Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Red-Eyed High Elf (5)
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1.
Osmosis.
As everyone knows, to put it simply, you can think of what happens when you sprinkle salt on a snail—it dies.
A snail's body is made up of semi-permeable cell membranes and is normally filled with water inside. When it touches salt or sugar, something something...
No need to explain it in detail.
'Was this something I learned in elementary school?'
I looked at the tentacles thrashing about in the sky.
As expected, the tentacles fused with the demon began bubbling and foaming where they touched the salt.
Back in the labyrinth, when I got bound by those tentacles, they felt just like a slug. And sure enough, its body was reacting the same way—melting just like I'd seen online.
'Not bad. Who would've thought a simple trick like this would work on a high-level monster.'
In fact, the game Novel Online even mentioned that tentacles were weak to salt.
Like how in some game, aliens had a lemon allergy, the adventurer NPCs you'd occasionally run into in the fields would share their weird experiences.
One of them even talked about how sprinkling salt on tentacles made them freak out and run away.
'Couldn't actually sprinkle salt in the game, so it wasn't useful info...'
But if it becomes reality, that changes things.
"Graaaaaahhh...!!!"
The undead demon let out an agonized scream.
This was its second death.
I don't know if the resurrected undead retains memories from its past life, but getting killed by the same guy on the same day? Must be pretty infuriating.
Well, if it has complaints, it should reincarnate stronger next time.
-Thwack!
"Lady Cyan! What is this? It's salt, right? How's salt raining from the sky?"
Louis greeted me as I descended to the ground.
She must've used some cleaning magic, because the slime that had covered her body moments ago was gone.
What a shame. I was planning to drag her off for a wash later.
Looks like I'd have to overpower her by force again today.
"Just sprinkled salt from the sky. Used wind magic to spread the range."
I took Louis with me toward the undead demon, whose body was starting to melt.
Of course, plenty of tentacles were still left, so we kept a safe distance. Honestly, the thought of those gross things wrapping around you is nightmare fuel.
Feels fine from experience, but visually? Total nightmare.
Hmm. If I took the time to remodel it slowly later, maybe I could make it decent?
'By the way, why's this guy's level gone up?'
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 【Sacred Cursed Undead Demon – Lv.330(★)】 ※ Special Note: Drought That guy just leveled up by 30 since earlier.
Pretty sure it was Lv.300 at first. Wonder what it did in the meantime.
Doesn't seem like it killed everyone it swallowed, though.
'Hmm.'
They all look fine, alive and kicking.
Tentacle-type monsters absorb swallowed creatures over decades, so no immediate deaths.
Probably leveled up some other way.
"Eww... gross. If I touch those wriggling things, my strength just drains away weirdly. No thanks to getting caught again."
Wait, strength drains...?
"Louis."
"Yeah? What's up, Lady Cyan?"
"Sorry in advance."
"Huh?"
-Plop.
"Lady Cyan...?"
"Don't worry, a good wash fixes it."
For science, I tossed Louis back into the tentacles.
Soon, a scream with a suspicious vibe echoed out.
Schlurp, schluuurp! The tentacles bound the struggling girl's limbs and swallowed her whole.
About 10 minutes later...
If I check its status now...
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 【Sacred Cursed Undead Demon – Lv.331(★)】 ※ Special Note: Drought, Absorption Transparent text floated in the air.
The thing leveled up by 1 again.
Probably has a cap, but it's leveling way faster than expected.
'Absorption, huh. Makes sense. Absorbing others' mana to level up—must be the hero's traits kicking in.'
This monster is a chimera of sorts, fused from the demon called Lord of the Dead and the hero.
So it has both their traits fully: transforming into tentacles to absorb mana and grow.
'Heroes could absorb others' mana. Gained EXP that way too, I think.'
Experiment over. Pulled Louis out.
-Splurt!
"Hic... h-heub..."
Louis looked even more pitiful than before.
Limbs dangling limply, gazing up at me weakly.
Her clothes had melted a bit, exposing chest and thighs here and there. She was shivering and sniffling—kinda felt bad.
"...Why do you keep doing this to me, Lady Cyan?! What'd I do wrong?! Why toss me to that thing again?!"
Well, as long as it's not me, who cares.
Plus, thanks to Louis's sacrifice, I got a nice sample.
⚙ ITEM ACQUIRED ⚙ ▶ Item – Organism [Writhing Tentacle] ※Severed tentacle fragment. Still alive.
Pretty good trade, right?
Store it well, pull it out when needed. The mana absorption could be useful in all sorts of ways.
Way better than that soulstone, at least.
Time to find 'that guy' next.
"Hey! Ignoring me and going where, Lady Cyan?! Keep this up and I'll really get mad!"
...Wasn't she crying?
Ignored Louis and headed for the writhing tentacle.
It was suffering bad, so one wrong move and those thrashing tentacles might hit—gotta be careful.
"Kieeeek...!!!"
-Shwooo!
A massive tentacle swung overhead. No need to block—just dodged like an acrobat.
Undead have immortality traits.
Even if salt melts the body, with hero and demon traits combined, it'll keep regenerating.
So, gotta remove the 'core' of that regeneration to finish it for good.
'There.'
I dove toward the spot pulsing with holy power—the undead's central core.
-Stab!
Reach in, separate the core from the tentacles, and regeneration should stop.
-Crunch!
Yanked the core out quick with force.
A human shape popped out of the tentacles.
Rare black hair around here. I'd just separated the 'hero' who'd been one with this monster.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Hero 'Kang Si-woo' - Lv.210] His level went up too.
Probably got the EXP the monster absorbed while he was the core.
'This guy's buck naked...'
Makes sense—he was trapped longest.
Anyway, no plans to keep this ugly thing.
-Whoosh!
Tossed him toward some random spot.
At that level, even a precision strike wouldn't kill him. Few broken ribs maybe.
Hmm, yeah, probably a few ribs.
"Kiik...! Kik...?!"
The monster's regeneration finally stopped.
No core to form the flesh—can't regen as fast as it melts now.
-Sizzle!
'Now I can see the people.'
The tentacles melted away, revealing the swallowed folks bit by bit.
Most had their clothes dissolved, naked regardless of age or gender, but better than dead. Hope they don't complain too much.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few hours later.
⚙ LOCATION ⚙ 《~Neutral Stage~ Asral City Inn District》 Sun had set by now.
Still, the city folk hustled to repair walls and buildings wrecked by the monsters.
After the undead demon vanished, I patrolled the outskirts, burying any opportunistic small fry trying to sneak in.
Boss monster in the city always drew lesser mobs for attacks—an old event.
Leave it, and monsters overrun the place, residents start vanishing one by one.
Annoying sudden quest to hunt them down later...
So I handled it preemptively.
"Feels refreshing."
Finished bathing, stepped out of the bathroom.
The salt from the sky left me sticky, but hot water cleaned me right up. Feels great.
Plus, those holy order guys peeled off—bonus satisfaction.
[We're sorry. You handled our job for us, High Elf lady. And thank you for rescuing my incompetent subordinate. So, as a small token of gratitude for your help...]
Got 1000 gold as reward for dealing with the undead monster. Not bad at all.
Of course, guilty that I summoned it, but if I'd left that labyrinth demon alone, the city would've fallen before inquisitors arrived.
No big issue.
"Sob... hic..."
...The problem's that lizard over there.
Since we got back to the inn, Louis has been crying alone in the corner.
Makes me look like the bad guy.
Like I'm some demon or... oh, wait, I am.
Worst case, tentacles groped her all over—does she need to cry that hard?
Nothing to be done?
"Louis."
I called out to the sniffling girl.
"I'm hungry. Let's grab dinner. And tomorrow, once the city's stable, I'll lend you that book you wanted. That work?"
"...For real?"
Her eyes lit up as she turned.
Personality matches her looks—kid-like. Easy? Or just naive?
Nothing bad for me, but tempting her with food and toys is surprisingly effective.
Was I like that as a kid?
When I'd fight with Mom and cry alone, Dad would sneak in with my favorite chicken to cheer me up.
Huh. Wonder how my parents are doing.
With their only son gone, they must be worried...
-Crackle!
...Who said anyone's worried about me?
-Zzzt!
"Huh? What's wrong suddenly, Lady Cyan?"
I stood still, sorting my thoughts.
Something's off.
Way off.
No matter how hard I try, I can't picture my parents' faces.
Did I even have parents?
Demons don't have parents.
Demons form when pure mana takes physical form, absorbing ambient essence in the demon realm until ego emerges.
So no parents for—
"Lady Cyan, you okay...?"
"What?"
Louis tugged my sleeve.
Why's she doing that all of a sudden?
"No, uh... Lady Cyan. Isn't that the holy sword?"
"What are you talking about."
Looked at my right hand following her words.
Hand felt prickly earlier...
-Zzzt!
⚙ ITEM ⚙ ▶Item – Equipment 『Hero's Holy Sword』 ※Anti-demon ultimate weapon. Burns all demons its blade touches, even the Demon God. Only the hero can wield it; others are consumed by its holy power.
What? Why's this in my hand?
-Clang!
Dropped it immediately.
What was I about to do? The tip was pointed at me.
Was I gonna off myself with it?
This is insane...
"...Louis, why was this in my hand?"
"I-I don't know. Felt a weird vibe suddenly, looked over, and you were holding it."
Louis shook her head frantically.
She was right beside me—didn't see me pull it out.
I never even took the holy sword...
And it's bound to the hero.
Can't take it no matter what, even if you kill him.
-Shh!
"It vanished!"
Normally, it'd vanish like that on its own.
Probably back in the hero's hand. But why was it with me?
...Head's spinning a bit.
"You okay, Lady Cyan? Demons are in danger near holy swords. You're not gonna dissolve or anything, right?!"
"No need to worry. Stabbing myself with that'd be like a needle prick."
Even direct stab probably wouldn't hurt much.
Holy sword's mid-game gear at best.
HP regen outpaces any damage. Not dangerous.
But my body moved without my say-so.
That's what's bugging me.
'...Overdid the mana use? Got carried away spamming 6-star spells.'
In Novel Online, separate from mana, characters have 'mental strength' that drains with actions.
Even inn rests take time to recover fully.
Might be that.
'It's 6 PM now...'
Checked the clock.
Unfamiliar script, but I understood it naturally.
As if I'd lived in this world forever...
"Louis, hungry right now?"
"Nah... Dragons can go 50 years without food during hibernation..."
"Then let's nap a bit. Tired from overusing magic today."
"O-okay! No need to push—"
-Flop!
I pulled Louis into a hug and hit the bed.
"...Huh?"
Dragon perks: low body temp. Post-bath warmth plus her coolness = perfect feel.
Size just right too—like hugging a plush doll.
Plenty of time. Hour's nap should recharge me.
With Louis here, I'll crash fast.
"You've been groping me nonstop! Seriously, you human! No, demon! Sleep without me!"
Super comfortably.
"Wait, that's the tail! Ahh..."