Tough Nick

"That chicken thief was the black goat in the poultry yard."

"The black goat?"

Lockent cried out in shock.

As they talked, they soon arrived at a corner of the livestock farm.

Nick stopped some distance from the poultry yard and said, "Bring that black goat out."

No one moved.

Father glanced over and snorted. "I was only worried that the fighting would damage your property. If you are not concerned about that, I can go in myself."

Kraun asked softly, "Father, is it dangerous?"

"No. The Evil Spirit has not realized it has been exposed yet. Otherwise, it would have already fled."

Just then, the plump female servant in the poultry yard saw a group approaching, with her employer among them, and hurried out of the yard.

"Mr. Lockent. Father."

Lockent nodded. "Vasha, go bring out that black goat."

The maid did not understand why, but she obeyed.

There were three goats in the poultry yard—one black and two brownish-yellow—so there was no chance of confusing them.

The black goat was led out, still chewing grass.

Father watched the goat with interest for a while, then ordered, "Step back. The farther, the better."

The others readily complied and moved away.

Once they had gone a good distance, Nick took several strides forward and charged at the black goat. At the same time, the Flail in his hand lit up with red light.

When the Flail struck, the gory scene Kraun had imagined did not occur.

Instead, black mist gushed from the black goat's seven orifices. It rose onto its hind legs, its body swelling.

Its limbs became abnormally thick and powerful. The hooves on its lower body grew especially huge, while its upper hooves transformed into humanlike hands, their nails becoming claws.

The goat's face did not change much, except much of the black fur had faded away, and its eyes had turned blood-red.

The horns atop its head became thicker and more curved, wreathed in swirling black smoke.

The transformed Goat-Headed Monster caught the spiked metal ball of the Flail in its left hand, and an oddly mocking expression appeared on its face.

The Goat-Headed Monster violently swung its arm, flinging Father into the air along with the Flail.

It swung the Flail and smashed Father viciously into the ground.

Nick did not land in any sorry state. He stood firmly on the ground.

Kraun finally relaxed. The Goat-Headed Monster's movements were incredibly swift, and he had been deeply worried that Father would die before accomplishing anything.

If that happened, everyone here would be buried with him.

The instant Nick landed, he stepped backward and yanked the Goat-Headed Monster toward himself.

He raised his Round Shield and slammed it into the monster's face.

Most creatures had fragile noses, and the Goat-Headed Monster was no exception.

Kraun saw that its black nose had collapsed and turned blood-red.

The Goat-Headed Monster released the Flail and staggered back several steps in pain.

Rather than pressing the attack, Nick retreated several steps.

He muttered a few words rapidly, then raised his left hand. Blazing crimson flames ignited across the Round Shield.

The Goat-Headed Monster let out an angry roar and violently stomped its right hoof onto the ground, sending a ring of dust billowing outward.

At that moment, pale blue-white flames also lit up around its two hooves.

As those flames rose, a layer of white frost formed across the ground, spreading outward from the monster.

The tips of the Goat-Headed Monster's fur were also coated in snow-white frost.

When the dust settled, Kraun's sharp eyes noticed clear depressions in the ground.

"Urgh."

A low growl came from its mouth. Kraun noticed that its teeth had become serrated like those of a carnivorous beast.

Drawing his pistol, Kraun prepared to lend Father a hand.

Nick burst into wild laughter and charged forward, swinging the Flail.

The monster was not to be outdone. It stomped again and lunged forward, waving its claws.

Man and monster grappled together. They moved so fast that Kraun could see only two blurred afterimages.

His hope of helping was dashed. The combatants were far too fast; his eyes seemed unable to keep up with their movements.

Depressions of varying depths continuously appeared in the ground, and Kraun watched with surging excitement.

A Mystic could unleash such destructive power. This only strengthened his resolve to save enough money to become a Crusader Order Warrior.

No, he needed to earn even more money. Becoming a Crusader Order Warrior would only be the beginning. Father had said that daily training costs were not cheap.

About five minutes passed before the two seemed to have determined the victor.

The Goat-Headed Monster came rolling through the air, flying far away before scrambling to its feet in disarray.

Nick stood where the battle had just taken place, only breathing a little harder.

Seizing the opportunity, Kraun swiftly fired the Righteous Bullet at the Goat-Headed Monster.

Bang! Bang!

He emptied the magazine. Six bullets formed a neat cross and embedded themselves in the monster's chest.

Kraun's pupils contracted sharply. From more than thirty meters away, pistol bullets could not even penetrate the enemy's flesh.

He swallowed, finally understanding just how vast the gap was between himself and Transcendence creatures.

Though he had inflicted only superficial wounds on the monster, he had hurt it.

The Goat-Headed Monster looked toward him and let out two savage roars.

Nick adjusted his breathing and strode toward the monster.

The Goat-Headed Monster roared fiercely, but kept backing away.

Suddenly, it turned and fled, moving so fast that it left behind only a black afterimage.

It raced to the fence, leaped high into the air, and easily cleared the several-meter-high barrier.

Nick did not pursue it. Instead, he swung the handle of his Flail.

The Iron ball on it glowed as though it had been heated red-hot, becoming a ball of fire.

He hurled the Flail with all his strength. A red flash streaked out and struck the airborne Goat-Headed Monster in the blink of an eye.

The monster crashed heavily outside the wall, the Iron ball of the Flail completely buried in its back.

Lockent ran excitedly to Nick's side. "Praise the Lord of Flame. If not for your arrival, Father, we might have perished in that monster's jaws as well."

Nick placed a hand over his chest and replied calmly, "Praise the Lord of Flame. It was the Lord who gave me the courage and strength to defeat evil. You may make a few more offerings to the church, sir."

Kraun was walking over when he heard Father's words, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

An offering meant a donation. Father had said it so directly and naturally.

"I will. This Sunday, I will make an offering to the church, and I am willing to make one every first Sunday of the month."

At first, Kraun thought the owner of the livestock farm was truly wealthy and generous. But upon further thought, he found it perfectly understandable.

In an age when evil walked the earth, building a good relationship with a Father who could slay monsters would greatly protect both one's life and property.

It was clearly a case of spending a little to safeguard a lot.

Kraun had found the reason why Lockent had started his business later than Ronnie, yet was wealthier than Ronnie.

This was what vision was. No wonder Lockent had been able to grow his business so large and strong.