Chapter 56: I’m Calling It Self-Defense
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: I’m Calling It Self-Defense
“Phew.”
Skills aren't all-powerful. If a skill gives you something, there’s usually something you lose in return. Among them, the ones where the loss is minimal compared to the gain are what you’d call a true ‘jackpot.’
“I’m hungry.”
“I feel like I’ve been moving a lot.”
Using organs that humans weren't originally meant to have and pushing muscles capable of incredible output for long periods tends to burn through calories at an extreme rate and leads to rapid mental fatigue. It’s like the mental strain of doing something for the first time; you have to concentrate just to use them properly.
Lately, I haven't had much of a chance to taste raw meat, so it seems my appetite has returned. I didn't used to be like this, but my food intake seems to have increased recently. Using Snowfield Troll blood or frequently utilizing the organs of powerful monsters probably has something to do with it.
It’s my first time in the 2nd Stratum, but our pace isn't slow. By actively using the Labyrinth Bat’s ultrasound detection, I can usually find the right path. Of course, there were many instances where Theodora gained meaningful information by spotting markings on the walls.
“Is this a hollow?”
“It’s huge...!”
The depth we’ve descended via the stairs feels like nearly a kilometer. We’re nearing the end of the 11th Floor. Pulling out a whole Wild Boar carcass at a base camp to roast it would be a bit much. I’d have to deal with the stares of other explorers, and more than anything, I don't particularly want to share.
Well, I suppose I could sell it for money.
“Theodora. Let’s rest here for a bit before heading down. We should eat, too.”
“Oh, right. Okay.”
Theodora skillfully pulled a flint from her pouch, sparked the tinder, and carefully built up the fire. Even though we were in an underground dungeon surrounded by stone tiles, there were vines growing along the walls and patches of moss—plenty of things to use as fuel, so starting a fire wasn't much of a problem.
Thud!
A fresh Wild Boar carcass tumbled onto the hard stone floor. Come to think of it, I wondered if she could even eat this.
“Theodora, are you okay with eating stuff like this?”
“Stuff like what? What do you mean?”
“Wild Boar. Don't rich people usually avoid this kind of thing?”
“What do you think rich people are? I eat Wild Boar meat just like anyone else.”
“Is that so?”
Well, that’s a relief. It doesn't look like we’ll have any unfortunate incidents where we have to return to the surface just because the food doesn't suit her palate. I neatly ripped out the entrails I wasn't going to eat and shoved them back into the hole in my stomach.
“Um... Aven, isn't this a bit too big...?”
“You’re right. I should just cut off what we’re going to eat and put the rest back.”
I figured a large chunk of meat would be enough. Anticipating this, I’d brought a pot in my storage artifact, and it was going to be very useful.
Clatter.
After placing two slabs of meat the size of a person’s face into the deep pot and setting it over the fire, it wasn't long before the fat began to melt, and the oil started bubbling. A Wild Boar’s hind leg is tough and lean, so it’s not the most flavorful cut, but the belly has a rich fattiness and flavor comparable to pork belly.
There’s a reason it became the staple meat of the Labyrinth City. It’s better than the common domestic pigs raised in other cities. Is this the taste of mana?
“Whoa, smells great.”
“Man, even a skeleton would be drooling at this.”
Fortunately, there were no bats or skeletons appearing nearby. It seemed monsters didn't approach the vicinity of the hollow for some reason, though I wasn't sure why.
It’s true that I don't strictly need a light source because of my night vision, but that doesn't mean I dislike the coziness a fire provides. The warm heat from the campfire is perfect for relaxing the body and recovering one's condition.
‘...People.’
I’d been watching the meat cook for a while when I sensed human presence at the entrance of the hollow we’d descended from.
“Theodora.”
“Yeah, I felt it.”
“Stay seated. I’ll keep watch.”
I stood up and positioned myself with the fire at my back. Looking toward the stairs leading down into the hollow, I saw a party of four descending cautiously.
—Don't you smell meat?
—Meat? All I smell is rotting flesh... Oh, wait. I do.
—It’s Wild Boar.
The party consisted of three men and one woman. Two front-liners armed with a mace, a tower shield, a longsword, and a buckler. One woman in the rear with a crossbow. And one mage holding a staff.
“Wow, the smell of roasting meat. How long has it been since I smelled that...?”
The woman with the crossbow skillfully removed the bolt from the string, released the tension, and approached us, hanging the weapon ostentatiously at her waist.
“Uh... hello?”
“Yeah. Good work out there.”
“Um, you’re roasting meat right now, right? Wild Boar?”
“That’s right.”
The swordsman in the front row grabbed the woman’s shoulder to stop her from getting closer, slowly pulling her back while showing signs of wariness.
“Don't get too close.”
“Oh, I know, I know.”
A large man heavily armed with a mace and a tower shield spoke toward us.
“Don't mind us; go ahead with your meal. We’re thinking of heading over to that corner to eat as well. I hope you don't mind.”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
Fortunately, they seemed like sensible people. The hollow was large, so the distance between the corners was quite significant. They seemed to be barely managing to start a fire and prepare their own food over there.
Bubble, bubble.
‘The sound of boiling...?’
My hearing was good enough to hear roughly what they were doing. Even though the space was large, it was enclosed, so the sound didn't escape.
—I’m jealous. How did they bring meat all the way here?
—They probably brought what they hunted on the 10th Floor. They must have started roasting it as soon as they dropped into the 11th.
I didn't really care what they thought, but it seemed the culture of looking down on others existed everywhere.
“Let’s eat. It looks done.”
“Okay.”
Forks and knives are small enough to fit into the artifact without any burden. I served a chunk of meat onto a plate for Theodora along with a pair of utensils, then grabbed a knife myself, cut a piece from the pot, and chewed.
Since it had been fried in its own rendered fat, it wasn't as greasy as I’d expected. But as always, meat is delicious.
‘Another team is coming down.’
When the meat was about half gone and we were in the middle of our meal, another party of explorers descended the stairs. This time, it was an unusual six-person team, and for some reason, I had a bad feeling about them.
“Theodora. Eat slowly.”
“Huh? Oh, okay. I heard them; a few more people are coming down, right?”
“Yeah. But something feels off.”
“Off? Why?”
“...I’m not quite sure.”
Theodora and I had taken a spot far from the stairs, while the first party had built their campfire near the stairs. We had kept our distance to avoid being close to each other, and the first party of four was also wary of the newcomers.
‘What are they saying?’
As they entered the hollow, the six-person party came into view. I could sense the explorers from the four-person party whispering to each other.
—Those guys... they’re them, right?
—Yeah.
‘Who the hell are "them"?’
There was a slight sense of dissonance coming from the six-person party. Their footsteps were unusually quiet; even though the distance was significant, there had to be another reason for that level of silence.
The sound of chewing meat was too loud and interfered with my ability to hear their conversation. I quickly swallowed what was in my mouth and focused my ears. Only then did their voices reach me.
“Hey, can you guys share something with us?”
“W-What...?”
The front-liner of the six-person party, whose behavior was clearly thuggish, headed toward the four-person party with his five companions following behind. This looked like it was going to be trouble.
Theodora, sensing the situation was becoming serious, stuck her utensils into her meat and listened intently.
“Food, for instance. There are six of us, and we have a lot of mouths to feed, so we ran out.”
“T-That’s your problem! We need our own food too!”
“Well, I guess it can’t be helped then.”
The female archer grabbed the crossbow at her waist and shouted back. The man who appeared to be the leader of the six-person party shrugged and seemed to step back for a moment.
‘Something’s wrong.’
Something was being caught in the vision of the Direwolf Alpha I was using in my right eye.
‘Mana is gathering.’
The two mages guarding the rear of the six-person party seemed to be preparing to cast a spell. What should I do? Should I help them right now?
The moment I tried to stand up, Theodora, who was beside me, grabbed me.
“You can’t strike first.”
“Why not?”
“Don't you know who they are?”
“I don't.”
Theodora’s eyes widened, and she shook her head, whispering softly.
“The Antonio Brotherhood. They’re a massive criminal organization that rules the Southeast.”
“A criminal organization...?”
If I had known that, the moment I saw them... no, come to think of it, I wouldn't have done anything that reckless either.
“You can’t touch them without a clear reason. You need a justification.”
“Are you saying we can’t do anything even if they kill all those explorers?”
“It’s not that. It has to be the moment the attack begins.”
“Hmph.”
I’d heard stories about the Southeast often. Illegal gambling dens, frequent drug sales. They said it was a place where human trafficking and slave trading were rampant.
Of course, since I was in the Southwest, I’d never actually seen such things. The swordsman who seemed to be the leader of the four-person party stepped forward and spoke.
“Why don't you back off? we don't want our rest disturbed.”
“Hmm, are you sure there’s nothing you can give us?”
His tone was consistently thuggish, and the distance between them had narrowed significantly. The leader of the four-person party drew his sword and held it out.
“If you come any closer, I’ll cut you. Just pass by quietly.”
“Whoa, whoa! Let’s not be like this! I have no intention of fighting...!”
“The feeling is mutual. Just move along.”
“W-Well, then...! Of course!”
It was anything but "of course." I could see the mana of the two casters in the back gathering by the second. At this rate, the magic would trigger before they could even prepare a defense.
‘Is it really okay to just let this happen?’
No matter how I looked at it, if that group died, we were next. They’d say they had no choice but to kill us because we witnessed the murder. It was obvious.
I had no choice but to intervene.
“Hey, you there! What’s going on!”
My loud shout echoed through the hollow. The gazes of both parties snapped toward me, and I could feel Theodora’s panic from where she sat.
“What? Are you talking to us?”
“Yeah, I’m asking what you guys are doing.”
“Ha, did we do something?”
The leader of the six-person party stepped forward, tilting his head sarcastically, while his party members behind him shook their heads and chimed in.
“We didn't do anything. Why are you picking a fight?”
“That’s because you guys look like pieces of shit.”
“Fuck... what did you just say?”
As expected, when the words going out aren't kind, the words coming back are foul.
“Stop thinking about pulling some bullshit and just move along. You criminal bastards.”
“This little shit...!”
Boom!
The leader drew his sword and leaped forward with incredible speed. A cloud of dust kicked up as the distance between us closed in an instant.
‘He’s fast. Is it a skill?’
It was an impressive speed, but the impact I could gauge with my eyes seemed negligible. It wasn't a skill that enhanced physical ability, but likely just one that made the leap faster.
Clang!
I caught the blade with the Cave Drake scales layered over my hand.
“What the—!?”
“Fuck, did you just swing at me?”
“How—”
Screech!
I whipped out my tail, which had been compressed by straining my tendons to their limit, and swung it across the floor, striking the side of his shin.
Crack!
Snap.
In an instant, his knee joint bent in a brand-new direction, making a significant contribution to the evolution of mankind. The man must have been overjoyed, as he soared into the air and performed about three somersaults before hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
“Guh-ack...!”
“B-Boss!!”
“W-What the hell is that guy...!”
As the thick, pitch-black tail, nearly 2.5 meters long, swept across the stone floor with a metallic screech, bright orange sparks flew from its tip, emitting a bone-chilling sound.
Skreeeeee
“A-A tail...!”
“What are you doing! Shoot that bastard first—!!”
“M-Magic Spear!!”
Two spears of mana instantly hurtled toward me.
Shatter!
Of course, I had the Cave Drake’s tail—the ultimate hard-counter to mages, which only grows stronger the more magical attacks it takes.
“Hah, seriously. These criminal bastards.”
I think this qualifies as self-defense.
“Attention.”