Volume 1 Chapter 25 I Heard A Battle Cry, But...
"Well, we've been chatting for a while now, but how's your stamina?"
"I've fully recovered. Listening to everything you've said so far, I feel like running away from here every single minute."
Right now, it's like I'm in the feeding ground of the Kobolds. If I were to be attacked by more of them at once than before, it would be even more dangerous. I supported myself with the spear and stood up. I kept it in my hand so that I could face any attack.
While listening to Gram's explanation, I noticed something.
"Hey, Gram. Could it be that the monster stampede was caused by me?"
The number of Big Rats I hunted in this forest is quite substantial. It's abnormal, to say the least.
If the monster stampede is triggered by a shortage of food for the monsters, then I'm undoubtedly playing a part in it.
"Well, it's not necessarily the case."
However, Gram's answer was different from what I expected.
"Sure, I had a feeling that the monster rampage (stampede) would happen not too far away. But, even with your intervention, I didn't expect the situation to worsen so quickly, partner. Probably..."
──Oooooooowwwwwwwww!!
Before Gram could finish speaking, a roar echoed from deep within the forest. The sound was so intense that it seemed to come with a shock, making the leaves rustle and tremble.
"Oh, well, speak of the devil."
"Hey, what was that just now──"
"I'll explain later. For now, let's get out of here, partner. 'That' is too much for you to handle right now. You need to prioritize your life, no matter what."
The moment I heard the roar, I felt like my heart was being grabbed tightly. It's like my pure, instinctual side is sounding an alarm.
As Gram said, it's best for us to leave this place as soon as possible for our own safety.
For my own sake, though.
"...Wait a minute, I'm sure it's over there."
I looked in the direction where I heard the roar.
'I'm leaving now. If I waste any more time here, the day will be over.'
In my mind, the last conversation we had came back to me. After that, she proceeded in exactly that direction, didn't she?
At this point, I remembered the word "investigation" that she had mentioned and was stunned.
"Maybe it's a request for Silver Flash."
"This is a request for a 2nd rank mercenary to be dispatched to this forest. Almost certainly, she has come to investigate signs of Monster Rampage (Stampede)."
I looked deep into the forest.
"Stop it. The owner of that roar is too much for a low-rank mercenary to handle. The guild made the right decision to dispatch a skilled 2nd rank mercenary just in case."
"............"
"Wait, partner!?"
I ran towards the direction where I heard a loud roar coming from deep within the forest.
"Did you just hear that, partner!! If a low-rank like you goes there, you'll be eaten alive! Turn back!!"
Despite hearing Gram's desperate voice, the 'urge' swirling within me pushed aside all of that and hastened my steps.
"────Wait, what's this?"
As I reached 'that place', the first thing that caught my eye was a large group of Kobolds.
In the midst of them, as expected, was the beastmen with fox ears──Silver Flash. Around her were the torn bodies of the Kobolds she had defeated.
And beside her, there was a presence that far exceeded my expectations.
Simply judging by appearance alone, it was a Kobold. However, if a regular Kobold is about half the size of a human, then the Kobold (that guy) confronting Silver Flash was much larger than her.
"'Kobold King'... So, it appear after all."
Gram murmured, trying to convince himself.
"I said it earlier, but I thought the 'Monster Rampage (Stampede)' would intensify much later, partner. Even if you reduced the Big Rats, which are the Kobolds' food. But, I thought it could hold out a little longer in this forest..."
"But, it's actually happening."
"The cause of it all is that giant monster."
The Kobold King is an extremely rare special mutant that is occasionally born within the Kobold pack.
It is much larger and possesses immense strength compared to regular Kobolds, instantly becoming the 'king' of the pack upon birth.
Besides growing to a size far surpassing other individuals, the most threatening aspect is its abnormal and astonishing breeding ability.
"The breeding period for Kobolds is approximately three months from pregnancy to birth. However, females who mate with that Kobold King give birth in less than a month of pregnancy."
In other words, it means that breeding is happening at three times the normal pace.
This situation occurred because there was an abundance of food (big rats) in this forest, allowing the Kobold offspring to increase at that triple rate.
"Be careful, partner. If you catch the attention of those Kobolds, it's definitely game over for us, especially with those big guys."
"...Those guys. Even though they're hiding, they don't even glance our way."
"It's probably because their noses are overwhelmed by the smell of Kobold blood that Silver Flash has spilled, and their attention is focused on Silver Flash herself. It's convenient for us to observe from our hiding spot."
Although the Kobolds clearly outnumber her, Silver Flash remain still, watching them in the center. Seeing how the brave attackers turn into lifeless bodies without a word, it seems that fear overpowers hunger and the desire to defeat the enemy.
By the way, why hasn't Silver Flash drawn her sword when facing the monsters? That beautiful slender sword is currently sheathed at her waist. She is just resting her hand on the hilt of the sword.
As I hid in the grass, keeping an eye on the situation, the Kobold King started to move.
It let out a loud roar, swinging its sharp claws, matching its huge body.
Silver Flash, without showing any sign of panic, lightly moved to the side to dodge the arm swinging down. The arm cut through the air and crashed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. The claws plunged deep into the earth, telling of their sharpness.
Silver Flash dodged the monster's attack.
Right beside it, a silver light flashed for a moment.
The next moment, blood sprayed from the Kobold King's arm. Upon closer look, there was a straight wound in the middle of its arm.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)