Chapter 398

398: The Moon and Hill and the Sorcerer #4

The cave leading toward Moonrise Mountain was rather spacious.

It was wide and tall, the ceiling likely being several meters high.

Beneath our feet shallow water flowed, and the cave was dotted with glowing stones creating a beautiful sight. It could make decent money as a tourist attraction.

Jingle.

If only it weren’t for the scattered skulls and bones.

They were human skulls.

Human bones.

Judging by their small size, it seemed like the girls of Ideope Island weren’t eaten by some horrifying presence lurking within the cave. Luna explained.

“They’re the men of the Tatari tribe. When Chrome arrived on this island, the first thing he did was eat the men of the Tatari tribe. Most of them were children.”

Chrome.

That was the name of the monster commanding Orthos, and we have learned it. Did the beast force the Tatari boys to offer themselves as tribute?

In an already male-deficient island, eating boys was definitely horrifying.

Elpride spoke.

“In today’s world, I didn’t expect there to still be creatures that force humans as offerings to eat. Most of these savage creatures were exterminated.”

Elpride made a good point. In this Gaia Continent, where adventurers are thick, monsters often meet their end.

The more atrocious they are, the more they are targeted by monster hunters like Hippolyte seeking fame and karma, making their survival difficult.

Luna replied.

“Perhaps because Ideope Island is far out at sea, monster hunters rarely visit. And Chrome, with his poor eyes but significant strength, should be approached with care.”

Clang, clang.

Thus, we continued walking through the cave with shallow water underfoot.

The deeper we went, the more grotesque bone ornaments we found, and the stench grew stronger, making me feel increasingly uneasy.

Sensing my mood, Luna explained about the atrocities of Chrome she heard from Naru, a woman of the Tatari tribe.

“He eats the boys, steals food, and kidnaps girls, using them as maids.”

It seems that Chrome made life difficult for the women of the Tatari tribe who already lived in a harsh environment. To please him and avoid hunger, the tribe had no choice but to attack others.

This, in turn, led to conflicts with other tribes vying for resources during the winter, as the story concludes.

I asked.

“If we defeat this Chrome, won’t the major problems be resolved to some extent?”

“Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Several powerful sorcerers attempted to defeat it but failed, getting eaten in the process. They only managed to injure his eyes.”

“Understood.”

Was this terrifying creature at the end of this cave near the well of Moonrise Mountain?

Creepy.

At that moment, I felt the fur of the white skin covering my head, like a hood, rise.

Soon, heavy footstep sounds accompanied by guttural growls were heard.

Elpride crouched down and pulled out her staff, sensing something extraordinary.

“There’s a monster nearby. Powerful.”

“Guardian. Chrome can’t see much but controls various beasts. But don’t worry, I have a plan.”

Luna crouched down and pulled something out from her clothes.

“Shhh.”

It was a hunk of meat, well-cooked or smoked. Why was she taking it out now? I thought maybe she was hungry and wanted to eat emergency rations.

“With the wild boar Hassan caught, things have been easier.”

“Thud.”

Luna tossed the meat far in front. Then she grabbed all our arms and hid behind a stalactite.

Grrrr.

Trrrr.

Soon, a truly colossal dog appeared before us. Orthos, with two heads. The beast was busily shaking both of its heads as it entered the cave.

Schnuff, schnuff.

It moved its shiny, black double nose, sniffing around. Given that dogs have an incredible sense of smell, a dog with two noses must be twice as perceptive. Surely these intruders were detected.

Indeed, Orthos’ heads and eyes continuously scanned around.

Then, the beast suddenly stopped as if noticing something.

In front of Orthos was the meat Luna had thrown.

Grrrr.

Trrrr.

Orthos was on high alert as it faced the meat but soon glanced around before picking it up and retreating into the corner.

After about ten seconds.

With a steady sound, Luna slowly stepped out from behind the stalactite.

What kind of guard dog is this that so easily picks up food without any caution? Sure, it was convenient for us, but as a guard dog for the house, it’s unusable.

Luna whispered.

“That’s settled! We’ve put the guard to sleep, so now there’s only the biggest barrier left! Once we get past that beast, we’ll be able to fetch the spring water. Let’s hurry!”

Major barrier?

It only filled me with ominous premonitions, and my instincts have mostly proved correct, giving me the chills.

Whisper, whisper.

As a cold breeze brushed across our faces, signaling we were approaching the end of the cave, we finally encountered a creature so massive it could be called a giant.

“Hell, what the heck is this?”

Its appearance was so shocking and terrifying that my expression uncontrollably contorted.

It had three heads, six arms, and six legs, a grotesquely odd creature combining three bodies that shared one belly.

The unnatural stitching that fused the bodies together resembled a silver embroidery of the Tatari tribe that I’d seen before.

“Hell, disgusting.”

Isn’t this some crazy scientist’s creation?

Who thought to attach the amount of hands, feet, and heads of three people to one body?

It felt like an insult to the order of nature and providence as my vision blurred. Meanwhile, Elpride frowned beside me.

“These guys are the Geryon. Triplets Geryon.”

“What are they, Elpride? You know what this monster is?”

“I once saw a wanted poster. Geryon Sorcerers—giants said to govern the vast meadow islands. But why have they become like this?”

“Originally, they weren’t fused as one, huh?”

“Yeah, but who turned them into this horrifying monster? How grotesque. Why are their faces so disfigured?”

Just as Elpride said, the creatures were grotesque. The faces were filled with large wounds, and facial features were far from normal.

A common feature among them were the large scars around their eyes.

However, the issue was that the massive body of the creature was blocking the cave exit entirely. We would have to tread over its body to get through.

At that moment, Luna whispered to us.

“Though its eyesight is poor, its hearing is excellent. Everyone, best to stay quiet. I’ll sneak past quietly, so everyone just follow behind me.”

Then Luna started walking on all fours like a raccoon.

The sight of Luna precariously crossing over the six legs of the massive monster was truly nerve-wracking.

Someone stepped on my leg.

Idiot, it’s not your leg but mine, you fool.

Haha, wrath!

Soon the massive body slowly rose, and the six arms grabbed Luna tightly. I almost screamed when I saw the massive hands twisting Luna’s body.

Shh.

Thankfully, Luna covered her mouth with her hand or she might have screamed otherwise.

“What’s this? What’s in my hands? What is it?”

Idiot, it’s not your hand but mine, you fool.

And whatever it is, it’s pretty light.

Massacre! Destruction! Haha!

They threw Luna back and forth.

Then they started to grope her body with their six hands.

Despite being crushed, Luna made no sounds, only trembling.

There’s fur. There are four legs and a tail, isn’t it a raccoon? The fur is exactly raccoon fur. I can’t see well as my eyes aren’t working, but…

These raccoons, aren’t they scared of us? They keep coming into the cave. They’re tasteless even when cooked.

Confusion! Oblivion!

The three heads were clamoring noisily. The beasts, blind from their eyes not working, seemed convinced that what they were touching was a raccoon.

Confirming this, Luna finally opened her mouth after staying silent for long.

“Chirp chirp chirp!”

Ah, you’re a raccoon. A female, judging by the sound. A young one too.

Let go, let go. Raccons are tough and tasteless. Just sleep. We have to complete the spell tomorrow, so there’s a lot of work ahead.

Execution! Hahahahaha!

Then they hurled Luna away.

Once freed from the giants’ hands, Luna scurried on all fours to escape outside the cave, stood up on two feet beyond it, and waved at us.

It was as if signaling us to follow. Without exchanging words with Elpride, we quickly understood why Luna wore raccoon skins.

“Hmph.”

Thud, Thud.

Elfride sighed briefly before starting to walk on all fours too. Despite witnessing the danger Luna faced, she bravely attempted to cross between the giants’ legs, showing remarkable courage.

“What’s this? What’s crawling on my leg now?”

Idiot, it’s not your leg, it’s mine!

Despair!

Once again, the beasts began to grope the body of Elfride, who was wearing raccoon skins.

Fur, soft fur. There’s a tail. Four legs. Is it a raccoon?

Young raccoons. Why are so many coming today? Are these really raccoons? The Orthos beast lets any quadruped through, so we need to teach them a lesson.

Fear! Deception Strategy!

After the final strange roar, the massive monster paused while holding Elfride, neither releasing her nor speaking.

One of the heads then said,

“Younger brother’s correct. They say recently people have been impersonating animals to steal the spring water using skins. Is this one of them?”

Chrome, for you to have such an excellent idea among what you’ve said for 50 years, it might be your most intelligent.

Destruction!

Is it really a raccoon? The fur is coarse. It doesn’t feel like a live raccoon but more like a stuffed pelt.

Swish, swish.

The giant hand began to press and squeeze Elfride harshly.

Unlike when they were examining Luna, this time the touch was rather rough and filled with suspicion. Elfride’s hastily worn raccoon skin might peel off if this continued.

Should I intervene?

This monster looks really strong; continuing like this might endanger Elfride.

At that moment, Luna on the other side began whispering something softly.

“Raccoon imitation…! Raccoon imitation…! Cry…!”

That was a lifeline for Elfride.

Despite her high pride, noticing her hood about to be pulled off, Elfride reluctantly opened her mouth.

“Chirp, chirp. Chirp.”

At the sound, the hands paused momentarily.

Did you hear that? This raccoon is making a rather odd sound. It’s a bit different from the usual raccoon noise we hear every day.

That’s correct. We need to hear it again to be sure.

Arrogance! Downfall!

“Chirp, chirp, chirp…!”

Who would believe the strong-willed Elfride was desperately making such a foolish raccoon noise?

I was both bewildered by the current scene I was witnessing and found it hilariously funny.

“Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!”

Ah, this is a female raccoon’s call. She is in heat and trying to attract a male.

That’s true. During that time, the call changes, and the fur becomes coarse. Is she looking for a mate, believing a male is in the cave? Leave.

Release!

Flap!

Finally, they released Elfride, losing interest. Freed from their grasp, Elfride hurriedly crawled on all fours to where Luna was. Judging by her wrinkled expression, her mood was clearly far from good.

Now it’s my turn.

But I don’t have a raccoon skin, what should I do?

I was pondering what to do when a genius idea struck me. If I just make raccoon sounds while crossing their legs, they wouldn’t suspect and let me pass, right?

Animal imitation is one of my strengths.

With that confidence, I loudly cried out while crossing over the legs of the blind monsters.

“Chirp!”

This one’s definitely suspicious. After letting two real raccoons pass, it’s clear this one is fake, trying to deceive us and pass through to the spring.

What are you waiting for? Capture it quickly! Ha ha, sitting here doing nothing, yet our food is walking right into our mouths!

Capture!

Ugh, Hell, what went wrong?

Compared to the sounds made by Luna and Elfride, I thought mine was equally perfect.

Swish!

The creatures’ thick arms grabbed me. They pulled me close to their faces. Their hazy squinted eyes stared at me before widening significantly.

d*mn, it’s a Samarian disguised, isn’t it! Fake raccoon fur! Black hair! d*mn black hair! And the weight is the same!

That cursed girl, it’s her who brought us to this fate, now following all the way here?

Revenge!

Gaaaah!

Three large mouths opened.

I was horrified to see the horrifyingly rotten teeth inside and the throat seething with maggots, prompting me to throw a punch at their heads before thinking.

“d*mn, clean your teeth, bastards!”

Kwaang!

The sound was like a ship exploding after being hit by a cannonball when my punch met their heads. At the same time, the monster’s body swayed and began to fall.

I vividly felt my fist shattering my jaw, which should be sufficient effect.

“Hassan! Are you okay!?”

Luna yelled towards me. But whether they heard her or not, the body parts of the beast responded.

Weren’t the ones ahead raccoons?

d*mn, fearless humans.

Hatred!

Seeing the monsters slowly regain their balance, I shouted loudly.

“I’ll deal with them, you guys go get that spring!”

Facing me, the furious creature stood up, adjusting its heads with a click, click sound, revealing its intimidating presence.

Alright, Gloria. This destructive brute strength; it couldn’t be anyone but you. To confront you, we endured this cursed appearance.

Breaking the cycle of life and d*ath to gain power, we, the brothers of Geryon, no—against the crescent moon, the hill, and the god of sorcery, Chrome, fight you—

Summoning the wilderness!

The six fingers began forming a peculiar array or seals.

---