Magic Is Learned For Nothing [EN]: Chapter 8

# 8

Magic is Born of Misfortune 2

Mark entered the deserted mountains and surveyed his surroundings.

His senses picked up quite a few animals. Not only animals, but numerous monsters must also inhabit the area.

Mark intended to increase his proficiency by engaging in life-or-death battles with them while Legion, his master, was asleep. *The body doesn’t lie.* Even if Legion wasn’t conscious, his body would remember the experience.

Also, he needed to increase the amount of mana in Legion’s dantian [energy center in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine], which was only about the size of a rabbit’s dropping.

To survive, he had a mountain of things to do.

“Ah.”

Mark opened his mouth. A voice came out. It was his first time speaking in a human body.

“Ooh, not bad.”

Mark grinned, amused.

“Master should be grateful to me. When he wakes up, his combat power will have increased significantly.”

He looked around.

To gain experience, he had to find a weak opponent first. Considering Legion’s current combat power, a stray dog would be appropriate. If he focused on increasing the amount of mana and proficiency, Legion could quickly become stronger.

-Starting data collection on the terrain.

A new command appeared in his retina.

To return home, he had to familiarize himself with the terrain. Furthermore, he planned to create a map of this place.

“Now, let’s find them one by one.”

Mark pushed through the bushes and entered the mountains.

He heightened his senses as much as possible. He concentrated his magic power in his palm so that he could cast Fireball, the only magic he could currently use, at any time.

Becoming stronger was his top priority, but Mark had no intention of dying to wild animals or monsters.

* * *

The Düsselph Mountains are said to be the spine of the Baroque Kingdom. In fact, many people benefit from the natural resources of the Düsselph Mountains. However, the Alexander family, located on the outskirts, found it difficult to obtain anything of value from this place.

The Düsselph Mountains, located at the northernmost part of the Baroque Kingdom, were essentially a monster habitat. It was so dangerous that, except for treasure hunters, no one deliberately entered the mountains.

Mark had entered such a place alone.

Naturally, there were many eyes watching him from the moment he entered the mountains.

First, the goblins who had been pushed out by powerful monsters and settled at the entrance of the mountains. Their height was only 120-140 centimeters [approximately 4-4.6 feet]. Some were even smaller than children. However, they were not as weak as human children. Why are monsters called monsters? Because they are freaks.

Usually, humans cannot handle them with their abilities.

They are natural hunters. They move quickly through the forest, unseen, driving their prey into fear and hunting them.

Their strength also exceeds that of ordinary adult men.

Their intelligence is also quite high. It is known that they have an IQ of at least 80.

In particular, the hobgoblins, who can be called the kings of goblins, use something called sorcery—a different form of magic from humans. In many ways, they are difficult to deal with.

Dozens of such goblins were watching Mark’s back.

“It’s a human.”

Mayfield, the largest of the goblins, said.

“No. It’s not a human. It’s too small to be human.”

Omega, who led the goblin tribe, replied.

In fact, Legion’s height was just over 150 centimeters [approximately 5 feet]. He was taller than the goblins, but only about the size of a hobgoblin.

“It looks completely human.”

“It’s not human.”

“Really? Then what is it?”

“It’s a hybrid of human and goblin.”

“A hybrid?”

“Yes, there are no humans that small. Maybe it was abandoned in these mountains because it’s a hybrid.”

“Then what should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do? It’s winter, and we’re short on food. Let’s catch that guy and feed the kids some meat.”

“Not bad.”

Mayfield grinned.

Human meat is quite popular among monsters. Compared to other animals, its skin is tender and easy to chew, and the meat tastes good. If you boil it thoroughly in hot water with various herbs and medicinal plants, the flesh and bones will automatically separate, making it easy to eat.

It is a favorite food of all the monsters in the mountains.

It is called *Samintan* [a fictional term for human meat in the monster world].

The goblins’ mouths watered at the thought of *Samintan*. They hadn’t had enough food for days, and food rations had been reduced a little while ago.

They were so hungry.

“Let’s catch it.”

“Yeah, let’s catch it.”

The goblins held sticks with poisoned needles. They took a breath into their lungs and fired the poisoned needles.

Pook! Pook! Pook! Pook! Pook!

Five poisoned needles flew and hit the head of the human-goblin hybrid. Or so they thought, but they bounced off.

Mayfield and Omega looked at each other.

This had never happened before.

“What is that?”

“The poisoned needles bounced off. That’s strange.”

“Let’s shoot again.”

The goblins put poisoned needles in their sticks, took a deep breath, and blew. *Hook!*

The flying poisoned needles again bounced off without hitting the human’s head. It was as if some magic was protecting the human’s head.

“Is it a dangerous human?”

Mayfield’s voice lowered.

“Maybe. Come to think of it, it’s strange that such a small human is wandering alone in the mountains.”

“A dragon polymorphed into a human form?”

“That’s not it. If it were a dragon, we would have all died as soon as we found that human.”

“I see. Then what is it?”

“It must be a human with a secret power.”

“Then what should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do? The more powerful humans are, the tastier they will be. If poisoned needles don’t work……”

Omega gripped his rusty hand ax tightly and got up from his seat, continuing.

“Let’s catch it with our own hands.”

“Are you sure?”

“It doesn’t look like a knight. Ordinary guys are terribly weak.”

“That’s true.”

“Now, let’s catch that guy and let the kids feast for the first time in a while.”

At Omega’s words, Mayfield grinned and got up from the floor. He shook hands with Omega, his best friend.

Omega is an excellent leader.

He had never steered them wrong. As he said, today he would be able to show the children the taste of meat. It was just that the human who had caught their eye was unlucky.

That’s what they thought…….

* * *

The most surprised was Mark.

He knew that the passive skill was working, but such amazing defense! The poisoned needles that suddenly flew did not penetrate his hard head.

Then goblins popped out and attacked.

-Monster analysis complete. They are intelligent and have their own civilization, so they belong to the demihuman race rather than monsters. Their combat power is the lowest among the demihuman race. However, they are more skilled at hunting than humans. Their average combat power is 25.

Mark nodded.

Legion’s current combat power is 30. That is the combat power when he is not using magic and the passive skill is not activated.

When the passive skill Iron Head is activated, the overall combat power increases to 60.

If he uses Fireball, it soars to 120 for a moment.

They are the perfect opponents to increase proficiency in combat.

“Die! Human!”

The goblins swung their hand axes.

Mark quickly stepped back. He thought he was quick, but he wasn’t very fast. It was Legion’s body, which lacked athletic ability.

-Ah, it’s really useless.

The goblins approached Mark, who was retreating, even faster.

“Oh? This seems dangerous.”

It’s auto mode now. Legion was in a deep sleep. He was moving with automatic settings to become stronger with the mind of only wanting to serve his master.

But it would be a disaster if he was defeated like this.

How upset would Legion be when he woke up? Ah, let’s imagine that he woke up, stretched, and found himself in the water that the goblins had boiled. The goblins are drooling and looking at him.

Ah, how terrible.

Legion would be really dumbfounded.

So he had to get out of their attack somehow.

Mark gathered magic power in his palm. It was to make a fireball and give the goblins a hit.

But the goblins’ attack was a little faster. Their hand axes struck Mark’s head hard.

Ding-

Ding?

Why is there such a sound from my head?

“Th, this damn it! What! This human?”

The goblins were embarrassed. The hand axes they swung did not smash Mark’s head. They looked back and forth between the hand axes and Mark’s head.

Thinking that maybe the hand axes were faulty.

Mark was also embarrassed. The passive skill of Iron Head that he was thinking about was much more useful than he’d imagined. Maybe it would be more effective than Fireball.

He immediately threw himself at the goblins.

And headbutted them.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just five attacks were enough to knock down the goblins. The goblins grabbed their faces and rolled on the floor.

They looked at Mark with terrified eyes.

“It’s a disaster. It wasn’t a human after all. I knew it was strange.”

Omega muttered without even wiping the blood flowing from his face.

“What? Then what is that?”

Mayfield asked, trembling.

“It’s a dragon. Judging from the black hair, it’s definitely a Black Dragon.”

“Black Dragon? The most ferocious of the dragons?”

“That’s right. Damn it, we got the wrong one.”

“Then what should we do?”

“If we don’t want our goblin village to be destroyed, we have to please the Black Dragon.”

“Then can we live?”

“We have to try our best.”

Omega quickly knelt down. And he shouted while hitting his head on the floor.

“I’m sorry. Great one. We didn’t recognize your advent.”

When Omega shouted, the other goblins also knelt down and shouted the same thing to Mark, asking for forgiveness.

Mark tilted his head. What’s wrong with these guys?

“Great one! How did you come to such a humble place!”

“…….”

What are these guys saying now? Do they know that I time-warped from the future? A demihuman race?

“Great one! Is this your first time here?”

“Yes, it’s my first time.”

*My first time?* Is that how dragons usually talk?

“Ah, I see. Do you have business in the Düsselph Mountains?”

“I have business here.”

*This is the only training place to level up my skills.* I was trying to find stray dogs, but a demihuman race came out, which is a problem.

“I see. If you’re okay with it, we’ll help the great one. So……”

Omega was forcibly swallowing the words, *please don’t burn our village with your breath.*

“Really? Then I’ll do that. Wouldn’t it be easier if you guys helped me?”

Mark nodded.

That’s good. I can complete the map of this mountain with the help of the goblins. In addition, I can increase my proficiency through sparring with them. When my overall combat power increases to some extent, I can go out and find a slightly stronger demihuman race or monster.

Somehow things are getting easier.

Mark smiled.

The goblins felt a chill down their spines as they watched Mark’s smile. *Surely he’s not going to transform into his true form and put us in his mouth in one bite.*

* * *

A festival was held in the goblin village.

A festival was natural since they had invited a great person.

Mayfield and the goblin warriors woke up all the female goblins, children, and old people who were sleeping and told them to prepare food.

The children who woke up from sleep were annoyed.

“Be quiet. The great one is listening.”

Mayfield said to the children, putting his finger to his mouth.

“Why.”

The children were annoyed.

“A Black Dragon in the form of a human is outside. If we don’t please him, our village will disappear tonight.”

All the children stopped breathing when they heard the words Black Dragon.

Some of the surprised children even hiccuped.

“Come out quickly. Come out and give pleasure to the great one.”

Mark watched the village festival that suddenly unfolded.

Dozens of goblins were dancing in front of him wearing strange clothes. But something was wrong. None of the goblins were smiling. They were dancing passionately with fearful eyes.

If Mark were human, he would have noticed the strange atmosphere a long time ago, but unfortunately, Mark is not human.

“Here……”

Omega put all kinds of precious metals in a large bowl and offered it to Mark.

It was widely known that dragons liked shiny crafts, jewels, and metals.

Omega also knows that.

To prevent the village from burning down, it was important to please the Black Dragon. To do that, the precious metals they had collected were not important at all.

“What is this?”

“I hope you like it.”

Omega lowered his head again.

Mark looked at the piles of jewels in front of him.

-Intermediate gold 30g, low-grade ether 20g, and about 100g of unidentified metal.

The analysis system analyzed the metals in front of him.

Mark looked at the metals with a satisfied expression. If he decomposed all of these, Legion’s magic power would increase significantly.

*I don’t know why the goblins are giving out precious metals.*

“I’ll use it gratefully.”

“You’re welcome.”

At Mark’s words, Omega lowered his forehead to the floor.

Mark put the gold in his mouth first.

-Starting decomposition. The total amount of mana has increased by 2. The overall combat power is now 31.

-Decomposed. Strength has increased. The overall combat power is now 32.

Oh! Good. Good. My combat power is increasing like crazy. Then shall I decompose this too?

Mark put a metal he had never seen before in his mouth.

-Decomposed. It is the highest grade mixed steel. The passive skill Iron Head evolves. Hardness has increased. Intelligence has decreased by -1 to 96.

-Iron Head evolves. The hardness of the head has increased. Intelligence has decreased by -1 to 95.

Iron Head……. Iron Head……. Iron Head…….

.

.

.

.

-Iron Head evolves. The hardness of the head has increased. Intelligence has decreased by -1 to 80.

Mark was shocked.

He couldn’t stop leveling up his passive skill. He never imagined that the metal he decomposed last would have such a great power.

This is a disaster.

Even Mark’s artificial intelligence couldn’t think of a word to deal with the current situation. If there is one:

*Fuck, I’m screwed.*