The First Time I Met Rise – Left Arm Severed
The first time I encountered Rise Nova, his left side was gashed open with a massive wound, and he was crawling laboriously across the ground. And the monster that had inflicted that injury on Rise was...
The clown had sliced off a chunk of Rise's flank to turn it into a taxidermy trophy. Rise eyed the clown warily but cautiously approached me and asked,
"Gauntlet Lord. Is this monster one you've tamed as well, my lord?"
"Yeah. Ran into him by chance and tamed him."
"Oho! As expected of you, my lord! To tame even a beast this fierce!"
Rise let out an exclamation of awe, his eyes filled with reverence.
"More than that, you got lucky, Rise."
"Lucky, you say? What do you mean by that, my lord?"
Rise tilted his head quizzically. I stroked the clown's head as I replied,
"If your first fight hadn't been with this guy, you wouldn't have escaped alive back then."
Before meeting me, Rise had encountered two types of monsters.
1. The one that ambushed the executioners.
2. The Psycho Clown that attacked Rise.
The first monster had been distracted by the executioners, allowing Rise to flee unscathed. But the second—the Psycho Clown—had targeted only Rise. And yet, Rise had survived, crawling away slowly despite his injury.
There was one reason that was possible.
The Psycho Clown didn't kill its prey to preserve it for taxidermy.
I explained this along with the clown's twisted hobby to Rise. Only then did he nod slowly in understanding.
"No wonder it didn't pursue... It let me go on purpose."
"Yeah. Can't have the target dying."
"Probably figured it wouldn't be fatal. Or maybe knew a Medical Mushroom was nearby."
After answering Ppuru-ru's question, I grabbed the clown's arm—standing beside me—and positioned him face-to-face with Rise.
"Anyway, since he hurt you, I'll make him apologize. Clown—apologize properly."
The clown bowed his head with a bob.
"...No need. If anything, I'm grateful it spared me when it could have killed."
Fortunately, Rise harbored no grudge. Beyond forgiveness, he even expressed thanks. Surprisingly magnanimous.
As we sat resting, I hugged and stroked the hardworking Jellyfish-002 when...
"Then it's time to dismantle it."
Rise stood, gripping his sword—the executioner's blade I'd lent him that morning.
"I'll handle the butchering alone, so everyone rest easy."
He approached the Pigking's corpse without protest. He'd insisted he was the least useful among us and wanted to earn his keep with chores.
"Heh heh. I'll chop it into the finest pieces! Hah!"
Rise's spirits were sky-high—and rightfully so. He'd heard we could track drifters using the Psycho Clown's abilities.
"Oh, that? I told him to this morning. 'Geon Gong' sounds weird."
"Gauntlet was my name back in that other world."
The clown was giggling behind his hand. He'd just used telepathy on me—with permission. The allies were curious about the chats, so I'd allowed it during the break.
"Yeah. I said it was okay."
I turned to the clown. Another question had popped into my head, but I didn't voice it. He'd read my thoughts anyway.
The clown nodded and continued.
Weak ones are drifters?
No strong drifters?
Got it. Did that drifter survive?
The clown pointed toward me—specifically, at Jellyfish-002 in my arms. Probably the Jellyfish Queen and her horde from before.
Makes sense. No matter how strong, no one soloes an SS-grade plus a hundred S-grades. Not even a grand hero or sage.
Me...?］
I nodded, then spoke aloud.
"Yeah. More like I sealed it myself, but anyway—know any monsters that can unseal? Gotta lift it now that I'm here."
The clown stroked his chin, humming, then replied,
Didn't expect much anyway—no disappointment.
"Thanks."
Small talk continued. About ten minutes later...
"All set! Come and get it, everyone!"
Rise called out, swinging the executioner's sword vigorously. Mealtime.
We ate quickly. The magma-grilled Pigking meat was delicious as ever.
After a short break, we resumed exploration.
"Ahh... That meat's flavor lingers. A fantastical taste I've never had before."
Rise was hooked, yammering about the meat hours later. I nodded along and checked my wristwatch. 4 PM. We'd left at 1, so three hours in.
"...Even with haste magic, it's taking forever."
Looks like no returning to shelter tonight.
"Gonna have to leave the place empty for a bit."
"Brought the important Monster Compendium. Nothing worth stealing anyway."
Following the clown's lead, we pressed on. No more forks—the path straightened out. Another hour passed.
I halted and called to Rise.
"Rise, let's rest here a bit."
"Aye, my lord. Was hoping for a break myself."
Rise plopped down. Nonstop marching—we were beat. I sat too.
Then, the new taming method I'd pondered earlier came to mind.
Might as well prep while resting.
I stood and approached Rise.
"Rise, can I borrow—no, have the executioner's sword back...?"
"Of course."
Sword reclaimed, I called to the nearby clown.
"Psycho Clown."
"Got a favor to ask."
I handed him the executioner's sword.
Early evening. Ha Yu-mi's clinic.
"Haa."
After finishing all consultations, Ha Yu-mi leaned back in her chair with a sigh.
"What a hellish day. Why were so many patients so aggressive today...?"
She stared blankly at the ceiling. Her mind was empty—exhaustion total.
"...Anyway, all done. Time to watch Geon-ssi’s stream."
Stretching, she rose, pulled her tablet from the desk drawer, and logged into Kang Geon's broadcast.
RED-rank supporter 'Yumi' has waddled over and is staring at you.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Ha Yu-mi tilted her head and focused on the screen. There, Kang Geon sat on the ground, extending his left arm. Beside him loomed an unfamiliar monster—humanoid in form.
The monster hesitated, then shakily raised the long sword high.
"What... what's happening...?"
The monster squeezed its eyes shut and swung the blade swiftly at Kang Geon's arm.
"Nooo!!!"
Ha Yu-mi's scream echoed through the clinic as Kang Geon's left arm cleanly severed on screen.