Sometimes Humans Are Scarier Than Monsters
The chances of it being someone I know are slim.
I poke just my head out from a dune made of sand, observing the distant group.
Their clothes aren't uniform. Not academy students. All in light casual wear.
If they've formed a group in this dungeon already, there are two possibilities.
They were together from the start and got pulled here by the Monolith, or they met up after dropping in.
They haven't run into any monsters yet? Even combined, civilians couldn't handle that.
No monster corpses along their path.
I might spot something if I checked behind the dune they crossed, but that's not realistic right now.
Which leaves a ton of possibilities swirling in my head.
"…."
Even after watching longer, nothing remarkable. They're just plodding along at a steady pace.
Their footprints meander across the heat-shimmering sand—no clear destination, just moving for the sake of it.
Probably hoping something turns up once they crest the next dune.
Clink!
I sheathe the sword I'm holding, erasing any visible hostility.
Was gonna wait for monsters to test their reactions, but nah. Feels wrong if innocents die needlessly.
Decision made: approach them.
I hop over the scorching dune.
No strength in this desert? You won't last a day. Civilians can't even wander long in this heat.
If they spawned somewhere sheltered, maybe. But this is wide-open sands.
I figure if they're harmless civilians or weaklings, I'll help out.
Can't have them slowing me down long-term, but pointing them to a safe spot to hunker down works.
Clear the dungeon, back to the real world. Just survive by hiding till then.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
I know approaching like this risks me too.
So I close the distance slowly, eyes sharp on their reactions.
Like Carrot Instructor warned—could be dangerous scum.
One life. That's it.
One of them notices me approaching, head turning.
The rest follow. As I get closer, I see fidgety, anxious vibes all around.
The group facing me: four guys.
Up close, it's clear.
Center: long-haired dude with a snakelike vibe. He's got decent mana.
Everyone else looks exhausted.
Slumped postures like they're about to collapse, legs wobbling, faces parched near delirium.
All but one.
I stop at a safe distance under their wary stares and speak first.
"Orion Academy student."
Four pairs of eyes scan my uniform.
A guy with cracked lips rasps out, "Wh-what's someone from Academy City doing here?"
"Didn't the black tower grab you?"
"Yeah! It just appeared outta nowhere, flash of light, and…!"
"Same here. On my way to class in Academy City, blink, and I'm here."
I drop the info casually. They murmur, realizing they're not alone.
From the chatter, they're citizens of Bellio—a weak nation in my memory.
"…."
Snake-guy stays out of the talk, smirking as he eyes me.
"No monsters on your way here?"
My question startles them silent. They glance nervously at the quietly smiling man.
Brief silence.
"Ugh…."
One sways, clutching his head in dizziness. I pull out my water.
"Throat first."
I toss the half-full bottle with a "share it."
That's when the smirking center guy slips a dagger from his sleeve.
Draws it and finally speaks.
"Finally met someone worth teaming up with."
No hesitation—swings.
"!"
I lunge, but his hand edges mine closing the gap.
Mana-laced blade arcs. Snuffs civilian lives easy.
"Gah!"
"Gurk…."
Red lines on the others' necks. Blood sprays. They crumple.
Instant death.
He kills without enmity—like discarding trash.
Throws me off.
Shing! I draw and slash without pause.
He bends his knee, parries with dagger.
Clang!
Metal rings across the desert.
"Acted without explaining—must've misunderstood. Wasn't aiming for you. Calm down."
He arches a brow in mock trouble. Arm shakes from my strength.
I press the blade down harder.
"Why kill them?"
"Not women, and they slowed us down? Water's precious too."
My glare hardens; he plays along like it clicks.
"Oh! Shoulda dragged 'em longer, found more use? I'll ask opinions next time."
"…."
Explains how they passed monsters unscathed.
Nicely put: sacrifices. Bluntly: bait.
Not judging his mana-saving brutality. Dungeon survival style.
But my gifted water sparked murder. Leaves a bad taste.
"Team up with me. You look useful."
"What makes you think I'd trust you?"
"Saved water from waste, didn't I?"
Like that's merit since mouths are shut. I scoff.
Can't turn my back on this type. Skill's barely passable too.
"That you did."
"Appreciating it, huh."
"Lying sack of shit."
My kick drills his gut like an awl.
"…Grk!"
Smirk twists; he tumbles across sand.
He swings dagger wildly as I charge, but I sidestep easy, close in.
"That's not how you handle a knife."
Compared to Sion and Clara's dagger work? Child's play.
One sword swing—his wrist flies.
Dagger hand gone. Eyes bulge. I draw pistol, aim.
Bang!
Knee shot. Mana bullet pierces clean.
I crush his other hand underfoot, exhale frustration.
"…Why?"
"My actions not making sense?"
"Orion students got some savior complex for the weak?"
"Bullshit. You see that in me?"
I grab his long hair, smash his face into sand. Thud! Thud!
"Kgh!"
"Sand tasty? Eat up."
Ichinose and Noah might hold those noble ideals.
Me? Self-aware: can't go that far.
Born this way. Strangers get "if possible," not "must."
Hoist him by hair—nosebleed drips. Teeth chipped, blood from lips.
"…So what's this? Venting?"
"You set a bar for who doesn't deserve water and killed. By mine, you don't qualify."
"…."
"At least don't live like an asshole. Oh wait—too late."
Drag him by hair.
I stomp—thud!—vibrations rise. Monsters gather below.
"W-wait!"
"Why? You fed your buddies to monsters one by one, right?"
He gulps—like I nailed it.
Bitter smile at my guess. He thrashes for life.
"Touch me, my Bellio brothers will…!"
"Idiot. Dungeon means shit to that."
Desperate babble ignored.
I know his type. No reforming. No dungeon luxury for it.
Here they come.
Vibes close—I step back.
Fish-like monsters burst from sand, tear into him.
"Aaaagh! Fuck! Fuuuuck!!!"
—Kweek! Kirreek!
Screams fade quick. Monsters feast on corpse.
I draw sword, calmly sweep points.
…
…
Retrieve tossed water—now hot as tea from sand heat.
Hydrate with warm sip, hit the road again.
This dungeon's gonna be a headache.
Monsters? Simple instinct predators.
Humans with malice? Tricky.
Almost wish I reach the boss without meeting anyone.
Climbing dunes with that hope.
How many later—a small oasis, rundown brick house.
And people clustered there.
"Whew…."
Sigh slips out at brewing worry.
Observing hidden—my brow twitches.
Huh?
A familiar face in the mix.