Chapter 253
Chapter 253
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: The Beach Butcher
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We booked new lodgings on the other side of the ridge.
We stayed there, heading down to the beach every morning to hunt merfolk.
The war was still raging fiercely, showing no signs of ending until one side was utterly defeated. Thanks to that, we were raking in decent money. Let's keep at it until the bounties run dry.
"Come here, please! Where are you going? Don't go!"
I wailed desperately.
-Quaaack!!!
The merfolk hurled its coral sword and fled for its life. But this wasn't a race I could lose. With their amphibian physiology and crude breathing, there was no escaping me.
"Stay with me, please! Why are you running away?!"
-Quaak! Quaaack!!!
"Katt dropkiiiick!!!"
I channeled my full momentum into a dropkick, and the merfolk tumbled with a cry of anguish. On impulse, I plunged my bastard sword into its back.
"...This is your fault. If you hadn't run, none of this would've happened."
-Quaak... Quaaack...
"Uwaaaaaah!!!"
With that, the merfolk went limp.
I sheathed my sword and pulled out my knife. Sashimi time. I sliced off a slab from its thigh right there, rinsed the blood with water from my canteen, and shoved it into my mouth.
-Munch munch.
"So... happy!"
Kim Katt, the pacifist who despised violence and war, normally didn't enjoy such murderous acts. But these merfolk were just too delicious, so I hunted them not for the money, but to eat.
Was this the thrill of the hunt?
This must have been the satisfaction fishermen felt on deep-sea trips.
As I devoured the sashimi greedily, Winia approached.
"Blackie. I don't usually think this, but you're being kinda gross lately."
"Jealous 'cause I'm eating? You enjoyed it too."
"That was cooked."
"This is the pure flavor of the ingredient."
"I get that you're an idiot."
"Flavor-blind."
Winia had no idea what she was missing out on—half her life wasted. Not knowing this savory delight was a massive loss.
"Katt, is it good?"
"Fucking delicious. But it's an acquired taste—love it or hate it."
Eating it daily must've piqued Claudy's interest.
She propped her knee with one hand, leaned in, and asked.
"Can I have a bite?"
"Of course!"
Like Winia at first, she'd probably grimace but eventually come around to sashimi. I eagerly sliced a piece, rinsed it, and offered it to her.
Claudy brushed her hair behind her ear and slowly took it... kinda sexy. Her brow furrowed slightly as she closed her eyes to savor it.
"..."
She chewed and swallowed with visible effort, then said,
"...Yeah. It's good. But not really my thing."
Her face had already given it away.
Still, saying it was good was her way of being nice to me.
"Sorry you don't like it while I chow down."
"It's fine."
Too bad she couldn't share the joy.
"You're cute like a puppy, Blackie, but this is straight-up dog behavior. Eating anything and everything ain't healthy, you know."
"Nah, it's good for you. Wild-caught means packed with nutrients."
"Bullshit."
Anyway, the other adventurers seemed accustomed to merfolk now too—the coast aside, things had mostly stabilized. The merfolk losses looked severe, yet they kept coming. No clue why.
The soldiers could repel them easily with reinforcements even if pushed back a bit. What did they want to invade like this?
Maybe some deep-sea lord, fed up with humans polluting the ocean, ordered the purge of humanity.
Doomed to fail, though.
"Recruiting comrades to enter the sewers! Any brave souls wanna join?!"
A crowd of adventurers swarmed the underground sewer entrance. Merfolk using it for infiltration naturally drew people. Some had already ventured in to claim kills first.
"Should we go in?"
"Stinks."
"Yeah... I don't think it's a good idea either."
"Alright."
Huntable prey was scarce beyond the shoreline now. Income had dropped since day one, leaving mostly boredom.
***
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It was a few lazy days later.
Morning brought news that the coastal defense line had been breached.
Surviving soldiers were retreating, merfolk surging inland like a tidal wave—the frantic messenger, drenched in sweat, raced up to the guild to report it.
"Are we fucked?"
I hadn't imagined the soldiers losing.
If merfolk pushed this far, bounties or not, we'd get nothing. Adventurers would have no reason to fight and bolt.
Better to fold and leave.
Sea can wait for next time.
Time to run.
"Sigh, never got back in the water after all."
Winia sounded disappointed.
Really heartbreaking.
"No choice. Come back next year when it warms up."
"Guess so."
"Or hit a lake?"
"Lakes have bugs. No thanks."
"True."
Claudy and I had fun times there. Great outdoor memories. Wide-open lake, all to ourselves... not bad.
"Katt. Wanna check it out quick?"
"Check what?"
"Yeah. Curious about the situation."
I nodded and followed Claudy outside. Merfolk were probably climbing the slopes now.
Should be entertaining.
One last memory before heading back.
"Pitch camp here! No more retreats!"
"Yes sir!"
"Yes sir!"
Outside, soldiers had set up camp not far off. Coastal forces had fully pulled back to the highlands.
We climbed a nearby rooftop for a view.
With her superior vision, Claudy scanned the shore.
"Merfolk keep landing. Huge numbers... Oh? Some big ones too?"
"Big ones?"
"Yeah. Looks like those wiped out the soldiers."
Beyond sahagin—sea giants charging in? In the direction Claudy pointed, massive figures loomed in the distance.
Claudy's eyes sparkled; she wanted a bear, apparently.
Classic headhunter.
New monster? Kill first, ask later.
"Sis, even so, can't charge a swarm like that."
"True. Such a shame."
Adventurers sensed danger and fled too, leaving only soldiers for defense. With the coast lost and adventurers gone, they'd crumble here.
Merfolk ranks seemed endless.
No reinforcements in sight... Time to bail?
We descended, returned to the inn, packed to flee. The innkeeper panicked, planning to evacuate too. We grabbed our stuff and headed out.
"Well, made bank anyway. Covered most of our spending."
Practically grateful to the merfolk.
Filled our bellies and pockets.
Generous fish indeed.
"Katt, all packed?"
"Yeah. Everything's in the backpack."
Folded the clothes and souvenirs we'd bought. Couldn't help grinning. Revealing, provocative swimsuits perfect for 'use' back home.
Addicted to buying bedroom wear now.
Win-win: I enjoy, they enjoy.
Especially Winia in Claudy's size—breasts overflowing, barely covering areolas. She got pissy and shy, thinking it tacky. Priceless.
Ah, perfection.
"Blackie. Let's move. Those fish are swarming; breaking through if they reach here'll be a pain."
"Right. Let's go."
We headed opposite the beach.
Refugees and adventurers fled together. Get some distance, grab a cart. Or just that far might be safe.
Merfolk need seawater like we need supplies. Without constant seawater, they'd wither—my guess.
-KyaAAAAK!!!
-UwaAAAAK!!
Screams erupted from ahead.
"We late?"
"Looks like. Tsk."
Winia clicked her tongue; Claudy drew her sword.
Merfolk from another route had reached here. The upper path wouldn't hold long... Delay more, and encircled.
"Katt."
"Yeah. Blast through if needed."
-Swish.
We shoved through the crowd, moving fast.
-Quaaack!
-Quaaack!!
-Quaak! Quaak!
Sure enough, merfolk attacked from ahead. Armed with tridents and coral swords, they tangled with fleeing people.
"Urgh!"
"Mercy!"
"Run!"
Chaos reigned. Armed adventurers split merfolk skulls; refugees screamed, shoving ahead.
Merfolk numbers swelled.
People collided and fell against charging merfolk, skewered mercilessly.
"Oh, shit! Way more dangerous than thought!"
I veered slightly. Too chaotic for flight or fight. Three merfolk lunged as I turned.
"Come on!"
"Katt, stay back."
As I shrugged off my pack, Claudy surged forward.
-Swoosh!
She butchered the trio in seconds. No heads needed, so ignored the corpses. Thighs tempted, but suppressed hunger.
Not the time.
Refugee influx jammed the path more; merfolk spat fury, pressing on endlessly.
"Retreat! Fall back!"
A booming voice from behind.
Soldier commander.
"They already breached?!"
Glancing back: soldiers, unarmed and helmetless, fleeing desperately. Trailed by... endless merfolk!
Flanks and rear swarmed like a flood!
"Motherfucker! This is bad! Run!"
Merfolk dumped all forces for a blitz! City fucked. No breaking that horde!
I powered my legs, downhill aiding speed. Winia clutched her staff, supporting her chest beside me; Claudy dashed ahead.
-Kwaaaak!!!
Screams nonstop from behind.
Grabbed or speared victims. Even trash merfolk in army size were unstoppable! Seawater let them land anywhere—insane mobility!
"We'll get surrounded!"
We finally reached the city plains.
"Uh... Blackie. What now? We fucked?"
"Seems so."
"Which way..."
But the city crawled with merfolk too.
-Splash!
"Kwaaaaaak!"
Fires rose everywhere; escapees slaughtered. We cleared any charging us, picking a direction.
-Quaak! Quaaack!
-Quaaack!!
Merfolk closed from all sides!
"Just run!"
Ahead, a platoon of trident-wielding merfolk charged. Winia cast Flame Arrow mid-stride, blasting a gap; Claudy slashed through.
A brief path!
I shielded Winia with body and blade, passing through.
Yet merfolk surged endlessly.