Chapter 620
Chapter 620
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 620
Chapter Title: Basilisk Hunt
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I pulled out all the neatly folded bags from my backpack and packed the head, heart, and liver into them. Then I stuffed every one of the massive claws into the backpack as well.
"Pffft... full."
The load was bulging in an instant.
The thing was seriously huge, so there was no way around lugging it all back like this.
The basilisk's enormous corpse would have to sit there for a bit, but unless some prepared experts or heavy hitters showed up, no one was going to strip it clean.
Who the hell would bother peeling off all those scales and skin anyway?
Plus, with all the rumors about basilisks, hardly anyone would even take this route.
The only real worry was another party like ours who'd come specifically to hunt it, but bottom line, our job now was to hustle back to the Adventurer's Guild and call in the merchant caravan folks. What else was there to do? Sure, theft was a concern, but we couldn't do shit about it right now.
The caravan would be chomping at the bit for this—they'd come running the second we called.
They wouldn't want the goods spoiling either.
"Claudy, you good to stand?"
"Yeah... Sorry. I kinda lost it back there."
"Heh heh heh, what're you sorry for?"
Claudy's face was still flushed. She'd gotten really worked up—looked like I'd need to give her some focused attention once we got home.
Anyway, she shouldered the bag with the heart in it.
Winia grabbed the one with the liver, and I slung on the backpack while picking up the head bag. It was big, but not too heavy.
Winia was the one I was worried about, though.
"Winia, that too heavy? If it is, just take the backpack. I'll carry that one."
"Hee hee. Nah, this is nothing. Anyway, we gotta hurry. Call people before something latches onto the corpse."
"Right."
We picked up the pace a bit for the return trip.
It hadn't taken long to kill the basilisk, so we made it back to the city just in time—cutting it close, but okay.
"Claudy, Winia, take this stuff home first. I'll head to the guild and call the caravan."
"Don't they need to see the head?"
"These claws'll do."
We'd agreed to show the head to Karin anyway, so I couldn't hand it over right away. Plus, Risha needed the brain, so better to drop it at home first.
"Katt, hurry back, okay?"
"Heh heh heh, got it."
I planted a kiss on Claudy's forehead, and she went all dazed, wrapping her arms around me.
God, why was she so cute? I was rock hard and going nuts.
"Darkie? What about me?"
"C'mere."
I gave Winia a kiss too, then sent them off. Gotta wrap this up quick and get home. I bolted straight to the Adventurer's Guild and bellowed triumphantly.
"Basilisk subjugated!!! Get the caravan people here!!!"
Everyone inside jumped and started murmuring.
"What, what?!"
"A basilisk?"
"That guy...?"
A staffer who'd heard me came over.
"You took down the basilisk?"
"Yep. Get the boss, please."
"R-Right away."
The staffer headed upstairs, and I dropped my backpack to take a quick breather on a bench.
The other adventurers eyed me while whispering, and a few came up to ask if I'd really killed it. I showed them the stuffed backpack.
"Claws like these...!"
They gawked, stroking their chins in fascination. Just then, someone came down from the second floor. I followed them up to an office.
I plunked the backpack right in front of the middle-aged guy who seemed to be in charge.
"Oho, you bagged the basilisk for us? We owe you big time."
If my memory was right, this was the same guy who'd handed out the bounty last year for the killer hornet nest core. I unzipped the backpack and showed him the claws inside.
"Heh heh heh, it's just business. No debts here. Check out these basilisk claws. Fucking huge, right?"
"Impressive... Big and tough."
He inspected the claws closely, then looked at me.
"So where's the head? We need that to pay the bounty."
"I've got it stashed personally for now. But there's a corpse rotting out there—shouldn't you call your caravan crew before monsters chow down on it?"
"Of course. Hold on."
The middle-aged man called a staffer over and gave some instructions.
Seemed like he was telling them to hurry and fetch the caravan. Fair enough—the claws were proof aplenty.
We chatted about basilisks while waiting, and soon a caravan rep showed up. Quick greetings, then I showed the claws.
"Those the basilisk's claws?"
"Yep."
"Ho ho... Nice. But the head?"
"Stashed personally. Anyway, you need to send folks to secure the body first."
"Naturally!"
The merchant grinned and pulled out some paper.
He whipped up a certificate saying the basilisk was confirmed dead, and they'd pay the bounty once I handed over the head. They'd buy the corpse at a set price too, as discussed.
"You can refuse if the price doesn't suit."
"Long as it's fair, hand it all over."
"Ha ha ha. Thank you."
From here, his workers would head out to butcher the basilisk.
Probably work through the night, he said.
He mentioned hiring adventurers on-site for escort and asked if I'd join, but I said tomorrow instead.
Meet at the gates in the morning, check it out, sign the sales contract—easy.
Wrapped up, headed home. My four wives were already in the basement, gathered around the basilisk head, inspecting it.
Gave off some kinda cult vibe, but Karin turned and yelped in surprise.
"Hey! You took this down solo? For real? Claudy told me, but... it's way bigger than I thought."
"Heh heh heh, she beat you to it? Yeah, just killed it. Easier than expected."
"How the hell did you solo this?"
"You'd solo it too, sis."
"Well, yeah, I'd manage, but my hubby..."
Karin cupped my face and continued.
"Did I undersell you? Nah, probably not. Sparring's different from real combat, though."
True enough.
Even if Karin tested me, it'd be sparring—not the real deal.
"Most knights couldn't solo something this big..."
"That so?"
"Hmm, haven't seen it myself, so who knows. Anyway, you brought the head like I said? Kyahaha, good boy. Thanks."
"Ack."
Karin hooked her arm around my neck and smothered my face in her chest.
"You adorable little shit. Bagged something awesome."
Was there any happier headlock in the world?
Then Risha, who'd been waiting, approached.
"Hee hee hee, you worked hard. Was it tough?"
Her smile was stunning.
"Tough? Piece of cake."
"You look full of energy—such a sight. And you fetched the heart at my request. Truly grateful."
"Heh heh heh, if you ask, Risha, it's yours."
"Such words... stir my heart. Ahem. What reward shall I give? Speak your desire."
I asked for the usual: let me milk her tits.
Nothing beat smacking Risha's ass while squeezing her breasts.
"Hee hee hee, you love my breasts that much? You can have them anytime. Name something else."
"That's the best. I'll take it. Yeah? Risha."
"Honestly... Fine. Now you're here, so let's begin the work."
"Work?"
Risha went to the table and started handling the basilisk head.
"We waited for you, Katt."
Claudy said.
Seemed they'd held off to show me something.
"Claudy, you okay?"
"Yeah... But I won't last till morning. Anyway, Risha's gonna show something cool."
"Oh, pulling the brain?"
"Yep."
She had said she needed it.
"Now, behold my skill."
—Shhh.
Risha gestured, and black energy descended from the air, forming a hand. Grotesque, like a demon's.
Magic I'd seen before.
Instead of using the hand, Risha pressed her fingertip to the basilisk's skull. —Zzzt. Blue sparks like welding flashed, and the tough bone began to incision cleanly.
Like lasering it.
Once the skull was perfectly cut, the waiting black hand descended and extracted the brain with pristine precision. Light as scooping water from a sink.
And that was it—the brain was out.
We all just watched in awe.
"Damn, a real witch is a witch."
Karin whistled, impressed.
"Risha sis... wow. So crazy cool."
"Yeah."
Winia and Claudy chimed in.
"Hee hee hee, enjoy the show?"
"Risha's the best!!"
"Ah! D-Don't just shove your hand in my bra...!"
I slipped my hand into her bra while praising her, making Risha blush as she dispersed the black hand obediently.
Anyway, we'd secured the head, brain, heart, and liver. Tomorrow morning, grab the head and certificate, head to the gates, and collect the cash on the spot. Tonight, busy pampering the wives.
Especially Claudy—not sleeping till dawn.
"Father."
"Hm?"
Ari, who'd been examining the head, spoke up.
"Do you always fight monsters like this, Father?"
"Not always. Pretty often, though."
"It's dangerous... Couldn't you do something else? You might get hurt..."
She sounded really worried.
Her face was clouded with anxiety.
"I'm scared... of you getting hurt, Father."
"Heh heh heh, worried about me? Such a good girl, Ari."
"G-Good girl..."
I stroked her head naturally, and a smile crept onto her lips. Ari always lit up quick from a little petting, leaning in for a hug.
No reason to refuse—I wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Oh yeah, hubby."
"Hm?"
"Job's done—wanna go see the death worm corpse? Got time now, and Risha's cool with it. Sis is dying to check it out. Can we?"
I'd planned to bring it up after, but Karin beat me.
"Darkie, I wanna see too."
Winia chimed in.
If the wives wanted to go, we were going.
"Tomorrow then? Grab the cash in the morning and head out—no, prep tomorrow and leave the day after. Karin, that work?"
Everyone nodded.
"Katt, what about Ari?"
"Ari?"
No issue.
"We'll bring Ari too. Can't leave her home alone."
"Father? Where are we going?"
"Another village. To see a monster I killed."
"Another village... Can I go that far...?"
"Of course. Why not?"
Ari had gone out shopping with the wives a few times already. Risha had magicked safeguards in place—no one would clock her as a monster.
Who else had even seen an alraune?
No one to recognize her.
Plus, she looked nothing like the ones I'd killed back then.
"Hee hee hee, I'm happy, Father. Yes, let's go together."
"Yeah, together. Anyway, cash and prep tomorrow. Oh, but that village ain't much for fun. Nothing to see but the death worm—really okay?"
The wives all said fine.
"Death worm's the main event—what else matters?"
They were all just death worm obsessed anyway.
Rent a big wagon, drive it myself, pack clothes and stuff, sightsee a day, head back. Perfect.
Day after tomorrow, family road trip.
"Then, Katt..."
Decision made, Claudy grabbed my wrist.
Time for cuddles.
"Gonna wash first."
"Mama'll wash you."
"Hee hee hee, I need a bath too."
Claudy and Risha teased seductively. Karin and Winia naturally offered to wash up and headed upstairs.
"Father, me too..."
"No, Ari stays."
"...Don't wanna be alone."
"Oh."
And so, the five women of the house and I headed to the bath.
If only Liz sis was here, it'd be perfect.