Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Screams from Underground (3)
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Blood trickled down his finger and fell onto the blade. Instead of pooling or sliding off, the droplet seeped straight into the sword. Ronan's eyes widened.
"Rice ball geezer... what the hell did you make?"
It was a sword far removed from common sense in every way. A red glow shimmered across the surface of the blood-soaked blade. Through the translucent metal, the scenery of the forge was faintly visible.
Its weight was astonishingly light. Even swinging a bundle of rice straw the same size wouldn't feel this light. Ronan spun the blade a few times in the air and frowned.
"Damn, it won't snap the moment it hits something, will it?"
Out of unease, Ronan grabbed an extra longsword and dagger. Just in case the new sword proved useless.
As he stepped out of the forge, he spotted Cita and Asel bustling about.
Every time debris floated into the air, more buried people emerged. Those already rescued lay in a row on the ground, receiving Cita's healing magic.
The reinforcements Marya had gone to fetch hadn't arrived yet. Ronan broke into a run, following the giants' footprints.
'Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it...'
Didikan stepped carefully. Fortunately, his footsteps weren't too loud. He even resented the fact that he was a living creature who needed to breathe.
"Groooar... groooar..."
In the center of the vast cavern, three cave giants sprawled around Didikan. A foul sulfur stench leaked out with every breath from the ugly rock heaps.
He felt like he'd pass out if he let his guard down even for a moment. The werewolf's naturally sensitive nose and the heat building inside his full plate armor clouded his mind.
Yet Didikan couldn't remove the armor. The moment the transparency enchantment wore off, the cave giants would tear him to shreds. Tears welled in Didikan's eyes.
'How the hell did it come to this...!'
It had all started in the newly dug tunnel. Rock suddenly collapsed, revealing a vast cavern.
And unfortunately, it was the cave giants' lair. The giants, enraged by the intrusion, chased the miners all the way to Gran Cappadocia.
The cave giants turned Gran Cappadocia into ruins in mere hours. They smashed buildings by hurling house-sized boulders and scooped up lava with their hands to pour into the streets.
It was unprecedented, and so sudden there was no time to respond. After wrecking the town, the giants snatched a few miners and craftsmen as snacks.
Doron the elder was one of them. Didikan remembered Doron getting captured after stubbornly insisting on protecting his works.
'That foolish old man. Did he think he was some warrior?'
Didikan crept past the giants, delving deeper into the cave. At last, the cavern they used as a lair came into view.
Didikan swallowed hard. A dozen cave giants slept or wandered about. In that moment, his werewolf ears picked up something.
"I don't wanna die... I don't wanna die... Damn it, Master Doron. We're gonna die, right? Yeah, we are?"
"High chance of that. But we can't give up hope until the very end."
Doron's voice mixed into the conversation. Didikan quickened his pace.
Soon, he saw a cluster of huddled people. Doron sat beside a young man who looked extremely anxious.
"Aren't you scared, Master? W-we're gonna die... get eaten by those giants...!"
"I'm fine. No regrets in my life. Just a bit sorry I couldn't pass that sword on to the kid."
Doron murmured bitterly. He was satisfied to end his life's work with such a masterpiece, yet regretted not delivering it to its owner. At least he'd saved the forge by sacrificing his body.
The young man, who had been gnawing his nails, suddenly shot to his feet.
"Damn it! I can't die here! I don't wanna be monster chow!"
"Wait, lad!"
Doron tried to stop him, but to no avail. The young man bolted for the exit. Naturally, his footsteps drew attention, and the nearest giant chased him down.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. The giant caught him in just four steps and snatched him up.
"Aaaah! Save me!!"
The young man screamed in the giant's grasp. The cave giant shoved his head into its mouth.
Didikan turned away. Crunch! Blood exploded from between the rock lips.
'Damn it...'
The giant that ate the young man returned to its spot. Didikan gritted his teeth.
He had to rescue Doron before it was too late. At that moment, a chill ran up his spine.
"Grohk?"
"Shit."
Didikan slowly turned. One cave giant stared blankly at him. As he averted his gaze, he realized the armor's transparency had failed.
'Of all times...!'
The enchantment was still incomplete. He had to achieve his goal quickly. The moment Didikan lunged toward Doron—
"Groooar!"
"Gah!"
A cave giant appeared behind him and kicked him. Bam! Didikan flew and slammed into the wall.
"Urk, guh...!"
The impact nearly knocked him out, piercing through the armor. Coughing blood, he slid down the wall. Doron, spotting him, widened his eyes.
"Didikan? What are you doing here...?"
"Cough, shut up, old man. Run...!"
No options left. Didikan hurled off his helmet. His body nearly doubled in size as gray-brown fur sprouted all over. Now in beastman form, Didikan charged the giant that kicked him.
"Come on!"
"Groooar!"
Riding the giant, Didikan swung his fists. A dull thud, and the rocks covering the giant's face shattered. The captives scattered in panic.
"Heuk! Didikan?"
"N-now's the time! Run!"
"Groooar!"
The roar drew more cave giants charging in with howls. Their attention fixed on Didikan. Seeing Doron still frozen, Didikan bellowed.
"What are you waiting for? I said run!"
The giants were almost upon them. Cursing, Didikan leaped, scooping Doron into his arms and rolling. Instantly, rocky fists and kicks rained down.
"Ugh! Grk! Ngh!"
Four giants surrounded and stomped Didikan relentlessly. Blows like siege rams battered him without cease. Though a sturdy werewolf, Didikan was helpless here.
'Should've learned to fight properly. Should've listened to big bro.'
As consciousness faded, his brother's face surfaced. Then one giant hoisted a massive boulder.
"Groh! Groh!"
Bigger than a chicken coop. This is it. Didikan closed his eyes in resignation. That's when a familiar voice rang out.
"Not late. Good."
Thud! The giant holding the boulder toppled sideways. Blinking, it looked down at its lower body. Yellowish blood gushed from the severed ankle.
"Grohk?"
Its detached foot lay nearby. As it grasped the situation and opened its mouth to scream in pain, a shadow leaped onto its body and swung.
Slash. A yellow line appeared on the giant's neck, and its head hit the ground.
"Guuk?"
"Groooar?!"
The stomping giants turned. Didikan, slowly raising his head, murmured dreamily.
"You..."
"Hm. Won't need this after all."
Ronan tossed the longsword from his right hip. Seeing the sword in Ronan's hand, Didikan's eyes bulged. Ronan gave him a thumbs-up.
"Looked badass, Didikan. Great fight."
"Ro... Ronan? H-how'd you get here... the other giants?"
"Oh. The ones on the way?"
Ronan started to reply when a recovered giant swung at him.
"Groooar!"
Ronan stepped onto the fist and leaped up. Reaching eye level, he spun vertically and slashed.
Slash! A thin sword path bisected the giant's face, and its massive body collapsed forward. Brain matter splashed Didikan's face on impact. Ronan said flatly.
"Killed 'em all."
"What?"
Now that he looked, the patrolling giants were gone. Ronan charged the rest. With every dance of the translucent blade, giant limbs flew.
"Grk! Groar!"
"Guooar!"
Sporadic screams erupted. The strange sword sliced the giants' ore-like skin like tofu.
"My god..."
Forgetting his pain, Didikan watched Ronan's slaughter. Doron's sword was great, but Ronan's skill had matured beyond compare.
Imperial swordsmanship, Naviroje style, even the strong sword techniques stolen from Marya. Each flowed seamlessly as needed.
Suddenly, Didikan shuddered. If Ronan had wanted, he really could've died at their first meeting. Thud! Minutes later, the last giant fell.
"Gro... ar..."
"Fucking rock bastards."
Ronan flicked the blade to shake off blood—a habit. But the strange sword didn't spill any.
"O-oh...! You found it...!"
Then Doron crawled out from under the huddled Didikan. Seeing him unscathed, Ronan brushed back his hair.
"You're alive, old timer. Glad I didn't have to see you as shit."
"Yeah. Thanks to my apprentice."
His tiny body bore no wounds. Didikan chuckled weakly and collapsed. Doron patted his battered armor.
"Thank you, Didikan. Truly."
"Then... promote me to... official blacksmith..."
Didikan passed out. Doron chuckled and turned to Ronan.
"Impulsive kid. He'd get my spot anyway."
"Not everyone lives centuries like you, old timer."
"True. Heh heh."
Doron stroked his beard, chuckling, then eyed the sword in Ronan's hand.
"So, like La Mancha?"
"La Mancha?"
"Yeah. That's the sword's name. Borrowed from my favorite dreamer. The mad knight who longed to touch the stars."
"Longing to touch the stars... Not bad."
Ronan nodded. Doron snorted proudly.
"Incredible, right? You don't know the toil to melt that eggshell and alloy it. Even Urosa with ten ores was easier."
"You worked hard."
"It's a weapon made for you. Harder than mithril, light as a ghost. But the real marvel? Feed it blood, and the edge regenerates sharper. No enchantment needed!"
Doron didn't know why La Mancha drank blood. Ronan guessed it stemmed from Cita's blood affinity.
After rambling about La Mancha, Doron suddenly widened his eyes.
"Oh, what about the captives?"
"All escaped safe. Killed the giants on the way, so no worries."
"Good... You did a great thing."
Doron sighed in relief, closing his eyes to mourn the young man silently.
Opening them, he scanned the area. Corpses of cave giants littered about—dozens at least. A odd feeling struck him, and he tilted his head.
"Something's off."
"What?"
"This incident. Know cave giant ecology?"
"...Somewhat."
Ronan nodded. In his past life as a penal legionnaire, he'd joined a cave giant subjugation. Doron stroked his beard meaningfully.
"Then it's simple. Why'd they gather like this?"
"Huh? Don't they live in packs?"
"They do, but three or four max. Never heard of so many banding together."
"Now that you mention..."
Ronan's eyes widened. It was true.
That subjugation was in a western mine as deep as Gran Cappadocia. Yet only four giants appeared. Ronan recalled the commander's words.
-First time seeing four together. Stay alert.
"Hmm..."
Doron's face grew serious. Ronan rubbed his chin.
"Something happened among them?"
"Maybe. And they were... overly aggressive. Perhaps..."
"Groooaaar!"
As Doron continued, a familiar roar echoed from the cavern's far side.
Thudding footsteps brought new cave giants. Doron gasped and backed away.
"W-what... More?"
"They've got impeccable timing for interruptions. Guess you're right, old timer."
Over twenty by rough count. Their eyes blazed in the dark.
Ronan eyed La Mancha's blade. Despite the lives taken, its edge gleamed undimmed. Gripping it firmly, he glared at the giants.
"Well, we'll see what turns up after killing 'em."
"Groooaaar!!"
The cave giants roared in unison. Ronan charged, clutching La Mancha.