CHAPTER 028: Psycho Clown, the Fifth Ally Monster
The fifth ally monster was the Psycho Clown. That was the name it had given itself.
The Psycho Clown groaned as it stared at its fingers, now dripping like melted candle wax.
[Kirik...]
I left the clown in that state and clasped my hands behind my back, slowly browsing the shelves of taxidermied specimens. Along the way, I tossed out a few casual questions.
About five minutes passed like that. Now it was probably fine to heal it. Leaving it too long might chip away at its affection for me.
"Mushroom. You can heal it now."
[Pii...!]
The fidgety Medical Mushroom-004 zipped over to the clown like it had been waiting for this moment, dropping pink liquid onto its hand.
[Kirik?]
Its fingers regenerated perfectly. As expected, Medical Mushroom-004's healing was broken.
No way it reflected. A little punishment like this wouldn't change its nature. This thing had called collecting body parts more than a hobby—it was its reason for living.
Of course, it did seem sorry about stealing my finger. It cherished me as much as its specimens, after all. Taming made it like me instantly.
"Interfering with its hobbies feels a bit much."
I was the Helper Trait, not the Domination Trait type. Better to avoid tyrannical control over personal tastes. As I'd said before, these monsters weren't my subordinates. Taming made us more like friends.
Still, I had the authority to give orders within limits. Mild interference was fine as long as it didn't cross lines.
"Clown. From now on, ask my permission before collecting body parts, okay?"
[Kirik? Why ask permission?]
"If you pick fights with random people, it could backfire on all of us. You're one of us now."
[Kirik...]
The Psycho Clown seemed to mull it over, then nodded.
[Got it. I'll do that. Can't put my friend in danger. Kirik.]
The clown accepted my request. Simple reason: We were more horizontal than hierarchical, but perfect equality didn't exist. Even as friends, there was an invisible pecking order—and I ranked higher, so it listened.
I was the one who'd tamed them, after all. A plausible excuse helped, too. If I'd been lower, it would've ignored me.
Suddenly, the Psycho Clown waddled over and bowed politely.
[Kirik. Honestly, I thought you'd tell me to quit collecting. But you respect my hobby. Truly grateful. Without collecting my kids, I have no reason to live.]
An unexpected side. Vile hobby aside, its heart wasn't so bad. Maybe taming mellowed it out.
"Now you've got another reason to live besides that hobby."
[Another reason?]
"You said I'm as precious as your kids, right? Then I can be part of your reason to live from now on."
[Huh. That makes sense. You're part of my life now. Kirik.]
The clown giggled and stuck to my side. Even after I melted its finger for revenge, its affection was sky-high. Taming's power never ceased to amaze.
No worries about betrayal here.
This moment boosted my faith in the claim: Tamed monsters never turn.
The Psycho Clown's secret space—where it stored its specimens—had its entrance sealed with magma. To keep intruders out while it was away.
Unless something could ignore the magma, no one was getting in.
By the way, we could come and go freely. Black Magma Slime-003's magma didn't affect allies.
[Pi-poi-pi~]
I pulled my gaze from the entrance and checked my wristwatch. Still time before noon. A bit more exploring wouldn't hurt.
Just as I was about to resume...
"Huh? The real species name?"
"Oh. Right."
I'd brushed it off then. Maybe it was some other spider monster's leg?
"Clown."
[Kirik?]
"That spider leg I pointed at earlier."
I nodded toward Dog Spider-001.
"Same species?"
[Yes. Same species.]
Not another spider, then.
"Do you know its real species name?"
[I do. Hekhekshaaak. That's it.]
"......"
Did I hear that wrong?
"What? Didn't catch it."
[Hekhekshaaak.]
I heard right. Hekhekshaaak. Dog Spider-001's true species name.
"You're not messing with me?"
[No joke. That's the real name.]
The clown looked dead serious. No lie.
"How'd you learn it?"
[Heard it directly from a Hekhekshaaak before.]
"Huh. Hm..."
I hummed thoughtfully, then turned to Dog Spider-001.
"...Let's just stick with Dog Spider."
[Shii!]
Dog Spider-001's true species name? Erased from memory.
During exploration, conversation flowed between me and the Psycho Clown.
"Clown. When were you born?"
[Don't remember. Not sure I was even born.]
"Not sure you were born? What does that mean?"
[Hard to explain. Just... suddenly existed one day.]
Brief silence. But I picked up the thread.
"Had the body-part hobby from the start?"
[No. It developed over time.]
"How'd you get obsessed with taxidermy?"
[Too long ago. Sorry, fuzzy memory.]
I had to talk more than usual. First proper labyrinth monster I could really communicate with.
"Know about explorers?"
[Explorers. A bit. Ones who subjugate others. Ones who eat and grow stronger.]
"Know I'm one?"
[Figured it out. Power weakens around explorers.]
The clown stopped, staring at me.
[Come to think of it, you're weird.]
"How?"
[Not the eating type, so maybe subjugating... but doesn't feel like I'm dominated. And no hatred. Everyone dominated by explorers hated and wanted them dead.]
"I'm the Helper Trait explorer, not Domination. Didn't subjugate you—tamed you as a friend."
[Kirik? Helper? Tame?]
The clown tilted its head.
"Never met my type before?"
[First time.]
Guess Helper Trait explorers were rare.
I kept walking, chatting tirelessly. Changed topics.
"How'd you learn your own species name?"
[Met someone who knew it.]
"They told you?"
[No. Read their mind.]
"Mind reading?"
Not too shocked. Its true threat was S-grade. Demon king specialized in psychic powers—mind reading fit.
[Not using it now. Needs focus. Limits movement.]
Couldn't spam it, then. Made sense for such a cheat ability.
"Wonder how deep the mind reading goes."
[Permission granted? Won't read friends without asking. Bad manners.]
"Give it a shot."
The clown nodded, furrowed its brow, and stared piercingly.
[You read text. Pruru said: How many powers does that thing have?]
[Pruru said: How'd you read my chat? But who's Pruru?]
[You saw an image. Mishi used an emoji. Shocked face emoji.]
The Psycho Clown rattled off the allies' chats effortlessly. It couldn't see the chat window. My brain processed them naturally, and it peeked via mind reading.
Told the clown to stop mind reading. Gave a quick rundown on the allies—they were curious.
One last question.
"Clown. How close does the target need to be for mind reading?"
[Distance doesn't matter. As long as I can see them.]
Way more useful abilities than expected. Good tame.
Exploration done, back at the rendezvous. 11:30. Early, so no Rise Nova yet.
Guess I'll draw while waiting.
I pulled a notebook and pen from Black Magma Slime-003. For sketching new monsters at mealtime.
Sat in a good spot and sketched the Psycho Clown.
⚠ True Threat: S-grade
⚠ Current (Nerfed) Threat: B-grade
✦ Abilities: Psychic Powers
Finished the drawing. A familiar voice echoed from afar.
"Incredible! Defeating such a mighty monster! Well done!"
[Pii~]
"But its wounds are severe! Your regeneration seems weaker than mine—quick, to the healer... Oh! Everyone's back already!"
Rise Nova and Jellyfish-002 returned. Rise dragged the massive Pigking corpse with effort. Jellyfish-002 was covered in wounds—teeth missing, half its tentacles torn.
Barely won a brutal fight, it seemed.
"Jellyfish took heavy damage! Heal her quick—"
[Piii!!!]
Before Rise finished, Medical Mushroom-004 bolted out to treat Jellyfish-002.
Rise sighed in relief, then glanced our way.
"Ah, wait—no? That's the grudge from my side...!"
[Kirik?]
He startled at the Psycho Clown and stepped back. Looked like they knew each other.