The position of the suddenly protruding fragments of the giant was exquisite.
It was probably what he was aiming for in the first place, and he was out of the cowl’s range of attack, and he was positioned in the blind spot between Cynthia and Luke.
However, there was only one problem, and the target was Abel.
“Kyaaagh-!”
The fragments of the giant screamed and tried to attack Abel.
Fu-wook!
However, Abel’s sword pierced the guy’s body by a short distance.
When the people around them turned their heads in surprise, the guy was already pierced by the sword and trembling.
-Abel! Are you okay?
Kaul hurriedly approached and asked Abel, who nodded in bewilderment.
-yes. it’s okay.
In the midst of that short conversation, the body of the fragment of the giant limp.
It is dead.
Kaul came closer and inspected the corpse.
– It must have been hiding on the floor pretending to be dead. It’s my ignorance that I didn’t notice.
-no. It’s almost impossible to know this guy’s existence in advance, isn’t it?
The name of this guy who suddenly attacked was a ghost spider.
It’s not actually a ghost or anything like that, it’s a name given because its presence is so faint.
Even experienced Gigant riders often missed its existence.
It’s not that strong, and even if it’s a surprise attack, the aircraft is only slightly damaged, so the rating wasn’t that high.
– You listened intently in class.
Kaul tapped Abel’s gigant and took a closer look at it with the ghost spider.
-Looks like he hid on the floor while moving while clinging to the body of a fragment of another giant.
At that, Luke interrupted.
– Then there could be another guy hiding in the future route.
– I guess so. Everyone must be vigilant about their surroundings while on the move.
-yes!
After throwing the corpse of the ghost spider aside, Kaul moved more cautiously than before.
While moving, if there was even the slightest doubt, he stabbed it with a spear, and avoided shady places as much as possible.
Basically, it’s because ghost spiders like to hide in shady ground.
Despite their efforts, they were attacked by ghost spiders three more times while en route.
Kwajik!
– Tsk.
Of course, the three of them met a disastrous end at the hands of Kaul, who remained vigilant.
Abel said while looking at the corpse of the ghost spider flying to one side.
– Seeing that it keeps coming out, it seems that the guy who ran away is not in a good condition.
– Probably so. If the host was fine, there would be no reason to leave.
Kaul looked at the floor while saying that. The footprints on the floor were getting clearer little by little.
All I had to do was follow the footsteps, so despite the ghost spider’s hindrance, the speed was quite fast.
But that convenient pursuit soon came to an end.
-It’s a river.
After following the trail, a large river appeared.
Abel followed the footprints and moved his gaze.
The footprints continued straight to the river, but there was no sign on the other side.
-As expected, it seems to have moved along the river.
Everyone nodded at Kaul’s words.
This is a method often used by animals, and erased traces by moving along the river.
In the position of chasing, first of all, you have to think again about whether to go up or down the river.
-The flow isn’t that fast… … .
The river was wide, but not very deep, and the current was slow.
If so, he could have crossed the waterway and climbed up.
After thinking for a while, Kaul looked back at the cadets and said,
-Tell me one by one which way you think it went. First of all, Luke.
Luke, who was suddenly pointed out, opened his mouth after hesitating as if he was taken aback.
– Down… … seems to be
-Why?
-It’s easier to erase traces if you move along the waterway.
At those words, Kaul nodded and then looked at Abel.
– Abel, what about you?
– It seems to be upwards. There’s no reason to go in the direction of the enemies when they’re not in very good shape.
-Right.
Kaul then questioned Daniel and Cynthia, both of whom gave similar answers to Abel’s.
Kaul nodded.
-good. So it’s 3 to 1. we go upwards The result will be known if you follow it.
-All right.
-yes.
As soon as he made his decision, Kaul started to climb up the river.
Of course, in the meantime, I carefully checked the other side of the river.
By the time I wondered if I had chosen the wrong road after almost two hours of walking up the river like that.
– Footprints.
said Cynthia, pointing across the river.
As I turned my gaze to her words, I could clearly see footprints on the other side of the river.
-Let’s check.
Cowl crossed the river, examined the footprints closely, and nodded.
-You have the same footprints as the guy who ran away earlier. Good job.
-thank you.
When Cynthia expressed her joy, Luke showed an uncomfortable expression even at first glance.
It made sense since he was the only one who picked the wrong answer.
Kaul noticed the sign and opened his mouth.
-Don’t fret because I don’t intend to evaluate each one as right or wrong. Because your speculation had clear grounds.
-… … yes. sorry.
So Kaul and the cadets crossed the river and followed their footsteps again.
Traces currently remaining showed that at least 3 fragments of the giants were moving together.
However, less than ten minutes after crossing the river, bodies were found scattered on the floor.
-The corpse of Iron Boar.
The corpse was apparently unscathed.
Kaul examined the body closely and soon recognized the cause of death.
-The skull has collapsed. It stayed in this state for several hours and moved.
To make it easier for the other cadets to see, Kaul slightly lifted the corpse.
As he said, Iron Boar’s corpse had a hollow on its head.
It didn’t look particularly terrifying, but that one mentality was admirable.
-and… … Less than an hour had passed since this guy died. I’ll see you soon
Kaul got up from his seat and continued.
– There are only two traces left right now, but don’t be careless. If a battle breaks out, they may hear the sound and flock more.
-yes!
The fragments of the giants who survived the battle were scattered all over the mountain range.
If you’re unlucky, you might run into dozens of shrapnel that came running after hearing the sound, not two.
The odds of that happening aren’t very high, though.
Kaul has continued to follow the trail in silence since then.
However, the more I moved, the more the atmosphere became strange.
-Hmm.
Kaul, who had been walking for a while, looked around carefully.
Then he made small scratches on a few nearby trees.
-around. Take a close look at the trees in particular.
-yes.
At Kaul’s words, the cadets eagerly inspected the trees as they walked. And when about 10 minutes have passed.
Daniel pointed to one side and said.
– Instructor. Here are the signs… … .
There was a tree with a scar on the chest of Gigant, who was riding a cowl.
Kaul examined it closely and then said.
-The traces I left behind.
It was clear what he meant.
It meant staying in the same spot.
Abel and other cadets felt the same way to some extent.
It was because the scenery we saw continued to look the same.
Abel turned off the audio device so that no one else could hear him.
“Lupus. How many times did you say you saw the same tree?”
-Three times, master.
“number 3… … .”
From the traces left by Kaul, it became clear that they were going round and round in the same place.
However, Kaul spoke in a calm, unwavering voice.
– What could be the cause of this phenomenon, Daniel?
– Oh, yes. It could be because of the spores emitted by the illusion mushrooms that inhabit the Delkan Mountains, or it could be the ability of some giant fragments.
-right. Abel, what species are the fragments of the giants that have this ability?
Abel answered the question directed at himself without hesitation.
– Illusion Fox, Maze Tree, and Blaise are typical examples.
-Accurate.
Kaul shook his head and pointed around.
– Luke. Pick two that are most likely.
-yes!
Luke thought it was an opportunity to make up for his misjudgment earlier, and quickly gave an answer.
– Blaise doesn’t fit the environment here, and the illusion fox is extremely rare, so it seems likely that it’s because of the spores of the Maze Tree or the illusion mushroom.
-Good judgment.
– Go, thank you.
Kaul then spoke to Cynthia.
– Cynthia. Have you ever seen a phantom mushroom in real life?
-That’s right.
-Have you ever seen a phantom mushroom or something like that while traveling?
– I didn’t see it.
After questioning one by one, Kaul pondered for a while before opening his mouth.
-Then the most likely Maze Tree. Other possibilities cannot be ruled out, but first of all, let’s move according to the Maze Tree’s relative law.
-yes!
After Q&A and a few conversations, the uneasy atmosphere subsided a little.
Abel felt it clearly.
‘It’s not a dangerous unexpected situation, but it’s also meant to feel like an extension of practice.’
I thought that Kaul was also aiming for that kind of effect to some extent.
If you are anxious in this situation, the probability of making a mistake will increase.
– First, let’s move one more time.
After saying that, Kaul took a step in a different direction this time.
It was not a road at all.
I had to move through the trees and grass, but to my surprise, after about 5 minutes, I was back at the first place.
– The welcome mushroom is not visible.
Cynthia reported to Kaul once more.
Kaul said while worrying about him.
– As everyone knows, Maze Tree is weak against fire. So, the response plan is not that simple.
Having said that, Kaul looked at Abel.
-Abel. From now on, set fire and move.
-… … All right.
Apparently, the new ability obtained from the Red Hall had already been reported.
It’s only natural that I went after getting permission from the academy in the first place.
Prior to using the ability, Abel activated the guardian’s shield during secondary armament.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve used this properly after remodeling.’
The Guardian’s shield went through one upgrade during the vacation.
Originally, it was an armament with a simple ability to spread a barrier, so the upgrade was also carried out in the direction of strengthening it.
This allows you to fine-tune your defenses.
It’s quite conspicuous, so I usually reduce it to a size that can protect my back and only increase the intensity.
But now I needed to use full power.
Chow!
Woo-woo-!
A blue membrane stretched out from the widely spread shield of the guardian and wrapped around it.
It was loud enough to cover Daniel or Luke who were nearby.
The intensity was deliberately kept low, but a certain amount of heat could easily be blocked.
– I’ll follow you while lighting a fire in the back.
-okay.
After asking permission, Abel concentrated.
Hwareuk-!
Immediately after that, flames began to rise on the sword.
The other cadets who saw it were clearly surprised. In particular, Luke narrowed his eyebrows and opened his eyes wide.
But Abel raised his sword regardless.
Dealing with Maze Tree is simple.
All you have to do is set fire to it.
Of course, Abel was prepared to do it very well.