Chapter 880
Chapter 880
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 880
Chapter Title: King of the Monsters
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One of the spoils dropped by a gacha mob homunculus was a gemstone containing information—a Memorial Stone.
Also known as such, it ranked among the items with the lowest expected value.
You never knew what content might be recorded inside, and since information usually came with an expiration date, digging it up often proved meaningless.
For instance, this particular Memorial Stone held fragmented 'memories' captured from the perspective of a monster gorilla.
How about that?
A POV documentary viewed through the all-seeing eyes of a homunculus.
Not exactly a welcome reward for risking your life in battle.
If we were ranking it, it'd be around fifth prize, maybe?
But they got incredibly lucky.
The documentary Dorothy obtained turned out to be a highly significant sample.
"It's inside the reverse barrier, but I gauged the location from the faint constellation positions visible."
"Where?"
"Somewhere near Colombia."
Linne and Eloa held their breath, eyes glued to the footage Dorothy was showing them.
A vast night sky stretched overhead, matched by an equally expansive wasteland below.
A rugged terrain so deserving of the term 'wilderness' that it felt almost inadequate.
Atop this harsh land, bizarre heteromorphic creatures of all kinds writhed their bodies, each asserting its presence.
Monsters with no harmony in form, features, or shape whatsoever.
Yet they held their positions as if they were part of some superorganism, calmly guarding their spots.
"This is eerie."
"Even I couldn't get used to it no matter how long I watched~ There are that many homunculi clustered together? It's weird, right? What do you think, Duke?"
"...I knew it wasn't ordinary. That's why I asked for your interpretation."
Research on homunculi remained incomplete even now.
But based on observed patterns so far, homunculi didn't form packs.
When not in their active phase, they hid in sub-spaces—whether stationary or roaming types, each stuck to its own territory.
"Let's watch a bit more first."
Dorothy folded her arms, propping her chest atop them as she nodded toward the screen.
The heavy breathing of the monster gorilla whooshed in their ears.
Positioned on the outskirts of what looked like at least a dozen monsters, its view steadily swept over the pack's members.
"Any famous ones or familiar faces?"
Dorothy asked, noticing Eloa's furrowed brow.
"More than one or two."
Though she spoke calmly at first, Eloa couldn't hide her shock.
The seemingly disorganized horde of monsters—clustered but not aligned like a ragtag bunch—was actually a gathering of so-called 'named' entities logged in the location point database.
For example, the half-human, half-beast 'Werewolf' standing three meters tall.
True to its legendary form popularized across countless media to the point of cliché rather than fear, but its physical prowess and regeneration surpassed the originals.
A ravenous slaughter fiend that could regrow from even the tiniest scrap of flesh.
It had 24 eyes.
For example, the 'Scarecrow'—a tattered rag doll stitched together and propped on blades.
This one repeatedly flickered in and out of existence, making it tricky to land a decisive blow, and its sudden ambushes were highly threatening.
Danger level: 28 eyes.
For example, the 'Queen'—a kilometer-wide sphere of meat floating in the sky like scenery.
Once in combat, its flesh split infinitely, raining spores onto the ground.
Its overwhelming numbers, massive body, and mana-derived barrier had let it evade subjugation for nearly a century despite its size.
34 eyes.
The rest were elite-grade homunculi, each a nightmare to face in its own right.
"How could this happen...? Have homunculi suddenly gained intelligence?"
Even more baffling, many had non-overlapping activity cycles.
The Werewolf, for instance, emerged every fifty years or so—and it had vanished just four years ago.
"No, Duke, there's something else I want you to see."
Dorothy fast-forwarded with quick taps, eyeing Eloa's confusion.
"Ever seen anything like this, Duke?"
Finally, one of the scenes Dorothy wanted to show appeared.
In the center of the screen—and the pack—strode a massive stag with majestic grace.
True to homunculus form, it walked elegantly on four legs, its body towering three stories high.
Antlers branched out like ancient tree limbs, laden with wildflowers; instead of fur, grass and moss draped its sleek, beastly muscles.
Its pupil-less white eyes and the bluish mist from each breath evoked not a monster, but a spirit beast.
"No, but..."
It was just a screen, a crude reconstruction from a low-intelligence monster's viewpoint at that.
Yet Eloa, the hunter who had slain countless homunculi, sensed it instinctively.
"That one's extremely dangerous."
This stag was on a whole different level from typical homunculi.
It radiated a peril rivaling the legendary Jörmungandr or the worst homunculus ever, the Red Knight.
And indeed, in the continuing footage, the great stag seemed to lead the pack.
With each proud step, the surrounding monsters parted like waves.
And finally, the scene that confirmed all suspicions.
——!!!
The stag prowling the pack suddenly threw its head skyward and let out a long cry.
As the eerie, mournfully spectral howl spread through the night sky,
"Kuoooo!"
"Piiiik!"
"Beeeek!"
"Kkiruk-kkiruk-kkiruk!"
The horde of homunculi responded in a massive howling chorus.
However, the gorilla starring in this footage quickly turned and fled the scene.
Likely the reason it ended up in their hands.
"That's as far as I could interpret. I sent the rest of the copies to the Divination School."
Dorothy's presentation ended, but no one could find words.
Their minds were a whirlwind.
The world was vast and full of surprises—no need to panic over the unexpected.
Even after centuries, you couldn't predict the next moment, right?
But this string of twisted events.
Frequent homunculus appearances beyond records, new unlogged ones, and now a great stag commanding them.
"Duke, can we take it down?"
"Impossible."
"The three of us?"
"Still impossible."
This time, Dorothy looked a bit shocked.
Linne and Dorothy alone were Rank 22 witches.
Powerful enough to stroll through the present world without flinching at most threats.
And Eloa was the 'Pink Duke' who made such powerhouses tremble and flee.
For those three to combine forces and still fail?
"One. Assuming the great stag is leading the homunculus pack. I'm not suited for fighting large numbers."
"I know that, but..."
"Two. Homunculi aren't highly intelligent. When territories overlap, the weaker one yields first. If their obedience stems from such 'logic of power,' its danger rivals the Red Knight."
"......"
"Three. If they coordinate pack hunts, I can't think of any response but fleeing right now. Finally, we don't even know exactly where they are."
"True."
Dorothy nodded in understanding, leaning back on the sofa.
"Haa~ I was finally finding some peace lately... and now these randos are stirring things up."
"We should launch an investigation as quickly as possible and prepare countermeasures. I'll draft an official notice to inform all branches."
Hexennacht's issues, the prophecy on Siu—no matter how steadfast, a sigh was inevitable.
"I can handle the investigation?"
"I'll go for the investigation."
Dorothy spoke brightly, Linne plainly.
Their eyes met briefly as they spoke in unison.
They understood each other instantly.
Both witches had immersed themselves in the same world.
Though they walked paths of public duty now, they'd vowed their remaining lives to one man.
But that wasn't something mere resolve could achieve.
Currently, they were treated as members of the punitive unit under the Erethim Duke and Tiferet Duke's agreement.
Yet Dorothy and Linne would forever carry the label of public enemies.
A stigma as inescapable as a witch's fate.
But in this era of upheaval.
And they knew what changes turbulent times could bring.
Blacks once classified as slaves, livestock, goods—could become U.S. presidents, couldn't they?
Even having their betrayal of Hexennacht, massive damage inflicted, and information provided counted as mitigating factors showed how much witch society had changed in just a few years.
Each harbored ambitions to atone for past sins and stand beside Siu.
"Of course~ going in empty-handed would be tricky. At least dangle a one-month exclusivity reward."
"......"
Eloa felt uneasy watching the two radiate that vibe.
"It's too dangerous."
She knew they weren't being fully honest.
Each taking on the peril for their own reasons.
And at the center of those reasons was surely Siu.
"But~ the Duke can't go to Colombia, right?"
Either way, Linne and Dorothy were Siu's lovers.
Was it right to send them into what might be a deathtrap?
Eloa pondered briefly, but time for deliberation was short.
This very moment might be slipping away as a chance to prepare.
In the end, someone had to shoulder the risk.
"The local branch hasn't stabilized yet. Can't have both absent. One of you will go."
Linne and Dorothy's gazes clashed once more.