Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Solidifying the Foundations #10
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We were already geared up for battle in the blink of an eye, just like a well-oiled squad of five.
In front of me stood the goblin phalanx. Unlike last time, they were properly armed with real spears and stone axes this time. Their stopping power had skyrocketed, at the very least.
This setup was trustworthy enough.
"Keruk...!"
"Keruk!"
Still, they were tense.
"Relax. I've got your backs."
—Swish.
I touched each of their shoulders once, easing their tension. How could they stay nervous with the Demon King himself giving them a personal pat? Starting with Buril, the goblins began burning with fighting spirit.
"Kerayaaak!"
And that's when it happened.
"Demon King? Is that it?"
Lumika, standing beside me, spoke in a beautifully melodic voice. She must have picked up the language quickly because she clicked so well with Sharan.
"Yeah. That's the Barghest. The one we have to kill."
"Never seen one like that before."
"Doesn't show up by the lake, huh?"
"Seems that way. But can we really take it down?"
"More than enough."
I would kill it, without fail.
"Grrr!"
The Barghest snorted, prowling around the outer edges of the dungeon in a scouting pattern. We were positioned deep inside the dungeon passages, so all we could see was it pacing back and forth.
"Demon King, Barghest got wounds."
"Heh heh, yeah. That's from Sharan's scratch. I've got one on it too."
Every now and then, we caught glimpses of the Barghest.
It was injured right now. A clear gash from Sharan's claws on its side, and a wound on its chest where I'd stabbed it with my spear.
Its once-lush fur was scorched and patchy, making the injuries stand out even more. We'd definitely landed some solid damage. That meant we could win this.
"Sha. Shasha."
That's when Sharan spoke to Lumika.
"Hold on, Sharan. When you two talk, use the Demon Realm tongue. I can't follow your chatter well."
"Oh, Demon King. Habit. Sorry."
"Got it."
"Lumika. Can hit with Water Arrow?"
"Yeah. I can nail it. Got this."
Perfect.
"Good."
No issues there.
We'd set plenty of traps and built solid barricades. The goblin phalanx had barricades positioned right in front of them, arranged with meticulous care.
If I were to sketch the current dungeon layout simply:
[Enemy - Trap - Entrance - Trap - Barricade - Trap - Phalanx - Me] First off, we'd dug pit traps right in front of the dungeon entrance.
These were all pitfall traps. Step on one, and you'd plunge straight onto sharpened wooden stakes. We'd scaled up the vicious pits that tormented American troops in Vietnam, customized for anti-Barghest use.
We'd camouflaged the tops perfectly. Anyone who fell in would feel serious pain. And if it made it inside the dungeon? Another trap awaited.
If it charged in a rage, it was done for. Even if it dodged the first trap, the barricade would force it to jump. And right behind the barricade? Another trap.
The moment it leaped into the air, Lumika would unleash her Water Arrow, sending the Barghest crashing down.
Then, as it fell into the trap...
Push the phalanx forward and spear it to death.
"Just stick to the plan."
Even if it crept forward cautiously, smashing traps one by one, that was fine too. Lumika could snipe it from range. The thing had no defense against distant attacks.
Either way, this was my territory.
There was no way the Barghest could come out ahead here. Even a rabid dog would think twice in its own turf. I'd show it the terror of a well-prepared dungeon!
"Demon King...! It's coming!"
"Yeah! I see it!"
"Hit that thing, right?"
The scantily clad women clung to my sides, their voices tense.
"Whoa, Lumika, your speech is spot on."
"Uh, yeah. Sort of."
Anyway.
Focus on the Barghest.
"Grrr...!"
It slunk toward the entrance, slow and steady. Just a bit more. A little closer, and it'd step right into the trap... But then.
"No way!"
The Barghest suddenly halted just outside the dungeon.
And then.
"Grr!"
It peered down at the trap and snorted!
"That bastard! It just mocked me!"
Mocking my trap? —Boom! It slammed a front paw onto the trap cover, exposing it completely.
The fucker had sniffed it out!
"Shit!"
"Demon King, big trouble!"
"It's fine. Still fine. We can handle it."
The outside was bright as hell, so it could spot it easily. But inside the dungeon? Pitch black.
"Watch."
—Fwoosh!
Having smashed the trap and grown cocky, the Barghest crouched low, fur bristling.
And then!
—Whoosh!
"Groooarrr!!!"
With a roar, it leaped over the trap and charged straight at us! Smart catch on the first trap, but that made it drop its guard!
"Uwaaaah!"
To play up its overconfidence, I deliberately screamed in terror. Half acting, half real. As I poured my soul into the yell, the charging Barghest barreled into the dungeon.
And with that.
—Splash!
"Grrr?!"
It plunged beautifully into the trap!
"Groooaaargh! Kyaaak! Kyaang!"
The Barghest wailed in agony from the pit. A cloud of sand and dust billowed up.
"Ha, haha! You dumb fuck! Gotcha!"
Those wooden stakes were planted deep and sturdy. A fall like that was definitely fatal! This was the dread of the dungeon!
"Demon King! It worked!"
"We did it!"
Sharan and Lumika cheered.
"Keruk!"
The goblins too!
"Grrrrrr!"
But it didn't last. Soon, the Barghest clawed its way out of the pit, face twisted in rage. And that wasn't all—its body was riddled with snapped wooden stakes.
"Blood gushing everywhere!"
Critical hit, for sure.
"So, you gonna bail?"
If it turned tail now, Lumika would pepper it with Water Arrows.
"Grr!"
Bleeding profusely, it paused, crouching warily as it eyed us. Caught off guard by the unexpected strike. But it wasn't fleeing. Still not giving up?
Then!
"Guys! Mock it! Mwahahahaha!"
Time to taunt!
"Shaat! Shaaaa!"
"Keruk keruk!"
"Kerulong!"
"Keuk!"
"Gyusaat!"
At my command, every being in the dungeon erupted in mocking laughter at the Barghest. Even total shitstains like Im Sung and Gyuil joined in. Could it stomach that? Imps and kobolds laughing at it?
"Groooaaaarrrgh!!!"
It bellowed in fury!
Hook, line, and sinker!
"Grrrrrr!"
—Shudder.
The trembling Barghest.
—Leap!
Kicked off the ground again, torpedo-straight at us. It vaulted the barricade in an instant.
"Lumika!"
"...!"
But Lumika was ready. Water from the nearby barrels gathered in her hands, forming a sphere.
—Zing!
—Zing!
—Zing!
A barrage of Water Arrows!
—Splash!
"Grr!"
One slammed into its face. Blood sprayed as it convulsed, and—
—Boom!
"Grrr?!"
—It fell right into the pit behind the barricade! The dumbass fell again!
"Hahaha! You brainless charge-bot! There's a trap behind the barricade too! Guys! Advance! Advance! Pin it in the pit! Finish it off trapped like that!"
Ultimate hype!
Adrenaline surging!
But in moments like this, stay cool and move fast!
"Keruuuuk!"
"Kerayaaaak!"
The phalanx advanced at my order, and!
"Groooargh! Kyaaak! Kyaaaang!"
The goblins thrust wildly at the trapped Barghest. Legs injured from the pit, it could only writhe, unable to climb out properly.
—Stab!
—Stab!
"Kyaaaang!"
Goblins with spears were elite soldiers! Their spearwork was flawless, leaving the Barghest writhing in pain! The more it struggled, the deeper the stakes dug in!
End it like this!
"Keep stabbing! Block it from climbing! If that fucker gets out, we're screwed! Kill it down there!"
"Keruk!"
"Right flank, make way!"
I positioned myself on the phalanx's right.
"Demon Breath!!!"
—Fwoosh!
Blasted breath at the thrashing beast in the pit!
"Kyaaaaaaaang!"
The Barghest ignited in seconds!
"Roast you whole!"
Grabbed the rope by the pit. It connected to a wooden panel nearby. Yanked it—
—Boom!
The panel slammed down, sealing the pit like a lid!
"Grr?!"
The Barghest, just poking its head out, got clocked and dropped back in...! Fully trapped now! My turn!
"Sharan! Mika! Save your strength!"
Yelled as I leaped!
—Boom!
Landed my full weight on the lid!
"Grrooogh?!"
Felt the Barghest right beneath.
"Take this, fucker!"
Thrust my spear through the hole in the lid's center, stabbing mercilessly!
"Kyaaaang!"
Screams erupted!
"Guys! Keep stabbing from below! Don't let it out!"
"Kerurk!"
"Me stab too!!"
—Twist twist!
Flames-wrapped Barghest thrashed wildly right under the lid. I twisted my spear like mad, and the spearmen blocked its every attempt to escape.
"Grrooogh!"
Nothing but screams now.
It was brutal. Stab, twist, stab again. No execution was this savage.
"Dare challenge this Demon King, and this is your fate! Raaaaah!"
As Demon King, I reveled in it!
We could kill it like this!
And right then.
"Groooargh!"
Suddenly.
—Whoosh!
I felt myself launched airborne. Wait. Did this fucker just... blast me off? Exploded its power to rise?
—Boom!
"Uwaaak!"
I flew and crashed into the barricade...! Ow! Fuck! Pain hit, but I swallowed it. Wasn't that bad—the spears stuck in the barricade pointed outward. I was fine.
But the real problem was.
"Grrrrrr!"
The utterly fucked-up Barghest had escaped the pit!
Head turned right at me!
"Graaaang!!!!!"
"F-Fuck!!!"
The enraged Barghest charged me, and in desperation, I snatched the lid, using it as a shield!
—KABOOM!
"Kyaaaaak! Sharan! Mika!! Help meeeee!!!"