Chapter 416

Words : 2650 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Hans’ body swelled up like a balloon. His neck elongated, and what were hands transformed into front legs. Above all, the white fur shimmering with a bluish energy all over his body was identical to the appearance of the Spirit Deer that Rudger had seen in that forest. His height at the withers had already surpassed the size of the werebear from earlier. -Crack. Golden horns burst through both sides of Hans’s forehead. The U.N. Owen executives watched the transformation with looks of surprise and shock. Before long, Hans had transformed into a massive white deer over 5 meters tall. His size was smaller than the Spirit Deer seen in the Kasar Basin, and the horns on his head were much more modest but nevertheless, he was a Spirit Deer. It was definitely not something one could easily encounter. ‘While the Bear’s Fang was a half-human, half-beast form, the Spirit Deer’s Fang is closer to a pure beast form.’ It was the same with the Beast of Gevaudan. Rather than being a mix of human and beast forms, it leaned heavily toward one side. While it was slightly more humanoid than the original Beast of Gevaudan, that too was just a relative perspective. The same went for the Spirit Deer’s Fang. Looking at Hans, who appeared almost identical to the Spirit Deer he had seen in the forest, Rudger formed a hypothesis. ‘Is the complete transformation into a beast determined by how powerful the creature is?’ The Beast of Gevaudan and the Spirit Deer of the Kasar Basin, thinking about these two beings, it made perfect sense but what mattered now was Hans’s current state. “Hans. Can you hear me?” Rudger asked while carefully observing Hans’s form. Along with that, he didn’t forget to secretly raise his magical power. When Hans had transformed into the Beast of Gevaudan, he had gone berserk, unable to distinguish between friend and foe due to being overwhelmed by bestial instincts. His reason had been consumed by savagery. If that was the case, there was a possibility of something similar happening now that he had completely transformed into a Spirit Deer. -Swoosh. At Rudger’s question, the deer-transformed Hans turned his gaze toward him. His eyes emanated a faint bluish light like the cold wind of dawn. That languid gaze left Rudger and swept over the group like a gentle breeze. Owen’s group tensed up. If he were to go wild in a place like this, it would cause massive damage to the surroundings. If they had known this would happen, perhaps they should have done this in that half-destroyed underground arena. Just as everyone was thinking this, Hans looked down at his own body and... [Aaack! What is this!] He jumped up in surprise. -Bang. The horns that had grown on Hans’s head pierced through the high ceiling. Unable to withstand the impact, debris from the collapsed ceiling rained down on Hans’s head, and as he tried to sidestep to avoid it, his legs got tangled and he fell sideways. Boom─! “......” “......” “......” Everyone was left speechless at the comical sight. The tension that had been choking the air dissipated with surprising ease. Hans struggled to get up again, but it seemed he couldn’t quite adapt to walking on four legs when he was used to walking on two as a human. His legs trembled like a newborn fawn’s, and he kept falling over repeatedly. It was quite pitiful to watch. “Hans. Just stay still as you are.” If he forcefully tried to stand up, he would only cause more trouble for those around him. Hans, knowing this too, nodded dejectedly while lying down. [Understood.] “So, how does your body feel?” [What do you mean? My body feels so different from usual that the sense of dissonance is overwhelming.] Until now, even when Hans transformed into beasts, he had at least maintained a human form but the Spirit Deer was different. It wasn’t just any beast, but a deer. From the horns on his head to having to stand on four legs, and even his elongated neck. Trying to move in that state must have created sensations that were impossible to process with a normal human body. ‘He moved well when he was the Beast of Gevaudan, but was that because he was moving purely on bestial instincts then?’ While maintaining reason while transformed like this had its advantages, it clearly had significant drawbacks as well. “The sensations will probably become familiar quickly after transforming a few times. What’s important is something else. Hans, can you manipulate magical power?” [Magical power, you say.] “You used something similar just earlier, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.” [I’ll try.] Hans muttered this while concentrating. Although Hans had never known about magical power in his entire life, he had been able to use it immediately when he transformed into a bear earlier. It was like an instinct deeply embedded in his genes. Therefore, even now transformed into a Spirit Deer, there was no reason he couldn’t use it if he tried. A bluish magical power began to spread through his snow-white mane-like fur with a whoosh. “Ooh.” Bellaruna’s eyes lit up as she watched the scene. The way she was clenching and unclenching her hands showed she was clearly eager to examine how this was possible right away. Of course, for her, such an examination would naturally mean dissection. Watching the magical power, Rudger gave another instruction. “Can you transform that into a different form?” [I think I can. Just a moment.] Hans furrowed his brow and tensed his body. The magical power that had been rippling around Hans gathered in one place and formed a large sphere. “Hooh.” Rudger’s eyes lit up at the sight. That was the same as the pure magical power sphere that the Spirit Deer had used in the Kasar Basin. Of course, the size and number were inferior to the real Spirit Deer. He wanted to check its power too, but given the location, that would be too reckless. “How does it feel?” [How should I put it, the sensation is much clearer than when I transformed into that rock bear earlier.] Hans rolled his eyes around as he looked at his surroundings. Now transformed into the body of a Spirit Deer, Hans was seeing the world through a completely different perspective than when he was human. He could faintly see the mana contained in the atmosphere and Hans found it quite fascinating. Rudger approached Hans. Seeing the golden horns that had grown on Hans’s head, Rudger tapped them with his hand. “Can you feel this?” [I can feel it. This is definitely not an ordinary horn.] “How do you know?” [I just know instinctively. Even now when I’m raising magical power, I can naturally use these horns as a medium.] “So these horns make it easier to handle magical power. Like a staff for a magician. That’s a bit disappointing.” [...What do you mean?] “Nothing. I was just thinking that if horns grow every time you transform, we could cut some off to use.” Hans broke out in a cold sweat at those words. Rudger asked various other questions, and Hans did his best to answer each time. Looking at the results, receiving the Spirit Deer’s Fang had been an excellent choice. ‘Though transformed into a complete beast form, he maintains his reason. This is a tremendous asset.’ It’s true that Hans’ power was quite degraded compared to the original Spirit Deer who was the owner of the fang but that was only because the original Spirit Deer was too powerful; the transformed Hans couldn’t be called weak either. ‘Well, it’s not something that can be openly used in front of people. But it’s fortunate to have another card to use in urgent situations.’ That said, he wouldn’t continue to push Hans into future fights. Pantos and Alex were sufficient as the main fighters but exceptions always occur, and obtaining the Spirit Deer’s Fang was an encouraging development in preparation for such times. Just as he was thinking about using the neutralizer to return Hans to normal...the gazes of Rudger, Pantos, and Alex moved almost simultaneously. [W-What is it?] Hans, whose senses were heightened after transforming into a Spirit Deer, also trembled as a sensation ran through his entire body. “Oh my.” Just as Rudger uttered those words...A single drop of blood fell from the high ceiling of the building with a plop. It was just one drop, but the moment it hit the ground, it spread wider and wider, turning into a pool of blood. Everyone’s gaze turned toward it. Bubbles writhed on the surface of the blood pool, then burst upward with a splash. Someone jumped out from within, it was a blonde girl wearing a bright red gothic lolita dress. The girl who had jumped out of the pool eventually opened her eyes. The pool of blood on the floor was naturally absorbed into her body. Her ruby-red pupils curved slightly, and fangs protruded from her mouth. “I wonder what interesting conversation you were having without me?” “...Master.” Rudger showed a slightly troubled expression. To think Grandel would move when she had been quiet until now. If she came in person, it meant she was in a bad mood. Could she be upset that he hadn’t said a word to her after returning from the Kasar Basin? With Grandel, that was entirely possible. She was a vampire whose actions were unpredictable. Usually at times like this, her disciple Rudger had to fully endure her whims and irritation but contrary to expectations, Grandel didn’t glare at Rudger. What she was looking at with interest was Hans, who had transformed into a deer. “You’ve brought something interesting again.” Grandel approached Hans with pattering steps. Just looking at their appearances, it wouldn’t be strange if Hans could swallow Grandel in one bite given their size difference but their essential nature and power were the complete opposite of their appearances. Even Hans, who had grown stronger with the Spirit Deer’s power, couldn’t help but feel diminished before Grandel. Rather, because he had the Spirit Deer’s eyes, Hans could more clearly sense Grandel’s monstrous power. Grandel gently stroked Hans’s snow-white fur with her small, delicate hand. Each time she did, Hans’s fur stood on end. “This is a Spirit Deer. I thought he had a unique constitution, but to think transformation into this was possible.” Grandel muttered this and then grinned. “I’ve always wanted a Spirit Deer’s pelt.” [Heuk!] Hans was terrified at those words and seemed about to faint right then and there. Grandel looked at him and casually said. “I’m joking.” Are you really? For just a moment, when she said she wanted the pelt, Grandel’s eyes had been serious. It wouldn’t have been strange if she skinned Hans right then and there, and U.N. Owen’s executives gathered here knew her personality very well. In the end, Rudger had no choice but to step in. “Master. What brings you here?” “What brings me here? Is there some reason I shouldn’t come here as your master?” “That’s not what I meant...” “No, forget it. What should I expect from a disciple who’s too busy to even show his face, and who doesn’t even say a word to his master after having interesting experiences far away? Right. When you get old, you should just stay quietly locked up in your room.” “......” She was upset. She was really properly upset. If there was any silver lining, it was that Grandel, who would normally have been furiously angry, was being docile thanks to Hans. While she was irritated, Hans transformed into a Spirit Deer had piqued her curiosity even more. [Brother?] No way, right? Perhaps because his senses had improved after becoming a Spirit Deer...Hans instinctively gave Rudger a desperate look. Rudger deliberately ignored Hans’s gaze and asked Grandel. “Master. As you know, Hans has just transformed into a Spirit Deer and we’re in the process of checking his constitution.” “I know that. Do you think I wouldn’t know such a thing? Don’t worry. I’ll make sure not to break him.” Break? Hans’ pupils shook like an earthquake but he couldn’t openly ask Grandel about it because she was that terrifying of an existence. “Rather, you should be grateful. I’m saying I’ll personally participate in the research.” While it might sound like an arrogant statement, Rudger actually accepted and stepped back. Whatever else, if Grandel herself said she would research something, the results were worth looking forward to. Who would dare question someone of her high rank with magical knowledge as deep as the ocean abyss? “I understand, Master.” “So tell me, my disciple. Where and how did you obtain the Spirit Deer’s Fang?” Having come here curious about this very matter, she immediately got to the main point. Rudger, who had been thinking he would have to tell her someday anyway, suddenly recalled the information about the non-attribute magical power he had discovered in the Kasar Basin. Since he had things he wanted to ask as well, this was rather fortunate. “Everyone else may return to their posts now. I will speak with Master.” When Rudger said this, U.N. Owen’s executives nodded and withdrew. Even for them, being in the same place as Grandel made them considerably uncomfortable. Grandel watched the retreating executives and her gaze lingered especially long on Pantos. “That fellow. He’s improved more than before.” “Who? You mean Pantos?” “Yes.” “He actually had some enlightening experiences recently.” “Not a bad growth. Before he was just a youngster overflowing with power, but now he’s become a bit more mature, though he’s still just a wet-behind-the-ears youngster anyway.” Who else in this continent could call Pantos a wet-behind-the-ears youngster? But Rudger took those words as praise. It was really difficult to even receive a comment about being mature from her. “So after sending away all your subordinates, do you have something to ask me?” [I’m still here though.] Hans carefully voiced his opinion, but Grandel completely ignored him. Leaving behind the dejected Hans, Rudger asked Grandel. “Master. Do you know anything about a peculiar magical power that is said to have existed since ancient times?” * * * Eileen walked through the streets of Leathervelk, escorted by Pasius. The place she was currently walking around was now the most famous area in Leathervelk city. It was Royal Street. This place, which had once been full of slums and abandoned factories, had now become an indispensable source of vitality for the city. “At this rate, it wouldn’t lose even to the capital.” “I can’t deny that.” Pasius moderately agreed with Eileen’s words while going over his recent sparring match with Pantos in his mind and Eileen, not unaware of Pasius’ thoughts, didn’t bother him further. “...Your Highness.” At that moment, Pasius’ expression froze coldly. Eileen also stopped walking at Pasius’ warning. If he gave such a warning, it meant there was something targeting them nearby. Eileen naturally brought her hand to the signal device in her possession. At that moment, someone suddenly approached and revealed themselves. “My, my. However you look at it, isn’t it a bit much to be walking around without escorts in a place like this?” With a smooth-talking manner that didn’t match his intimidating appearance and large build, Pasius and Eileen’s eyes widened as they recognized him. “Commander Luther?” Luther Wardot. The man called the Empire’s finest, no, the continent’s finest swordsman had come to find the two of them.

Chapter 416

Comments (0)