Longing for the Stars - Chapter 3

Because of that, we were treated as a set even after graduating from the academy, and that continues to this day.

The Nebula territory, where we are stationed, has a vast forest along the border. The middle of that forest serves as the boundary with the neighboring country, but our enemies are not human. In fact, it has been over a hundred years since major wars disappeared from this world.

The Red Country, located next to the Purple Country, is a powerful nation. It is no exaggeration to say it is the center of the world. While each country is independent, the Red Country often has the final say in global meetings. That should give you an idea of how massive their power is.

Small conflicts over land continue within countries, but there hasn’t been a world-scale war for a long time. So, if you ask why people specialized in combat are sent to the border, there is only one answer.

Monsters exist in this world. They are truly “magical things”—no one knows where they come from or how long they have existed. They appear suddenly and attack people. Most take the form of large beasts or giant, terrifying insects. The one thing they have in common is that they can easily take your life if you let your guard down.

They do not think like humans. They only have a strong instinct to hunt and eat. They are monsters whose attack power increases even more if they are slightly injured. Such monsters appear randomly here in the Nebula territory.

“Message! Monster sighting in Viz Forest! Several small animal-types have appeared. Move out immediately!”

This happened while we were eating after morning training. A sharp voice came through the communication devices given to every soldier. The noisy dining hall went silent for a moment, and then the commander’s orders rang out. The soldiers answered with a shout that made the air shake and headed to their assigned posts.

“There’s been a lot lately.”

“It can’t be helped. It’s almost the new moon. That’s the time they get restless.”

As we ran toward the site, I looked up at the bright sky at my senior’s words. The thin moon in the western sky would disappear in a few days. As the day of total darkness approaches, the monsters become more active. That is the only known rule regarding these unpredictable creatures.

Viz Forest. It is a thick forest with massive trees. They block out the sunlight, making the inside dark and smelling of damp earth. The locals have called it the “Forest of Darkness” since ancient times. When I first heard that, I nodded in agreement.

“The monsters were spotted near the center of the forest. We don’t know when or where we will run into them. Don’t let your guard down just because they are small.”

Divided into squads, we listened to the captain’s words in front of the forest before heading to the front lines.

“Destroy any monsters you find. However, you ‘firepower idiots’ better watch the scale of your attacks.”

This wasn’t our first-time hunting monsters. There was tension, but a few people jumped at the captain’s words, and someone laughed. The air relaxed a little. The captain smiled, but a moment later, his eyes turned sharp. He gave the signal to start, and we stepped into the dark, deep forest.

“We can’t find any monsters at all. Maybe they didn’t come this way.”

Some time had passed since we entered the forest. From a distance, I could hear shifts in magical energy followed by sounds of impact, so it seemed monsters had appeared in those areas. However, there were no clear signs of them near us. Just as I was wondering if we would find nothing, I heard a loud sigh from up ahead.

“I want to go around knocking them down, too!”

“Firepower Idiot Number One is way too hot-blooded. Listen, Louvre, I told you before: it’s better if there aren’t any monsters, so don’t look so disappointed.”

“I know that, but this is different…”

“He just wants an excuse to crush something without holding back, so don’t mind him.”

“Al! That was a secret! Wait, how did you know?! I never told anyone that!”

“I pretty much know what you’re thinking. How many years do you think I’ve been looking after you?”

Sirius’s voice echoed through the dark forest. I know he keeps speaking loudly even though he’s been warned it will attract monsters because he wants to be found.

“Sirius, turn down the volume. I’ve known you’re a battle-crazy idiot for a long time, but don’t drag the seniors into it. Also, monsters aren’t your punching bags. Don’t get it twisted.”

“Ugh…”

Since we were in a line, Sirius was in front of me. He bit his lip and looked back at me with a frustrated face. I knew he made that face when he couldn’t think of a comeback, so I gave a mocking snort.

“Alright, Stark, don’t tease him. But Stark is right. Louvre, you are strong, but we are a team right now. I told you before: we don’t need anyone who breaks the formation, right?”

“Yes! I’m sorry!”

He stood at attention and bowed. As I laughed at him, the squad leader looked at me with a blank, stone-cold smile. A chill ran down my spine, and I jumped. He nodded, looking satisfied.

“If you’re reflecting, then good. —Now, they’re coming here too. Don’t panic.”

The air suddenly grew heavy. A rotting smell like a dead animal drifted from behind where Sirius was standing.

“Stark, count?”

“One at eleven o’clock, two at two o’clock. They are all small.”

“Louvre and Stark, take the ones at two o’clock. I’ll take the other one. Watch the surroundings and support as needed.”

“Roger.”

As soon as the order was given, Sirius dashed forward. I clicked my tongue and followed him. The monsters, expecting us, bared their fangs and prepared to pounce.

The monsters looked like animals, but they gave off a poisonous black aura. At first glance, they just looked like black lumps. You can only see what they really look like when you get close, but in this dark forest, you have to be very close to tell. These seemed to be the four-legged type.

I wasn’t surprised by their intent to kill; that was expected. What made me nervous was the idiot in front of me, who was building up so much magic I thought he might cause an explosion.

“Support from nine and three o’clock! Make it fast!”

The seniors behind us jumped out before I even finished the sentence. With practiced speed, they dealt damage to the monsters.

“Ah!”

“Got them.”

Sirius, having his momentum ruined, slowed down. I passed him and pierced both monsters with my magic-infused sword. Their bodies turned to ash and vanished—proof they were dead. When my eyes met their glowing grey eyes for a second, I felt something was wrong.

Wait. Something is strange.

“…”

I watched them disappear completely. Even after I put my sword away, the strange feeling didn’t go away. I felt someone staring at me and turned around.

“Firepower idiot, you really need to learn how to control your strength.”

“I was trying to test my compressed magic! Why did you steal my prey! That’s cheating!”

“It’s not cheating. It was the most logical way to kill them with minimum damage and magic waste.”

“Yeah, Stark is pretty much right.”

“Louvre, your high-density magic is just one mistake away from being a bomb.”

“It’s not the kind of attack you choose to use in a forest. We know it’s strong if it hits, though.”

“Guh…”

As Sirius slumped his shoulders, I focused on where the other monster had been. Since it was quiet, that one must have been killed too. The four-legged monsters didn’t look strong. They were probably the type that usually hunts in packs, but—as I thought that, my eyes widened.

Were those monsters the same?

“…Sirius.”

“What?”

Sirius responded with a depressed voice, but he blinked when he saw my expression.

“…The monsters we just killed, were they the same species?”

“Weren’t they?”

“I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling.”

“Stark, is that true?”

As I tried to remember the details, the squad leader’s sharp voice reached me. He looked slightly worried.

“I’m not certain, but something felt off.”

“…I see.”

The squad leader sighed and looked at us with a deep frown.

“The monster we killed was a medium-sized one.”

I saw everyone’s eyes go wide.

“…Something strange might be happening. I’ll contact the others immediately. Don’t stop watching your surroundings.”

As the squad leader moved away to use his radio, I felt my mouth go dry.

“…Sirius.”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever read a record of different types of monsters forming a pack together?”

“Al knows more about that stuff.”

I looked toward the seniors, and they all shook their heads. My heart beat faster at the possibility of an unexpected situation. The thought that my theory might be true made me feel dizzy.

“It’s okay.”

A large hand patted my head. Usually, I would push it away, but this time I couldn’t. Instead, I felt a small sense of relief.

“I don’t have any proof, but no matter what happens, we can handle it. So, it’s okay.”

“It must be nice to be an easygoing idiot.”

I had plenty of insults ready—like “where does that confidence come from?”—but his smile made the tension leave my body. However, that peace vanished the moment I saw the squad leader’s face after he finished his call.

“…There is a possibility that monsters are forming packs regardless of their species. We are moving deeper into the forest. Do not let your guard down for a single second. We might be facing a situation that has never happened in history.”