Chapter 35: It’s a War Zone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 35: It’s a War Zone
“Heading back?”
“Going to the 8th floor.”
“It’ll be night soon. Why not take a break before you go?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Full of energy, I see. Watch yourself out there. Don’t get hurt.”
With this, my highest reached floor would be the 8th. My goal for this dive is the 10th floor. To be honest, I’m surprised by how much easier it’s been than I expected. Traveling alone really is convenient.
Since I’ve been rotating which muscles I use, physical fatigue hasn't built up at all. Aside from the skirmishes with the Goblins, I’ve mostly just been running, so my mind isn't particularly tired either.
“Take care.”
“You too.”
As I stepped my right foot into the shimmering blue portal, I felt a gentle tugging sensation before my entire body was sucked in.
Even before I could open my tightly shut eyes, a pungent stench hit my nose.
Was there a fight nearby?
The thick scent of blood stung my nostrils. There was also a strange, fishy smell mixed in. I was definitely in a forest, but it was clear a struggle had taken place here.
I quickly adjusted my gear, gripping my machete in my left hand and my war pick in my right, then expanded my detection range. Based on the direction I was facing when I arrived, it looked like the combat had occurred at the 7 o'clock position. The fishy odor wafting over was definitely blood, but of a different sort.
Lizardmen?
The Guild said I’d rarely run into Lizardmen, yet here they were the moment I stepped onto the 8th floor. You really can’t trust a word those people say. Should I avoid the battlefield? The plate was pointing directly toward the site of the conflict.
I decided to take a detour. It probably wasn't a massive war, so a small loop should suffice. But maybe I should check it out just in case? I wasn't sure what made Lizardmen special, but I knew they weren't considered weak as individual units.
As I approached the source of the bloody scent, I saw creatures with lizard faces and scaly, human-like bodies lying in pools of their own blood.
There’s a live one.
I swapped my left eye for the Direwolf Alpha’s, allowing me to spot a living Lizardman among the corpses. Mana remaining in a body continues to leak out after death, after all.
Most of the Lizardman corpses were nearly drained of mana, but one individual still had its mana pooled within. It was far from "fine," but it was still breathing.
—Ki-rik..!
As I slowly approached, the fallen creature turned its head while remaining on the ground. Upon seeing me, it let out a dying rasp and began to struggle.
Both of its legs had been severed below the knee, making it impossible for it to stand. Its arms were mangled as well. Judging by the wounds, it didn't look like it had fought humans; it seemed there were factions even among Lizardmen. Two groups with slightly different scale colors lay tangled together in death.
“Rest in peace. I don't have any healing magic, so I can't save you.”
I swung my machete, severing the creature's head. Immediately, I could see its mana beginning to dissipate. I wondered if Lizardman mana had any specific use.
Did they say it activates when it touches water?
You never know. Just as Direwolf blood is useful for fighting at night, maybe this would help with swamp combat on the 9th or 10th floors. I decided to have a drink.
I cut open the chest of the one I’d just finished off. I’m not a Scavenger, and I feel a bit disgusted every time I have to scavenge a corpse like this, but what can I do? Given the circumstances, I’d actually lucked out with this skill.
“Ugh, god, the stench. How can blood smell this fishy?”
It had a powerful, muddy scent like freshwater fish. I hoped there weren't any parasites in the blood. It wasn't like this stuff was actually being digested in my stomach, so it should be fine, but still.
—Crack.
I pried the cracked ribs apart, tore out the heart, and drank from the artery. The smell was so revolting that I swapped my esophagus for the Direwolf’s, but the horrific aftertaste still rose from within.
“Phew... I’m seriously gonna gag.”
If I didn't find a more comfortable way to do this, getting stronger was going to be a miserable process. Scavenging corpses like this wasn't exactly a good look, either.
I’d heard that high-ranking explorers were treated like idols or heroes back in the Labyrinth City. A hero who buries his face in corpses to chug blood? Honestly, that’s not cool at all.
“Let’s get moving.”
As I moved away from the site of the Lizardman skirmish, the fishy smell faded. Had those bastards just crawled out here to fight? Why fight in a place that wasn't even a swamp? It was just the middle of a mountain range.
Lost in thought, I descended into a sparse woodland. I headed straight for the base camp, and before I knew it, the 8th Floor Base was right in front of me. I must have been dropped off quite close to it.
The sky was stained red with the setting sun, and hunting parties active on the 8th floor were returning to the base one by one. The 8th floor was a very famous farming spot.
The Wild Boar population was manageable, and there weren't any extremely dangerous creatures like Orcs. They said Lizardmen were rare, but for some reason, I kept running into "rare" things.
“The base on the 8th floor is huge.”
They had cleared out all the surrounding trees to build a massive outpost. There were buildings used by members of the Dismantler clans who handled the Wild Boar trade. Guild employees, stationed in pairs to guard the portal, also acted as intermediaries between the dismantlers and the explorers.
Since Wild Boar meat accounted for thirty percent of the meat consumed in the Labyrinth City, it was a massive industry with many people involved. There were even sturdy log buildings that functioned as inns.
Being the source of fresh meat, you could enjoy high-quality meat dishes at a low price here. It seemed they served almost every kind of meat dish imaginable. Since I was heading down to the 9th floor for the first time, I figured I should fill my stomach before going.
If I kept eating nothing but disgusting raw organs just for the sake of my skills, I felt like I’d lose my sense of taste entirely. I needed to treat myself occasionally.
“One roast, please.”
“Sure. That’ll be 20 bronze coins.”
Twenty bronze coins for a massive slab of meat. You’d never find value like this on the surface. It was only possible because this was where the Wild Boars lived.
* * *
“Are you heading down now?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“The sun is about to set completely.”
“It’s fine. I’m stronger at night.”
“Ah, I see. Very well.”
The female Guild employee guarding the portal pushed up her glasses and nodded. As a Guild employee, she’d likely seen all sorts of bizarre skills, so she didn't even question my statement.
Still, I was curious. Did hunting parties on the 8th floor actually make good money?
“How many people are stationed here?”
“'Stationed' isn't quite the right word. To prevent overcrowding on the 8th floor, we run a monthly rotation. Most of those running hunting parties for Wild Boars here are doing so with Guild permission.”
“Huh, I see.”
Wait, did that mean Rubica only hunted here when her turn came up in the rotation?
“Do you know someone named Rubica?”
“Ah, her... Yes, I know her. She hunts Wild Boars on the 8th floor.”
“Does she follow the rotation too?”
“No, not her.”
Apparently, since Rubica didn't hunt for business but just caught what she needed to grill and eat on the spot, she didn't catch enough to be a problem.
“Hmm, I see. Well, I’ll be going then.”
“Good luck.”
“Yep. Take it easy.”
From the 9th floor onward, one could find Ether Hyacinths.
“Wow, this is high.”
The moment I stepped onto the 9th floor, I could tell. This place was at a very high altitude. Moving just a bit, I was greeted by a sheer cliff. To make matters worse, the direction my Explorer’s Plate was pointing told me to jump right off that cliff.
Getting down was going to be a massive pain. Wasn't there another way?
“Sigh, what a chore... Wait a second.”
There was something nearby. How should I describe it?
A bird? Is that a bird? A chick?
It seemed I’d stumbled upon the nest of the Red-Feathered Eagle Owl I’d been warned about. I could sense tiny things fluttering about.
“Baby birds, huh? I have to see this.”
As someone who actually likes animals, I couldn't help but adore baby animals. Excluding, of course, things like Direwolves or Blue-Horned Deer that try to kill me.
Well, technically those are monsters, aren't they? By that logic, the Red-Feathered Eagle Owl was a monster too. Regardless, babies are undeniably cute.
“Oh man, look at this.”
I walked toward the sound and found something quite unique for a bird's nest. It was a warm nest built in a rocky crevice, made of twigs and various types of animal fur. When I looked inside, I was delighted.
“Hehe, how cute.”
Two chicks that had recently hatched were chirping loudly, their eyes not yet open. Beside them lay one intact egg, but it was perfectly still, seemingly having met an unfortunate end.
“I’m taking you with me.”
Since they couldn't even open their eyes, they just wobbled and tumbled around when I reached in. They didn't give a damn that I was taking their sibling—or rather, the unhatched egg.
I wrapped the egg carefully in a soft cotton cloth and placed it in a sturdy container. This should keep it from breaking.
“Hmm, should I head down?”
Actually, this might be better. Since I had to find flowers on the 9th floor anyway, being at a high vantage point might be helpful.
I approached the cliff, closed my left eye, and opened only my right.
My right eye was my original eye. Since Ether Hyacinths were said to be glowing flowers, they might be easier to spot in the dark.
“Can’t see anything.”
What about the Alpha’s mana-detection eye?
“Still nothing.”
Nothing for it. I’d just have to go down. Since I’d come this far, I felt I should at least hit the 10th floor. It sounded much better than saying my highest floor was the 9th.
“Soloing to the 10th floor? That’s definitely beyond Iron Grade.”
Since it was night, I was overflowing with energy. I’d eaten a delicious Wild Boar roast, warmed my body, and then crossed over to the 9th floor. I’d even bought some cheap Wild Boar jerky. It’s amazing how much good food can boost a person’s morale.
I moved away from the cliff and walked toward lower ground. The sound of flowing water and the bright moonlight made for a pleasant atmosphere.
There didn't seem to be any swamps nearby; instead, there was a valley. My canteen was full, so I had no reason to stop there.
“Let’s head to the 10th.”
The best plan was to find the Ether Hyacinths on the 10th floor and then head back. Returning to the surface was possible every five floors, so it didn't matter if I was on the 9th or 10th.
I descended the cliff quickly and, upon reaching the lowlands, ran toward the portal without stopping. Even at this pace, I didn't feel out of breath. This body really was high-performance.
“The 9th Floor Base is big too.”
I’d already taken care of everything I needed at the 8th Floor Base, so I just passed through.
“Take care.”
“You too.”
* * *
And so, the view of the 10th floor I reached for the first time was...
Holy shit, it’s a war zone.
Lizardmen and Orcs were tearing each other apart in a massive battle.