Volume 1 Chapter 24 There's Too Many Of Them, But...
──About thirty minutes later...
"There's way too many Kobolds!"
I yelled as I swung my spear. I had just taken down another Kobold, making it more than ten that I had encountered and fought off so far.
And it wasn't over yet.
"Hey, Gram! What's next!?"
"One from the right front! And another from the side!!"
More and more Kobolds kept appearing, attacking me one after another. Even though individually they were weak, the constant waves of attacks were overwhelming.
"Darn it! I should've just retreated an hour ago!"
"It's too late for regrets now! Just move and fight! You'll end up like those who were taken into the depths of the forest!"
"Don't say that, it's wearing me out!"
The ground around me was covered in blood from the fallen Kobolds, yet there were hardly any bodies.
The reason is, some of the attacking Kobolds didn't come after me, but instead they took their dead friend (Kobold) and went back into the forest with it.
At first, I had no idea what they were doing, but then I witnessed it in a moment.
I saw a Kobold, who should be of the same kind as the dead Kobold, devouring its body.
That Kobold didn't even bother taking the body deeper into the forest. It just stuck its fangs into its friend right there and chewed the meat, crunching the bones.
So, I guess even the dead Kobold that was taken into the forest was eaten by its supposed friend.
Just imagining that scene made the situation not only physically but also mentally tough for me.
"What the heck is this? What is going on here? What is this, huh?"
"Conjugation of verbs!? ...You're a surprisingly generous, partner."
"Shut up, I'll throw you into a blast furnace!"
"Partner, you can be so unreasonable sometimes, huh?"
Amidst the relentless battle with Kobolds, producing their food in a nightmarish combat, our exchange continues.
When the place around me so is desperate, with blood and entrails of Kobolds scattered everywhere, the waves of attack finally subsided.
Scattered around were not just blood but also Kobold internal organs and other gruesome sights. Exhausted, I finally find a spot to rest that wasn't stained with blood, my body covered in blood.
"I... need a break... this is really tough."
"Don't rest for too long. Another big wave of Kobolds is coming. You won't have much time."
"I know it."
Agreeing with Gram, I try to calm my ragged breathing. Thankfully, my sense of smell is numb. Otherwise, I might have... thrown up at the gruesome sight in front of me.
"Still, what the heck, seriously?"
"Looks like 'Stampede' is starting to happen."
"Stampede?"
I tilt my head at the unfamiliar word.
Monster Rampage (Stampede).
It refers to a phenomenon that happens when a large number of monsters swell to an abnormal level within a certain area.
It's not about a specific monster, but simply when there are too many monsters in an area, this Monster Rampage (Stampede) happens.
I listen to Gram's explanation, but I still tilt my head.
"Rampage... like wanting to be a little rebellious?"
Are the delinquents forming a group to release their aimless young impulses?
"That can't be it. The cause is 'food'."
There are various factors that cause the number of monsters to swell. But as the number increases, consumption accelerates, resulting in shortages.
Since monsters are living things, they also need food.
Originally, even if the population increased too much, it was only a temporary phenomenon. Eventually, there will be a shortage of food, and most individuals will starve to death. Therefore, in most cases, the situation is not serious. But until recently, there was plenty of food around here.
"...Big Rat?"
"That's right."
There was so much food (big rats) in this forest that even individuals that were originally supposed to starve to death survived.
And the Kobolds that were supposed to die began to breed more and more, and as a result, many Kobolds were born.
"A monster rampage (Stampede) is when a group of hungry monsters goes on a rampage in search of food."
The reason why there are no big rats to be found is because the overpopulation of Kobolds has completely eaten up the food. Then, as food was drastically reduced, Kobolds suddenly became more ferocious than usual due to starvation.
"Could it be that... I...?"
"I guess from the Kobold's perspective, you were just a meal that conveniently stumbled upon them when they were starving and losing their mind."
The sight of Kobolds devouring their companions came back to me, sending shivers down my spine. If by any chance, it was me who was being devoured there, not the Kobold.
"Could it be that the Kobold backed off for a moment because..."
"Maybe the Kobold that you killed became food for the others, partner. That's why there was no need to attack you anymore."
"Ugh..."
Am I just reduced to being someone who strangles their livestock?
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