The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 986: Unfortunate Limitations

Karlʼs team gathered, and Nachtia transformed back into a human so she could hear all the gossip.

”Well?” She asked.

”Northwest of here is another Regiment. Theyʼre hunting leftover monster packs. That is where we will head, and we can attack any groups we find between here and there.” Karl explained.

The black dragon nodded happily. ”That is perfect. Much better than hunting fluffy things.”

The fur got stuck in her teeth.

The unit was packing up to get ready to go, and Lotus had set up her healing station to ensure that there were no more lingering effects of the Undead Curses. So, Thor took his time getting the carriage out and getting set up to travel.

The Regiment began moving as soon as their gear and supply carts were loaded, so Karl hopped in the driverʼs seat and let Hawk lead them northwest towards the next group of monsters that he had found, while the Regiment headed east.

[These ones are alive, and there is no spawn point. Just a whole group of thingies.] Hawk explained.

The bird was completely lost on this continent. He really needed to read a book to find out what the names of all these creatures were, but he never seemed to get around to it.

Plus, they all looked like a blend of multiple animals, and it was just weird.

[Describe them as well as you can.] Karl suggested.

[Horses with horns and wings and flaming hooves?] Hawk tried.

Not even Remi knew what that was. There was a similar demonic monster known as the Nightmare, but it didnʼt have wings.

[Maybe theyʼll be friendly? Theyʼve got fire magic.] Hawk suggested.

[What are they doing now?]

[Just standing around an oasis between sand dunes.]

That sounded like an ambush, waiting for someone to come to the oasis for water.

Thor led them to the oasis, and Karl knocked on the carriage to warn the ladies that there were monsters.

Lotus hopped down, and saw the creatures, then cheered and began to run down the hill.

Karl cast a barrier over her, just to be safe, but the beasts showed no sign of attacking as she approached. However, they backed away as she approached, unwilling to let her pet them, even if they werenʼt feeling hostile.

Her [If not Friend, Why Friend Shaped] skill was defective, Lotus decided. It only negated the hostility, and she still couldnʼt pet the fire ponies.

”Lotus, leave them alone. They clearly donʼt want to cuddle.” Karl joked.

Lotus sighed and headed back up the hill, and one of the beasts came up to bump her with its nose, then nuzzle her face before running back to the herd.

”I take it weʼre not attacking the monsters?” Ophelia asked.

”Theyʼre not hostile to the rest of us, so I would say that they can stay. We will look for ones from the monster spawns to eliminate.” Karl agreed.

Hawk didnʼt mind that. They were flying fire horses. It was hard to dislike them.

Thor led the way northwest as Hawk spotted a group of monsters that were clearly behaving irrationally, attacking the ground wildly.

The beasts sensed them even before Thor brought the carriage to a stop, and he had to put up a [Bulwark] to keep them from charging before he could store the precious wagon.

These looked like someone had managed to make a Rhino bipedal, with three fingered hands, but the same thick hide and head shape.

They didnʼt use any weapons or equipment, and the moment that Karl leapt over the wall of ice, they attacked as a group, crashing into each other to get to him first.

The Epic Guard appeared behind the group, and Karl realized that he never removed the Haint Claw from the summoned protector.

They were much better at working together now, and the odd teleportation ability that the Haint Claw granted was being used in conjunction with the advanced combat skills of the Epic Guard, instead of emulating Cara and just jumping the monsters to beat them to death.

That was a huge improvement in the combat power of the Epic Guard, and the Rhino monsters were briefly confused as they were attacked from somewhere that they had just passed.

Karl hacked into them with the Blade of Champions, and the Overlord Ranked hide split smoothly, while the resistance made Karl strain to keep up his blade speed. A kick sent a beast flying backward to keep his left side clear, and then Ophelia and Thor were at his sides.

With Karl and Rae both emitting [Oppression] effects with their aura, the two massive combatants were tearing apart the Rhinos, which left Hawk with nothing to do but scout for more of the creatures.

There were thousands of these upright rhino monsters over the surrounding hundred kilometres, and the sand was ending, replaced by dry yellow grass. That should mean that they were close to the other army people, too.

Army people meant big battles. Big battles meant lots of practice with his fire. Better fire meant chances to advance. Hawk was still determined that he was going to manage to trigger a [Skill Master] activation and get himself Totem Ranked fire in advance.

Karl cut down the last of the beasts in the group they had encountered, and Rae cleaned the battlefield. Just in case the blood was good for something. It smelled sweet and earthy, it might be good for the vampire.

But that reminded Rae. She had promised to check up on her baby Rogue. She had been slacking on her responsibilities.

[Karl, can you make a tiny portal back to the Academy?] She asked.

Karl considered that for a moment. It shouldnʼt be a problem if the portal was small. He had an absolutely enormous amount of mana, and items for mana cost reduction.

[How long will you be?] He asked.

[Give me like fifteen minutes. If my math is right, it should be just after midnight there now.] Rae decided.

”Everyone, weʼre taking a break. Rae needs to go do a thing, and I will hold a portal open for her while she does it.” Karl informed the group.

Karl focused on the Academy, using the most familiar view that he could think of. The one from the Gazebo overlooking the courtyard and the front gates.

The Portal was only the size of a baseball, but Karl could see that it was on the patio of his old room. Exactly where he wanted it.

[Alright, go do what you need to, and then come back.]