Chapter 37
Chapter 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Ancient City, Leorados (2) - Lizardmen
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
The party's mood was pretty good.
Considering the treatment and perception of Bronze-grade porters that I'd seen up until now, their kindness was nothing short of miraculous.
'That's why most guys who could level up on purpose just stayed as porters.'
From what those people said, there were only two paths: live your whole life as a porter, or have enough talent to promote to Silver in one go.
I was closer to the former. Of course, now I'd ended up as a Bronze that didn't feel much like a Bronze anymore.
"Mind if I ask something out of curiosity?"
"What?"
The guy who'd introduced himself as Deon asked without even turning his head. A shield hung on his back, and a shortsword was sheathed at his waist.
"What's the reason for recruiting a new party member?"
"One of the guys we were traveling with died."
"Ah."
I just nodded without saying a word. At my reaction, Pepsi, who was standing next to him, slapped my shoulder and let out a hearty laugh.
"Don't look so awkward. People dying is commonplace in this line of work. But today, I'll make sure you don't kick the bucket. Just trust us!"
"Thanks."
We left the city and walked a short distance before the swamp came into view.
Stifling air and an unpleasant smell. The muddy water and rotten wood only added to the dismal atmosphere.
'This is the worst.'
My feet sank into the squelching ground, and it sure didn't look like the best terrain for fighting.
"Not great, huh?"
Pepsi asked with a grin.
"Yeah. Definitely..."
"This is nothing, just a drop in the bucket. The deeper we go, the worse the ground gets, and there are more deep pools. Especially the quicksand—it's a total nightmare."
The terrain itself was designed to devour people. That was why the rewards were good for fighting Lizardmen who treated a place like this as their home.
"Alright, let's head back in."
They sprinkled some powder medicine they'd brought separately on themselves and slowly stepped into the swamp.
Kieeeek!
A creepy bird cry echoed from the sky. The sight of huge bugs on the ground and trees gave me chills.
'This is fucking awful...'
I was thinking it'd be better if some Lizardmen showed up already when—
Kuaaaak!
A sudden roar rang out. I looked up to see a sleek-looking lizardman perched on a tree branch.
"Lizardman!"
"Everyone, battle positions!"
I drew the sword I'd gotten from killing the mercenary leader in Balone. It wasn't as good as my previous weapon, but it was serviceable enough.
Kueeeek!
The one on the tree let out a cry toward the sky, and soon two more burst out from a nearby pool. They shook off their bodies, splattering mud and dirty water everywhere.
Kuaaaak!
The Lizardmen bared their jaws wide and charged at us. Deon reacted first.
Kwang—!
He blocked the club the Lizardman swung with his large shield, then thrust his shortsword right in.
Whoosh—
The creature quickly retreated, dodging the attack. Then the one beside it lunged forward.
"Pepsi!"
"Got it!"
This time Pepsi stepped up and raised his shield. As the retreated Lizardman attacked again, Deon lifted his shield.
Impressive teamwork. They'd clearly been partying together for a long time.
Pew—!
Cork pulled out the bow from his back and fired an arrow. It struck the leg of the one watching from the tree perfectly.
Kueeeek!
The Lizardman screamed and yanked out the arrow. Its yellow eyes darted wildly before locking onto Cork. It moved across the treetops. He fired several arrows, but they all missed due to its incredible speed.
Whoosh—
The moment it reached a tree near the party, it leaped down toward us.
"Get back!"
At my shout, Cork retreated. I dodged the attack too and quickly thrust my sword. Fighting in this mud was new to me, so my balance wobbled.
Puk!
'Damn it!'
I'd aimed for its heart, but the sword hit its shoulder instead. The creature's large eyes fixed on me.
Kueeeek!
It swung its club down swiftly. Crude, but packed with power fitting its bulk.
'Can't block that!'
A good sword might have held, but at my current level, blocking would just damage it.
Whoosh—
I retreated, dodging. The Lizardman's wide movements left plenty of openings, and I never missed them.
Slash!
My horizontal swing buried the sword in its neck. Its tough skin kept it from going in all the way, but it didn't matter. That was a fatal wound.
Kueeek...
I stabbed it again as it staggered, and its massive body finally collapsed.
"What the hell?"
Cork stared at me in surprise.
"You're really Bronze?"
"Yeah?"
My skills just weren't Bronze-level.
"Quit chatting and help over here!"
I turned at the urgent cry. Pepsi and Deon were struggling in their fight. Cork and I grabbed our weapons and joined them.
Slash!
With our brief help, they wrapped it up quickly.
"Whoa, what are you? How are you this good? You sure you're Bronze-grade?"
The two looked at me in admiration.
"Thanks to you two holding the front."
"Nah, one came our way too. Even with two of us, Cork's an archer, so he couldn't have helped much."
"What the hell, man?"
"I thought we were helping out a Bronze mercenary, but this? We're the ones getting help."
"Looking forward to working with you."
Deon extended his hand again, and I gladly shook it. Their goodwill hadn't vanished, after all.
"We were gonna stick to the swamp entrance today, but seeing your skills, maybe we can go deeper? What do you think?"
Pepsi's suggestion made the other two ponder.
"Shouldn't we be careful? Even if Hanson's not Bronze-level, we did lose Hayson."
The name of their previous companion, I guessed.
"Still, it'd be fine, right? The entrance only has scouts, and the pay sucks."
"True, but..."
"I think going deeper would be better."
All three turned to me.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I joined for the money in the first place. No need to play it too safe."
"Fair point. Let's vote then. Me and Hanson for, Deon against?"
"I'm against."
"Cork, you?"
Everyone looked at him. The man thought for a moment, then nodded.
"...I'm for."
"Three for, so we go deeper. Let's move!"
As we ventured further into the swamp, the surroundings changed dramatically. More pools and quicksand, deeper marshes narrowing our paths.
'Yeah, this is definitely riskier.'
Splash splash—
We walked warily when a nearby pool started bubbling ominously. I drew my sword just as—
Splash!
Mud erupted suddenly, revealing a massive body. Sensing the killing intent through the flying water, I raised my sword hastily.
Kwang kwang kwak—
A metallic clang echoed loudly. The two in front whipped around in shock.
"What happened?!"
"Ambush!"
I shouted and lowered my stance. A chilling sound above made my hair stand on end.
Puk!
I thrust up as I stood, feeling a clear sensation at my fingertips.
Kreeeek...
The creature collapsed limply. Up close, its color was much more blue than the previous ones.
"Didn't think a Marsh Lizardman would show up this soon."
"Marsh Lizardman?"
"The ones we fought earlier were Green Lizardmen—the most common kind. Annoying, but not that strong."
Pepsi prodded the corpse and continued.
"This is a Marsh Lizardman. They hide in pools and ambush. Masters of surprise attacks—they kill more mercenaries than any other."
If my senses hadn't caught it, I might've been done for too.
"The bounty is high because of that, but they're rare, so it doesn't mean much. Sorry about that. I should've warned you earlier."
"No big deal. Easy to forget."
This kind of thing was routine among mercenaries. Plenty never mentioned it even when they knew.
'Still feels shitty.'
He cut off the Lizardman's crest with a dagger and handed it to me. It was pretty thin.
"Keep it safe. You'll need it for the bounty later."
"Got it."
I folded it carefully and tucked it away, then we moved on.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Block that side!"
"I'm blocking, you asshole!"
The party's urgent shouts kept coming. I stared calmly at the Lizardman in front of me.
It flicked its tongue, yellow eyes darting wildly. It shook its body loosely, then froze abruptly. Its gaze shifted to one side.
Whoosh—
I dodged its club and thrust my sword deep. I felt its heart pounding through my hand.
Slash!
I yanked it back, and blue blood poured from the vertical gash. Confirming it dead, I joined the others' fights.
I severed the neck of one slamming a shield, then burrowed in close and stabbed upward.
Puk!
The blade pierced under its jaw, going through skull and brain, the tip faintly visible from the back of its head.
Pulling it out unleashed a geyser of blood.
"Good work."
"You too."
They slumped to the ground. Cork, who'd exerted himself the least, drew a dagger, cut the crest from the one overhead, and tossed it to Deon.
"Man, today's hunt has gotta be the most I've ever caught in my life. How many do we have now? Let's check."
Deon pulled them out—easily over thirty.
"Nice. Real nice. This'll stuff our noses with gold today. Thanks to you, Hanson!"
"Nah, it was nothing."
"Hype's fine, but we should head back soon. Sun's setting."
"Yeah, gotta go. Night in the swamp is hellish. Short break, then out."
Everyone nodded and leaned against trees to rest. Of course, they didn't slack on vigilance.
'Huh?'
My senses picked up Lizardmen cries—way too many.
'At least ten!'
Until now, minimum three, max five. This was a whole different scale.
"We need to move."
"What?"
"Now!"
They stared at me in confusion.
"What're you talking about all of a sudden? A bit more rest won't hurt."
"I get the unease, but we need this break. We know the way back, so nightfall's no issue."
"Fuck! We gotta go, you idiots!"
As they scowled at my shout—
Splaaaash!
A large distant marsh erupted, and multiple Lizardmen arrived at once. They shook off water, flicking tongues.
Kakakakak!
Grating cries. Their eyes spun wildly, then locked onto our group.
"Fuck!"