Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Kabakshus Hunt
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“Hungry Slayer 31”
“As I’ve heard, the Yadus Mine is in the deepest part of Harac Bar. It’s already been taken over by the massive monster ‘Kabakshus.’ Mining is impossible.”
“That’s right. It’s also threatening the kingdom’s safety right now. The earthquakes plaguing the kingdom are its doing.”
Uralen chimed in. She went on to explain that the ground was weakening and cracking because Kabakshus burrowed through the earth everywhere.
Dane sought his companions’ opinions.
“Know the name?”
“First time hearing about this monster.”
“Me too. Seems like a Named one, like an Elite.”
Information would have to come from the dwarves. The war and Yadus Ore were pushed aside for the moment. What truly captured his urgent attention right now was, of course, the monster.
‘No choice, then….’
Dane suppressed a smile inwardly as he asked the dwarves.
“It’s causing earthquakes, so it must be a real problem, but catching it is tough, huh?”
“It never exposes its body outside. And going into the mine means thrusting yourselves right into its maw.”
Uralen answered.
Just sit back and watch the kingdom crumble helplessly? Dane suspected the prime minister might be deliberately avoiding the hunt to justify the war.
“There’s nothing to be done with Yadus Ore, nor can you take it as you please. Your shallow schemes hold no more value for me.”
Grad sneered, then his eyes suddenly lit up as if something had occurred to him.
“Ah, aren’t you the king of hunters? If you covet the Yadus Ore so much, why not hunt Kabakshus yourself and claim it? Do that, and even I might acknowledge you.”
“That’s exactly what I had in mind.”
Dane replied without a hint of agitation. Grad’s expression hardened. But River and Bankers added.
“Hey… you sure about this?”
“Wait, did you even think before saying that?”
The two whispered urgently. They knew Dane’s capabilities, but this was a massive monster. It was on a whole different level from anything they’d faced before.
It wasn’t unreasonable for fear to grip them.
“We have no choice but to take it down. How is the next problem.”
Dane had already made up his mind. Tuparak, who had been watching him quietly, reached out a hand to quiet the commotion around the table.
“Why go to such lengths for the Yadus Ore? And I’m curious how it could possibly compare to the World Tree.”
At her question, Dane shook his head slightly.
“I’ll explain after hunting it down. As the prime minister said, it’s pointless without slaying the monster first.”
* * *
Tuparak gave permission, and Grad didn’t object since he’d said it himself.
Dane immediately began preparations for the hunt. Normally, he’d just strip down and that’d be it, but this time was different.
First off, the dwarves worried that a rash attack might make the massive monster thrash around.
It had already tunneled through the underground, causing cracks all over Harac Bar.
Previous hunt attempts had only worsened the damage, to the point where they couldn’t even dream of trying now. Noisy hunts were out of the question.
‘So that’s why they couldn’t launch a large-scale attack.’
They’d have to take it down stealthily and efficiently.
‘Not even sure what it looks like.’
No choice but to rely on the dwarves’ help.
Uralen and the quadruplets joined to guide them to the Yadus Mine where it lurked, explain Harac Bar’s terrain, and describe its appearance and attack methods.
From the prime minister’s side, Brvillan and Srandgul came along under the pretext of supervising to prevent any nonsense.
But the actual assault team was even smaller than when facing Krekator. The dwarves were just support.
“It looks like a gigantic serpent. Its length defies imagination.”
“For a massive monster, think at least twice the size of Krekator.”
River supplemented Uralen’s explanation.
“Serpent-like, so no legs? Then its main attack is the mouth?”
“Yes. It pierces rock with its pointed snout and chews up stone with layers of teeth.”
Hunting a serpent in a tunnel. A new kind of hunt for him.
“Has it ever come out?”
“It only fully emerges when passing through the Yadus Mine. It’s the widest spot in Harac Bar, connected to other underground tunnels, so it’s easy to change direction there.”
The hunt would have to happen at the Yadus Mine after all.
Ambush or lure it out and take it down fast—those were the options.
“Let’s prepare the lures to draw it in first.”
They had plenty of monster meat from hunts on the way to Harac Bar. Prepared for other uses, but no time to think of those now.
“Plenty of varieties and amounts, but will it bite?”
River asked.
They’d brought a bit of everything since they didn’t know its tastes, but the uncertainty about its habits made her uneasy.
“Having one or two more wouldn’t hurt…”
As Dane said this, he glanced at Bankers, who caught on to his intent.
“Speak of the lizard, and here’s his tail.”
“Perfect timing.”
“Did you know it’d come in handy?”
“Saw it during the Krekator hunt.”
Even as his body was torn, Dane had turned his head at the intense scent.
He hadn’t forgotten that smell.
More enticing than any meat aroma. That was why Bankers could sever his tail to protect himself.
‘Even Krekator chasing it obsessively made sense.’
Bankers readily promised to cut off his tail. The dwarves were deeply moved by the sight.
A royal offering his own body willingly—that was the prince’s dignity, a profound sense of responsibility and morality in devoting himself to the world.
Watching Bankers, Uralen gained fresh insight into her own path.
And so, they secured all sorts of monster meat plus Bankers’ tail.
‘Add me to the mix… that should draw its attention plenty.’
Dane planned to serve as the final bait himself.
At the news of the long journey ahead, River busily made sandwiches. For some reason, Dane insisted on bringing plenty of oil rendered from Bekelztor fat.
Only after loading a large barrel full of oil did preparations wrap up.
* * *
The path to the mining site had rails laid down, with ore carts now stationary atop them.
The Kabakshus expedition loaded the meat onto the carts and moved manually. To avoid unnecessary noise alerting it, Bankers pulled the carts.
All his actions served as an example to the dwarves.
“Haha, feels good doing this.”
Bankers grinned sheepishly, flexing his thighs powerfully. Thanks to him, the group left the city swiftly.
“Harac Bar is a city-state.”
Uralen explained en route.
A single massive city sat near the entrance, with countless mines stretching like an ant colony to the eastern edge, all mining various ores.
“The Yadus Mine is the largest and deepest among them. Of course, the other mines have long gone quiet starting from the farthest ones.”
Satellite towns doubling as relay stations had dotted near each mine originally, but now all residents had relocated to the capital.
That’s when the root weakening began amid the city’s overcrowding.
‘Kill the monster or evacuate—those were the choices.’
Dane thought.
No resupply on the long trek, but luckily food and water weren’t issues. The expedition munched on River’s cave-lake sandwiches repeatedly over two full days of travel.
-Rumble rumble rrrrrumble…
Around then, vibrations came from the distant floor. The carts shook violently along the rails.
Bankers gripped the cart tightly and held firm.
Everyone sensed they were close.
* * *
The echoes from deep underground synced perfectly with Dane’s meat bell.
Abandoning the carts and carrying the gear toward the source, the expedition finally faced a cluster of blue light rising from below.
The whole world glowed bright blue.
“That’s the Yadus Mine.”
Uralen whispered low.
A massive hole yawned below like a crater. Its depth and width were impossible to gauge.
Rusty, disused cranes lined the edge, and a spiral staircase snaked down the hole’s side.
The group crept to a spot with railings by the cranes and crouched. Peering down, Dane flashed a satisfied smile.
“First off, there’s a ton of Yadus Ore.”
With this much, supply shortages wouldn’t be a worry.
“Let’s take down the monster first and think later. What’s the plan?”
River had her guesses but wanted to hear the insane scheme straight from Dane’s mouth. Maybe then her mind would settle a bit.
“Lucky there’s that crane. Using it should work perfectly.”
“That’s what I’m asking—what exactly are you planning to do with it that makes it ‘perfect’!”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll hang from it and lure the thing in.”
“Yeah… so obvious.”
It was exactly as she’d feared.
“Aren’t you overestimating your abilities?”
“It being a massive monster actually helps. Worst case, it’s a gamble we have to take.”
Dane spoke calmly as he slowly began preparations.
He first checked the crane’s condition. Extending to the hole’s center, it looked sturdy and safe despite the years.
Dwarven craftsmanship was no joke.
“Cable’s a bit short, though.”
The hole was so deep it wouldn’t reach the bottom fully. Dane was glad he’d saved plenty of Bekelztor tongue.
Then he stripped naked.
“Ah…”
“As expected…”
“Again…”
It was familiar to the dwarves by now. If anything, him wearing underwear this time felt oddly disappointing.
Next, he shouldered the net bag stuffed full of monster meat.
Huge even for his build, but he bore it effortlessly. Even Bankers marveled at his strength.
“With that much power, we should’ve split pulling the cart next time.”
“Then you hunt next time.”
“I’ll stick to what I do, haha.”
Bankers chuckled low, gripping the tip of his tail. He knew his turn had come.
-Snap!
His tail came off cleanly. A tail that never stayed intact. Bankers gazed at it wistfully, knowing it’d be gone for the long journey.
“Seems like the days without a tail are piling up…”
Dane smiled silently and took the tail, tying it to the tip of the Bekelztor tongue.
“Alright… This is my solo hunt, so don’t interfere—just wait quietly, everyone.”
Not just River and Bankers, but even the dwarves nodded silently, figuring they’d only get in the way.
-Splash!
Bankers upended the oil barrel over Dane’s head, completing preparations.
Thick, viscous meat oil. A rich, savory scent spread instantly.
Dane climbed the crane and crept slowly toward the end.
The farther he went, the more his nude, oiled body gleamed under the blue light.
He nearly slipped off several times, gripping the spectators’ hearts, before reaching the tip.
‘Fall and I’m dead…’
He chuckled at the fact there was only one safe way to land. Then he began fishing prep.
He tied the Bekelztor tongue bound to one ankle with the crane’s rope. No way it’d come loose unless cut.
He dangled the tail-tied tongue downward, bouncing it lightly like a yo-yo. As it dipped and rose, the enticing scent wafted around the hole.
‘Not bad.’
After final checks, Dane gazed at his distant comrades like a farewell.
‘Be back soon.’
He thought it, then voiced it.
“Bungee.”
And hurled himself downward.