How to Live as a Half-Dragon

049. North Woods (2).

The north wall of Alteon is particularly high and hard.

The reason is the forest that spreads beyond the castle wall.

As it was originally known as the wild and savage monsters living in the Alteon Forest, it naturally created a wall boasting bizarre thickness and height.

However, it could be said that the northern forest now is more dangerous than ever, because a long time ago, another tradition was established in the Alteon family.

From then on, Alteon caught all the wild monsters from all continents and released them in the forest.

The forest to the north of Alteon, which had already been infested with danger, had become a huge breeding ground for the family.

Awesome profit.

As Xian and Drake and their party passed through the gate, the large iron gate closed with a heavy sound.

Xian said while looking at the vast forest in the distance.

“What does this mean for a month at a time?”

Drake said as if doubting his ears.

“One month?”

“Yes, you said so.”

“You mean a month, not a year?”

“Is that so? why? Is that forest really that dangerous?”

It was quite a distance, so Xian’s eyes could barely see the shape.

Of course, there was nothing to be ashamed of.

If you reach that point, that’s strange.

“He said he’d give me a chance… .”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Nothing to tell you, just get closer and you’ll find out. What am I doing this for?”

It would be more comfortable if he told me, but honestly, Drake’s words had some truth, so Xian moved on.

As he got closer to the forest, Xian’s expression darkened.

It was because there were things that were caught one by one.

‘Ferocious Mana… .’

The number of objects is never very large.

However, the energy was great.

With the exception of Dragonians and Slayers, they were more powerful than any creatures Xian had ever encountered.

“What is in this forest?”

“It would be more accurate to say that he is a monster. There are all the famous guys on the continent of Grandia.”

Rather than why there were so many people like that in the forest, Xian was more curious about the situation right in front of him.

Just as Xian sensed them, they too were shooting red eyes in the dark forest. It was said that he recognized Xi’an.

But even so, it was very strange that there was no sign of rushing or trying.

“Are they not coming out of the forest?”

“Because that’s the rule of this forest.”

The question was asked by Drake, and the answer came from the woods.

Hearing the voice from the dark forest, Xian asked Drake again.

“Does the monster speak here?”

Again, the answer came not from Drake, but from the forest.

It was closer than before.

“It is not a monster. I am the manager of the forest.”

Soon, the existence that appeared in the moonlight was clearly a person.

He seemed to be in his mid-thirties and greeted me with a friendly smile.

“My name is Greg. Feel free to call me Grak.”

Xian, who had sneaked up on Drake out of anxiety, was relieved.

Although he has a scar on one eye and is wearing shabby clothes, he is somehow wary of his kind and gentlemanly attitude.

said Greg.

“Anyway, it’s been a while since people came here.”

said Grak, taking a quick look at the three other than Drake.

“There’s no way he was on a picnic… Who will challenge the trial?”

“This is him.”

Grak carefully examined the proposal Drake had pointed out.

“Hmm… .”

The man who was assessing the plan said.

“I’d like to overdo it a little, but I’d rather it be that girl over there.”

“A girl?”

Since Cecily was the only girl, Xian’s pride was hurt.

To be underestimated than a weakling like that…

Grak checked the cyan staring at Cecily and smiled.

“You are an interesting person. Anyway, for the young master to take on the challenge right now is nothing but suicide.”

“All I have to do is get the token at the end of the forest… ? that… It’s not an ordeal.”

“That’s what you mean, youngster.”

Yes…

I was also asking just in case.

Grak explained the forest.

“The Trial of the Northern Woods. It is an ordeal that must be passed in order to be recognized as a member of House Alteon. Before that, even though they were blood relatives, they couldn’t even introduce themselves outside by the name of Alteon.”

Certainly, it was not a proposal to feed Xian, but an existing ordeal.

“But I dare to judge that it is still too early for you, Bocchan. Who sent you?”

“It’s Lugrant.”

Drake’s expression turned serious.

It was because of the idea that the duke couldn’t have sent it without reason.

“My lord… .”

“Actually, he’s quite dissatisfied with this guy, and he seems to be very determined.”

Grak nodded.

After all, he’s only a 10-year-old boy.

In the history of Alteon, no one had challenged the trials of the Northern Forest at such a young age.

You won’t pass anyway and you’ll be frustrated.

Rather, it is better to wield the sword at least once, so it is not recommended in the first place.

In order to safely pass the ordeal without breaking the rules of the forest, he had to be armed with the equivalent of a Slayer.

“Anyway, just give up your will, young man. I don’t know why I fell out of favor with the head of the household, but my life is precious.”

“… … .”

Xian, who was quietly watching the forest from which a ferocious roar was heard just in time, asked.

“My mother must have passed this ordeal, too, right?”

“If it’s your mother… ?”

“It’s gone.”

Drake’s words widened Grak’s eyes.

said Grak, as if recalling a very impressive memory.

“Of course, Sarah visited this forest when she was younger than anyone else. I think you were probably 15 then.”

“Then I will try.”

Grak, who was trying to stop it and tried to open his mouth, had no choice but to choose to shut it again.

This was the reason why the young boy’s eyes calmed down, unlike the nervous look he had just a moment ago.

“I don’t think I’ll go back after persuading you already.”

“You said there were rules, right? explain it to me please.”

“after… The rules are simple. Reach the end of the forest. But don’t kill the monsters in the forest.”

As Grak added, he added.

“As a side note, they never leave the territory they are assigned to. The deeper you go, the stronger the opponent will be, so if you take advantage of that, it will be easier to save your life.”

“thank you.”

Xian said that and went into the forest.

Drake and the other two followed suit.

said Greg.

“Do you want others to join you?”

“I won’t help, so don’t worry.”

I’m not a person who can dry it anyway. said Grak scratching his head.

“It’s very difficult… .”

* * *

It was when Xian entered the forest.

Sensing the intent to kill, Shian immediately flinched.

‘Still, this is worth a try.’

I felt ferocious energy from all sides.

However, there is one guy who threatens Xian.

Sian asked Grak, who followed.

“Are the other guys not attacking?”

“Yes, that’s why it can’t be called a fair trial. You only need to defeat the masters of each area.”

Certainly, as long as they didn’t rush all at once, there would be no problem.

thud… thud…

It was when Xian continued to walk toward the forest, where the intent to kill emanated.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake.

The guy started moving in earnest.

Sian tried to draw his sword at the sound of footsteps approaching, but hesitated.

‘Come to think of it… .’

When I thought about it, I remembered the advice Grak had given me.

They said that you shouldn’t kill the guys you encounter in this forest.

‘Chit… .’

Reluctantly, Xian gave up drawing his sword.

I have no choice but to fight with my bare hands…

‘come!’

The sound of footsteps, which had grown to the limit, stopped, and soon the guy appeared.

A guy with a huge body that seemed to be 10m tall could be called a beast.

A guy whose entire body is covered in fur and only his eyes glow red.

I even heard fear from somewhere.

He was afraid even though he knew he was weaker than himself.

“Quaaa!”

The forest was drifting away, and the guy screamed, and the next moment his front foot was struck down.

Xian quickly widened the distance and avoided it.

‘It’s pretty heavy, isn’t it?’

The seat he had been standing in a while ago was shattered.

His gigantic footprints are somehow familiar.

“It’s like a bear footprint… .”

“Kurrr… .”

However, the size was so different from what I knew, so I thought it was a bear, so it wouldn’t be strange if it actually split.

It was the next moment when the guy’s breath blew like a wild gust of wind.

The guy jumped up and swung his arms right away.

Xian, who again dodged the sideways swing of his forepaw, squeezed through the gap this time.

‘There’s not much movement.’

down a little while ago.

teaching this time.

I took a little look just in case, but the principle was just a blow that relied on strength.

Xian, who arrived at a short distance, jumped up and threw out a clenched fist.

cooong.

It was at that time that Xian Tanye was sure that he had landed a heavy fist.

Booung.

It was right after I sensed the eerie feeling.

His blow hit Xian hard.

Udang-tang-tang!

It’s a shame because I reacted a little early, but if I didn’t block it with my arms and knees in time and got hit properly, I might have been seriously injured.

“after… .”

Cyan, who got up relatively intact, avoided the attack again and closed the distance.

“If the fist doesn’t work, this time… .”

It’s a kick.

It was the same when he swung his fist earlier, but it wasn’t random.

I borrowed the power of the technology I had seen so far.

Yes, this kick was like that too.

It was a powerful blow that Xian knew.

‘As expected, the strongest kick I’ve ever seen… .’

It was a kick from a slayer named Kane, even if he didn’t have good feelings.

Whoops.

When Xian’s bouncing kick hit, not only the fur covering his whole body, but also the forest began to tremble.

A power that cannot even be compared to the previous fist.

As evidence of that, I could see that the guy who looked like Taesan was being pushed back a little bit.

‘It’s just a little, but… .’

It was when Xian, who landed, was about to jump up to kick the same spot one more time with momentum.

His front paws flew off.

Xian, who judged that the timing was not good this time and it was wrong to dodge, raised both arms to receive the attack.

Cyan, which had been slammed into the ground, bounced like a water swallow until it stopped after flying several tens of meters.

Feeling the numbness in his arm, Xian stood up.

“It’s so tingly… .”

After all, the power that comes from its enormous size was a great threat.

In particular, it seemed necessary to be careful when he jumped up to attack.

‘But originally, this level can be easily won… .’

Xian expressed regret.

If I could only use my sword as usual, I could easily win, but I couldn’t do anything because of the rules.

However, Xi’an bit his lip and soon remembered a contradiction somewhere.

‘not… go?’

Come to think of it, Grak never told me not to use a sword.

Grak clearly said not to kill, but he never said not to use the sword.

‘And if I can’t use the sword, I’ll stop it on its own in the middle.’

Xian pulled out his sword and checked the atmosphere, but it was as expected.

Grak, watching from afar with Drake, just watched the situation immovably.

“damn… What’s the trouble with buying this… .”

I let out a deep sigh.

But at the same time, I felt a little better.

It felt like gaining lost wings.

Sian gripped his sword tightly and grinned.

“From now on… It will be a little different.”