Chapter 490: Monster Hunting
The next morning, the students of Class A gathered outside the manor early after breakfast.
Unlike yesterday, today was not for sightseeing. Today was for monster hunting. Naturally, everyone was excited.
Many of the monsters living in the Demon Kingdom were different from those found in the Human Kingdom. For young students who wished to become stronger, this was a rare opportunity to gain valuable experience.
Soon, the students boarded the transport vehicles once again.
Amon sat beside Seraphina near a window.
Just like always.
Eliana sat nearby while Marcus looked half-asleep despite it being morning.
Aisha sat across from them with her arms folded. The vehicle slowly began moving through the streets of Molveth.
Many students chatted excitedly about the upcoming hunt. Some discussed strategies. Others talked about what monsters they hoped to encounter.
Amon was one of the excited ones. "I wonder what kind of monsters we’ll find."
Seraphina looked out the window and replied calmly, "We’ll know soon."
Amon nodded. "Hopefully something interesting."
A few minutes later, Professor Adelia stood from her seat and looked toward the students.
"Everyone."
The conversations immediately quieted.
"We will soon reach the forest where today’s training will take place."
She smiled softly. "The area has already been inspected by the Molveth city’s knights. It is considered safe for your level."
The students nodded. Many of them looked even more excited.
Soon the city walls disappeared behind them. The scenery changed completely. A huge forest stretched across the horizon. The trees were darker than normal forests.
Their leaves possessed deep green and dark emerald colors. The atmosphere felt ancient and mysterious. Large roots twisted across the ground while thick vegetation covered the landscape.
Even from the vehicle, everyone could feel the abundance of mana in the area.
"Wow."
Amon pressed his face closer to the window.
"This place looks amazing."
Eliana nodded. "It feels completely different from forests back home."
Marcus glanced outside. "It’s bigger than I expected."
Even Aisha seemed impressed.
Not long afterward, the vehicles finally stopped. One by one, the students stepped outside. Fresh forest air greeted them immediately.
The smell of grass and trees filled the surroundings. Several armored Demon
Knights were already waiting near the forest entrance.
All eighty-eight students gathered together. The professors walked forward and began speaking with the knights.
After a brief discussion, one of the knights pointed toward the forest. "The area ahead contains monsters ranging from Rank One to Rank Three."
He continued, "There are no powerful monsters nearby. Your students should be able to handle everything without difficulty."
Professor Jolene nodded. "Thank you for your assistance."
The knight bowed respectfully before stepping back. Soon, Jolene turned toward the students.
Her voice echoed clearly across the area. "Everyone, listen carefully."
All conversations immediately stopped. "This training will be conducted in your mission groups."
She looked across the gathered students. "The same groups that will be participating in next month’s missions."
The students quickly began moving. Many had already formed their teams weeks ago.
Amon immediately joined his group.
Seraphina, Eliana, Marcus and Aisha, it was his group. The five of them naturally gathered together.
Amon glanced around and noticed Arnold standing with his own group further away. For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Amon simply gave him a nod. Arnold hesitated before returning the gesture. Then both looked away.
Jolene continued speaking. "Another important thing."
She raised her pager. "Keep your pagers outside your storage rings."
Many students immediately checked their belongings. "If you encounter danger or an emergency, contact us immediately."
Her expression became serious. "We can trace your locations through the pagers. As long as they remain outside your storage rings."
Everyone nodded. "Yes, Professor."
Jolene seemed satisfied.
"Good."
Then she pointed toward the forest. "You may now enter."
Excitement immediately spread among the students. However, she quickly raised her hand again.
"And remember."
Everyone stopped.
"This is purely training."
Her gaze swept across the crowd. "There will be no rewards for killing the most monsters. No rewards for defeating the strongest monster. No competition."
The students listened carefully. "The purpose of today’s exercise is to gain experience."
She folded her arms.
"You are here to learn. Learn how different monsters fight. Learn how to work with your teammates. Learn how to adapt to unfamiliar situations."
Her expression softened slightly.
"So don’t rush recklessly. And fight carefully. And most importantly..."
She smiled. "Enjoy yourselves."
The students laughed. Then excitement exploded among the crowd.
"Let’s go!"
"Finally!"
"I want to find a monster already!"
Amon grinned. "Looks like it’s starting."
Eliana smiled. "I can’t wait."
Aisha cracked her knuckles. "Let’s just get moving."
Marcus sighed. "Please don’t drag us into trouble."
Amon immediately pointed at him. "No promises."
Marcus looked away. "I knew it."
Seraphina shook her head softly. A faint smile appeared on her face.
Soon, groups of students began entering the forest one after another. The towering trees swallowed them beneath their shadows.
Bird-like monsters could occasionally be heard crying in the distance.
The deeper parts of the forest looked mysterious and unknown.
Amon tightened his grip on hilt of the sword he pulled out from storage ring.
A grin slowly spread across his face. "Alright."
His eyes shone with excitement. "Let’s go hunt some monsters." And together, the five of them stepped into the dark forest.
---
After walking through the forest for a while, the group finally encountered their first monster.
It was a gigantic centipede-like creature.
Its body stretched several meters long and was covered in dark red scales that resembled armor plates.
Dozens of sharp legs scraped against the ground as it moved between the trees. Its yellow eyes glowed menacingly while its large mandibles clicked together with an unsettling sound.
The moment they spotted it, everyone immediately prepared for battle.
Shadow rose from Amon’s feet and crawled up his body like liquid darkness. It flowed toward his sword before wrapping itself around the blade.
The weapon instantly became darker.
It made the weapon sharper and more durable.
Beside him, Seraphina calmly drew her longsword. Golden light shimmered faintly around her body.
Marcus lowered his spear and took a fighting stance.
Heat gathered around the tip of his weapon.
Aisha rested her massive greatsword on her shoulder while crackling arcs of lightning danced around her body.
Meanwhile, Eliana remained behind them with her bow in hand.
After looking at the team composition, she sighed dramatically.
"Damn. We don’t even have a proper mage."
She pointed at everyone. "Why are all of you close-range fighters?"
Amon chuckled. "Come on, Eliana."
He gave her a thumbs-up. "You alone are enough."
Before he could say anything else.
Whoosh!
A flash of golden light shot forward like a rocket.
Amon immediately recognized it.
Seraphina.
The golden-haired girl dashed toward the monster with incredible speed. Without hesitation, Amon followed behind her.
Marcus moved toward the monster’s right flank.
Aisha chose the left side. The giant centipede sensed danger and let out a furious roar.
ROAAARRRR!!
Its massive tail swung violently before smashing into the ground.
BOOM!!
The earth exploded apart. Dirt and dust flew everywhere. Cracks spread across the forest floor.
However, none of the students seemed concerned. The attack was powerful. But far too slow.
Seraphina reached the monster first.
Her golden eyes sharpened.
With a swift vertical swing, she slashed downward.
Three golden claw-shaped sword waves burst forward from her blade.
They tore through the air at incredible speed.
At the same time, Marcus thrust his spear.
Flames erupted around the weapon. A blazing serpent made entirely of fire shot toward the monster while hissing loudly.
From the opposite side, Aisha raised her free hand. Mana gathered rapidly above her. Two enormous lightning lances formed in the air.
Crack!
Crack!
Electricity danced wildly around them. The next second, both lightning spears shot forward.
At the same time, she swung her greatsword diagonally. A sharp mana slash followed behind the lightning attacks.
Amon wasn’t about to be left behind. Darkness surged around his blade. With a powerful horizontal swing, he unleashed a shadow slash that sliced through the air.
Meanwhile, Eliana stood several meters away with a completely deadpan expression.
She lowered her bow slightly.
Watching the scene unfold, she felt a strange sense of pity for the monster.
"Poor thing."
All four attacks reached the monster at almost exactly the same moment.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
A deafening explosion shook the forest.
Golden light, fire, lightning and shadow. The different attacks collided against the giant centipede simultaneously.
The surrounding trees trembled from the shockwave. A cloud of dust and smoke exploded outward.
"GROOOOWWWLLL!!"
The monster released a painful scream.
Its armored body cracked apart under the overwhelming barrage.
Several wounds appeared across its scales.
The gigantic creature staggered.
BOOM!
Its massive body crashed heavily onto the ground. Then silence followed. The battle had lasted only a few seconds.
Amon stared at the fallen monster. "That was easy."
Aisha clicked her tongue. "Tch." She looked disappointed. "I wanted to test my new ability on it."
She pointed her sword at the corpse. "But it died too quickly."
Marcus nodded. "It was a Rank Three monster."
He shrugged. "Still too weak for the five of us."
Seraphina sheathed her sword. A thoughtful expression appeared on her face.
"Let’s take turns fighting."
Everyone looked toward her.
"If we find a single monster, one person fights it alone."
She continued calmly. "If we encounter multiple monsters, then we can fight together."
Amon immediately nodded. "Yeah."
A grin appeared on his face.
"You’re right."
This was training after all. Fighting everything together would not help them improve.
"Let’s do that."
The others agreed as well. With their new plan decided, the group continued deeper into the forest in search of their next prey.
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