Chapter 391
Chapter 391
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 391
Chapter Title: Colors from Outer Space
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"Does this even make sense?"
Not just Winia had lost her composure. Cloudy and I were staring wide-eyed at this unbelievable sight, unable to look away from the meteorite.
"This is a meteorite? You sure?"
"I'd have to get it appraised to know its exact value, but it sure looks like one to me. It's small, though."
Winia replied to Cloudy's question in a tone full of certainty.
Yeah, it really was a meteorite.
I couldn't hold back the surge of emotion rising in my chest and let out a roar.
"Kiiiiieeeeeeeee—!!!!!"
Chills!
Fuck yeah, good things happen to good people! Can you fucking believe this? Finding a meteorite like this...!
Finally getting my reward for living right all this time!
"Hey, blackie, don't get your hopes up too much. It's fucking tiny. And who knows what kind of metal it's made of."
Winia tried to rein me in as I whooped and hollered, but even the corners of her mouth were starting to curl up. Sure enough, the meteorite was just about the size of a small pebble.
Probably a fragment of a larger one.
But rare metal was rare metal. Even this little chunk was worth at least a few dozen silvers, no doubt. Rarer than gold by weight!
"This bastard just handed me free happiness on a platter!"
Foam was practically bubbling at my mouth. I chugged some water from my canteen to calm down and took deep breaths.
Suddenly, the world looked beautiful. The forest at the start of summer brimmed with fresh new life, and beautiful flowers bloomed in my heart too.
But the most beautiful things here were Cloudy Flower and Winia Flower, of course. If Karin Flower and Lisha Flower were here too...!
"Heh heh heh."
Laughter bubbled out of me.
"Yo, what a cute little shit."
The adventurer, out cold from my Asura Blood Honey Night beatdown, was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the fact that we'd taken his meteorite. Looked like he'd stashed the lucky find he'd stumbled upon right in his panties, planning to hog it all for himself.
What a greedy little bastard.
He'd snagged one whole piece for himself but got greedy for more fame and fortune, rounded up some people to search for meteorites, and picked a fight. Now he'd coughed up the luck he'd barely earned.
That's what they mean by karma.
Still, thanks to this idiot's greed, I'd scored the meteorite, so I couldn't help but like him a little.
Seemed like he had some ambition, judging by gathering people, but he was just an adventurer at the end of the day. Overstepping his station wasn't a light crime.
"Buddy. Thanks anyway."
As a token of gratitude, I plucked some branches and leaves from a nearby tree and covered his body with them. I'd sliced off all his clothes for the search, leaving him basically naked.
This was my final act of kindness.
"Katt, you giving him a funeral?"
Cloudy eyed the scene with confusion. No, it wasn't a funeral for a living guy—especially not one who'd handed over a meteorite.
"Nah. Just felt a bit bad seeing him stripped bare like that. He worked so hard to give us this meteorite, y'know?"
"Hee hee. Yeah. Ah, maybe this luck came because you did a good deed, Katt?"
"Heh heh heh, probably."
The adventurer, buried under cover, squirmed like he was having a pleasant dream. At least in his dreams, I hoped he sold that meteorite for top dollar and lived large.
Reality was harsh—he'd have to give back the happiness the moment he woke up.
It'd be a short dream, but a happy one. Like the saying goes, the guy who's tasted good meat savors it best. He'd at least gotten a feel for holding a meteorite.
"You fucking dogshit bastard. We'd have killed you without that meteorite, asshole."
Staring at his face suddenly pissed me off so bad I nearly stabbed him. But I'm not some psycho who kills over petty shit.
Let's hold onto this joy and head out.
"Alright, let's go!"
I washed the meteorite with water, carefully dried it, and tucked it safely into my pouch. Never dreamed I'd find one like this, but hey, first one's half the battle—sure I could snag another.
"Heh heh heh. What a total moron. Why get greedy? Should've just grabbed the one and bounced solo."
Winia glanced back while dragging the guy along and chuckled.
"Human greed has no end. Got one, so he figured he'd snag another."
"What a fucking idiot."
"Tell me about it."
All the tragedies in the human world stem from personal greed and unchecked desire. Yeah, that's the world, but that's what makes it beautiful too.
Maybe this adventurer was a fairy sent to teach me that lesson.
"...Fairy!"
Yeah, he must've been a fairy.
A warm feeling suddenly enveloped my heart.
Never thought I'd be thanking a fairy at my age.
Of course, that warm fuzziness didn't last long. Less than an hour later, we ran into more guys claiming territory.
"This is our turf."
"Fuck... yeah, figured. Any villages nearby?"
"Head that way."
Luckily, they weren't the quarrelsome type, so we asked about the village and kept moving.
I wanted to swing by that commercial city instead of the small village, but it sounded like it'd take another full day.
If we've got time, let's do it.
Anyway, I scanned the ground with my meteorite detector as we went. People everywhere—folks who'd ditched their livelihoods to hunt for meteorites.
We avoided clashes and headed for the village.
Sun's about to set soon.
No point pitching a tent on the road after scoring a meteorite—it'd kill my vibe. We hustled toward the village.
—Clang!
—Clang!
—Boom!
"Hear that?"
"Fight?"
We heard weapons clashing from up ahead.
Passing by, we spotted people tangled in a brawl, roaring savagely.
—Kill 'em!
—You shits!
—Raaaaagh!!!
Two groups hurling curses, swinging swords and axes. Blood sprayed, bodies dropped. It was like a battlefield.
—You dog bastards!
—Come at me, c'mon!
They fought like warriors, fearless of death, fueled by hatred and rage.
"Katt, hold up."
Cloudy's eyes gleamed as she stopped us. Like a cat with fish, she couldn't pass by a fight.
"Why? Wanna watch?"
"Can't I?"
"Nah, spectating's the best. But if we loiter, they'll bitch, so let's stroll by slow and peek. Same direction anyway."
"Yeah."
Staring outright would get us called out.
Can't argue if they complain—it's natural.
Gawking at a fight like this is basically picking one. Don't start shit first; goes against the code.
They've got their own beef, fighting among themselves.
—Gaaah!!
—Kill! Kill the shits!
—Uwaaah!!!
We crept toward the village, stealing glances at the fight.
Their gear wasn't top-notch. Not adventurers... maybe city groups beefing over turf?
—Clang!
—Slash!
Looked like deep-seated grudges. No way they'd risk life and limb otherwise.
"Brutal. Sis, let's stop watching and go."
"Yeah... okay. Feels way too real. Some bad blood between them?"
"Looks like it. Not bandits, so probably groups fighting over territory."
Meteorites being valuable meant turf disputes could turn into deadly brawls like this.
When words fail, violence is the way of the era. Especially with big money on the line—humans turn violent beasts in a heartbeat.
As we tried to pass, the fight seemed to be wrapping up.
Both sides had casualties, but winners were clear.
The ones still standing.
"Hey! You spectators!"
One of them stomped toward us, bellowing. Covered in blood from fresh kills, his eyes burned with killing intent.
He'd spotted us moving.
"Spectating, huh?! Our fight's your show?!?"
No desire to tangle with these guys, of course.
"Not spectating—just dodging any stray swings while passing through. Things can flare up sudden-like, right? Was just staying cautious on the way. Sorry if it looked otherwise."
I switched to polite speech right away. My rational explanation got through; even the yeller apologized.
"...I see. Sorry for yelling. Kinda worked up."
"No worries. Happens. We'll be off."
"...Safe travels."
I smiled back, and he sheepishly nodded before heading off. Despite the bloodbath, he seemed decent at heart.
Rare to resolve with words.
I'd worried they'd go berserk over witnesses and attack. Would've wiped 'em out if so.
Anyway, he left, and we resumed.
Sun's dipping low.
"Hmm."
Winia made a thoughtful noise.
"Winia? What's up? Thinking something?"
"Huh? Nah, nothing big. Just... if the meteorite hunt heats up, fights like that could pop up everywhere."
"Bound to. Violence is inevitable."
People chasing desire in a limited spot? Violence is guaranteed.
That scrap was just the prelude.
What if territory holders find nothing? They'll invade others with weapons. Victims will retaliate the same.
To recoup losses, people grab swords.
Quiet now 'cause it just fell, but big trouble's brewing. Our goal: grab meteorites and bail before it blows.
"It's calm 'cause it fell recently. Soon it'll be a warzone. Groups, mercs, vagrants for the prize—their patience snaps, and hell comes."
This 'territory' balance was shaky as fuck.
One push, and it shatters.
Turf relies on flimsy human conscience, so it crumbles over nothing.
"Grab a few meteorites and bounce before that. No problem."
I shared the plan with Cloudy and Winia. Winia suddenly looked puzzled.
"Blackie... what? Why do you suddenly seem smart?"
"What? I've always been smart."
Unknown to others, Kim Katt finished compulsory ed, high school, and college. Elite!
Unlike most isekai folk whose 'education' was beatings from dirt-handed parents and dinner-table scoldings.
"Winia, Katt's viciousness hides it, but he's got the spirit of a great warrior—smart too. Didn't notice after all this time?"
Cloudy gets meeeeee!!!!
"Yeah! More educated than you think! No one in my tribe could match me!"
"Didn't that tribe get wiped out?"
"Fuck if I know."
How the hell would I?