FWOOSH FWOOSH WHOOSH

Flames were whipped and icicles were shot. A volley of red and blue gleamed all over the forest, the ground turned frozen and the bushes scorched to charcoal in mere instants, a dangerous fight turned even more so.

The Ragonea has stopped limiting itself from physical attacks alone, now engaging in a battle between magic. The left head breathed fire which burnt everything it contact with whilst the right head shot ice, piercing all obstacles in sight.

It rode the wind as if it was light as a feather, climbing the trees and leaping along the canopy without much difficulty, launching direct attacks and ambushes in random sequence, making its pattern unpredictable as can be.

"Markab... Alpheratz... Defend!... Me... Algenib.. Attack!" ［Scheat］

The familiars which had been coordinating flawlessly were struck by chais, but it didn't take them long before they organized themselves, two of them in charge of defending against whilst the other tackled the offensive.

The left head opened its mouth and a pillar of flames burst forth towards the spirits, rushing forth towards Alpheratz who was of the plant attribute. However, there was no trace of fear nor worry in its eyes, resolute as can be.

Rather than worrying itself, it lashed away its vines and sent a torrent of poisonous needles towards the Ragonea, curving the trajectories ever so slightly to make sure they weren't burnt by the flames hurling towards it.

RUMMBBBLLEEEE BOOM BOOM BOOM

However, not a single lick of flame was even able to touch Alpheratz. Before it could even get close to it, Markab had sent the earth rumbling, creating not just one, but three consecutive walls of stone to block the attack.

The first wall was melted by the flames, and the second wall was charred, some slight cracks showing up here and there. However, the third wall remained standing and untouched, and so was the green spirit hiding behind it.

THWACK THWACK THWACK WHIMPEERRRR

The needles continued to curve and soon enough, started pouring down on the rabid Ragonea. It was able to avoid most of the needles which followed the first strikes, but a few were more than enough for the spirits to gain some ground.

It may not be very powerful, but those needles were packed with poison which numbs and paralyzes the body, the more it takes. It was only a couple drops, but such was more than enough to make the Ragonea's movement slower.

GRRRRRR WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH

Lashing out of rage, the Ragonea didn't hesitate to fire away both another pillar of flames and another volley of icicle shards, both heads rampaging and eyes burning passionately with the flames of anger and hostility.

Markab created a couple more walls again, but against the penetration power of the frozen icicles, it was quickly broken down without much resistance. However, it was not useless at the very least. It managed to slow down its momentum.

The momentum of the icicles slowed down enough for Alpheratz to catch it with its vines and change the direction away from it. It even hurled some of the icicles back to the Ragonea and made it have a taste of its own medicine.

THWACK THWACK SHATTER SHATTER

The icicles which were flung back didn't manage to hit the Ragonea at all, some not even close to hitting, some melted by the flames, and some shattered by the other icicles, however, counterattacking was the enemy's biggest mistake.

Because of the curtain of flames it spewed out before it, its vision was limited in the front and it didn't notice what absurdities were happening. Amongst which were the strange mounds in the ground running towards it.

Those mounds soon turned to pillars and struck the Ragonea where it hurts, one of its heads seemingly hit by a heavy punch. It managed to recover quickly and avoid the remaining pillars, however... It made another mistake...

FWOOOSSSSHHHH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH

It was completely focused on Markab and Alpheratz, it had completely forgotten that it didn't just have two, but in fact, 4 opponents. The moment it realized its mistake, it was already too late, glimmers of red and blue pointed towards it.

Scheat poured it all into its spell and created a spear of crimson flames, and at the same time, Algenib condensed all the coldness in the air into a spear of blue frost. A deadly pincer attack of frost and flames came rushing towards it.

What's worse, because it just leaped away from Markab's attack, it was still midair with no ways of maneuvering itself. All it could do was protect itself with ice magic, creating a shield of ice from both sides.

CRACK CRACK CRACK SHATTEEERRRRRR

Even then, such resistance was futile. Algenib's solid spear easily pierced through the thin shield of ice whilst Scheat's burning spear devouring it away without any mercy. Both spears struck it with its head, and blasted it away quite a distance.

Alpheratz didn't waste any time and also launched an attack of itself, hurling another volley of poisonous needles towards the Ragonea and making its body even more numb and groggy than before, slowly but surely.

GRRRRRR GRRRRRR ROOAAAARRRRR

Of course, the Ragonea wasn't just over with that much. Though groggily, it quickly stood up and resumed the fight, launching counterattacks of its own and dyeing the forest with its flames and ice, violent and destructive as can be.

Markad defended against the flames, Alpheratz caught and flung back the icicles, and both Scheat and Alpheratz continued their volley of spears. Such attack pattern continued as the seconds went by, both sides engaging dangerously.

"Fire and Ice... So that's what you call a mutant... I didn't know that..." ［Yuna］

"That's because I didn't teach you. In the first place, they're so rare, people don't usually encounter them during their lifetimes." ［Grey］

"Still, shouldn't you have told me? It's doesn't hurt to be knowledgeable," ［Yuna］

"Hahaha. Sorry, it completely slipped my mind." ［Grey］

Mutants... Like Grey talked about, they are beasts which are completely different from their usual counterparts. These don't just simply to those with rare genetic mutations, but to beasts whose magic is completely different then their kin.

There are 3 general types of mutation, them being "Reduction", "Transmutation", and "Augmentation", arranged in the order of most common to the rarest. There are also some other kinds, but they're so rare they don't even have names.

Reduction, as the name implies, severs the beast's mana veins and makes them unable to use magic. These types rarely survive in the wild and usually die young because they don't have the needed ability to survive, no different than animals.

Transmutation, the second type, changes the nature of one's attribute. An example of this would be a Phoenix, which rather than the fire attribute, gets the wind attribute instead. These ones are able to survive in the wild.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Lastly, there is Augmentation, the rarest of the three. It doesn't change the original attribute, but adds another one on top of it. This makes the beast wield several kinds of magic and makes them generally more powerful than the others.

"Mutation, huh... Does it change the physical characteristics too?" ［Yuna］

"Usually, it doesn't. This Rahonea's genetics must have been affected by its mutation to have two heads. I don't know, otherwise." ［Grey］

"Hmm... Mutation... What if Grey has ten eyes and six arms?" ［Yuna］

"Yuna, don't imagine something so scary. Do you want your fiancé to look like that? I would look no different than a monster, you know?" ［Grey］

"It's okay～! I will love Grey no matter how you look!" ［Yuna］

"Yuna... Haah... Just forget it..." ［Grey］

The Ragonea in front of them was an Augmented mutant which is now able to wield both fire and ice attributes, each of its heads overing one of them, and coordinating itself to make sure that it comes out on top of the food chain.

After all, normal Ragoneas only have one head and are a little bit smaller than the one before them. They are also E-rank at best, but as expected, the mutant Ragonea is much stronger at D-rank. A few times stronger, actually.

If it was just a normal Ragonea, the spirits would have been able to win without much difficulty, but with an opponent one rank above them, even if there are 4 of them, they couldn't afford to be reckless. One mistake and everything could be over.

"Well, enough about that... We should focus more on the battle." ［Grey］

"Fufufu! You're right. I never expected our spirits to have grown this much." ［Yuna］

"Yeah, they lack firepower, but they make up for it with their cooperation." ［Grey］

Well, mutant or not, all the familiars have to do was take it down. They continued their flawless cooperation and chipped away at Ragonea's life without giving it any breaks. They may be weak, but unlike beasts, they don't get tired.

Unfortunately, it was also because of the fact that they don't use stamina, they are quickly drained of mana, each of their attacks costing them a lot. The longer they fight, the more disadvantageous it would be for them.

RUMBBLLLEEEEEEE RUMBLE RUMBLE

The ground shook once more and Markab poured most of its mana towards the ground, moving the earth to create walls. It was not as sturdy as one conjured with magic, but it allowed it to conserve some mana.

The walls quickly surrounded the Ragonea and covered it from all sides. Above the unsuspecting beast were Algenib and Schea, once again readying their attacks to create a downpour of death towards their vicious enemy.

The Ragoneas didn't just standby and watch either. It raised its head, both its mouth glowing a fierce red and cold blue color, the air burnt ferociously and the breeze turned cold, white mist appearing visibly.

ROAARRRRR FWOOSSHHHH WHOOOSSHHHH

It didn't waste any more time and fired off the attacks before the other two could even launch theirs. A raging pillar of flames blasted off above, making the engaged wall see, like an erupting volcano from the outside.

At the same time, its other head shot out a torrent of icicles before it, breaking down the walls with every strike, the icicles piercing it and rushing towards the forest. A couple trees where pierce and bored from collateral damage,

Thankfully, though Scheat and Algenib weren't able to react quickly, Alpheratz was able to pull them away with its vines and bring them to safety. There were a few scratches on Algenib and it looked a little melted, but it was better than being charred.

GRRROOOOAAARRRRRRRR

However, the Ragonea was far from being done. As soon as it was able to break free from the walls, it immediately started rushing towards the spirits. It is now a lot slower than before, but it was still agile and ready to bite.

The battle resumed and the familiars used magic once more. Alpheratz rooted itself to the ground and unleashed a pandemonium of vines, rushing towards the raging Ragonea. It managed to bite some down, but it was ultimately caught in the end.

They were just normal vines either. They were all laced with poison, not only to numb and paralyze, but to slowly melt away its organs as well. It created a searing pain, the Ragonea couldn't help but howl and bellow in pain.

"Algenib... Scheat,.. Attack... Don't... Stop..." ［Alpheratz］

"Yes!" ［Scheat］

"Understand!" ［Algenib］

The spirits didn't waste the chance Aloheratz provided them and quickly prepared their attacks, swirls of mana rushing out in a hurry. The Ragonea tried to burn away the vines strangling it, but before it could even open its vicious mouth...

THWACK THUD THUD THUD

... A volley of heavy bullets came from the side, Markab hurling rocks towards their opponent. At the same, it moved the ground below the Ragonea, punching it with pillars of earth and tuning it even more groggy.

Two spears came from both sides, and struck the Ragonea again, leaving searing wounds and open flesh as blood trickled down the ground. A pained bellow rang out in the forest once more, its eyes all filled to the brim with rage and hostility.

The Ragonea opened its mouths once more and ignored all the attacks coming its way. The right head shot tiny icicles towards the spirits, all the while the left head prepared for a big one, its mouth glowing the color of magma.

BOOOMMMM FWOOOOSSSHHH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH

A deadly pillar of flame erupted from below and rose towards the sky, shaking the ground and sweeping away the winds, licks of flame burning the nearby grass and leaves away, and of course, Alpheratz' binding vines.

The pillar of flames soon ceased to exist, leaving on a charred and cratered ground behind, cracks spreading all throughout. The Ragonea was now free of its bindings and the spirits were now weakened and almost out of mana.

The only flames which remained to burn was its viciousness and hostility towards the familiars. With the tide of the battle now completely turned, Grey and Yuna prepared themselves to interveneー or at least they were going to.

CRACK CRACK CRASSSHHHH CRASH CRASH

But before they could even move a single muscle, something completely unexpected suddenly occurred. The moment the Ragonea took its step, the ground below it then collapsed and it fell inside the hidden sinkhole.

Its confused and still enraged growls echoed throughout as it continued falling, a subtle yet resonant thud and crash soon echoing in the air. Grey, Yuna, and the familiars were all confused about what just happened, eyes filled with bewilderment.

"That... was anticlimactic, wasn't it?" ［Grey］

"Wh... What just happened..." ［Yuna］

They approached the collapsed ground, and surely enough, it was a sinkhole. Inside it was a deep hidden cavern, and the lifeless body of a Ragonea. One its head was pierced by a stalagmite and it died soon after from too much exhaustion.

Grey and Yuna had anticipated many outcomes, but they could have never guessed it would have ended in such a way. It was very anticlimactic and unexpected, they didn't even know what to feel, completely speechless.

"Markab... Did you figure out there was a sinkhole under us?" ［Grey］

"No... Master... Just... Magic..." ［Markab］

"I see... So it was just a coincidence, huh..." ［Grey］

They don't know whether they were lucky or unlucky, but thanks to it, the spirits weren't put in any danger. They are now tired and exhausted from the fight so Grey and Yuna decided to let them rest and recover, unsummoning them quickly.

Meanwhile, they were still curious about the sinkhole. Though it would be idiotic to just jump right in, it would be even more troublesome if some people were to fall victim to it. It's not like there are many that can hurt them anyway.

『Everyone, just continue hunting in the forest. Yuna and I will be exploring something for a minute. We'll be back shortly.』 ［Grey］

『Understood, Master.』 ［Sirius］

『Go it, Master! Take care～!』 ［Vega］

After letting the familiars know of their situation, Grey and Yuna quickly dropped down the sinkhole and soon landed in the hidden cavern, the subtle sound of splashes and ripples echoing all throughout the cave.

It was a far drop, extending over 50 meters in height, and was damp with shallow water running throughout the place. As it seems, they were just unlucky to have unleashed an attack at the thinnest crust of the hidden cavern.

Markab's conservative spells of moving the ground also didn't help, making the crust thinner and thinner with every wall and pillar it made. Though, it was thanks to such spells that they managed to defeat the Ragonea, though a bit unconventionally.

"Well, we should probably take care of the Ragonea first." ［Grey］

"Hmm... A mutant Ragonea... Does its taste differ from normal Ragoneas? Do you think it would be more delicious? It's rare, after all." ［Yuna］

"I don't know... But Alpheratz injected a lot of poison into it. We might need to do a little bit of cleansing before it becomes edible." ［Grey］

"I see... I'll do the curing then!" ［Yuna］

Yuna asked such an absurd and gluttonous question again, but Grey didn't even try to retort against her. He had already gotten used to how his beloved fiancée thinks, and wouldn't want to change her anyway. He was also curious about himself.

There was no time to waste. As soon as Grey and Yuna decided to remove the body of the Ragonea from the stalagmite, they immediately started to move and dismantled it quickly while they were at it, not even taking them a couple minutes.

The pelt and claws were in unfavorable situations after being scorched and pierced by consecutive attacks, and some of the organs have been damaged by Alpheratz' poison. Luckily, the meat was still in a good state, and that's what matters.

"Whew～! Should we sell this to the Guild?" ［Yuna］

"It would be hard to deal with in the Adventurers' Guild because of our alternate ranks, but we should be able to manage in the Merchants' Guild." ［Grey］

"Ohh! Then I'll leave it all to you then, Grey!" ［Yuna］

"Hey, don't just casually dump all the responsibility on me..." ［Grey］

Well, no matter how damaged they were, such materials were still good materials which could be used to make Middle-Grade materials. The organs could also be sold to the Alchemists' Guild after some treatment.

Yuna was also interested in the organs, but seeing that they're not in the best of conditions, she decided to just give it up. After all, unless needed be, she shouldn't compromise on the materials and ingredients. Alchemy is that majestic,

"But well... This place sure is beautiful, huh..." ［Grey］

"Un... It's really pretty..." ［Yuna］

They haven't noticed it before, but the cavern they are in was like that of the ones you'll read in fairy tales, brimming with all sorts of wonderful colors, the sound of water droplets trickling down and echoes ringing in the air.

Despite being deep underground, thanks to the torchstones present in the cave, the place wasn't dark and dim in the slightest. Rather, it was very pretty that one could lose themselves in admiring the place, ores and crystals gleaming everywhere.

And it wasn't just the gemstones, but the unique flora and fauna as well. There were bioluminescent plants and fungi to be found all over the place, some taking the form of blue ferns and some of violet mushrooms.

There were also some insects, arthropods, and other little critters present, making up their own enclosed ecosystem which hasn't seen sunlight for centuries. It was like a completely new world, unveiled before their eyes.

"Whoa... Aren't these High-Grade minerals? These things are worth thousands... And there's so many of them..." ［Grey］

"There are also rare magic plants I've never seen before! Amazing! Grey, I'd like to get some for myself! Don't stop me, okay?" ［Yuna］

"Not like I can stop you, anyway... Just make sure to leave some behind." ［Grey］

"Un～!" ［Yuna］

Seeing such rare and precious materials, Yuna's hoarder blood quickly got excited and she immediately went around picking magic plants here and there, the sparkles on her eyes even brighter than the torchstones around them.

Of course, it wasn't just the magic plants, but the ores as well. Though, they only took a relatively small portion since they can't be regrown like magic plants do. They were still in a noble's territory, so it was better to avoid trouble as much as possible.

"Waah～! I wonder what this is?! It looks so shiny! I'll take more of you!" ［Yuna］

And whilst Yuna was busy hoarding everything she could see, Grey used earth magic to reinforce the caves and patch the thin layers of crusts, creating some rough pillars that seemed natural at first glance and trying to preserve the cave the best he could.

He then used his "Heaven's Eyes" to survey the cave system, and to his surprise, it was a massive one extending over a couple kilometers, all the way to the mouth of the rivers. It was no wonder why it was flooded.

"Whoa... What a massive cave systemー" ［Grey］

"Grey! I'm already done here! Let's go to another cavern!" ［Yuna］

"Eh...? You're already finished...?" ［Grey］

Grey couldn't even admire the scenery, his beloved fiancée dragging him around the place with stars twinkling in her eyes. Grey continued to reinforce the cave and Yuna continued to hoard materials. Such continued as they explored the cave.

Soon enough, they reached one of the further reaches of the caves and located there was a sizable underground lake, glowing brightly with torchstones gleaming on its bed and looking very magical with all sorts of magic plants surrounding it.

It was so beautiful, Grey and Yuna couldn't help but stare in astonishment from how mystical the hidden lake looked. The atmosphere was mysterious and heavenly, the sound of water droplets and ripples echoing in the stagnant air.

"So beautiful..." ［Yuna］

"Hm? That is..." ［Grey］

BLUB BLUB BLUB SPLASSHHHH

But perhaps the most notable feature was the massive shadow looming below the lake. The shadow which grew bigger with time, the sound of splashes echoing as the owner of such a figure broke through the lake's surface.

"It seems like we have guests over." ［Asfara］

CHAPTER 409 END