Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The White-Masked Crow
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Wait, who was that guy just now?
My body felt like a lump of iron.
Of course, with my ultra-hard beak leading the charge as I slammed into the back of its head, the thing went down in one hit.
There was no way it could withstand that.
My beak right now could crack this stone wall just by poking it lightly.
And with that mixed in the signature speed of a bird?
Not even a bear could take it.
Of course, the recoil wasn't nothing either.
Since I'd concentrated all my traits into my beak and pushed my avian speed to the limit, I took some damage too.
Like I'd gotten a mild concussion, maybe.
"Caw..."
I staggered as I waddled toward one of the adventurers.
"C-Crow?"
The adventurer jumped in surprise.
But he had to know I'd just saved him.
He'd know I'd blocked those red-eyed adventurers acting like rats.
My eyes can see others' traits.
「Remnants of the Plague」
The plague's energy lies dormant.
※This trait cannot be used by this individual.
Its deep green feathers made it blatantly obvious.
To steal a human's trait, certain conditions had to be met.
But this one was different.
Probably because it wasn't a normal human trait.
The Plague Witch.
Since it originated from her, I could pick it up easily.
I could roughly grasp what the witch's power was.
The plague-infected beasts scattered throughout these ruins.
She could control them like her limbs, and not content with that, even humans.
It wasn't that I'd messed with the underground ruins' mechanisms by accident—the Plague Witch had orchestrated this whole situation.
The Executioner and the Plague Witch were currently locked in combat.
With so many people clustered together, even someone called the Executioner couldn't handle it easily.
Because the ones you thought were allies would become the witch's puppets.
If things continued like this, the Executioner would lose, and the witch's plan would proceed as intended.
So I needed to join in quick.
"Caw!"
"Kyaa! W-Why, why are you doing this?"
The female adventurer struggled desperately to hold out.
"Caw, caw, caw."
Anyway, hurry up and take it off.
"W-What? Why are you so shameless? No, why are you trying to take off my stockings... You're not a crow!"
What kind of talk is that to your lifesaver?
"Shwoooo..."
Sung-sung was glaring at me like I was pathetic or something, but I'm innocent.
Why would I go after this in such a dire situation?
I absolutely need it.
"I-I'll take it off myself, so stop poking with your beak...!"
Good.
Just cooperate nicely.
I got the white stockings in my talons.
No, these aren't stockings.
Just white cloth.
In other words, something that could serve as a mask.
Now no one would think I'm a crow.
"Cackle!"
Because I'd covered my face with the mask.
I'd often used Sung-sung's cloth to cover up before, but this was different.
This was pure white cloth.
Even if someone recognized me, they'd think I was a different crow once they saw Sung-sung's black cloth.
"Hm, don't you have other clothes too?"
Quiet, you fool.
"Caw caw caw."
Now all preparations were complete.
"Groooar...?"
And right on cue, the bear that had passed out was starting to come to.
"Huff! T-The bear! We have to finish it off!"
It freaked out seeing the bear trying to stand.
"Caw."
But there was no need.
The bear that regained its senses clearly wouldn't bother with us anymore.
Plague-infected creatures don't even think of fighting me when I'm right in front of them—they just choose to flee somewhere.
They'll carry me along to their destination without a care, even if I cling on.
So basically, they're taxis to wherever the Plague Witch is.
*
Kwadududuk.
Kwaaaang!
A chain scythe came flying.
The chain moved with the fluid grace of a legless snake crawling across the ground, then lunged at its foe with a sickle like a viper's fang to tear it apart.
Shweeeee!
Whoosh!
The one struck by the chain scythe was literally pulverized.
And that was just the start.
Even the chain itself, without the sickle at the end, became a deadly weapon.
Anyone caught in its path was bisected.
Splatter!
Blood rained down from all directions.
Jenny swung the chain scythe like it was possessed, fully demonstrating why she was called the Executioner.
"My, as expected of the Executioner."
But her attacks didn't reach the Plague Witch.
Hiding among the beasts, leisurely playing her flute, the witch mocked the Executioner.
"At this level, you could easily take down witches who love close-quarters combat, right? Like the Red Witch, for instance. Your abilities seem similar to hers. I don't get why you didn't go after her first."
As she said, the Executioner's physical prowess was exceptional.
Strength and speed beyond reason.
Plus innate flexibility.
It was immediately clear why so many witches had fallen to her.
A straight-up fight.
And if it turned into close combat, hardly any witch could beat the Executioner.
The Plague Witch wouldn't win either under those conditions.
But the Plague Witch wasn't good at fighting to begin with.
Unlike other witches, she was the rare type obsessed with her own research.
Her skin, untouched by sunlight, was pale and soft.
How could someone like her defeat the Executioner with her own power?
Impossible.
But the matchup was bad.
"Where did all that momentum from earlier go?"
As she played her flute, countless beasts gathered here again.
Because she controlled others with her plague power, the Executioner's chains hadn't reached her so far.
"You cowardly wretch! Stop hiding back there and come out front!"
"Oh? Do I look insane? You think I'd step forward against an enraged Executioner?"
Rats and boars.
If it were just those beasts, the Executioner could break through easily.
But her minions weren't limited to that.
"Grraa... Ex-Executionerriiim."
"Kuh... Grraa..."
Humans infected with the plague moved to the flute's tune.
If they'd become perfect puppets, the Executioner would have cut through them and the witch alike.
But they still retained some consciousness.
In the end, if there was no way to break through, she'd have to slaughter them all to charge the witch—but the sacrifices would be too great.
That's why the Executioner was struggling.
"You're mimicking a technique unworthy of you."
"That obvious? Still, I've got my own flair. The difference is, mine move on command without me lifting a finger."
Shwaaak!
The expedition members swung their weapons wildly as they closed in on the Executioner.
Kaaaang!
The Executioner's chain blocked all their attacks, then struck their heads with the blunt side.
Thwack!
"Hmph. Yours is inferior. That guy you controlled directly was far trickier."
"You think that'll rile me up? Sorry, but I'm no battle maniac like some. Dealing with you is just a side task."
Chrarararak.
The chains spread out in all directions.
She blocked the charging expedition members' assaults while racking her brain for a way to reach the witch.
"Ahaha, you think that'll work? Why not move like you did before, all tough and brute? Hm, yeah. Not enough numbers? You've killed so many already... Fine, luckily there are some big ones nearby."
Clap.
The Plague Witch clapped once, then played her flute again.
Kududuk.
The sound of countless beasts and humans gathering once more echoed.
"Executioner. Does this still look like I'm just imitating puppets to you?"
"Hmph. You said you wouldn't hold grudges, but you've been dwelling on it."
The chains and the plague clashed once again.
Kwagagagak!
Watching it all, Kiki and Cherry were on pins and needles.
Whether the Plague Witch won or the Executioner did, the outcome was the same for them.
The Executioner might call herself an apprentice witch but would try to kill them anyway, and the Plague Witch would babble about the crow and come after them.
Things had gotten royally messed up.
Just a bit ago, they'd been happily grilling mushrooms—where had it all gone wrong?
"Sis..."
"Cherry, keep your head straight. It's not over yet."
Kiki hadn't let go of her thread of hope.
Two whales were fighting.
They were just a pair of insignificant shrimp.
Getting caught in that fight could burst their backs open.
No matter how clever the shrimp were, they couldn't escape this place.
The chains bound their feet, and countless beasts prowled nearby with murderous intent.
Dududududu.
And those beasts kept getting reinforcements.
"Chwiik chwiik!"
This time, a brown-furred bear joined the fray.
A specimen stronger than your average adventurer.
The end was clearly near.
If the Executioner, pushed to the brink by the extra forces, abandoned humane methods, the fight would wrap up fast.
Either the Plague Witch retreats, or the Executioner falls.
One or the other.
Of course, no matter what, the fate awaiting Cherry and Kiki was singular.
"S-Sis! Over there...!"
Cherry called out to Kiki in a small voice.
Kiki's eyes widened at her words.
The brown-furred bear.
Atop its shoulder sat a very familiar figure.
A three-headed crow.
No—a crow with a ghost and a kiwi hanging off it.
It clung to the bear's fur, riding it perfectly naturally.
When two whales fight, the shrimp's only way to survive is this.
Wait for the moment a shark shows up and draws the whales' attention.
They had to trust the crow that had come to save them.
"Caaaaw!"
Though what the cloth over its face meant was a mystery.
"Sis... isn't that a stocking...?"
"What are you saying! No, just stay quiet for now...!"
The white-masked crow had appeared on the battlefield.
Even if its origins were highly suspect.