## Chapter 616 – Basilisk Hunt

The story goes that a large basilisk has taken up residence near the road to the next city, attacking travelers.

A merchant group transporting goods suffered losses, and a mage accompanying them was devoured. As a result, both the merchant guild and the magic tower have offered a reward.

They’ve added that anyone who brings the basilisk’s head will receive a bounty of 40 silver coins, and they will purchase all byproducts. It’s only natural that the merchant guild and the magic tower would covet the valuable byproducts of the monster. Even with someone’s death, opportunity is opportunity.

But apparently, they’re having trouble gathering a subjugation party.

Even though the merchant guild can’t use that road, causing them losses, and they’ve raised the reward.

This is quite rare.

“There aren’t enough people, and due to the aftermath of the last ogre subjugation, large monster subjugation requests have become unpopular. Money is useless when you’re dead, after all.”
“Is that so?”

The guild employee explained.

Nothing is more precious than life.

But when have adventurers ever been the type to look before they leap? If they think they have a chance, they gather as many people as possible and charge in. So, if they’re this afraid, the basilisk must be quite formidable.

The mass slaughter from the ogre hunt must have been significant.

Indeed, many died back then. Enticed by the promise of 1 silver just for participating, they went to their deaths.

A lack of safety awareness and information was a major factor.

“Even C-rank adventurers are being cautious… and the main force of the lord’s army is still in Schled due to the drake. It’s a difficult situation in many ways.”
“That sounds problematic. So, how strong is this thing that it’s being left unattended?”
“We’ve received reports that it’s larger than two carriages combined…”

That’s huge.

“I don’t know its exact appearance.”

There’s no way a human could catch something like that.

It’s probably around the size of an elephant. While that’s much smaller than an ogre, it’s larger than a troll or sasquatch.

It doesn’t seem like something I can recklessly take on yet.

I did kill that giant deathworm, but… basilisk. I could probably make some money, but I don’t intend to stick my head into something I can’t handle.

Growth comes from defeating enemies with appropriate courage, but recklessness only leads to death. The unbelievable things I’ve done so far were all things I `had to do` at the time.

Reacting to a situation is different from sticking your neck out first.

This requires some thought.

“It would be great if someone could just take care of it. Aren’t you a D-rank, Mr. Katt? If you were to defeat the basilisk, you could become a C-rank soon.”
“C-rank?”
“I understand that you are a respected quasi-priest of the church. Your credibility is already well-established. There are various benefits to becoming a C-rank…”
“Hmm.”

The employee began to explain in detail what benefits I would receive as a C-rank adventurer. I already know all of this, so there’s no need to listen.

Did they get instructions to try and recruit me? The story of me being a quasi-priest has already spread far and wide. I always wear armor, too.

But a C-rank adventurer.

It’s not very meaningful now, but it wouldn’t hurt to have another ID. But that’s about it. No need to obsess over it.

I’m not an adventurer anymore, I’m a paladin.

Of course, I need to go to the capital to officially become a paladin, but my identity is already that of a holy warrior, not some mere adventurer.

Anyway, I listened to the explanation and returned to my seat.

“Winia, have you ever seen a basilisk?”
“No. Only in books.”
“Are they really strong?”
“They’re large and strong. But there are many types. Some are big, some are small. Since Blackie recently went to see the drake, let me explain it in comparison. Those guys stand and move on two legs, right? But basilisks move on four legs. Some keep their bellies close to the ground, some don’t. They’re like that.”
“Crazy diversity.”

Listening to Winia’s explanation, I could roughly describe them as large, four-legged lizards. If one of those things is about the size of two carriages combined, should I just think of it as a super-sized crocodile?

It seems dangerous, but not extremely dangerous.

“Some are said to spit poison, but that also depends on the type. And what about petrification? There’s a legend that they turn people into stone statues.”
“W-what?”

Petrification? What the hell is that?

Does that mean the monster can use magic?

Not even a skeleton mage would use magic. Anyway, if it can use magic, I shouldn’t do this.

If a monster can use magic, that means it’s highly intelligent, and that extraordinary intelligence combined with its massive body will be lethal. And petrification? I’ve never even heard of that kind of magic, not even from Medusa.

Dangerous.

“It’s just a legend. There’s never been a case of that. Blackie, were you surprised?”
“Ah, damn. You scared me.”

It’s a relief that it’s just a legend.
Still, spitting poison.

“But poison would be a bit dangerous.”
“That’s also rare. If it were commonly found, there would be more detailed records and books about it. Judging comprehensively, it’s just a really big monster. It’ll be fast. But I don’t think you can’t kill it, right?”

Winia seemed to think it was manageable.

“I’ll go ask about the poison again.”

I immediately went to the counter and asked the employee if the basilisk used poison, but they said they hadn’t heard anything about that. Did it simply not use it? If it did, the merchants who wanted the basilisk subjugated wouldn’t have hidden it.

“Apparently, they haven’t heard anything about it. Winia, how strong is the poison?”
“Strong enough to kill people, probably. I don’t know because there’s not enough information.”

Hmm… then I have to find out myself.

Well, if it uses poison, there will be traces around.
And it doesn’t seem like a monster I can’t kill.

“Let’s go back.”
“Okay.”

I immediately left the guild with Winia. We went out and bought some food and daily necessities. As Ari had said earlier, we stopped by the flower shop and bought everything we needed before returning home.

“Father!!!”

As soon as I opened the door, Ari hugged me. Her long, red hair cascading down was quite pretty.

“I missed you…!”
“It hasn’t been that long since I left.”
“Hehe, still.”

Seeing her bury her face in my neck with a bright smile, I wondered if I should pat the back of her head, but Winia approached and said to Ari.

“Did you finish cleaning?”
“Ah… yes. I’ve done it all.”
“Good, you did well. You’re diligent. But Blackie is getting annoyed, so let’s slowly move away.”
“Yes…?”

No, Winia. What are you saying?

Ari looked at me with a shocked expression after hearing those words.

“Father…? Am I annoying you?”
“No, you’re not. There’s no way.”
“Thank goodness…”
“Anyway, move.”

Winia pushed Ari aside and hugged me. It was as if she was taking the spot that Ari had claimed.

“What’s wrong, Winia? Did you want to hug me?”
“Yeah.”
“Hehehe, okay. Ari, I’ll hug you next time.”
“…”

Ari nodded silently.
I’ll hug her next time.

“Oh, and there’s that thing in my backpack, right? The flowers and flowerpots. Play with them.”
“…Yes. Thank you, Father.”

As soon as Ari saw the seeds, she became happy again and smiled brightly. Is it because she’s an Alraune, so she just likes seeing natural things? She immediately took the flowerpots and seeds and carefully helped organize the other items.

“Katt, is there any news?”

Claudie came and asked.

“A basilisk has appeared.”
“Basilisk?”

Seeing that she didn’t seem to know, I explained everything I had heard at the guild today in as much detail as possible. Claudie nodded as she listened to the story.

“Hmph… that’s interesting. I want to see it.”
“Really? Then we should go see it.”

If Claudie wants to see it, we should go see it.

I just need to gather some information and go kill it. The attacks didn’t happen that far from the city, so if I start looking for it seriously, I can probably take care of it and return within two days.

“Hehehe, you say that right away? As soon as I say I want to see it?”
“Of course, Claudie wants to see it, so I have to show it to her.”
“I’m happy, Katt.”

Claudie, who seemed to be in a very good mood, kissed me on the cheek.

“If we’re going, I should stop by the magic tower to find some information. Should we go right away?”
“Let’s go tomorrow. We can ask Risha too.”
“Tomorrow? So, are you going to catch it the day after tomorrow?”
“That’s the plan for now.”

Since it hasn’t been caught yet and it’s unpopular, it shouldn’t be a problem even if I spend about two days on it. If it runs away, there’s nothing I can do. Still, gathering information is essential before going to catch it.

“Father, are you going out again?”

As I was saying that, Ari asked with a worried expression.

“Yeah. I have to go catch a monster.”
“That… the monster called a basilisk?”
“Do you know what it is?”
“…No. I don’t know.”

I was just asking.
Of course, she wouldn’t know.

“Then what about a dryad?”

Suddenly, I asked her that.

“…I don’t know.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m sorry… I don’t know…”

After answering that, she suddenly became depressed and apologized to me.

“Huh? Hey, no. I’m not blaming you, I was just asking.”
“Is that so…? Then please hug me.”
“Come here.”

As soon as I said that, Ari hugged me.
And then she smiled happily.

“Hehehe, I’m so happy.”

Hmm.

Somehow, I had a strong feeling that Ari was using tricks to get me to hug her. Has she already learned that she can get what she wants by showing a sad face? That would be a problem… well, there’s no problem with indulging her a little.

* * *

I also asked Karin, who soon returned, about the basilisk.

“It’s not a super dangerous thing. I’ve ganged up and sliced them up a couple of times. But their scales are a bit tough, but not to the point where sword energy won’t work, so don’t worry.”
“What about magic?”
“I don’t know? I just killed them. I don’t know much about magic.”

Karin, dressed comfortably, said with her legs crossed.

Does that mean it’s not dangerous from Karin’s perspective? No, that’s probably not it. She probably thought about my level and said it would be okay. In the first place, if sword energy works, there’s no way I can’t handle it.

“Anyway, you’re going to kill it, huh. Do that. It seems like a suitable opponent. But if you kill it, make sure to bring back something worth remembering.”
“A souvenir?”
“Like the head. I have to see what my husband killed, right?”
“The head? I thought I was exchanging the head for the reward. You’re not going to decorate the house with it, are you? Then I’ll bring it first if I kill it. I’ll show it to you and then give it away.”
“Do that.”

Is it just a large monster and not very threatening? Honestly, even if I went to Africa empty-handed right now, I’m confident I could kill a lion, elephant, or giraffe all by myself.

If Karin says it’s okay, it’s probably okay.

When I asked about poison, she said she hadn’t seen anything like that.

Risha said this.

“There are various seemingly dangerous traditions, but as far as I know, they are just traditions.”
“Traditions?”
“There is a legend that somewhere in the world there is a tomb of an evil king, and that heroes turned into statues are lined up there like collectibles, guarding the tomb… the basilisk in that legend is what turned the heroes into stone.”

Is this Qin Shi Huang?

“It’s just a legend. As far as I know, the basilisk doesn’t seem to be a fatally dangerous monster. Your skills… I’m always worried, but wouldn’t you be able to handle it?”
“Hehehe, is that so?”

It doesn’t seem like there will be any major problems.

“That’s right. But if you do manage to kill it, I want to take its heart. Would you please bring it to me?”

Risha, smiling sweetly, rubbed her breasts against my body and asked me to bring her the heart. The heart of a large monster can be used as a good ingredient for black magic.

“Of course, if Risha needs it, I have to bring it. Anything else?”

I have to give Risha whatever she wants.

“It would be nice to have the brain too.”
“I’m going to bring the head anyway. I’ll dissect it and give it to you then. But it might be a little damaged, is that okay?”
“Hehehe, no problem. Thank you. You are indeed my partner.”

Risha, who seemed to be in a good mood, kissed me on the cheek.

If she does this for me, I have to bring her everything she needs.

Then let’s go to the magic tower tomorrow to look through the records and leave the day after tomorrow.