Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: 40. Chimera Hunt (2)
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3.
Magatia Underground Laboratory.
Even after hundreds of years since its discovery, not much was known about that underground laboratory.
“The biggest reason the Magatia Underground Laboratory remains an unknown realm even now is because of the secret passages.”
The reason was that the underground laboratories were riddled with far too many hidden rooms.
“Even just the areas that have been discovered number thirty-one. But one alchemist said there are even more laboratory areas hidden away.”
To reach those hidden areas, one had to find the secret passages.
That was one of the reasons exploration of the Magatia Underground Laboratory had stalled for so long.
Of course, there was another reason.
“And those who discover those hidden areas keep them tightly under wraps.”
Adventurers, the moment they discovered something new, racked their brains for the best way to boast about it.
But alchemists were different. The moment they discovered something new, they racked their brains for the most reliable way to hide it.
Meaning, even if something was found, they hid it even tighter.
That was why information about the Magatia Underground Laboratory was inevitably kept secret.
As such, the guides needed varied depending on which laboratory sector one wanted to reach.
“I’m Umar. I’m the eyewitness.”
So when Umar said he would be the guide, not a single person harbored any doubts.
There couldn’t be a more reliable guide than an eyewitness.
“I’m Carson’s disciple, one of his students.”
But the moment the broker said those words, things changed.
Grandel asked again.
“You mean a disciple of Newmist Association President Carson?”
“Yes.”
Carson, president of the Newmist Association, who could be called the leader of the Newmist faction!
A disciple of the man currently regarded as the pinnacle of life alchemy in Magatia!
He was special in many ways, and because of that, everyone suddenly had questions.
“Isn’t it dangerous? Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
They weren’t heading out for just anything—it was to subjugate a chimera.
Even the Cygnus Knights were steeling themselves for death on this path, so for an important alchemist to personally guide them?
He would surely lead them well, but there were plenty of others who could take his place.
Umar responded to that.
“I know it’s dangerous. But this chimera is clearly our alchemists’ problem, no matter how you look at it. As a member of the Newmist school, I feel it’s my duty to take responsibility.”
He knew it was dangerous but was willingly risking it for the greater good.
At that moment, no one had any more doubts.
Far from it—the way they looked at Umar changed.
Especially the Cygnus Knights’ gazes.
They admired those who threw their lives away for the greater good. They couldn’t help but admire them.
After all, the Cygnus Knights themselves were exactly that kind of people.
“Very well.”
Even Grandel, who was so hard to please, looked at Umar differently now.
“Then lead the way. Don’t worry about your life. Our knights will protect you with our own if we must.”
Her eyes, once filled with suspicion, now brimmed with goodwill more than ever.
And it wasn’t just them.
“Impressive. Not easy to step up like that.”
“Commendable resolve.”
“I heard alchemists were all selfish scum who only cared about themselves, but that’s not the case, huh.”
Even El Pam’s party showed goodwill toward Umar.
There were two exceptions.
“This seems awfully dangerous.”
“What? What’s that supposed to mean, Ralph?”
“Something suspicious about that guy.”
“Suspicious?”
Ralph—he was suspicious of Umar.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“No money in it, but risking his life? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”
The moment they heard his reason, the others gave bitter smiles.
“You’re the only one who’d get suspicious over something like that. Right, Boss?”
And the other one who was suspicious was El Pam.
“Nothing wrong with being suspicious.”
“Huh?”
“No downside to it.”
‘Now I get it.’
Of course, for El Pam, it wasn’t so much suspicion as the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place the moment he heard those words.
‘Why the Cygnus Knights got wiped out.’
In the history El Pam knew, before returning to the past, it was a clear fact that Grandel and the Cygnus Knights had been slaughtered by the chimera.
But regardless of it being a clear fact, to El Pam, it didn’t seem like something that could happen easily.
From what he knew, there had only been one chimera at the time.
He’d thought Umar had laid traps well back then, but that wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
It was possible for the Cygnus Knights to suffer near-annihilation damage from those traps, but total annihilation was something else entirely.
‘Not a single one survived.’
The Cygnus Knights were different from adventurers.
They were the ones who judged those violating Maple Alliance rules across the Maple World, and as such, they were exposed to all sorts of threats.
When faced with such threats, the first thing the Cygnus Knights did was report it to the Maple Alliance.
In other words, their manual was: if a problem arose, some would flee to report the situation to Cygnus Knights command, while the rest fought desperately to cover their escape.
Meaning it was extremely hard to wipe them out completely.
But now he understood.
‘If Umar personally led them into the traps, it’d be a walk in the park.’
How total annihilation had come about.
Moreover, the guide wasn’t just anyone.
He’d just earned everyone’s trust and goodwill over suspicion with his words.
No one would dream of fleeing, even if the path he led them on turned out to be a road to hell.
It was dangerous in every way.
‘Good.’
But El Pam was satisfied instead.
‘It’s not that the traps are more dangerous than I expected.’
The reason for the Cygnus Knights’ annihilation wasn’t some unpredictable monster or outside interference.
“Grandel.”
“What is it?”
“Even if I move up to the front lines, I’d just get in the way.”
“So?”
“My party and I will escort the guide, Umar.”
“Fine.”
Above all, what El Pam had to do now had become simple.
“Umar, I’m El. From this moment on, your protection is in the hands of my El Party.”
Umar smiled at El Pam’s words.
“Looking forward to working with you.”
With that, the chimera subjugation began.
4.
Grandel’s party entered the Magatia Underground Laboratory following Umar’s guidance.
Beforehand, Umar warned them.
“This place is crawling with cube slimes. Be careful.”
Grandel replied to the warning.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Huh?”
Umar was surprised by the incomprehensible response.
Poong! Poong!
At that moment, a horde of cube slimes appeared.
Their number: over two hundred!
Not a small number by any means.
No, honestly, it was a staggering amount.
Cube slimes were far stronger than regular slimes.
“Damn it!”
The moment the guide Umar saw the cube slimes, he couldn’t help but curse.
Of course, Umar didn’t just complain here.
“Let’s take another route. It’ll take longer, but.”
He suggested a proper guide’s solution.
“It’s dangerous.”
And to Umar’s wise suggestion, Grandel replied.
“Everyone except me, fall back.”
“Huh?”
Umar was shocked by the response, but the Cygnus Knights were not.
They fell back without hesitation.
Only one—Grandel—walked alone toward the horde of cube slimes.
“Orbital Flame!”
Soon, Grandel cast Orbital Flame, a flame wizard spell, toward the horde of cube slimes.
Roooar!
Two balls of flame flew straight toward the cube slimes.
Kaboom!
The moment the fireballs collided with the cube slimes, they exploded.
The power was tremendous.
Far beyond what a typical 5th-circle flame wizard could muster!
Perhaps even comparable to a 6th-circle flame wizard!
“Crazy!”
Umar spat curses upon seeing Grandel’s attack.
It wasn’t admiration.
Grandel’s attack was certainly powerful, but Umar knew: this one strike would take out only about a dozen cube slimes.
Hundreds still remained, and now those hundreds were charging at Grandel.
Utter madness.
“R-Run away!”
That’s why Umar screamed, but instead of fleeing, Grandel walked toward the oncoming cube slimes.
Soon, the distance closed to arm’s reach—that very moment.
“Flame Tempest!”
Roooaaar!
With Grandel’s shout, intensely fierce flames erupted around her body.
Pshhh!
The cube slimes that swarmed in melted away in an instant.
“Ah.”
Those seeing the staggering sight for the first time couldn’t help but gasp.
El Pam’s group was the same.
Of course, the reason they were surprised was a bit different from the others.
‘First mage I’ve seen who can sweep monsters like that besides Boss.’
They hadn’t expected another mage who could wipe out monsters single-handedly besides El Pam.
On the other hand, it made sense.
‘Her nickname Cleaner fits.’
Why Grandel was called Cleaner.
That was the moment.
“Umar.”
“Yes?”
El Pam asked Umar, who was so shocked his mouth hung open.
“What do you think? Of Grandel’s skills? Did you expect this level?”
“Huh? No, I...”
Umar hesitated for a moment before answering the question.
“No, I didn’t expect it. How could anyone?”
At that brief exchange, El Pam’s companions, including Dibo, felt a question rise in their minds.
‘Why ask something like that?’
They’d rarely seen El Pam strike up a conversation like that with anyone.
And it didn’t seem particularly meaningful.
Of course, El Pam never asked meaningless questions.
He knew.
‘Her heartbeat says she’s lying.’
That Umar was lying right now.
‘Within expected range.’
Meaning, the firepower Grandel was showing was something Umar had known about.
Which implied the traps he’d prepared were sufficient to kill Grandel and her companions.
‘He’s prepared quite thoroughly.’
As El Pam pieced the situation together in his mind, Grandel, having finished cleaning up the cube slimes, said.
“We’ll move quickly.”
Umar no longer raised any objections to her words.
“Yes!”
The journey through the Magatia Underground Laboratory proceeded with astonishing smoothness from there.
There was no reason it wouldn’t.
“This way.”
Umar guided them via the fastest path.
“Orbital Flame!”
And they cleared any monsters they encountered without the slightest hesitation—Grandel and her companions.
No problems arose in the process.
If there was one nitpick, it was the noise.
“How much farther?”
“A bit more.”
“I see.”
El Pam relentlessly questioned Umar, who stayed by his side during the march.
To the point where even listeners would get annoyed.
Naturally, Umar grew irritated too—at some point, his expressions started twisting in response to El Pam’s questions.
“This is the entrance to the secret passage. Go through this hole.”
“Is the chimera beyond here?”
When that question came, Umar’s face twisted more than ever.
He openly showed his displeasure and annoyance as he said.
“No. A little further.”
The moment that answer came, Grandel stepped in.
“El.”
She said to El Pam.
“Stop with the questions.”
Don’t torment the guide with pointless queries.
El Pam nodded at the warning.
It wasn’t wrong, and besides, El Pam knew.
‘No need for more questions anyway.’
There’d be no room for questions beyond the secret passage Umar was leading them to.
“Then let’s move.”
Everyone followed Umar’s guidance toward the secret passage, and the moment they emerged from it.
“Keep moving.”
After advancing some distance.
“M-My god. How many is that?”
That was when they saw it.
“Ten thousand.”
Over ten thousand cube slimes.