Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 261
Chapter Title: A Hundred Legs, Ten Thousand Poisons (11)
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“Haah, heok…….”
“Huff, heuk…….”
From early morning, El and Roshanak had been dashing across the sandy beach for training, their breaths ragged and heaving right up to the brink. No time or mental space to wipe away the sweat pouring like rain—they were both drenched head to toe, too busy keeping up with the regimen. El and Roshanak were both skilled beyond the ordinary, mercenaries who could handle more than their fair share, but on the hot sand that sank underfoot with every step, their movements inevitably slowed.
There was a reason Roshan mercenaries had such a reputation. In the desert, every action took at least double the effort. Feet sank deep, making every motion sluggish and heavy. On top of that, the scorching, stinging sand scraped relentlessly at the skin, demanding immense focus and endurance to push through. Training in such grueling conditions far harsher than anywhere else naturally honed Roshan mercenaries to a sharper edge than most. If you weren’t skilled enough, surviving in Roshan was no easy feat to begin with…… The desert offered no mercy.
El and Roshanak were talented, but they hadn’t yet reached that pinnacle. So unlike Callisto, who flitted about like a bird even on the hot sand, or Lloyd, whose every move was efficient and without waste, they tired quickly.
“This is taking longer than I thought…….”
The training condition I’d set was simple: using any method they liked, disarm Callisto or Lloyd. It sounded grand, but it was straightforward enough—knock away their weapons or land a single solid hit.
I’d figured they’d pick up the knack quickly, sync up, and wrap it up soon. That’s why I’d told Callisto and Lloyd to push them hard without holding back…… But no such luck. Contrary to my expectations, the two showed zero coordination. They were lucky not to get in each other’s way. If I’d directed them from the middle, it would’ve ended in a flash, but left alone, things spiraled out of control. Their steps tangled, attacks clashed……
-Splash!!!
“Gwah?!?!”
A water jet meant for Callisto splashing El right in the face……
-Skreeek!!!
A strike aimed at Lloyd slicing the edge of Roshanak’s cloak……
Just watching silently had me past the point of laughing. As the training dragged on and their stamina drained, their movements devolved into even more of a mess.
Of course, if I stepped in to direct, the situation would turn around fast. But I couldn’t babysit their teamwork forever. Besides, this dungeon was uncharted territory for me too. Caves had no light, no wind. Gauging direction was tricky; getting lost was all too easy. Scattering was a real possibility. If they were still like this when that happened……
‘Wipeout. Total wipeout.’
Coldly put, yes.
Teamwork was a core part of skill. You could see it in Callisto and Lloyd—they weren’t close at all, but once battle started, they meshed like brothers, flawlessly covering each other’s gaps as second nature.
El, though? She’d only ever fought alongside me and Lloyd, so her movements had limits. She assumed we’d cover her openings as a given, like she’d never led the flow of a fight. She lacked that big-picture view.
Roshanak, meanwhile, fought like “I reign supreme above all”—a style that fit the trope for most mages, but hers was especially pronounced. Ignore your surroundings, unleash explosive blasts—that raw destructive power was undeniable.
‘If these two could move as one, their synergy would be terrifying…….’
Not that the parties involved wanted anything to do with it.
“Well, nothing to be done…….”
I stretched and stood up. I hadn’t expected miracles in a day anyway. We had plenty of time ahead—three days until the waters fully receded near the dungeon, more than enough.
‘……For today, drain them dry.’
By tomorrow, they wouldn’t even have the energy to growl at each other.
-Whiiistle!
I let out a long whistle, and everyone froze, turning my way. Leisurely, I grabbed two cold beer bottles and two apple juice bottles, strolling over to the four. Beer for the adults, apple juice for the ‘kids.’
“Whew. You all look wrecked.”
“Haah, heok, haah…….”
“Huuuuh…….”
“Catch your breath and let’s go again.”
“……A-again?”
El, panting with her tongue lolling like a dog, yelped in shock. I nodded calmly, then turned to Callisto and Lloyd.
“You two as well—tired or not, stick with it till sunset.”
“Sure.”
“Of course, Theodor.”
Unlike El and Roshanak, our two adults looked fresh as could be—positively invigorated. Callisto especially. As an elf, her movements were feather-light; she didn’t seem fatigued at all. This was child’s play to her. Elves really did have bones light as a bird’s, apparently.
“Theodor…….”
“Ah, I’m heading out to sea for a bit.”
I pointed to a small boat at one end of the beach. I’d arranged it with a fisherman ahead of time—small but sturdy-looking, fine for a short trip.
“Out to sea for what…….”
“Thought I’d do some fishing.”
“Fishing…… you mean?”
“Yeah. Fishing.”
We were at the beach for once. Normally, I’d buy meals or ingredients nearby, but Quartzan wasn’t the vibe…… And I’d used up all the fishermen’s catch as bait for the sea goblins anyway. So, time to fish myself.
Sun high overhead—high noon. Three, four hours of fishing ahead? I gazed at the sparkling sea, then flashed a bright grin at the group.
“I’ll stuff you all silly for dinner, so keep at it.”
* * *
Rowing the boat was easier than expected. The magic engine made it effortless. Once I’d gone far enough that the beach faded from view, to a nice spot, I got serious about fishing prep.
“Up we go.”
I pulled out a prepped rod from the boat, baited the hook. It looked a bit worn—unsettling…… but it wouldn’t snap, right? I checked the line and cast far.
-Splaaaash~
-Plop!
My target? One thing only.
‘Pufferfish.’
The thought hit me the moment I plunged into that bone-chilling seawater. Whoa, water this cold…… pufferfish has gotta taste amazing. Plump from bulking up against the chill, bursting with rich, savory fat!
‘Been a while since I felt like fishing anyway.’
Alone in the vast ocean, rod in hand, staring blankly—it felt like meditation, mind easing into calm. Pushing aside the whirlwind of recent chaos, blanking the slate clean, even if just for a bit. Without these breaks, who knew when my tangled head would explode.
“Phew…….”
Fishing wasn’t a battle with fish—it was a battle with ‘time.’ Dad’s old line. If it was just about catching to eat, why not hit the fish market? Fishing was a fight against time, a form of ‘training’—that was his sermon. It never quite sold Mom, though……
Anyway, sitting here zoning out with the rod, I got it. Fishing as time’s foe, a ‘training’…… Staring endlessly at the rippling waves was like peering into my own heart.
‘So quiet…….’
Legion, Ppippi, baby mole—all the tiny noisy ones were napping on the beach. The surroundings were silent, almost eerily so. Made it easier to listen to myself…… Was this ‘healing’? Lately, I’d focused everywhere but inward…… This moment felt profoundly peaceful, grateful.
-Plop!
Smiling contentedly at the water, I felt the rod twitch. Whoa, a bite already? Good spot. I yanked quick. The line stretched taut to its limit.
‘Bigger than I thought……?’
I’d pictured an arm-sized juvenile puffer, but the weight felt off. Strong pull? Can this rod handle it? Ditching meditation, I focused fully, sweat beading on my palms…… Yeah, this was fishing’s thrill!
“Hup!!!!”
Fishing wasn’t just brute ‘strength.’ Strength, patience, judgment, wit—all woven together. A precise art, succeeding only through harmony.
Yank blindly, and the line snaps. Reel until the fight ebbs, then ease off gauging momentum, repeating over time till one yields. Fishing was never simple.
-Creeeak……
-Snap!!
Especially against a tough opponent!