Act Like a Boss, Mr. Swallow

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[Translator – Kie]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

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Devourer

The owner of the Primordial Core. A monstrous being that may have lived for hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years.

In truth, there isn’t much known about its existence. Just the name and the dungeon. Besides these two facts, it’s safe to say there’s not much else known precisely.

Details about its size, form, descriptions, and behaviors vary in myths and writings, and most of it is likely false. Garrote belonged to the category that thought so. Much of it is passed down, and in the process, a lot of imagination is added. Above all, there’s even doubt about whether there’s anyone who has survived seeing the creature and lived to write about it.

Nevertheless, what Garrote faced was undoubtedly Devourer. She was certain of that.

The reason was ridiculously simple. Garrote saw it clearly. Amidst the battle with Wooin, under the creature’s feet, there were unmistakable ‘traces.’ As a ‘tracker,’ Garrote could see the alien traces sticking to the creature—indescribably eerie markings.

The marks under the monster’s feet belonged to Vern.

And they were fresh, not even a week old.

Had Vern encountered a monster within a week? Apart from the expedition to subdue the Primordial Core, he hadn’t come into contact with any monsters. Therefore, the creature with Vern’s traces had to be Devourer, the Primordial Core.

Despite having such clear evidence, Garrote’s mind was entangled with complexity.

Except for one unequivocal piece of evidence, there were too many implausible things in the circumstances.

Why did ‘that Devourer’ appear in the heart of the imperial capital? Why was Devourer, presumed to have fought with Vern, in such a pristine state? Why did Devourer target Brachycephalic Tooth? Why did it take on a human form? If its purpose was to annihilate humans, why bring only one monster capable of using magic?

“If it’s really Devourer…we need to stop it even more desperately.”

“Huh, getting hit in the head made you lose your mind, didn’t it?”

Her response contradicted Garrote’s intent, conveying the meaning that there was no hope.

“…Reinforcements, we need them. No matter if it’s a monster, this is human territory. Garrote, We are at advantage here.”

“Once you’ve healed, don’t talk. Reinforcements are needed. It might be for organized evacuation forces rather than combat, but still.”

“Garrote, suggesting that a hero should run away from evil… ”

“Lady Wooin, this is a no-win situation. Don’t you, as the one who took a hit and fell, understand that? Look at your current condition. It doesn’t make sense…”

As Garrote spoke, she staggered. Blood started flowing again from the hastily sealed and anesthetized wound. Garrote knew that maintaining this state would lead to festering from the imperfect first aid.

“Garrote…? The…the wound is…”

“Because Lady Wooin keeps not listening, it turns out like this.”

‘I wish it had been a clean cut.’

Garrote thought, suppressing the pain. Her missing right arm was undoubtedly lost in the shockwave. If it had been cleanly severed, she might have been able to use some recovery magic, but in the current crushed state, no magic could restore the lost arm.

“Stop arguing. It’s not the time for this. We need to go to the Dungeon Raid Union Headquarters now. Proper first aid, reinforcement requests, and reporting to the palace are all necessary. Lady Wooin, wait here.”

No response came as to whether it was a bluff, but Garrote got up as if she didn’t care, as if she expected the reaction. However, she still couldn’t balance well, swaying and stumbling due to the unaccustomed absence of her right arm.

“Stay still.”

Staggering to her feet, Garrote reached out her left hand towards Wooin. Particles of a refreshing energy appeared between Wooin and Garrote.

Intermediate Magic [Whispers of Light]

Low-level Magic [Cure].

“It won’t completely heal, so please don’t go wandering around believing in this. I can’t use my hand properly due to the injury. If you don’t get treatment in time, you’ll have to live with a disability forever, so don’t entertain foolish thoughts.”

Continuously coughing, Wooin spat out a clot of blood tangled in her throat. As a warning to her condition, Garrote whispered and cast another spell. This time, a blue mana enveloped her.

“Please don’t go somewhere strange. Wait here.”

In an instant, along with the mana currents flowing around her, Garrote disappeared from Wooin’s sight.

“Um, excuse me for asking, but are you the hero, by any chance?”

After Garrote vanished, a resident of Raize, who had been supporting Wooin, inquired. The question caused the residents who had been observing Wooin in a circle to murmur.

A hero – does Wooin have the qualifications to be called that with this appearance?

Wooin, hesitating for a moment in response to the resident’s question, answered.

“…I am Wooin Historia. Please, because I’m asking, run away from here. Run right away.”

“Yes? I don’t quite understand… More importantly, why would the hero end up in such a situation, and earlier you mentioned Devourer…something. What’s that about?”

“I don’t have time to explain in detail. Just run away… Run away. If you stay like this, everyone will die. As far as possible, run away from here. Right now!”

The words ‘everyone will die’ hit her hard.

Blood continued to trickle down her lips. Although Garrote’s healing magic reduced the pain compared to before, Wooin remained a battered mess.

Whether it was from being frightened by the sight of the blood-soaked Wooin, or if it truly touched them – among the murmurs, some transformed into screams, or screams similar to roars. Some of the other citizens, shaken by the actions, also started running away in various directions.

“Haa…”

No one was supporting Wooin. It wasn’t particularly disappointing or resentful. It was just that being left alone made her feel the reality. Just a moment ago, she was thinking about what to eat for dinner, and now she found herself in such a situation.

She stood up with her own strength, alone. Wooin’s thin legs trembled. As she took a step, pain surged into her soles like driving stakes into them.

As she prepared to take another step, the sound of buildings collapsing echoed in the distance.

[Please don’t go somewhere strange. Wait here.]

The words Garrote spoke just now came to her mind.

That monster, charging recklessly into the current situation, isn’t an opponent you can defeat like that. To save even one more person, evacuating the citizens is the best course of action.

She knows.

“…It’s tough.”

Knowing what is right but unable to do it.

A hero cannot retreat.

Even if the Imperial citizens flee, the hero cannot. If the hero, the hope and will of the Empire, retreats, then it’s no longer hope. The moment the faint flame in the hearts of the Imperial citizens goes out is the end.

Victory – Garrote’s words are correct. In the current situation, where even the Gauntlet, the ‘Replica of the apocalypse,’ is shattered, there is no chance of winning.

But, it’s wrong. Anyone, not just a hero, can evacuate.

So, if she can buy even a little time for them, if she can hold onto Devourer’s ankles for a little longer.

In Wooin’s eyes, struggling with each step, she noticed the wand that the shaman had discarded.

Wooin smiled bitterly. With that smile, using the wand as a crutch, she walked towards the location of the explosion.

* * *

Dust mixed with stone particles rose densely. The auction house building, completely collapsed, had lost its once-beautiful architectural form and turned into a pile of rubble.

The scene of a building that once dominated the street collapsing endlessly could be considered art if we define it as such. Even the collapsed building could be seen as an art piece.

—It was an art piece.

“Damn it…”

A string of curses echoed within the art piece. Suddenly, two arms shot up from within and hurled several large rocks in all directions. Devourer, revealed amidst the scattered rocks, coughed incessantly. The thoroughly displeased expression on its face didn’t seem to indicate a good mood.

“Melje, what was the name of the spell you just used?”

“It’s called Reconstruct, an advanced magic that collapses the ground.”

“Did you have no other choice in that situation?”

“Come on, Sir Devde. Don’t blame me for this. Sir Devde, in his ostentation, said ‘Let’s begin’ and wanted the most plausible spell. If you were going to complain, you should have specified which magic to use.”

“I trusted you to figure it out.”

The voice coming from the side was incredibly nonchalant. Amidst the collapsing building, Melje showed no signs of distress. The protective barrier that surrounded her slowly dissipated into the air. Devourer, who had been glaring at Melje with resentment, sneered.

“Hey, you’re having all the fun.”

“Ah!”

Only now did Melje realize that Mr Devde was looking at her. The head, covered in dust, transformed into a grayish color in an instant, making her look suddenly aged amidst the collapsing debris.

“Oh, you’re here too!”

Maybe she should have just devoured him when they first met.

Grumbling to herself, the collapsed ceiling wall once again struck Devourer’s head. After clearing away the rocks again, Devourer extended his head and spat out the dust that had entered his mouth.

“Sir Devde, what a pitiful situation.”

“Now I just want to rest at home…”

“…I never thought you would sound so sorrowful.”

What a miserable ordeal. There’s nothing good about it. Neither being in such a battered state nor being surrounded like this is pleasant.

—Being encircled like this isn’t pleasant either.

“Sigh.”

“Messed up, huh?” Devourer, finishing a yawn while muttering to itself, looked at Melje.

“Melje, do you remember the way to the hub place or whatever?”

“Huh? Sir Devde, why are you suddenly asking… Oh, of course. I remember it well.”

“Good, then go ahead and keep an eye on that. A lot of people will likely gather there, brainwashed or whatever. So, make sure I can use it even if I’m a bit late. Oh, and while you’re at it, please set it up so I can go to Hastin as soon as I head in that direction.”

“…Alright. But Sir Devde, you’ve been looking for Hastin for a while now. Which area is this Hastin village located in? We need a general idea of the route to handle it quickly, right?”

“It’s quite far west. You…At least know the coordinates for the Primordial Core, right?”

“Of course! I’ve told you countless times, my favorite dungeon is the Primordial Core…”

“That’s the closest village from there.”

“….”

Melje, looking somewhat embarrassed, closed her mouth. Lowering her reddened face and emitting a soft groan seemed to be because her superficial knowledge had been exposed and made her somewhat ashamed.

“In truth, I’ve only learned about the Primordial Core from books…”

“Tell me the reason later.”

“Oh, alright.”

Melje, who nodded, looked at Devourer sideways. Scratching the back of her head with a considerate or indifferent expression.

Sir Devde will be fine alone. Since witnessing the scene earlier, Sir Devde wasn’t particularly worried. Can she trust this, is it something she should believe?

If so, then let’s not be a burden on this end either.

“I’ll take care of it responsibly.”

“Good. I’ll catch up soon.”

While fidgeting with the fangs embedded at her waist, Melje, who had finished casting the transport magic, disappeared from Devourer’s sight. Only now, stepping on the debris and slowly moving forward, Devourer smiled faintly.

Climbing on top of the highest debris, standing at the highest point of the collapsed building, the landscape of Raize gradually came into Devourer’s view.

The view was filled with things Devourer had no particular interest in.

“I wonder how many of you are there?”

Wearing leather boots and holding a black Zweihänder, a flashy armored knight with a halberd twice the size of an adult male, a mage with a giant elemental shadow instead of a regular shadow, a shield knight made of an unknown mineral with a smooth appearance, and a priest with the most serene look but the most imposing gaze, all focused on— Devourer

Devourer, folding each finger one by one, sighed and rubbed his wrist.

Not enough fingers to count them all. Roughly over 20, maybe a bit more. While not a large number, they all looked flashy with what they adorned on their bodies, making it seem not quite that straightforward.

With the emanating aura alone, they seemed to be at the level that wouldn’t be easily overwhelmed even facing a horde of monsters in an average dungeon—a certain level of prowess.

Devourer raised an eyebrow. The lead detective extended the tip of his sword towards him.

“We are the Langger family, one of the nine pillars of the Empire, and members of the Langger Blue Hawk Expedition Force. Casper, the leader, is curious. Who are you?”

“All’s good, but the final line sounds like a third-rate villain…”

As expected. These are the mercenaries who were at the auction house.

Even before entering the auction house, something had bothered Devourer. The auras around the buildings near the auction house, even considering it was the capital, were unusually strong. It was as if they were intentionally emanating oppressive forces toward the people around.

Alright, interesting. You guys also won’t send me off nicely.

Devourer chuckled as if responding to the question. He slowly opened his mouth, catching everyone’s attention.

“Who am I, huh? Indeed, maybe that’s not it.”

Every time Devourer’s mouth changed its shape, everyone paid close attention.

“Your enemy.”

“——Annihilate.”

That was the end of the exchange.

The first to charge was the charging knight. Despite wearing full armor, his movements were as light as a feather. The knight, charging at full speed, gathered strength and swung his halberd. Using the debris of the collapsed building as a foothold, he leaped without hesitation. Red smoke resembling flames wrapped around the sharp blade of the halberd.

The knight, leaping towards Devourer, put all his strength into swinging the halberd.

Thunk!

With the sound of piercing flesh, the chilling sensation of the sharp blade touched Devourer’s neck.

“Ah?”

The knight’s voice unconsciously leaked out. It was undoubtedly a tremendous blow. It was a formidable strike even among the Langger Blue Study Extermination Unit, known for their strength within the Langger family.

Yet, it failed to sever the neck.

A shiver ran down Casper’s spine. Even with just one attack, an unknown fear seemed to overwhelm his senses. Despite the sound and feeling, he had only cut through the muscles at best. The body trembled from the recoil. What did the halberd fail to cut – the bone? Or something other than the bone?

The knight who raised his head looked at the monster. The creature in front of him was smiling. Clearly, enjoying it, smiling.

The monster was smiling.

“Didn’t I say ‘annihilate’?”

“Uwaaaaah!”

As if trying to shake off the fear, the knight screamed. In response to the scream, a red smoke wrapped around the blade of the halberd that was swinging with the mixture of a scream and rage.

Intermediate Magic .

A vast amount of mana surged and intertwined. Like disintegrating threads, it began to split in all directions, starting from the tip. Bright light, containing mana from the inside, exploded.

A whirlwind of red explosion enveloped them. The ground shook. A tremendous storm, capable of enduring the collapse of the auction house, raged between the two. A massive smoke emerged, and as if time had replayed, it dispersed into the air in an instant.

There were still two human shapes—two beings with the form of humans. Both still in the same posture as before the explosion. However, due to the aftermath of the explosion, the knight was pouring blood from his entire body,

and in the human-shaped man’s body, not even a trace of vitality could be found.

“…Why.”

A brief lament.

A hand that swung without consideration, and the detached head rolling on the ground, touched the sole of the leading detective’s foot.

“One.”

The monster, Devourer, muttered.

And.

Not missing a moment, a dagger silently aimed at Devourer’s back –

“Two.”

Shack. Another head rolled on the ground.

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[Translator – Jjescus]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

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