a winter forest, there are so many bushes and thick trees that visibility is not good. However, the leaves of the deciduous trees had fallen, and the sunlight was brighter than in summer or autumn.

　We walk through the forest, keeping a wary eye on our surroundings.

　The other five parties are also in the vicinity, but they are moving at different speeds depending on the conditions in the forest, and we do not know where they are. We, the main group, should be at the center of the search network.

　All parties were lent whistles as a means of communication. The party that found the Black Panther would sound the whistle to signal and buy time. The other parties were to rush toward the sound of the whistle.

　The cold wind was blowing through the forest, but after an hour’s walk, we began to sweat. We take a break to check the rough map, as well as the search area.

　Gerald says, “I don’t see any footprints. Well, we’re roughly where we’re supposed to be, but what do we do now?” Just then, we heard a high-pitched whistle sound.