Something Big

Venturing deep into the swamp was no small matter for adventurers from Iron Boot Town.

Compared to the lizardfolk, who had lived alongside the swamp for generations, humans were generally ill-suited to dealing with it.

The deadly poisonous fog in the depths, paths that were nearly impossible to discern, and the damp chill that seeped into every crevice all cursed every adventurer who came, without cease.

Once they became lost inside, hypothermia, poisoning, deadly hallucinations... would follow one after another. In the end, unable to find their way out through the dense fog, they could only be trapped there alive until they died.

Not to mention the terrifying Demonic Beasts within, the occasional eruptions of Mana turbulence... countless dangers lay hidden there.

Fortunately, this encirclement had experienced nature devotees from the Rotten Moss Tribe leading the way.

They knew the swamp like the backs of their hands, and having learned of the Corrupted Lizardfolk's intentions in advance, they could keenly detect and dismantle the traps the Corrupted Lizardfolk had laid—whether concealed bear traps, poisoned spike pits, or trigger-based alarm mechanisms.

Only then had this temporary force of adventurers and a lizardfolk hunting party been able to cross Death Swamp smoothly and approach the forest in its depths.

At the edge of the forest, the adventurers trudged over the soft, soggy ground.

Every now and then, someone stepped into empty space, their calf sinking into thick sludge bubbling with rot. Each time they pulled their leg free came with a heavy plop and a drain on their strength.

"Damn it, what kind of shitty road is this?"

"Do lizardfolk deal with this stuff every day?"

The harsh reality drew scattered complaints from the disorganized adventurer group, but now that they had come this far, even the most cowardly among them would refuse to return empty-handed.

Yano stabbed a giant carnivorous catfish bristling with fangs, which had disguised itself as a dead log, then turned back to warn them.

"Keep your spirits up. Those walking Gold Coins are waiting right ahead. I don't want to see any of you going back to drink that swill of cheap ale."

"Think about it—how will the bards sing our praises? Heroes who dared challenge the swamp? Or a band of miracle adventurers..."

The adventurers instantly perked up. Nothing attracted them more than wealth and fame. Even adventurers born as farmers had once dreamed of making their names known across every kingdom.

At the thought of the fame and fortune soon to be theirs, everyone put their backs into it, and even their steps became stronger.

At the head of the party, the lizardfolk hunting party stood guard at Seja's side, following her guidance as they searched for traces of the Corrupted Lizardfolk.

Semiya followed silently beside them with a wooden spear in hand, killing intent already spreading from her dark-gold vertical pupils.

Suddenly, as if she had sensed something, she stopped. Her strong, powerful arm jerked sharply, and the wooden spear flew from her hand, piercing into the thick fog.

Whoosh—!

"Argh!"

A Corrupted Lizardfolk preparing to launch a Sneak Attack with a blow dart was pierced through the shoulder. It fell into the swamp, staggered to its feet, and tried to flee.

This scene, which unfolded in an instant, immediately put everyone on alert.

"Brothers, draw your swords! Those damn Gold Coins are hiding nearby!"

As Yano's words fell, dark shadows raced through the mist. Several wooden spears, empowered by terrifying force, tore through the dense fog and shot toward them with shrill whistles!

Whoosh—!

The adventurers dodged cautiously. Even when someone was struck now and then, the battered chainmail on their bodies, full of gaps and holes, could still save their lives.

Though their old equipment could not compare to the fine gear of the Knights in the legions, it was still far more protective than the crude Bone Spears and leather armor of most lizardfolk.

Instead, they suffered the fewest losses in this ambush.

"Counterattack! Counterattack!!"

"Drag these damn swamp monkeys out here!"

Without even a word exchanged between the hostile sides, a war in the swamp began.

[Swamp Stealth]

Bolstered by Seja's spell, Semiya became a ghostly green bolt of lightning, dashing and weaving through the fetid marsh.

Every sweep of her Bone Blade brought a dull howl through the air, and every thrust of her wooden spear was precise and vicious.

Her thick limbs erupted with primal brute force, yet her movements contained cold, efficient Skills of slaughter.

Blood sprayed in streaks and mud splashed everywhere. In the blink of an eye, three or four Corrupted Lizardfolk had died by her hand.

The adventurers refused to be outdone. A seasoned hunter swiftly nocked an arrow, drew his bow, took a deep breath, and closed one eye to aim.

[Precision]

The arrow, fired at the cost of intense concentration, struck a scrawny Corrupted Lizardfolk in the head, claiming the adventurer group's first kill.

"You swamp vermin, get out here and face your grandpa!"

A dwarven adventurer, valiant beyond measure, led three or four others into the mist clad in bronze-colored heavy armor. Wielding a flail, he stirred up a bloody storm.

Most adventurers who dared join the hunt for Corrupted Lizardfolk were seasoned veterans. Once real fighting began, they naturally had no fear of these gray-scaled brutes, who possessed not even a piece of ironware and relied only on brute strength and primitive tools.

Besides, they vastly outnumbered the Corrupted Lizardfolk. This did not resemble a battle at all—it was more like a slaughter.

Everything was too easy. So easy that it felt wrong.

[Slash]

A cold gleam flashed. The blade reflected the scarlet red of steaming blood as a Corrupted Lizardfolk lost an arm with a scream.

But Yano did not press his advantage. He frowned deeply; instincts forged during Knight training told him that something was wrong.

The surrounding adventurers had already been driven mad by bloodlust, their eyes and hearts filled with hunger for money and fame. There was no way they would listen to him now.

Just as his mind raced at full speed, lost in thought, a dense, chilling chorus of howls rose from within the thick fog.

"Is that... hyenas?!"

Yano's expression turned ugly.

Unlike the Lizardfolk, Gnolls lived around Death Swamp and often hunted large beasts for a living, so they usually trained hyenas to assist with the hunt.

Where hyenas appeared, Gnolls could not be far away!

The Corrupted Lizardfolk had used their own tribesmen as bait, surrounding them within the swamp.

"Damn it! The intelligence was wrong!"

"The Gnolls are here."

Before the adventurers could react, the hyenas exhaled foul-smelling breath, roaring as they tore through the mist. Their savage maws opened wide as they bit toward the dwarf charging at the outermost edge.

Though they failed to pierce the protection of his metal gauntlets, they still slowed the dwarf's movements. Then a towering Gnoll that had rushed over smashed him flying with a spiked club.

"Boom!!!"

"Xila! (Kill them all), Kuka! (Food)"

The Gnolls charged out of the fog with vicious grins, brandishing their heavy clubs and maces as they gave chase.

"Pull the formation in!"

At this critical moment, the adventurers and the Rotten Moss Tribe's Lizardfolk completely cast aside their grievances. Back to back, they warily confronted the Gnolls and Lizardfolk that kept appearing.

"Captain, what do we do now?"

Yano felt an instant headache coming on.

He wanted to know what to do too.

In truth, this group of Corrupted Believers was not especially numerous. If they truly wanted to flee, they could always break out by paying some price.

But here was the problem: they were standing at the boundary between Swamp Forest and Death Swamp. If they ran off rashly and the crowd scattered, the adventurers who became lost inside would be left to die without the Corrupted Believers even needing to deal with them.

It seemed the only path left to them was to fight to the bitter end.

They might not lose in a fight to the bitter end, but their losses would definitely be severe.

Besides, these Corrupted Believers seemed to have other tricks up their sleeves.

Just as Yano was feeling stumped, the little Slime in his arms suddenly bounced. The boss's voice echoed in his mind.

"Little Card, ram it to death!"

"Yano, dodge... dodge aside. The big one's coming!"

Before Yano could ask anything, a burst of chaotic noise came from within Swamp Forest.