Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Heavy Rain
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The vast coastline stretches out, battered by fierce waves.
Heavy rain pours down relentlessly, making the sea roar savagely. We trudge along those turbulent swells, searching for a new place to settle.
Off in the distance behind us loom the wreckage and massive hull of the crashed Paradise Ship, but we're heading in the opposite direction.
A group of survivors lingers near there.
And they,
are undoubtedly hostile toward us.
"Best to steer clear of sandy beaches. And don't set up too close to the sea—it's dangerous."
Aria speaks up. The ocean is a blessed realm teeming with life, yet also a savage force of waves and currents capable of destroying everything in their path.
"What about that spot? It's jutting out like a cliff."
"That seems like the safest option."
Amy and Aria spot a suitable location.
It's a fairly high and sturdy cliff.
It rises about three meters above sea level.
Even on a stormy day like today, with rain pounding and winds howling, the waves don't reach it. On calmer days, it should be even more comfortable and secure.
"I'll take the trees. Open sky makes my webs all soggy."
We unpack our gear and claim spots to our liking. With different tastes and habits, our territories don't overlap.
Aria by the sea,
Arachne among the trees.
Only me, Amy, Jenny, and Nephyr remain near the rocky cliff.
We need to set up pillars and build shelters. Can't finish everything on day one, so we'll start simple and reinforce bit by bit.
"Sir, let me handle this. Please rest a little today..."
"I'm fine."
I help their work in silence.
Right now, throwing myself into any task feels better.
Simple labor clears the cluttered thoughts. Amid the downpour, I sweep away dirt and pebbles, leveling the ground.
"..."
The only one not working is Jenny.
She's squatting right beside me, chin propped on her hand, just watching me labor.
No prying or nagging like usual.
Right now, she's simply
using her tail to shield my face from the slanting rain.
——— 2 Hours Later ———
The rain shows no sign of stopping.
Thankfully, the basics are done, creating some shelter, but the ground remains sodden.
"Arachne, coming along okay?"
"Dunno. Never built one solo before."
I leave the other tasks to Amy, Nephyr, and Jenny, and check on the rest.
No time to sit. No desire to, either.
"How's it work?"
"Spin webs between trees. But rain's making it a pain. So annoying."
Only Alraune revels in the rain. Her vines and roots surge with vitality, so with her help, I fashion a small canopy over the trees Arachne chose.
No leaks. Sturdy vines, loving the soak, intertwine to shelter Arachne's head.
"...Could've helped sooner."
"My bad."
"Whatever. Thanks."
Arachne, always carried about, builds her first home.
She skipped the hassle by hauling her old web, but inwardly proud, she circles her cozy nook, finishing with care and affection.
"How's it look?"
"Pretty."
Arachne lets me enter her web house first.
At last, my soaked body begins to dry. The sole respite from the rain.
Warmth now fills Arachne's watertight web dwelling.
"Gonna need lights."
The glow stick he left behind lights the interior.
Its warm glow dries the dampness on Arachne and me, body heat slowly returning.
"..."
Arachne eyes me warily from the center, pretending to fuss with furnishings. But her gaze and focus on me are obvious.
"Hey, you good?"
"Yeah."
She seems worried about me.
"Rest up before you go. The other girls'll handle theirs."
"Nah."
Arachne's fidgety fingers snag my right hand, kneading as she speaks.
"You sure? You look... rough right now."
"I'm good."
But I smirk, pat her hand, and step out.
Torrents lash down, but
staying dry and idle would drive me mad.
"Joo-ho, you okay?"
Aria echoes Arachne.
Below the cliff, I help her chip away rough spots in simple work, her sweet voice comforting me the whole time.
"I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
I chisel casually. Aim the chisel Amy passed me, tap lightly with the hammer.
"You're not! What's wrong—you're scaring me..."
"Told you, I'm fine."
Aria gently takes the chisel and hammer, halts the work, cups my cheeks tearfully.
"Just rest. Got it? With your uncle."
Only then I spot Isaac, isolated up top.
Blank-faced, he stares at the rainy sea, despair etching his hollow eyes.
"Go rest. Don't push. Tell me if it hurts. I'll stay. Okay? Huh?"
I shake my empty hands awkwardly and climb.
Can't leave Isaac alone. I forget woes with grunt work; he has nothing.
His usual maturity looks pathetically shabby today.
Lower body gone, his once-sturdy back now a drenched rat.
Isaac doesn't notice me sitting, still gazing seaward.
Hard to speak. Maybe best to sit wordless, horizon-bound.
One minute passes,
five minutes pass,
thirty more,
the sky's indifferent deluge thickens.
Should ease by now, but no.
"Hey, Isaac."
I speak first.
He hears my faint voice over the roar.
"Must be a misunderstanding."
"Maybe."
Short reply.
Neither Isaac nor I know what to say here.
"Probably."
Isaac doesn't cry.
Only rain traces his deep wrinkles.
"But they're alive. It's okay."
Minutes of agony for each word.
Fear he'll shatter keeps me hesitant.
"Alive means we can clear it someday."
No reply.
I glance sideways,
praying for words, pondering survivors.
"Amy vouched for us, so they're talking it out."
Nothing sure.
Meet survivors, hear their side—ideal.
"Slimes made 'em aim rifles at us too. Right? Cindy said as much. Slimes can't mimic me or Isaac... Figured we were slimes or monsters, stayed wary."
Even post-Amy's words, their binding attempt lingers.
Something's wrong. Can't picture acceptance.
"You damn pest. What'd you do? Speak."
I yank the pocket-cowering slime, threaten. But the purple blob extends an arm, sobs, clings for comfort.
Earlier, sensing Cindy and Nicole, it freaked, bouncing mad...
Thought food at first, but now? Fear response.
...Slimes fear survivors.
Maybe
the sea-climbing slime horde fled the Paradise Ship crew?
"...Isaac, it's fine. Next time with Cindy or Nicole, I'll talk."
Don't know.
Nothing clear.
Only seared in mind:
survivors' horrific glares at me.
"...It's okay. Will be fine, so say something."
Head full of eyes—unbearable.
"You like this, I can't cry. My turn now."
Isaac eyes horizon,
I waves blankly.
Cliff-base crashes foam away.
That indifferent nature
erodes our hearts like stone.