Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: A Hundred Legs, Ten Thousand Poisons (4)
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“......There are other mercenaries trying to enter the dungeon besides us?”
“Yes. I didn’t get a good look, though.”
“Did you hear anything?”
“They were talking to someone who seemed like the client. Looked like a lone mercenary.”
“Entering the dungeon alone?”
Before I could shout in shock that they must be crazy, fortunately, El added something.
“No. They seemed to be waiting for other mercenaries.”
“If other mercenaries......”
Roshan’s mercenary group? At that moment, El gave an awkward smile.
“Of course, those other mercenaries don’t seem likely to show up.”
“......Huh?”
“That group seems to be Iron Fist Richard’s crew.”
“Ah......”
Then they’re as good as dead. Just as the guard predicted, that guy probably died on the way past the dungeon. I rubbed my chin, lost in thought for a moment, then asked El.
“El. Did that mercenary seem decent?”
“Not sure. I could judge if they used weapons, but they seemed like a mage.”
“A mage......”
A mage would be the perfect addition to our current lineup. And since Iron Fist Richard will never make it to Quarjan......
If we teamed up, it’d be good for both sides—win-win, like killing two birds with one stone.
“I should look into that mercenary.”
It’d be nice if they were someone decent to work with briefly. But El shook her head.
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. I only overheard a bit, but their personality seemed awful.”
“Don’t worry about that, El. I endured Khalid, after all.”
With that light joke to wrap things up, we headed back to our rooms. It’d be best to turn in early to head to the coast at dawn tomorrow.
Back in my room, I sat at the small desk and unrolled the scroll and the worn book. The scroll listed the names and signatures of the fishermen who’d requested the job, and as expected, the old book had a new quest.
[Quest: A Hundred Legs, Ten Thousand Poisons]
What’s with this vague quest?
Unlike the incomprehensible title, the quest content itself was straightforward: completely clear the unidentified dungeon in Quarjan. And the reward......
[Red Helmet]
Red...... helmet?
If there’d been more description, I might’ve understood, but just “red” doesn’t tell me much. Red helmet—sounds downright ordinary at first glance.
All the items I’ve gotten so far were ones I’d heard about in the game or seen myself, so I could guess their uses. But this one? No clue.
I’ll only know once I get it in my hands.
If I at least knew what the boss monster was, I could make some predictions. But right now, I don’t even know that, so......
‘......Well, isn’t this the charm of a game without guides?’
I quietly closed the book. At least the quest name gave me a hint. “A Hundred Legs, Ten Thousand Poisons.” That means it’s a monster related to “poison.”
Just like the previous boss occupying the dungeon was a Poison Octopus with a knack for deadly venom, the new one seems poison-related too.
Fine by me. I have the [Merciful Monster] totem that clears 100% of poison status. Plus, I’ve built up a good stock of antidotes from the three-headed snake’s heads......
Shouldn’t be much trouble conquering the dungeon.
Among dungeons, poison ones are the trickiest. The constant damage-over-time from poison is brutal. And antidotes vary by poison type, so it’s a hassle.
But for me, it’s easy. Why? Because if you just know how to “detox,” there’s not much to it. Poison dungeons rarely have harsh terrain, extreme cold, or scorching heat like others.
So. If you can detox......
‘Might be a piece of cake.’
It didn’t seem that big to begin with, so with good play, I could clear it fast. Of course, no getting cocky. No letting my guard down......
“Yawn......”
For now, sleep to clear my head. I flopped onto the bed. Legion, who’d been tumbling and playing with Pipi by the window, scampered over and claimed the spot by my pillow—like it was non-negotiable. I chuckled and pulled the blanket over Legion too. It burrowed into the warmth between my neck and shoulder, soon breathing softly in sleep.
-Crunch, crunch, crunch......
By my bedside, the baby mole munched busily on dried larvae inside the handkerchief. Ah, this is pure ASMR. Crunch crunch. I let that small, peaceful sound lull me as I closed my eyes.
* * *
-Tap!
-Tap tap!
I heard Blackie pecking at the window with its beak.
“Blackie. Everything go well?”
I opened the window, and with the blue dawn light pouring in came Blackie, cold air clinging between its wing feathers.
I set out water and halved fruits I’d prepared for it on the desk. After gulping water and pecking at the fruits for a while, Blackie’s black eyes sparkled as it looked at me.
-Caw.
“Nothing happened?”
-Caw. Caaaaw.
“Hmm. Good.”
I’d tasked Blackie, who could spot crows, with night patrol. Fortunately or not, it hadn’t found anything suspicious.
But no slacking. I’d have it patrol again tonight. First, feed it up and let it rest. I warmed its cage and added a treat.
“Rest well till evening, Blackie.”
Was sleep winning over hunger? Once inside the cage, Blackie started dozing off right away. Taking the chance, I trimmed its growing tail feathers and prepared to head downstairs.
With the cold weather and meeting fishermen at the coast, better bundle up. Unlike usual, I wore a thick, fluffy sheepskin vest underneath, plus much thicker socks, then left the room.
From the room across, I heard El scrambling after oversleeping, while downstairs Lloyd and Callisto were already there as always.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Lord Theodore.”
“Phew, everyone’s bundled up tight. It is pretty cold, huh? Glad I’m not the only one.”
Lloyd had something on his shoulders—wolf? Bear? Unclear fur—and Callisto looked a bit thicker-dressed than usual.
“Let’s eat after meeting the fishermen. It’s too early now.”
“Sounds good.”
“Oh, and Cal. Meant to ask yesterday but forgot.”
“What is it?”
“Do you get seasick?”
“You mean mal de mer? No. I don’t.”
Ah, you’re an elf too, huh. Elves are known for great balance, so seasickness would be weirder. So I’m the only one prone to it?
Ugh, hits the pride.
“Good. We’ll be boating, so seasickness would be trouble.”
“Master! Did you make the candies?”
Then El came down from upstairs, asking me. Ah, was gonna keep quiet...... I smacked my lips, then nodded.
“......Still some left from last time, so I didn’t make more.”
“Can I have just one? My mouth’s bored.”
“No. These aren’t for taste—they’re ‘medicine.’ ‘Medicine.’”
I coldly refused El’s plea and turned away.
“Thanks to El not being late today, we can head out early. Quick brief before we go: we’re not hitting the dungeon today.”
“Then......”
“We’re going to the coast to meet those fishermen from yesterday. Lloyd and Cal already know, but we’re taking fish instead of gold.”
“Uh, um. Master. So our breakfast might be......”
“Fish?”
“Uh, um, yes......”
“Sorry, El. The fish aren’t for us. Got another use.”
El looked dying of curiosity but didn’t pry. She’d figure it out soon enough.
We rode horses and cart to the coast. Since we’d boat, I left Ayla behind. The baby mole went in a warm basket just in case.
Only Pipi and Legion came along. They each claimed a pocket in the sheepskin vests, looking content.
“Th-Theodore! No, Lord Theodore!”
At the coast, a fisherman spotted us and waved excitedly, calling out. We got off the cart and exchanged brief greetings. Even in that short time, the sea wind was so fierce and biting it felt like my lips might peel off.
The coast was piled high with fish the fishermen had caught and stockpiled. Lucky the cold weather—or disaster.
Quarjan would’ve been buried in rotten fish stench.
“We brought all the fish you said to sell, as requested.”
“Good. The boat?”
“Boat’ll arrive soon.”
“Load the fish when it does.”
“......Load the fish back on the boat?”
“Yes. Will it all fit?”
“......We couldn’t fit half of what’s here.”
“Oh dear. Guess we’ll make a few trips across the sea.”
The fisherman stared at me like “What for?” But I just smiled without explaining. They wouldn’t get it anyway.
While they prepped to load, the boat arrived at the coast. Even the “largest” one wasn’t that big.
No helping it. I told the fishermen.
“Alright, everyone. Load the fish back on the boat now. As much as possible.”
As the baffled fishermen loaded fish, I stood at the bow, closed my eyes, and focused my mind.
‘......Ken.’