Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Frozen World - 2
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"So, you all fought each other over this tree sap?"
Nod, nod.
The scarabs and the stag beetles had gathered.
Not all in one spot—they were separated.
They eyed each other warily while stealing glances at me.
The new scarabs were a bit smaller than my own.
About the size they were when I first found them, I suppose?
Since mine had grown bigger after I took them in, these ones must be malnourished.
The stag beetles were new to me, so I had nothing to compare them to, but they were clearly intelligent.
Otherwise, they wouldn't respond to my words with nods or shakes.
"Hmm..."
I observed the stag beetles up close.
Their appearance and behavior were markedly different from the scarabs.
Arrogant, maybe? They seemed to look down on me.
Anyway, the reason for their fight was simple.
They'd both wanted the tree sap that didn't freeze even in winter.
The scarabs claimed prior rights with their patented drawings.
The stag beetles didn't draw anything but looked utterly incredulous.
—This is ridiculous. We got here first.
Something like that.
I asked both groups.
"Is there only one food source here? Can't you just go somewhere else?"
But no.
This forest was so harsh and teeming with monsters that it was dangerous everywhere.
This messy spot with dirt piles and rocks was the safest they could find.
Makes sense—no monsters would come near with barely any intact trees.
"Want to come with us?"
I extended a hand to the new scarabs.
The five of them flinched and backed away.
Then they looked to my scarabs.
My scarabs frantically drew pictures to explain.
The shelter was huge and abundant, tough enough to fend off goblins, kobolds, even orcs, and so on.
Up to there, the scarabs seemed amenable, but then came the honey chamber.
Emperor honey?
The little scarabs swarmed the leader, seemingly asking if it was true.
Their heads nodded in unison.
That sealed the deal.
I turned to the stag beetles.
"What about you? If you've got some special skills, I might invite you to my shelter."
These guys definitely had a pricklier vibe than the scarabs.
Even after I asked, they showed no reaction—just glared at the scarabs.
My original goal was the scarabs anyway, so I could just take them and leave.
I waited for the scarabs to decide.
Dingo, who had been yawning, suddenly perked up his nose and crouched low.
"What is it? Monster?"
Grrrrr...
Moments later, I felt a prickling sensation too.
Lizardmen.
They were hiding behind thick bushes, watching us.
Physically weaker than orcs but tool-users, making them more dangerous than werewolves.
"Well, this is awkward..."
You think I'd come here unprepared?
They might be good with tools, but tools are a human specialty, right?
I stood slowly and opened my dimension slot.
The stag beetles jumped as I grabbed the net gun and launcher.
They know what these are?
Whoosh, shh.
They're decent at stealth, but that telltale breathing gives them away.
My heightened perception picks up even subtle sounds others might miss.
I raised the launcher.
"One down first."
I hurled it hard, and the adamantine spear shot out, piercing a lizardman's chest.
Shhh-shh-shh!
Three more stood, flicking their tongues after their ambush failed.
All the scarabs panicked and scattered for cover, while Dingo barked at them.
"Go get 'em, Dingo."
He charged straight at the lizardmen.
They thrust their tridents at the silver wolf, on high alert.
Unlike Dingo, these had real combat power.
A solid bite from that size would be game over.
Instead of focusing fire, the three split up.
One marked Dingo exclusively, while the other two rushed me.
Net at the ready on their backs.
Grab the pole at the end and throw to capture prey.
But there's one thing the lizardmen didn't know.
"The net gun's range is way longer."
With a pffft, the compressed nitrogen capsule launched the net.
One lizardman was instantly tangled and toppled.
The other froze in shock.
"Carelessness is deadly, lizard."
I pulled various weapons from my dimension slot and flung them.
The lizardman died riddled with them.
Good regeneration, but a shattered skull is fatal.
I approached the corpse, recovered my weapons, and speared the netted one.
Grrr!
Shhh!
Impressively, Dingo had pinned one the whole time.
Trident slicing air nonstop, but Dingo dodged bites swiftly.
Powerful but slow—that's their weakness.
They compensate with tridents and nets, but wrong matchup today.
I leaped in while Dingo clamped the trident.
Crack!
My fist spun the lizardman's head.
Decisive Strike and Fatal Blow stacked—not your average hit.
Foaming at the mouth, staggering—I followed with a soccer kick to the gut.
Then long sword finisher.
Its head flew cleanly into the air.
"Of all things..."
Great for fishing, useless in combat.
Still, handy for daily life—I'll take it.
Could fake death by diving into a lake if chased.
I severed the lizardman's ankles, recovered the trident and net.
Net woven from vines—dense and sturdy.
"Trident's ebony wood, huh..."
Means ebony trees near their habitat.
Past club phase, but tough wood has many uses.
Once packed away, the stag beetles' gazes shifted.
I ignored them and approached the new scarabs.
"Want to come home with me? Help me out, and I'll reward you fairly. No bullying or beatings. Deal?"
They looked to the leader scarab, then slowly nodded.
Better than brawling over sap with stag beetles.
I loaded them into a food container and onto the ATV bed.
As Dingo hopped on and I prepared to leave, the stag beetles swarmed over.
Six in total.
"What do you want?"
One with flashy mandibles drew on the ground.
Unlike typical scarab doodles, it was precise.
I killed the engine to admire it.
"Hmm... If I feed you, you'll help me?"
Nod, nod.
They added demands: spacious house, dyes and brushes for drawing, even a garden plot.
"Stag beetles making big asks?"
They conferred, then erased the house drawing.
One concession?
I crossed my arms.
"If I give that much, what do you offer?"
The leader pointed to the trident in my pack.
I handed it over—they trimmed it into arrow shafts.
Oh...
Processing ebony wood.
Scarabs can work wood too, but not this fast.
Woodworking isn't their forte.
Garden demand suggests they're better than scarabs there too.
The scarabs in their container waved a white flag with an X.
Weird living with their rivals.
"Shelter's big enough."
I eyed the leader stag beetle.
"You're in—for now. But I only trust half of you. Slack off or cause trouble, you're out. Got it?"
They looked displeased but accepted.
I offered another container—they refused, climbing onto the ATV bed instead.
My scarabs had joined the group, staring down the stag beetles.
Already glaring contest.
"Fight, and I dump you in the woods."
The tension eased at my threat.
I drove back to the shelter.
.
.
.
Stag beetles were definitely different from scarabs.
Unsatisfied with my housing, they built their own.
Using the dry, quality wood from the cave.
Watching them process and assemble like carpenters was mind-blowing.
"...I didn't say you could use that."
Was saving it for arrows.
The leader approached, demanding paper and pen.
Curious, I gave them—they sketched a nearby map instantly.
"Wow..."
These guys can really draw.
Nothing like scarabs—far better than me.
Marked circles near the northern forest.
"Flowers... fruits... mushrooms... Useful stuff for me, right?"
Nod, nod.
Trading for the wood?
I scooped the leader onto my palm.
Unlike scarabs who tolerate touch, it squirmed to escape.
"We're family now, so materials are fine. But ask permission. Can't use irreplaceable stuff without warning. Where do I restock?"
It stared blankly.
Like just for that?
Not imagination—they're intelligent.
I declared.
"If you can't handle that, living together won't work. No need to love each other, but no fights."
Hmm...
It pondered, then nodded reluctantly.
Doesn't want to leave, so complies.
Prickly pride on trivial stuff.
I took Dingo outside.
Da-jeong, with Dingo beside her, turned from the window.
"Found more scarabs?"
"Not scarabs—stag beetles. Quirky personalities."
"How so? Show me."
"They barely listen to me..."
She frowned.
"Then why take them? Just kick 'em out."
"Wanted to, but they're useful. Great artists, woodworkers."
"Fine, but you staying here?"
"Dunno..."
I leaned on the window, scanning outside.
Snow had paused unlike before.
Da-jeong hooked my arm.
"We came for fuel anyway. Got it all—time to head back."
Transportation was the issue.
Walking risks blizzard; I'd manage, but she'd suffer.
Winter berries help, but not against bone-chilling wind and snow.
Staying wasn't ideal either.
While I was gone, some attacked here, per her.
"Bonfire melted snow—they spotted it, charged like they had nothing to lose."
"Didn't kill them?"
"Beat and tossed 'em. But more coming."
Troublesome.
Dimension gate for her would solve it, but impossible now.
I decided.
"To Incheon. Make a sled, have ghouls pull."
"Bringing in new chicks."
"What?"
"Killing me off for a new girl."
She shivered, claiming sled in this weather means freezing.
I patted her shoulder.
"Relax. Frame it, cover with cloth, vinyl front. Cozy—you'll doze off."
"Hmm? You can make that?"
"Sure. Got help now."
I explained to the stag beetles in the cave.
"Need a framed two-person sled. Do it, and I grant one demand."
They caught my serious tone, conferred.
Couldn't hear details.
But first request—rejecting wouldn't help them.
Leader stepped up, sketched sled on paper.
"Side-by-side throws balance off. Front-back."
Like this?
"No cargo—just seats for two."
We huddled, designing the sled.
Final blueprint done—others started crafting immediately.
Hmm...
Definitely not scarabs.
Intricate ornaments everywhere.
"Scarabs did plain..."
They recoiled like compare us to those?
"Scarabs or stag—same to me."
They halted work, protesting.
Union next?
Time crunch—I appeased with sun apples.
Scarabs eyed, made the runners.
I joined assembly—can't do fine work, but fitting yes.
Stag beetles eyed me disapprovingly.
Picky bunch.
Two hours later: ornate sled fit for an emperor.
"Looks like something to pull, not ride..."
Anyway, test it.
I dimension-gated it out.
Da-jeong, stamping feet by piloti parking corner, gaped.
"W-what? You made this?"
"Me, stag beetles, scarabs collab. Doesn't it make you wanna ride?"
"I'm the queen—I qualify."
Sure, sure.
I vinyl-fronted, cloth-covered it.
Tethered ghouls—Da-jeong nagged.
"Ghouls pulling? Energy drain huge. Max speed to Incheon."
"Ditch 'em there, grab fresh ghouls?"
"Finally in sync."
Not really wanting that...
We sat front-back.
She snuggled close, snapped fingers—ghouls bolted.
It works.
Sled glided over hard ice.
We headed to Incheon.
[Frozen World - 2] End