Kays Translations

Chapter 37 "Ghoul Superior Species"

*Squeeeeeeeak...*

The door opened with a creepy creaking sound.

The latch was down, and it could be pushed open with just a hand.

"This place gives me the creeps..."

Beyond the sealed door,

The eighth layer was a place where a musty and putrid odor hung in the air—a slightly warmer location.

The air was stagnant, but there were grated openings here and there, connecting to the surface.

However, in the eerily silent space, there was no hope for fresh air.

The atmosphere in the room, filled with the smell of dust and mold, was peculiar.

(Well... it's still the eighth layer. Technically, it's a section even the caretaker enters...)

With a fleeting glance,

Numerous side passages led to dead ends, and within the countless openings, one could see round bundles wrapped in bandages resting there. Likely, they were resting places for the deceased.

In this area, the method of burial involves digging horizontal holes and carving out a hole in the wall where a person can fit 

Then pushing the body inside from the feet, making it impossible for them to crawl out—so goes the reasoning, it seems.

However... the premise that corpses might crawl out is terrifying.

"For sensing presence... maybe mice? I doubt there are Ghouls here, though."

If there are Ghouls, I'd prefer to hunt them down and complete the quest quickly, but it won't be that easy.

I guess we'll have to go downstairs and look for the higher-level ones after all.

"............Huh? Come to think of it..."

Come to think of it, I haven't sensed Merim's presence since I descended to the eighth layer.

Despite sticking so close, it seems she managed to slip away without me noticing.

I guess the "in use" sections are scary after all.

"Well... it's fine. I don't know what kind of damage might occur with 'auto-battle' anyway."

During the Skeleton General battle, Tierra was by my side.

At that time, it was fortunate that she was unharmed by chance. However, during "automatic combat," I am not conscious, so it's unclear what fighting style I am using.

It's possible that I might be recklessly swinging a blade in battle.

This could potentially endanger the people around me.

"Sigh... I wish I could see the movements during unconsciousness..."

And so, they advanced through the ninth layer scattered with corpses and easily reached the tenth layer.

From here, it was an abandoned area not managed by the church anymore──.

The sacred seals had faded, and what remained were sturdy doors and bolts.

From here, the true empire of the dead begins──.

　※ ※

*Crash!*

To check what was inside, he opened the peephole attached to the door.

The small window opened easily, but a strong odor gushed out.

"Ugh, it's terrible..."

Inside, it was dimly lit, and spirits seemed to be drifting without purification.

Perhaps, it should be fine to ignore it since there are only weak spirits remaining.

What's more terrifying, though, is the sight illuminated by the spirits' light inside.

The ninth layer was bad, but this layer was like a bone department store.

The bodies dragged out from the lateral holes were in pieces, and the dried flesh of bodies gnawed on by something was no longer there; they had long turned into mere bones.

"I... I just hope they spare me the underground catacombs after I die."

Being left abandoned for centuries in a place like this, it would be much better to be buried in some scenic spot with a view.

"But still, there are no ghouls here, right?"

Maybe they're deeper inside...?

There's no point in just peering like this.

*Screeeeech...*

"...Nothing here?"

Klaus peered inside, holding a lantern.

"Sigh... If they had come over here, it would have been easier to hunt them down."

In Klaus's plan, he intended to lure a few ghouls at a time from the area near the entrance to the ninth layer and take them down one by one.

By doing so, he should have been able to fulfill the condition for activating "automatic combat," which required engaging in battle at least once.

However, things didn't go as planned, and there were no enemies around.

"Hmm... Could it be that there aren't as many of them as I thought?"

The Church regularly cleanses up to the ninth layer. Sometimes, adventurers are escorted, which is how Klaus knew about the existence of this underground cemetery.

Quietly avoiding the scattered bodies, Klaus slipped into the tenth layer, holding his lantern.

Then, a spirit, trembling in fear, floated unsteadily in the distance upon seeing Klaus's lantern light, and hurriedly fled towards the depths of the cemetery.

...It's as if it's inviting me in.

"Unsettling feeling."

He proceeded through the eerily silent cemetery.

Since entering the tenth layer, he had felt a piercing gaze, yet there was no sign of anyone or anything around.

What remained were scattered corpses────who would think this place was the sacred underground of a church?

As Klaus advanced towards the middle of the tenth layer,

...BOOOOOOOOM!!

"Heeekk?!"

Suddenly, a deafening noise echoed through the vast interior, making Klaus's back jump.

(Wh-what, what was that just now?!)

"Merim?!... Is that you, Merim? Cut it out!!"

Did I hear it from the entrance?

Could it be that Merim, who had run away, came back...?

"Meri──"

Klaus, who turned around in a hurry, froze right after this moment.

"Ugi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi..."

Nnngh... From a nearby passage, the face of a corpse, wrinkled and waxy, appeared.

"Gh-ghoul?!"

An ambush?

Ridiculous...!!

(Oh no! I've been cornered from behind!! This position is terrible!)

Klaus hurriedly started running. 

Fortunately, the ghouls weren't very fast.

"Get out of the way!!"

With a shuffling sound, a ghoul crawled out of a lateral hole, approaching Klaus.

And then,

"Take this!!"

I hit...?

*Crack!!* Klaus felt his arm connect with a sensation akin to striking bones.

This should have been a decisive blow────... but what's with this feedback?!

Even against a Skeleton General, he had felt a bit more resistance, but against this one, it's like────!!

Klaus exclaimed in surprise, feeling the unexpected resistance.

"Ugh... This one?!"

He had assumed the ghoul to be sluggish and slow. 

However, the movements of its hand were not like those of a dead body!!

"Ugi-gi-gii!"

"No way!"

"Eek!!" When Klaus let out a scream, his body floated lightly. 

He was lifted up almost to the low ceiling of the underground tomb. Then, he was punched and sent flying about ten meters.

"Gyaaah!"

Crash! Crash! Crash! He was thrown, breaking the scattered bones on the floor as he bounced towards the entrance.

"Ughhh..."

What a mess...!

If the corpses hadn't cushioned his fall, he might have broken bones. 

But that wasn't any stroke of luck.

Having been thrown all the way to the entrance, Klaus struggled to his feet, hoping to escape, but despair painted his face.

"What the hell?!"

Unbeknownst to him, three ghouls had appeared!

Apart from the one that had thrown him earlier, there was a small one, a large one, and two female ones, blocking his way as if setting up an ambush.

──Ambush, they were lying in wait!

"Ugi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi...!"

"Gegi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi...!"

As if coordinating with each other, these higher-tier ghouls had lured Klaus into their trap. 

It was as if they had a will of their own, just like they did when they were alive...

(Is this... is this even possible?! I've never heard of ghouls having intelligence?!)

To make matters worse, they closed the door!

So that noise from earlier was this!!

"I-I'm trapped?!"

Gyagyagyagyagyagyagyaa!!

Four ghouls, their decrepit skin wriggling, cackled and laughed menacingly!

"These guys are seasoned hunters!!"

The female ghouls grinned widely, their cheeks almost peeling off. Strangely, their hair still grew, and they had eyeballs.

The terror in their expressions was overwhelming!

"Damn it... No wonder the church gave up on managing this place!"

Th-these aren't ordinary ghouls!

Without a doubt, they are higher-tier monsters!

...But I won't panic.

"Don't panic──me."

I've already "engaged in battle" once──.

"The fight is already over!!"

──Status Open!

Klaus, who had quickly gotten up, immediately activated his trump card.

He moved to annihilate the ones in front of him.

"...You made a big mistake if you thought I’d be easy prey!!"

*Bzzzz...*

Automatic combat engaged.

※ ※

《Combat Target: Insect-poisoned ghouls x4》

⇒ Estimated Time for Battle: "00:19:55"

※ ※

"This... Insect-poisoned ghouls? A new type of higher-tier species──!!"

What is this?

I've never heard of this species before??

No, more importantly...

"Ugh...! Fighting for 20 minutes in automatic combat?──"

Is it going to be alright with that!?

Until now, long-duration battles were limited to creatures like Lesser Evil Bats. 

Their disadvantage mainly stemmed from their ability to fly, making them hard to deal with.

But this time, it's a confined space, and I have to fight for 20 minutes.

That's,

That's,

Is it even possible for Klaus?

"No, don't hesitate!!"

Time and time again!

Haven't you been saved by the Automatic Function Mode before!!

"─Get ready to be put to sleep, you damn corpses!!"

"Ugi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi!"

With Klaus's shout, the Insect-poisoned ghouls surged forward all at once.

They were about to feast on human flesh for the first time in decades...

Get ready for a wild brawl!!

"Automatic combat... engage!!"

In an instant, 'automatic combat' was activated.

Amidst the flying bone fragments, Klaus's consciousness fell into darkness.

...After what felt like a brief moment, Klaus awakened.

It was perceptually just a moment later...

*Gakun!*

"Huuhhh...! Haaah, haaah, haaah, haaah...!"

Klaus panted heavily, leaning against the wall and gripping a obsidian dagger tightly.

"Ugi-gi..."

The Insect-poisoned ghouls groaned in defeat.

On the blade, the severed heads of the Insect-poisoned ghouls were perched. After a couple of rigid twitches of their mouths, their bodies, now separated vertically by the dagger, fell to the ground.

"D-Did it..."

*Thud...*

※ ※ ※

　Klaus Noldor's level has increased. Level up

　　Klaus Noldor's level has increased. Level up

※ ※ ※

A 2-level up...

*Huff... huff...*

*Clang...*

The visibly worn-out dagger slipped from his hand, and his entire body was hit by muscle soreness.

...To level up that quickly, just how powerful were those ghouls!?

Slowly turning his head, Klaus saw the corpses of the four ghouls around him.

During his unconscious state, it seemed an intense battle had taken place. The skeletal remains scattered on the floor were now reduced to powder.

The ghouls' corpses? They're completely scattered all over the place.

"Ugh... This is rough...!"

Getting up was a daunting task, but there was no guarantee that more ghouls wouldn't appear.

"Damn it, just one more to go..."

After all the struggle, he finally had the materials from the four ghouls.

Moreover, these weren't just ordinary ghouls; they seemed to be a species he had never heard of before called Pestilent Ghouls.

"Heh, I'm beat..."

He reached into his potion pouch, pulling out a high-grade potion, and drank it all in one go within this musty space. 

Leaning down, he savored the taste, rolling it around his mouth before slowly swallowing.

This was faithfully following what Tierra had told him before.

As an adventurer, it's essential to carry high-grade potions──.

"Tierra was right on the money──"

*Toss!* *Clatter...*

Klaus discarded the bottle as if he were a drunken troublemaker. 

Suddenly, his gaze shifted ahead──.

*Gah!!*

"─Honestly, I wonder how someone like you was born, you cockroach..."

"Wh-whoa!!"

Wh-what is this...?!

In Klaus's line of sight, unusually pale legs were reflected, prompting him to hastily get up.

...W-why is she here?!

Why is she in the underground?!

M-Mika...

"Mika... Kisaragi! Are you... Mika Kisaragi, the Unique Skill holder of 'Special Bond Special Force' with the skill 【Life Bestowal: Life of Live】?!"

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