Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The End of the Cliff March is in Sight
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Whoomph-.
I was thrilled enough to fly, knowing I could look forward to a brighter future.
My eyes had sunken in from exhaustion, but I couldn't control my expression—I felt that good.
'But what's with this ability's name? Pogri-something...'
The name of the ability Silver Star had told me about didn't quite roll off the tongue.
It was probably because it was some ancient dead language used only in antiquity.
Fine, then. I'd just name it myself.
To sum up the ability I'd just acquired: it was the power to create a single, independent living being.
Birth? Parturition? Production? Manufacturing? Creation? Fabrication?
Damn it. Stuck on this, of all things.
I should've read more books.
'Let's go with Individual. The body it creates is independent, not subservient.'
【I have no idea what that means!】
'Neither do I. As long as we can distinguish it, that's fine.'
【Carefree bastard, Kalruk!】
'Better than overthinking until your hair falls out. For a guy, baldness is as bad as erectile dysfun... Nah, what am I even telling you?'
【Silver Star knows all about it!】
Fred, Requiya, and Yuderg approached with knowing half-smiles.
Unlike the bandits sprawled out in exhaustion, they'd watched closely as I claimed the ability.
"Congratulations."
"Congratulations, Captain."
Yuderg stood beside them, smiling quietly. He looked just like a Buddha about to reveal that I knew he'd secretly scarfed down meat last night.
"I acquired it because I needed it."
It was rightfully mine since I was qualified, but I explained out of courtesy.
Ah, I'm just too nice for my own good. Keh heh heh.
"Hm. Of course you did. It belongs to you, Captain Kalruk."
Fred grinned in satisfaction.
"Could you show us?"
"Everyone's curious, but no can do."
I flatly refused Requiya's request.
I'd half considered giving a simple explanation of the Individual ability.
But why bother describing an ability I couldn't even demonstrate?
"It's a one-time use. It disappears after one go, so I can't waste it on a show. Haven't tried it yet, but it seems like something akin to a cloning technique."
Everyone nodded.
"Understood."
"Got it."
"Agreed."
They'd only been curious, with no intent to claim it for themselves, so they accepted it readily.
"I'll take this too."
I pocketed the mana crystal in the backpack I'd used to carry the ham.
No one objected, as expected.
'The folks here have consciences. Unlike the world I came from.'
Or maybe I just had good people skills.
Even before I died, none of my friends or comrades ever made me grimace.
'I cut off the hopeless trash early on, that's why.'
Anyway, the mana crystal seemed pretty useful.
Thanks to the Toolsep in my body, I could wield mana-like powers without actual mana, but there was a limit to the amount.
Who knew when I'd need a massive surge of mana?
'I can use it to expand my mana capacity.'
Chomp chomp-.
The ham was munching away at the snake tail like it was delicious.
It looked just like a cat devouring a fish—adorable, even. Wait, is "adorable" the right word here?
Whatever, it fits.
I headed to the center of the clearing and patted Erakins on the shoulder.
Then, looking at the bandits, I said,
"Everyone, good work."
"No, Captain, you did all the work."
"If it were just us, we'd have been snake food for sure."
I'd figured their first taste of victory might make them cocky, but the beggars' voices were surprisingly calm.
Even so, the looks they shot me burned with fervor.
"You get why you need to get stronger now, right?"
"Yes!"
I met the bandits' gazes head-on and emphasized,
"The weak get eaten. Without power, you die. Those who want me dead don't care if I'm strong or weak, if I wield a sword, if I'm an adult or a child. They show zero mercy."
That ought to get through to them.
They might not be the sharpest, but they weren't total idiots.
I went around burning the snake corpses to clean up the site.
The souls had already fled these bodies, but I didn't want them becoming animal chow or maggot-ridden meat lumps. It was just too pitiful.
"There might be other snakes or monsters around. We're moving out now."
Though they probably wanted more rest, the bandits rose without complaint.
A chorus of groans rose here and there.
The one who wanted to rest most was none other than me.
'My legs are jelly.'
The deathmatch with the snake triplets had been no joke.
Not because they were strong.
Because I was still weak.
This time, I hadn't even gotten help from the Insight ability.
They'd been that unpredictable.
'Bastards who shape the battlefield to their advantage. There have to be more monsters like the snake brothers out there.'
Without Luke's temperament, I might've ended up trembling like the others and turned into a quick snack.
Being the beacon of hope and will for the others meant I had no freedom to rest easy.
I'm a delicate flower of a man, you know.
'I miss Mom. Even when I whined about how tough it was, she'd just say I was cute.'
It'd been over two months since I fell into this world, but I still thought of the one I'd left behind.
Surrounded by alien landscapes and strange faces, I longed for that world, now faintly remembered, and the people I'd left there.
【Why!】
'Because that's how I stay myself. Think about it—humans yearn for places they can't return to. Childhood memories, the days of youth.'
【Silver Star's too young to get it! But this much is clear! I don't want to go back to the Queen!】
'Why? It's your homeland.'
【The Queen's so pitiful! Wandering a world of nothing but ice and snow!】
So that's it—too pitiful, doesn't want to see her like that.
'We have that in common. I never went back home because I couldn't stand seeing my old man drowning in his bluster. Humans are pitiful like that.'
I could see why Silver Star, for all her childish innocence, could sometimes pierce right through me and steady my resolve.
'Silver Star, growing up too fast takes the fun out of life.'
【You told me not to fool around!】
'Fool around all you want. Just pick your moments.'
【If I knew how to pick moments, I'd be human, not Silver Star!】
Well... fair point.
【Kalruk can't even control his bowels!】
That too.
There were wide ledges midway up the cliffs here and there.
We skipped any that showed signs of human alteration or use.
Requiya, worn out from cursing the snakes, asked wistfully,
"Captain, was this another habitat for Edna Murro?"
"Maybe, but it could be some other monster's nest."
We always rested at night without fail.
A single misstep on those sheer cliffs meant instant death.
Even during the day, natural clearings meant a chance to recover stamina.
Safety first.
"This guy's growing fast."
The ham had bulked up day by day into a proper pig now.
Lately, the Toolsep had been surging angrily. I'd used it for the ability, physical boosts, and now hauling the ham on top.
Replenishing via mana training couldn't keep up with the drain.
Like a loan that could come calling anytime.
But I couldn't just cower in fear.
'If I hadn't gorged on Toolsep like a pig, I might not have survived this long.'
I kept mulling over Toolsep's true nature.
Drawing on vital energy to supplement strength and stamina, propping up a mind that could falter on endless cliffs.
'When I tense up or focus, it sends power surging. Just like mana. It's getting hard to tell the difference.'
It was a reasonable theory.
The boiling vitality vanished like a lie whenever we rested in a wide spot.
【I dunno!】
'How don't you!'
【'Cause I don't know anything!】
'So... I'm like a walking medicine cabinet. An IV drip, a blood pack. Once the meds run dry, I can't muster this power anymore.'
【Will it really run out!】
'I can feel it. During training, in fights. I'm burning through it constantly. It'll bottom out someday. Toolsep's gotten me this far unscathed, but when it hits empty...'
【You'll be screwed!】
'Gotta reduce my dependency.'
【Boost your divine power! Hone your swordsmanship!】
'Spot on.'
Keep thinking, they said.
Don't stop pondering.
Don't give up easily just because answers don't come quick.
'That straightens life's path a bit.'
【Who said that!】
'Someone I respect.'
【A great holy knight?】
'Looked like a god to me.'
The cliff path was nearing its end.
The week-long cliff march was almost over.
Strength surged unbidden.
"I see forest ahead. Hang in there."
"Just a bit more! It's the forest!"
"Forest in sight! We're hanging in!"
My words from the rear rippled forward, one line to the next.
Basic protocol for single file: warn of ice or pits ahead, or spot a rest point to rally spirits.
The bandits whooped as they finally reached the forest and felt solid earth underfoot.
"Back-to-back, sit. Always watch the perimeter."
I ordered a brief rest at the forest edge and activated Blue Eye.
'Head east, and it's a canyon on the left, forest on the right. Some clearings without trees midway. Is that a village?'
A few wooden houses came into view.
Smoke rose lazily.
"Erakins, Requiya."
"You called?"
"Yes, Captain?"
The carpenter and demon brushed off their rears and stood.
"Any idea where we are?"
Erakins scratched his chin, looking uncertain.
"Near the northern Brad border gate, maybe?"
"No clue."
Requiya was useless on unfamiliar turf.
Fred approached, having drawn his sword for some casual wrist swings.
"Erakins is probably right. Keep going, and you'll hit Plains Village, then a bridge over the canyon to the north. South is Brad Kingdom, naturally."
Erakins smacked fist into palm at Fred's explanation.
"Ah! Then we'll see the fortress soon."
The disaster-sealed fortress hadn't shown in Blue Eye yet.
But combining terrain and their words, I was sure we'd spot it once we cleared the forest.
Caaaaw-.
A crow circled overhead, letting out a long cry right on cue.
【A massive castle three sunrises and sunsets away!】
Silver Star had leveled up from interpreter to impressionist.
'Looks like we nailed the direction. With this crew, three days or five, who knows.'
Great call turning the bird into our navigator.
I chucked a corn cob skyward, and the circling crow snatched it midair.
"Bandits, move out."
Short rest over, we plunged into the forest.
The bandits strolled casually, gawking around like it was flat ground.
The ham rooted through the woods like a pig in paradise, burying itself in leaves or digging up tree roots.
'More pig-like by the minute.'
Hours later, we reached a clearing.
The spot where Blue Eye had shown no trees.
Requiya eyed the circle of rocks in the center.
"Looks like a fire pit? Someone lived here long ago."
Yellowish vines choked the soot-stained hearth.
Thick and hard as roots, but sprouting fresh green leaves. Life was just so damn lovely.
People, snakes—er, snakes not so much...
I stopped mid-reverie about monster snakes.
Stroking the lime-green leaves like some romantic poet, when Erakins started hollering.
"Captain! Check that out!"
Ah, come on.
Can't a guy have his moment?