Chapter 32
Euaaa.
A super ultra mega huge Snake Friend with a size that could Fill a great hall just Nom Nom Nommed my Inheritance…!
And it even burped like it was delicious…!
Pastel, who had 0 points in Combat and was merely the Top Scorer in Research, was so startled she went Euaeua.
Euaeua.
“It’s a snake.”
The Demon spoke in a Calm Voice.
The White Snake turned its head. Its Red Eyes spotted Pastel. The Vertical pupil was filled with the sight of the pink-toned girl.
The snake tilted its head.
Gasp.
Goosebumps rose all over Pastel’s body. She Froze like a mouse stared down by a snake.
Squeak, squeak…
I’m just a passing mouse.
I don’t have anything to eat on me.
Please just look at me for ornamental purposes.
“Back Away very slowly by Stepping Backwards. You haven’t been recognized as prey yet, so fast movements will only be an unnecessary Provocation.”
The very composed voice released the stiffness in her body.
As expected of Lord Demon.
Just being together is reassurance itself.
Pastel Carefully backed away while keeping her eyes on Baeksa. She kept her arms as still as possible and only Stealthily took steps to widen the distance.
Suddenly, Baeksa, which had been watching her, raised its head high. Its Massive Body touched the Cavern ceiling. The snake opened its mouth and bared its fangs. A fierce Snake Sound rang out.
Eua?
Pastel stiffened like a mouse again.
Squeak, squeak…
Is it coming? Is it coming for me?
Is a hall-sized snake lunging at me?
“It’s still fine. It’s a simple Threatening Act. You haven’t been recognized as prey, so it’s actually a good situation. If you don’t provoke it and slowly widen the distance, you’ll be able to Retreat safely.”
Ooh.
That’s a relief.
Slightly relieved, Pastel slowly backed away again. She left the Cavern and returned to the ruined Trap room.
She wiped her forehead for no reason.
Phew.
I thought I was going to die.
I thought I had completely become Mouse Pastel~.
Ahaha.
Pastel started To Laugh Alone before Suddenly drooping.
Being.
She leaned her head against the wall.
Completely ruined.
The Snake Friend Nom Nom Nom-ed my Inheritance.
If it had wanted to eat an Empty Treasure Chest, as a friend, I would have just given it, but it swallowed it whole by itself like a greedy person, Nom Nom Nom.
Pastel lifted her Magic sword. She gauged the Size Difference between the hall-sized Baeksa and her sword blade.
Isn’t this just a Toothpick to the snake?
I run up and go euryat! Euryat!
The Toothpick goes stab stab! Stab stab!
The Snake Friend goes A-yang A-yang.
A mouse is poking me? I should eat it!
Uwaaang~! Chomp-!
Mouse Pastel just goes eueeng.
It was a highly probable Scenario.
Pastel clutched her head.
Euaaa.
Life is too hard for Pastel…!
The Demon spoke in a Calm Voice.
“In the face of massive size, Skill/Technique and strength are canceled out. In life, there are times when you encounter creatures with a severe Innate Difference. The good thing about such times is that an Escape Judgment can be made the moment you see them. So, surprisingly, survival itself isn’t difficult.”
The Innate Difference is acknowledged even by Lord Demon.
“There’s no need To Fight. Humans have little nutritional value and don’t taste good, so many creatures don’t go out of their way to hunt them. Just doing our Business and quietly slipping away is manageable enough.”
Did Lord Demon perhaps have a brilliant Idea for the Resolution of this situation?
“Digesting the Demon King's Inheritance will be very difficult. It will probably be excreted undigested. Since you have the Destiny Compass, you can return later, read the direction, find the excrement, and retrieve it. It’s not difficult.”
Very realistic advice.
Woah-Woah.
To Think I don’t have To Fight a snake like that!
As expected of Lord Demon!
Pastel believed in you!
Oh yeah.
The Demon pondered for a moment.
“Of course, there is a Risk. Swallowing the Treasure Chest after licking it means it’s Confident in its digestion. There’s a chance the Inheritance could be ruined by its strong digestive power. Even if not, there’s a high probability it will have a Negative Impact on the Inheritance.”
Pastel paused.
Does that mean I have to Risk a permanent drop in the Inheritance’s value?
“But you can’t compare your life to an Inheritance you don’t even know the identity of. It’s better To Step Back today and come to retrieve it next time.”
Uneasiness crept in.
Pastel hesitated before shaking her head.
“Young Kraft?”
She peeked at the snake beyond the wall and whispered softly.
“No, that’s not it. I’m not comparing my life to some unknown Inheritance.”
She exhaled as if To Shake off her fear.
She continued in a Cold Voice.
“What’s on the scale is loyalty and life.”
What must be done is revenge for the Sacrificed Retainers.
What must be wagered is the protected life of the Family Head.
“I Decide which is heavier.”
Pastel stared resolutely at the Magic sword.
This is a Journey of Revenge. If the situation is bad, she can Retreat. If she can’t win, she can step back. But she shouldn’t turn back merely for safety.
The Demon was silent for a moment.
Then, he spoke quietly.
“Understood. It will be a difficult path.”
At the Reassuring Voice, Pastel’s expression softened. It was a Conditioned Reflex response.
“That’s right, please Help me.”
Hehe.
“I will do my best. First, it would be good to gauge the exact size of the snake. Carefully Examine the traces left in this room.”
She followed the advice. She gauged Baeksa and surveyed the Battlefield.
“A Massive Body is a Great Threat in itself. You must make it unable to Utilize itself properly. Creating an environment where you only face a part of its body is ideal.”
After making and reviewing a plan, she began the battle.
Pastel stared at Baeksa while tossing and catching a stone.
“Hello, Snake Friend.”
Baeksa raised its head. It touched the ceiling, and its Vertical pupil glared at her. Its mouth opened fiercely. A Snake Sound echoed in the Cavern.
Eua.
She was startled in spite of herself, then shook her head. It felt like her mind was Whispering at her to Escape immediately.
She muttered consciously, as if pushing away her subconscious.
“It’s nice that I can see well without a lantern because I’m Inside the Ruins.”
She shook out her Stiff legs and took a Throwing Posture.
In an instant, she stepped on the Ground. Her arm moved, and the sound of tearing air rang out. The trajectory soared. It collided with Baeksa’s head. The stone shattered, and a shriek echoed.
A chilling killing intent washed over her.
Pastel turned her body and ran toward the Trap room. Hurried Footsteps rang out in Succession. The Giant snake followed, sweeping the Ground with its body. The Ground was Ground away, making a noise. The noise Instantly drew closer.
If I get caught, I die, I die.
The room’s entrance was in Close Proximity.
“Dodge.”
Pastel kicked off the Ground to the side. Her leg strength roughly pushed against the Earth. It forced her to Change her Running direction and Throw her body.
The Massive Body slammed down in her original direction. The snake’s fangs smashed the Earth. Fragments flew and grazed the girl.
“Run.”
Pastel sprinted with all her might, escaping the Cavern, passing the Trap room and the Quiz Room, heading toward the Ruins Entrance.
The pursuing fangs slammed down one after another. The Pink Figure kicked off the Ground in a zigzag. The snout grazed her clothes. A roar rang out, and fragments flew.
A Sharp Fragment flew and cut the girl’s cheek. Drops of blood scattered.
A Pale Pastel threw her body toward the Ruins Entrance. The light source of the Ruins faded, and she arrived in the dark Sewer.
She turned her body and looked back at the entrance. Panting, she aimed her sword.
If she fought here, she could prevent both Body Constriction and Tail Whip, which Utilize its Massive Body. She had also completed enough Provocation that the snake wouldn’t just give up and turn back.
Baeksa, stopping in front of the narrow entrance, shrieked. Then, it rammed its head toward the entrance. A roar rang out. The entrance shook, and stone dust poured down.
The snake rubbed its head and peered into the Sewer. The Red Vertical pupil glared at the girl.
Pink Hair fluttered. The sword blade flashed. The trajectory resulted in Penetration through the pupil. A spray of blood erupted.
Pastel frowned as she was drenched in blood. She had only stabbed the Weak eye, yet she felt an excessive Sense of elasticity. She could immediately feel just how tough its outer Hide would be.
She pulled the blade out before she could be dragged along with the sword. The eye was sliced away. A shriek echoed. Baeksa raised its head.
Pastel flicked the sword blade. Drops of blood scattered.
She glared at the Ruins Entrance.
“It’ll Escape, right?”
“There’s a high probability of that.”
There is no Hospital in nature. Most animals avoid fights that could result in a Serious Injury, even if they can win.
Is it a long-term Pursuit and hunt from here on? That’s something a Human is good at.
However, the Size Difference remained. If she ran into it the wrong way while chasing, it would be death. She could only pray that taking out one eye would prove to be an advantage.
Suddenly, an impact shook the entrance. Baeksa roughly slammed its head into the narrow entrance. Stone shards flew, and cracks formed on the wall.
Uh.
Baeksa raised its head again. Pastel instinctively threw her body.
Right after, the snake’s head crashed into the entrance. The narrow entrance shattered. The White Giant Body pushed its way into the Sewer.
The girl’s vision was filled with the White Snake.
Baeksa wriggled and positioned itself, then glared at the girl. As its snout opened, the sound reached the Sewer Ceiling. A Snake Sound rang out.
Pastel exhaled and aimed her sword.
Did she have To Face the snake filling the straight corridor head-on?
Eua.
This was truly the brink of death.
The desire to Escape was a hundredfold.
Right after, Baeksa lunged. The Red Mouth Interior filled her vision. The fangs were aimed at the girl.
The girl stepped back half a pace. The snout snapped shut Right in Front of her. A Rough Wind rose and shook her Pink Hair.
The sword blade flashed. The trajectory soared. The Intact snake eye was pierced by Penetration. A spray of blood erupted.
Baeksa shrieked. The girl Hurriedly backed away.
In an instant, the snake contracted its body and charged. The Sewer was swept up. The girl dodged, and the Massive Body slammed past her at an angle. An impact erupted.
Pastel was sent flying and crashed into the wall. Ugh! She suffered a fall to the Ground and rolled on the Earth. A Throbbing Pain washed over her entire body.
Blood mixed in with her coughs.
Primal energy surged strongly. Her mind grew slightly hazy, and the pain faded away.
My fighting spirit, you came too late.
Pastel let out a long breath. She calmed her mind, tangled from the collision, and pushed herself up.
The blinded Baeksa flicked its tongue. It did so for a while, as if smelling the Smell of Blood spreading in the air, and then let out a Scream of Victory.
Eua.
Excuse me, it’s not over yet.
With a Staggering body, she faced Baeksa directly. She forced herself To Aim her sword. The blade trembled.
Baeksa paused. Its head turned, and its Clouded Eyes stared. Its tongue flicked as if to replace its eyesight.
Time passed as they kept their Guard up against each other.
Pastel tapped her sword.
Lord Demon, Lord Demon.
Give me the solution.
This guy is too strong.
It’s impossible for Pastel.
Hehe.
Pastel giggled with a slightly Messed Up Mind. Blood flowed down the corner of her mouth.
Drops of blood splattered from her slight coughs.
“I know, sigh. Never mind.”
The Demon let out a deep sigh in distress.
Then, he opened his mouth, speaking in a Calm Voice.
“During battle, you must Carefully observe the Terrain and Objects. It’s common for various variables to Intervene in a fight. Sometimes, how you Deal With those variables determines victory or defeat.”
Eeing.
What does that mean all of a Sudden?
Pastel tilted her head.
A noise was heard from the back side.
It was Countless Commotion and a Crying Sound.
Huh.
The Girl and the snake paused at the same time.
The noise grew increasingly violent. Something surged forward like a tidal Wave.
Pastel threw a Glance back and her Eyes Widened.
Beast's Eyes densely filled the space Beyond the Darkness. Hundreds of knee-height Giant rats came swarming.
Perhaps due to the excessive commotion, their number was far Superior compared to their last encounter. Somehow, they kept Joining and gradually increasing in number.
Eua?
Pastel panicked and looked back and forth between the front and back.
A Giant snake in front, and Giant rats behind.
Pastel, Besieged on All Sides…!
The Swarm of Rats arrived Instantly. The leading Giant rat ran forward. Its front teeth were aimed at Pastel.
Euaaa.
I'm Gonna Die!
Super-Special Improvisation…!
Pastel executed a Leap toward the wall. In Mid-air, she moved her Magic sword. The blade lodged into a high position on the wall. The edge dug into the Cracked Wall and secured itself.
Using the Sword Handle as a pivot, she made her body Turn Around. After spinning and managing To Float Up in the air, she executed a Landing on the handle.
Pastel Hurriedly looked down at the Ground. The Swarm of Rats flocked Underfoot. And then they just passed right by. She saw a few Throw a Glance up, smack their lips, and simply give up.
Phew, I lived.
She threw a Glance back at Baeksa. The Swarm of Rats fearlessly pounced on the dumbfounded Baeksa. The beasts covered the white Hide. Their front teeth violently tore into the leather.
Oieeng.
Is this an angle where I win?
Pastel Suddenly became triumphant.
“Good job! Our Squeaky Friends! Charge~!”
I knew all along that you guys were friends!
Baeksa shrieked. As it twisted its body, a few rats were crushed and died Instantly.
Eh.
Weak.
New rats executed a Leap. They climbed onto the head, ran, and reached the eye. The rats burrowed into the ruined eye. And they gnawed at the Inside.
Euee?
A few more rats burrowed in.
Baeksa shrieked.
An appalling sight followed.
“Cover your eyes. It’s not something a child should see.”
Euaeua.
Pastel, being an Obedient child, covered her eyes with her hands.
I guess it’s Rated 19+ from here on!
She even squeezed her eyes shut.
A completely good child
But Suddenly, my mischievous spirit whispered, “Hehe, aren’t you curious?”, so Pastel pondered for a moment.
She Stealthily widened the gap between her fingers.
The sight entered her vision at a Glance.
Woowaoowa.
Uwaaat!
They’re doing that like that…?!
A shock to her senses.
A long while later, Baeksa died.
From within the gnawed body, the undigested Treasure Chest was revealed.
Pastel cheered on the handle.
“I won!”
It was truly such a difficult fight.
But in the end, it’s a victory for Pastel, who has many friends!
Is this the fate of a Popular person?!
Oh yeah.