Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 76

In his previous life, Yan had never harbored any emotions toward those he encountered due to his duties. They fought because their goals diverged, and he was well aware of that.

However, it didn’t mean he lacked aversions.

“That guy is the worst,” Yan thought, looking disdainfully at Jeren Jazak, who sat arrogantly before him. Jeren manipulated those who followed him, diverting funds meant for soldiers to line his own pockets. A typical corrupt noble who exploited his position shamelessly.

Yet, the intricate web of imperial politics made it challenging for the Special Task Force to easily remove such individuals. They couldn’t simply oust these corrupt nobles who manipulated the system.

“Special Task Force?” Jeren Jazak raised his chubby chin, scrutinizing Yan and his companions. Although the dragonling recruits from the Wyvern Project had gone missing, Jeren hadn’t heard of any support from the Special Task Force.

And the current overall commander of the Wyvern Project was…

“Ugh,” Jeren groaned.

The man who vowed to rescue the lost trainees wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

“Are you trying to impersonate the Special Task Force?” Jeren spat out, his face reddening.

The surrounding nobles, who had been subtly flattering him, now joined in the uproar.

“Who does this kid think he is? Does he know where he is?”

“Maybe he needs a good beating to regain his senses!”

Yan chuckled at their bluster. These nobles were insufferable, only understanding threats and intimidation.

Suddenly, Cruel stepped forward, drawing her sword. “Are we going to tolerate these fools? Look at them! Can’t they recognize a fellow warrior?”

His menacing presence silenced the nobles. Cruel’s blade gleamed, and his resolve was unwavering.

“See that noble over there?” Yan pointed at Lorena, who stood behind Jeren. “She’s the sole daughter of Duke Frost. Can you handle that?”

Jeren’s face paled. The Special Task Force might be unfamiliar to him, but surely he understood the implications of opposing a noble from the powerful Beowulf faction.

Jeren’s trembling eyes revealed his blind faith in Duke Beowulf. His trust exceeded all reason.“Even within my own ranks, I can’t protect you!” Jeren’s desperation showed.

“An ignorant fool,” Yan muttered. He’d explained everything patiently, yet Jeren remained stubbornly loyal to the Duke.

Yan’s patience waned. He seized Jeren’s collar.

“You, the greedy pig, dare to challenge the Special Task Force?” Yan’s voice was icy.

Jeren’s futile struggles only tightened Yan’s grip. “All you’ve received is a warning.”

“Behind me stands Count Zion, the Eastern Front Commander! The Grand Lord of the East!” Jeren’s voice quivered.

Yan’s disappointment deepened. Jeren’s blind faith in Zion surpassed imagination.

“Do you really think he’ll protect you? Even if it means clashing with one of the Sea Lords?” Yan mocked.

Jeren’s eyes widened, and he finally wrenched free from Yan’s grasp. His faith in Zion bordered on delusion.

“An unknown nobody dares to grab the Eastern Front Commander’s collar!” Jeren stammered.

Yan’s face remained blank. He hadn’t expected such foolishness.

“Even if I strangle this idiot, no one would object,” Yan thought, reminiscing about his days as the Special Task Force leader. Back then, he could have executed Jeren without question.

With a sigh, Yan turned away. There was no point arguing with such incompetence.

“Apologize to Lord Jeren,” Jeren’s trembling voice pleaded.

“Where are those ruffians who barged in here? Knights! Where are my knights?” Jeren’s desperation grew.

Cruel, unable to tolerate their behavior, drew his sword. “These vermin think they can defy us? Should I silence them permanently?”

His menacing aura silenced the nobles, and Yan’s group exited the room.

* * *

Title: “The Forsaken Frontier”

Outside, Crewman Cruel spat defiantly.

“Kak! Unbelievable! How can those imbeciles be in charge at the front lines?”

Roman, Lorena, and even Charl couldn’t help but roll their eyes at their incompetence.

“Pathetic fools.”

“If this were the North, they’d all have lost their heads.”

“Because of them, all the trainees who came here are probably missing.”

Yet, unlike the rest of the group, Yan refrained from adding any comments.

Being that foolish was perhaps better than having a cunning mind, especially if it meant avoiding unnecessary interference with their mission.

But…

“I can’t help but dislike them.”

Yan turned his head, eyeing the nearby tavern.

If the opportunity arose, he’d step inside and make his point.

For now, though, he pushed that thought aside.

Clap!

When Yan clapped his hands, the group turned their attention to him.

“From now on, we gather the necessary supplies and head to the Forsaken Frontier.”

“Already? Can’t we take a break?”

Cruel’s words made Yan raise an eyebrow.

There was no need to waste time unnecessarily. Staying here longer wouldn’t benefit them, and there was always the risk of some dim-witted Jeren causing trouble.

Better to leave now and carry out their mission.

Yan immediately led the group toward the supply depot.

The once-disciplined soldiers, now disheveled and drunk, eyed Yan’s team.

“Hey there, ladies! Where’s the fire? How about a drink before you go?”

“We’ll make sure you have a good time!”

Lorena, who had faced such advances countless times before entering the training camp, remained unfazed. Unlike the more reserved Lorena, Charl’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Clang!

“Pay them no mind. These useless men won’t do us any good.”

Lorena re-sheathed her sword, her icy gaze unwavering.

If it weren’t for Yan’s debt, she’d have sliced these filthy creatures into pieces.

But Yan’s favor weighed heavily on her, preventing her from acting rashly.

However, even Lorena’s patience had its limits.

When they reached the supply depot, filled with essential goods for the front lines…

“Hehe, who’s this young lady?”

“Judging by her attire, she seems like a commoner who wants to rise in the ranks.”

Two knights, adorned in gleaming full plate mail, approached them.

Their eyes roamed over Yan’s group, their lips curling in amusement.

Yan stepped forward, blocking their path.

“We’re reinforcements. We have business at the supply depot. If it’s not urgent, step aside.”

The knights exchanged puzzled glances.

Then one of them smirked.

“Hahaha! Reinforcements?”

“You think we’d believe you? Oh, but now that I think about it, there is something we need help with…”

The knight’s lecherous gaze swept over Lorena and Charl.

Lorena’s eyes turned frigid.

“…I can’t stand this.”

A chilling aura emanated from her, causing her hair to stand on end.

Finally realizing their mistake, the knights stammered.

“W-Wait! Who are you?”

“Y-You!”

When Lorena drew her sword, Yan moved faster.

Thunk!

In an instant, Yan knocked one knight’s helmet off.

“Ugh!”

The knight’s eyes widened as blood spurted from his nose.

But Yan wasn’t finished. He pulled a dagger from his belt and jammed it into the other knight’s groin.

Squelch!

Their once-pristine trousers now stained with blood, the knights collapsed to the ground.

Yan bent down, pressing his foot against their faces.

“Behave yourselves. We’re here for a purpose.”

Ignoring the knights’ horrified stares, Yan entered the supply depot.

“I could have handled that.”

Lorena muttered as she followed him inside.

“If you had, they’d all be dead. Then we’d have a problem. We might not make it to the Forsaken Frontier on time.”

Cruel chuckled, amused.

“I’ve known you were like this since the first test.”

Roman chimed in.

“First test? I knew from the moment I entered the training camp.”

Indeed, Roman had a record of being pummeled with rocks as soon as he arrived.

Charl, too, swung her fists, her eyes blazing.

“Those idiots should’ve been taken care of!”

Three hours after Yan’s group arrived in Gebarion, they boarded their respective mounts and set off swiftly toward the front lines.

Their destination: the Forsaken Frontier, where all manner of undead creatures roamed.