Chapter 36 – Carpeng Subjugation (3)

The cicadas’ incessant buzzing made it hard to focus on the movie.

“Ugh, it’s already so hot, and now this racket,” I grumbled, getting up to shut the window.

Dad grinned as we watched together. “Don’t be too harsh. They’ve got to make a living too.”

“But they’re practically glued to the window. It’s so loud.”

“You have to understand, Noah. These little guys have been underground for seven years. Imagine how excited they must be.”

Dad, who had been quietly watching the TV, turned to me. “You know all the noisy ones are males, right?”

“I know. They’re calling out for females.”

“Exactly. And most of them only live for about two weeks after that.”

“I know that too.”

“So think about it. For them, seven years is practically their entire life. For us, it’d be like spending 80 years just stuck in a room doing nothing.”

“That… actually sounds pretty great.”

Thwack!

“Ow! Why did you hit me?!”

“That’s not great at all, dummy. You wouldn’t even be able to play your favorite games.”

“Hmm… yeah, that wouldn’t be fun.”

“Anyway, those cicadas dedicate their entire life to achieving just one goal.”

“Well, they were born that way.”

“Ha, this kid… always with the backtalk. Just listen for a minute.” Dad ruffled my hair with a wry smile.

“Let’s start again. Cicadas endure their whole lives, waiting to fulfill their dream. And when that endless time comes to an end, they finally emerge into a dangerous world.”

Dad stood up. “How terrifying must that be? The world is filled with dangers, people everywhere. But even so, they come out. Why?”

He walked to the window. “Because not achieving their lifelong dream, despite all their effort, is even scarier than the world that could easily kill them.”

He began to open the window I had closed. “And so they scream until their throats tear, announcing their presence to the world.”

The cicadas’ song filled the room once more. “They meet the mate they’ve longed for, lay their eggs… And two weeks later, they die. Without ever meeting their offspring.”

“And that cicada you hear right now? It’s about to die. It’s giving everything it has left.”

The sound that had been merely irritating before now felt… different. More desperate.

“See? When you think of it that way, it’s kind of romantic, isn’t it?”

Watching Dad’s smile, I carefully asked, “If you live like that… do you think you’d be happy?”

Was that kind of life really meaningful?

His eyes softened. “Well, the ones that never find a mate might feel unlucky. But I don’t think they’d have regrets.”

“And what about the ones that do find their mate?”

Dad paused, deep in thought. “I don’t know. But if I had to guess, they might feel—”

Suddenly, a plane flew overhead, cutting him off.

I never did hear the rest of his answer. But I saw the expression on his face. A bittersweet smile. Eyes filled with determination. And a gaze that never wavered when he looked at me.

***

A warm feeling enveloped me. Something soft and familiar, like a cushion. But everything ached. I felt like I was going to break… it hurt so much…

In the midst of my groaning, I heard Rubia’s trembling voice. “H-Heinzel…”

What? Heinzel? Why?

I squirmed, reaching out to tug on Rubia’s sleeve. “Ru-Rubia…?”

“Noah…! Oh no… what do we do… what should we do…”

Tears suddenly started falling onto my face. What…? Why are you crying all of a sudden?

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Rubia pulled me even closer, clutching me tightly.

“Ow! That hurts! Even the wind hurts right now! Don’t squeeze me like that!”

My cry of pain made her loosen her grip, but she was still crying.

“Wh-What…?” My voice cracked horribly. I coughed and tried again. “W-What’s going on?”

Rubia took a deep breath before answering. “C-Carpeng… Carpeng woke up…”

What?

“Rubia, didn’t you put up that scent barrier? I told you to—”

“I did! I did, I swear! I don’t know what happened… the barrier was definitely there, but… we need to move, but my legs… I can’t…”

“Hold on, calm down for a second…”

I managed to squirm out of her arms, though my whole body creaked with pain. Then I reached for my greatsword. My greatsword… Where is it?

I felt around but couldn’t find it. “Rubia… have you seen my greatsword?”

“Huh?”

“My greatsword…” I tried drawing the shape of it with my hands. “You know, the big sword I always carry…”

Why is she pretending not to know?

“What… are you talking about, Noah?”

“What do you mean?! My greatsword! I always carry it, and I… I… used it to kill all those beasts…”

All those beasts? Killed them? Who did?

“Noah… Heinzel’s arm was cut off… and Luchi is fighting alone… We need to go help them right away, but I’m worried about leaving you here without your greatsword…”

Rubia’s words weren’t registering. My memories were a jumble again.

Whose memory is this? What is this? What is… going on?

Who am I? Why? Whose memory is this? My memory? Then who am I? What… am I?

Alrba… forest… black bear? Who fought that? Me? Aileen? Rubia… priestess? Client? Rubia, Rubia… save Rubia… Who am I?

Who am I?

I… am Noah… right?

***

“Noah! Noah!”

“Huh?”

“Why… why are you crying…?”

“Huh? I’m crying?”

Rubia’s trembling hand touched my face. “Why… why are you suddenly crying…?”

“Am I…?”

“Noah…? Is it really you?”

Her voice shook. “Yes…?”

“Noah… right?”

I felt like I was sinking. “It is Noah, right?”

I tried to smile. Should I? How does Noah act again? Oh. I’m confused.

“Wh-Why… Noah, why are you doing this… please… don’t do this…”

Rubia’s arms wrapped around me. Her tears fell onto my shoulder. Warm energy flowed into me. Rubia’s holy power. It enveloped my body. Familiar. Comforting.

Her hands gently stroked my head. Slowly. Slowly. Her holy power restored my mind. Untangled the knotted memories. Sorted through the tangled past. Calmed my heightened emotions. Pulled me back from the brink of madness. Stopped me from wanting to die.

Following my instincts, I opened my eyes. And I spoke the words glowing before me.

[The target is a character from the game.] [The target is a character from the game.] [The target is a character from the game.] [The target is a character from the game.]

My head cleared. The unsettling feeling inside me subsided.

“Ru-Rubia…”

I lifted my hand and patted her back. “Rubiaaa…”

“Noah…? Is it really you?”

“Yeah… it’s me… Rubia, can you… explain the situation to me?”

I gently pushed her away. Her trembling shoulders shook my emotions.

“Y-You’re really Noah, right…?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Rubia grabbed my cheeks with both hands. “R-Really… really Noah…?”

“Th-That’s right…”

She only let go after I nodded enthusiastically.

“Rubia, it’s okay. Calm down and explain what’s going on.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay… after you collapsed…”

Even though I couldn’t see. Even though I couldn’t feel anything. The trembling in my body. The oppressive air. The distant, terrifying sound. Luchi’s desperate cries. I could tell what was happening.

Still, calming Rubia down was my priority. I trust Luchi and Heinzel. They’re not the type to fall easily.

After a moment, Rubia finally caught her breath and began to explain, quickly and precisely. Luchi and Heinzel were fighting Carpeng outside the village, and the villagers were evacuating. On top of that, Ursphere was…

Impossible. Everyone will die. For sure. They’ll all die before even reaching the entrance of the Karahan Mountains.

And as for Carpeng… I couldn’t sense it yet. I hadn’t seen it. I didn’t know what it looked like in reality.

The goblins I hunted first. The gnolls, orcs, black bears. And all the other beasts. They were nothing like the game. They weren’t just trash mobs. Every one of their attacks could kill you. Even a single hit could be fatal. From mere low-level enemies.

Then how strong is Carpeng? It must be on a completely different level…

But I have to do it. I can do it. I’ve defeated it countless times. I’ve beaten tens of thousands of beasts. Don’t be afraid. Rubia is behind me. Luchi and Heinzel are here. We can do this.

“Rubia… do we have any other greatswords left?”

“No… I searched everywhere, but they’re all broken…”

I’m not sure if my senses will activate with a broken sword. But for now…

“Can you bring me one of the broken ones?”

“Noah… you’re going to fight, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “Alright.”

I heard Rubia getting up. I sat still, listening to the sounds of the village. I expected chaos because of Carpeng’s awakening, but surprisingly, there was still hope.

And in the distance… There was the sound of hurried footsteps.

“Ah… Am I late?!”

“He-Hephaestus?!”

It was Hephaestus.

“Ah… Lady Noah! I’m here to give you something! I thought you might need it… I’ve been working on it since last night… I know it’s a bit late, but please take it.”

A cool sensation touched my hand. The familiar feel of leather. A sword hilt. I felt its weight.

“I made it with some very expensive materials… as close as possible to your original greatsword!”

I reached out and grabbed the hilt. With a familiar sting, the village’s landscape unfolded before me. I saw Hephaestus, smiling brightly in front of me.

Smiling? Wait. Why can I see his expression?

“How… how’s the weight?”

Hephaestus’ face was filled with confusion.

I can’t believe it… I can’t see his face, but I can read his expression. I can see it.

“Good…”

I nodded vaguely. What is this? What is happening? Did I just level up?

I looked around. I could see the expressions on the villagers’ faces. And in the distance… I could see Rubia running toward me. Her face was twisted in panic, panting heavily. I can see her.

“H-Hello, Priestess!” Hephaestus bowed deeply to Rubia.

Rubia was clearly flustered. Look at that expression! She’s thinking, What are you doing here? Amazing!

“Hephaestus, why are you here…?”

“Ah, I was making a weapon… and I lost track of time…”

I held up the greatsword that Hephaestus had brought me.

“You’ve been working on that for us this whole time?”

“Yes! When the monsters started swarming, I figured 10 crappy greatswords wouldn’t be enough. I used everything I could to make this one. My master might kill me when he gets back… but what’s the point if we’re all dead, right? So I made it… Please, Priestess, could you… put in a good word for me?”

He was brave, then scared, then brave again. But now he was leaning on the Priestess’s authority, wilting under her gaze.

Rubia’s expression twisted again. That’s a face ready to cry. Rubia’s going to cry!

“Yes, I’ll… I’ll explain everything to him, so don’t worry too much. And really, thank you so much.”

Rubia took my hand and started pulling me. “Hephaestus, we don’t have time. Let’s continue this conversation after everything is over.”

“Yes, yes! Hurry up!”

“Thank you, Hephaestus. Noah, let’s go.”

Rubia naturally grabbed my hand and led me south. But something feels off…

“Rubia?”

“Yes?”

“Why are you coming with me?”

“What do you mean, why?”

“Well… it’s dangerous.”

“I know. But Noah, we don’t have time. We need to hurry.”

“But Rubia, you can’t—”

“Noah, do you think you’re the only one allowed to go?”

Rubia turned back to look at me, her expression fierce.

“Well… I’m strong, though…”

Thwack!

Rubia smacked me on the forehead.

“I’m strong too. Now let’s go. From now on, wherever you go, I’m going with you. I’ll be right by your side, no matter what. Don’t try to stop me.”

With that, Rubia began dragging me forward. Her hand was filled with determination. So I had no choice but to nod. And follow her.

***

As we got closer to Carpeng, the tension increased. My body ached. My legs felt heavy. Cold sweat dripped down my back. The sticky, oppressive energy weighed on me.

“Haa… haa…”

Rubia seemed to be struggling just as much, taking deep, slow breaths.

“Rubia… if it’s too much—”

“Shut up.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am…”

Rubia’s temper had changed.

I started hearing the sounds of Heinzel and Luchi shouting in the distance. I extended my senses slightly. It was a mess.

As Rubia said, Heinzel had lost his right arm. His entire body was twisted. But he was still fighting. Luchi’s body was covered in deep wounds. He was on the verge of death from blood loss.

And Carpeng… It was building up energy inside its body. The second phase was beginning. We’re out of time.

Luchi and Heinzel don’t know Carpeng. They’ve only seen the first phase. We’re really out of time. At this rate… Both of them will die.

“Rubia, let’s pick up the pace.”

I passed Rubia and started walking faster. When I got close enough to hear Luchi’s breathing…

A terrifying sound ripped through the air. Luchi and Heinzel were thrown to the ground, blood spurting from their bodies. Luchi’s remaining eye burst. Heinzel’s left arm was torn off.

“Rubia! Hurry!”

I let go of her hand and ran toward them. I need to draw Carpeng’s attention. And I need to let Heinzel and Luchi know. Let them know I’m here.

I approached them, dragging my greatsword. I approached Carpeng. And then, in my usual voice, I cracked a light-hearted joke to reassure them, just like Heinzel and Luchi would.

With a smirk, I said, “This is supposed to be a four-person party… you idiots. Were you that desperate to avoid buying dinner? Cheapskates…”

Then, glaring at Carpeng, I gripped my sword tightly.