Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Demon King Qlus, Descends! #7
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Extreme tension.
I've never seen Buril react like this before.
He's a native creature of this place. He knows exactly what's dangerous and what's safe, what to charge at when he sees it, and what to hide from.
—Tremble tremble...!
Buril had wedged himself right into my side, covering his mouth with his hands as his body shook uncontrollably. His eyes were clouded with fear, quivering, and even his hooked nose was twitching side to side.
Wait.
Why's that thing shaking?
Anyway.
"...!"
I ducked into the bushes too, scanning our surroundings warily. Should I bolt right now? No. No way. Buril wasn't trying to run—he was hiding. I'll trust his judgment. Hiding must be the better play.
But now there's me, the wildcard... Too late to second-guess. All I can do is tough it out.
—Rustle rustle.
—Flutter flutter flutter.
In that instant,
I couldn't help but be shocked.
—Flutter flutter flutter.
A Tinkerbell was flitting about.
Military slang. They call moths bigger than your palm Tinkerbells. Up ahead, a butterfly even larger than that was fluttering around.
But... it wasn't a normal butterfly!
A little person!
Tiny human!
"...!"
A real Tinkerbell!
A tiny woman the size of my palm! Butterfly wings sprouted from her back! That wasn't a butterfly—it was a little person with butterfly wings. A Tinkerbell!
—Flutter flutter flutter.
She was even wearing something like clothes! A dress?! Off-shoulder style! Like a doll's outfit!
No way... a fairy!
A fairy!
Fairy!
"...!"
Buril was terrified of the fairy. Was something that small really that dangerous? She was basically palm-sized. Super lightweight class.
Fighting something like that... one punch should do it.
But if Buril's scared, there must be something to it. Magic, maybe? Fairies using spells? Yeah, that tracks.
—Flutter flutter flutter.
We held our breath together like that.
Soon enough, the fairy fluttered off into the distance and vanished.
—Swaaah.
Only the glittering dust she scattered proved she'd been there. Even that faded away quickly.
"Hoo...!"
"Keruk!"
My heart felt like it was gonna explode.
I caught my breath right alongside Buril.
"B-Buril. That thing's that dangerous, huh?"
"Keruk keruk! Keruk!"
Buril explained frantically. Couldn't make much of it, but yeah, it sounded like "dangerous." Seemed that way to me too.
This vibe... yeah. Like swimming in the ocean and having a jellyfish bobbing right next to you. Small, but venomous. One touch and you're fucked. Exactly that kind of primal fear.
"Whoa, though."
Whoa, fuck.
"A fairy?"
Winged sprite. Tiny, blonde. Didn't get a good look at her face, but she seemed doll-like and cute.
But isn't she a monster?
Why's she look so human?
I mean, technically I'm a demon and I look human-ish too... Whatever.
"So what's her name?"
"Keruk keruk."
Still can't understand a damn word.
Honestly, names don't matter much. Whatever that fairy thing's called, I don't know Middle Realm speak yet. So, fairy it is.
"Alright, Buril. Let's head somewhere else."
"Keruk!"
Buril nodded like he agreed.
We turned and went the opposite way from where the fairy had flown. Honestly, that direction felt risky. Don't wanna run into another one of those.
"Hmm."
But could I dominate something like that fairy with my Monster Domination skill and make her a minion?
If she can use magic, she might resist. But a magic-using minion... super useful. And she flies. Perfect recon drone.
Not worth thinking about now.
My "dungeon" is just a hole in the ground with one goblin minion. Ain't getting fancy shit anytime soon. Dungeon or minions—gotta build slow.
Need to grow.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the end, I found some decent stones.
"Heh heh heh, hey. Nice find, Buril. You're good at spotting rocks too?"
"Keruk!"
"Let's head back quick. Gonna make spears with these. But you know how to use tools? Apes do."
"Keruk? Keruk?"
"Figure it out already."
This fucker not getting my words right is frustrating as hell. Can't communicate properly. Obviously expecting too much from a goblin.
Just saying.
"Anyway, go."
"Keruk."
We hauled the stones back to the beets together.
Now to process 'em primitive-style into spearheads. Attach to sturdy, long branches—bam, wooden spears done.
Spears are OP weapons by nature. Strongest cold arms. How many ancient mammals got massacred by spear-wielding cavemen? Murder machines.
Arm Buril with those and train him up—our combat power skyrockets.
Hunting gets easier, other goblins get subjugated easy.
"Then hit the new goblins with Domination too. Buril, you're getting replacements."
"Keruk?"
Buril's the vet.
Senior goblin.
Dominate and train a chain of goblins into an army. Dig a bigger hole. Harsher drills. Hell, build a real dungeon.
Basically goblin squad leader.
Picturing that future had me grinning ear to ear. Fuck yeah. Few more goblins and I could send 'em berry-picking.
"Alright, spear-making time. Watch and learn first."
"Keruk."
Grab a stone,
—Thwack!
aim at another and chuck it. Doesn't break first try. Gotta repeat till it shatters.
—Thwack!
—Thwack!
—Crack!
"Yes!"
After a few tosses, perfect shatter. Buril might struggle, so I smashed a bunch ahead.
"Hoo."
Harder work than I thought. Sweating buckets? Anyway, all stones broken to good sizes. Then fine-tuned with a bigger rock. Gotta rough-shape before grinding.
Done with that, sat right down.
"Buril. Pay attention from here—this is the key part."
"Keruk keruk."
Buril locked in.
Picked up a palm-sized shard, placed it on a flat, hard stone slab,
—Scraaape scraaape scraaape.
—Scraaape scraaape scraaape.
—Scraaape scraaape scraaape.
Grind the fuck outta it!
"Keruk?"
"Yeah, got that waterskin? Pour some gently on top."
"Keruk keruk."
Buril carefully poured water from the waterskin. I ground away. Real no-life grindfest.
—Scraaape scraaape scraaape.
—Scraaape scraaape scraaape.
—Scraaape scraaape scraaape.
"Mad respect. Neolithic folks."
Even grinding a simple stone chip took full commitment. That's survival, struggle. Wild ain't free—effort and fight only get you the goods.
"Fuck this. Buril, you try grinding."
"Keruk!"
He'd watched me, so he grabbed a small stone confidently and started grinding—sloppily.
—Saaaah.
—Saaaah.
—Saaaah.
"Hm."
Not great. But what can ya do? Human-goblin gap. Gotta let him practice, even if rough.
So.
I ground stones with Buril. No copper, just pure fucking grind. Endless stone-grinding spearhead production.
"Keruk..."
Fuck, Buril's hands so fucked up—results were trash. He looked bummed too.
"Hey. This ain't working, Buril."
"Keruk..."
"I'll handle this. You know those branches? Long straight ones—fetch some. Up ahead. And some plant fibers too."
Stick him on material runs.
"Don't go far. Just nearby. I trust ya?"
"Keruk!"
Pumped, he jumped up cheering and bolted off. Feels like sending a kid on an errand. Close by anyway. Buril's senses sharper than mine—should be fine.
"Such a cute little fucker."
Back to grinding.
—Saaaah.
—Scaaape scaaape.
—Scaaape scaaape.
Then.
Suddenly.
—Kerrrrrrruuuuuk!
Buril's scream pierced the air.
"N-No fucking way!"
I shot up, yanked my hand axe, and sprinted! How long? Not even three minutes! Did Buril get jumped...!
"Nooo!!!"
—Dash dash!
I charged toward the scream! Danger? Brain says danger, but my chest was exploding!
"Buril! You fucking Buril!"
"Kyuuusaaat! Grrat! Grrat!"
"Wh-What?!"
Weird noises!
I leaped that way and saw the scene!
"Grrat! Grrat grrat!"
"Kyuuusaaaak!"
"Kerurruk! Kerurruruk!"
Wha—?!
"Huh?!"
Two small monsters with rat-like heads were beating the absolute shit out of Buril!!!
"You!!! You fucking rat bastards!!!!"
Daring to pound my Buril!!!!!!!
"You're all dead!!!!!!!"
Rage swallowed my brain whole. I kicked off the ground, soaring into a dropkick straight at them!