Seeker 346

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Chapter 346. The Veteran Adventurers And The Owlbear (1)

──Side: Reguld──

The four members of the adventurer party Wild Fang, led by the Tiger Tribe's Reguld, were guarding the rear of a caravan of five wagons traveling in a single file.

After leaving the city of Reltuk early in the morning, nothing particular happened for a while.

The guarding adventurers advanced at a relaxed pace, chatting amiably without being on high alert all the time.

But just before noon, something happened.

The members of Crimson Axe at the front and the young adventurers of Daichi's Spear assigned to the middle suddenly showed signs of tension.

"Monsters ahead, two of them!"

"Also from the left and right! Two more approaching from the depths of the forest on each side!"

The first voice came from a member of Crimson Axe.

The second voice belonged to a young female adventurer of Daichi's Spear, clad entirely in black.

Her outfit had a southern Yamatai-style flair, a type Reguld had never seen before.

It was likely custom-made armor, and quite elaborate at that.

The young adventurers of Daichi's Spear also wielded weapons with designs unfamiliar to Reguld.

Heavy brown plate armor and helmets, spears with intricate designs that seemed almost divine, and a translucent, icy blue bow.

Reguld didn't think it was bad for adventurers to care about appearances.

But only if their skills matched their looks.

If they lacked the skills but focused only on appearances, Reguld would see them as brash youngsters unworthy of respect.

What caught Reguld's attention was a statement made by the young leader of Daichi's Spear (though he might be considered a youth, "boy" felt more fitting to Reguld) at the adventurer's guild.

"Don't worry about our skills. We can handle at least A-rank level jobs without any issues."

Despite being a small three-person party, they confidently claimed to be capable of "at least A-rank level jobs".

Although the boy seemed timid and nervous when talking to Adela, he displayed a surprising amount of confidence.

Reguld felt an inexplicable imbalance in Daichi's Spear.

Their skills couldn't be measured by level alone.

Were they truly capable of performing as an A-rank adventurer party?

Reguld reserved his judgment.

If their confidence was just a façade, it would soon be revealed.

In any case, Reguld issued instructions to his three comrades.

"Let's support the center. We'll leave the ones in front to Adela and her group."

"Sure thing. If Adela's got your approval, she must be reliable. Hee hee."

Emilia, one of the female adventurers in the party, teased.

Reguld's face twisted in annoyance.

"That's not what I meant. Stop messing around and move out."

"Okay, okay. I'll follow the leader's orders♪"

As Reguld dashed off, the other three, including Emilia, followed with grins.

Running, Reguld cursed inwardly.

(Damn, ever since they found out about me and Adela, it's been like this. It's a pain.)

People love gossiping about romance.

Reguld didn't mind as long as it didn't interfere with work, but he was reconsidering his stance.

For now, though, dealing with the attackers took priority.

On this road, it was almost certainly a group of Owlbears, and six of them were no small threat.

"Six right off the bat. It's an Owlbear Carnival, all right."

Six monsters, likely Owlbears, were approaching.

Two from each of three directions.

With three A-rank equivalent adventurer parties, it made sense for each to handle two monsters.

That naturally raised concerns about the three-person Daichi's Spear.

But as a party that participated in raid quests, they had to prove their worth.

Reaching the middle where Daichi's Spear was stationed, Reguld addressed the young adventurers who seemed unsure of their next move.

"We'll take the right. Can you handle the left?"

"Ah, uh… yes. Right, please."

The party leader, the boy named Daichi, hesitated slightly before agreeing.

Though worries increased, there was no choice but to trust them.

"If we finish early, we'll come to support. If not, focus on defense and hold your ground. Just don't let them reach the wagons."

Reguld said this while leading his comrades into the forest on the right.

Internally, he knew he was being lenient.

Telling them not to let the monsters reach the wagons was practical, but with proper division of tasks, the wagons and non-combatants should be safe.

Monsters usually target attacking adventurers first.

As long as the adventurers weren't wiped out, they'd be the primary targets.

For the merchants who hired the adventurers, they were both a spear to defeat the monsters and a shield to absorb their attacks.

"As long as they serve as a shield── All right, let's take them down quickly!"

"Aye!"

""Yes, sir!""

Reguld's three comrades responded.

Two Owlbears wouldn't be easy foes.

But with Wild Fang, who had overcome many hardships together, they wouldn't fall behind.

Spotting the targets while dodging through the trees, they confirmed their foes were as expected.

Two Owlbears.

The large bear-like monsters advanced on all fours, avoiding the trees as they charged.

Their speed exceeded that of wild bears.

Despite their lumbering appearance, they closed in with surprising swiftness.

"Emilia, hold off the one on the right!"

"Okay! Left one's yours, Reguld!"

As the two Owlbears split left and right, each adventurer took one.

Reguld with his greatsword and Emilia with her spear stood as walls against their respective foes.

With two in the front and two providing magical and archery support from the rear, they had defeated many formidable enemies.

"Kevin and Samuel, support Emilia. I'll handle this one. Help out once you're done."

""Roger!""

"Let's go── Yaaahhhh!"

Reguld raised his greatsword high, charging at one of the Owlbears.

The Owlbear stood on its hind legs, brandishing its claws menacingly.

Standing over three meters tall, it dwarfed even the sizable Reguld.

The Owlbear's owl-like face might seem endearing to some.

But from below, many adventurers would only feel terror.

It was a monster to be slain.

Those foolish enough to approach it with a sense of endearment would be quickly massacred by its powerful limbs and sharp claws.

Reguld had no intention of being one of those foolish adventurers.

"Take this, [Double Slash]!"

Timing his strike as the Owlbear entered range, the tiger warrior's greatsword gleamed with skill as it sliced down sharply.

Simultaneously, the Owlbear's right claw swiped at Reguld.