GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 16.2: Breakpoint Behemoth

His tactics had worked, but barely. The behemoth's dark projectiles had nearly finished him, even with Landre's Light Blessing protection. Next time, he'd need a better counter-strategy against ranged void attacks.

Maybe a reflective barrier spell? Or a faster evasion technique? He mentally cataloged these thoughts for later practice.

"Young master Vel?"

The soft, concerned voice broke through his tactical assessment. Hileya's voice. He didn't turn to look, his body too exhausted to move, but hearing her voice—safe and unharmed—brought a small smile to his face.

Around them, guards had already begun cleanup efforts, dragging smaller debris away and tending to the wounded. The sky remained a deep purple.

Rest now. Analyze later.

He closed his eyes, letting the sounds of activity wash over him. For once, the perfectionist in him—the game designer always seeking improvement—could wait. Right now, he couldn't think of anything else but the promise of sleep.

"Vel! Vel!" Celia's voice carried a mix of worry and teasing. "Don't die on us now!"

"I'm not dying!" Vel snapped back, though his voice lacked any real irritation. "Just want to close my eyes."

He attempted to sit up but immediately regretted the decision as pain shot through his ribs. "Can someone help me to my tent?"

Both Celia and Hileya moved without hesitation, each taking one of his arms and carefully lifting him to his feet. Their combined support made walking bearable, though every step sent fresh aches through his battered body.

As they made their way across the outpost, Vel noticed the soldiers they passed. Many offered respectful nods—acknowledgment from warriors who'd witnessed his performance against the behemoth. The recognition felt strange but not unwelcome.

When they reached his tent area, Vel's heart sank. The canvas lay in tatters, torn apart by the behemoth's initial rampage. Stakes jutted from the ground at odd angles, and his belongings were scattered across the dirt.

"Well, that's just perfect," he muttered.

Hileya immediately began gathering his things while Celia helped him settle against a nearby supply crate. The hard wood wasn't comfortable, but it would have to do.

And just like that, the night was gone—his first real foe defeated through good teamwork. He just hoped he'd get enough sleep to recover for tomorrow's journey.

Morning sunlight filtered through the tent flap, casting a golden sheen across Vel's face. The previous night's battle still evident in every ache and pain. Outside, voices and movement indicated the outpost was already bustling with activity.

Vel emerged from his tent to find a small crowd gathered around the behemoth's corpse. A tall, thin man in official-looking attire circled the massive creature, occasionally stopping to make notes on a small parchment.

"Who's that?" Vel asked, approaching Celia who stood nearby watching the proceedings.

"An inspector." she replied without taking her eyes off the scene. "Arrived at dawn to assess the behemoth's remains."

The inspector prodded at the creature's hide with a metal rod, carefully noting its thickness and resistance. He extracted samples of its blood, scales, and even shards of its broken horn, meticulously labeling each specimen.

"Those parts will fetch a good price," Mora commented, joining them. "Behemoth hide alone is worth more than most villagers see in months. Add the void corruption element, and scholars will pay double for research materials."