Bear School Astartes

”Alright, it seems you’re not the one either.”

Lann checked the last team member’s back wound and confirmed that this person was not cursed by the Deer-Head Spirit either.

The big guy visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though what the Grand Commander said somewhat diminished the terror of the Curse, humans are social creatures after all, and it’s certainly better to live with others than in isolation.

However, Lann looked a bit troubled.

This was the last injured person from the Molten Mountain Dragon blockade battle.

If no one in the investigation team was marked, then there were only two possibilities.

One was that the Deer-Head Spirit did not release its mark at all.

The second possibility was... its mark was placed in its territory long before the Molten Mountain Dragon blockade battle.

So there was no need to transfer the mark to someone in the investigation team.

This is tricky...

Lann thought with a troubled frown.

To continue the investigation, we have to find the territory the Deer-Head Spirit has marked.

But the only one who knows the way is the Grand Commander, who is currently resting.

He is indeed a powerful Hunter, but in this wild and untamed New Continent, he too has to return to the Star Base for rest from time to time.

To ensure his physical state, mental state, and equipment are restored.

And this time, it’s the first time in nearly a year and a half he’s returned to the investigation team.

Although he looks like a Super Saiyan in his third phase, looking robust, in reality, both his body and mind are burdened with a lot of fatigue.

He needs at least a week of proper rest.

Despite not showing it clearly, the Grand Commander, as an old friend of the Commander-in-Chief and Little Jack’s grandfather, is over seventy years old.

He isn’t part of the Dragon-man Race, nor is he an enhanced person like Lann; he’s just a strong human being. This age likely makes his strength decline.

Having an elderly man, who is exhausted to the brink of physical issues, lead an expedition is something Lann isn’t inclined to do.

Waiting for a little more than a week isn’t too much to ask, hopefully.

Thus, Lann followed the Grand Commander and a contingent that needed to return to the Star Base for tasks ahead.

Meanwhile, the others continued to excavate the massive treasure left behind by the Molten Mountain Dragon to replenish the investigation team’s resources.

When they returned to the Star Base on a winged dragon, the once bustling and lively base seemed empty.

Only with their return did it come alive a bit.

”Haha, the base looks quite novel this way.”

The Grand Commander jumped off the winged dragon and eagerly headed into the base.

”During the base’s initial construction, we were constantly busy here, and never found time to relax. I was thinking of taking a few days off for everyone, but then the Molten Mountain Dragon crossed the Ancient Dragon Crossing.”

”I feel though...” Lann followed behind him, pouting.

”Even if you gave them time off, they’d probably end up doing the same things they usually do, like observing wildlife and capturing small animals.”

The Grand Commander scratched his dense blonde hair, then burst into hearty laughter.

”You’re probably right! That’s hunters for you! Hahaha!”

After laughing, the Grand Commander waved to Lann and the others and left first.

He needed efficient and profound recuperation to quickly begin his next deep expedition into the New Continent.

In the Star Base, he also had his own dedicated Hunter’s Lodge, and being a veteran hunter, he would arrange his recuperation program.

The advance team that returned also went back to their respective departments to restart the operations of the Star Base at low power.

And began dealing with the issues that had piled up at the base during their absence.

Such as building damage, abnormal nursery growth, and pest and disease control within the base.

Lann, however, was more straightforward; he also had his own tasks to attend to...

”Let’s dissect that Fierce Claw!”

Without stopping, Lann arrived at the territory of the Ecological Research Institute!

And enthusiastically suggested to the old Dragon-man chief.

Since the main goal of the Molten Mountain Dragon blockade battle was ’combat,’ and ’research’ was a minor aspect, only a few young and robust scholars accompanied them for emergencies.

Most people stayed at the Star Base.

The old chief, sitting among piles of books, wearing reading glasses, and wobbling as he read.

Raised his head stiffly to look at Lann, and the Demon Hunter was sure he saw the eyes behind those reading glasses grow brighter.

The old chief sprang up with a ’whoosh’!

”Oh ho! Young ones, hunters who can steadily suppress the Fierce Claw have appeared! Now we can start the research!”

Suddenly, a large group of Dragon-man Race and humans, dressed in scholar’s robes, rushed out from nowhere, holding their books tightly as they sprinted towards where the captured creatures were kept.

They moved so fast that a few pages flew out of their arms and slapped Lann in the face.

The Demon Hunter had to pout and peel the pages off his face.

How could they bear to treat this face like that?

When fighting others, no one ever hit my face!

The scholars’ behavior made Lann feel a bit of self-doubt.

But soon, the sound of the Barbaric Jaws Dragon waking up from anesthesia came from a distance.

The Demon Hunter couldn’t afford to linger in self-doubt and quickly ran in that direction.

Fortunately, when Lann arrived, nothing unexpected happened.

The monsters that passed through these scholars’ hands were probably more numerous than hunters, and they were adept at throwing anesthetic balls.

Working together, they skillfully pulled the overly asymmetrical-legged Barbaric Jaws Dragon out of the cage using the base’s pulling device.

Many scholars couldn’t wait to dip their quills in ink, readying blank notebooks.

”I heard before that you wanted to participate in the research on the Fierce Claw?”

The head of the research institute stood on a stack of wooden crates, barely reaching shoulder height with Lann, and confirmed with him.

”I am indeed interested in the bodily systems of monsters, especially their mutations and expressions.”

Lann readily admitted.

”Hmm, there are many examples of hunters doubling as scholars. Many hunters at the Dragon Calendar Institute on the Old Continent have published papers, so that’s not an issue. As long as you can still balance your role as a hunter, ensuring research safety is all that matters.”

”That’s not difficult.”

Lann patted the large sword on his back, which emitted a low, resonant ringing as he flashed a calm smile.

”If it wakes up midway, I’ll put it back down. Quick and steady assurance.”