Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Wolf is Coming

It was afternoon, and the early winter sun was pleasant. Many villagers took the opportunity to come out and sunbathe. The women were airing out the household pelts, children played in the mud, and the men gathered at the tavern for idle chatter. It was a peaceful scene.

Although there was little to do in the winter, it was also a rare time for rest during the year.

Unfortunately, this tranquil atmosphere was about to be shattered.

”Hey... look over there! A wolf!”

A cry of alarm from an unknown voice made the idlers in front of the tavern jump to their feet in astonishment.

”What?! A wolf!?”

”Where’s the wolf? Where did it come from!?”

”Quick, get the pitchforks! Go find Captain Basque—”

Anyone living around the Shery Mountain range knew that if a wolf came down from the mountains at this time of year, it was no laughing matter!

In an instant, shouts and roars erupted as chaos broke out at the village entrance!

But some remained calmer, not giving in to the blind panic. One man stepped forward and shouted loudly.

”Don’t panic! There are so many of us, what’s there to fear from one or two wolves—”

But the words caught in his throat, twisting into a strange cough: ”Ergh—”

But no one paid any mind to his blunder, because everyone had seen the wolf.

Its vicious fangs, its murky yellow eyes, its matted, filthy fur... a sight to make anyone’s blood run cold.

But what if this wolf was dead?

Suddenly, it wasn’t so terrifying anymore.

It was a dead wolf, decapitated. Its fearsome head was held in the hand of a Warrior who radiated a primal aura!

He carried the wolf’s head and strode into the village with purpose, completely ignoring the stares of the crowd.

Following behind him were two ”attendants,” their faces so bruised and swollen they were unrecognizable, carrying the wolf’s carcass between them.

Everyone who witnessed this scene was overcome by a mixture of shock, panic, bewilderment, and confusion.

’Who is this Warrior? Did he kill the wolf? Why has he come to our village?’

Until a murmuring voice broke the silence.

”Isn’t that Hotte and Harlow?”

It was as if the crowd had been shaken from a dream.

Looking again at the two staggering figures with their heads hanging low, their faces swollen like pigs’, many people started to put two and two together. A hubbub of discussion erupted.

”Yeah, look at the bald head and the pointy-faced one. It’s them!”

”So that’s why they didn’t show up today...”

”How’d they get beaten so badly? Don’t tell me they tried to steal his kill and got caught in the act...”

”Maybe he’s here to complain to the village chief... How shameful...”

Bits and pieces of the chatter reached the two men’s ears, plunging them into deep shame. Yet, they didn’t dare utter a word in their own defense.

Compared to the gossip of their village acquaintances, they were more afraid of Jon’s fists!

So, Hotte and Harlow could only hang their heads even lower in disgrace, trying to escape the profound shame by burying their heads in the sand.

But another group of people fell into a strange silence.

They were the ones who had seen Jon’s state when he left the day before.

They recognized him, but they couldn’t believe their eyes.

’A ”Calamity Star” killed a wolf? And beat Hotte and Harlow to a pulp like that?’

’How is this possible?’

People instinctively deny things they don’t want to believe. When reality clashes with their perception, it makes them deeply uncomfortable.

But those who didn’t know any better didn’t care. Seeing that the Warrior had no intention of causing them trouble, they grew bolder, and the gossip spread.

Just as the village women began to point and stare at Jon’s party, Captain Basque, having been alerted, finally rushed over with three of his men.

Seeing Jon’s wild appearance, with his disheveled hair and animal-pelt cloak, a young guard behind Basque—one so young he still had peach fuzz on his lip—grew tense. He raised his spear and shouted at the ”Barbarian Warrior” he saw before him.

”Who are you—!”

But before he could finish, the sallow-faced man smacked him over the head.

”Shut up!”

The young guard’s helmet rang out with a CLANG as the brim struck him on the nose, making the clueless youngster cry out in pain.

But no one was paying attention to him now. All eyes were fixed on the captain of the guard and the mysterious Warrior before him.

’How would this be resolved? Would they fight? If they did, who would win?’

However, to everyone’s astonishment, after sizing up the sword at the Warrior’s waist and the wolf’s head in his hand, Basque actually spoke with a smile.

”Jon, kid... you’ve really given me a surprise...”

The admiration and praise in his voice were completely undisguised.

His words made every onlooker’s jaw drop!

’What? The two of them actually know each other?’

’But... this wild, intimidating Warrior... is named Jon?’

’Isn’t that the same name as the village’s Calamity Star? What an ill-omened name to have!’

Even now, some people were still unwilling to accept the reality before them.

But Jon’s expression didn’t change in the slightest at Basque’s praise.

’A joke. Would you be happy about getting praise from an ”NPC”?’

”Captain Basque, this is no time to be talking about surprises.”

As he spoke, he lifted the wolf’s head and gave it a little shake, lowering his voice so only Basque could hear.

”I ran into this beast in the woods not far from the village...”

”!”

Basque started, the smile slowly vanishing from his face.

But he didn’t cause a scene or look at the surrounding villagers. He just pursed his lips and kept his voice low.

”Follow me.”

With that, he led the way toward a nearby wooden house.

Jon was somewhat surprised by Basque’s agreeable attitude, but he didn’t waste any time with pointless chatter.

He couldn’t have bypassed the captain of the guard anyway. Telling him directly would save some trouble and spare him the need to bother Old Sutton with relaying messages.

But before going inside, he had one more thing to do.

He turned to look back at the bruised and swollen Hotte and Harlow, who were already growing exhausted from carrying the wolf’s carcass.

”You two, carry this wolf carcass for three laps around the village, then take it to the Silver Beard Blacksmith Shop.”

”If I find out you’ve skipped even a single step... you can consider the consequences yourselves.”

The two men trembled at his words but didn’t dare to utter a single word of protest. They simply lowered their heads and started walking, meekly obeying.

Basque, who had already opened the door and was waiting for Jon to catch up, was also somewhat surprised by this scene.

”What did they do to you? You beat them up this badly?”

”These two ambushed me on my way home. They conspired to kill me and even planned to burn down my house. So I gave them a beating.”

The captain’s expression soured at his words. He shot a look at a brutish-looking subordinate beside him.

This man was clearly more perceptive than his younger colleague. He immediately turned and kicked Harlow, who was lagging behind, right in the ass.

”Damn it! Captain Basque warned you yesterday not to cause Jon any trouble! You think the captain’s words are just hot air?!”

”Move it! Stop dawdling! And when you’re done, you’ll get a taste of the whip!”

With a vicious snarl, he piled on the punishment.

His words were a bit blatant, but Jon heard them nonetheless.

In response, Jon glanced at the sallow-faced Basque, who wore an enigmatic smile, and gave a slight nod of thanks.

Then, hefting the wolf’s head, he strode forward.