Seeker 284

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Chapter 284. The Battle Begins

A group of eleven adventurers, including us, have arrived at a location with a clear view of Beltrint town, the destination of the monster subjugation mission. 

We've been progressing through the dense forest on the highway leading to Beltrint, and finally, the forest has come to an end, revealing an open area within sight of the town.

In the distance, Beltrint town, visible a few hundred meters ahead, was originally a small town with a population of less than a thousand. 

The city walls surrounding the town are partially collapsed, unable to fulfill their role effectively. 

The destruction of the city walls is undoubtedly the work of the monsters that attacked the town.

Surrounding the town, vast fields and pasturelands spread out. 

It seems to be the season after the harvest, as we could hardly see any crops visible in the fields. Numerous monsters are confidently roaming around in these fields and pastures.

There are likely many monsters lurking within the town as well. Evacuation of the residents is said to be completed.

But regardless, we need to completely remove the monsters that attacked the town for the town to be habitable again.

The monsters in the visible range are mostly ogres. I've encountered them several times before. They are formidable monsters with a demonic appearance, but skilled adventurers can defeat them one-on-one without problems.

However, among them, I also spot giant monsters much larger than ogres. Hill Giants. 

They have a height roughly three times that of an adult human male, with a corresponding physique. 

Apart from their size, they resemble humans, but what they wear is not of civilized origin. 

They appear almost naked, with only a loincloth wrapped around them, wielding giant clubs.

They're similar to the Fire Giant I defeated in the Dungeon of Flames and Ice. 

They are just enemies that need to be defeated. 

It's more troublesome to deal with nearby enemies that are seemingly human but not easily resolved through violence, like the lawless adventurer Gelzer.

Gelzer, a lawless adventurer carrying a giant axe on his back, now casually on his shoulder, speaks indifferently. 

"Oh, look at all the prey swarming around. Well then, shall we start the game, handsome? It'll be boring if you start whining later, so if there's anything you're curious about, speak up now."

Those words get directed at me. I still feel a bit uncomfortable with the term "handsome". But it's not worth dwelling on.

"The game rules are simple: 'The party with the highest total value of acquired magic stones wins,' right?"

"Yeah, that's it. Simple enough, don't you think?"

The rules Gelzer proposed for the match are as simple as he mentioned. 

The agreement is that the party with the higher total value of magic stones acquired by defeating monsters in this quest will be the winner. 

It's a straightforward and seemingly fair rule to measure the achievements of each party.

The right to claim a magic stone is given to the one who delivers the finishing blow to the monster. 

However, interfering with another party's ongoing battle and stealing the final blow is considered unacceptable. 

If such an act occurs, the right to the magic stone gets awarded to the originally engaged party.

Exceptions exist when special agreements are made between the parties or when all party members initially engaged in combat become incapacitated. 

Naturally, attacking other adventurers from any party is prohibited. 

Even area attacks involving monsters are generally not allowed, and any such act would result in a rule violation, leading to disqualification and, consequently, defeat.

By the way, the value of each magic stone at this stage is six silver coins for ogres and equivalent to 450 silver coins for Hill Giants. 

The outcome will likely get determined by the number of Hill Giants defeated.

If the number of Hill Giants defeated is equal, the number of ogres defeated will come into play. 

Despite initially appearing like a lawless character, Gelzer seems to be a somewhat reasonable person, at least related to establishing rules in this context. 

Of course, he remains generally uncouth.

In that case, to avoid potential disputes later on, it's probably best to address any concerns now.

I ask Gelzer.

"Before we start, I'd like to increase the number of members in our party. We have three members, and you have four. I think it's only fair."

"Oh, you want to increase the numbers, huh? Negotiate with the small fry over there and recruit one more."

That's not what I had in mind, of course. The leader of the other party refused to help.

"No, we'll use a skill called [Tame]."

"I've never heard of it. I don't know what kind of skill it is, but if it's a skill, it's within your abilities. However, for the same reason, using it before the start is not allowed. Like support magic, you can use it after the start."

Surprisingly, he makes a reasonable point. 

Since the use of support magic and similar abilities was agreed upon after the start, it makes sense to adhere to that here.

"Understood. However, even if we encounter a Griffin during this quest, we won't attack it, as it's my party's member. Please promise that much."

"A Griffin, huh? Is that perhaps the pet on that brat's head? Fine, fine, I don't know what it is, but if you want to borrow your pet's help, go ahead. Such an annoying guy."

Gelzer says this while waving his hand dismissively. 

However, since the Griffin is currently in its mini-state, I thought it would be advantageous to return it to its original size beforehand. 

It's not going smoothly, though. If I had done it before reaching this point, I might have been able to bulldoze my way through, but it's too late now.

"If there's nothing else, let's start the game. Leader of the small fry party, give the signal for the start."

"...Understood."

The leader of the 3rd party reluctantly agrees, with a bitter expression. Gelzer's words may be unpleasant, but he seems to have decided not to recklessly oppose them. 

Perhaps something happened in the past, leading to this attitude. 

I can understand the reason for such behavior, having experienced firsthand how troublesome powerful lawless individuals can be when I was a seeker.

Gelzer was like the guy who bothered Kazane in the past. 

I was only level 5, and he was level 25. 

I couldn't compete with him at all. Luckily, the weapon shop Oyaji came to my rescue. Those without power would get crushed unreasonably in a world where no one helps.

I know what it's like to live in a world dominated by power. However, we are different now.

Kazane, Yuzuki, and I. The 3 of us take our positions at the forest's exit, which serves as the starting point. The Griffin remains in its shrunken state.

Gelzer and his party members also stand ready close to us.

The 3rd-party won't participate in the match, so they aren't as prepared as we are. 

They're only participating in the subjugation as members who accepted the raid quest.

"Are both sides ready? Then, let the battle begin!"

The leader of the third party lowers his raised arm, signaling the start.

The curtain rises on the battle.