STGB Episode 515

Natives(3)

The situation is absurd: the monster claims to be human and calls us the monsters.

“Interesting.”

“Interesting? What did it say to make you say that?”

“It claims we are monsters, and that it is human.”

“Oh… That’s one dumb monster.”

Unlike Aynar, who laughed it off with a straight face, the reactions of those who heard the conversation were mixed.

Some found it amusing, like me. Others were curious.

Or slightly annoyed.

Surprisingly, Versil didn’t react much.

Maybe it’s because she’s also a “player?” If Raven were here, she’d be losing her mind, demanding to know immediately why the monster thought such a thing.

[What… are you all saying?]

The little monster asked me. Apparently, it wasn’t completely oblivious.

[We’re talking about how you called yourself human.]

[Is… Is that something to have a discussion about?]

[Of course there is.]

[Who exactly are you people?]

At this essential question, I thought for a moment before answering. There was a term that could encompass humans, barbarians, fairies, and beastmen alike.

[We are explorers.]

[Explorers……?]

[Why? Is this the first time you’ve heard the term?]

The little monster raised its right hand and lowered its index finger. In their culture, that seems to be a gesture equivalent to nodding.

[Explorers… what is that?]

[It means people who wander through the labyrinth, discover new things, and hunt monsters.]

[……So you’re from outside the island.]

[That’s right.]

As I said that and lowered my index finger, the little monster also flicked its index finger twice.

Huh, this is kind of fun.

“It seems like we’ll be talking for a while longer, so everyone, stay alert.”

“Understood.”

After changing our formation to a defensive stance, I began to work on building a connection for a smooth conversation.

[Want something to eat?]

[What is that?]

[Jerky. It’s dried meat.]

[That’s not what I meant.]

[Huh?]

When I tilted my head in confusion, it asked, genuinely puzzled.

[What is… eating?]

My mind went blank for a second, but the kid didn’t look like it was joking. So I explained:

[‘To eat’ means to chew food with your teeth and swallow it down your throat.]

I demonstrated immediately. I took a bite of jerky, chewed it, and swallowed. The little monster looked disgusted.

[…Ugh. That’s weird. Teeth are just organs for killing enemies…….]

[So, you’re saying you don’t eat anything?]

[Of course not! How could you put something like that… in, inside your body?!]

Huh… It’s strange to hear something that looks like you say that…

[S-Sure, sometimes in battle we might accidentally swallow something – but that’s about it! Normally, that never happens!]

That’s interesting.

[So, you can survive without eating anything?]

[Of course. As long as we have enough Life Water, we humans won’t die.]

[Life Water……?]

When I expressed my curiosity, it pulled out a ceramic bottle from its bag.

And gulped it down.

[This is Life Water.]

[Could you give me some?]

[…Yes.]

It was obvious the kid really didn’t want to share, but maybe realizing it was a captive, it reluctantly handed over the bottle.

Okay, sample secured.

“Versil, do you know what this is?”

“Give me a moment…… The mana density is incredibly high……”

I handed it to her on a whim, but surprisingly, Versil figured it out right away.

“This… seems like ground mana stones mixed with water.”

“…Mana stones?”

“Yes. The mana water commonly used in cities is made the same way. It’s exactly the same.”

Mana water is an essential material for crafting various magical tools.

But to use it as a staple food……

[Hey, is this Life Water made by grinding down monsters’ mana stones… or rocks?]

[Yes… but why? And I’m not ‘hey.’ My name is Marupichichi.]

[Got it, Marupichichi. I’m Bjorn, son of Jandel.]

[……Weird name.]

Marupichichi…

So Maru—for short—as I shyly pronounced its name, it pushed its index finger forward, and I reciprocated by touching it with mine.

“What are… you doing with that monster?”

“I don’t know. Seems like a handshake?”

“Have you found out where the village is yet?”

Ah, that…

I should’ve asked earlier but got distracted by the fun conversation.

“I’m still investigating that.”

“Alright… Well, they wouldn’t easily reveal such crucial information to an enemy, even if it’s a kid. Let me know if you need help.” Amelia offered to investigate the kid for me.

At this point, I also put my personal curiosity aside and focused on extracting crucial information.

[Marupichichi, where’s the entrance to your village?]

Contrary to Amelia’s concerns, Maru, who was too kindhearted to let the captives escape, replied immediately.

Although the answer wasn’t what I wanted.

[There isn’t one. Not right now……]

[Huh?]

[Until the adults open it, no one can enter the village…… Not even me……]

Ah, so that’s why it was hiding alone in the bushes.

[Is it common to close the village entrance?]

[No…… Except during the rainy season, it’s rarely closed.]

Rainy season… does it rain here?

Well… if the village is underground, heavy rain could cause problems.

[So why is it closed now?]

[That’s… probably because of me.]

[Because of you?]

[Yes. The adults must think the captured monsters have escaped……]

Wait, if that’s the case, shouldn’t they send out a search party instead of closing the entrance? That was my first thought, but upon reflection, it makes sense.

The villagers (or whatever they are) don’t know that the explorers have escaped outside.

They must have assumed they’re hiding inside the village and started a lockdown to search.

‘It’s been about four hours since they escaped; they’ll probably start coming out once they realize what’s happened…’

I shared the information with my colleagues and started a vote.

“The topic is ‘how to deal with monsters that communicate and claim to be human.’ You have two choices.”

“Two?”

At Amelia’s question, I flicked my index finger up and down and answered.

“Either befriend them.”

Or.

“Kill them all.”

Either option would be true to an explorer’s spirit.

***
“Befriend… them? With monsters?”

Some reacted as if it were absurd.

Others wondered if it was even possible.

“Why would you want to befriend them in the first place?”

“Since they’re natives, they must know a lot about this place.”

“Can’t we just ask the kid monster?”

Well, how much could this kid possibly know?

In the end, to get high-level information, we’d need to talk to the adult monsters.

However, Amelia remained skeptical.

“If that’s the reason, we could just capture an adult monster and interrogate it.”

“That’s true, but it might not be easy. This kid spilled everything easily, but the adults might not.”

“You… don’t trust me to get the job done?”

“That’s not it. I just think there’s no need to go straight to extreme measures, especially when we don’t know how strong they are. Also… didn’t you say recently that we shouldn’t kill anyone so carelessly?”

“That was for humans.”

“Oh.”

“…Anyway, so if this whole ‘be friends’ plan fails, what then?”

Amelia cut to the chase, and I answered without hesitation.

If option A fails, we go with B.

“Then we kill them all.”

“Is that so? Then I’m for making friends.”

“That’s unexpected”

“I’m a bit curious about them too.”

Starting with Amelia, the voting continued.

“And… three votes each for making friends and just killing everyone.”

Somehow, the decision was up to me again

I turned my head to look at Marupichichi.

And just as I was about to make the decision.

Whooosh-!

My body, always ready for battle, detected a threatening sound.
Who, where, why—none of that even registered before I moved on instinct.

Thud!

An unknown arrow buried itself in my shield. Honestly, it startled me a bit.

‘…It actually stuck.’

The arrow buried itself in the shield I was holding above my torso.

And it seemed to be 100% physical damage.

“Prepare for battle!”

I instinctively shouted as I looked in the direction from which the arrow had come.

 

Sure enough, monsters armed with various weapons were emerging from the bushes.

‘Their goal… must be to rescue this kid.’

As soon as I realized their intent, I discarded the shield. Then I reached out and grabbed Marupichichi by the scruff of its neck.

[Eek!]

My new shield.

[Let, let me go……!]

The shield was kicking and screaming.

But it was effective.

Tap.

The monsters, who had appeared like special forces, hesitated when they saw my new shield.

[Coward……]

[Using a child as a hostage……]

They showered me with praise – I mean condemnation – unable to approach or retreat.

[Ma, Mr. Marautiti!]

[Don’t worry. We’ll save you.]

It seems they all know this kid.

‘But why are they using honorifics? Is it of high status?’

I’m not sure, but if that’s the case, it’s all the better.

I raised my newly acquired monster shield high and shouted.

[Drop your weapons! Or this kid dies!]

Watching my actions, Amelia muttered beside me.

“Surprising. I thought you were on the side of befriending them.”

“Huh? I am trying to befriend them.”

When I answered nonchalantly, Amelia shot back.

“…Like this?”

“Ahem……!”

Even so, calling it “like this” is a bit much.

“……We all become friends through fighting.”

Didn’t we do the same?

***

A tense silence filled the air.

[It spoke human language.]

[How can a monster… speak our language?]

[Could it be what the chief mentioned……]

The monsters watched me without lowering their weapons or attacking.

I, too, maintained my combat stance and waited.

And after about a minute.

Thud, thud.

Soon, a monster about 3.5 meters tall emerged from the bushes.

It carried a large bow on its shoulder, matching its massive size.

Yeah, this must be the archer.

[Are you the leader?]

I spoke first, and the archer monster asked in return.

[Monster, how do you speak our language?]

[Drop your weapons. Then I’ll tell you.]

Surprisingly, it was my shield that answered.

[……Fa, Father! No! I’m fine, so……!]

Father, huh?

“See? Bjorn has that sinister smile on his face! Now all these monsters are as good as dead! Hahaha!”

…Was I smiling?

I wasn’t sure, but I kept my expression neutral and focused on the conversation.

[Don’t intervene, Chichi.]

[But…]

[Be quiet!]

[…]

With a single shout from his father, the shield clamped its mouth shut.

Right, there’s no need for children to interfere when adults are talking.

[I’ll say it one last time. If you want to save your son, drop your weapons immediately—]

[Monster, I would like to invite you to our village.]

[…What?]

I thought I misheard, but there was nothing wrong with my ears.

[I said I’d like to invite you to our village. Did you not understand? It wasn’t a difficult word.]

Uh… it’s not the vocabulary that’s the problem, is it?

[You think I’d accept an invitation in this situation?]

Judging by the level of this bow-monster, this species can’t be underestimated.

We are clearly outnumbered.

In an isolated place, a blow to the back of the head could easily land us in a highly problematic situation.

Until safety and trust were guaranteed, it’s an absurd proposal.

[Refusing an invitation… how barbaric.]

[Hanging corpses on trees is humane?]

[…All of people kin we’ve brought to the village are safe. We’ve done them no harm, so drop your guard.]

How can I believe that?

[You can keep my son if you want—]

[I refuse.]

I firmly refused again, and they didn’t press any further.

Just a strange request.

[Then could you wait just a moment? It really will be just a brief while.]

What, are they calling reinforcements?

It was a bit unsettling, but I agreed to wait.

Maybe I was mistaken, but it seemed like their hostility wasn’t as intense once they knew I could speak.

‘…Ever since they found out I can speak, the atmosphere has changed significantly.’

After about 10 minutes of this strange standoff…

[It’s the village chief…]

[Everyone, clear the way.]

There was a rustle from behind as the warriors parted like the Red Sea to make way.

And through the gap stepped a monster with a white beard flowing down to his chin, leaning on a staff.

[Pleased to meet you. What’s your name?]

His tone was remarkably gentle.

[I am Bjorn, son of Jandel.]

[A good name. Nuiachichi! Lead the warriors back! I have important matters to discuss with these folks!]

Though I didn’t fully understand the culture of these monsters who call themselves humans, they obeyed the old monster’s command and distanced themselves.

[Ah, sorry. It’s not something those guys should hear.]

[Those guys…?]

His use of the term struck me as odd, but the chief just smiled with his overly prominent fangs.

[Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am Brunggrid, the chief of this village.]

[Brunggrid?]

That name sounded familiar.

“Emily, do you know something?”

“I think he was one of the Sage’s companions.”

Ah, that’s why it sounded familiar.

Returning to the conversation, I looked back at the chief.

He was extending his hand.

[Don’t be on guard. It’s just a handshake]

[Ah…]

I forced an awkward smile and shook his hand.

And then it hit me.

“[Bjorn, son of Jandel, was it?]”

The chief was speaking in Raphdonian.

“[It’s a pleasure to meet you. You must be an explorer from Raphdonia, Right?]”

What the—?

[How much time has passed outside?]
What exactly is this guy’s identity?

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