Chapter 103
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The Cultists of the Underground Sewer
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The footsteps were fading into the distance.
"...That bastard's running away?"
"Yeah?"
What on earth could make him run like that?
Is he shy?
Does he have a personality that clams up around strangers?
It'd be great if it were some cute reason like that, but I had a different theory.
There's a saying: "The thief's feet are sore." It comes from ancient China, about a young thief who got caught after a life of crime. As punishment, his ankles were cut off, and afterward, he'd hobble through the darkness every night searching for his lost ankles.
"Whoever that fucker is, he's definitely suspicious."
Just like that story from moments ago—if he's the type to bolt at the slightest hint of people, he's clearly got something to hide. In other words, he's probably some shady cripple lurking in society's shadows.
No sane person would hang around in this pitch-black hellhole crawling with who-knows-how-many undead.
I figured it had to be someone with shady intentions.
"Suspicious fucker..."
"Suspicious guy..."
And suspicious guys mean criminals.
Of course, criminals drop good loot.
"Someone hiding in a sewer packed with undead..."
"Gotta be a criminal."
For a split second, greed flashed in Kobson's and Meria's eyes. I glanced at Cloudy. Her face said she didn't care either way. "Gonna chase him?" was all she said. I nodded.
"That's exactly it. Let's chase the bastard right now."
A weird grin spread across our faces as the three of us unanimously agreed to pursue the guy. We quickly reformed our formation and dragged along MerMan—who didn't look thrilled about it—chasing the fading footsteps at a brisk pace.
Tap-tap-tap!
The quiet sewer, filled only with the sound of running water, now echoed with footsteps.
As if he knew we were after him, the sound kept pulling farther away.
"...I don't know who it is, but don't you think we should head out and report this? This job's just undead extermination, not investigation."
MerMan spoke up, but majority rule had already decided—we were chasing.
And so we pursued the fleeing giant rat.
If it's a criminal, we grab him and shake him down for gold and gear. Even if not, he's suspicious as hell, so there'll be something worth grabbing.
At the very least, we've got MerMan, who's a pro at sewer geography. We're at an advantage finding our way. We'll catch the bastard for sure.
Oro-ro-ron.
Oro-ro-ro-ron.
"Argh, annoying!"
Dumb zombies stumbling toward us during the chase were a total pain. We swiftly decapitated them, stuffed the heads in our bags, and followed the fading footsteps.
From midway, the sound cut out completely, but we asked MerMan for directions and headed toward what we guessed was the escape route. The structure wasn't too complex, so pinning the direction was easy.
"Where'd he run off to?"
Meria said.
"Cloudy, you hear anything? Any sounds?"
"...Sorry. My sense of smell's numb right now, and it's dragging down my other senses too. Don't hear anything special."
Things had gotten eerily quiet, and sure enough, she looked off. Worried, I grabbed her shoulder and asked.
"What? You okay? Does it hurt bad?"
"Huh? Oh, just a bit uncomfortable. I'm fine. No problem."
"Really? You're not lying just to tough it out?"
"I said I'm fine... More importantly..."
Cloudy trailed off, scanning the air.
"Looks like something's coming. Get ready."
No one missed what it meant when she drew her curved sword. Meria raised her shield and stepped in front of MerMan. Kobson and I aimed our blades into the darkness, guarding left and right.
...Duduk!
"Hear something?"
"Sounds like something flying in."
Flap-flap!
The noise sharpened. It was the sound of wings flapping. And it was headed straight for us.
"Giant bat?"
The whooshing sounded just like a giant bat's. But if it were just some puny bat, Cloudy wouldn't have warned us. So what the hell? Were there flying monsters in these sewers besides giant bats?
Flap-flap, flap-flap!
Flap-flap!
"...Sound's pretty loud, huh?"
"Never heard anything like it..."
Kobson muttered as he set down the lantern slightly. Meria turned her shield toward the sound. "Get behind me." Kobson and I took positions behind her, covering the flanks.
Cloudy positioned MerMan against the wall and stood guard over him.
Flap-flap!
It was so close now, the sound crystal clear.
Just thinking about some unknown thing flying at us made me swallow hard.
The lantern's light barely reached a few meters.
The second the monster's identity showed, combat would erupt.
Tension peaked with the arrival of this mystery flyer.
And then.
Gyaaaaaaaah!!!
A scream not of this world exploded out.
In that instant, black shapes burst from beyond the dark veil, flapping wildly—humanoid figures with massive wings.
No way... demons?
The ominous thought surged as—
—its form fully revealed itself.
It was a man with a nightmare bird's beak and bat wings!
Flap-flap!
Black Birdman!
It was a Black Birdman!
"B-Black Birdmaaaaaan!!!"
I screamed exactly what hit me at the sight of that freakish thing. The Black Birdman was the flying assailant from my childhood nightmares, the one who'd peck out my brains with its beak and pull all sorts of vicious pranks!
If its talons grabbed my small, fragile self, all I could do was get my brains eaten and die. It was a primal nightmare incarnate!
"Gargoyle!"
"What?! Not Black Birdman, a gargoyle?!"
"Wh-what bullshit are you spouting!!!"
The flying assailant's true identity was a gargoyle!
Meria bellowed fiercely and thrust her shield forward. If it wasn't some yokai from my nightmares but just an isekai monster, it wasn't unbeatable. Steel resolve gripped me as I twisted my sword hand into position.
Ultra focus state.
I swung my blade at the charging beast—
Thud!
"Kyaa!"
"Meria!"
Meria crashed backward, smashed head-on by the gargoyle's shield-smashing charge. Then Kobson's scream rang out.
"Tzuruyaaaaah!"
"Kobsoooooon!!!"
Too fast for me to react. Kobson flew into the wall from the gargoyle's hit and slumped, coughing grotesquely. What the fuck!
Three gargoyles total in the assault.
Two hit Meria and Kobson separately; the third dove at Cloudy and MerMan's position.
Damn it! Two down in seconds!
In the dire moment, I judged fast. Fallen Meria was snarling, shield up to cover herself. Cold assessment: she could tank one more hit like that. Cloudy? No need to worry about her. I bolted to rescue Kobson.
"You fucking shit-eating gargoyle, off Kobson!"
The one that hit Kobson hovered by his head, muscles tensing to stab its beak down.
I charged at full speed. Betting on my weight class and momentum—I trust myself! The destructive charge made even that shit gargoyle notice and roar!
Gyaaaaaaaah!
This fucker dares challenge me to a head-on clash?!
I'm a Superstar mentality champion, you bitch!
I met the gargoyle straight-on.
If it roars, I become the straight-line girl right back.
—Deep breath.
"Kiyeeeeeeeeeeek!!!"
I unleashed a devastating battle cry. The sticky primal fear in my gut evaporated clean away. Fueled by manic courage, I sprinted, leaped high.
"Positioning jump is key!"
A full-on Flying Human, I tackled mid-air, wrapping the gargoyle in a bear hug.
"I love you!"
Gyaaaaah! Gyaek!!
The caught beast flailed as we plummeted together.
Thud!
Dust billowed on impact. Thrashing wings slapped my face. More scars for my already fucked-up mug. Rage boiled over—I maxed out my muscle power.
"Muscle Prisooooon!!!"
I unleashed the ox-like strength honed pinning Cloudy. Covering sloppy joint locks with raw power, I clamped its neck tight, blocking the beak stab.
This was my ultimate Taekwondo finisher: Muscle Prison. A Korean twist on the rear naked choke, plain and simple.
"Kobson! Kobson! Wake the fuck up, you shit! Get up now!"
I yelled desperately. I had it pinned for now, but the gargoyle's strength was no joke. Soon I'd tire and get shaken off. Muscle Prison doesn't last forever.
"You fucking dickhead bitch!"
Gyaaaaah! Gyaaaaah!
I jabbed awkward punches for damage, then gaped wide and bit its face.
Gya, gyaek! Gyaaaaah!!!
Hadn't scrapped with something my size in forever. Life-or-death stakes. No time to pick fancy moves—shit was critical. Sinking teeth in brought a nasty fishy taste. The gargoyle freaked.
"Ugh... uuu? B-Barbarian!"
Kobson, drooling and rolling his eyes, snapped to at my yell and looked around.
"You're up, move your ass!"
"G-Got it!"
Sword in hand, Kobson rushed over.
The gargoyle tried spreading wings to flee at the sight, but I squeezed desperately. Kobson closed in, glaring murder and aiming his blade.
"Hurrythefuckup!!!"
"GRAAAAAAAH!!!"
Mad with rage, Kobson stabbed wildly around me into the gargoyle's body. Each thrust arched its back like a bowstring as it screamed like calling on the dark god.
"Heart! Aim for the heart!"
"Where's the heart?!"
"Left atrium, right ventricle, you idiot!"
The gargoyle's power drained with the fatal stabs.
Much easier to manhandle now. I pinned it with my weight, grabbed its arm, yanked it up. Never dreamed my thing with Cloudy would pay off in battle.
"Stab between the armpit!"
Following my helpful guide, Kobson plunged his sword into the gargoyle's armpit. Half the blade sank in, and it shuddered like in ecstasy before going limp. I kicked the slack body away; Kobson finished it off.
"Meriaaaaaaa!!!"
I snatched my discarded sword and dashed with lightfoot skill to rescue Meria.
One down, and I had the feel now.
You gargoyle fuck-shits are all dead!
"Why?"
I skidded to a halt mid-mad dash.
Two gargoyles lay there already diced into tartare.
Cloudy had finished cooking ages ago.
"Katt, your face..."
She approached, touching my face.
"More scars?"
"Damn it. My handsome face again."
Blood smeared as her finger traced.
Scratches from the gargoyle scuffle. I stripped off my gauntlet, dug a dab of that 2-silver Madecassol from my pouch, and smeared it on. Pricey as fuck, but nothing beat it for wounds.
The rest? Armor took the hits—no big wounds.
"I like it."
"...Yeah, if you like it, that's what matters."
Scar fetishist.