The First Expedition

After Yohan confirmed his participation as one of the hunter members, he began training together with the other hunters. Yohan had acquired the skills of a bodyguard before. Physical training was not new to him. Yohan's stamina was also quite good. He was used to relying on his own stamina, so even hard training was something he could do well. His only weakness was magic. He did not have magic like the people here.

"You're doing great, Yohan. The physical training of hunters is usually a nightmare for new members, but you are able to follow it well until the end," Ancel said happily.

Yohan smiled. "Yeah, thanks. I'm used to this kind of thing."

"Uh, what do you do in your world?" asked Ancel.

"Bodyguard."

"Bodyguard? You mean like those guys?" Ancel pointed at the group of escorts who were patrolling around the hunters' base.

Yohan laughed amusedly. "More or less, I'm confused about how to explain my job to you because our worlds are completely different. Let's just say it's the same as them, because their job is also to protect the people in this kingdom, right?"

Ancel nodded. "You're doing great."

"Ah, not really, but thank you for the compliment."

"Captain Indark just gave me the details of an expedition in the near future. I feel sorry for you. You've only just joined the hunters, but you already have to join an expedition to the Nox area."

Yohan was instantly intrigued. "We're going to the Nox area? When?"

"Why do you look happy, Yohan?"

Yohan scratched the back of his neck while chuckling. "I'm curious about that famous area. You and the people I've met in this world have always described the Nox area as a very horrible area. I wonder how terrifying it is."

Ancel's expression turned tense. "Don't underestimate the Nox area, Yohan."

"No, I'm not. I realize that it must be very dangerous. Otherwise, Captain Indark wouldn't have looked serious when explaining it. I'm just curious because I haven't seen it myself."

"You're very close to Captain Indark," Ancel said suddenly.

Yohan raised one eyebrow. "Does it look like that?"

"Yes, my other friends think so too. Let alone among the hunters, even among the knights, Captain Indark was a very unapproachable person. Although he didn't admit it directly, people were afraid of him. Some knights even openly show their fear in Captain Indark's presence."

Yohan laughed. "Yes, he does look unfriendly to others."

"But you managed to get close to him."

"Huh? You didn't see it wrong, did you? The only reason I was with Captain Indark was because the crown prince ordered it. You know? Otherworldly people to keep an eye on or something," Yohan explained.

Ancel patted Yohan's shoulder. "Don't worry, the crown prince is a kind-hearted person and always prioritizes peace. I'm sure he has no ill intentions for you."

"Yeah, I know. By the way, what are we going to do in the Nox area on the next expedition?"

Ancel picked up the bundle of documents and handed it to Yohan. "The time for the arrival of the miasma is approaching. The saint continues to practice his magic in the palace, and we as hunters are tasked with checking the Nox area to see if there is any danger. In a situation like this, it's not just the miasma we have to watch out for. The beasts and monsters in the Nox area might come out and wreak havoc on the surrounding villages."

"Only hunters? Aren't those honorable knights going to help?" asked Yohan in a sarcastic tone.

"Perhaps Captain Indark will assign some of his men."

"I'd rather not have to meet them. Seeing the smug faces of those knights makes me want to punch them."

"Yohan!" exclaimed Ancel.

Yohan laughed. "Sorry, sorry, I'm out of line."

"Just prepare yourself. Your first experience in the Nox area might be very bad."

After saying that, Ancel excused himself to go have a meeting with some knights. Yohan chuckled softly at Ancel's warning. It felt strange to hear someone much younger than him give a warning.

"Hmp, what a strange world." He muttered under his breath.

***

Perhaps it was true what his comrades in his previous world had said. Do not underestimate a warning, even if it comes from someone much younger. This was Yohan's first time coming to the Nox area together with the knights. A few meters before reaching the border of the Nox area, a strange stinking scent had already wafted up and disturbed Yohan's sense of smell. As Alastair and Ancel had said, the sky in the Nox area was always dark, as if covered in thick fog. The temperature in the area also felt very cold. Terrible growling noises are also heard in unison.

"Woah, how awful," Yohan muttered under his breath.

Ancel stood beside him with a strained-looking gesture. Yohan briefly glanced at the young man. Even for someone who had come here many times, Ancel still looked scared.

"Hey, calm down. You're our leader, so you have to be strong."

Ancel turned his head with a pale face. "How can you say that even though this is your first time coming to the Nox area? Aren't you scared?"

"I'm scared, really. Look, my skin has goosebumps."

Yohan pointed out the thickened pores of his skin, but that did not seem to make Ancel any calmer. It would be a lie to say that he was not scared. He was definitely very scared. But he was not the kind of person who gave up easily when scared. Instead, he was the kind of person who liked to try new things. There's always a first time for everything, and fear is a natural reaction to facing something new. Yohan's adrenaline was pumping, and his curiosity was growing.

"'Hey, hunters! Get together and listen to our directions!"

Yohan turned his head. One of the knights who had come together to the Nox area began commanding in an unfriendly manner. Unfortunately, Alastair could not join this expedition as he had been specifically requested by the Saint to practice controlling his magic flow.

"All of you enter the forest and check if there are already signs of miasma appearing. Make sure you only enter up to the pre-marked boundary. Return immediately and don't get separated. If anyone doesn't return to the group, we will leave you behind."

Yohan pricked his ears with his little finger and yawned lazily. "How selfish. It's nice to have power."

Yohan thought he said it silently, but he unconsciously said it out loud. His fellow hunters, including Ancel, looked at him with fearful expressions.

Yohan realized his mistake and smiled awkwardly. "Oops, sorry, I thought I was thinking."

One of the knights came forward and pulled Yohan's collar hard. "You're the saint's extra. Mind your manners before you become the food of the monsters in there."

"Alright, alright, let's see if this otherworldly human is enough to attract the attention of the monsters in there."

Yohan smiled so widely that his eyelids narrowed. He clearly said his words with sarcastic intent. If they were not in front of the Nox area, those annoyed knights would have immediately ganged up on Yohan. Unfortunately, they needed the hunter to be a tool to get information from the Nox area.

"Damn, what a pain in the ass," Yohan thought irritably.

***