Ugh.
It seems like a super ultra giant snake friend, as big as a train, devoured my legacy…!
And it even burped, saying it was delicious…!
Passtle, who scored zero points in combat and was only a lead researcher, gasped in surprise.
Gasp.
『It’s a snake.』
The demon said calmly.
The white snake turned its head. Its red eyes spotted Passtle, filling its vertical pupils with a pink-toned girl.
The snake’s head tilted.
Gulp.
Passtle felt chills running down her spine. Her body froze like a mouse being stared at by a snake.
Squeak…
“I’m just a passing mouse.”
“I don’t have anything to eat.”
“Please just look at me for ornamental purposes.”
『Slowly step back. You’re not yet recognized as prey, so acting quickly will only provoke it unnecessarily.』
The very calm voice relieved her body’s stiffness.
As expected of the demon.
Being with them was reassurance itself.
Passtle carefully backed away while keeping an eye on the white snake. She moved her legs subtly, trying not to swing her arms too much, creating distance.
In an instant, the white snake lifted its head high, its massive body touching the ceiling. The snake opened its mouth, revealing its fangs. The sound it made was fierce.
Gah?
Passtle once again froze like a mouse.
Squeak…
Is it coming? Is it really coming?
Is a snake as big as a train charging at me?
『It’s still fine. It’s just a simple act of intimidation. Since you’re not recognized as prey, it’s actually a good situation. If you create distance slowly without provoking it, you should be able to retreat safely.』
Oh, good.
That reassures me.
Feeling a bit relieved, Passtle continued to back away slowly. She returned to the ruined trap room after exiting the tunnel.
She wiped her forehead unnecessarily.
Phew.
I thought I was going to die.
I thought I had completely turned into a mouse Passtle~.
Ahaha.
Passtle laughed to herself but suddenly felt dejected.
Ugh.
She leaned her head against the wall.
Totally messed up.
The snake friend ate my legacy.
If it wanted to eat an empty treasure chest, I would have just given it to it as a friend, but to greedily gobble it up whole by itself…
Passtle picked up the magic sword. She gauged the size difference between the train-sized white snake and her sword.
Is it just a toothpick for the snake?
Charging in and yelling “Gotcha! Gotcha!”
The toothpick would stick! Stick!
The snake friend would be like, “What’s this tiny thing? I should eat it!”
Waaah~! Crunch-!
The mouse Passtle would end up being “Eew!”
That was a highly likely scenario.
Passtle held her head.
Gah!
Life is too hard, Passtle…!
The demon spoke calmly.
『In front of a colossal figure, skill and strength cancel each other out. In life, there are times when you encounter beings with innate gaps. The good thing in such cases is that you can make a quick decision to flee the moment you see them. Therefore, surprisingly, survival itself is not that difficult.』
A gap acknowledged even by the demon.
『There’s no need to fight. Humans are low in nutritional value and taste, so many beings don’t bother to hunt humans. As long as we do our work and quietly escape, it should be manageable.』
Could it be that the demon has a brilliant solution to this situation?
『Digesting the devil king’s legacy would be quite difficult. It likely won’t be digested and will be excreted. With the destiny compass, you can return later, read the direction, find the waste, and retrieve it. It’s not hard.』
A very realistic suggestion.
Wow wow.
I don’t have to fight that snake!
As expected of the demon!
Passtle trusted it!
Oh yeah.
The demon pondered for a moment.
『Of course, there is a risk. The fact that it licked and swallowed the treasure chest indicates confidence in its digestion. There is a possibility that a strong digestive ability could damage the legacy. Even if that’s not the case, there’s a high chance it could negatively affect the legacy.』
Passtle paused.
Does that mean she has to risk the permanent devaluation of her legacy?
『But you can’t compare an unknown legacy with your life. It would be better to retreat today and come back to retrieve it later.』
A sense of unease crept in.
Passtle hesitated and shook her head.
『Young Craft?』
She peeked at the snake beyond the wall and whispered softly.
“No, that’s not it. It’s not about comparing an unknown legacy with my life.”
She exhaled as if shaking off her fear.
With a cold voice, she continued.
“What’s at stake is the faith and life of my retainers.”
What she must do is avenge the fallen retainers.
What she must protect is the life of the clan leader.
“I will decide what is heavier.”
Passtle looked resolutely at the magic sword.
This is a journey of vengeance. If the situation isn’t favorable, she can retreat. If victory is impossible, she can step back. But she can’t just turn back for the sake of safety.
The demon was silent for a while.
Then it quietly spoke.
『I understand. It’s going to be a difficult path.』
With that reassuring voice, Passtle’s expression softened. It was a reflexive response.
“Yes, please help me.”
Hehe.
『I will do my best. For now, let’s gauge the snake’s precise size. It’s best to carefully examine the traces left in this room.』
Following the advice, she surveyed the white snake and examined the battlefield.
『A massive body is a significant threat in itself. You need to make it unable to utilize its full potential. Creating an environment that only engages part of its body is ideal.』
After devising a plan and reviewing it, the battle commenced.
Passtle threw a stone while gazing at the white snake.
“Hello, snake friend.”
The white snake raised its head, hitting the ceiling as its vertical pupils glared. Its mouth opened menacingly. The snake’s voice echoed through the tunnel.
Gah.
Before she knew it, she shook her head in surprise. It felt like her instincts were whispering for her to flee immediately.
As if pushing away her subconscious, she consciously muttered.
“It’s good that I can see well inside the ruins without a lantern.”
Shaking off her rigid legs, she took a throwing stance.
In an instant, she stepped on the ground. Her arms moved, and the sword whistled. The trajectory shot upwards, colliding with the snake’s head. The stone shattered, and a scream resounded.
A chill of danger prickled her.
Passtle turned her body and raced toward the trap room. Urgent footsteps echoed one after another. The massive snake dragged its body across the ground after her. The ground cracked and made noise. The noise approached rapidly.
If caught, she would die, die.
The entrance of the room was just ahead.
『Dodge.』
Passtle slammed sideways into the ground. Her leg power roughly pushed against the earth. She forced herself to change direction and launched her body.
The massive serpent crashed down towards the original direction. The snake’s fangs smashed into the ground. Debris scattered and brushed against the girl.
『Run.』
Passtle sprinted with all her might. She exited the tunnel, dashed past the trap room and the quiz room, heading towards the entrance of the ruins.
Chasing fangs plunged down in succession. The pink figure zigzagged across the ground. The snout brushed her clothes. A tremendous noise erupted, and shards flew.
A sharp fragment flew and grazed the girl’s cheek. Blood droplets scattered.
The pale Passtle lunged towards the entrance of the ruins. The light from the ruins dimmed as she reached the dark sewer.
Turning her body, she glanced back at the entrance, catching her breath and pointing the sword.
If she fought here, she could prevent the giant body from gripping or striking. She had sufficiently provoked the snake to the point where it wouldn’t give up easily.
The white snake that halted in front of the narrow entrance let out a howl. Then it smashed its head against the entrance. A massive sound occurred. The entrance trembled, and dust rolled down.
The snake rubbed its head as it peered into the sewer. Its red vertical pupils glared at the girl.
Pink hair swayed. The sword gleamed. The trajectory pierced through the pupil. A crimson storm erupted.
Passtle grimaced as she was drenched in blood. Though she barely grazed its eye, the excessive resilience was palpable. The texture of its outer skin felt overwhelmingly tough.
Before being dragged away by the sword, she pulled the blade out. The eye was destroyed. A roar followed. The white snake lifted its head.
Passtle shook her sword. Blood droplets scattered.
She glared at the entrance of the ruins.
“Are you going to run away?”
『It’s likely.』
In nature, there are no hospitals. Most animals avoid fights that could result in serious injury, even if they could win.
From here on out, it’s a long-term pursuit and hunt. That’s what humans excel at.
Yet, the size difference still stands. If she encounters the snake improperly while chasing, it would mean death. She could only hope that removing one eye would bring her an advantage.
In an instant, a shockwave rattled the entrance. The white snake slammed its head against the narrow opening. Rocks exploded, and cracks formed in the walls.
Oh.
The white snake raised its head again. Passtle instinctively lunged forward.
Immediately after, the snake’s head collided with the entrance. The narrow opening shattered. The giant white body surged into the sewer.
Passtle’s vision was filled with the white snake.
The white snake writhed and took its stance, glaring at the girl. As its snout opened, it reached the sewer ceiling. The sound of the snake echoed.
Passtle exhaled and aimed her sword.
Should she confront the snake head-on, filling the straight passage?
Gah.
This is really life or death.
She felt a hundred times more like running away.
Moments later, the white snake charged forward. Its red mouth filled her vision. The fangs targeted her.
The girl took half a step back. The snout closed right in front of her. A fierce wind whipped, shaking her pink hair.
The sword gleamed. The trajectory soared. One uninjured eye of the snake was pierced. A crimson storm erupted.
The white snake howled. The girl hurriedly retreated.
In that moment, the snake contracted its body and then lunged. The sewer was swept away. Passtle dodged, and the massive body crashed sideways. A shockwave reverberated.
Passtle flew and slammed against the wall. Ugh! She crashed to the ground, rolling. A sharp pain surged throughout her body.
Blood mixed with her cough.
Adrenaline coursed through her. Her mind dulled slightly, and the pain began to fade.
Hormonal Friend, you came too late.
Passtle exhaled deeply. She steadied her spinning mind and rose to her feet.
The blind white snake flicked its tongue, seemingly sensing the smell of blood in the air, pausing for a moment before letting out a victory howl.
Gah.
Hey, it’s not over yet.
With her staggering body, she bore her gaze into the white snake. She forced her sword to aim. The blade trembled.
The white snake hesitated. Its head turned, and its cloudy eyes stared. Its tongue flicked as if compensating for its sight.
Time flowed as they both remained cautious.
Passtle tapped her sword.
Demon, demon.
Give me an answer.
That thing is too strong.
Passtle was in a tight spot.
Hehe.
With her slightly delirious mind, Passtle chuckled. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.
A light cough splattered blood droplets.
『Exactly. Sigh. No.』
The demon sighed deeply, feeling distressed.
Then it spoke calmly.
『In battle, you must observe your surroundings. It is common for various variables to interfere with combat. Sometimes, how you respond to those variables decides victory or defeat.』
Huh?
What on earth does that mean?
Passtle tilted her head.
From behind, she heard noise.
A cacophony of uproar and cries.
Huh.
Both the girl and the snake froze momentarily.
The noise became increasingly intense. Something surged forth like a wave.
Passtle glanced back and her eyes widened.
Beyond the darkness, the eyes of beasts filled her vision. Hundreds of giant rats, as tall as her knees, rushed in.
The excessive commotion seemed to have an overwhelming number compared to their last encounter. They had obviously continued to join together, increasing in number.
Gah?
Passtle panicked, looking alternately between the front and the back.
In front was the giant snake, and behind was the giant rats.
Trapped Passtle…!
The horde of giant rats arrived in an instant. The lead rat charged at her. Its front teeth targeted Passtle.
Gah!
I’m going to die!
Ultimate improvisation…!
Passtle leaped toward the wall. Mid-air, she moved the magic sword. The blade embedded high in the wall. The edge burrowed into the cracked wall, securing itself.
Using the sword’s handle as leverage, she spun her body. She spun mid-air, landing on the handle.
Passtle hurriedly looked down at the ground. The horde of giant rats swarmed beneath her. They rushed past, a few glancing up but soon giving up after taste-testing.
Phew, I’m alive.
She glanced back at the white snake. The bewildered snake was recklessly besieged by the swarm of rats. The white skin was covered by the beasts. The forefront teeth bit furiously into the skin.
Oing.
Is there a chance for me to win this?
Passtle suddenly felt uplifted.
“Good job! Our squeaky friends! Charge~!”
I always knew you were friends!
The white snake howled. Twisting its body, several rats were squashed flat, dying instantly.
Huh.
So weak.
New rats leaped up, climbing onto its head before rushing toward its eyes. The rats burrowed into the ruined eyes, gnawing from the inside.
Ew?
A few more rats burrowed in.
The white snake howled again.
A horrifying scene continued.
『Cover your eyes. The child shouldn’t see this.』
Gah gah.
Obedient Passtle covered her eyes with her hands.
From here on, it must be rated for ages 19 and up!
She tightly shut her eyes.
What a good child.
But suddenly, her Hormonal Friend whispered, “Hehe, aren’t you curious?” and Passtle hesitated for a moment.
She slightly parted her fingers.
The scene came into view all at once.
Wow wow.
Wow!
Did that happen like this…?!
Cultural shock.
After a while, the white snake died.
From its gnawed body emerged an undigested treasure chest.
Passtle cheered atop the handle.
“I won!”
What a tough battle it has been.
But in the end, it’s Passtle’s victory, who has many friends!
Is this the fate of a popular person?!
Oh yeah.
