Chapter 8: The Rampaging Boar
The cave loomed before them, dark and damp, the scent of dirt and beast lingering in the air. Richard and Gray stood at the entrance, peering into the depths. From inside, deep, guttural grunts echoed as the Rampaging Boar stirred.
Gray stretched his arms and turned to Richard.
"I'll let you handle this," he said casually. "You need to get familiar with real combat. I'll only step in if you're about to get flattened."
Richard took a deep breath and nodded. His first real fight. No training, no sparring.
Gray smirked. "Good. Now, get ready."
Richard turned to Groff. "We need to lure the boar out. Fighting inside the cave would be a bad idea—the tight space limits mobility."
Gray nodded in approval. "Good thinking."
Groff let out a deep, reverberating howl, his body glowing as black armor formed over him, covering his torso and legs.
This wasn't just for defense—the armor enhanced his strength without slowing him down.
Hearing the noise the Rampaging Boar also wake up.
The ground rumbled as the boar roared, charging out of its cave, its massive tusks gleaming in the sunlight.
---
The Rampaging Boar was huge—twice the size of a normal boar, with thick, armored hide. Its eyes burned red with rage, and it immediately locked onto Groff, sensing him as a threat.
Groff dashed forward, claws scraping against the ground, his armored body holding firm against the boar's charging force.
BOOM!
The two beasts clashed, Groff pushing against the boar's bulk, using his claws to rake across its thick hide.
The boar snorted angrily, thrashing wildly, trying to shake Groff off.
It charged forward, dust kicking up behind it.
"Groff, dodge and counter!" Richard ordered.
BOOM!
Groff sidestepped, his movements swift, and once agian lashed out with his claws, raking deep into the boar torso.
The boar snorted angrily, thrashing wildly, its hide tougher than expected.
It swung its head, its tusks just barely missing Groff.
Richard gritted his teeth. Even with a direct hit, it's still standing strong.
"Groff, go for its legs!"
Groff leaped, aiming to strike the boar's knees, but the boar was quicker than expected.
It suddenly twisted its body, bringing one of its massive hooves crashing down on Groff's back!
CRASH!
Groff yelped in pain, his armored body skidding across the dirt.
Richard's heart pounded. "Groff, get up!"
Groff shook off the impact, his armored frame absorbing most of the damage.
The boar roared, preparing to charge again.
Richard gritted his teeth. I can't keep fighting defensively—I need to take control of the battle.
Richard focused his magic. "Groff, use body Enhancement Magic !"
Groff' glowed, reinforcing his speed and power even further.
Richard clenched his fist. "Now, go for its eyes!"
Groff lunged forward, his claws aiming straight for the boar's face.
The boar panicked, swinging its head wildly, but Groff was faster this time.
SLASH!
Groff's claws ripped across the boar's right eye, making it squeal in agony.
Gray nodded in approval. "Good. Target its weaknesses!"
The boar stumbled, shaking its head violently, its vision half-blinded.
Richard saw his chance. "Now, let's end this!"
Groff dashed forward, aiming for the boar's exposed flank—but suddenly, Richard felt something move behind him.
Richard barely had time to react before a smaller female boar rushed toward him from behind.
His eyes widened. I didn't sense another one?!
Before it could hit him—
"Ice Make Magic: Ice Wall"
SHHHHRACK!
A wall of ice suddenly shot up from the ground, blocking the smaller boar's charge at the last second.
Gray stepped forward, his hands glowing with frost, his expression calm.
"You focus on the big one," he said. "I'll handle this one."
Richard blinked, shaken but grateful. "Thanks, Gray."
Gray smirked. "Don't let your guard down, rookie."
Richard refocused on the main target.
"This ends now!"
Groff leaped onto the boar's back, digging his claws deep into its thick hide.
The boar squealed in agony, thrashing wildly.
Richard focused his remaining mana into a final command.
"Groff—Full Power Strike!"
Groff's claws glowed red, infused with pure magical force.
With one final slash, he tore through the boar's throat, ending the battle.
The boar collapsed, blood pooling beneath it.
Richard exhaled, completely drained. "Finally… it's over."
Gray, having defeated the second boar, walked over.
"Not bad," he said. "You made some mistakes, but overall, you handled it well."
Richard patted Groff's head. "You did great, buddy."
Groff huffed proudly, his armor fading as the summon stabilized.
---
Richard wiped his forehead. "So… what do we do with them?"
Gray crossed his arms. "The big one goes to the village since they commissioned the job as for the smaller one It's ours. We could sell it or use it however we want. ."
Richard nodded, thinking for a moment.
Richard nodded happily as Their hide is used for magic armor, and their heart and blood can be used for Berserk Potions. Plus, their meat is a delicacy. A single Rampaging Boar can sell for around 60,000 J.
Richard processed this and immediately stored both boars in his spatial ring.
Gray raised an eyebrow. "That thing is useful."
Richard smirked. "Sure is. Makes things easier."
With that settled, they began making their way back to the village.
---
The walk back was calm, and Gray used the time to explain Richard's mistakes.
"You hesitated too much in the beginning," Gray pointed out. "You need to trust your summons more and react faster. As a Summoning Wizard, you're a prime target—most enemies will aim for you rather than engaging your summons directly. Always stay alert to your surroundings."
Richard listened carefully, nodding. "Got it."
Gray continued, "You should also consider learning some defensive magic. It'll help protect you when your summons are occupied or if you ever get caught off guard."
Richard absorbed the advice, mentally noting his weaknesses. "I'll work on it."
By the time they reached Kiwi Village, it was evening, and the villagers were waiting at the entrance.
When Richard pulled out the boar's body, the villagers cheered.
Gray gestured toward the chief. "It's yours."
The villagers were stunned. Normally, the hunted monster was considered the reward for the hunters, but Gray refused to take it.
Richard, realizing Gray's true intentions, couldn't help but smile slightly.
"You act all cool and distant… and sure, you're a pervert sometimes," Richard teased, "but deep down, you're actually really kind, Gray."
Gray twitched. "Who the hell are you calling a pervert, you bastard?!"
Richard grinned mischievously and pointed at him. "Then where are your clothes?"
Gray glanced down—his shirt was missing again.
His eye twitched.
"…DAMN IT When!"
After that, the village chief invited them to stay the night, offering them a warm meal and a place to rest.
As they settled in, Gray explained the hunting process, detailing how they had tracked and fought the Rampaging Boars.
Upon hearing that two boars had been taken down instead of one, the village chief's eyes widened in shock. He quickly bowed his head in apology.
"We had no idea there were two of them," he said sincerely. "We understand that the job was more dangerous than expected. Please, allow us to increase the quest reward as compensation."
But both Gray and Richard shook their heads.
"No need," Gray said simply. "We handled it, and the village is safe now. That's what matters."
Richard nodded. "Yeah, no worries. The extra boar covered our expenses anyway."
The village chief looked grateful and said, "I will inform Fairy Tail about the successful completion of the mission. But for now, please, join us for a celebration!"
Gray and Richard exchanged glances, then grinned.
"Sounds good to me," Gray said.
Richard smiled. "Would be rude to say no, huh?"
That night, the village threw a feast, celebrating their safety and thanking the mages for their efforts. Laughter filled the air as villagers shared food, drinks, and stories, making Richard feel truly welcome.
After enjoying the festivities, the two mages finally retired for the night, getting some well-earned rest.
---
The Next Morning
As the sun rose, Richard and Gray packed their belongings, preparing to head back to Magnolia.
"Alright," Gray stretched. "Time to report back to the guild."
Richard nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment after his first real mission.
With that, the two mages set off, leaving Kiwi Village behind and making their way back to Fairy Tail.