Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Sacrifice
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Rei said with a grim expression.
“This is the Elder Tribe's territory... I think things have gotten a little out of hand.”
An ancient tree stood tall in a space so vast it could be called a plaza.
A faint green aura emanated from it, covering the entire area in a hemispherical dome.
This was the only safe zone during the harvest season.
The World Tree's barrier.
But there was a problem.
The place, usually inhabited only by elves, was now teeming with all sorts of unwelcome guests.
From the Monster Tribe to the Wild Tribe.
Seeing the barrier swarming with the established powers of the underground labyrinth, Martin cursed.
“Damn it, we... should probably think this through more carefully. The atmosphere is no joke... If we go in there, I feel like those bastards will kill us before the tentacles do.”
Lee Si-woo shook his head.
“No. We have to go in. There's no other choice. Outside, the tentacles will kill us for sure, but in here, there's at least a chance of survival, depending on the circumstances.”
Rei gritted her teeth and said.
“Alright. Let's go in, for better or worse.”
As soon as the humans of the Pure Tribe stepped inside the green aura's barrier, a giant centipede monster greeted them.
It was Ogong, the boss of the Monster Tribe.
-So many of you survived? How interesting.
As Ogong straightened its body, its green eyes flashing, a shadow fell over the group as if a massive, fallen tree had just stood up.
Sticky saliva dripped from Ogong's maw, landing at Lee Si-woo's feet.
A foul, fishy stench, a slithering malice.
Just as Lee Si-woo smoothed down the raised hairs on his arm, Rei stepped forward.
“We were lucky.”
Sssslither.
Like a snake circling a mouse, Ogong's massive body coiled around Rei.
-The Elders have their barrier, we have the tarantula's danger sense, and the Wild have a sense of smell that can detect the tentacles. Even so, they paid a considerable price to get here. And yet... how did you insignificant things manage to survive?
“Even so, only seven of us survived out of over a hundred.”
-You and Martin deserve to live. Among you inferior beings, you're the only ones who are even remotely useful. But... what about the rest?
Ogong's maw, with giant fangs interlocking like scissors, hovered over Rei's head before whipping through the air with a whoosh and stopping right in front of Lee Si-woo.
-And you even brought along this incompetent one who can't even handle mana properly?
Lee Si-woo's eyebrow twitched. He was a man who wouldn't bat an eye at most things, but this was different.
A sense of crisis washed over him, like being cornered by a lion on the savanna.
‘Move and you die.’
Despite the fear that tickled his heart, Lee Si-woo didn't move a muscle.
It was both instinct and the optimal decision. Unfortunately, however, not everyone could do the same.
“Hh, hhh...”
Was it because he saw Ogong's grotesque face up close?
One survivor, unable to overcome his fear, unconsciously took a step back.
And a gust of wind brushed past Lee Si-woo's ear.
Crunch.
Like a snake striking its prey, Ogong's giant maw clamped down on the survivor's waist.
Ogong's mouth snatched the survivor's body, which had been severed in two like a radish cut by scissors.
After crushing flesh and bone in one bite and devouring the survivor's remains in a second, Ogong's massive body now circled Lee Si-woo.
-Your reason holds fear on a tight leash, does it not? You are no ordinary fellow.
Seeing Ogong's interest in Lee Si-woo, Rei and Martin quickly moved to his side.
At the sight of them standing like knights guarding their king, Ogong let out a sound of admiration.
-Is that so? I wondered how you survived... Do you possess something I don't know about?
Lee Si-woo stared at Ogong, his eyes gleaming with a cold light.
At his demeanor, devoid of fear or panic, Ogong hummed with interest.
Ogong scanned Lee Si-woo with its 3-star Talent, 'Antennae'.
A wave of energy flowed from the Antennae, which could grasp a target's emotional state, and delved into Lee Si-woo's mind.
Even though a comrade had just died right next to him, there was no sadness, no fear.
There was only cold, hard reason.
He was the most peculiar human it had seen in a long time.
-Lala.
At Ogong's call, Lala, the boss of the Elders, walked out from behind.
“I was wondering what the commotion was about. It seems we have some uninvited guests.”
Skin so white it looked almost pale.
The distinctive, pointed ears of an elf.
Eyes that held a subtle glow, as if embedded with jewels.
As if to snap Lee Si-woo out of the trance induced by her captivating beauty, Lala's cold voice rang out.
“Let me get straight to the point. I won't blame you for coming here to survive. And out of respect for our past relationship, I won't heartlessly kick you out.”
Hearing this much, Rei's expression brightened instantly.
Considering their relationship was far from friendly, Lala's decision not to expel them immediately was generous.
But Lala's next words made the color drain from Rei's face.
“But there must be give and take, mustn't there? Hand one person over to us each day.”
Rei's eyes widened as she glared at Lala.
“One person a day? What... what do you mean by that?”
Lala continued nonchalantly.
“You must know about the famine during the harvest season. The tentacles take away all the labyrinth's resources. Low-level beasts, comrades, food—everything. Of course, we Elders have managed to preserve our food thanks to the barrier... but unfortunately, the other tribes haven't been so lucky. We need some food.”
In other words, she meant they would eat one member of their group each day.
“Bullshit! You think we'd accept a condition like that?”
As Rei erupted in anger, a lycanthrope resting in the corner stood up.
Silver fur covering a solid two-meter frame, the metallic clang of dagger-like claws scraping together as it clenched and unclenched its fists.
A gleaming, green light in its eyes.
Jeoji, the boss of the Wild, a tribe of beastmen, charged without a word.
Swoosh!
As Jeoji's form rushed forward like a silver flash, Rei quickly drew her twin daggers and crossed them in an X to block.
Kiiing!
Sparks flew as claws and daggers clashed, and just as they hit the floor, Rei's slender body was sent flying backward.
She couldn't withstand the raw strength that came from the beastmen's ridiculous physical abilities.
Martin stepped in front of Rei, who had landed lightly on the ground with a skillful breakfall.
With the fierce whoosh of a spear cutting through the air, his spinning weapon formed a barrier of motion.
Jeoji bared his pearly white teeth and sneered.
“What was your level again? 23? 25?”
Jeoji lashed out at the spear barrier with a whip-like hook.
Kwang!
With a loud crash, Martin lost his grip on the spear and groaned.
Jeoji's massive hand grabbed Martin by the throat and lifted him up. Dangling in the air, Martin struggled, letting out dry coughs.
“Don't forget, Martin. Unless you're a mage with all sorts of techniques and secret arts, the absolute standard that decides victory in this world of us dregs is level. Besides... your precious numbers are meaningless now, aren't they? Right?”
The biggest reason the Pure Tribe, with an average level in the teens, had been able to survive in the pit was their numbers.
As the second-largest tribe after the Monster Tribe, the Pure Tribe's organized response would inflict considerable losses on any other tribe, which had barely maintained the balance of power.
But now, only six humans remained.
With so few people, it was impossible to stop Jeoji, who was well over level 30.
Jeoji threw Martin to the ground and said.
“It's a waste for a mere human to have such skill, so I'll spare your life. And Rei. Instead of just getting angry at our proposal, think about it carefully. We don't know how long this harvest season will last, but if you sacrifice the other four, you two can buy a full four days. And... who knows, the harvest season might even end by then.”
Rei gritted her teeth and said.
“...So you're telling us to sell out our comrades? As food for you?”
Jeoji shrugged.
“I'm telling you to think rationally. One way or another, we need food, and you don't have the power to stop us. In that case... isn't it better to sacrifice your comrades for now and hope for a better future? Or what? Are you planning to disband the Pure Tribe right here? Well, that wouldn't be so bad either.”
Jeoji grinned, showing off his lion-like fangs.
“The option of turning every human who comes here from now on into food is quite appealing to us, you see.”
While Jeoji was rambling on, drunk on the afterglow of his violence, Ogong's attention was completely captivated by the insignificant being before it.
-Hand it over.
To this blunt demand, Lee Si-woo replied with a blank expression.
“What is it that you desire?”
-The reason you were able to survive this long. No, everything you have.
Ogong breathed heavily on Lee Si-woo. The foul stench was enough to make anyone's face crumble, but Lee Si-woo replied politely without batting an eye.
“What power could a lowly person like me possibly have? If you wish it, I must offer everything I own. However... if it isn't too much trouble, may I make one small request?”
-A request? How presumptuous.
“I will speak within the bounds of not displeasing you, Lord Ogong.”
-Fine. Let's hear it.
“I don't mind you taking one of us each day. However... I would like to be the last one.”
At this incredibly audacious request, Ogong let out a sinister laugh.
-Even after Rei and Martin?
“When one is trying to survive, what use is loyalty? I can become even more despicable than this if it means I can live just one more day.”
-Such selfishness that it's almost admirable... Truly human. Fine. It's not a difficult request, and it even seems amusing. I'll grant it.
The wariness that had been rising from sensing Lee Si-woo's unusual emotional state with its antennae vanished like a heat haze after getting a glimpse of his depravity.
It wasn't just humans who looked down on the vile and disgusting.
“There are too many watching eyes here. Why don't we move over there? That way, no matter how precious the item I take out may seem, the bosses of the other tribes wouldn't dare get any funny ideas.”
Lee Si-woo pointed to the section of the barrier teeming with the monsters of the Monster Tribe, and Ogong chuckled with delight.
-You'd rather give your gift in our territory? How commendable. You've pleased me. If the harvest season ends before you die, I'll watch your back. That alone should improve your pathetic life somewhat.
Lee Si-woo smiled brightly and said.
“Thank you.”
Lee Si-woo headed with Ogong toward the Monster Tribe's section of the barrier.
Their suspicious movement caught the attention of Lala and the other elves, but upon realizing it was Ogong's doing, they clicked their tongues softly and looked away.
-This is far enough. Take it out.
“As you wish.”
As Lee Si-woo took a magic tool from his pocket, Ogong's curiosity was piqued.
-Hoh, what is that?
Lee Si-woo said in a languid voice.
“Seeing is believing. Wouldn't it be faster for you to see for yourself rather than have me explain it all?”
-That's true, but... Hmm? You, what are you doing...?
Just before the magic tool that left Lee Si-woo's hand hit the ground at its feet, Ogong's antennae twitched.
It had sensed a cold, sharp intent flowing from within Lee Si-woo.
A killing intent as sharp as a blade just drawn from its sheath.
Warned by its unique arthropod instincts, Ogong's massive body quickly retreated, but it was too late.
The magic tool that fell to the ground flashed brightly, its surface cracking open to unleash a storm of heat.
KABOOOM-!
Crimson flames spread out in a circle, sweeping through the surroundings.
Like the tongue of a starving dragon, the fire devoured everything it touched.
Insectoid monsters that had been resting were instantly turned to ash, and an eyeball monster whose entire body was made of eyes vanished into a puff of smoke with a scream.
Fwoosh.
Startled by the heat melting the ceiling and walls, the elves gathered around the World Tree, anxious that the flames might reach it.
Meanwhile, the Monster Tribe was in chaos.
The flames had spread from the center of their area, instantly vaporizing a third of their forces.
Of course, they still had considerable strength left, but there was another problem.
The heart of the Monster Tribe and the tyrant of the pit.
Ogong was writhing on the ground like a worm on a hot plate, half of its body gone.
Lee Si-woo, cloaked in ash and dust, kept a certain distance from Ogong and opened his mouth.
“To think you survived even that... As expected of the leader of the Monster Tribe. Quite impressive.”