Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Into the Anomalous Beast
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Generally, demonic beasts are ranked from 1 to 9 based on their threat level.
However, that's only for the standard cases—ones that can be quantified using known data and human metrics.
It's impossible to categorize the unfathomable ones beyond that.
So people just lump them together under three simple letters.
Out of spec.
The Anomalous Beast had been one of the rare few granted that irregular rating since ancient times.
Aside from its massive body, roughly twice the size of Yeouido, almost no information about it was known—a forgotten monster existing only in history books now.
But I'm personally proving right here, right now, that it still exists.
Hwoooo.
I'm plummeting down like I'm bungee jumping, then riding what feels like an endless bobsled.
Of course, calling it a bobsled is just my guess.
Truth is, I can't see a thing.
My vision is pitch black whether my eyes are open or closed; all I can sense is that I'm being swept along in a warm, viscous liquid, descending at high speed.
How long did that go on?
Just as I was barely breathing through the respirator connected to my oxygen tank.
Pooong—a sound rang out, followed by a sudden rush of wind.
Like a ski jumper launching off the ramp.
My heart dropped, and I felt gravity yanking me down relentlessly.
No idea how high up I was, but I was falling helplessly.
Kuuung—
My butt hit the ground.
Luckily, it was soft and squishy, so the pain was minimal.
I quickly checked myself over, then flicked on the flare strapped to my chest.
Paht—
The surroundings came into view.
It was a vast space, judging by the circumference.
If not for the walls constantly undulating without rest, I could've mistaken it for some massive underground cavern.
Maybe I should've brushed up on basic anatomy before coming.
No clue exactly which part of the body this is.
However.
Judging by the hissing from my wetsuit and the faint smoke rising.
The liquid sloshing at my feet seems to be some kind of digestive fluid.
Looks like I entered through a breathing hole and made it all the way to the stomach.
Anyway, I'd infiltrated intact, so that was half the battle won.
Now I just had to hunt down the Celestial Silkworm Thread.
No time to waste.
My time limit was about an hour.
I realized why the moment I removed the respirator.
"Hup."
My breath caught, and I staggered.
The oxygen concentration was drastically lower than outside.
I had to save the remaining oxygen in the tank for the escape, so no more wasting it.
To adapt to the changed environment, I took slow, deep breaths and closed my eyes.
Memories of the original story flashed through my mind.
Radeon had ended up inside the Anomalous Beast due to an unfortunate accident.
He'd jumped into a pit to escape the Assassin Squad, and it just happened to be the beast's breathing hole.
Swept up in digestive fluid, he arrived here in near-total ruin.
His skin and hair melted in patches all over.
Side note: later, after gaining fame, he restored his skin somewhat.
But his hair... no amount of money could fix that.
Anyway.
So how did he get the Celestial Silkworm Thread?
He didn't find it himself—he was dragged to it by the scruff of his neck.
There was another demonic beast living as a parasite inside the Anomalous Beast.
I don't know the details.
I just figured it was about time for it to show up.
That's when my heightened hearing picked up a strange noise.
Kick-kick—
A throat-clearing sound from not far off. I quickly killed the flare and lay flat.
Kick-kick—
As it got closer, a foul stench started permeating the air.
Eup.
I held my breath and played dead, not twitching a muscle.
Moments later, their voices echoed right beside me.
My senses pegged their number at four total.
Kick-kick—
Kee-kick.
They chattered heatedly like they were at an appraisal fair, then moved.
Suddenly, gripping forces tugged from all sides, and my body floated up.
* * *
For creatures who'd lived their whole lives in darkness, it was no obstacle.
I was hauled along like a whole hog heading to the barbecue pit.
Along the way, I gleaned some info on them.
Their height came up to about my waist.
Decent strength, sharp nails, but nothing truly threatening.
Lost in such thoughts while dangling.
The stench thickened, and kick-kick cackles erupted from all directions at once.
I'd arrived at their lair, apparently.
Kuung—
I was tossed aside like a sack of trash.
Rustling footsteps approached, followed by groping hands.
About ten of them?
One latched onto the oxygen tank I was clutching tight.
If that got damaged, I'd be in deep trouble.
Time to move—I sprang up without hesitation.
"Hands off, you little shit."
I bellowed and swung the oxygen tank hard.
A solid thwack, and the fumbling one went flying.
[Name: Gloom Imp]
[Threat Level: Grade 10]
[Attribute: Darkness (36%)]
[Traits: Parasitic demonic beast clinging to the Anomalous Beast. Resembles a goblin outwardly, with unremarkable abilities.]
Gloom Imp, huh.
Kee-yeek—
They recoiled in panic, and I activated my manifestation power.
The spell completed; I slammed my hand toward the ground.
1-star Fire Control Technique: Fierce Fire Assault.
[Manifestation Accuracy: 86%]
Right then, three pillars of flame erupted in the darkness-shrouded space.
Kwaruruk.
Searing heat and blazing light illuminated everything.
These lifelong dwellers of the dark reacted dramatically.
Kee-gee-gee-geek—
The Gollum-lookalikes screeched in terror.
About seven of them.
But judging by the holes in the walls, there were probably more.
Speed was key.
I twisted the raging pillars' paths toward them.
Kwaruruk.
The ferocious blaze swallowed even their screams.
[Grade 10 demonic beast, Gloom Imp defeated.]
[Grade 10 demonic beast, Gloom Imp defeated.]
.
.
[40 hours acquired.]
Chaos and ambush—unbeatable combo.
Easy pickings, but I'm still hungry.
['Gluttony' absorbs demonic energy from Grade 10 demonic beast 'Gloom Imp.']
.
.
[Seal Release Rate: 1%]
Absorbing their demonic energy as dessert, silence and darkness returned.
I lit the flare and scanned the large holes in the walls.
One of them should be it.
Their treasure hoard, where they stashed the rarer stuff.
"Let's hurry."
Oxygen already scarce, and now I'd set a fire—time was tight.
I manifested the 'Dagger of the Loyal Guard Knight' into my hand and headed that way.
32 strokes, 1-star Wind Control Technique: Bull Rush.
[Manifestation Completion: 85%]
Not as fast as outside, but still agile enough to search the lair.
Kee-gik—
First hole: bust.
I stabbed my dagger into the gut of the bold attacker and channeled mana.
Enhanced cutting power sliced it diagonally.
[Grade 10 demonic beast, Gloom Imp defeated.]
No finesse—I got splattered with blood, but no time for delicacy.
Shook it off roughly, absorbed the demonic energy, and moved to the next hole.
One by one.
Midway through the unfamiliar close-quarters combat.
"Found it."
I finally stepped into their hideout.
A sunken, circular chamber.
For dim-witted Gloom Imps' stash, I expected a jumble of junk.
"This is what?"
I doubted my eyes for a second.
Not many items, but neatly maintained.
Couldn't do much about the musty mold smell, but the organized display was almost admirable.
"Not the time."
Dizziness hit; I staggered over.
First, the goal: Celestial Silkworm Thread.
Spotted a pair of copper bracelets on the verge of crumbling at a touch. I focused my mana sight.
There it was.
A thin bundle of threads wound around them like yarn—impossible to spot without close inspection.
"Basic info only."
I reached out to appraise.
[Celestial Silkworm Thread]
[Grade: Rare (High)]
[Description: Thread extracted from the Celestial Silkworm, a rare demonic beast thought extinct. Known as one of the world's toughest fibers.]
[Effect: Becomes nearly transparent upon mana infusion. Length adjustable at will.]
Finally.
I grinned and pocketed it quick.
The ordeal felt trivial compared to this reward.
"Hold up."
I hesitated instead of leaving right away.
I'd gone to all this trouble to enter the Anomalous Beast's body.
Who knew when I'd get another shot at this legendary monster?
So...
Exiting empty-handed felt like a waste. Curiosity nagged to check the other items.
I glanced at the remaining time, pondered, then squatted again.
Appraising one by one, hoping for a lucky break.
"Oh. What's this?"
Soon, a low exclamation escaped.
A shabby pouch—no high hopes—but.
[Subspace Pouch]
[Grade: Rare (Mid)]
[Description: Pouch with subspace functionality. Weight reduction enchantment applied.]
[Effect: Freely access a 1-pyeong subspace.]
Jackpot.
Subspaces were rare enough; a portable one like this, even I—a webtoon artist—had never seen.
"What day is it?"
This alone was huge, and four more unopened packages remained.
I activated appraisal again.
Three duds; the last in a small chest made me chuckle before even checking.
A lotto gleaming with iridescent light.
Mana Crystal.
Smaller than before, but still worth billions.
I carefully lifted the mana crystal and stowed it in the subspace pouch.
Utterly satisfied, I stood.
Loaded up—time to really go.
* * *
Shwaaaaa.
Escape followed Radeon's method.
He'd cleverly exploited the Anomalous Beast's natural purging to exit.
In simple terms, he became a form of waste product...
Details omitted.
I slammed a compound spell, Hellfire, into the stomach wall—marked as hazardous instantly.
Digestive fluid burst like rapids to flush it out, sweeping me along.
Landed in the middle of the ocean, but diligent horn signals got me picked up by the captain patrolling nearby.
"What kind of investigation turns a guy into... ugh, that smell."
The captain looked shocked, but my curt replies shut down further questions.
By the time we reached Taehak, the sun was dipping low.
Showered, fed my starving gut, then headed to the nearest comprehensive training room.
Time to check my hard-earned gains.