Chapter 41: Full Moon Wolf 1
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Here
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Stepping out of Charlotte's laboratory, I found the area outside the tower bustling with activity.
Around ten carriages were stationed outside, a testament to the intense curiosity around the Full Moon Wolf.
It appears they're planning to camp on the 10th floor until they find it.
The plains of the 10th floor were free of venomous bugs.
If you could disregard the monsters, the area could rival the most luxurious campgrounds that people would pay top dollar to visit.
Normally, each floor of the tower has a safe zone where monsters do not appear.
However, it seems like they're planning to completely disregard these safe zones to pursue the Full Moon Wolf.
This would deviate from the usual supply routes and paths, but it's only to the tenth floor, so it shouldn't be an issue.
As I was studying the carriages, Han Se-ah, leading Grace and Irene, approached me.
Irene, seemingly curious about the larger-than-expected operation, voiced a question.
"All of this is going into the tower?"
"Most of them likely carry items required by the mages. They're probably doing their research inside the tower as well."
Mages were keen on observing unique creatures first-hand, hence their decision to enter the tower.
Would they stop their research on the tower while they were busy chasing the Full Moon Wolf?
I would bet my armor that at least half of those carriages were filled with experimental magic tools.
As if to confirm my speculation, a group of apprentices - mage assistants more accurately described as slaves - poured out from the Magic Tower.
They began to unpack boxes, revealing flasks, reagents, and other items unrelated to the expedition.
"Indeed. Those mages are truly remarkable..." Irene mused, her eyes filled with reverence.
From Irene's perspective, as a priestess devoted to the temple, the near-mad curiosity of those mages was admirable.
They were determined to conduct their research directly inside a dangerous area - like a priest leaving on a pilgrimage.
One by one, people gathered around the carriages.
Most of them were adventurers, presumably hired like Charlotte's party, sporting gear that seemed out of place for the tenth floor.
Among them, a prim and proper Charlotte emerged.
She sent a gentle, teasing smile my way.
I returned it with a nod, after which a striking old man with a snow-white beard stepped forward.
"If everyone is ready, let's set off. I trust everyone knows the purpose of this expedition, so there's no need for further explanation."
It was the same group of wealthy mages who had visited the inn last time.
A seemingly affluent elder was casually giving orders to the coachman to start the carriage.
It appeared as though all the parties had discussed the plan beforehand, as they all took their spots in the carriages under the mages' guidance.
Han Se-ah led us to the right side of the first carriage, a position that could be regarded as the vanguard of the expedition.
"Ah, Miss Hanna! Would you like to step into the carriage for a moment?"
"Please, do come in!"
What on earth was happening?
The lead carriage wasn't a cargo cart, but rather a luxurious one capable of accommodating several people.
I was curious about the reason, and upon seeing the faces inside, I understood.
The carriage was packed with elderly men, each of them with gray beards as a standard feature and faces filled with deep wrinkles.
These were men who'd struggle to walk from the magic tower to the entrance of the tower, let alone up to its 10th floor.
These affluent, high-ranking mages all beamed widely, calling Han Se-ah as if she were a beloved grandchild.
...Really, what on earth was happening?
"This old man couldn't sleep at night because of our last conversation."
"Don't be too shy and come in for a moment. Ah, if you're worried about your party, I have another carriage..."
"No! I, I'll be back in a bit."
Even Han Se-ah appeared taken aback by the mages' warm reception, blinking her large eyes before hastily clambering in after the offer of an extra carriage.
"It seems like Miss Hanna is very close with the mages of the Magic Tower."
"Uh, I don't think that's the case..."
Grace replied to Irene's hushed comment.
What kind of conversation took place at the inn to elicit such a response?
Was it due to Han Se-ah's unique charm as a top-tier streamer?
The line was full of people wearing robes and pointed hats, screaming "I am a mage".
The unusual scene attracted the curious glances of the citizens in broad daylight.
However, having witnessed the mages' antics before, they merely glanced at the multitude of cargo carriages and continued with their business.
Compared to the past when bipedal dolls ran amok causing a mess, the carriage was so normal it was dull.
***
Raei Translations
***
Eventually, after a significant trek, we arrived at the 10th floor.
"That, that was quite easy...?"
"Even the monsters in the tower have the same instincts as the monsters outside."
Monsters still retained basic instincts such as hunger and hunting.
In other words,
A lone fox wouldn't dare charge at a hundred humans bustling around.
Grace muttered in apparent disappointment, possibly having fancied the term 'expedition' to mean something more thrilling.
Irene, standing by her side, was subtly nodding, seemingly sharing the same sentiment.
Beside the strangely disappointed duo, a visibly drained Han Se-ah descended from the carriage and approached them.
I briefly checked the chat and forum.
It looks like modern knowledge had piqued the curiosity of the mages.
"What was the conversation in the carriage about?"
"Just... magic-related topics..."
It seemed to be due to a mission from the chat.
The act of pulling a metal plate from the inventory as a shield left a deep impression, as the chat began asking about various applications of magic itself.
Like combining high-level water magic with lightning magic.
How about the use of wind and fire magic simultaneously to produce destructive firepower?
Is there something like double casting for these magical combinations?
Could you use magic tools with your hands while simultaneously reciting spells with your mouth?
Her viewers, who could hardly dream of an encounter with the Magic Tower's high-ranking mages, had the chance to ask through Han Se-ah dozens of questions about the various applications of magic
Each of which cost tens of thousands of won.
Han Se-ah transformed into the personification of curiosity, which resonated deeply with the old folks of the Magic Tower
"All this is your doing. Well, of course, the money was sweet... I feel like I might end up climbing the Magic Tower instead of the Adventurer's Tower."
The result was what you see now.
Among the old folks with enough curiosity to visit the tower themselves, it was endearing to see a young person relentlessly questioning magic and testing it with all sorts of unique ideas.
"You seem quite exhausted, are you okay? Would you like me to cast a healing spell...?"
"Uh, yes, could you, please?"
Irene, who was worried about how much energy had been drained inside the carriage, was ready to cast a healing spell.
It looked like Han Se-ah herself had pulled the carriage instead of the horse.
There was a white glow from Irene's fingertips, gently wrapping around Han Se-ah like a soft light.
Thanks to the effects of the holy power, she closed her eyes, looking blissfully relaxed as if receiving a massage.
While she relaxed in this way, the hired adventurers start to form a barricade with their carriages and set up tents.
"So, they're creating a base right away?"
"Seems like it, since the mages just need to be inside the tower."
"Right. They're setting up here to save on research time, and letting the adventurers do the exploring."
Han Se-ah explained what she had learned inside the carriage.
As if affirming her words, a few mages approach the adventurers who set up the tents and hand them something.
It's neither an adventurer's badge nor a tower climbing lantern, but a fist-sized crystal ball.
Han Se-ah pulls out a similar-looking item from her inventory.
Inside the transparent glass orb, the silvery fur of the Full Moon Wolf floats, moving like a compass needle.
"They said it's a magic detection item using the byproduct of the Full Moon Wolf. The explanation for the item was too complicated for me to understand... But we can use this to explore the plains."
"Everyone's scattering in different directions?"
"The device seems to respond to Horned Wolves, which are relatives of the Full Moon Wolf. A small reaction means it's a Horned Wolf, and a large one... probably a Full Moon Wolf. That's why everyone is scattering. They're unsure of the exact direction."
Even as she says this, Han Se-ah confidently heads in one direction.
Seeing this, Grace accepts the crystal ball from Han Se-ah and followed suit.
The quest window seems to be showing the destination on her mini-map.
It'd be a headache if the boss monster was a random spawn on such a large floor.
Adventurers were scattering in every direction, and mages moved various items into the tents.
It feels more like a research base crowded with scientists than an expedition camp.
"So, we just need to follow where the fur is pointing?"
"Yes, but remember, it only aids in detecting 'traces' of the Full Moon Wolf..."
"We'll have to check any lurking Horned Wolves. There's one in the bushes ahead."
Grace falls back as a Horned Wolf leaps out, its skull crushed in a single strike.
Word was that the Magic Tower would also buy all by-products from the horned wolves gathered on this expedition.
They'll finally earn enough money to buy real equipment.
***
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