Isekai Kansha - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: A Battle of Resolve and Its Conclusion

What exactly is a magical beast? By definition, it is a pseudo-lifeform that takes the shape of a beast, generated when ambient mana in the atmosphere gathers and materializes. Their most distinguishing feature is their eyes—blood-red from iris to sclera—and their fur or hide often carries a reddish hue as well. Magical beasts possess a fundamental hostility toward all living things, but especially toward humanoid races capable of manipulating mana as magic.

It is believed that the source of their movement lies in the mana generated from their core, the magic stone. Yet, despite being constructs of mana, they breathe as living creatures do, and when wounded, they bleed black blood. Much about their biology remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: while magical beasts are a grave threat to humankind, the magic stones they harbor within their bodies also form an indispensable part of society’s foundation.

Now, what is a mutant species? It is thought that when a magical beast absorbs a vast amount of mana from a highly concentrated mana zone—commonly known as a Mana Spot—it undergoes a mutation. Such mana spots are believed to appear mostly in untamed, unexplored regions, and because their occurrence rate is extremely low to begin with, encountering a mutant species anywhere near human settlements is virtually unheard of.

A mutant species typically grows to one and a half to three times the size of its original form, and its body surface becomes veined with numerous twisting black lines. These markings resemble ominous patterns, and together with their enlarged bodies, they are what make mutant species so easily recognizable.

It is said that mutants possess strength at least two ranks higher than the base creature they originated from. In other words, the Mad Wolf mutant that Jin once defeated—whose base species was F-rank—should have had at least D-rank strength, and in truth, that particular Mad Wolf mutant had combat power equivalent to a C-rank.

And now, Jin and his companions have encountered another mutant—this time near a human settlement.

Their second encounter, following the one during the beginner’s training course. Even if the timing itself was a coincidence, the fact that a mutant appeared so close to a village was abnormal. To face such a creature twice within a single month was simply impossible by normal standards. Jin’s party had yet to realize what exactly was happening in this region—or what had caused it.

"Fall back for now."

Jin whispered the words quietly and gestured for the two behind him to retreat. Once they had gained sufficient distance, he finally exhaled deeply.

"Mutant species aren’t something you’re supposed to run into this often…"

Jin couldn’t help but grumble.

"Indeed. This is irregular. If that’s a Mad Boar mutant, its strength should be at least B-rank. With our current strength, the odds are far too poor."

"I agree. Let’s report it to the guild and request reinforcements."

It was clear neither Erza nor Rachel had any intention of fighting it head-on—and Jin felt the same. Keeping an eye on the creature’s position via his MAP ability, Jin gathered them to discuss their next move.

"So, we’re all agreed that we’re not fighting that thing as we are, right?"

Both women nodded in firm agreement, and after confirming their reactions, Jin continued.

"Then here’s the plan: we’ll head back to the village and report to the village chief first. We’ll have the guild send a messenger on horseback, and meanwhile, we’ll stay in the village on standby—just in case the situation worsens."

"That sounds reasonable. If you can keep track of its position, Jin, we can react quickly should it attack."

"I agree as well. And if anyone gets hurt, I can help with treatment. We should remain in the village."

Receiving their support, Jin nodded firmly. To ease the tension, he forced himself to relax a little and smiled.

"Thanks. Then let’s take a slight detour back to the village—better safe than sorry. It’s easy to rush in times like this, but that’s when caution matters most."

His warm grin was contagious; both women smiled and nodded in return. With that, the three began their cautious but swift journey back to Kitan Village.

As they walked, Jin continued to monitor the creature’s movement on the MAP. However, as time passed, the worst possibility he’d feared began to look more and more likely. Finally, certain of his suspicion, he turned to the others.

"Listen while we walk—this is bad. It looks like the mutant’s heading straight for Kitan Village. It’s getting closer."

If the mutant attacked the village, casualties would be unavoidable. Fighting within the village would mean protecting civilians while engaging the beast. Even with the guards joining in, defending everyone would be an almost impossible feat.

Both women stiffened at his words, and Erza was the first to speak.

"How long until it reaches the village?"

"At its current pace, it’ll be there less than an hour after we arrive. If it starts running… even sooner."

Jin’s expression was grim. Erza and Rachel both understood the implication immediately and prepared themselves for the inevitable decision.

"I’m going to fight it. If we can’t win head-on, then we’ll use traps—whatever it takes."

Jin said, coming to a halt after a long silence. He turned his gaze toward them, wordlessly asking for their resolve.

"Let’s do it."

"I’m in."

Their responses came simultaneously, both firm and unhesitating. Jin’s face softened into a smile.

"Alright. Then… will you two officially form a party with me?" 

Jin spoke to the two with a smile.

"You’re both willing to join me in such a hopeless gamble. There’s no point in keeping things temporary anymore—I want to form an official party with you two."

Jin said this to the two women were momentarily taken aback, with a slightly mischievous grin.

"Well, can’t be helped then. I’ll gladly form a party with you."

"Yes! Please take care of me!"

Understanding the meaning behind Jin’s words, both of them replied with bright smiles.

"Thanks. I’m counting on you from here on, too."

Jin thanked them with a smile, then motioned for them to continue walking. The three of them went on, discussing in detail their strategy for the coming battle against the mutant.

During their discussion, Jin revealed several of his own secrets to the others. He even admitted honestly that there were still some things he hadn’t told them yet. But his trust was not betrayed—Erza and Rachel accepted everything with warm smiles. It goes without saying that Jin was deeply grateful to them.

They quickened their pace, cutting down their travel time, and finally reached Kitan Village. Without delay, the group went straight to the village chief’s home and reported that a mutant species was approaching. The chief was surprised, but he trusted Jin’s words and immediately began organizing a response. The materials they had brought back from the two Mad Boars they’d slain served as solid proof of their credibility.

The villagers were ordered to stay inside their homes, while the stationed guards, unable to leave the village, were instructed to reinforce its defenses as a final line of protection. The village chief offered additional help, but Jin and his party politely declined, accepting only his goodwill. Lastly, a messenger on horseback was dispatched to the Adventurers’ Guild to request reinforcements, just in case.

Once all the village preparations were complete, Jin’s party moved to the designated interception point—a wide, open plain a short distance from the village. Jin walked around the area, sometimes crouching to touch the ground, muttering something under his breath as he worked. Over and over, he repeated the process, setting traps right up to the final moment. As planned, Jin would face the creature alone on the plains, while Erza and Rachel lay hidden nearby, waiting for the mutant to arrive.

And then, it appeared.

A massive form covered in black markings strode forward with slow, heavy steps. When it came within several dozen meters, it let out a deep, echoing roar and charged, its momentum shaking the air.

All the while, Jin continued murmuring incantations under his breath, his weapon at the ready.

"Come on! I’ll take you head-on!"

With a fierce yell, he activated Fighting Spirit and unleashed Intimidation toward the charging beast. At that moment, a sharp ping! Echoed in his mind, the sound of the system notifying him of a newly acquired skill.

The mutant charged straight at Jin—exactly as planned. Everything was on track. Watching carefully, Jin waited for the right moment. When the creature’s massive form crossed the marker he had set beforehand, Jin shouted loudly:

"Earth! Earth! Earth!"

At first, it looked as if nothing had happened. But just a few meters in front of Jin, the mutant suddenly stumbled and sank into the ground. It was a trap that exploited the Mad Boar’s instinct to charge directly at its target—a pitfall created using Earth, one of the basic life-utility spells that manipulates soil. 

Jin had hollowed out the underground soil while leaving the surface layer intact, then shifted the topsoil into place to disguise the hole. It was a method that Aria had specifically forbidden him from using in public, but Jin had already explained everything to Erza and Rachel beforehand. Because of this trap’s existence, they couldn’t allow the village guards to get involved—it would have been too dangerous if someone fell into it accidentally.

The mutant, unable to stop its own massive momentum, plunged forward and jammed its forelegs into the pit. The weight and acceleration of its body forced it into a forward roll, flipping entirely like an acrobat before crashing down on its back with a thunderous impact.

"PWYGYAAAAHH!!"

The mutant let out a shriek of pain as the ground trembled beneath it.

If the pit had been deeper—say, over three meters—the beast would’ve been completely trapped and finished. But the actual depth was less than two meters, limited by the spell’s effective range. It would recover soon enough, but for now, its soft, vulnerable belly was completely exposed.

"Now!! Mana Rifle!"

A burst of pure mana shot from Jin’s hand, piercing into the creature’s abdomen. His MP recovery potions were long gone, and after casting Earth over a hundred times, his remaining mana was dangerously low.

Responding to Jin’s shout, Erza and Rachel sprang from their hiding spots and attacked from the edge of the pit. Erza swung her greatsword, Rachel her warhammer, both striking at the exposed belly. Jin followed up with another Mana Rifle blast, then grabbed his spear to continue the assault.

Their coordinated attacks tore into the beast’s abdomen, already weakened by the fall. Its HP had dropped into the red zone—if they could just keep the pressure, victory was in sight. But even as its guts spilled out, the mutant twisted violently, thrashing and kicking, before forcing itself upright with a roar.

"Fall back!"

Jin barked the order, moving quickly so his companions wouldn’t be caught in the beast’s counterattack. He stepped forward alone, raising his shield and spear. Using the newly learned Provoke skill, he drew the creature’s full attention, fending off its furious blows with his shield and countering with precise thrusts.

Each of its attacks shaved away at his HP, but Rachel immediately cast healing magic to restore him, while Erza struck whenever an opening appeared. The unexpected acquisition of Provoke had been a stroke of luck—and following their prearranged tactics, Jin’s party faced the mutant Mad Boar head-on.

"Just a little more—hang in there!"

Jin shouted, his voice cutting through the tension as he rallied his companions.

The mutant’s HP bar, as seen through Jin’s eyes, was down to roughly one-tenth. Yet, despite Erza’s heavy strikes with her greatsword, the damage it inflicted was minimal. It wasn’t because Erza lacked strength—rather, her steel greatsword simply didn’t have enough raw attack power. The creature’s hide was too tough; her weapon could barely cut through it, functioning more like a blunt instrument than a blade.

Jin briefly considered abandoning his shield and joining in the assault with his wooden sword, but that would mean taking several hits for sure—and worse, it would put Rachel, who was lower-leveled than the rest, at serious risk. 

Even if he did, it would have to be a swift, decisive strike. But as things stood, they lacked a finishing move, and he couldn’t commit to such a gamble yet.

Knowing full well it was hopeless, Jin instinctively checked his Item Bag, thinking about MP recovery potions. Of course, the ones he’d bought from Bean’s shop were long gone. But then—he froze. Somehow, the MP potion that should have been emptied during the battle with the Mad Ant Queen was sitting there, completely full.

"?!"

Stunned, Jin acted on reflex and drank it. His MP instantly surged back to full. He decided to think about the why later—right now, the fight came first.

"Erza! We’re finishing this! Knock it off balance! Rachel! I’m about to do something reckless—keep me alive!"

"Leave it to me!"

"Understood!"

The two women answered without hesitation. Erza watched for an opening, while Rachel began chanting her spell.

"Haaah!"

With a sharp cry, Erza swung her greatsword upward, slashing behind the mutant’s left foreleg just below the knee as it braced itself to lunge at Jin. The blow made its leg buckle, throwing its balance off.

The earlier damage it had sustained from the pit trap only made things worse for it.

"Uoooooooh!!"

Jin tossed his spear aside and charged in, slamming his entire body into the beast’s massive frame, using his shield to push as hard as he could in the direction it was already falling. Even as the creature’s thrashing attacks battered him, he kept shoving with all his might.

A familiar ping! Echoed in his mind—the system announcing that he had learned a new skill: Super Strength. Power surged through his body, and with that strength, Jin managed to topple the enormous beast onto its side with a resounding crash that shook the ground.

The mutant lay sprawled on its side, its unprotected belly fully exposed right before him.

"Mana Rifle!" "Mana Rifle!" "Mana Rifle!!"

While Rachel’s healing magic mended his wounds, Jin fired three consecutive bursts of pure mana into the creature’s abdomen. Each shot landed cleanly, blasting into the same spot.

The third blast hit home, and the mutant’s HP dropped to zero.

At last, the brutal battle had come to an end.

Jin stood still, keeping his guard up for a moment longer, feeling for any lingering signs of life. There was nothing. He turned to Erza and Rachel as they approached, and a tired but triumphant smile spread across his face.

"We did it!"

"Yeah—we actually did it!"

"We really won!"

And so, with a bit of luck on their side, the three of them emerged victorious against the mutant. They celebrated not only their hard-earned victory but, above all, the fact that they had all made it out alive.

Jin felt a deep, heartfelt gratitude—for these two irreplaceable companions who had fought beside him, for their safety, and for the bond they now shared through battle.

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