Chapter 61: Encounter (2)
─Grooak!
─Grrrroar!
The Rockdeers writhed their bodies.
The anger they displayed was so intense that it surpassed even their fear of death.
It was likely directed at the hunters’ vehicles speeding toward them.
‘…Weren’t they supposed to be docile creatures?’
If they were capable of such fury, why had they only fled earlier?
Had they never considered fighting humans?
Or was there something specific about this situation provoking their rage?
“Lay! There are cars coming over there!”
“What do we do? They might be dangerous. Shouldn’t we hide?”
Philip and Veronica’s panicked shouts echoed.
Lay calmly assessed the situation.
‘The distance is closing too fast. We can’t fully retreat before they arrive.’
Their opponents were hunters—men more accustomed to brutality than courtesy.
A rash move might provoke them.
For instance, fleeing could trigger the roof-mounted cannons on their vehicles to fire.
Or prompt a direct chase.
Staying put to observe was safer.
Five vehicles.
Up to twenty people.
‘We can handle them.’
He’d already mastered his body and ring’s functions back in Sector 49.
He knew his available magic types, mana requirements, and output scaling.
His combat style, once reliant on instinct and experience, now integrated precise magical theory.
The odds were favorable—if they ended this quickly, even with his nearly depleted mana.
“Staying is safer.”
Philip and Veronica nodded.
In crises like this, Lay was the undisputed expert.
Veronica, who’d been nervously eyeing the approaching vehicles while pacing, suddenly shouted:
“Wait! Look here!”
Not far away, among the fallen Rockdeers, a small creature struggled to rise.
“Oh no… It’s a baby…”
“But it doesn’t seem injured. Just knocked over by the adults during the stampede.”
The puppy-sized creature finally stood after multiple attempts and nudged a fallen adult with its head.
Philip muttered, “Its mother…?”
“Unlikely. Their skin colors don’t match.”
As Lay noted, the baby’s skin between its scales had a faint blue tint—barely noticeable unless scrutinized.
“Veronica, do Rockdeers ever have blue skin?”
Veronica frowned, racking her memory. “No… The books only mention gray scales and skin.”
Lay nodded. A mutation, perhaps? If it had a mother, it was likely the blue-skinned one they’d seen earlier.
Grrruk—
The first adult didn’t respond, already dead.
The baby repeated the gesture with others, but the dying Rockdeers could only weakly lick it before collapsing again.
Philip and Veronica winced at the heartbreaking scene.
“Do Rockdeers have strong parental instincts?” Lay. The records mention communal,” Veronica replied.
Philip added, “ve been part of its caretaker group.”
—their rage stem the hunters would harmGrrruk—
The baby nudged Philip anxiously. When Veronica—
Screeeech—!
The skidded to a.
Thud! men stepped out, with rifles and hand axes’s cargo hold—Clank! Thud began tossing Rockdeer corpses inside.
“ What about the ones them. Can’t transit. Use knives,“But knives can pierce their shells—”
“Waste bullets on caught prey?—a sneering man—demonstrated by st Rockdeer’ scales.
Thunk—
The creatureed and went still.See? Preservere valuable in medicinal markets
“Wow, Captain! You’re aSmoking a cigarette,. “Check for any with a jewel on their
“You actually’s nonsense?” a“Senile rambl another agreed.
a former CEO paying us. Though his ‘blue that turns into water’ crap was unbearable.d have kicked his ass.”
Laughter erupted but died when someone spotted Lay’s group there…”
Several hunters approached. Veronica clutched Lay, while Philip toward their car.
ably—especially from brutes exuding menace quietly channeled mana his ring.
“Kids in the wast still miles away…”
’ve got a. Not dressed like rich brats…”
. “Whoa. That face…”
Lustful eyes raened, pressing closer to“Captain!”
, studied them, and men grinned.
hunter adopted a friendly tone your car? You kids lost? We canHis feigned warmth fool—Lay sensed their predatory intent.
‘They’ll try to.’
Conflict was inevitable.
Whooosh through Lay, enhancing strength.
“How?”
“Scared, kid? We But mind your manners—”The hunter reached for Lay.
Swish—!
Lay into the ground.
!
The man’s spine arched like foaming at the mouthWe don’t need home. I asked your sake—so aid faster.”
The stunned hunters gaped. brat just take down Becker?!”
the unconscious man behind him a knife.
“ throat when I signal never held a blade tos neck—but nodded, licked the it against the hostage with a menacing grin“Don’t. Drop everything, or.”
The hunters. “Seasoned band underestimated them…”
One axeman stepped forward isn’t the ans! Thud!
Lay kicked the dirt, grinding his heel.
“Aaa! Help!”
others drew weapons, the.
“One kid causing this mess?
He yanked “Use the gun! Our labor force is dying!”
Click. The barrel aimed at Lay them go. You’numbered. One word,re Swiss cheese.” “Philip. Cut himThe blade bit into the’s neck, rippled.
“Lie to me again, I won’t you twice,” Lay growleds face twisted. “Damn brat! So what if we had outgunned!”Dozens of human Lay. The captain’.
“TryThe air crackled with tension.
