Humiliation (2)
To clear the Academy Collapse event smoothly, Lord Sherman's body had to remain intact. But there was a tricky condition: Lord himself couldn't take the lead in the investigation. If he did, the demons would catch on, and the already tough difficulty would skyrocket.
So, before revealing the poison, the protagonist had to go through a consultation event with Lord for a clean clear. Then, inform him about the poison in the tea and keep taking the herbs steadily to fool the demons without raising suspicion. Who'd believe it outright if you just blurted out that the tea was poisoned? First, plant the seed of doubt, and then Lord would buy it.
Last time Lord offered the tea, I couldn't write, so explaining was tough. But now? No problem.
The issue was, even after writing that it was poisoned, he didn't believe me. So I was stuck.
I figured it was because it was me—a wild man, not Luna—telling him.
"You ain't some thick-skulled idiot, are ya?"
Anyway, how the hell was this rat speaking? I stared blankly at Porori, who chattered away so naturally. Not just speaking—fluently.
At first, I couldn't process it, but thinking it over, Porori was a spirit beast. Talking wasn't that weird.
In Soul World, spirit beasts that talk aren't unheard of...
But he'd learned in way too short a time. Not even a month—barely two weeks. I struggled with single words, and this guy was full sentences.
"...Shit."
"How? 'Cause I'm way superior to you, that's how."
"Shit."
Strutting like he owned the place. A puny rat like that.
I scowled fiercely, and Porori crossed his arms with a smirk. Cocky face that grated on my nerves. I burned to smack him.
"Then why can't you talk? Worse than a puny rat."
"……"
"Cat got your tongue? Oh right—you got a mouth but no words."
Cackle-cackle-cackle! Porori laughed his unique trill, baring his squirrel teeth. I gaped, then let out a hollow chuckle. Absurdity overload.
No clue why he spoke before me.
"...Ratatosk?"
"Yeah, miss?"
Ellie called Porori cautiously. He stopped laughing, voice suddenly polite. Total shift from mocking me. Almost gentlemanly—hard to believe he was a beast.
"Um... lots I wanna ask, but first: you understand Sivar?"
"I get all beast talk. Even know what that sparrow outside's saying. He probably does too."
"Oh... okay. Then how'd you learn to speak?"
"Just mimicked you humans from listening."
Porori tilted his head, like why's this hard? Ellie's face twisted more.
Feeling his explanation lacking, Porori scampered off—right onto me. No killing intent, so I let him. He reached my shoulder in a flash and explained.
"Simple if it's about gaining 'intelligence.' Started when I prayed to the heavens to kill this guy."
"...Heavens?"
"Yeah. Nearly died from a lightning strike once? Figured that's it—begged for lightning power. Took about 100 days?"
Ellie's confusion deepened. Everyone else's too. Only knowledgeable Lord stayed calm—though still rattled.
"Exactly 100 days of offering my precious acorns. Then on a perfect day—bam—lightning hit. Blacked out, woke up controlling thunder. That's the story."
"Right after, you met us and fought Sivar?"
"Yup. Words came after meeting you. Gotta hear 'em to learn."
Porori explained crisply, hitting key points. In under two weeks? Humiliating.
"...Spirit beasts that talk pop up sometimes. East had one worshipped as guardian god once."
"You met one, President?"
"Saw one in the East. With an immortal sage."
"Oh yeah? Squirrel like me? Female maybe?"
Porori perked up. Lord shook his head.
"Nah. White-furred tiger."
"Aw, bummer. No female squirrel spirits, huh."
"Shit."
Like I'd care. Porori crossed arms boldly.
"To breed, duh! Why else?"
"……"
Spirit beast or not, still a beast. And I'm worse? Crushing despair.
"Anyway, old human—poison in those herbs. Skip 'em for now. Detox first; it's built up."
"...Really poisoned?"
"Herbs themselves fine. Turns toxic in water. Don't believe? Check later."
"Hmm..."
Lord groaned, eyeing the wall—soaked, with Porori's spat-out herbs below.
"So Sivar knew about the poison too?"
Luna, piecing it together, asked urgently. I nodded. She looked baffled.
"Why not tell us sooner? Even without writing, drawings or gestures work."
If Lord investigates before consulting you, difficulty spikes. He stays support for easy clear. Direct probe opens hellgate—he dies.
Couldn't say it—or wouldn't. Revealing foresight? Headache city.
Wouldn't believe anyway.
Lord'd laugh it off. Trusts his doc too much. Wildman vs. expert? Obvious.
"Shit."
Meaning: Told ya, wouldn't believe. Grumbled a bit.
"Says even if told, you wouldn't believe."
Porori translated from my shoulder. Just "shit," but he got it.
"Well, but..."
Luna and Lord speechless. First time maybe, but second? Still no.
Porori tapped my cheek.
"They trust me more? Animals need words. Right?"
"……"
This rat's trolling. My speechlessness caused this—he's rubbing it in. I glared; he bolted down. Fast when it suits.
On floor, hands behind back, solemn tone.
"Know this? Different thinking would've eased it."
"Shit?"
What now? He explained publicly.
"Like blonde miss said—drawing would've sparked doubt. Old man's experienced; he'd check."
"……"
"But you didn't. You draw well—why not?"
"Sivar draws well?"
Ellie questioned. No drawings here. Cave murals, probably. Can't admit.
"Oh, you misses wouldn't know. I smashed 'em before you saw."
"What were they?"
"Dunno. He's huge; hard to see."
Height issue—lucky. I sighed inwardly.
"Phew."
Why's she relieved? Luna looked glad. I caught my sneaky sigh.
Saw it?
She entered cave first—possible. How she took it matters. Maybe good only she saw. Not the gossip type.
"Back on track—as his brutal fight foe, weird he didn't use that brain."
Spotlight on Porori.
"Clever tactics vs. me, now circling? Acts like fixed answer."
"……"
Smart-ass squirrel. Hit truth I missed. I followed script—minor hitches aside. Lord as support, no direct probe: good enough.
...Could've gone wrong from start.
Kara's close—script says Luna. Unnoticed till now.
Be careful.
Script made me lax. Solid advice... for once.
"Can't talk, duh. Heard civilization starts with language? Can't do basics—thinking stays simple. Right?"
"……"
"Forest loop: eat, sleep, hunt, fight, repeat. Ogres dumb for reason."
"Shit."
This runt. Mouthy. I stomped toward him. Luna blocked frantically.
"Calm down! Sivar! No fighting here!"
"Shit!"
He started it! Porori grinned from Ellie's legs.
"Barbarian who can't talk. Civilized folk converse."
"Ratatosk!"
Luna snapped. He ignored.
"Ratatosk. Keep it up, no acorns."
"...Overdid it? Sorry."
Listened to her—savior bond.
Lord just chuckled. Could take us both—confidence.
"Talking squirrel Ratatosk—wild. God's blessing?"
"Likely. Language boosts magic ease."
"Then Sivar..."
All eyes on me—curse theory.
Nothing to say. Cursing gods tanked Faith to 0. They dragged me here first.
"Shit."
Language? I'll manage sans gods. Lost to beast—but basics first.
Porori perked ears, stroked chin, sly.
"Hm... miss."
"Yeah?"
"He can't say his own name yet."
"He says it."
"Nah."
Shook head.
"He says two syllables; you three. He: 'shi-bal.' You: Shi-var. Got it?"
"Uh... sorta?"
"Start with name."
What's his game? I narrowed eyes. Ellie nodded—makes sense.
"Not bad. Hear that, Sivar?"
"……"
"Suck it up. Talk sooner."
True. Payback later, rat. Closed eyes, opened calm, faced Ellie.
Pretty up close. Gaze down: bountiful chest. Tempting pillow. But pervert stare? Misunderstanding. Focused face.
"Slow now. Shi."
"...Shi."
"Good. Next: var."
"...Var."
"Whoa!"
Not "bal"—her golden eyes widened. Even Porori surprised. Gotcha.
"Great! Again? Shi!"
"Shi."
"Var!"
"Var."
"Yes! Almost!"
She thrilled; I buzzed—talking soon. Others hooked.
Deliver.
"Go! Shi!"
"Shi!"
"Var!"
"Var!"
"Last: r!"
Finale...
"Al!"
"……"
Ah. Shit. Life sucks.
Cackle-cackle! Gack! Heh-heh-gack!
Dead silence but Porori's laughs. Rolled on floor. Ellie's hope crashed; Luna/Lord stifled grins. His mockery worst.
Worse than beast.
"Shi—Sivar? Where?"
"……"
Past frozen Ellie, shuffled weakly. Past rolling Porori, to room.
Neat bed—plush haven. Escape pod.
Flop. Sheets over head. Nothingness. Humiliation sapped will. No kick urge. Just... nothing.
"...Leave him."
"Yeah... hope not too hurt."
Am.Don't talk.
Ignored chatter, burrowed. Fine otherwise—but losing to Porori? Killer.
Speech penalty this brutal? Pray later?
They started shit...
Faith has decreased.
Soul World never hits 0 Faith. Rare drop conditions, hard cap.
Sudden presence—sheet lifted stealthily. Lord? No—puke-face.
"Hey."
Porori grinned, final blow.
"You crying?"
"……"
Shouldn't have spared him.