Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Rau Thrown Out
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Snow-capped mountains where the blizzard had finally stopped.
The sky hung low in shades of gray,
and the ground was blanketed in pristine white snow.
The expedition team pressed onward through it all.
"Halt!"
The lead scout came to a stop.
Squinting ahead, they spotted a fork in the path.
A faint crossroads hidden beneath the snow.
The wind swept lightly from the right, brushing away the thin layer of powder.
"Left! The terrain makes the left safer and faster!"
The tanuki beastkin stepped forward, pointing left to fulfill his role.
But no one in the expedition paid him any mind.
Everyone ignored him and turned to me instead.
Meeting their gazes, I glanced at the chat window before replying.
"The right looks better."
Was it because I'd opposed him again?
The tanuki's face flushed red as he bellowed.
"What do you know, butting in like that?!"
He jabbed a finger at me, spewing curses.
I didn't even spare him a look.
"The left might be quicker, but judging by the ridge slope and snow buildup, there's avalanche risk. No reason to take the dangerous route."
"Don't spout nonsense! I've climbed this mountain a dozen times—there's no avalanche on that path..."
"Enough! We're going right."
The tanuki's outburst cut off.
The fox leader strode ahead from the front.
She raised my hand high, settling the debate.
Ever the proper leader, she tried to defuse the tension.
"My call—the left has too much snow buildup. It'll be tough going."
She'd tactfully saved the tanuki some face.
"What a pro."
💬 Unique Gallery — Anonymous Kuh! That's a real leader. Our captain? Tsk. — Anonymous And she's gorgeous too. — Anonymous But that tanuki's such a clown lol I glanced at the tanuki beastkin through the chat window.
"H-Hah, but..."
He couldn't let it go, trying to argue back.
But the leader's courtesy had its limits.
"I'm the expedition leader. Don't cross the line."
💬 Unique Gallery — Anonymous Kuh! Check that resolve! So sexy! — Anonymous M-My eyes! Something's wrong down there, meow! — Anonymous You freak—anything beastkin is fine by you? — Anonymous You're excommunicated from the Ruby Church, meow! "S-Sorry."
The tanuki bowed his head at the leader's firm words.
His hands trembled as he glared daggers at me.
I shrugged off his stare and kept marching.
That was when it happened.
Kurrururung—
A massive roar echoed across the mountains.
All eyes turned to the tanuki's suggested left path.
Sure enough, an avalanche was crashing down.
"F-Freakin'..."
"If we'd gone that way, some of us would've died..."
"How'd you predict that?"
Aws and gratitude poured my way.
As I sheepishly scratched the back of my head,
someone poked my side.
It was Rau.
He cackled, pointing ahead.
There stood the tanuki, staring blankly at the avalanche.
The disdainful look he'd shot the miners yesterday was gone.
"Kekeke. Serves him right."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Darkness fell over the snowy mountains.
As visibility dropped, the leader at the front called out.
"We'll camp here tonight!"
The team moved with crisp efficiency at her command.
I started digging too.
Clearing snow to expose firm ground, then setting up a fire and bedroll.
Just as I finished my share,
"Here, eat up."
Rau sidled up, handing me a bundle of grass.
"This again, huh."
The aroma was nice at first, but three meals in a row?
My stomach was churning.
Maybe slip away and snag a rabbit?
As that thought crossed my mind,
Plop.
Something dropped onto my leg as I sat.
It was dried fruit.
I looked up, puzzled.
A fellow miner beastkin was walking off, looking sheepish.
"Kekeke. Guess he's grateful. Yeah, if we'd listened to that idiot, a few would've been buried."
"Keep it down. He'll hear you."
It wasn't me who'd spoken.
Another miner beastkin had approached.
He scolded Rau, then said,
"Thanks to you, we're alive."
With that, he handed me some powder and left.
"Oho! Raquiem grass powder. Sharp kick to it. Mix it in—chef's kiss."
I tried a pinch...
Tastes like chili powder?
Raquiem, was it?
"Maybe ask Ruby to grow some?"
As I pondered,
"Thanks. Here."
"Take care of us from here on too."
"Sorry for ignoring you before. This is my apology."
The miners all came by, stuffing me with food.
"I can't eat all this."
As I fretted,
"I'm late to the party."
Another voice.
The expedition leader stood there.
Meat in her hands.
"Heh. Drooling yet?"
Was I making that dumb face?
As I thought that,
Sizzle.
She skewered the meat on a stick and held it over the fire.
"Thanks. We made it safe because of you. Keep it up for the rest."
She said, then—
Rub rub.
Rubbed her cheek against mine before sauntering off.
Stunned by the sudden skinship,
the quiet chat window exploded.
💬 Unique Gallery ⭐ Top Comment — LeafLover ...Mar... No, Thrown Out. — BabyElf No need to wait for Thrown Out. Elves, assemble! — Anonymous Agreed! — Anonymous Execute immediately! — Snow Girl I agree! Snow Girl too?
Why are you joining in?
As I panicked,
"Kekeke. That's a fox clan's thank-you."
"Really?"
"You look disappointed?"
"Nah."
"Sure you are. Face says otherwise. If you're that bummed, rack up more merits..."
He glanced around, then whispered in my ear.
"She might summon you to her tent. Kekeke."
I gave Rau a pitying look for that comment.
💬 Unique Gallery — Anonymous Rau Thrown Out. — Anonymous Thrown Out confirmed! Fertilizer for the trees... — Anonymous Tch! So close! "Hang in there. Gotta hit the bathroom."
As I left Rau looking baffled,
he poked my side.
Then nodded toward something.
Glower glower—
The tanuki was glaring murderously at me.
And in his hand? A bundle of grass.
Looked like the leader's gifted meat had been his share.
"Want company?"
"I'm good."
As I left camp,
💬 Unique Gallery — Snow Girl Young master. Be careful. "I know without you saying."
Snow Girl's warning was unnecessary.
My senses had already picked up the presence tailing me.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue and altered course.
To check if it was really following.
But as I changed path, it immediately matched.
"Such a pain."
Sighing, I stopped.
The figure rushing up appeared—a guide tanuki beastkin.
Flinch—
He jolted in surprise at me waiting.
I eyed him.
"So, why'd you follow me?"
My words made his lip twitch.
His eyes burned with rage and injustice.
"Feels good, huh? Stealing another man's rice bowl—feeling good, you bastard?!"
He jabbed my chest accusingly.
"Lucky guess... Just went opposite me and it worked, huh? Feels good? Spill it, bastard!"
I almost refuted the "lucky" bit,
but shut my mouth.
No point—no state to listen.
Instead, I pointed out something else.
"Hm. Your finger manners suck."
With that, I grabbed his index finger.
And snapped it.
Crack—
"Gaaaaaaah!"
He crumpled without resistance, screaming.
Writhing in the snow, clutching his finger.
But his mouth didn't stop.
"H-How dare you! A filthy miner dares lay hands on me... Gaaah!"
"Still not getting it."
I muttered, stepping toward him,
when a voice cut in.
"Stop."
The fox leader's voice, between us.
The tanuki's eyes lit up at her arrival.
He rushed to her, showing his finger.
"L-Leader! Look at this! That bastard did it!"
Like a kid tattling to big bro after a beating.
But he was wrong.
The leader was our big bro.
Slap—
The slap echoed across the mountains.
The fox leader striking the tanuki's cheek.
"Wh-Why...?"
He gaped up in disbelief.
Seeing his face, she explained with another—
Slap—
"I heard everything."
Yeah.
I hadn't veered off to confirm a tail.
Just headed her way.
To dump the hassle on her.
💬 Unique Gallery — Anonymous Sly bastard as always. "Call it wise."
I replied, looking ahead.
"You're expelled from the expedition, effective now."
"Wh-What?! N-Nooo!"
His blank shock turned to horror.
The leader grabbed his collar.
Whoosh—
And hurled him far away.
"Whoa."
💬 Unique Gallery — Anonymous Whoa, our goddess is savage, meow! As I and the viewers marveled at her flair,
I felt breath on my face.
The leader pouted right in front of me.
"Slier than a fox, huh?"
Busted.
How to play this off?
"Eh, fine. You're key to the team, so protecting you is my job. Still miffed, though—get us to the goal by tomorrow. Got it?"
She grinned playfully and headed back to camp.
I scratched my head watching her go.
"Should've just killed the tanuki and buried him."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "We're here!"
Someone shouted, and it was true.
A massive cave loomed before us.
The cave housing the Ten Thousand Year Ice Crystal.
I'd delivered the team ahead of schedule, in under 24 hours, just as the fox leader demanded.
"Thanks, 100-Year Ginseng Maniac."
💬 Unique Gallery — 100-Year Ginseng Maniac Empty words are the most hollow thanks. "Yeah. I'll send dino meat and crab when we get back."
— 100-Year Ginseng Maniac Heh heh. Time to crack open that 20-year mountain ginseng brew. "Uh... Can I have a sip...?"
The top contributor on this trip, 100-Year Ginseng Maniac.
As I wheedled,
a presence approached.
The fox leader was about to rub cheeks again.
I dodged back hastily.
She looked shocked.
"D-Do you hate me touching you?"
"No! Not at all. Just..."
I mumbled, checking the chat.
💬 Unique Gallery — Anonymous Thrown Out! Tree fertilizer... — Anonymous Dang! Missed it! "...Just protecting you, leader. That's all."
"Hehe. You're one weird monkey. Anyway, thanks! We arrived early thanks to you. I'll reward you proper at settlement."
She returned to the front.
And called out.
"Alright, mining starts now... Huh?"
A dazed groan escaped her.
Puzzled, I followed her gaze.
The group that took the bear instead of me.
They were climbing up from below.