Peeling off scales hurts less and feels strangely refreshing instead. It’s like the moist skin brushing against the cool wind. Of course, it does hurt a bit though.
I carelessly threw the scale I had plucked onto the ground and crossed the bridge I made. Seriously, why are all the bridges in this world so poorly constructed?
This time, I tried to make it quickly again like the first time, but Myungho asked me to properly build one so others could use it too, so I ended up making a proper one.
“…There are more beasts than I’ve heard, and parts of the road are damaged… This is strange. Could the Demon Tribe have meddled again…?”
“Isn’t it just because humans are lazy? Every single bridge is broken.”
Even if we consider that the ones in the mountain range are old, this one doesn’t look that worn out. According to the map, there was supposed to be a bridge here, so I came without much thought, only to find this situation.
“I don’t know about meddling, but it is mating season right now. The males might have fought each other, causing some damage here and there.”
“Is that so… Alterra. But those scales… Are you just going to throw them away? Akashi. Even though they’re half-dragon scales. Can’t they be used somehow? Like as high-quality materials…”
Myungho naturally diverted the topic from mocking humans to my scales. While it’s good that someone is showing interest in me, it’s not a great feeling knowing he’s interested in my cursed blood.
“I tried collecting one, but it’s useless. Since more than half of it is made of magic power, once it falls from my body, its nature changes immediately. Once altered, it loses value and rots quickly.”
“I don’t know what he’s saying, but they can’t be used. Extend your hand. Showing you will be faster.”
The bewildered guy extended his hand, and I plucked a scale with a snap sound and placed it on his palm to tease him a little. As he gasped, he soon noticed the scale changing and fell silent.
The scale, which had a black metallic sheen, quickly lost its luster in his hand and changed color, turning into a bright brown.
“Now, try gripping it tightly. Don’t worry, it won’t pierce your hand.”
At least not on my hand. Myungho hesitated slightly before gently clutching it. The scale crumbled easily in his grasp.
“That’s why they’re unusable. Not sturdy, nor beautiful. All scales that fall from my body are like this. If soaked in my blood, they last longer… But would you do that?”
Of course not. Myungho gave the expected answer. But I’ll remember that he hesitated for a second.
“Why lament over something trivial? There aren’t many who can process dragon materials anyway. Rather, why not think about using the blood?”
Seemingly convinced that the scales falling from my body are useless, Myungho reluctantly moved on, though he looked a little regretful.
Trust can be given endlessly, but not my body. I thought while following behind Myungho.
After crossing the wide river, we were greeted by a different landscape. The land was darker and damper, and there was an incomprehensible signpost.
“Watch out for quicksand, monsters. Hmm? Let’s see… This seems to have been added recently. Beware of hidden bodies beneath the water…? Do not approach the marshes nearby? Hmm, warning about strange things.”
Here and there, sticky bogs and shallow puddles appeared. It felt like we were gradually entering a swamp. Although I was prepared since Myungho mentioned yesterday that we’d reach the wetlands today…
The moment I smelled the damp earthy scent, my mood seemed to worsen fivefold.
The feeling of sinking slightly into the ground upon stepping on it gave me a bad vibe. Sigh, I dislike places with lots of water.
“Since being overly cautious isn’t harmful, let’s follow the signpost’s advice. Alterra, can you warn us if there are invisible bogs or deep mud pits?”
It seemed like the detection range was shortened due to the damp soil. Though not fatal, it was significant enough not to overlook.
“Am I not being relied on too much? You’re gold-ranked. At least try doing something yourself.”
I’m not a detector. Despite being better than most detectors, strong, and competent, don’t treat me like one.
“Please, I’ve never been to a swamp before.”
Has anyone been here before? I sighed at his overly polite tone and answered.
“…I’ll try, but don’t expect too much. It’s hard to tell what’s what because the ground is damp.”
Even if I concentrate fully, I’m not sure what will happen. But at least I can clearly sense things nearby.
“Thanks. Yuna, help keep watch with Alterra. And Akashi… just guide us straight.”
“Sure, I’ll lead you to a place where no one will find your corpses if you die suddenly. Why are you glaring? I said I’d guide you to the Dwarf ruins. Can’t take a joke, huh?”
“Leave it to me. Bog monsters are quite easy to spot, so don’t stray too far from me, got it? Myungho? Don’t stray.”
“Understood.”
Seeing Yuna specifically addressing Myungho, it seems he caused some trouble in the past. After giving instructions, Myungho also drew his sword, unwilling to stay idle.
It used to be just an ordinary blade resembling a skeleton, but now it has cracks running through it, from which ominous purple light leaks out.
Still, I wasn’t particularly curious. Aside from glowing, it didn’t have any striking features. Besides, I rarely see anything noteworthy from Myungho except his brush.
“Let’s go then. Walk carefully. We don’t know what might appear.”
Under the gloomy sky, stagnant yellow water and annoying mosquitoes surrounded us. It wouldn’t be surprising if decaying hands suddenly shot out from the ground and grabbed our legs, but nothing unusual happened.
Only insignificant creatures like frogs hastily fleeing from the wrong path, small slimes dragging their muddy bodies, and fish with heads resembling tails were present.
Rather, the real nuisances were the insects and this humid air. Just inhaling it irritates me, and the strange smell lingering in the air is extremely bothersome.
As we continued forward, the increasing number of puddles and the increasingly damp ground confirmed that we were heading deeper into the wetlands.
Despite complaining about the wretched environment, we kept moving forward. Eventually, we discovered a large sword stuck in a puddle.
“Hey, is that it? Be careful with the sword… Alterra, do you feel anything strange or suspicious around that sword in the puddle?”
Honing my senses, I checked once, but there was nothing unusual.
No ominous vibes, no suspicious movements. It seems like something was simply planted there, but that’s all I know.
“Not really.”
“It’s not a bog monster either. Myungho? Where are you going? Didn’t you say to be careful?”
As soon as Myungho heard there was nothing unusual, he cautiously approached the sword-stuck puddle until Yuna stopped him.
“Well, there’s nothing, right? I’m just curious why you told us to be careful.”
“Let’s check it out. If it’s dangerous, leave it to the worm to handle.”
“Worm, not true.”
Lately, he’s quietly calling me that again. I growled softly and stayed close to Myungho.
Though there’s no hidden magic or such, there’s much I don’t know about the world, so there might be a trap or mechanism.
As Myungho boldly stepped into the puddle, he suddenly stopped. Did he step on something underneath? Or did he just realize his clothes were getting muddy?
“…Guys. I think I just stepped on something… that looks human…”
Human? Beneath that? Curious, I tapped the ground with my tail and sent out vibrations. Though blurry due to the water, there was definitely something human-like beneath.
“Myungho, I told you not to!” Get out immediately! Whatever it is…!”
However, ignoring Yuna’s shout, something strange occurred. A purple aura escaped from the sword Myungho was holding, hovered in the air, and entered the puddle.
Suddenly, a decayed hand, covered in barely attached flesh, shot out and grabbed Myungho.
Before I could react, I rolled the ground beside Myungho, causing it to rise.
As the mud and water surged upward, revealing what was beneath, the bloated corpse disintegrated and scattered out of the puddle.
“What… is this…!”
For a moment, everyone was shocked. Yuna forcefully stomped on the wriggling flesh attempting to reassemble, scattering it again. Myungho, who seemed dazed, quickly regained his senses, hurriedly exited the puddle, and sketched the corpse with his brush.
-Bwueurgg-ggrrrrrek…
With a grotesque bubbling sound, the corpse ceased moving. Myungho, soaked in muddy water, could only stare blankly at the scene.
“Ah, so that’s what it was. Creating wax figures, huh. Now I understand why we were warned. Not to ruin their business, I guess. Anyway, how come necromancers don’t change?”
“Wax…? That… They make wax from corpses…?”
“Wax is a popular material for those who wish to connect with the Underworld, like spirit masters or necromancers. It’s difficult and time-consuming to produce, but the materials are easy to obtain. And there aren’t many materials better than this. I’ve used it a few times myself, but I didn’t know it was made like this.”
Can you really make wax from corpses? Though skeptical, I understood after glancing at my tail briefly.
If dragons and strange monsters exist, making wax from corpses isn’t impossible. Something else caught my attention.
“You, your sword isn’t glowing anymore.”
The light from the sword Myungho held had gone out.
