Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Demon King Qlus, Descends! #5
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The basic command tests were pretty much wrapped up.
At this point, I figured I could start taking him along for the real daily grind. Just thinking about it made my heart tingle. I had no idea not being alone could feel this damn good.
Tom Hanks must've felt like this when he met Wilson on that deserted island. Buril was my Wilson.
"Let's go, Buril."
"Keruk?"
"We're going to find some fruit. Fruit, you idiot. You gotta catch on the second I say it. Don't make me spell it out."
-Plop.
I patted him on the head as I said it.
"Keruk keruk."
He seemed to like it well enough.
Anyway, time to hit the road.
"Let's roll!"
"Keruk!"
I gripped my hand axe and walked the forest path with Buril. I matched my stride to his—our leg lengths were so different, he'd fall behind otherwise.
"Phew."
The weight on my mind felt lighter than when I was solo. Back then, I was scared shitless, watching every direction like a hawk. The mental strain was brutal. But now I had Buril.
Buril was a local critter around here.
A big-nosed sniffer, at that.
By my guess, he had a killer sense of smell. That had to make keeping watch a breeze. Sure, I didn't trust him completely, but having a local with me put me at ease.
"Buril. Fruit. Let's find fruit."
"Caeruk?"
"You know, the stuff you stuff in your mouth and eat. That. Let's find it."
I locked eyes with him and threw in some body language to drive the command home. Buril stared at me blankly for a second.
"Keruk!"
Then he barked loud and jumped.
-Splash!
He whipped his head to the side and jerked his chin—or whatever that gesture was.
"Keruk keruk! Keruk!"
"What? That way? No way!"
The fruit spot?!
"Let's go!"
"Keruk!"
I bolted after Buril, and sure enough!
"Whoa!"
A tree heavy with green fruit stood right there!
"Buril, you little shit! You're useful! Damn useful! You're friggin' awesome!"
"Keruk!"
Buril, hyped up, started climbing the tree. Wait, this guy could climb trees? Well, monkeys do it, so why not a goblin?
"Keruk keruk!"
Up on the branches, Buril started plucking fruit.
"Hey! Toss 'em here! Right here!"
I positioned myself right below and opened my sack. Buril acted like he'd done this a hundred times, expertly picking and tossing fruit my way.
This must've been his daily routine.
Pluckin' fruit and whatever else. Then he botched a fight, got hurt, and that's when I snagged him. Got dominated, end of story.
Locals are seriously clutch.
"But what's this stuff taste like?"
-Crunch.
I bit into a fruit.
"Ugh, kinda bitter."
A slight bitterness.
My tongue was extra sensitive right now; I could feel it perfectly. The texture was like a dry, crumbly apple.
-Crunch crunch.
I munched away while catching more fruit. About halfway full,
"Buril! That's enough—come on down!"
"Keruk!"
I called him back down.
"Whoa. You picked all this yourself. This'll fill us up. Good job, seriously."
"Kerurung."
I stroked his head again, and he lit up big time. They say praise makes whales dance, and looks like goblins groove too. Kinda dog-like? He loves the pets.
Then I gotta do it more.
"Sweet! Now let's hunt for other fruit!"
Gather a variety. Then head back to the water, refill the canteen, and we're good.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Pfoo!"
First proper wash. Stripped down, hopped in the stream, scrubbed my skin raw. Gave my long ears a thorough going-over, and those two horns on my forehead got polished squeaky clean.
Felt insanely refreshing.
Buril made it possible.
He was standing guard right there by the bank. Can't wash without a lookout.
-Splash.
I got out after a bit, toweled off. This little towel was stuffed in my coat pocket—good call packing it.
-Rub rub.
Towled my hair roughly, then slipped on my underwear... Nah. Should I wash these? Go commando today, clean undies tomorrow.
Decision made, I washed 'em. Then pants, no underwear.
"Alright! Your turn, Buril—get in and wash!"
"Keruk!"
Buril dove straight into the stream. Energetic little guy. I like it. Male energy overflowing.
-Splash! Splash!
Did goblins even know about washing? He scrubbed himself pretty good. Out he came, shaking like a wet dog.
-Splatter!
Water flying everywhere.
"Keruk keruk."
Then he stuck right by my side. Wild thing—no towel concept.
"Time to head back."
"Keruk."
Sack in hand, we walked.
Back home, expand the beet pit, crash. Food stocked, spirits high. Mana'll recover fine. Solidify the base a bit more, and I could crack open the black magic book for some studying.
Black magic studies are key. Tons of spells I haven't learned yet. Monster Domination alone makes life this easy—what if I master the rest?
Sure, the book's all basics, and I got no clue on advanced training, but that's not the point right now.
"Oh yeah, strength training too."
Definitely.
As a weak-ass demon, I drilled exercises nonstop in the Demon Realm. Now it's paying off big. Made it this far on physical prowess alone.
But since arriving, no workouts. Needed fuel first. Once I score protein...
-Rustle.
That moment.
"Keruk...!"
Buril suddenly fidgeted, staring dead ahead. Body trembling, legs coiled like he was about to spring.
What?
No—!
"...!"
Something... was there!
Buril sensed it!
Enemy?!
No running? Then fight. That thought surged through me. Axe at the ready, eyes scanning everywhere, prepped for anything.
"Hm?"
-Shiver...!
But Buril's reaction was weird. Not fleeing from an enemy... more like holding back the urge to charge.
"Keruk, krrk, keruk...!"
Staring ahead, shaking. Not an enemy? Then?
-Prey!
Yeah!
"Prey...!"
This was a predator spotting dinner! I locked eyes with Buril and commanded.
"Go! Buril! Go kill it!"
"Keruk!!!"
-Whoosh!
Buril launched.
I gripped my axe tight and chased. Prey meant meat! We need meat!
-Thud thud thud!
"Fast."
Buril was quick. Full speed, I'd pass him, but he was agile as hell. Wild monster pro. Weak-looking, but a specialist in his niche.
Even gazelles getting shredded daily in the savanna are sprint pros!
And.
"Keruuuuuuuuuk!"
Buril roared.
As he pounced the bushes.
"Gwaaaak!"
A weird cry, bushes thrashing. Gotta back him up—fast! Confirming as I closed in.
"Gwaaaak! Gwaaaaak!"
"Keruk! Keruk keruk!"
Buril had latched onto the back of some dog-sized lizard-thing, wrestling it down!
"Keruk! Kerrrung!"
Feral snarls!
Explosive aggression!
Clinging to its back, he chomped its neck, bellowing!
"Whoa!"
This was a monster!
This was raw wild fury...!
"Kerrrung!"
"Gwaaaak!"
Not outright attacking—just pinning it, holding it immobile!
Not solo hunting!
Hunting with me! Holding it for the kill shot—Buril was screaming that!
"Got a lizard, huh!"
"Keruk keruk!"
"Nice! Hold it tight!"
The lizard thrashed, but shaking off a back-clinger? Tough build. I eyed the moment.
"Gwaaaaaak!"
Aimed for its screaming head!
-Whiiiiiish!
Slamming the hand axe down!
-Crunch!
"Uooooooooh!"
The dulled blade smashed its skull. Scales shattered, blood sprayed. No instant KO, obviously. Blood boiling. Pound till it drops!
"Die! Die!"
"Kerrrung!"
Buril held fast; I hammered endlessly.
-Crunch!
-Crunch!
-Crunch!
It was over in seconds.
-Shudder...!
The lizard convulsed, then stilled. Buril hopped off, sensing the win instinctively.
"...We won."
"Keruk."
In battle.
We won.
"First prey acquired...!"
Thrill.
Euphoria.
Heart pounding like mad. Tension. Combat. Victory. All those peak emotions mashed together. We won. Victory. Prey secured!
"Meat!"
Meat to eat!
That fact electrified me...!
"Kraaaaaaaa!"
Party hunt success!
"Keruuuuuk!"
Couldn't hold back the roar; Buril bounced around hyped, chiming in. Lizard still dead! Meat acquired!
"Home! Let's take it home!"
"Keruk!"
And the best part? Buril followed orders perfectly.
Excited as hell, but holding back. This guy who went berserk in the fight? Post-battle, no ripping into the kill. Waiting for my command.
He was fully dominated!
By me!
"I am the Demon King! Monster Dominator! Qlus Bellacru! No!"
It's Kim Qlus!!!