Akau Village 6

In the old mining site, insects and bats had also turned into sub-beasts. I'd heard that such transformations were rare, but it seems that isn't actually the case.

But everyone here drinks the water flowing from the mine, which is affecting their reactions.

They don't attack unless you get quite close, so repelling them is easy—they're numerous but pose no real threat.

"Not only are there so many of them, but this is the first time I've seen such a variety of sub-beasts. What could be deeper inside?

The sub-beasts are drinking water as if they've lost themselves. This peculiar water might be acting like a drug for them. I should take a little sample.

If that's the case, suddenly cutting off the water supply might snap them out of it—and cause all these sub-beasts to emerge from here."

"You're right... maybe we should eliminate them all before they fully form. After that, we'll just have to keep coming back regularly to clear them out."

"Then let's reduce their numbers as much as possible right here, right now."

Alek said, wielding his battle axe like limbs, wiping out the sub-beasts around him. As always, his skill was extraordinary.

Slaying as many sub-beasts as possible, they pressed forward into the depths.

They came across several branching paths, but most were blocked off.

Whether fortunate or not, the water in question was flowing from a single passage. It felt almost like being lured onward.

There was no choice but to press forward—proceeding with heightened caution.

The corridor had become significantly narrower. According to the recorded information, this should be nearing the deepest part.

Good! I’ll use the exploration magic once more around here.

The exploration lamp glowed bright red once again.

But I've already taken down quite a few of the sub-beasts.

The passage leads to a dead end—yet there must be many sub-beasts ahead.

Doubting the probe lamp had malfunctioned, I took a step forward, and gradually, a squelching sound began to reach my ears.

Alex must have been relying on years of instinct.

"Tarou, stop."

With that, he pulled out a light stone and tossed it before him.

A small light traced a parabolic arc before falling to the ground. What appeared in that instant was something beyond belief.

It looked like a larva... perhaps?

But the size was all wrong.

Over three meters long, with a body just as thick. Multiple protrusions resembling legs.

Its pale blue body glowed with eerie patterns—truly an unsettling sight that made one feel ill.

It was devouring the sub-beast with ease.

"What... what is that...? It's...?"

Alek stood frozen, still in the motion of throwing a gemstone, stunned beyond words.

"I don't know. But one thing's certain—It's not a sub-beast. It's a monster."

Had the larval monster finished devouring its prey? It turned and locked eyes with us.

...There were so many eyes...

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!"

"Ukkku..."

A piercing can-opening sound erupted from the monster, echoing through the cave.

I clamped my hands over my ears and barely managed to endure it.

Alek tapped my shoulder and said something.

"....Here...."

"What? I can't hear you!"

"Here's narrow! Let's go to a wider area!"

I barely made out the words, nodded to each other, and took off running.

We sprinted back the way we came, putting everything into it. Fortunately, the path was mostly flat, allowing us to move at full speed.

The larval monster approached, writhing its large body with surprising agility. Its bulk caused it to bump into walls all around as it ran, making it surprisingly slow.

My hearing had mostly recovered.

If that’s the case, I can keep my distance and attack from afar to drive it back.

"Good, Taro! I can see an open area ahead. Just a little more!"

Where is the monster? Glancing back, it was still pursuing, but the distance between us had widened significantly.

I was surprised by its size, but it seemed manageable after all.

Just as I thought that. The monster’s mouth puffed up.

"Alek! Get out of the way!"

We both leapt to the sides. Immediately afterward, the monster’s slime shot straight through the middle.

Wherever the slime landed, the ground erupted in intense smoke and rapidly melted away.

Their eyes met, naturally.

"Taro, please don't miss a single shot."

"No need to tell me that!"

At the same time, they burst forward, their footsteps echoing sharply, narrowly dodging the larval monster's slime.

They plunged into the plaza.

Turning back toward the monster, the larval creature slowly emerged. Had it realized we weren't running away?

We scattered light stones around to gain even the slightest advantage. The hall was dimly illuminated.

The full form of the monster became visible.

Its body was covered with dull, stone-like scales, and thick mucus oozed from a wide, vertically split mouth.

Fine hairs were faintly visible across its body.

The combination of spotted patterns and the stony texture gave it an eerie, unsettling appearance.

"Taro, it doesn't seem to move all that quickly. And it appears to have no attack methods besides that slime."

"Complacency is dangerous. Let's observe its movements carefully."

"Then I'll draw its attention by moving around. You handle the long-range attacks."

"Are you sure? You'll be in front."

"I'm fine with that. This is the first time I've been able to move freely!"

With that, he spun the battle axe lightly and assumed a stance.

Despite usually maintaining a calm demeanor, his expression suddenly turned sharp and fierce—almost gleeful.

Alek dashed forward.

The larval monster spat forth slime, hurling it at him.

Alek spun his body, easily splitting a large boulder nearby, then used the handle of his battle axe to forcefully send the boulder flying toward the slime.

The slime collided with the boulder, emitting a loud noise as the rock dissolved. The slime splattered in all directions.

Concealing himself in the shadow, Alex moved to the side of the monster and leapt upward.

By the time the larval monster noticed Alex, he was already above it.

Alex's battle axe struck the monster's body.

It narrowly avoided losing its head. Surprisingly agile!

But... the monster's body seemed quite soft, leaving a deep gash.

"I barely missed decapitating it, but I'm sure I dealt a severe wound... gah."

"What happened to your arm!"

Alex's arm was burned.

"It seems the monster's blood itself has dissolving properties. A little painful, but it's nothing serious."

"Looks like you're completely poisoned through and through. Next time, don't charge in alone and recklessly."

Taking down that massive body with an electric shock would require a considerable amount of power.

That would create a significant gap. Plus, only one or two shots would be possible at most.

It must be applied to the entire body instantly.

Now, how to bring it down.