Chapter: 198. Economics? Currency? I Don’t Know, You Idiot (3)
Sound of sucking the core attack through a straw
can be heard.
What in the world could that sound be? It’s so intriguing.
However, after turning my head once,
I’m not looking that way anymore.
That image is already stuck in my mind.
Al’sel’s pale blue skin, creating a gradient with the purple stones.
Their heads deeply sunk into the inside of Al’sel’s wide-open mouth.
The entire face covered in tentacles appeared to be parasitized.
And then, it begins to suck.
Just like sipping a drink through a straw.
At the same time, the octopus that looked somewhat normal starts to fall apart.
It doesn’t just end with the cheeks caving in;
it resembles something sucking out a soul.
The outline of the bones becomes prominent as the skin changes into a skull-like form.
Even I, who have seen things one shouldn’t see, was shocked by that appearance.
Just a moment ago, I pulled Al’sel and the victim into the alley to prevent them from doing that on the busy street.
No matter how half-hostile the target may be, there’s no need to engrave a trauma that lasts a lifetime on a civilian, right?
“Does that really not leave any aftereffects?”
That sound was so ominous that I found myself worried for the enemy.
No, isn’t there a limit?
What, are they guilty of a terrible crime or something?
“Suck. Um. Well. Maybe a slight unconscious fear of beings that look like this. Suck. There will probably be temporary memory loss for about 2-3 days. It’s not a big deal.”
Uh… how are you talking while sucking?
I asked, but I didn’t expect an answer.
…How long do you think it’ll take?”
“About 30 seconds, I believe.”
Good.
I was already feeling mentally drained, so I’m glad it’s ending quickly.
Thinking this, I turned my eyes and ears away from reality and waited for about 30 seconds.
“Squeak. It’s over.”
With the sound of spitting, I felt something heavy being tossed aside and turned my head.
“Ah, thanks for your hard work. So where do we go now…”
Damn.
Why did I turn my head?
Al’sel just said it was over; they didn’t say they finished the cleanup too.
In the back alley where I turned my gaze, an indescribably horrifying scene unfolded.
The purple stone that had been in contact with the moisture looked horrifically altered.
In the creases formed by that alteration, blue slime filled the gaps, creating unspeakable shapes.
Moreover, the swollen, wet face… let’s not go there. Why do I even have to think about this?
So, even though I saw a calmer Al’sel, that side was equally horrifying.
With tentacles covering their mouth, the inside of what could be seen had shining, black teeth that looked like they belonged to a grotesque creature, glistening with blue slime.
And that throat wasn’t simply a shade of darkness; it was sucking in the core attack like a bottomless pit.
It was as if it was drawing in my emotions, knowledge, and mind.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I haven’t closed my mouth yet.”
What halted that bizarre feeling was Al’sel’s urgent exclamation.
What? Was I really getting sucked in?
Well, putting that aside…
“Is that thing really okay?”
I didn’t even want to look and roughly pointed with my finger at the location where there might be a purple corpse.
“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, aside from slight problems, it should be fine. Normally, the memories I consumed would vanish, but I returned everything, so that’s why it took so long.”
Ah, was that a special service?
But I’m not sure which is worse: losing memories or ending up like that.
I’m a bit worried… but well, if they’re still alive, that should be fine.
“Then, do you know where we need to go?”
“Yes, it’s smaller than I expected. Still, it seems there’s quite a lot of information.”
Hmm. A lot of information…
“Whatever it is, let’s talk while heading there. You lead.”
“Of course.”
After showing a bit of mercy by laying the purple corpse against the wall, I followed behind Al’sel, who walked away into the alley.
“What do you mean it’s not a big group, but there’s a lot of information?”
“Small literally means small. It’s just a population of about a million or so. They aren’t martial artists; it’s just a group of races living here since the world collapsed. That alone seems to have become a legend over a long time.”
“Hmm? Wait a minute. Isn’t becoming a passenger supposed to come from passing a test?”
“That’s how it is when you come from outside. But if you live and breed here, you naturally become a passenger. I think you get what I’m saying, but we’re not so cruel as to kick out parents and children.”
Hearing that made it seem obvious.
Even having such a huge… room would induce a gathering.
So, I understood that part.
“Then, what’s the deal with having lots of information?”
“Haram Lee, do you know how small groups can survive among large groups?”
Suddenly, an ominous sound.
Of course, I know.
“Beat up the big groups.”
A perfect method.
By defeating them, one escapes the fate of being a small group, and both sides gain something under someone with great power.
“What a crazy idea fitting for Haram Lee, but I doubt these weaklings could possibly defeat those with populations tens to thousands of times larger than their own.”
‘Like us, with a combat-oriented race, it might be possible,’ they thought.
While picking at me, they’re trying to elevate themselves too.
Haha. This guy is testing my limits now that I’m not saying anything. What if they cross the line? I might not be able to hold back!
“There are several ways for small groups to survive, but it’s too lengthy to explain right now, so let’s get straight to the answer.”
Hmm. Getting straight to the point is lowering my tolerance gauge a bit.
“It’s information. Those numerous eyes aren’t just for decoration; they are a race specialized in gathering information. So through that information, they’ve found good places to cling to and have survived.”
Oh ho.
That means…
“Yes, it means there’s a lot to exploit.”
Grin.
We both smiled at each other as we crossed the street.
Towards the treasure in the distance.
By the way, this guy’s smile is quite filthy.
Contrary to my expectations, their base was in a low building.
According to Al’sel, there is a separate political leadership.
They said these are simply combat units. A rare system.
So, despite their thug-like appearance, they have a more advanced social system than expected…
But, being attacked…
All the races are…
Crazy.
“Shut up and just clear the way. I’m not asking for much, you know?”
While someone was communicating with a stick inscribed with a magic circle, I just smashed it into the wall with my hammer.
“Exactly. They could’ve just cleared the way.”
Seemingly excited, Al’sel, with red skin, was gripping a passing purple guy’s head, saying that.
Thanks to that, an eye rolled out from between Al’sel’s fingers, but it didn’t feel as horrifying as it should have.
These guys’ eyes must be some equipment or something, as they were sticking another person’s eye into their eye sockets.
It was clear they were sturdier than humans, considering they were squirming without dying while wedged between the stone walls.
What a strange race, seriously.
“Let go of my brother! You monster!”
Once again, enemies swarmed in from the other side of the corner.
Holding a variety of weapons in one hand,
they began a tumultuous offense while chanting magic with the other.
At first, despite dozens of them coming at once, I was too busy clearing them out quickly.
However, as we went deeper, they became quite stronger, so it’s taking some time now.
Even though it took time.
I saw the magic being shot, lowered my stance, and planted myself to the ground.
Due to the sudden acceleration, the arrows of light they shot flew right over my head.
The moment they realized their mistake,
I was already in front of them, crouched down and pulling the hammer from behind.
“Get knocked out.”
The hammer swung wide, and half of the enemies were swept away by the shockwave, colliding with the ceiling and walls.
For sure, I’m getting stronger.
I managed to dodge half of the attacks.
Of course, even if it got prolonged.
“Looks like you missed half.”
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Without a sound, Al’sel quickly followed their backs, swiftly smashing a club into their heads.
Compared to the two of us, they were utterly clumsy.
This had taken only about twenty seconds.
Not that long, but it had risen to an annoying level.
Now, seemingly closer to their base, we had faced about ten assaults.
“Why not use magic instead?”
Losing to them in a club fight… should make them cry.
“They don’t have magic.”
But,
“That’s rather pointless.”
Sure, it’s annoying.
“When will these guys keep pouring in like this?”
At this point, shouldn’t they realize the difference in skill and send out a stronger one?
With the number of casualties, dragging it out is becoming inefficient.
Dodging the eyes scattered across the floor, I thought about it.
“They probably have their plans too. They probably figured out that we won’t kill them.”
Was I being used against their hand tactics?
After hearing Al’sel’s words, I looked back at the mass of purple beings filling the hallway.
With those guys, knowing it’d take about 10 to 20 seconds to deal with them,
If it were to wipe them out, I’m confident it wouldn’t even take a second.
“Such a nuisance.”
“There’s a simpler method. Just kill them all.”
‘I’m fine with that, though.’
With a nonchalant smile, Al’sel said that.
It seemed like it didn’t matter to him either way.
Of course, I wasn’t planning to go along with that.
“We aren’t villains or anything.”
“Considering this mess we’ve created, they’ll probably see us as the ultimate villains.”
Is that so?
But still killing them seems a bit much.
“Let’s just go. It doesn’t make much difference.”
“You don’t have to worry that much.”
Al’sel said that and stretched out a hand towards the far end of the elongated hallway.
“Looks like we’re almost there.”
Simultaneously, the tip of Al’sel’s outstretched finger glowed black.
It’s hard to comprehend the phenomenon of something glowing black, but that’s literally the best way to describe it.
From the tip of Al’sel’s finger, a line of shining blackness flowed out.
In an instant, it became a circle.
Soon after, it turned into a magic circle.
Filled with complex patterns and inscriptions, a circular black magic circle.
“Since powerful ones are coming, I’ll deal with them in one go.”
As Al’sel finished speaking, a sound resembling a child’s toy echoed.
However, the phenomenon caused by the magic circle stood in stark contrast to that.
Zap.
Slight sparks flew off the magic circle.
And an extraordinarily shining black darkness rushed forward in a single line.
A massive flash filled the entire hallway.
That light shone for just a moment, but its majesty engraved itself in my eyes as if shining for several dozen seconds.
And when the flash quieted down…
“…They’re not dead, right?”
A funny voice burst out, unbelievable even for me.
“Despite how it looks, this is a mind attack.
There’s almost no physical damage.”
“That ‘almost’ is a little concerning.”
“Mind magic that transcends limits can cause damage to the body itself.
It’s not severe. Just a strong headache or a nosebleed that makes you feel miserable, but not enough to die.”
I don’t believe it, but I’ll take it.
After all, there’s no point in reasoning about it.
Huff.
I can only sigh.
What crime did I commit to be hanging out with this octopus?
“Quit sighing and stay alert.”
Al’sel said that and summoned a staff from thin air.
“The strongest in this room, in this world, is on the other side.”
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