Chapter 698: The Ratman
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 698: The Ratman
"So this is the Gutons Fortress the other demon adventurers were talking about?"
After crossing another dangerous Orange Zone, Ariel came to a halt atop a cliff, gazing out over the distant plains.
At the edge of that vast, desolate expanse, where a shimmering haze clung to the earth, a massive city suddenly loomed. It pierced through the chaos, its grim silhouette flickering menacingly against the horizon.
Even from this distance, the exotic architecture was striking. Ancient bronze pillars stood atop the city walls, casting swaying shadows like giant wind chimes. Within the city, numerous high towers soared into the clouds, their jagged eaves resembling the talons of some monstrous beast, as if intent on tearing through the Abyss’s murky, twilight sky.
"No wonder. This isn't the kind of thing the Demon Race would just build for fun."
Though the city lacked the bustling prosperity of human metropolises, its ancient resonance—a sense of having weathered eons—carried a profound weight.
"And it doesn't look like it was built recently, either."
Ariel pondered for a moment before asking her teacher, "What do you think, Teacher?"
"I agree with you. This city was certainly not built on a whim by the modern Demon Race. It is incredibly ancient."
A faint light flickered from the ring on Ariel’s finger, and an ethereal figure rose gracefully beside her. Though the light in the Abyss was dim, one could still catch a glimpse of a complex, nostalgic expression on that nearly perfect profile.
"This is not architecture of this era."
"Not of this era?"
Ariel blinked. "Then which era is it from? Did the demons dig up some relic from their ancestors?"
"I… I am not entirely sure."
Ariel’s teacher shook her head, a flash of pain crossing her features.
"It has been too long, and my soul is fragmented. There are many things… I cannot recall. I only feel that this architectural style is familiar, but as for what it specifically is…"
"If you can't remember, then don't force it."
Ariel quickly comforted her teacher. "There’s no need to dwell on it. We aren't here to appraise antiques for the demons."
"Hoo… If my soul were to recover a bit more, I might remember more, but you're right—now is not the time for that."
The teacher let out a long breath and looked at Ariel.
"So, have you thought of a way to sneak in? You’re probably regretting killing that demon earlier just to show off, aren't you?"
"Hehe…"
Ariel scratched her head awkwardly.
She really had dispatched that fellow named Dolan a bit too easily. If she had spared him, it would have been much simpler to slip into the city instead of standing here racking her brain.
But now…
"Let me think for a second…"
Ariel carefully observed the city's outskirts.
In this area, already marked as a Red Zone, the plains were crawling with demons moving to and fro.
Ariel watched as many demons entered the city while others marched out, forming disorganized columns heading toward the distance.
"This place has definitely become a staging ground for the Demon Race. The troops and supplies for the assault on the Empire's Abyss Defense Line must be funneled through here."
Ariel rubbed her chin.
However, with so many people coming and going every day, there were bound to be gaps in their security.
"But the most important thing right now is to get some intelligence…"
Time was too short for her to scout everything herself. If she could find someone else to provide information…
"Regarding that, I might have a way," Ariel’s teacher said suddenly.
"Hmm?"
Ariel was stunned. "You have a way, Teacher? Don't tell me you actually spent a long time in the Abyss in the past?"
"I don't know."
The teacher shook her head gently, gazing into the distance. "As I said, too many of my memories are missing. However, when I saw this ancient city… the image of a certain race appeared in my mind."
*
"Tower Fangs, three of them. The last three."
"I'll give you five Dark Swamp Fish scales."
"Five isn't enough. I want seven."
"Seven?"
A burly, red-skinned demon suddenly took on a ferocious expression, his eyes glowing red as he glared at the small figure sitting cross-legged on the ground before him, wrapped in a tattered cloth.
"Since when did it become seven? Yesterday the price was five!"
"There’s a war on. Supplies are tight. Naturally, the price changes by the day."
The small demon pointed a finger. Nearby, a squad of armored demons happened to be passing by.
They were subordinates of Demon General Basaroka, acting under the orders of the Grand Duke of Bewitchment to maintain order in this rare Abyssal trading post.
Even the demons understood that when they were pooling their strength for a common goal, they couldn't afford internal chaos.
"Take it or leave it. In a little while, the price will be eight."
"Dammit, you… you shady merchant!"
The burly demon cursed, muttering a term he had only recently learned. Nevertheless, he snatched up the three Tower Fangs, threw down seven Dark Swamp Fish scales, and stomped away.
The small demon gathered the scales and weighed them in his hand with satisfaction.
But just as he was about to pack up and leave, someone picked up a very inconspicuous stone from the assortment of junk laid out on his tattered cloth.
It was a pitch-black stone, looking like a common pebble one might pick up by a river. Yet, the person was examining it with great care, even murmuring in admiration:
"Tsk, tsk. Not bad. I’ll take it."
The small demon sized up the newcomer.
This person was also completely enveloped in a black robe, revealing only a pair of demon horns. Such attire was common in this city and nothing to be concerned about. The only issue was…
The small demon glanced at the person’s chest, a fleeting look of pity appearing in his eyes.
"You can have it, but what are you offering in exchange?" the small demon asked.
The Demon Race had no universal currency, so most transactions were barters.
"I’ll give you…"
The person thought for a moment, then suddenly pulled something from their waist. "This, in exchange."
"This is…"
The small demon looked over casually, but when he saw what was in the person’s hand, his gaze froze for a moment.
"This is the remains of an ancient magical beast. Surely it’s enough to trade for your worthless stone," the person said, their tone carrying a hint of both pride and feigned reluctance.
"It’s not worth it."
The small demon fell silent for a moment before saying, "My stone isn't worth that price."
"I know. After all, it really is just a common pebble that someone pumped a bit of mana into to trick some ignorant fool."
The person tossed the stone back down and leaned in slowly. "But if you include something else, I believe the value would be just right."
"What?"
"A bit of information."
The small demon’s body stiffened instantly. But in the next second, he thrust the bone back at the person and began rapidly packing his things.
"You’ve got the wrong person. I don't sell information."
"But someone told me that this is exactly your line of work."
"Nonsense!"
The small demon lowered his voice, his tone sharp and severe.
"Get lost. Do you know where you are? If you keep pestering me, I’ll tell the patrolling demons exactly who you really are!"
"Oh? You’ve already figured it out? Teacher was right—you really aren't simple."
Despite the threat, the person didn't back off. Instead, they leaned closer and placed a hand lightly on the small demon’s shoulder.
"Since Teacher wasn't wrong… then you should be even more afraid of those patrolling demons than I am, shouldn't you?"
"..."
The small demon froze again, as if his weakness had been struck.
However, he didn't show the panic one might expect from having their cover blown. He merely gave this persistent stranger a meaningful look and let out a quiet, inward sigh.
"I see. Have I run into a troublesome one? It’s been a long time since this has happened; you almost gave me a fright."
"I’m not troublesome at all. I’m an honest customer who truly wants to do business with you."
"Heh, save it. Your forgery skills are pathetic. Don't think I didn't notice that thing was a fake."
"A fake?"
The person scratched their head, puzzled. "This bone is real, though?"
"Who’s talking about the bone?"
The small demon chuckled lowly. Before the person could react or get angry, he turned and began walking in a specific direction.
"Follow me. This isn't the place to talk."
*
The path was winding and treacherous.
When a torch was lit, it revealed a deep passage, narrow stairs, and wall carvings whose details had been eroded by time.
It was hard to imagine such a hidden underground space existing beneath these plains. Ariel slowly lowered her hood and cautiously surveyed her surroundings.
Eventually, they reached a place that looked somewhat inhabited.
At least Ariel saw some clay pots and a bed. As for the rest… it was still empty and desolate.
"Speak. Who was the one who guided you here? A brat like you couldn't possibly know about me."
The small demon threw off the tattered cloth covering his body, revealing thick black fur. A long, thin tail finally had room to stretch, swaying back and forth with the demon’s peculiar gait.
Ariel was shocked, because right now, this demon looked exactly like… a giant rat walking upright!
"The Ratman race."
Ariel’s teacher drifted upward beside her, observing the elderly Ratman. "As I thought, some of you are still alive."
"Oh?"
The Ratman didn't seem surprised by the floating soul. He merely raised an eyebrow in slight astonishment and walked two circles around the teacher.
"A soul that can exist without a physical body… and judging by its strength… I see. You’re an old-timer too, aren't you? Then it’s not so strange. Tell me, how did you track me down?"
"With this."
With a wave of her hand, an exquisite glass bottle drifted out from Ariel’s ring.
Inside the bottle was a single, thin strand of fur. It was vibrating slightly, pointing directly toward the Ratman.
"I see."
The Ratman closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't know where you got that, but I suppose this is the inescapable fate of my kind."
"Ratman?"
Ariel finally found an opening to join the conversation. She blinked and said, "I think I remember that name. I saw it in an ancient demon text. I recall… wasn't this a race that was completely extirpated by the legendary Grand Duke Divine Will hundreds of years ago?"
Ariel was shocked once more. "Hundreds of years have passed, and there are still survivors… or rather, live rats?"
"Extirpated?"
The elderly Ratman gave a couple of mocking sneers. "How could they wipe us out? We are impossible to eradicate. We aren't, and the entire Demon Race isn't. That old bastard Divine Will knew that too. He was merely… venting his anger."