Chapter 27: Mutant #1

Chapter 27: Mutant #1

There’s an old saying.

When the tiger is gone, the fox becomes king.

Max, who claimed to be the second-in-command of the Vigilantes, disagreed with this saying.

‘Nah, what fox? I’m a tiger too. Just a bit smaller than Dawson.’

With six subordinates of the Vigilantes leading the way, Max’s neck was full of confidence.

His steps were energetic, and the murky air of the underground waterway felt sweet.

It felt like he could finally breathe now that he was away from Dawson, who always found fault and nagged him for the slightest reason.

“Max, this path is really complicated. We don’t have a map…”

“I think it would be best to turn back around here.”

Unlike Max, his subordinates seemed reluctant.

It’s no wonder, the underground waterway was too quiet.

I heard it was crawling with rats.

Why wasn’t there even a single rat, let alone anything else, in sight?

The very absence of anything was stimulating their ominous imaginations.

Max himself felt a subtle unease.

But he couldn’t show any sign of being intimidated as the leader.

“What’s with all the chirping and squeaking? Are you all rats, huh?”

“Still, our mission is just to block the cave passage with planks, isn’t it? We don’t need to go this deep and get lost-“

“Who said we’re lost, you bastard!”

Max grabbed the subordinate by the collar.

Suddenly, the subordinate’s cheekbone jutted out.

The subordinate’s lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped.

Huh, this is strange-

It was completely different from the reaction Max expected.

When Dawson did the same, they all fawned over him, saying, ‘I’m sorry-‘

‘This guy’s no good.’

Max stared at him for a long time and then roughly pushed the subordinate away.

He wanted to teach them a lesson, but the expressions of the others weren’t good either.

“There’s a way to find the path even in the dark. Look, you guys.”

When Max raised his wrist, his subordinates’ eyes changed.

On his wrist was an artifact bracelet with an elegant sheen, “Pure White Radiance.”

“Max, that bracelet is-“

“Yes. The Captain entrusted it to me because he trusts me.”

Of course, that was a lie.

The greedy Dawson would never entrust a precious artifact to a subordinate.

Max secretly took the artifact from the warehouse while Dawson was preoccupied with planning.

‘As long as I put it back before he notices, it’s fine.’

Everything has its purpose.

What’s the use of an artifact if it’s just locked away in a warehouse forever?

Pure White Radiance must also resent its fate.

Max rationalized it and extended the bracelet towards the dark passage.

Fzzt-

A faint, dim light formed a circle above the bracelet.

In terms of light intensity alone, a normal torch would be better, but…

This light requires no oil or firewood.

Furthermore, it has the miraculous property of not going out even when submerged in water.

“Wow!”

“Is that the artifact’s ability, Max?”

His subordinates exclaimed.

Even the one whose collar was grabbed earlier had wide, astonished eyes.

What simple-minded guys.

Max chuckled and waved the bracelet.

“It’s too early to be surprised.”

He had observed how Dawson handled the bracelet before.

The light emanating from Pure White Radiance spread out in all directions with Max’s gesture.

On the walls, on the floor, on the dirty water-

Tiny white light particles, like fireflies, clung to various parts of the waterway, dispelling the darkness.

“Wow-“

“How is it, you guys?”

“It’s bright and beautiful…”

The subordinates’ eyes sparkled.

Max, having regained his authority with the artifact’s radiance, continued to explore the underground waterway.

‘It’s still strange. There are traces of monster hunting everywhere.’

Max scanned his surroundings with suspicious eyes.

Rat claw marks and bloodstains etched on the walls.

Scattered pieces of flesh.

Max was also an adventurer who had been through thick and thin in Garden.

In his judgment, all these circumstances pointed to one conclusion.

‘Someone has been secretly hunting monsters in the underground waterway. Or, they might still be hunting right now.’

Max smiled sinisterly and gently caressed his scabbard.

‘Well, well… it seems a big rat has crawled into the waterway. And maybe not just one or two.’

In principle, his subordinates were right. They should be heading back by now.

Even if they found out there were uncontrolled adventurers in the underground waterway, Dawson would be the one to decide how to deal with them.

However, the darkness of the underground waterway wasn’t the only thing blinding Max.

‘If I fight, I’ll definitely win. It’s a chance to gain merit.’

Greed makes humans blind.

Even the light of Pure White Radiance couldn’t clear the thick, sticky lump that resided in Max’s heart.

“Let’s move quickly.”

Max led his subordinates into the darkness.

***

The final area before the boss room of the Contaminated Deposit, the “Reconstruction Chamber.”

We gathered in front of the boss room, fully prepared.

We had treated all the wounds sustained during the fights, slept soundly, and eaten a hearty meal.

Everyone’s condition is perfect.

Of course. I managed it myself.

“Just do as I told you beforehand. Don’t be too scared.”

I made eye contact with each party member and spoke.

Now, for the last part, I should give some reliable words as the party leader to boost morale.

Clearing my throat, I thought of some magnificent words.

“Kid, is your butt okay?”

Mitchell butted in.

“⋯What?”

“You went to poop for two hours yesterday.”

“Ah. That- Well, you see-“

I had vaguely glossed over my actions from the previous night.

Explaining the source of information that only I knew, such as how I knew Vigilantes might come here, would complicate things.

So I just decided to bury it and move on…

Mitchell, who didn’t know the details, seemed to have taken it at face value that I had indeed been doing my business for two hours.

“Are you constipated, Estel?”

Wagner also looked at me with concern and asked.

“It’s good to eat plenty of vegetables and drink lots of water. And I heard yogurt helps too-“

“It’s not like that.”

“Of course, it might be an embarrassing story for a delicate young lady like you, Estel… but I have experience, so I know how painful it is. Mine was so severe that-“

…The misunderstanding is deepening.

Thanks to that, I even had to listen to Wagner’s painful experience.

I really didn’t want to know.

“Um, can I make a suggestion?”

Flora raised her hand high.

A bright smile.

Is that what they call a “madman with clear eyes”?

Damn it, I know what you’re going to say without even hearing it. It’s definitely nonsense.

“It’s better to fight in optimal condition, right? So, let’s all cheer for Estel while she clears her system, and wait-“

“Be quiet, Senior. That’s enough, I’m going in?”

BANG.

I kicked the boss room door open with all my might.

 「Entered the deepest part of the Contaminated Deposit, the Reconstruction Chamber.」

 「Warning: An irreversible Mutated Monster awaits the adventurers.」

A narrow rectangular room, similar in shape to a pack of cigarettes standing upright.

Fluorescent wastewater continuously poured into the room like a waterfall from a drain near the high ceiling…

Broken stone fragments were scattered like islands on top of it…

And half-submerged in the wastewater, a shapeless monster that constantly changed its color and form-

That’s the boss, the Mutated Monster.

“Let’s go.”

My heart pounded. Facing a formidable enemy, a sense of exhilaration swept through my body.

Good. Let’s do this.

“Senior.”

“I’m ready-“

The boss battle began with Flora’s preemptive magic.

A hazy mist emanated from Flora’s fingertips.

It’s the newly learned “Magic Mist.”

The target is not the Mutated Monster.

It’s the three subordinates lurking around the Mutated Monster, the “Luminous Eyeballs.”

If we let these guys use their signature “Luminescent Gaze” attack freely, it’ll be a headache.

Just looking at them for more than 3 seconds can grant a comprehensive gift set of status ailments: confusion, paralysis, mutation, and petrification.

Of course, I had already prepared the countermeasure.

-…!

-…!?

As they couldn’t see, the golden eyeballs began to panic.

Flora’s Magic Mist effectively neutralized the gaze attacks by blocking vision.

“Good, good. Now it’s my turn, right?”

While the Luminous Eyeballs were flustered in the mist, Mitchell leaped into the air without hesitation.

The mist doesn’t last long. So, we have to defeat the subordinates quickly before then.

The most suitable person is Mitchell, who is agile and has excellent single-hit power.

“Hyaah-“

BOOM-!

Mitchell descended like a missile into the midst of the monsters.

-Kyyrik…!

One Luminous Eyeball, hit squarely by “Thunderclap Kick,” met its demise without even knowing why.

And now, the most important opponent.

Marking the Mutated Monster is our job, Wagner’s and mine.

“You don’t need to overdo it, Wagner. Just stall them while Mitchell and Flora deal with the subordinates.”

“Hmm.”

The Mutated Monster slowly turned its body towards us.

Its fluid body constantly shifted into various forms even as it rotated to face us.

-Grrr…!

A guttural sound echoed from deep within the Mutated Monster’s body.

The next moment, the random transformation stopped, and it fixed into one form.

The appearance of a giant, clenched fist.

It’s called the “Crushing Form.”

‘Not bad.’

Among the Mutated Monster’s dozens of forms, this is one of the more manageable ones.

Its attack pattern is simple.

Just one simple pattern: striking nearby enemies with that giant fist.

“It’s coming!”

At my shout, Wagner firmly gripped his shield.

The Mutated Monster, its arm stretching like taffy, swung its fist comically, like a scene from an American cartoon.

CRASH-!

Of course, its power is not funny at all.

Wagner’s feet, which blocked the attack with his shield, dug into the ground by a good 3cm.

However, this guy Wagner isn’t so easy either.

Because he’s a bear.

“⋯It’s okay. I can hold on.”

Wagner nodded, catching his breath.

“You can trust me. Fight without worry, Estel.”

If he says so, there’s no reason to refuse.

I poked my head out from behind Wagner, who was hiding, and aimed at the Mutated Monster.

“Magic Arrow,” Estel’s modified version.

“We’re trading blows, right?”

I ask, but the Mutated Monster doesn’t answer.

What a rude bastard.

BANG-!

A straight laser shot out from my fingertip, aimed like a pistol.

The Magic Arrow instantly pierced the giant fist and embedded itself in the wall behind it.

-Grrr…!

The Mutated Monster writhed violently.

Oh dear. Did that sting a bit too much?

But it’s going to hurt more and more. You shouldn’t whine already.

The clumsy fist attacks continued.

The Mutated Monster repeatedly changed its form to “Saw Form,” “Bison Form,” and “Absorption Form,” continuing its fierce assault.

“Hoo-“

Wagner’s breathing grew heavier.

Even if I know the countermeasures for every pattern, unavoidable damage accumulates during the actual execution.

He’s taking all the attacks instead of me, and even carrying me and throwing himself to dodge if necessary, so it’s bound to be tough.

“Are you okay, Wagner? If you can’t hold on any longer-“

“No problem.”

Even though he says so, his face doesn’t look fine…

It’s a man’s instinct to act tough in front of a fragile girl.

Pointing it out would be tacky.

I know that feeling well, having been a man myself.

“Just hold on a little longer.”

“Mm.”

I just patted Wagner’s shoulder, pretending not to notice.

And finally-

“We got it!”

“We’ll help too!”

Flora and Mitchell, who had finished dealing with all the Luminous Eyeballs in the rear, joined in.

‘That’s much faster than I expected. Very commendable.’

As expected, my party members always show performance beyond expectations.

Perhaps sensing the unfavorable situation, the Mutated Monster’s demeanor changed ominously.

Rumble-

Soon, the wastewater that had filled the boss room began to recede.

The Mutated Monster continuously sucked the wastewater into its body.

Its volume gradually increased, swelling to several times its original size.

Here it comes.

Its final and most powerful form, the “Dragon Form.”

This also has a set strategy.

Just maximum damage output.

Inflict as much damage as it can handle in the shortest possible time. That’s all.

Our party was not flustered by the Mutated Monster’s growth.

Flora, swallowing her saliva, cast Magic Arrow.

Mitchell, grinning as if finding it amusing, stepped in place.

Wagner tightened his grip on his mace.

And me.

I held a dagger in one hand and a ritual sword in the other.

「-Ability Unleashed: Summon abilities stored in the Holy Artifact to temporarily enhance the body.」

「⋯Stamina increases by 12.

⋯Mana increases by 30.

⋯Physical abilities increase by 7.

⋯Magical abilities increase by 20.」

Power surged through me from deep within my body.

With every breath I took, I could feel the rush of mana flowing through my veins.

For some reason… my hair was fluttering even though there was no wind.

「Casting Frost Blade.」

「Lost memories faintly resurface. Receiving bonus for exceptional talent.」

「Excellent aptitude for offensive magic. Receiving aptitude bonus.」

Long blades of ice extended from each of the daggers in my hands.

Kya-

Dual wielding, I can’t resist this.

I’ve been waiting for this moment since I first set foot in the Contaminated Deposit.

And it’s not over yet.

I can’t forget the spectral item “Fading Life.”

「Activating Painful Sacrifice.」

「Poisoned. Damage dealt to enemies increases.」

Right now, I’m truly a killing machine.

I can guarantee it.

If you pull out the damage meter after the battle, I’ll definitely be number one in damage.

I aimed the Frost Blades in both hands at the Mutated Monster.

Preparation is complete.

Now, let’s slice it up.