𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞
“That’s. . . a Predator Vine!”
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A fearsome demon beast that wraps its tough vines around anyone resting under a tree, gradually sucking out their bodily fluids until they die.
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The child was already limp.
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“Damn it! That’s someone from the neighboring village!”
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Kick charged in with an axe in hand.
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“We’re going too!”
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Bolz and the other beastkin followed suit.
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The Predator Vine’s vines attacked one after another, but were no match for the beastkin trained in the village. Soon, the parent and child were rescued, and the child recovered with Luke’s healing magic.
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“Thank you so much! I don’t know how to thank you enough. . .”
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The mother bowed her head, tears streaming down her face.
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“On the way, the heroes passed by, but they said they couldn’t help us without payment. . . We thought all was lost. . .”
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“Huh? What’s that about! How rotten can they get!”
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“It’s common around here. Even if they parade around as heroes in the city, step outside, and they’re just thugs. Everyone around here knows that.”
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While calming down a frowning Sicily, Kick waved to the mother.
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“Don’t worry about it. It’s important to help each other in the neighborhood.”
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“Seriously, I never thought he’d say something like that.”
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Bolz watched Kick with narrowed eyes.
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“Kick used to see the world through resentful eyes, blaming our poverty as beastkin on others, never considering helping those in trouble. But he changed after this dungeon conquest.”
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“Perhaps we’ve changed too,” Bolz said with a shy smile.
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“Maybe we lacked confidence in ourselves. But now, I feel we can live with our heads held high, thanks to Luke-san.”
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“No, I didn’t do anything. The change was all your own doing. You had the power in you all along.”
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“Glad to hear you say that. Look, there’s our village, Crete Village.”
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“Dammit, those bastards! I won’t let them off next time!”
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Gustav continued to curse on their way back.
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“Ah, there goes half of our cyclonite. Thought I could live off it for two to three years.”
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Runker sighed in exasperation at the dissatisfied Gustav and Ethel.
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“Stop dwelling on it now. It was for the best.”
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“That’s right. It would have been a waste of time and effort. We got the glory of defeating the Cyclops, so retreating was the right move.”
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“But man, 150 gold coins! 150! Originally, it would’ve been 300, and even divided by four. . . uh, about 90 coins each! Now it’s half of that.”
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“You’re not making any sense, dividing 300 by 4 doesn’t give you 90. It should be 80 each for one person, right? That’s still quite something!”
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“It’s 75.”
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Leslie answers with a look of exasperation.
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“Anyway, both of your opinions are valid. It’s only right that something that should be corrected if one doesn’t get what they deserve. You think the same, don’t you, Runker?”
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“Of course.”
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Runker states dismissively.
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The idea that he, revered as a hero by the people of Mercapolis, should back down to unknowns is unacceptable.
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He must obtain the other half of the cyclonite at all costs.
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Otherwise, there’s no way to quell this unbearable humiliation.
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“When the time comes, I’ll make sure we get it back. If Clavi gets involved, they won’t be able to sell it and will be stuck with it. We just need to take it without being found out.”
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Yes, the important thing is to steal the cyclonite from them.
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For that, he’s willing to overlook some costs.
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Just the thought of their faces in despair upon losing the cyclonite is satisfying.
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Imagining this, Runker smirks to himself.
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“What about those damn beastkin? They’re getting too cocky. We need to teach them a lesson for standing up to us, don’t we?”
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“I understand.”
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Runker regains some composure imagining revenge on Luke and his companions, and shares a meaningful smile with Gustav.
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“We’ll deal with them thoroughly later. But first, let’s teach them the folly of opposing us. There’s Poorman Village on the way, right?”
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“Heh, using the people of Poorman to harass them, huh? Classic Runker, no mistakes.”
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Gustav grins, realizing Runker’s intent.
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“Just make sure it doesn’t get traced back to us. I don’t want our reputation tarnished over something like this.”
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“Let’s hurry back. I really want to take a bath and eat something good.”
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Leslie and Ethel seem completely disinterested.
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“No worries, this will be quick. Our errand runners around here aren’t just the beastkin. Let’s remind them that opposing us means making enemies of everyone else.”
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Runker smiles.
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It’s the smile of a predator that has found its prey.