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Chapter 28: Specter hunting IX

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Books are the mother of learning, the father of experience, surpassing even experiencing those things yourself. Do with this advice whatever you like." And so the Immortal spoke his words of wisdom.

Afterwhich, Val just closed his eyes, resting for a bit. It wasn't long before Almeir came out of the house, and surprisingly, his expression still had a bit of calmness to it.

Well, that's not too surprising considering he's responsible for the village, and he likely hunts in the woods too, so he must've gone through a lot and seen many things worst than what's inside.

Only then did Val open his eyes, and asked, "Did you check the body? It's the wife's, right?"

Almeir nodded, "Indeed, and it seems that he did it as you said... There were several stab wounds on it, large ones too... I really didn't expect it at all. They seemed happy together."

"No one ever really knows anyone so..." Val calmly responded, as expected, not affected at all by the tragedy in stark contrast to Lucas, and even Selena.

Even Boarlian found himself frowning at the darkness of humanity. He knew there and then that there is still so much more to learn about the world, about humanity.

"No one ever really knows anyone huh... Perhaps you're right. You said you're going to use the body for the hunt. What does that mean exactly?"

His tone was lone and a bit depressed, but he didn't let that get to him too much for he still has a lot of people to protect.

"Well, there are three kinds of specters, the ones that are attached to their death place, forever unable to leave until someone extinguishes them.

The ones that can around the location of their demise, unable to venture too far... And unable to even come close to it. Then there is the Free Specters." Val patiently explained to Almeir, knowing those words will get him to the end goal faster.

"We have the second kind here, so looking through all the surroundings will take too much time, and going into the woods with the goal of waiting for it to appear is a bit dangerous. So using her body as bait with an ether art will make things much easier."

There was no change in Almeir's face hearing that, he just nodded and said, "Just don't do that close to my village lest it endangers it. Also, do you need any help or anything?"

Whatever doubt Alemir had about the group was forgotten as he had noticed how knowledgeable and confident the young man before him was, so he decided to trust the group.

Val started stroking his chin, seemingly thoughtful before saying, "A horse would do, to put the body on. I don't want to dirty my horse and am sure leaving on my dear teammates' horses would traumatize them."

Almeir nodded while taking a few glances at the group, specifically the pale Lucas, "I can see that. I will get it to you right away, just please get it done as soon as possible."

He then left right away, leaving the group all alone. Only then did some of them feel like they can speak their mind. Selena's mouth was opening and closing, seemingly hesitant to speak.

In fact, she really wanted to speak but she was afraid of losing her mind, afraid of what his response might be.

Natalia though wasn't afraid at all as she mischievously spoke, "And here I thought you were quite smart. You know you can just put in a new plastic bag and tie it tightly, and you won't have to worry about dirtying your 'unique' horse."

Val actually had a thoughtful expression after her words, seemingly contemplating them until he responded, "You have a point... Or you would've if not for the possibility of filth leaking through the bag and reaching the skin of my unique horse.

Sure the possibility is incredibly small, but it's still there. Most importantly, I will know that a body was once placed on my horse, and that's enough for me to never touch my horse again."

His nonsense never ceases to leave people speechless. He however wasn't done, he have to get his revenge even for something so small, he's a tad bit petty after all.

"Before you say anything. It's okay if you disagree with me, our standards are different after all. You might love dead bodies but I don't. To each their own I guess and I don't judge so..."

"What?? What does that mean??? I don't." The baffled Natalia didn't get to finish her words as Selena stopped her, saving her dear friend from falling into the abyss even further just like her friend did for her before.

"Tch, Ahem. Anyway, group leader, sorry for kind of taking over the group. It was intentional. You can have the reins back now." Val added kind of calmly if not for the occasional chuckles.

Val could swear that veins nearly popped up on the girls' heads. That was his cue for not taking any further, 'Who knows what's inside their heads, that could dirty my clothes and even my skin.'

Selena calmed herself down before asking the question she really wanted to ask since he said something, "You said you're going to use the body, and that you'll use an ether art on it. Are you talking about what I assume you're talking about?"

Her tone was grave but Val's remained just as calm, "Yes. I assume you have no problem with me using it that way?"

"But..." Selena seemed hesitant but Val interrupted her, "remember, you're the leader, so it's your call. Just know that it's too risky otherwise. Not just for this contract, but also for ours."

Selena bit her teeth for a second before nodding, "Then we'll go with your way. It's something we'll have to go through anyway. Better sooner than later."

"What way?" Lucas finally got his wits back together as he questioned.

Val smiled at him, "Good to see you back... As for your question. Well, you'll see soon. It's something to be seen not told."

Lucas nodded in understanding not doubting his words at all. He would be doubting those words if he heard the whispers that followed the conversation.

"Shameless." Selena quietly whispered, not expecting Val to hear her. He did though, so how could he not answer, "A shameless person watching shamelessness being performed for their own sake without stopping it; is kind of shameless, is it not?"

Selena chose not to respond as she turned her face away, hiding the faint red hue on it.

Almeir stayed true to his words and came back with a horse quite quickly. He even took it upon himself to put another plastic bag over the body before placing it on the horse and leaving with a few last words, "May you rest in peace."

Afterward, the group left the village. It wasn't long before sunrise so Selena and Val knew they still had plenty of time.

They went into the woods with their horses. Boarlian was responsible for guiding the horse carrying the body.

The deeper they went, the colder and darker it got. They had not the luxury to enjoy the beauty of the numerous red-leaved trees all around, not the loveliness of the colorful under grass beneath the horses' hoofs.

That's however where the snow horses' latent talent shines the most. Every ether beast and even monster has an ability, and snow horses are no different.

They absorb the coldness of their surroundings and produce natural warmness in return, not only for themselves but also in their proximity. The horse's rider gets to enjoy the full benefit of that.

What they specifically absorb is the ether variant of coldness around them, which is where their affinity lies.

The coldness however is only a problem at night or in the forests, so one can imagine how the normal horse that's carrying the body is feeling. He was certainly not having a good time.

Fortunately, the group wasn't planning on going too deep. They however had to stop sooner than expected.

The one to stop them was none other than Val as he came to halt and lifted his hand, signaling for them to stop as well.

"Monsters, forest wrinklers not far ahead. Also, there are signs of tree crawlers around."

Val eyed them, carefully capturing their reactions. What attracted his interest is Natalia's well-hidden face of surprise, 'As I thought, she's not a normal Seeker. She noticed their existence not that long after I did.'

He had noticed them long before with the extraordinary sense of his soul curtain but waited for a while before warning the group.

He knows there's someone protecting him in the dark. That should also be the case for Selena, perhaps...