STGB Episode 517

Episode 517

Natives(4)

The darkness of the labyrinth obscured how far they were falling from above.

But……

Level 9, Level 8, Level 7…

The low-level monsters that poured down like rain from the sky instantly died upon hitting the ground, turning into light and disappearing.

It was a bizarre scene.

Crunch-crunch. Boom-!

Well, it’s normal for blood to splatter, flesh to fly, and the agonised screams of monsters to fill the air if they fall from that height. But..

Have I ever seen such bright lights before?

“Jandel! Snap out of it!”

For a moment I was lost in the sight. But soon I began to scan the surroundings.

Boom—!

We are currently huddled under the shade of a tree, inside the barrier that Versil had spent hours preparing.

However, it didn’t feel safe at all.

Crash

Every time a monster’s body crashed against the barrier, it shook violently, and blood trickled down its surface.

And……

Level 6, Level 5..

Unlike the low-level monsters, these bastards moved even when they were half destroyed.

Of course, there were huge differences among the monsters. Even those of the same level had varying degrees of survivability based on their agility, toughness, or ability to regenerate. While some were nearly dead, others moved unhurt.

Like this.

[Kwaaaaah—!!]

They charged at us as soon as they saw us through the barrier.

But the real problem was elsewhere.

“Uh… Bjorn? Is that a new kind of monster? That one too…?”

There were unidentified monsters mixed in.

I couldn’t confidently say it was a new type of monster.

Because each one was too distinct to be considered part of a single species.

“The strange corpses that filled the island… I think those were them.”

I agreed with Versil’s hypothesis. The unique monsters didn’t disappear into light and left behind corpses that remained even after death.

The problem was that they didn’t all die…

“Uh… it’s coming closer……!”

A terrifying figure, over ten metres tall, turned its body towards us, its upper half barely visible from our line of sight.

“That thing……”

“What is it……?”

No lengthy discussion was necessary; we were all thinking the same thing.

Boom— Boom— Boom—

It was something that seemed as if it belonged to an apocalyptic era.

Even the little monster Marupichichi clung to my arm, trembling.

[Let’s stop looking and go down to the village! If we stay longer, stronger monsters will appear!]

Though Marupichichi didn’t say it out loud, the others likely felt the same.

After all, level 4 monsters had started popping up here and there……

…and in the distance, that giant bastard who’d just been glaring at us had started moving. Even without fighting it, we could tell at a glance: if it came any closer, Versil’s barrier wouldn’t hold.

“…We’re heading down to the village.”

We’d seen enough of this monster “rain.”

***

As we stepped through the large crack under the tree, the surroundings suddenly widened and the village finally came into view.

Everyone who followed me inside was left speechless, myself included.

“Whoa……”

The grass was so moist, it felt fluffy.

Pale, sunlight-like illumination cascading naturally from above.

Stone buildings that clearly signaled the presence of a civilized community…

“This is… a monsters’ village…?”

“Wow, our sanctuary could match this!”

Aynar suddenly said that, but, well… this seemed better than our sanctuary. Although our place was still in development, 99% were still living in huts.

‘I never imagined it would be this impressive.’

From what Marupichichi had told me, I knew it was different from a typical underground city, but I didn’t expect anything like this.

It felt like Alice in Wonderland.

“You’ve arrived.”

The village chief was waiting at the entrance, as though expecting us.

“Do you believe me now? When I said I was your savior.”

His distant tone was still irritating, but I decided to give him his due.

“In a way.”

He had saved us.

Of course, we could’ve learned about the “Rainy Season” through Marupichichi, but…

We still don’t know whether the “Rainy Season” occurred throughout the entire floor or only on this island.

If it’s the former, then it wouldn’t be wrong to call him a saviour. If we hadn’t come to this village, we’d be fighting for our lives right now.

“Then let’s continue the conversation inside. I’ll introduce you to our village.”

The chief led the way into the village, and we slowly followed.

Having come this far, it would be ridiculous to turn back now.

“I never thought I’d willingly enter a monster’s den……”

“Don’t worry! If anything happens, I’ll protect you! They didn’t seem that strong back then!”

“Miss Pheneline! Lower your voice! They can hear you. Even if the other monsters don’t understand, that person understands our language……!”

“But isn’t the chief one of the ancient heroes? It should be fine!”

“B-but still……”

Versil trailed off, looking cautiously around, but the village chief showed no reaction and continued walking towards the village.

He must have heard at this distance.

He just didn’t seem to care at all.

“…Erwin, you don’t have to stick so close.”

“But something dangerous might happen. I need to protect you.”

“…Do as you please.”

Erwin remained on guard, sticking close to me, while Amelia seemed more interested in the village than us.

I thought she was taking the “if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it” stance, but I was wrong.

“It’s clearly different from human cities.”

“How so?”

“Don’t talk to me. I’m memorizing the route.”

“Knowing the geography will make a big difference if we need to escape. If that happens, stay close and follow me.”

Oh……. So she wasn’t enjoying it.

After watching my team’s reactions, I concentrated on my own task. I’m not sure if he does it intentionally, but the village chief only talks to me.

“Impressive. But where do you get the ore?”

“We melt what washes up from the sea or gather resources by circling the island after the Rainy Season ends. It’s not just monsters that fall from the sky during the Rainy Season.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“You probably didn’t see it earlier. It takes about three days for those things to start falling.”

“I see.”

I continued to listen to the village chief’s explanations, occasionally asking questions to gather information.

Before I knew it, we had reached our destination

“This is my house.”

“It’s spacious but… simpler than I expected?”

“What use is wealth and glory here?”

From his blunt responses, I was gradually getting a feel for his character. In some ways, he reminded me of Lee Baek-ho.

Although his tone is calm and gentle, as if all his emotions have been worn away, there is a venomous edge to his words that makes you think he would do anything to get out of here.

“…Where are the captured explorers? Are they still in prison?”

“Of course not. Come inside. They’re all waiting inside.”

Once inside his house, we were reunited with the seven explorers from the Silver Lion Clan who had been abducted and brought to the village.

So it’s true… many of them died.

“…Baron Jandel!”

The leader of the Silver Lion Clan, who had visibly shrivelled since I last saw him, looked at me with tears in his eyes before suddenly rushing to his members.

“Marina…! How dare you abandon us and flee!”

“N-no, that’s not what I—!”

“Chen! You’re no better! How could you leave your own brother here? Are you even human?!”

“I-I wasn’t fleeing! I went to call for help!”

“Krian! You ungrateful bitch! After all the mercy we showed you…!”

“…….”

I could sympathise with the leader’s frustration, and part of me found the drama amusing. But…

‘How long is he going to waste our time?’

Just as I stepped forward to intervene, the chief spoke first.

“Enough.”

“Y-yes… Forgive me, Sir Brunggrid.”

At a single word from the chief, the clan leader stood straight like an anxious rookie employee. But something caught my attention:

“Sir?..”

“Ah… You weren’t aware, Baron? This man is one of the companions of the Great Sage—the Dragon Knight—”

“Enough. No need to explain. I already know.”

“Y-you do?”

“What I’m curious about is something else. You… seem remarkably cheerful despite losing so many of your men.”

I phrased it diplomatically, but the intent was clear: Why are you cozying up to the leader of the monsters who slaughtered your people?

Fortunately, the leader understood.

“I’ve already been briefed on Sir Brunggrid’s circumstances. And… it was an accident. If anything, he saved us. He even punished the monsters responsible for killing my subordinates.”

Punished.

How ridiculous. How could he laugh and go on after the death of his comrades?

…Not my problem.

Whether he hid a blade behind that smile or was simply a fool, it didn’t matter. I only needed to protect my own.

“Now that the reunion’s over, shall we talk?”

With that, I shifted my attention from the leader to the chief. Gathering everyone here meant he had an intention.

‘What’s his plan?’

As everyone fell silent and watched, the village chief slowly spoke.

“I have a request for all of you.”

“……A request?”

“Let me make it clear—this is not a coercive request. In fact, it’s a very reasonable one that will benefit us both.”

I’d have to hear it first.

“Speak.”

“I will provide all the support you need to explore this place, and in return, I would like you to share everything you learn with me.”

Hearing the words from the chief, it felt almost like receiving a quest.
***

Sharing the results of exploration.

If the stories the chief had told me were true, his request was understandable.

Yes, if they were true.

“Why don’t you explore yourself and instead ask us?”

“That’s—”

“Ah, don’t say it’s because the trees on this island don’t float on water. Didn’t you just say it yourself? That resources come from the sky and the sea.”

In fact, while sailing here, I had seen countless wooden debris like wardrobes and desks.

So, what would the village chief’s response be?

“It’s faster to show than to explain. If you’ve picked up any wood along the way, give it to me. Anything will do.”

The village chief spoke in his usual calm tone, and I quickly asked Versil to take out the wooden debris.

And then……

Swoosh.

The moment the village chief touched the wooden wardrobe.

Crumble—

The wardrobe instantly turned to dust, scattering into the air.

“What did you just do?”

“Nothing. I merely touched it.”

“Then why did the wardrobe……”

“It’s my special ability. Anything made of wood turns to dust when I touch it. Even with thick gloves, it eventually crumbles over time.”

What kind of nonsense……

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t voice them.

A sudden thought crossed my mind.

‘Now that I think about it…… did we see anything made of wood on the way here?’

……No.

All the buildings were made of stone.

The archers all used bows made of horns and sinews.

They don’t eat, so they don’t need fire.

Is the grass on the ground not considered wood?

‘Even in the blacksmith, the monsters were using skills to shoot fire instead of using firewood……’

The only connection was that the entrance to the village was nestled among tree roots……

“Just to be clear, living trees rooted in the ground are exempt.”

Ah, I can’t tell if he’s lying or not.

So I just asked this first.

“Then why didn’t you mention that earlier?”

“Sharing potentially exploitable information with a stranger is foolish. Especially when there’s no guarantee that you won’t become our enemy.”

“Uh…”

Well, that makes sense.

“I’m convinced.”

“You’re unexpectedly quick to accept when it comes to this kind of thing.”

“I’m an explorer.”

At that, the chief nodded as if he had understood a fellow explorer.

“Right, you’re an explorer too.”

Explorers don’t waste their energy on unnecessary things.

***

To conclude, we accepted the chief’s quest.

And why not? There was no reason to refuse.

‘If he’s offering support, we should take it.’

If things go south, we can just abandon the quest and run.

If we can’t run, we’ll just keep our promise.

‘After all, whether I like it or not, I have to stay in this village for at least a week.’

According to the chief, ‘the season’ lasts exactly seven days.

That’s why the chief provided empty houses for us to live in during that period and even gave us the freedom to roam the village……

“Phew…”

That’s why I’m alone right now.

Amelia and Versil took charge of investigating the village.

As for me, I didn’t join anyone.

With my fluency in four languages—Ancient Script, Raphdonian, Korean, and English—I had a different task.

Srrrk.

‘Ugh, my brain’s rustier than I thought…’

The chief, likely annoyed by my endless questions, had lent me his personal study. Every book here was written by him.

Is writing books his only hobby?

Given that he can’t use wood, every book was bound with monster leather.

Slap—

Focus. Focus.

I smacked my cheeks lightly to wake myself up and straightened myself at the stone desk. Then I reopened the leather-bound book I’d been reading.

Whether by coincidence or not, the book had a title similar to a series I have a deep connection with.

[A Comprehensive Guide to Monsters]

The chief had warned me to handle this book with extreme care, and for good reason—it was packed with valuable information.

It might as well be a strategy guide.

The chief had documented every monster he’d encountered and studied since awakening on this island.

Well, it might not match the quality or accuracy of the library books I’d seen recently, but…

‘At least it includes monsters I’ve never seen before.’

I forced myself to memorize the details, telling myself that the tears from my yawns today would save my life tomorrow.

My body was just tired, begging for sleep.

But the content was so intriguing that reading itself was enjoyable—

“Huh?”

That’s the one.

The over-10-meter-tall giant we’d encountered when the Rainy Season began.

“Its name is… Hipramagent?”

Tsk, what a naming sense.

In Ancient, it sounds grand, but translated, it just means ‘Giant Giant’

[First discovered by a patrol unit collecting magic stones after the Rainy Season ended. Half of the thirty elite warriors in the unit were killed. Estimated Level: 2.]

Level 2…

I had a hunch it was no ordinary creature just from its sheer size.

“Good thing we made it back to the village before running into that.”

Just as I finished that thought, I froze mid-sentence.

[According to survivors, it grew even larger the moment the battle began. Judging by the disparity between its basic size and enlarged form…]

[The Hipramagent’s ability is similar to Orc Hero’s [Gigantification].]

I have a new target.

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