We safely arrived in Emosion without any particular problems, but the real issue lay beyond.
For about three hours after departing Emosion, we proceeded without any major incidents.
However, as we approached the forest, despite having a Grantpus with us, the frequency of monster attacks drastically increased.
“Another Glass Wolf. I know they inhabit this area in large numbers, but this frequency is frankly tiresome,” she remarked.
“I understand how you feel. I recall that while a Glass Wolf’s hide can be used as material for armor, the rest of it is useless, right?”
“Not at all. Its meat is tough and unappetizing, and its fangs are brittle, rendering them completely useless. Even its hide requires multiple layers to be usable as armor, making it more suited for introductory purposes at the Crafter’s Guild than for Hunters.”
Monsters are categorized by rank.
The main rank is indicated by mineral names, similar to Guilds, with sub-ranks denoting evolution. Glass Wolves are at the second-lowest rank, I-N.
While Monster ranks and Hunter ranks are not directly equivalent, if they are the same, defeating them is not difficult with a party, or what is called a ‘Raid’ in the context of Helios Orb.
However, monsters exhibit individual differences, and when they form packs, there’s a high probability of having to face multiple enemies. Therefore, hunting them in small Raid parties is not recommended.
While the brute force of numbers is a concern, there’s also the danger of encountering ‘superior species,’ which are one rank higher, or ‘rare species’ and ‘abnormal species,’ which are two or more ranks higher.
“So, their hides aren’t necessary after all. Still, we can’t just leave them as they are, can we?”
“No. It’s troublesome, but we’ll have to collect them and sell them at the Hunter’s Guild in Feel.”
The Glass Wolves had already been defeated by my B-rank water-element area-of-effect spell, Cold Prison. Initially, I had only intended to freeze their heads upon hearing their hides were material, but listening to Prim’s explanation made collecting them a chore.
However, it’s apparently the case that monster corpses will regenerate as undead if they are not collected or if their Magic Stones are not extracted.
If that were to happen, it would become a troublesome situation. Therefore, it’s basically mandatory not to leave monster corpses unattended, or at the very least, to extract their Magic Stones.
To defeat undead, one must either dismember them or incinerate them with high-level fire or light magic. Guild Magic, which can be used by registering with the Order’s Guild or Priests’ Guild, is also required. Frankly, it’s a hassle.
Regarding their Magic Stones, I-rank magic stones are too small, and like T-rank magic stones, they are difficult to use as catalysts for magical tools.
Although they can be used like batteries for compatible magical tools, they are naturally disposable, so their unit price is low, and the purchase price is also low.
Furthermore, Glass Wolves are omnivorous and are considered pests that damage crops, so hunting requests for them are always available.
It’s a troubling issue that despite the low reward, the task is too demanding for novice Hunters, leading to a constant stream of casualties each year.
Moreover, since they are the highest-ranking I-rank monsters, few Hunters willingly hunt them.
If one were targeting I or T-rank Magic Stones, the boars, known as Glass Boas, are weaker and their meat is reasonably tasty, making them more popular.
Another popular choice for its meat is the Horn Rabbit.
I believe its horns also fetch a higher price than Glass Wolf hides.
Of course, both Glass Boas and Horn Rabbits are prey for Glass Wolves, so encountering them is not unlikely.
“Collection finished. Shall we go?”
When collecting monsters, one of us always stays with Apricot while the other deals with the task.
Even though Honest, the Grantpus, is pulling the Beast Carriage, it’s originally a docile herbivore. Monsters are aware that as long as it’s not provoked, the danger is minimal.
Since it’s primarily trained for pulling Beast Carriages and riding, I don’t want to push it too hard.
Incidentally, Grantpus are ranked C, but individuals comparable to the B-rank above them are not uncommon. Thieves, therefore, do not rashly dare to attack them.
While there are pickpockets and master thieves among them, there are only a handful of thieves who can defeat a Grantpus alone. Furthermore, as they are a subspecies of Dragon, they can breathe fire, making them dangerous even to S-rank Hunters if they haven’t evolved.
Grantpus are a subspecies of Dragon, but most are domesticated by humans.
While wild individuals do exist, their habitats are limited. They generally have little fear of humans and can be easily captured or contracted as familiars by offering food. Some individuals even venture into human villages and towns to raise their young, so it’s not uncommon for even small villages to keep Grantpus.
“Still, there are an unusual number of monsters. I didn’t expect to be attacked four times when we haven’t even reached the halfway point.”
“I agree, but I do recall hearing rumors in Emosion that Glass Wolves were increasing in number, though not exactly a mass outbreak.”
“I heard that rumor too. Apparently, someone saw a Green Fang, a superior species.”
“A Green Fang is essentially an abnormal species, isn’t it? If something like that exists, it’s no surprise that Glass Wolves are becoming more numerous.”
Abnormal species are monsters with significantly greater size, strength, and magic power. They are akin to mutations.
Various theories exist for their emergence, such as evolution due to mana absorbed from mana pools or evolution as leaders to maintain ecological balance when the population of a particular monster species grows too large. However, beyond the fact of their evolution, little is definitively known.
The Green Fang, mentioned earlier, is an abnormal species of the Wolf species, specifically an abnormal variant of the wind-attribute Wolf.
Glass Wolves are I-N rank, Green Wolves are C-U rank, and their abnormal species, the Green Fang, corresponds to S-I rank. Considering their pack behavior, they pose a significant threat even to G-rank Hunters, let alone S-rank Hunters who have evolved to a high class. If such monsters exist, one can hardly venture outside the town.
“In that case, we need to be more cautious of that than thieves on our journey.”
“Indeed. Even High Hunters are said to be unable to defeat them alone. If such monsters are present, thieves would surely flee.”
Abnormal species are said to be aggressive, so if spotted, an attack is certain.
Thieves, unable to enter towns, establish their hideouts in forests or caves.
These hideouts are constantly at risk of monster attacks, so when dangerous monsters appear, thieves typically flee.
Towns and villages are also dangerous places, but they are protected by circular barriers that repel monsters.
The exact principle is unknown, but these barriers prevent most monsters from entering, making towns and villages within them safer than the outside.
Exceptions do exist, such as rare monster floods, familiars, summoned beasts, and docile monsters like the Grantpus.
It’s unclear how they differentiate, but perhaps they distinguish based on hostility.
“Speaking of which, I’ve been wondering, do humans evolve when their level increases, or do monsters not evolve?”
“They do. The Green Fang we mentioned is said to have evolved from a Green Wolf.”
“So that’s how it is. I assumed that if humans evolve, monsters would too. If so, abnormal species might correspond to the High Class for humans, or perhaps even the Ancient Class.”
“I believe your reasoning is correct. In fact, there was a theory to that effect.”
“Hmm? So, does that mean, for example, that a Green Fang or Green Wolf was originally born as a Glass Wolf, and evolved into those forms while hunting?”
Besides Glass Wolves and Green Wolves, the Wolf species also includes Silver Wolves and Black Wolves. There are also Desert Wolves inhabiting deserts, and Snow Wolves and White Wolves in snowy regions.
Glass Wolves inhabit grasslands, Wood Wolves inhabit forests, and Green Wolves inhabit both, making them superior species to the latter two. Logically, superior species should be superior from birth.
“It seems that rare and abnormal species are that way. However, they are often given names that indicate their original species, so it’s certain that this Green Fang also originated from the Green Wolf lineage.”
“That’s complicating things again. So, superior species are superior from birth, but rare and abnormal species evolved into those forms. This implies that any individual has the potential to evolve into a rare or abnormal species.”
This further solidifies my belief that the theory of rare species = High Class, and abnormal species = Ancient Class might be correct.
No, there were supposed to be ranks above abnormal species, and the ranks differ for monsters, so I can’t say that definitively.
Huh?
Does this mean that familiars also have the potential to evolve?
“Hey, doesn’t that mean familiars also have the potential to evolve?”
“Yes. Although it’s rare, I’ve heard of such cases. However, that… Ah!”
“What is it?”
“Yes. If Honest evolves, then Honest, who was said to be lacking in combat prowess, could become a significant force.”
Familiars are also classified as monsters, so it’s only natural that they would evolve. As I suspected, there was a precedent. However, evolving a familiar is apparently very difficult, and more importantly, the conditions for it are unknown, so previous instances were likely due to spontaneous evolution. It’s not easy at all.
Incidentally, a Grantpus that evolved into a rare species is said to become a Grantpus Lord.
Well, we’re not in a hurry, and it’s unlikely Honest will evolve before we reach Feel, so if we decide to evolve Honest, we’ll do it at a leisurely pace.
