A Horror Novel’s Supporting Character Wants to Live as a Human

  

 

The Land of the Demonic Beasts.

 

It wasn’t a metaphor referring to dangerous beasts.

 

“I guess you already know what’s in there.”

 

“If the demonic beasts had come down, they would have done so a long time ago.” It is risky to hunt demonic monsters.”

 

“Do you know that selling demonic beasts’ products can fetch a good amount of money?”

 

“My position is firm, Your Grace.”

 

Hartman’s vast territory encompassed a portion of the forest that extended from the mountains.

 

The forest’s branches spread across vast plains, but the forest itself was made up of more than just dense trees from the mountains; it also housed something more.

 

Demonic Beasts.

 

Demonic Beasts with great strength and ferocity that lived in deep mountain ranges or specialized terrains.

 

There was an obvious distinction between those who disliked people and those who did not, based on the qualities of the demonic beast.

 

And the demonic beasts, who didn’t mind humans, had no qualms about harming humans.

 

That is why the state granted fiefs to the lords and gave them the duty to protect the residents from demonic beasts.

 

Hartman had previously been faithful to such responsibilities, and his vassal families were also actively recruiting troops.

 

This was because by subduing the demonic beasts, one could protect one’s territory, and more importantly, one could earn a handsome income by selling their muscles or teeth.

T/N: Muscles 근육? 

 

But that’s all in the past.

 

Even though I couldn’t remember the details in the original, one thing was clear.

 

The current Hartman can no longer protect the people from the demonic beast.

 

As a result, the land of demonic beasts will be overrun with demonic beasts, and I concentrated on that issue.

 

“Do you know what’s in there?”

 

“If you’re talking about the type of demonic beast, I don’t know that far.”

 

Now, in front of Leandros, who was clearly uncomfortable, I purposefully put on a business smile and responded nicely.

 

“Have you heard of Bormi?”

 

Sir Leandros’s face hardened at the word Bormi.

 

“If it’s Bormi… ”

 

“It’s true that we’re talking about that demonic beast that resembles a human being and has an enormous amount of hair all over its body.”

 

Bormi, one of the demonic beast species in this novel, is a cruel, terrible, barbaric, and despicable creature.

 

Because of their social habits, they travel in the same group, and because they are nocturnal, they have poor eyesight but have excellent senses of smell and hearing.

 

Their fur is hard and thick, so most weapons cannot hurt Bormi.

 

Moreover, it was one of the demonic beast species that was generally very reluctant to come into contact with people.

 

Leandros frowned.

 

“That can’t be possible. The hunting grounds and village are close enough to be reached by horseback. Even if it were any other species, there is no way Bormi would come down here.”

 

“Master, Sir Leandros is correct. I don’t know much about Bormi. Don’t demonic beasts mainly live in mountain ranges?”

 

The two people said that it couldn’t be possible.

 

Well, it was understandable that they didn’t believe it.

 

As they said, it made sense for Bormi not to be on the hunting grounds.

 

That is, if all goes according to reason.

 

“It didn’t take a day or two to subdue the demonic beasts that came from the Hartman Duchy to the hunting grounds.”

 

“That is a different case.”

 

Leandros retorted.

 

“The targets we subdued at that time were individuals who happened to wander into the hunting grounds. But Bormi don’t come down to places like this, and their sense of smell is keen enough to not get lost and find their pack.”

 

“Who said Bormi was lost?”

 

“Just now, master…”

 

“I never said there was only one Bormi.”

 

Arndt, who had paused at my calm answer, turned slightly pale.

 

It seemed he understood the implication of my words—that there wasn’t just one Bormi.

 

“So you’re saying they’ve established a nest?”

 

“Arndt, you catch on quickly.”

 

“Of course, master, you can’t do that. It may be pretentious, but as Sir Leandros said, the village and castle are right in front…”

 

“Is there anyone in the village?”

 

Both of them exchanged glances, unable to find the words to respond.

 

Where would you find any significant small-scale farmers remaining on land without a ruling owner? Since Hartman turned into ruins until now, the village has likely been empty all along.

 

A village without people, missing troops, and small demonic beasts that haven’t been subdued for a while.

 

It wouldn’t be unreasonable if another demonic beast naturally settled on the hunting grounds.

 

Of course, I could speak with such confidence because I had seen the contents of Chapter 83 of the novel. For the two individuals who were unaware of the novel’s content, it would be difficult to believe such a story easily.

 

Leandros remained tight-lipped for a moment before finally speaking in a stern tone, “Very well. I understand. However, we cannot hunt down the demonic beasts. Even if it’s a small-scale demonic beast habitat, there will be considerable losses in destroying it.”

 

Losses?

 

In that moment, I couldn’t understand what Leandros was saying. In the novel I read, demonic subjugation didn’t seem that difficult, and Leandros was one of the best swordsmen in this world.

 

Oh, could it be that these people don’t know the method of hunting Bormi?

 

As soon as I thought about it, I could barely understand it. Apart from the spread of information about demonic beasts, the method of hunting demonic beasts may be less well known.

 

“I see.”

 

“Moreover, if they truly established a nest a long time ago, the likelihood of their habitat being quite large is high. Being surrounded by a pack of Bormi is out of the question.”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

“We don’t have the resources to hire mercenaries or the connections to call upon other knights.”

 

“Ah, that’s right.”

 

With an expression that seemed to boil with irritation, Leandros asked with a face full of frustration, “Do you have something to say?”

 

I rolled my eyes and casually threw out a suggestion, as if tossing it into the air.

 

“What if only the three of us could hunt Bormi?”

 

“It’s impossible.”

 

“I don’t believe that.”

 

Arndt and Leandros spoke at the same time.

 

Their eyes were filled with nothing but denial.

 

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight.

“You say it’s impossible? Well, I’ve thought about it a bit.”

 

For these unbelievers, my experience as a reader is not going anywhere.

 

 

* * *

 

Let’s take a look at reality.

 

Among us, the only person capable of fighting is Leandros. Everyone else is essentially a civilian. No matter how skilled Leandros is as a knight, fighting formidable demonic beasts is a completely different story.

 

To put it in modern terms, it would be like giving a newbie player with low-level gear the quest to heal and defeat a raid boss in a game.

 

But what if that newbie player was given a guide on how to conquer the raid?

 

“We have two options. Stone or fire.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

They both looked puzzled at the sudden words.

 

“Choose one of the two.”

 

“Well, even if you ask us to choose one, we have no idea.”

 

“Then let me explain each one to you. Listen carefully.”

 

A long time ago, about 300 years ago, in the novel.

 

Before Duke Hartmann received the dukedom, he did not have as many private soldiers as he does now.

 

Therefore, he often struggled with the occasional demonic beasts that appeared on the hunting grounds, as their numbers were not as abundant as they are now.

 

Bormi was one of those demonic species.

 

 

Since they came out in the first place, they were able to expand their influence until now.

 

So the method chosen by the eighth head of the Hartman family was fire.

 

“Bormi are nocturnal creatures and have a well-developed sense of hearing and smell, but their eyesight is weak. Even a slightly bright light can dazzle them.”

 

“I’m well aware of that fact.”

 

“That’s why, long ago, the Hartman family used fire.” 

 

“Ah, are you talking about the tactic of blinding them with fire? But there’s a problem with that. There’s a superstition that says going near a Bormi with a torch drives you mad… So approaching a Bormi with a torch is a bit…”

 

Arndt seemed to understand it all, but I shook my head.

 

Unfortunately, that’s the wrong answer.

 

“No. As Arndt said, even if Bormi is blind, it will be of no use if they go mad. That’s not the way.”

 

Above all, that was not a myth; it was the truth. Because this novel has a rule called madness.

 

All intelligent beings go crazy when they see something they cannot understand.

 

They feel overwhelming fear and terror from beings of a higher dimension than themselves and end up broken.

 

In <And Then There Was No One>, humans are portrayed as weak and fragile, not only physically but also mentally. Once they experience madness, even if they recover later, PTSD remains deeply ingrained.

 

Some of the characters in the novel suffered from constant flashbacks and indescribable fear throughout their lives.

 

Arndt asked with an uneasy expression, “Then what is it?”

 

“Setting them on fire.”

 

“…”

 

Silence followed. Both of them had expressions that indicated they didn’t understand what I said.

 

 

“I mean literally setting them on fire. During the daytime, we can take advantage of their instinct to hide from light and shoot fire arrows into their habitat. That way, they’ll burn cleanly.”

 

“Then the surrounding forest won’t be safe either!”

 

“That’s why you have to take some losses.”

 

“We’re hunting demonic beasts to make money, and you’re suggesting we burn down all the Bormi?”

 

“Then we’ll just singe them a little.”

 

Anyway, what we need are the demonic beast’s teeth and claws. Burning the Bormi won’t affect those.

 

In that sense, it’s a truly brutal and effective approach.

 

Leandros spat out words as if he was shocked.

 

“What a foolish method.”

 

“I heard from my mother a long time ago that this was the method used by Hartman’s ancestors. Sir, is there any problem?”

 

“…”

 

This was not a lie simply to silence Leandros.

 

In the novel, the Eighth Duke Hartman actually burned down the demonic beasts and the entire forest. The hunting grounds burned for several days, and the scene was described as resembling a living hell.

 

No one in the territory could easily fall asleep due to the horrifying cries of demonic beasts burning alive…

 

Upon hearing those words, Leandros’s expression turned into that of a dumbfounded person.

 

Alright, I’ve dealt with him.

 

Next, I turned my gaze to Arndt, who shrank back and lowered his head.

 

 

“It’s too dangerous, master. Fire is absolutely not an option. It’s connected to the forest, and a large fire could break out.”

 

“So? If the Bormi wake up and run wild, the damage will be greater.”

 

“Of course!”

 

“Then we have no choice but to go with ‘stone.’ It’s truly unavoidable. Since both of you are so against using fire arrows, I had no choice but to opt for stone. It’s a good choice. Stones are not bad either.”

 

Only then did Arndt’s expression change to one of confusion.

 

I maintained a casual expression while inwardly laughing with excitement.

 

In reality, I had no intention of choosing fire from the beginning.

 

To sacrifice the future forest for the sake of acquiring the demonic beast’s fangs and claws and resolving immediate hunger? That’s no different from setting fire to the thatch to catch a rat.

 

The eighth head of the Hartmann family was able to do such a thing because he was wealthy.

 

But for me, who doesn’t even have a decent pair of shoes to wear, it was not a viable option.

 

“What is the plan for stone?”

 

Meanwhile, Leandros, who had recovered from the shock, asked.

 

He knew that the fire was fake, and he knew that I had planned to choose ‘stone,’ so his question seemed to be an attitude of asking for more information.

 

“By any chance, do you two know the word ‘fish in troubled waters’?”

T/N : to

try

to

win

an

advantage

from a

difficult

situation

or from someone else’s

problems

. 

 

“Fish in troubled waters?”

 

Both of them showed reactions that indicated they didn’t understand my words at all.

 

In the meantime, I explained in detail the Bormi hunting method using ‘stone.’

 

Arndt had a puzzled expression, as if asking if such a thing existed, while Leandros seemed skeptical about whether such a method would actually work.

 

Leandros said, after thinking for a while, “Let’s assume that the method you mentioned really works. But isn’t it still dangerous? To use that method, you will need a lot of preparation.”

 

The ferocity of the Bormi was well known, even in the original novel. I didn’t want a scenario in which we were cornered and slain by demonic beasts while attempting to avoid starving. The risk, as Leandros stated, remained.

 

Moreover, Arenheit’s body was really weak.

 

I passed out with a nosebleed just because I was lifting firewood.

 

I didn’t have much stamina, and even if I walked even a little fast, I quickly ran out of breath.

 

I won’t be able to actively participate in hunting under these conditions.

 

“So I thought about it, trying to distinguish between field personnel and support personnel.”

 

“What roles would each play?”

 

“Field personnel are those who actively participate in the hunt, and support personnel naturally provide support to field personnel.”

 

“Isn’t it roughly the case that people who do chores are called support personnel? So, have you thought about your role?”

 

Leandros sarcastically said. I nodded.

 

“Arndt, you will be the support personnel, and it would be great if you could prepare the necessary supplies for the hunt.”

 

“Well… alright. I understand.”

 

“And I will also be a support personnel, but my role will be to keep an eye on Bormi’s movements.”

 

We have three people, and already two of us are support personnel.

 

Leandros’s brow slowly furrowed.

 

I applauded.

 

“Everyone, please give a round of applause to Lord Leandros for being the field personnel.  Clap, clap, clap.”

 

“Can I say it’s not pleasant?”

 

“Well? It would be great if you wholeheartedly embraced it.”

 

There was no choice since Leandros was the only one among us with exceptional physical abilities.

 

Leandros took a deep breath and let it out.

 

“If, by any chance, a dangerous situation arises, leave the hunting grounds immediately. Let’s put an end to this futile dream of hunting demonic beasts.”

 

“I promise. I stake Hartman on it.” 

 

Even though I had already given up on the ruined family, I bet on it anyway, but Leandros reluctantly seemed to agree.

 

The next evening.

 

When the moon was faintly rising, we headed to the hunting grounds with all our preparations in place.

 

 

Status : HiatusI just released this novel from my old files. Previously on G*l*xy Translations. I have not yet continued this novel. But for now, my hands are full. Let us see later.