Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Lavata Mine Subjugation Operation (2)
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-Sgak!!!
It was worth teaching him.
El leaped through the mercenaries—larger, more experienced, and greater in number than himself—without a shred of hesitation, swinging his sword straight at the Tar Orc.
-Kueeeek...!!!
The blade El swung sliced precisely between the Tar Orc's shoulder and head. The sharply gleaming sword edge severed half of its thick neck, and only then did the Tar Orc begin to stagger. The sword I had purified in advance scorched the Tar Orc wherever it grazed, its skin bubbling and boiling in spots.
-Shaaaaaaa!!!
I didn't miss the opening and loosed the arrow I had nocked. As always, vines sprouted from the arrow that embedded in the precise cut. This time, thanks to using [Forest Curse], sharp thorns bristled from the vines. The thorned vines burrowed into the Tar Orc's neck, feeding on its blood and growing wildly until they soon enveloped its entire head.
-Splatter!
El swung his sword once more at the flailing Tar Orc's torso. Normally, black blood would have sprayed everywhere, but the vines' roots absorbed it all first. Luckily, that prevented El and the mercenaries from getting infected.
-Thud!!!
The Tar Orc's massive body collapsed to the ground, and the mercenaries stabbed into it with their swords to ensure it couldn't rise. No blood splattered, but it oozed stickily into the swamp below. Revolting.
"Master!"
El came running over, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Did you see that?!"
"Yeah."
It was too curt to just brush off—his eyes were clearly expectant of praise. Ah, I'm no good at that sort of thing...
"...Keep doing it just like that from now on."
"Yes!"
Fortunately, El seemed plenty satisfied with that. Have I been too harsh on him lately?
I left the cleanup to the mercenaries and surveyed the surroundings.
'This should be the midpoint, for sure...'
The path didn't continue any further.
It was as if this was the end of the mine.
The tunnel might have collapsed while the miners weren't around, but...
I felt along the mine wall.
'Solid.'
Neither by sight nor by touch could I tell where the original path had been.
"Ayla."
I called Ayla, who sniffed around here and there. Beasts have different sensory stats from humans, so I was confident she could find the way.
Soon enough, Ayla began scratching at one spot with her front paws.
"Here?"
When I placed my hand on the scratched area, I faintly felt an air current.
There must be a passage beyond this. It had probably caved in due to natural causes or monsters.
I embedded a few small seeds into the spot Ayla had scratched, then used [Breath of the Forest]. The seeds slowly burrowed through the dirt with roots, lifting and widening the gap.
'It'll take a little time.'
I turned back after confirming the plants had properly sprouted. To heal the wounded mercenaries.
-Bubble bubble bubble!
"Wh-what the hell is that!"
Unfortunately, before I could check on the mercenaries, the swamp began to boil over.
-Bubble bubble bubble!
No, on closer inspection, it wasn't the swamp boiling.
It was the Tar Orc's body.
The black, sticky mass writhed and bubbled like it was literally boiling, swelling up and devouring the Rock Goblin corpses we had piled nearby to burn.
Then, the unidentified lump twisted together with the swamp like a whirlpool. It was as if space itself was warping.
This was no feat for goblins or orcs.
My ominous premonition was brief.
-Kraggagagak!!!!
An indescribably repulsive and horrific tearing sound rang out, and space itself "tore open."
No other way to put it.
It literally ripped apart.
Beyond the torn space lay pitch-black darkness, but soon something emerged from that ominous void.
-Grrr...
A chill ran down my spine, and cold sweat dripped.
"D-Demon beast!!!"
The oldest-looking mercenary screamed.
Demon beast.
A demon beast wasn't your typical monster. Monsters could be classified as a single species, like wolf packs or wild dog swarms, but demon beasts defied definition.
Because demon beasts were monsters created by demons to serve them.
Depending on which demon made them and what materials they used, demon beasts varied wildly. Each one was unique and unprecedented, making them a nightmare to deal with.
The one standing before us now was no different.
A hybrid of Rock Goblins and a Tar Orc, infused with some demon's power...
Its head was gone—severed by the thorned vines—so Rock Goblin heads had sprouted in its place. Twelve small heads screaming atop that massive body—it was hell incarnate.
-Thunk!
-Thwack!
The mercenaries grabbed crossbows and fired at the goblin heads. A few hit, but as expected, the Tar Orc's body didn't budge.
'Those aren't the weak points.'
To take it down, I'd probably need to carve out its unholy heart, which had started beating again.
But the spots El had slashed had regenerated with tough flesh, making it impossible to target the heart.
'Having El charge in again now would be too dangerous.'
Demon beasts were on another level from monsters.
Only paladins could face them without fleeing for their lives.
'Damn, I've never used it even once yet...'
Who knew the time to use [Moon Light], gained at level 28, would come so soon.
To use [Moon Light], I needed moonflower seeds.
But to increase their stock, I'd planted nearly all the ones in my Dimensional Garden.
The moonflower seeds I had on hand right now...
-Gulp.
Just three.
Three attacks total to force it to expose its heart.
I slotted a moonflower seed into the groove I'd pre-carved in the arrowhead and drew back the bowstring.
Quietly murmuring a prayer to the moon goddess Nemea, I released the taut string.
-Pang!
The arrow flew in a silvery arc and struck at the demon beast's feet.
"It missed!!!"
One mercenary cried out in despair, but he was wrong.
-Tok!
Direct hit.
The moonflower seed in the arrowhead took root in the ground and began to sprout. Leaves unfurled, flowers bloomed in an instant. I caught the fresh, distinctive scent of moonflowers. Just as the massive, grotesque foot tried to crush that delicate bloom...
-Whoosh!!!
Flames like moonlight—powerful silver fire—erupted from the flower. From that tiny bloom came flames large enough to engulf the huge demon beast. Unbelievable.
-Kyaaaaak!!!!
The Rock Goblin heads atop the Tar Orc's neck screamed in unison.
"Ayla!"
I shouted to Ayla, who charged the demon beast without a hint of fear. Her fangs gleamed sharper, reflecting the silver flames.
-Kwajik!
Ayla bit into the burning demon beast's leg. And she emerged unscathed. No, she even seemed empowered by the moonlight. Of course. Ayla was a "Shadow Wolf" blessed by the moon goddess Nemea.
Her strength was such that the demon beast's leg soon tore free. Something writhed at the stump as if trying to regrow, but the silver flames cauterized it, preventing any regeneration.
-Thud!!!!
It toppled, wobbling on one leg. Ayla then dashed to the other side and tore into the remaining leg.
"El!"
El had been waiting—he raised his sword high.
-Puuk!!!!
The blade plunged straight into its center, and the heads fell instantly silent.
For the finishing touch, I fired another arrow into the wound where El's sword was embedded.
-Whoosh!!!
The rapidly blooming moonflower burst into silver flames, and the demon beast stilled. Finally dead.
"Hoo..."
I thought it was over, but a demon beast popping out like that...
If I hadn't leveled up early and learned [Moon Light], who knows what would've happened.
Got lucky.
I stood before the swamp where the demon beast had formed and scattered my sturdiest, thickest seeds from my pouch.
"Great Linshaka, goddess of forests and earth, protector of life. Bless this land so that no foul or vicious things may ever tread here again."
Using [Forest Blessing], purifying plants like those from the cursed land sprouted vigorously, erasing all trace of the swamp.
"My god..."
The mercenaries gaped at the sight. Some called it a miracle, others magic, but they were all wrong. This was druidic ritual.
"Looks like something evil really took root here. With the guardian trees growing, no more demon beasts will emerge from this spot."
"Thank you, Theodore. Thank you so much."
"Of course, you'll need periodic subjugations to keep monsters from nesting."
"We'll keep that in mind."
The mercenary captain bowed his head, and faintly, I heard something like a whistle. I pulled out the book from my pocket and opened it.
[Achievement Unlocked: The Respected One]
[Bonus Effect: Gain Moderate Favor from Neutral Individuals]
Upgraded from [The Respected One] to [The Revered One], I suppose. Not bad.
More importantly, the quest?
[Quest: Lavata Mine Subjugation Operation - Grand Success!]
Grand success again.
No special title, but plenty of EXP gained. That's enough. Plus rewards from the mercenary guild await. I was about to close the book in satisfaction when...
[Linked Quest Generated!]
Huh?
[Quest: Lavata Mine Purification Operation]
Oh.
Looks like something's still left in this mine.
'I was planning to scout around for the Shadow Cloak anyway before heading back...'
There must be more swamp-like spots that could spawn demon beasts. No big deal—just plant sturdy guardian trees like I did here.
As the mercenaries tidied up and prepared to leave, I said,
"Oh, just in case, I'll plant some more guardian trees in a few other spots before I go."
Admiration erupted from all around.
"As expected of the Saint of Purification..."
"Truly amazing. To think there's still such a good person in these times!"
...No need to mention it's just for the quest.