The Unaware Harem Adventure Tale of the Strongest Enchanter ~~I Don’t Know My Companions’ Faces or Identities, but I’m Pretty Sure They’re All Guys~~ - 48. It’s Not My Fault, It’s the Fish that Don’t Bite

48. 48. It’s Not My Fault, It’s the Fish that Don’t Bite

A gently flowing brook.

There’s no reaction on the fishing line I cast. And the fish swimming right before my eyes don’t even glance at the bait.

I absentmindedly hold the fishing rod. The bucket beside me is empty.

By now, I should be seriously worrying about today’s catch. But since the temperature is just right and the weather’s nice, I can’t help but let my guard down.

Grannaughts was helping with the construction. It was carrying a log across the bridge.

When it noticed me, it gave a small wave.

I had already obtained the staff I was after. It’s about time I consider returning to Avantale. But I decided to stay a little longer. I’ve returned after a long time, after all. The desire to relax is strong. Plus, there’s that presence watching me. I can’t just leave whatever that was alone. Since it was showing killing intent.

Kuroa came over and peeked into the bucket.

“Catch anything?”

“Seems like the fish are in bad shape. Isn’t it weird how I haven’t caught a single one?”

“You don’t doubt your own skills, huh.”

Hey, hey, what are you saying.

Back when I was in the village, I could at least catch one. In the end, I’d paralyze them with enchantment and make sure I had enough for everyone. But today, I haven’t even caught one. Something’s off. It’s not that my fishing skills are too low.

She looked exasperated and said, “You’re as stubborn as ever in weird places.”

Then, she looked at the group of fish swimming lively in the brook. She muttered meaningfully, “So they’re not in good condition, huh…”

“By the way, what’s this ‘Rock Eater’?”

“It’s a monster that recently showed up in the forest. Lux, you know the forest’s lord, right? The Rock Eater killed the lord and made the whole area its territory.”

“So it’s the new lord? What kind of monster is this Rock Eater?”

“It’s huge, gluttonous enough to eat rocks, and extremely aggressive. It’s already attacked several of the village’s fields and food storage buildings. Some people have died. The adults in the village are searching to subjugate it. But it’s like it’s reading their moves. They haven’t been able to catch it at all.”

Seems like it’s a highly cautious and cunning monster.

Fighting this type is always a huge pain.

“Sounds like something’s going on.”

“Hm?”

If I focus my hearing, I can hear voices coming from the village.

I can’t make out the details. But it’s clearly a bad atmosphere.

Putting down the rod, Kuroa and I head toward the village.

—

“Hang in there!”

There was a crowd gathered in the center of the village.

When I pushed through the people and looked, there was a man collapsed. He was covered in bl00d.

If I remember right, he was one of the men who had gone out hunting.

“Run… hurry… the Rock Eater is coming… that thing… has been watching us ever since it entered the forest… it’s been gauging our strength…”

“What about the others!?”

“All… eaten… please… run… you can’t win against the Rock Eater…”

With that, the man died.

The villagers turned pale and fell silent in fear.

Is the Rock Eater really that terrifying of a monster?

Grannaughts had also come here. It spoke up.

“There’s a reading on the sensor. Something big is headed this way, yo.”

Grannaughts was looking toward the forest.

Soon, we began to hear crashing sounds. Then, within our visible range, trees started cracking and falling.

The trees at the edge of the forest fell.

What appeared lumberingly was a giant body.

It broke the fences and bit to death the fleeing sheep one after another. It sprayed bl00d and chewed their meat.

Even after devouring all the sheep, it wasn’t satisfied. And it turned its gaze toward us.

A distinctive, bright red mane. Eyes staring down its prey.

The killing intent that says “I’ll devour everything” was tangible even from a distance.

Gluttony Bear — a beast that attacks and devours anything that moves.

Recommended subjugation rank is B or above. But note the timing.

Monsters are often more dangerous when raising their young. But in the Gluttony Bear’s case, it can jump up to S rank.

Thankfully, this isn’t its breeding season. But judging from its size, it’s likely equivalent to A rank.

So that’s the Rock Eater’s true identity.

Indeed, it’s too much for this village to handle.

I gave orders to the villagers.

“Everyone, evacuate to the cave behind the village immediately. Go now!”

“What about Lux and the others!? Aren’t you coming with us!?”

The villagers began to flee.

Kuroa looked at me and Grannaughts with a worried expression.

“Hey, hey, who do you think we are? We’re the S-rank party ‘Unknown.’ Just worry about yourself, Kuroa. Let’s go, Grannaughts.”

“Leave it to us. We’ll protect everyone for sure.”

Grannaughts and I headed straight for the Gluttony Bear.

—

“It’s huge. Having to deal with this thing for no reward really sucks.”

“You say that, but you’re not gonna back down, right, Raku-cchi?”

“Of course not. This is my precious home.”

“I love this village too. So, I’m gonna protect it no matter what.”

The Rock Eater was right in front of us.

Its eyes were filled with a beast-like killing intent.

A massive body covered in brown fur. A distinctive red mane.

Its exposed rows of thick, sharp fangs looked like they could easily tear through arms.

It let out a roar. And the air vibrated.

I drew my short staff.

Grannaughts also readied its axe.

“I’ll support you. Can you handle it?”

“Totally. No way I’m backing down now. I’m a warrior, after all.”

The first to move was the Rock Eater.

It bit into Grannaughts’s left arm and tried to drive its fangs in. But it couldn’t pierce its armored arm, and its eyes widened.

Grannaughts immediately counterattacked with its axe.

The Rock Eater switched from biting to ramming. It flung Grannaughts away.

I had been standing behind it. I ran desperately to avoid being crushed.

“What the hell are you doing! That was dangerous!”

“Sorryyy. It managed to throw off my balance. That was slick. Now I’m fired up. Raku-cchi, stay at a distance.”

The Rock Eater slammed into Grannaughts.

It blocked its open jaws with the handle of its axe. But its mouth was inching closer to its face.

“Hey, aren’t you losing in terms of strength!?”

“No way my Grannaughts is gonna lose! Take this!!”

Grannaughts slipped its foot between them and kicked it away.

But it didn’t deal much damage. The beast just rolled and stood right back up.

“Then how about this?”

I drew magic letters with my new short staff.

The staff was made from a dragon’s backbone. It was stuck to my hand like a part of my body. It allowed me to draw faster than ever before.

‘Speed Up’

‘Protect Shield’

‘Magic Shield’

‘Attack Up’

The Gluttony Bear uses earth-element magic.

Its attacks are mainly physical. But better safe than sorry.

Let’s throw in a debuff too.

Just as I started drawing a new letter, the Rock Eater roared and fired earth magic at me. Countless stone spikes burst from the ground. They were racing toward me.

“Don’t think you can break through so easily! Demon Defense!!”

Grannaughts stood as a wall. It blocked the attack.

What incredible durability. Despite all that, there wasn’t even a dent.

Our tank is reliable.

As it blocked the attack, the Rock Eater lunged forward to tackle it.

But this time, Grannaughts didn’t get pushed back.

It took the beast’s mass with both arms and didn’t budge.

Its heavy armor didn’t even flinch. And for the first time, unease showed on the monster’s face.

Grannaughts’s arms locked around its neck.

With incredible strength, it kept choking it. And the Rock Eater thrashed violently.

“You damn beast… RAAAAAAH!”

“!?”

*Crack!* — The sound of a neck bone snapping echoed.

The Rock Eater collapsed and didn’t move again.

“We did it.”

“Heheh~, no match for *my* Grannaughts, right? Thanks for the buffs too!”

“I didn’t do much. But yeah, you and Grannaughts were awesome.”

“Right? Right? You get it, Raku-cchi!”

“You’re too close. And it hurts.”

Grannaughts hugged me. It was rubbing its face against mine.

Strictly speaking, it’s Nonon riding on Grannaughts. She’s doing that in joy.

Then, a surge of murderous intent struck both me and Grannaughts.

(What the hell? Why is there still killing intent?)

*Creak…* Trees fell. The ground trembled.

With every step, it thundered like an earthquake.

Its size made the previous Rock Eater look like a child.

Its roar became a wall that shook the air and my body.

There stood a Gluttony Bear twice the size of the Rock Eater.