The black crystal boar crashed into the river, sending water spraying into the air.
Its breathing was ragged.
Blood seeped from dozens of wounds covering its massive body.
Its crimson eyes, once filled with rage, now held only exhaustion.
Behind it, three armored men emerged from the trees.
Each carried a heavy spear engraved with silver runes.
Their armor bore the image of a soaring hawk.
Crystal narrowed her eyes.
"Hunters."
The man at the front stepped forward.
He appeared to be in his early thirties, with a scar running across his left cheek.
His sharp gaze immediately swept across the valley.
Then...
His expression froze.
He hadn't expected to find people living here.
"...My apologies."
He lowered his spear slightly.
"We're pursuing a dangerous beast."
Crystal remained calm.
"You've entered private territory."
The hunter frowned.
"Private?"
He had never heard of anyone living in this forgotten valley.
Especially someone capable of concealing an entire residence.
His instincts screamed at him to remain cautious.
The woman before him radiated no Magna whatsoever.
That alone made her terrifying.
Practitioners always leaked traces of Magna.
Only those with absolute control...
Or overwhelming strength...
Could appear completely ordinary.
Neither possibility was good.
"We mean no offense."
He bowed politely.
"My name is Roland."
"A Silver-ranked Hunter of the Frontier Hunter Lodge."
Crystal silently noted the unfamiliar organization.
Noticing her curiosity, Roland explained,
"The Frontier Hunter Lodge manages dangerous beast populations along the western borders."
"We answer requests from villages, towns, and local lords."
"Our ranks determine what missions we can undertake."
Kieran listened quietly from behind Crystal.
Roland continued,
"Bronze Hunters handle ordinary magical beasts."
"Silver Hunters are trusted with Rank Two and Rank Three beasts."
"Gold Hunters lead larger expeditions."
"Above them..."
"Only the Master Hunters remain."
"They're capable of facing Beast Lords."
Crystal gave a slight nod.
"So..."
"You're chasing that boar."
Roland sighed.
"It suddenly went berserk three days ago."
"It attacked several caravans."
"We've been trying to subdue it."
Kieran looked toward the trembling beast.
"It looks scared."
Roland hesitated.
"...It wasn't acting like this before."
The boar let out a weak cry.
Crystal's gaze sharpened.
"Move aside."
Roland instinctively obeyed.
She slowly approached the injured beast.
Kael quietly appeared from the forest behind her.
The three hunters immediately tensed.
"A... Beast Lord!"
One of them almost dropped his spear.
Cold sweat trickled down their backs.
Kael ignored them entirely.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the crystal boar.
"...Strange."
Crystal crouched beside the beast.
The boar flinched.
"I won't harm you."
She gently placed a hand upon its forehead.
Closing her eyes...
She released the smallest thread of Magna.
Immediately—
Her expression changed.
"This isn't natural."
Roland stepped forward cautiously.
"What is it?"
Crystal withdrew her hand.
"Its Magna pathways have been damaged."
"It wasn't born this way."
"It was forced."
Kael's massive tail struck the ground.
"...Someone tampered with it."
Crystal nodded.
"Someone deliberately drove it into madness."
Silence settled over the valley.
Roland clenched his fists.
"Why would anyone do that?"
Crystal's eyes grew distant.
"There are many reasons."
"Experiments."
"Testing poisons."
"Creating living weapons."
"Or simply curiosity."
None of those possibilities were comforting.
Kieran slowly walked toward the boar.
Crystal didn't stop him.
The frightened beast stared at the little boy.
Kieran knelt.
"...You must've been scared."
He gently placed a tiny hand on the boar's snout.
Roland almost shouted.
"Kid! Get away from—"
The words caught in his throat.
The crystal boar...
Stopped trembling.
Its frantic breathing gradually steadied.
Its blood-red eyes slowly faded to a calmer brown.
Even Kael looked surprised.
"...Again."
Crystal whispered.
It was the same phenomenon she had witnessed countless times.
Magical beasts trusted Kieran instinctively.
Not because he controlled them.
Not because he used Magna.
They simply...
Felt at peace around him.
The boar lowered its head until it rested gently against the child's shoulder.
Kieran smiled.
"There."
"You're okay now."
Crystal silently watched the scene unfold.
No technique.
No Intent.
No Path.
Just...
The boy's presence.
Roland slowly lowered his spear.
"...I've never seen anything like this."
Neither had Crystal.
And somehow...
That unsettled her more than anything else.
Far beyond the valley, hidden within the darkness of an abandoned fortress, a cloaked figure knelt before a stone altar.
"My Lord."
"The search continues."
A cold voice echoed through the chamber.
"Expand the operation."
"The branch in Melika has been granted additional authority."
"We've also received support..."
"...from the Black Lotus."
The kneeling figure lowered his head further.
"As you command."
Unbeknownst to everyone in the valley...
The quiet years of peace were nearing their end.
End of Chapter 11