Chapter 198: Economy? Currency? I Don't Know, Man (3)
Chapter 198: Economy? Currency? I Don't Know, Man (3)
Slurp. Slurp.
The sound of someone sucking through a straw echoed through the air.
It was the kind of sound that piqued one's curiosity, making you wonder what on earth was making it.
However, I hadn't looked back since the first time I turned my head.
The image was already seared into my brain.
Al’shel’s pale blue skin created a grotesque gradient against the skin of the Purple Ones.
Their heads were buried deep inside Al’shel’s wide-stretched mouth.
With their entire faces covered in tentacles, it looked as if they were being parasitized.
And then, he sucked.
Just like someone drinking through a straw.
Simultaneously, the octopus-like face, which had looked somewhat decent before, began to collapse.
It didn't stop at the cheeks hollowing out; it was as if their very soul was being drained. The outlines of their bones protruded beneath the skin until they looked like skeletons.
Even I, who had seen all sorts of unspeakable things, found the sight shocking.
It was only moments ago that I had dragged Al’shel and his victim into this alleyway just as he was about to do that in the middle of the street.
No matter how semi-hostile they were, there was no need to inflict lifelong trauma on the civilians, was there?
Slurp. Slurp.
“Are you sure that won't leave any lasting side effects?”
The sound was so ominous that I found myself worrying for The Enemy.
I mean, there are limits.
It’s not like the guy committed some capital crime; is this really okay?
“Slurp. Mm. Well. They might develop a slight subconscious fear of beings that look like me. Schlorp. A bit of trauma. Slurp. And there will be some temporary memory loss for about two or three days. It’s not a big deal.”
Uh… how is he talking while sucking?
I asked, but I hadn't actually expected an answer.
“…How much longer?”
“Slurp. Thirty seconds. Should be enough.”
Fine.
I felt like my own mental state was being ground down just standing here, so I was glad it would be over soon.
With that thought, I turned my eyes and ears away from reality and waited for about thirty seconds.
“Pah. It’s finished.”
Hearing a wet sound like someone spitting, followed by the thud of something heavy being tossed aside, I turned my head.
“Ah. Right, good work. Then where do we go—”
Dammit.
Why did I turn around?
Al’shel said he was finished, but he never said he’d cleaned up the mess.
The scene in the back alley was indescribably horrific.
Perhaps because he’d been in constant contact with moisture, the Purple One’s skin had turned hideous.
Blue mucus was stuck between the resulting wrinkles, creating a shape that defied description.
On top of that, the face, bloated with fluid… Never mind. Why am I even trying to recall this?
So, I looked at Al’shel instead, hoping for a more pleasant sight, but he was just as gruesome.
Because the tentacles covering his mouth were retracted, I could see black teeth shining like obsidian inside his maw, glistening with blue slime.
And his throat wasn't just normal darkness. It was like an Abyss, pulling things in.
As if it were sucking in my… emotions, knowledge, and mind—
“Ah. My apologies. I haven't closed my mouth yet.”
Al’shel’s hurried words snapped me out of that bizarre sensation.
What the hell? Was I actually being sucked in?
Well, putting that aside.
“That guy. He’s really okay, right?”
I didn't even want to look, so I just pointed a finger toward where the purple drowned-looking corpse should be.
“Yes. As I mentioned before, he’ll be fine, aside from a few… minor issues. Normally, the memories I consume should vanish, but I’ve returned them all. That’s why it took so long.”
Oh. Was that a special service?
I’m not sure which is worse: losing your memories or looking like that.
I’m a bit worried, but… well, he’s alive, so I guess it’s fine.
“So, did you find out where we need to go?”
“Yes. It wasn't as large a group as I expected. Still, they seemed to possess quite a bit of information.”
Hmm. Lots of information, huh?
“I don’t care where it is, let’s just talk while we walk. Lead the way.”
“As you wish.”
With a final act of mercy, I propped the purple corpse against The Wall before leaving the alley to follow Al’shel, who was already walking ahead.
“What do you mean they’re a small group but have lots of information?”
“Small means exactly that. A racial group of maybe a million people at most. They aren't a warrior faction; they’re just survivors from a destroyed world who drifted here. Even that seems to have become nothing more than a legend over the vast passage of time.”
“Hm? Wait. Isn't the way to become a Passenger to pass the test?”
“When coming from the outside, yes. But if you live here and reproduce here, you naturally become a Passenger. I think I know what you’re thinking, but we aren't so cruel as to kick out parents and their children.”
Hmm. Hearing it that way, it makes sense.
In the first place, having such a massive… room would naturally encourage colonization.
Alright, I get that part.
“Then what about the information?”
“Lee Ha-ram. Do you know how a small group survives among the giants?”
What’s he talking about all of a sudden?
Isn't it obvious?
“You beat the giants up and make them your subordinates.”
It’s the perfect method.
You escape being a small group, and the giants get to serve someone with immense power. It’s a win-win.
“That is a truly insane suggestion, very much in character for you. But there is no way people this weak could win against those who outnumber them by dozens, or even thousands, of times.”
‘Though it would be possible if they were a combat race like us.’
Insulting me while praising himself at the same time.
Heh. This guy is really starting to push his luck because I haven't said anything. If he crosses the line, I might not be able to hold back.
“There are many ways for a small group to survive, but the explanation is too long, so I’ll give you the answer directly.”
Hmm. Getting straight to the point. My irritation gauge dropped a little thanks to that.
“Information. Those numerous eyes aren't just for show; they are a race specialized in gathering information. They’ve survived by using that information to find the right places to cling to.”
Oho.
“Which means.”
“Yes, it means there’s plenty for us to plunder.”
Grin.
We both crossed the street, smiling at each other.
Heading toward the treasures in the distance.
By the way, this guy has a really nasty smile.
* * *
Contrary to expectations, the headquarters where their leader resided was a low-slung building.
According to Al’shel’s explanation, they had a rare system where the political leader was separate from the combat units.
In other words, despite their thug-like appearance, they had a surprisingly advanced social system…
Or so I thought.
“We’re under attack! Some crazy outsider is—”
Boom!
“Shut up and just open the way. I told you I won't do anything bad, didn't I?”
Since he was talking into a rod inscribed with Magic Circles, I just slammed him into The Wall with my hammer.
“Indeed. They really should have just opened the path quietly.”
Al’shel seemed to be enjoying himself too. His skin had turned a reddish hue as he gripped the head of a passing Purple One, squeezing it in his palm.
As a result, eyeballs popped out from between Al’shel’s fingers, but it didn't feel as gruesome as I expected.
It seemed their eyeballs were like equipment or something, because I’d seen others picking up eyeballs rolling on the ground and stuffing them into their own sockets.
Seeing as they didn't die even after being squashed into a stone wall, they were definitely sturdier than the average human.
What a strange race.
“Let go of my brother! You monster!”
Once again, enemies swarmed from around the corner.
They launched a pincer attack, wielding various weapons in one hand and chanting magic with the other.
At first, dozens of them were swept away in seconds, but as we moved deeper inside, they gradually grew stronger. Now, it was taking a bit of time.
Even if I say it took time…
The moment I saw the magic being fired.
I lowered my stance and lunged forward.
Due to that sudden acceleration, the arrows of light they aimed at me passed over my head.
“Ah?”
The moment they realized their mistake.
I was already crouched before them, pulling my hammer back with all my might.
“Stay down.”
Whoosh!
The Hammer swung in a wide arc, and half the enemies were swept away by the shockwave, crashing into the ceiling and walls.
They definitely got stronger.
To think half of them managed to dodge the attack.
Of course, even if it took longer.
Between me and…
“You missed half of them.”
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Al’shel, who had caught them from behind without a sound and was rapidly burying a club into their heads. Compared to the two of us, they were infinitely pathetic.
It had been about twenty seconds so far.
It didn't take long.
But it had reached an annoying level.
We must be close to the headquarters, because we’d been ambushed about ten times already.
“Why don't you just use magic?”
Losing to a mage with a club—they’re probably going to cry.
“They aren't worth wasting magic on.”
Is that so?
Well, they are a bit annoying.
“How long are these guys going to keep pouring out?”
At this point, shouldn't they realize the gap in skill and send someone much stronger?
Compared to the number of people being sacrificed, the efficiency of stalling for time was terrible.
I thought to myself as I moved, avoiding the eyeballs scattered all over the hallway.
“They must have their own plan. They’ve probably realized we aren't actually killing them.”
Are they taking advantage of my restraint?
At Al’shel’s words, I looked back at the hallway filled with Purple Ones.
Against guys of that level, it takes about 10 to 20 seconds.
And that’s only because I’m gauging my strength so as not to kill them one by one.
If I were going for a literal massacre, I’m confident it wouldn't even take a second.
“How bothersome.”
“There is a simpler way. We could just kill them all.”
‘I don't mind.’
Al’shel said with a nonchalant smile.
As if either way was fine with him.
Of course, I had no intention of following that suggestion.
“It’s not like we’re villains.”
“I believe that from their perspective, the moment you started this rampage, you became a great villain.”
Is that so?
Still, killing is a bit much, right?
“Let’s just go. It won't make much difference.”
“You needn't worry so much.”
Saying that, Al’shel smiled and reached out toward the far end of the long hallway.
“It seems we’re almost there.”
Simultaneously, the tip of Al’shel’s outstretched hand glowed black.
It’s hard to understand the phenomenon of ‘glowing black,’ but that was the only way to describe it.
From Al’shel’s fingertip, a line of black light flowed out.
It instantly formed a circle.
And then it became a Magic Circle.
A circular black Magic Circle, filled with complex patterns and characters.
“Since some quite powerful individuals are coming, I shall deal with them in one go.”
The moment Al’shel finished speaking.
Pew.
A playful sound, like something from a child’s toy, echoed out.
However, the phenomenon caused by the Magic Circle was in extreme contrast to that sound.
Zap!
A small spark flickered on the Magic Circle.
And then, a single streak of brilliant black darkness surged forward.
A massive flash that filled the entire hallway.
It only shone for an instant.
But its majesty was seared into my eyes as if it had shone for dozens of seconds.
And so, by the time the flash subsided.
“…They didn't die, right?”
A voice so ridiculous I couldn't believe it came from my own mouth escaped me.
“It may look like that, but it’s a mental-type attack. There is almost no physical damage.”
“That ‘almost’ is really bothering me.”
“Mental Magic that exceeds its limits can cause physical damage to the body. It’s nothing serious. Just a headache intense enough to make one despair of life, or perhaps some internal bleeding. Not enough to die.”
I don't believe him, but I’ll pretend I do.
It’s not like arguing will change anything anyway.
“Whew.”
Only a sigh escaped me.
What sin did I commit to have to wander around with an octopus like this?
“Stop sighing and stay sharp.”
Al’shel said as he summoned a staff from thin air.
“The strongest being who supports this room, this world, is just beyond that point.”