Unsafe Working Conditions : A He Who Fights With Monsters 6+ Companion Story

Chapter 27 - That is Going to Stain

 Liam walked along the passage next to Henri, holding a shotgun in one hand and his sword in the other. The two had been on alert since they passed the blue 5B branch of the mine. Henri spoke for the first time in a while, "What do you think we should do?"

Liam looked at Henri for a long time, "Henri, this is a test to show your leadership. What do you think we should do?" Though missing the majority of his memories, Liam had a strong bond with following the chain of command. There was a gravity to it that was instinctual. At the same time an itch was there to question everything but he suppressed it.

A voice like gravel came from the buckle on Henri's neck, "He is correct, this is about your aptitude to be a leader. I want to see how you respond to stress and what choices you make."

Henri nodded and continued down the passageway, "Liam, watch behind us and stay alert. We are very close to a source of life energy." The pep talk was effective; the lanky Frenchman's voice lost its uncertainty. "It is dispersed so I can't get a distinct location so keep an eye out."

Liam turned to walk backwards, relying on his ability to sense Henri to guide him. They continued down the passage for several more minutes, when suddenly Liam felt Henri's mana surge. The sound of a mild explosion came from behind him with the back of his head being spattered with rock chunks and dust causing him to hunch his back in reflex.

Liam looked up to see cracks spread out from behind him, "Henri what did you...," Liam started to ask as he turned around but his words stopped as he saw the slender man standing with his spear driven into the roof of the passage. From the whistling sound coming from the hole Liam could already tell what had happened.

Henri was ecstatic, he had stabbed his vortex spear into the greatest concentration of life essence in the area. Using the spear to thrust the vortex through the rock into the mass he should be able to suck up the majority of these terramite things. He had used the resonating force of his conjured needles to push the things in the walls towards a singular location, right above his head. This was going to be easier than the crystal monster earlier, his confidence soared when a squelching crunch came from the roof of the tunnel.

Liam watched it all happen in slow motion and was unable to stop Henri. The Frenchmen used his powers without thinking about the consequences of his actions. Liam could see where three darts had been thrown into the ground and four more into the walls. With the spear in the ceiling the cracks surrounded where he was standing. A squelching crunch like when a zombie's head is crushed in a movie came from the ceiling, the cracks turned the color of old ear wax, and the yellowed pus showered down from everywhere. Liam tried to dodge but the floor gave way when he jumped, causing him to fall into one of the weakened parts of the wall which also gave way. As he lay with his arm buried up to the shoulder in the wall while his legs were in debris up to mid knee he watched as the tide came down from the ceiling.

Henri smiled as he followed the cracks from his spears insertion point, since the crunching sound of what he assumed was hundreds of insects being pulped, yellow gore the consistency of rancid grease came pouring down from the ceiling. He quickly conjured his Blank Canvas in his off hand, being sure to focus on recreating a vortex of the same strength as each one expired. The cloth kept all of the spattering off of him apart from a few specks on his boots.

"Damnit, that is going to stain! Now I have a reason to get new clothes though." The Frenchman remarked. The flow from the ceiling had subsided to a trickle, so he allowed his spear to disappear and brought down his arm holding the Blank Canvas. It was then that he saw Liam who was picking himself up off the floor, where he had sunk, he was completely in gore.