Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 147

As soon as the construction of the shelters was complete, the trainees flocked to the clearing. They cocked their heads in curiosity at the sight of Kasa standing next to Yan, especially Cruel, who couldn’t hide his disdain.

“Why is that guy over there?”

Just moments ago, he was sulking like a defective pup, and now he’s strutting around like he owns the place. It was enough to make one’s stomach turn.

Roman, standing nearby, couldn’t help but snicker, scratching at Cruel’s pride.

“What’s wrong? Jealous that he’s stolen your only friend?”

“You really have a death wish, don’t you?”

“Now that there’s no one to stop us, shall we see who really dies?”

As Cruel and Roman’s bickering escalated, the other trainees discreetly stepped aside. If those two clashed, it wasn’t just a scuffle – they’d leave nothing but destruction in their wake.

Kasa, standing at the forefront, bellowed out to them.

“Enough! All eyes on me!”

Surprisingly, Roman was the first to scoff and turn away.

“Hmph, got cold feet?”

“I just refuse to be lumped in with you.”

“What did you say? Lumped in with me?”

Just then, Yan, who had been quietly observing from a distance, called out to Cruel.

“Cruel.”

“Damn it all!”

Feeling the gaze of the crowd upon him, Cruel turned away in a huff, while Charl chuckled at the spectacle from behind.

Clap! Clap!

Yan clapped his hands, infused with mana, to quell the chaos. It was the same principle Damian had used to silence the training grounds with his awe-inspiring presence.

“Silence! I’m about to announce our next task.”

Some trainees showed signs of annoyance.

“More tasks? Haven’t we done enough?”

“Can’t we just take a break today?”

“It’s all so tiresome.”

Yan unveiled the carrot he had prepared for such attitudes.

“Those who wish to rest may do so. But remember, today’s work will be graded and rewarded with spirit elixirs. Are you fine with that?”

At the mention of spirit elixirs, the trainees’ eyes gleamed with a mix of zeal and greed, a stark contrast to their previous lethargy.

Some might tsk at the thought that only a lord’s reward could spur them to action, but Yan preferred it this way.

‘After all, loyalty is such an ambiguous thing to measure.’

Managing subordinates with tangible rewards was far more straightforward and easier to handle.

Yan turned and shouted.

“Follow me, everyone.”

With eyes wide and sparkling, the trainees began to trail after Yan.

Their destination? The forest of magical beasts, a long-standing thorn in the empire’s side.

* * *

At the Forest of Beasts’ Entrance

The trainees arrived at the entrance of the Forest of Beasts, tilting their heads as they surveyed the surroundings.

“This feels familiar…”

“Doesn’t it have the same vibe as the Blade Mountains?”

“Now that you mention it, it does seem similar.”

Of course, compared to the Blade Mountains, this place was much smaller—almost a tenth of the size?

Yet, the ominous aura emanating from within was in no way inferior to that of the Blade Mountains.

As the trainees hesitated, Yan let out a deep sigh.

“You don’t think you’re the same as you were before, do you?”

At his words, the trainees lifted their heads to look at Yan.

Then, one of them stepped forward.

“What exactly do you want us to do?”

It was Lorena.

She wasn’t particularly interested in elixirs.

Instead, she was filled with enthusiasm, hoping that by accomplishing what Yan asked, she might gain the key to becoming stronger.

It wasn’t Yan who responded, but Kasa.

“We’ll do what we do best, and what benefits this territory.”

Cruel frowned at Kasa’s vague words.

“Why is that guy so excited?”

“Keep it down.”

“This bear of a man! Always butting in.”

“Because it’s noisy.”

“Ugh, I should just shut up.”

As Roman appropriately subdued Cruel, Kasa nodded lightly in thanks.

Then he continued the explanation.

“From now on, as the security force and knights of this territory, you’ll learn what you must do. The first task is beast subjugation, the second is beast dissection.”

Charl raised his hand.

“I get the beast subjugation, but what’s beast dissection?”

Kasa explained with a natural mix of truth and lies.

“From now on, we’ll check your quotas by the number of magic stones. Three per person. It doesn’t matter what kind of beast you catch, but you can’t exceed three. After a certain period of work, the lord will reward you with elixirs.”

It was an efficient way to manage without revealing that magic stones were ingredients for elixirs.

Yan admired Kasa’s quick thinking.

‘Impressive. It’s not like he had thought this through beforehand, but it flows so smoothly.’

But that wasn’t all.

Kasa seemed to know the trainees’ tendencies well, as he skillfully divided them into groups.

Then, claiming he would teach them about beast dissection, he led a group into the Forest of Beasts.

As Kasa entered, he glanced back and sent a telepathic message.

Just catch enough to maintain the ecosystem, right?
Yes.
Got it. I’ll handle it from here, you go ahead and rest or do something else.
Yan watched Kasa, who was adeptly handling his tasks, with a satisfied smile.

He had been dreading the thought of having to hover like a nanny for months, teaching this and that.

But now, that worry has vanished.

‘It seems I’ve chosen a good administrator.’

Yan waved his hand dismissively as he moved on.

“Then, I’m off.”

Lorena looked disappointed.

She had wanted to witness Yan’s skills firsthand, but that plan had fallen through.

However, that feeling was fleeting.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve hunted beasts. This will be helpful, right?’

Her enthusiasm was blazing.

* * *

Yan’s Mischievous Encounter

Yan, strolling towards the mansion, tilted his head in puzzlement. His eyes caught Valdes perched at a window, peering inside. It didn’t take long for Yan to discern the reason—Valdes was gazing at Lia, who was blushing as she cleaned the mansion.

With a mischievous grin, Yan crept up behind Valdes. So silent were his steps, even the keen-sensed Valdes remained oblivious.

Thump.

Yan playfully lifted the back of Valdes’s coat.

“Yeeek!”

Startled, Valdes spun around, his face a picture of shock.

“Lord… Lord Yan?”

“Why are you peeping into someone’s home like a thief?”

“Ah… well, that is…”

Valdes scratched his cheek, chuckling awkwardly.

Yan ruffled his hair, laughing along.

“Enough of that. But you know, women despise being ogled in such a sly manner, right?”

Valdes’s eyes widened in alarm.

“Well, I haven’t been caught yet…”

“Seems like you have been.”

Yan pointed inside the window, and Valdes’s head slowly turned. Lia, looking displeased, glanced at him before walking away briskly.

Valdes’s face fell, turning ashen.

Yan, still chuckling, released the disheartened Valdes.

“Work hard in your training, and maybe I’ll lend you a hand.”

“Yes, I’ll work hard, Lord Yan!”

“Good, good.”

Leaving a determined Valdes behind, Yan entered the mansion.

Lia, busy cleaning, bowed her head upon seeing him.

“You’ve arrived, young master?”

“You don’t need to do this anymore. Here, unlike the training grounds, you’re free to do as you please.”

Lia beamed at him.

“No, I enjoy doing this.”

Respecting her resolve, Yan smiled and told her to carry on as she wished.

He then headed to his bedroom, instructing Lia not to let anyone in.

Once inside, Yan stretched briefly before summoning Momon.

“Phew. Shall we begin, Momon?”

[Why have you called?]

“It’s time to open the void space.”

Momon sighed heavily, clicking his jaw.

[I thought you had forgotten…]

“Have you ever seen me forget such things?”

Yan grinned, and Momon shook his head, extending a bony hand.

[Take my hand and channel your mana. I will open the void space.]

Yan frowned.

“Do I have to go through you every time?”

Momon snorted.

[With your level of magic, you couldn’t even peel back the current dimension, let alone open a void space.]

“I was just wondering if there’s an artifact that could open it…”

[Do you think such a thing exists! Stop your nonsense and channel your mana already!]

Yan shrugged and took Momon’s hand.

Swoosh.

Mana began to drain at an alarming rate, startling even Yan.

Momon barked at him.

[Stimulate the mana heart and draw out all your power!]

“Tch.”

Yan clicked his tongue and closed his eyes, focusing on the mana heart within his chest.

Boom!

The mana heart resonated with the inner planets, unleashing a torrent of mana. Thanks to the mana absorbed from the phoenix heart and the transformation through the body-strengthening technique, the available mana was incomparable to before.

Yan’s eyes narrowed.

Even as he poured mana sufficient to perform the founding emperor’s sword technique, Momon’s hand continued to demand more.

Pushing his mana to the brink, Momon extended his other hand into the air.

Crackling!

With a sound like shattering glass, the air twisted, and a void space began to emerge.

An entrance, resembling a broken windowpane, appeared, filled with darkness.

It was an ominous sight to behold.

Momon released Yan’s hand and pointed.

[Enter. You have only an hour with your mana, remember that.]

“Okay.”

Yan’s eyes sparkled as he leaned towards the void space’s entrance.

Just then, Momon whispered,

[…Take only what you need.]

Yan grinned.

“Of course!”

And with that, he plunged into the void space.

Left alone in the bedroom, Momon shook his head.

[Sigh, he’ll come out with another basketful, no doubt.]

* * *

Yan’s Venture into Momon’s Void Space

Yan stepped into Momon’s void space, his gaze sweeping over the familiar surroundings.

“Everything is just as I remember.”

A grand door, adorned with all manner of antique decorations and carvings, stood welcoming him.

Beyond it lay the bridge he had crossed before, after much toil and trouble.

The fact that he had emerged here without crossing it again suggested that Momon had shown some consideration.

Yan shook his head briskly, dismissing the nostalgia.

“Now’s not the time for this.”

Momon had given him a mere hour.

This was no moment to bask in good fortune.

Taking a deep breath, Yan’s eyes flashed with determination.

Then, he flung open the massive door that connected to the void space.