Young Master Ross knew this beast was not afraid of them and must have seen something much more terrifying. He turned around and was stunned to see a boy his age glaring at the beast.
"You… Who are you?" Young Master Ross asked, however, his question only attracted a brief glare.
Damon glared at the youth and looked away. Judging based on the youth's stance, his pale complexion, and his sweat-drenched face, he knew this boy was just another worthless noble with zero talent.
But why was a noble here?
In this world, there were three classifications for monsters. Normal animals existed across the world like bears, cats, dogs, and others. Then there are beasts, which are basically animals mutated by mana and the magical environment. These creatures are much stronger and possess unique traits, just like the Nightfire wolf.
Finally, there are magic beasts, which are monsters specially and uniquely created by the world with magic cores. Just like humans, magic beasts possess high-level intelligence and can cast spells.
In fact, magic beasts are said to possess a deeper connection to nature and as such, they are better at magic than humans. Thankfully, magic beasts are rare and usually avoid human civilization unless provoked.
"Why are you here?" Damon asked, ignoring the youth's question.
"I came here to hunt…" Young Master Ross's voice trailed off as he wondered why he was the one to answer the questions of a peasant when he asked first.
"Hunting what you can't kill… Foolish." Damon snorted disdainfully before walking away.
In this world, only nobility had the right to own a last name and land. While Damon's parents claimed ownership of a piece of land, it was gifted to him by the Lord Ross family a century ago.
Even after receiving that piece of land, seventy percent of all proceeds from the land belonged to the Ross family, while they kept thirty. For other families who were not privileged to own land, they were assigned lands where they worked, only to be given less than ten percent of the proceeds. Furthermore, the land gifted to peasants can be taken away at any point in time, so it was never theirs to start with.
To Damon's family, they were lucky, but in reality, they were nothing but slaves.
'But that's what peasants are… Slaves.' Damon shrugged.
Young Master Ross must have found a trail of a beast. Thinking highly of himself, he set out to find the beast and slay it. Damon commended his adventurous spirit, but what was the point if he lacked the balls to wield his sword in times of danger?
{Why would he put himself through this?} The voice shared Damon's thoughts, so he grew curious about Young Master Ross.
'Recognition… He is nothing but an overzealous child craving his daddy's praise. Pathetic.' Damon responded as he walked down the path he came from.
{I see… But why is a Beast so close to the town?} The voice asked.
'That was a female Nightfire wolf. My guess is it has cubs and came here while in search of a safe place to raise them. Considering the appetite of these beasts, it's only a matter of time before local hunters cross paths with them. He-he, Death looms over this village.' Damon chuckled mischievously.
{We have to do something about it. Mum and Dad…} the voice pleaded.
"Relax child… Your parents are my only means of survival for now. I can't let them die… At least, not now." Damon grinned and stretched out his right hand.
As he walked, he allowed his outstretched arm to slap against trees while humming a melody he learned three millenniums ago.
"Ignis…" Damon muttered the word in a hushed tone, and his right palm was engulfed in flames while he plucked a flower from a tree.
{What are you doing?} The voice was alarmed as flames began spreading from the tree branch Damon plucked the flower from.
In a matter of seconds, all the tree's branches were engulfed in flames.
'With this weak body, I can't kill a beast, so I'm fixing the problem the only way I know how.' Damon responded casually before snapping his finger.
"Zeph…" Damon's eyes let out a gray light and a gentle wind began to blow.
Swish!
Slowly the strength of the wind increased, and some burning leaves were blown to other trees, spreading the fire.
{I understand if you are trying to burn the beast down with the entire forest, but there are still people here!} The voice complained.
Damon watched black smoke rise while the flames kept spreading.
"The boy is from the Ross family… He is of value. If he dies here, the Ross family will be forced to investigate quickly and deal with the beast. If he survives, there is no evidence that I started the fire, and they will still be compelled to investigate and take action… It's a win-win situation… By the way, this village hasn't produced a mage in decades, there is nothing to worry about." Damon shrugged his shoulders.
The Nightfire wolf was clearly a fire-type beast and had fire resistance, a small forest fire was far from enough to deal with it. The actual target of Damon's fire was the youth and his guards.
If allowed to return home safely, the Ross family can easily keep him safe and act ignorant of the Nightfire wolf's presence. Once a few villagers are dead, extra taxes would be imposed to put together a hunting party to deal with the beast. This was a cycle that had repeated itself on numerous occasions.
By burning the young master alive, the Ross family would be given the incentive to act fast and avenge their dead.
{You are not trying to kill the beast?} The voice was alarmed when it heard Damon's thoughts.
Not bothering to respond, Damon followed the lonely path out of the burning forest and continued his jog like nothing happened. He ran back home and acted like nothing happened.