Chapter 36 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

 

I’ve finished setting up the Bella Novels Discord server! You can join us using this invite. There, you’ll be able to easily follow chapter updates for the novel(s) of your choice—along with access to many other features and community content.

I’m also introducing something new: the Chapter Boost System! This system lets you accelerate a novel’s releases by one, five, or even ten chapters.

Join the Discord to learn more about how it works and take part in this new feature!

 

If you’re able to provide me with the Raws of the Novels I need, you'll be the first person to receive my translation of them. You’ll also gain instant access to up to 30 advanced chapters for the novel of your choice, OR you can also request a SuperBoost for that novel.

For more details, you can check out the Raw Provider new page. 

 

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read. 

Chapter 36: Meeting at the Camp

 

 

The greatest danger in the Magic Beast Forest comes from pack beasts. While their individual strength may not be high, their overwhelming numbers provide a significant advantage. If one accidentally stumbles into their territory or den and cannot escape in time, death is a near certainty.

 

Since entering the Magic Beast Forest, they'd encountered over a dozen attacks by pack beasts. When they couldn't avoid them, fighting became inevitable, but the sheer number of these beasts made them an endless nuisance. Even skilled fighters like Daniel and Heidi were beginning to lose patience, though their experience eventually helped them anticipate and avoid these encounters.

 

Following the group, Ge Yan found he hardly had to exert himself. Not that he lacked skill—he simply wasn't a member of Alice's band, and even those who were on good terms with him, like Ted, would never entrust their backs to him. So, apart from the march, there wasn't much for him to do, which kept him from giving himself away.

 

As they neared Thorn Valley, they noticed an increase in adventurers and mercenaries, all talking eagerly about the Dragon's Spit Fruit.

 

Along the way, they encountered three adventurers besieged by a pack of blade-horned deer. Blade-horned deer were fifth-rank beasts, infamous among deer species for their bloodthirsty, savage nature. Though not high in rank, they always hunted in herds, making them especially dangerous. Anyone fast enough could usually escape, but somehow, these three had ended up surrounded.

 

Daniel stepped in to rescue them.

 

Of course, it wasn't out of pure goodwill. The three adventurers seemed to understand that as they thanked the group and shared what information they had.

 

They explained that the dragon guarding the Dragon's Spit Fruit was a Red-armored Earth Dragon. Fierce-tempered and belonging to the dragon-kin class, it was a powerful creature—the top existence among sacred beasts. Thorn Valley was its territory, and dragons were notoriously territorial, hostile to human trespassers.

 

In addition, they learned that both Black Wolf and Raven mercenary groups had already headed to Thorn Valley, aiming to secure the Dragon's Spit Fruit before it ripened in a few days. The adventurers explained that the two groups had attempted to lock down the valley, though a large number of adventurers in the Magic Beast Forest had ultimately thwarted the plan, nearly inciting outrage among them.

 

Heidi laughed coldly. "They had a path to heaven but chose the road to hell. Perfect timing—I'll wipe them out in Alvar's name."

 

The three adventurers went stiff with fear at her words.

 

Daniel allowed them to leave, and they hurried off as if fleeing for their lives. The matter with Alvar had stirred up quite the commotion lately, even reaching Sarge City. The three adventurers had only just realized that they were dealing with the Alice Mercenary group. No wonder they didn't dare linger.

 

The group pressed on, picking up their pace, and reached Thorn Valley just before sunset. Ahead, red campfires flickered—a sprawling campsite of adventurers had settled there.

 

With the Dragon's Spit Fruit not yet ripe, no one dared to venture too deeply into Thorn Valley and risk provoking the dragon. If the dragon's wrath was stirred, any hope of obtaining the fruit would vanish, along with their lives. As the sun dipped, they knew wandering the forest at night was too dangerous, so they joined the other adventurers camping just outside the valley.

 

As Daniel and his group approached, the people in the camp quickly noticed them.

 

"Who goes there, state your—" The speaker cut himself off mid-sentence, eyes wide as Daniel and Heidi stepped into view. His haughty tone vanished, and he nearly collapsed from shock.

 

"It's the Alice Mercenary Group… I'm going to alert the captain." One of them ran off, seemingly to report to his captain, though his pale face betrayed that he was indeed fleeing in fear. The entire camp knew the Alice Mercenaries' relentless pursuit of revenge against Black Wolf and Raven.

 

These guards were members of Black Wolf, notorious for their arrogance due to their noble backing, always flaunting their status over others.

 

Heidi sneered, her gaze brimming with malice as she fixed on the one who had stayed behind.

 

The man's face went pale with terror, and a smell of urine filled the air.

 

With a scowl, Heidi kicked him aside, and the group strode directly toward the Black Wolf and Raven encampments, their intent for confrontation clear. Before they even reached the camp, a wave of tension spread among Black Wolf and Raven, putting them on high alert. Curious onlookers nearby sensed something amiss.

 

"Why do Black Wolf and Raven seem terrified of Alice's mercenaries?"

 

"You haven't heard? They say Black Wolf and Raven caused the death of Tangler's grandson from Alice while fighting over a sacred beast cub. The two leaders—Tangler's son Daniel and daughter-in-law Heidi—have already confronted Black Wolf and Raven once, killing many of their men. No wonder they're terrified."

 

"That's a major grudge. And now Alice has caught them again? Things could get interesting."

 

"You think there'll be a fight?"

 

"Hard to say. Black Wolf and Raven have probably joined forces by now. Alice would have a tough time going up against both. Plus, the Dragon's Spit Fruit is about to ripen—if they fight now, others will just swoop in and take it."

 

Ge Yan, passing by, caught part of the conversation and glanced at the speaker, who noticed him and, mistaking him for a member of Alice's group, immediately fell silent. It was amusing that he couldn't keep such provocative thoughts to himself.

 

Black Wolf and Raven's camp were hard to miss, with their tents set close to each other—a strategic move. Both captains had already been alerted to Alice's arrival, heightening the tension. The air was thick with hostility, as if a single spark could set it all aflame.

 

"Heidi!" The Raven leader, Black Crow, glared at her with hatred, but he dared not act rashly. Though stronger than her, Heidi's contract beast had cost him many men, including a captain. The damage had been severe.

 

"Black Crow, we meet again," Heidi hissed, her face a mask of fury. Her anger was as fierce as his, and if Daniel hadn't restrained her, she would have attacked already.

 

But Black Crow, now secure in his alliance with Locke, grinned with malice. "You've killed too many of my men, Heidi. I haven't even begun to settle the score. Once I get the Dragon's Spit Fruit, we'll make things right."

 

"Ha! A brute like you thinks he can claim the fruit? We don't have to wait that long. I'll gut you now." Heidi's fierce words had nearby onlookers staring, wide-eyed.

 

Everyone glanced at Black Crow's face; truth be told, he wasn't unattractive—somewhat handsome, even. But compared to Daniel, he fell leagues short.

 

Black Crow's face darkened, his gaze lethal as he stared Heidi down. "Don't think you're invincible because of that contract beast. Even if you and your husband were to attack together, I won't back down."

 

Heidi smirked coldly, turning to Locke. "Your only strength lies in Black Wolf—two cowards banding together are still cowards."

 

"You want to say that again?" Locke, the Black Wolf leader, couldn't hold back anymore. Though he had originally felt a hint of guilt, the Alice mercenaries' unyielding aggression had worn him thin. Without Tangle here, he couldn't let himself be overpowered by these youngsters. How could he hold his ground in the Aizella continent if he couldn't handle them?

 

"I'll say it as many times as I like. If you weren't cowards, why be so afraid of us? My husband and I aren't even as strong as you."

 

Heidi's taunting words stung them both, but even as they tried to retaliate, they couldn't match her venom. Within moments, she had insulted them into speechless rage.

 

While they exchanged insults, Ge Yan took the chance to glance over at the Black Wolf camp. Soon, he spotted Rex leaning casually against a tree at the back, looking as composed as ever. Their eyes met across the distance.

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter
⥼ Bonus Discord Chapter ⤴

 

❧ Join Bella Novels' Newsletter by clicking here ↫ and
receive an email for each New Update -͙✧˖*°࿐