Chapter 97
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: The Wind-Blowing Crow
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I glanced at Swungswung.
"Shwoong?"
Extinction Beak.
It seemed like it would be extremely lethal to a guy like Swungswung.
He might look cute, but he's fundamentally a ghost.
"Shu..."
Ziiiiiing.
His eyes gave off that kind of sound effect.
After staring at me intently for a long while, Swungswung naturally approached my beak.
"Swung!"
And then he headbutted me as if it were the most natural thing.
It was a motion that seemed like it would make a cute bonk sound, but it felt a bit heavier.
Thud!
"Kawk!"
What the heck? Why'd you do that all of a sudden?
After ramming my beak like that, Swungswung pretended to collapse.
"Shwooooung!"
He immediately got back up and wriggled his body.
Hmm, so he's saying he's totally fine even after touching my beak?
"Swungswung."
He bobbed his head in affirmation.
Well, our Swungswung isn't your average ghost, after all.
He must have some resistance to stuff like this.
Even if not, since he's been traveling with me nonstop, maybe he doesn't take damage anymore.
The results of this journey were incredibly satisfying.
Just the "Girl's Love" item alone was a huge achievement, but Swungswung had even evolved.
I couldn't tell exactly how "Shadow Lace Queen" differed from before, but with "Queen" in the name, he must be stronger now.
Plus, he'd gulped down the Tin Woodman's crown, so he'd show some corresponding abilities.
And that's not all.
Right before facing the Tin Woodman, I'd been able to leap into the Afterglow Crow species.
The difference from a simple evolution was that now I could decide the direction of my future growth.
More precisely, it was like keeping something in mind ahead of time.
Dusk and afterglow.
My evolution forms bore the names of times of day.
The chances were high that the next evolution would offer options with similar names.
What if they didn't appear?
I'd have to keep repeating various things until they did.
In my view, I'd found what you could call the "main story route."
And during the fight with the Tin Woodman, the strategy of repeatedly using Night Summoning had been effective.
Switching between afterglow traits and dusk traits on a second-by-second basis must have confused the enemy no end.
This strategy would only become more viable as my options increased.
For the next evolution, three times of day.
The one after that, four times.
I could become an amazing crow who fights enemies by constantly shifting through times like that.
Lost in such thoughts, I glanced at Moona.
"Hmm."
The plump kiwi bird was making displeased noises while finishing his reading.
Peck peck.
I poked him lightly.
"Don't poke me with your beak."
"Kawkawk."
"...Don't tell me it's not a beak?"
It is a beak.
What are you even thinking, squinting like that?
"I was lost in thought for a moment. Defeating the Tin Woodman and you gaining his power is good, but I can't help thinking about the variable that appeared midway."
The midway variable?
"Witches. Plague and Deep Sea, no less. Their involvement is no small matter. Their connection to Dorothy is suspicious too. Especially the Deep Sea Witch—she's dangerous."
Yeah, witches had gotten involved this time.
Not so much interfering as seeming to want us to encounter the Tin Woodman.
You could tell just from that brief glimpse—the Deep Sea Witch's power is immense. If she went all out, we couldn't handle her right now.
The Deep Sea Witch is a formidable foe.
Even those brief tentacles showed that much power; if she unleashed her true strength instead of just one tentacle, we'd be defeated in seconds.
"The real danger is their combination. Plague handles knowledge, Deep Sea handles brute force."
The Plague Witch didn't seem like a combat specialist.
From what she said herself, what others said, and her traits—it all pointed that way.
She's probably a witch whose profession is researching plagues in her cabin.
And the Deep Sea Witch covers her lack of combat prowess.
"Plague powers amplify based on vectors, so against humans, those two could rightly be called a calamity."
The Deep Sea Witch.
All I saw were cephalopod-like tentacles, but she must have other abilities.
True to her name, she might wield the full power of the ocean.
And if that's true, their combined abilities become incredibly dangerous.
If plague-infested seawater came crashing from all sides, it would indeed be a calamity, as Moona said.
The most dangerous part of flooding in war is how it spreads disease.
The Deep Sea and Plague duo could recreate that anytime.
If they set their minds to harming humans, the results would be horrific.
The only silver lining is they're not with the Night Witch faction.
Deep Sea and Plague.
I need more info on these witches.
"It'll take time to reach Lion Heart King's Castle. And in that time, the odds of encountering those witches are high. Don't get complacent with our current gains. ...Of course, devising countermeasures is my role, so you can afford to slack off a bit."
This isn't the time to just celebrate our newfound power.
I need to decide how to proceed.
We've gained a lot this time, but there's more to gain.
First, Cherry and Kiki.
They may not look it, but they're witches I've made pacts with, so I should look after them.
It might also be a chance to replenish our funds.
We're heading north from here.
All the way to Lion Heart King's Castle, where the Cowardly Lion is.
Going back to Hansel and Gretel's cabin would be tough.
I could call Black Wolf, but anything more is impossible.
If we're stopping by, better do it now.
"Kawkawk."
I gestured to Moona to explain.
"Grrmmm... Greeeetel..."
"Y-You can close your beak now."
What's wrong with my voice?
"At any rate, I get it. Your route makes sense, so no reason for me to object. Plus, with your increased size, it'll shorten the travel time."
"Kawk."
And so, our destination was set.
Before heading north, stop by Gretel's cabin for resupply.
We might get witch intel too, and fatten up Swungswung.
Great. Plan's set—just gotta get outta here.
Of course, leaving would be problematic.
The mobbed explorers wouldn't just sit idly by.
With a witch inside and them realizing they'd been manipulated, they'd be out for blood.
They might even guard the entrance to capture the Plague Witch.
Depending on what the truth-knowing Executioner says, but surveillance at the entrance is certain.
And escaping isn't the witch—it's me, the infamous crow.
Sure, I've built rapport in trades, but I gave chicken-foot kicks to those who tried tricks.
They might frame me for it.
Exiting is simple, but anticipating outside reactions is key.
"Kawk, kaw!"
I cawed out a simple plan.
Escape and next moves.
No messing with devices like before.
Announcing "I'm leaving!" with a bang would have the whole expedition chasing me.
So, find the way out myself.
"Kawk."
Not hard.
This is obviously the boss room.
Beating the boss opens a shortcut to the surface—common sense.
Even without, with the Sage here, we'll find a way.
But not leaving right now.
"Kawkawk."
I pictured the swarming explorers.
No need to rush out.
Way better to slip away when their rage cools, they're exhausted, and sleepy.
For now...
"Kaaaaahhh..."
Sleep first.
Eat, sleep.
Wash with drinking water, scout for more treasure.
Then leave.
"Kawkawk."
So, humans waiting to catch me...
Suffer a bit longer.
"Swung."
Swungswung was nicely plumped up.
Thanks to scavenging items dropped or hidden by other adventurers as we roamed.
Time's passed plenty—should be good to go now.
Found the exit ages ago.
"Kawk."
Late night now—perfect timing.
I quietly slipped out the back door, muffling my presence.
Kuuuung!
The circular door slammed shut with a huge noise right after I exited.
Probably opens from inside, not outside.
Louder than expected—trouble.
That sound must've alerted the waiting humans.
"Over here!"
"Grab it!"
A frail voice rang out.
No one else—just snagged by a duo of women.
Shwaaak!
A net flew at me simultaneously.
They came prepared.
But no way I'd get caught by a single net.
Shadow form to dodge works, but there's a better way.
"Catch it and make stew...!"
What kinda talk is that?
Hurts a crow's feelings.
I stared at the incoming net.
Then leaped into the air and flapped my wings hard.
Swaak!
Swaaak!
Impossible for old me, but with my massive size now, doable.
Wings spinning like a fan.
A gale-force wind blew.
Net deflection, full power!
Pfsh!
The net reversed course, smothering the two women waiting to catch me.
"Kyaaak!"
"Heeek!"
Familiar screams.
Yeah, time to see the faces of those who dared try to catch me.
And rummage their pockets while at it.
Daring to stew me...
Wait, stew?
How'd they know I'm a bird?
And this net's more for beasts than humans.
Flying beasts, even.
"Kaaaaawk?"
Twisting my head around, I spotted familiar faces.
"Hehe..."
Incompetent apprentice witches, worthy of the "lame" label.
The duo trying to catch me? None other than Kiki and Cherry.
No way—just you two?
Where's everyone else?