Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Vol. 2

6. Even If It's a Detour

You know, humans sure are mysterious, Haruhiro thought.

Even after all that agonizing, to the point that everything seemed like too much effort, and to the point that he'd have been happier if tomorrow just never came, after he went to sleep and woke up he felt a little refreshed.

Ranta didn't seem any different than usual, so for now, things were the same as ever.

There was only one thing to do. Today, they would go to the Cyrene Mines again. And if they were going, they had to make a good profit from it.

With that in mind, Haruhiro and the party dove into the Cyrene Mines, putting down lesser kobolds and low workers without any real risk as they steadily proceeded to the second level. They had turned back at the second level yesterday, so today their goal was the third level.

Haruhiro felt they weren't used to the kobolds enough yet, but compared to the day before, he could follow their movements and predict them, as well.

This seems pretty workable...? he thought. Although that sort of optimistic outlook could easily lead to a nasty fall.

The well came into sight. Beside it, there was a kobold. No.

"That's—a kobold...?"

Because he had spotted what looked like an enemy in the distance, Haruhiro had everyone hold up while he went ahead to scout, and what he saw made him doubt his eyes.

It's huge.

Could that be an elder? But—normal kobolds are about 150 cm tall, and elders are around 170, I've heard. Is that difference enough? Isn't that one even taller? The really big one is dragging around three smaller kobolds with it, but the big one's one or two sizes bigger than the smaller ones.

Even those small ones, though, I feel like they're taller than the normal kobolds. They've got armor that looks like it's got high defensive power, they're wearing helmets, and they're carrying swords and round shields. If that guy's two sizes larger than them, is he two meters tall?

—Hold on, that guy's...

"White and black..." Haruhiro murmured to himself. There was something white mixed in with its black fur, giving it a spotted appearance.

My heart just skipped a beat. Oh, crap. It doesn't seem to have noticed me yet, though. If it notices me, I'm in serious trouble. It's scary. Way too scary. What's with that sword it has? It's probably a meter or two long. It's thick. Like a massive carving knife. If it gets a good hit in with that, it'd probably cut me clean in two. That weapon looks damn heavy, but it's carrying it like it's light. What monstrous strength.

Merry's party fought that thing? They were crazy, Haruhiro thought, despite himself. Yeah, they'd die. Of course they'd die.

There was no comparing it to the armored goblin and hobgoblin that had been such formidable enemies for Haruhiro and his party. It was a completely different sort of thing. It was clearly powerful and dangerous.

Haruhiro turned back to where the others were. He couldn't see his own face, but the expression on it must have been terrible.

"...It was Death Spots."

"Huh...?" Shihoru was at a loss or words.

"Muh!" burst out Moguzo. It seemed he was, too.

Hold on, what does "muh" mean, anyway? What's "muh"?

Perhaps Merry had anticipated this to some degree. She furrowed her brow, just giving a slight nod.

"It's Red Splotch, huh," Yume whispered.