Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: A Hundred Legs, Ten Thousand Poisons (7)
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We arrived back at the coast, where several fishermen who had been waiting for our return until sunset greeted us. They looked quite flustered upon seeing the state of the ship, and when they heard we'd been attacked by sea goblins, their eyes nearly bulged out in shock.
"Yo-you went to the coral reef zone?"
"You're insane. Completely insane. Do you even know what that place is!"
"You came back unscathed after being attacked by sea goblins. Donar must have been watching over you!"
If they knew it was the kraken that had protected us, not Donar, they'd probably faint on the spot. I gazed at the fishermen with a smile as calm as a peaceful sea.
"You won't have to worry about sea goblins anymore. We've completely exterminated them."
"Ex-exterminated?"
"No way. Those are the ones even the Ekaitz Federation couldn't handle!"
"It's been decades since we gave up on them here too. Are you really saying you solved it?"
It wasn't me who responded to the murmuring fishermen, but the captain.
"Quiet down, everyone! I saw the 'Saint of Purification' take down the sea goblins with my own two eyes!"
The fishermen, who had been buzzing, instantly fell silent at the captain's gruff, seafarer shout. Well, to be precise, the captain had passed out midway, so he hadn't exactly seen it clearly with his own eyes... But no need to correct that.
-Splash!
I just needed to show them a tiny bit of trust.
What poured out from my subspace ring were shattered and cracked magic stones from sea goblins in poor condition. There were so many we'd scooped up from the sea that even picking out the damaged ones yielded a substantial amount. The fishermen gaped, their mouths hanging open as they stared at the mountain of magic stones piled on the ground.
"Th-that's...!"
"Magic stones...! Magic stones!"
"They're all sea goblin magic stones!"
"There are this many sea goblin magic stones?"
They weren't worth much in this state and were too low-quality to process myself, so I had no intention of keeping them. These magic stones...
"I'll give them to all of you."
The murmurs around us died down in an instant. It was a different atmosphere from before. Looking at the fishermen's faces mixed with joy and confusion, I flashed a refreshing smile.
"Yes, really. I plan to give all these magic stones to you."
-......
"You won't be able to do normal fishing for a while. Naturally, everyone's livelihoods will be at risk."
-Murmurs...
"Until the new dungeon issue is resolved, process these magic stones to use as fuel. Then sell the fuel-grade magic stones to the other ships coming here at a cheaper price."
-More murmurs...
"It won't make as much money as your usual work, but it should tide you over for now."
The fishermen's voices grew increasingly rowdy. Good reaction? At this rate, they'll easily accept 'that' condition too. I waited for the commotion to settle, cleared my throat with a cough, and spoke again.
"I won't take the scrap value. Just give me a small 'fee.'"
Exactly ten percent. The fishermen quieted for a moment but soon seemed convinced. Honestly, it wasn't a bad deal for them. I could sell those magic stones to a raw materials shop as-is and make more than ten percent profit, but if the fishermen processed them themselves and sold cheaper than magic stone fuel shops, they could sustain their livelihoods until the new dungeon was cleared.
If the fishermen who desperately requested the dungeon extermination ended up ruined, the success of the extermination would mean nothing. Their lives would be wrecked either way.
That's why I took on this incredibly laborious task.
"...Thank you."
A low voice broke the silence. Then, thanks poured in from all directions. They meant it sincerely. I hadn't said it just to hear thanks, but... still, not bad. I scratched the back of my head sheepishly and said,
"...For now, collect the magic stones. Assign quotas to each household and start working. Beginning sales as soon as possible will help your lives."
"Everyone hear that? Bring the other guys over quick!"
The fishermen began gathering the magic stones, dividing them evenly for each family. I watched the work begin, then left with my companions. Truth be told, with my whole body soaked in saltwater, I wanted a hot bath as soon as possible.
"Let's buy food nearby and eat simply. I need a bath quick. Catching a cold would be disastrous... El, menu's up to you. Hot mushroom soup is a must. Got it?"
"Yes, Master!"
"Alright, see you soon."
As I waved, Callisto stared at me intently. What’s with her?
"I'll go with Sir Theodore."
"Hm... Suit yourself."
Callisto didn't seem interested in food. Maybe she needed a bath too. Having fought sea goblins on deck with Lloyd, she was probably covered in greenish blood and seawater, feeling grimy.
El and Lloyd headed to a restaurant near the inn, while Callisto and I returned to the inn. I soaked my salt-crusted clothes in hot water and prepared a bath. Having tasted enough salt, I skipped it this time and added plenty of dried lavender petals instead. A soothing, fragrant scent quickly filled the bathroom. I jumped into the tub. Water overflowed a bit, but whatever.
"Ugh~! Feels good...!"
Koreans really need to soak in hot water! I leaned back almost lying in the wooden tub and closed my eyes. Compared to the bone-chilling seawater, this was paradise, paradise. And unlike the disgusting stench of sea goblin blood, this sweet lavender aroma was... so cozy I might doze off.
"Hoo..."
With my eyes closed, I thought about our next move. Truthfully, clearing the coral reef goblins only helped the fishermen and merchant ships—it had nothing to do with tackling the new dungeon. But...
'...Kraken ink is a different story.'
After enjoying the bath for a while, I dropped exactly one drop of kraken ink into the water. The shimmering black ink spread slowly, gradually changing the bathwater's color, which had a slight purple tint from the lavender. The water took on a subtle shimmer, then slowly...
-Rustle...
Became 'transparent.' You might say water is already transparent, but it really did.
"This is pretty impressive."
Reflected in the now-transparent bathwater was just the tub. In other words, my body submerged in it had become invisible.
Of course, my shoulders above the water, unaffected by the kraken ink, were fine. But splashing ink-mixed bathwater on them made them faintly transparent too. Instant, reliable effect. With this...
'Whatever's in that dungeon, I can handle it.'
The quest name [A Hundred Legs, Ten Thousand Poisons] already suggested the boss was poison-related. Antidotes from the [Merciful Monster] totem would suffice. But antidotes alone don't solve everything. If it were just 'Ten Thousand Poisons,' I'd prepare antidotes, but now 'A Hundred Legs' worried me.
'A Hundred Legs.'
This has to be related to 'speed.'
This dungeon was a narrow cave type. Poison is deadly in such spaces, making it dangerous enough, but if the enemy has speed too? We'd be in real trouble. So...
'...Make it so they can't detect us at all.'
If I used the kraken ink to craft a suitable totem or item, I could get an effect like the 'Shadow Cloak.' Not quite matching the demon-made 'Shadow Cloak,' but still meaningful.
And beyond that, there were other ways to use it.
'Though that's a last resort.'
Tomorrow, I need to make various totems with the kraken ink. Guess I'll head to the market early. I cleaned up the bathroom and stepped out. Some bathwater lingered, making my toe faintly transparent. Legion noticed the oddity, rushed to my feet, and flapped excitedly.
"Theo. Gone! Gone! Toe!"
"It's not gone, Legion."
Heh heh. I chuckled lowly and wiped the moisture from my toe with a towel. Then, the toe 'reappeared.'
"Theo! Back! Back! Toe!"
"Yeah, buddy. That's my magic."
Legion opened its mouth wide as if to chomp my toe, so I hurriedly climbed onto the bed. It charged like a ferocious beast, then giggled and jumped into my arms. Geez, for a terrifyingly huge true form, it still acts like a baby... I petted its head and placed it on my shoulder.
"Now, let's go eat dinner."
"Theo. What? Dinner."
"Dunno? Left it to El, so not sure."
"Eek."
"Eek? That's rude."
"Theo. Low. Level. El."
"Not true. She'll get something tasty. Have some faith."
"Theo. Don't trust. El."
"That's harsh. El's my disciple; I have to believe in... Wait, it's just dinner. No need for faith."
"Theo. Doomed. Dinner."
"Don't worry! Trust El!"
And exactly ten minutes later, I regretted trusting El.