Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Demon King Qlus Descends! #15
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After devising a plan in my head, I immediately put it into action.
"Construct the burrow."
"Keruk."
I moved a short distance away and gave the order to build the burrow.
Our house back there wasn't much of a house anyway—it was basically just a pit with a lid. Sure, I'd left some stuff behind, but I could always grab it or make new. No big deal.
"We'll hole up here for three days or so and observe those bastards."
"Keruk? Keruk keruk."
Buril nodded.
Did it actually get that?
"Keruk keruk!"
"Grrrng..."
Anyway, unlike Buril, Imsoong was no good at digging. Looked frailer, too. Made sense.
"Imsoong, just keep watch around the area. Let me know if anything shows up."
"Grrruk..."
"Keruk keruk."
Buril grumbled something at Imsoong, but what could you do? Newbies were always crap at work—it was par for the course.
—Scrape, scrape.
—Scrape, scrape.
Buril and I got to digging.
Man, with all the know-how I'd picked up and extra hands now, this was flying along compared to the first time.
"Buril really is the best."
"Keruk keruk."
Imsoong was perched up in a tree, scanning the surroundings. Dumb as it was, the thing had solid survival instincts. Kept watch like a pro.
"Eh, that's gotta count for one full share."
It could make fire and stand guard. Sure, it was an idiot, but that made it ace material.
"Hoo."
Before I knew it, the sun was starting to set while Buril and I worked away.
"Burrow's pretty much done anyway."
Looked like we could crash inside. No need for dinner—I'd been munching on fruits and veggies the whole time.
"Buril, head in. Imsoong, come down."
"Grruk."
—Hop!
Imsoong leaped down cat-like right into my arms. I shoved it straight into the burrow and followed suit.
"Keruk keruk."
"Grrruk..."
It was cramped inside. I huddled tight with Buril and Imsoong, breathing slow and steady. This was an ambush op. Plan was to camp here and gather intel on the kobold den.
"Right now... can't count on Imsoong in a fight. Me and Buril could take three kobolds at once, though."
Spear one to start, shift to 1v1. Split another with the hand axe, done. Gang up on the last with Buril.
Just dropping three would hit their forces hard. Perfect.
—Rustle.
Night deepened.
Time to meditate a bit, then sleep.
"Grruk. Gruk gruk."
That's when Imsoong started squirming like it had something to say.
"Quiet down. What?"
"Grruk. Kruk."
—Pat.
Imsoong pointed outside.
"Go out? Why?"
"Kruruk."
"Fuck, no way I can understand you. Hey, just hold it in even if you're antsy."
"Gruk gruk."
Still, Imsoong looked dead set on heading out. What was it? Some reason? Buril was growling irritably, clearly not thrilled with the situation.
"...Keruk."
Quiet, on account of the night.
"Grukruk."
Imsoong countering or whatever.
"Bugs or something? Fine, Imsoong, go check."
It wasn't totally clueless, so I figured I'd let it out.
"Gruk."
Imsoong gave a small reply and crawled up out of the burrow. I sat up a bit to watch it vanish into the dark... Shit, too dark to see jack.
"Keruk. Keruruk. Kek."
Buril muttered something beside me, but no clue what.
—Crunch crunch.
And then.
Footsteps.
Huh?
Footsteps and some kind of light... coming closer. Monster eyes? Nah! Buril was chill, and it was just one light, not two.
Soon.
The light drew near.
"Gruk?"
"Huh? What is it?"
It was Imsoong. Holding something in its hand. —Swish. It slipped into the burrow clutching the glowing thing.
"This?"
Looked like a glowing bug in its hand.
"Firefly?"
Firefly lookalike. Big one, too—palm-sized. Its glow lit up the burrow nice and soft.
"Gruk. Grrruk."
Imsoong held it out like don't need to go out now.
"Damn, Imsoong, you little shit."
Good at finding bugs, huh? Nabbed a firefly 'cause it was dark?
"Smarter than I thought. Good job."
"Grukruk."
Gave its head a rub, and it showed how happy it was. Anyway. Wow? What even was this? Fireflies this huge?
"Grab a few of these... and no more worrying about light at night."
"Krrruk."
Hadn't moved at night since coming to this backwater, so no idea. Next time I needed light, just send Imsoong. Problem solved.
"Heh heh heh, told you it's A-grade. Buril, give it some praise. Imsoong earned it."
"Keruk keruk."
Buril laughed happily and chattered at Imsoong.
I tucked the firefly straight into the sack with the fruits. No harm in keeping it handy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Days slipped by at our new base.
We gathered fruits, did some light hunting for meals, and doggedly observed the kobold den.
"Good."
First up, the three.
"Kyusat kyusat."
"Kyusatsat."
"Kyusaaaaat."
They usually roamed in twos or threes foraging. Once the group left the den, nothing else went in or out till they got back.
And from watching, the same three kobolds came out foraging every single day.
"Small scale."
Same guys working every time, and nothing else coming or going.
Maybe a massive den with entrances everywhere? This one's just for these three? Scouted around—no other entrances.
Obvious conclusion.
"Only entrance is this one."
Same crew every day meant chronic manpower shortage. Labor force of three, inside maybe five tops.
That settled it.
Next morning.
I laid out the plan.
"Guys. Next time just two come out, we hit 'em."
"Keruk keruk."
Three at once was too risky. When two went foraging, take 'em out in a good spot and raid the den. If I was wrong and more inside, bail.
"Buril, Imsoong. If I say run, you haul ass after me no matter what. Got it?"
"Keruk keruk."
"Krrruk."
"Alright. Buril, grab the spear. Imsoong, sack."
We geared up and waited.
"Kyusat. Kyusat."
"Kyusatsat."
Two kobolds emerged from the den, chattering away. Perfect. Exactly two. Follow 'em and... slit throats, game over.
No way we lose.
We're doing this, Kim Qlus! You're the man who's gonna be Demon King!
Can't fail at something this small!
Mind armored up.
—Crunch crunch.
They started walking off.
"Tail 'em."
We gave chase.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ About thirty minutes into the tail.
"Kyusatsat."
"Kyukyukyusaat. Kyusat."
Guessing they were foraging here, the two kobolds shoved their noses to the ground and started sniffing. Then they used those protruding rat fangs at the end of their snouts.
—Scratch.
—Scratch.
To dig into the earth!
"...!"
Chills!
They dug burrows with their own teeth?!
And damn, they were good at it!
"Gukguk."
"Kyusats. Kyusats."
Muttering to each other as they dug face-down. How long? They finally unearthed some mushroom-looking thing from underground.
"Kyusat, kyukyusat."
"Kyusat. Kyugyuguk."
Pocketed the shroom and back to digging. Looked like today's hunt was all underground foraging.
—Grip.
Watching them hunched over... I squeezed the spear tight.
"...!"
"...!"
Buril and Imsoong both trembled with excitement. Raring to charge. Imsoong feeling bloodlust too? Who knew. Anyway, my minions never moved without orders.
—Swish.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Aimed the stone spear at a kobold's back and took one step.
—Crack.
Something snapped.
"Kyusat?"
"Kyusasat?"
Kobolds whirled to look at me.
"Ah, fuck! Die! Lanachal!"
—Boom!
I kicked off the ground and thrust the spear at the left one!
—Thud!
"Kyuuusaaaaaaa!!!"
The stone spear sank beautifully into the kobold's flesh, unleashing a agonized scream...! Critical hit! Nailed real damage in one strike!
"Buril! Imsoong! Trash the other one!"
"Kerrrruk!"
"Krrrungrr!"
—Whoosh!
My two minions launched at the remaining kobold! Leave that one to them—finish this one first!
—Schlop!
Yanked the spear free, but the head was gone!
Stuck in the kobold!
"Kyurr...!"
The kobold stared at me in agony, blood gushing from its chest, but this was the wilds! No mercy! Get careless, you die!
"Die, you kobold!!!!"
I whipped out the hand axe and hurled myself at it!
I'll slaughter you all and claim your den!
"Your cave will be my dungeon!!!"
That's what I'm fighting for!