Bab 608: Ketidaknyamanan Terbalik (3)
"Huff... huff..."
"Apa yang... huff... sebenarnya tadi dengan kepik semacam itu?"
Itu terjadi dalam sekejap. Seorang petualang yang hampir mencapai Peringkat 1 tewas tanpa mampu memberikan perlawanan yang layak.
Itu lebih mirip hukuman atas kesalahannya sendiri, tapi bahkan Recol pun tidak memprovokasi kepik itu tanpa berpikir.
Dalam benaknya, dia mungkin menendangnya karena mengira bisa memaksakan diri untuk melewatinya.
Namun, Forest of the Four Seasons membuat penggunaan mana menjadi sangat sulit, dan tubuh yang kuat secara fisik bukanlah solusi untuk segalanya.
Bahkan Grylls pun hidup setenang tikus mati sebelum dia benar-benar memahami hutan.
Bahkan dengan bantuan galeri dan perlindungan Bbareumbo, ada banyak sekali saat di mana dia 'hampir mati'.
"Apa mereka mengejar kita?"
"Tidak. Mereka semua mengerubungi si bodoh itu, jadi mereka tidak mengejar kita."
Para petualang yang melarikan diri dengan panik memeriksa apakah kepik-kepik itu mengikuti.
Untungnya, tidak ada tanda-tanda kepik itu mengejar.
Namun, rasa cemas yang samar menerpa mereka secara tak tertahankan.
"..."
"..."
Para petualang mengatur napas sejenak, setelah itu keheningan berat menyelimuti.
Meskipun mereka adalah sekelompok pembuat onar, itu tidak berarti mereka hanya terdiri dari para pemula yang tidak berpengalaman.
Kecuali Brown, sebagian besar adalah petingkat 2 dan 3, jadi mereka menyadarinya dengan cepat.
Bahwa di Forest of the Four Seasons, tidak ada sesuatu pun yang bisa kamu sentuh dengan sembarangan.
Bahwa menyentuh sesuatu secara tidak sengaja dalam keadaan tidak tahu sama sekali berarti mati sia-sia seperti Recol barusan.
"Ah. Kalau tahu, setidaknya aku akan menangkap satu. Menara Sihir akan membayar mahal untuk itu."
"Kamu serius mengucapkan omong kosong itu di situasi seperti ini?"
"Apa? Yang mati sudah mati, dan ini urusan bisnis."
Para petualang mendecakkan lidah mereka mendengar omong kosong si pecandu judi itu.
Namun, perkataannya tidak sepenuhnya salah. Lagipula, bukankah mereka seharusnya melakukan pekerjaan mereka?
Tujuan mereka bukanlah penebangan habis, melainkan eksplorasi. Sejujurnya, berbalik sekarang pun tidak akan jadi masalah.
Tentu saja, kembali seperti ini berarti menghadapi tatapan tajam.
Yang terpenting...
"Aku setuju dengannya. Recol mati sia-sia, jadi sayang kalau kita kembali sekarang."
"Bukankah kita setidaknya harus membawa pulang beberapa ramuan obat langka?"
Sebagai petualang, mereka tidak bisa menahan harga diri mereka, juga keserakahan mereka.
Kebanyakan orang yang menjadikan gaya hidup aktif sebagai profesi mereka secara alami mendapatkan kesenangan dari hal itu.
Terutama para petualang, mereka terpapar berbagai sensasi: menemukan ramuan langka, menemukan reruntuhan tersembunyi, dan semacamnya.
Untuk mundur hanya karena ini, misteri bernama Forest of the Four Seasons itu telah menawan mereka.
"Kita masih bisa melacak di mana pintu masuknya, kan?"
"Untungnya, kita tidak jauh. Ayo pasang penanda di sini."
"Karena kompas tidak berfungsi, kita tidak punya pilihan selain menandai jejak kita dengan hati-hati."
"Berapa lama sampai pintunya tertutup?"
"Sekitar dua jam lagi. Kita harus kembali setidaknya 30 menit sebelumnya untuk berada di zona aman."
Manusia memiliki sifat unik dibandingkan ras lain.
Bahkan jika biasanya mereka saling serang, mereka bekerja sama di saat krisis.
Meskipun berkumpulnya para pembuat onar, mereka tidak punya pilihan selain bersatu dalam menghadapi 'kelangsungan hidup'.
"Jika kamu melihat sesuatu di sekitar kita, langsung bicara. Jangan sentuh apa pun."
"Ya, ya. Mengerti. Omong-omong, siapa peringkat tertinggi di sini? Recol bajingan itu adalah petingkat 2."
"Aku petingkat 2."
"Aku juga."
Akibatnya, seorang petingkat 2—dan yang senior—mengambil peran sebagai pemimpin.
Melihat ini, Brown berpikir mereka berhasil mengatur struktur organisasi, tapi ada masalah yang lebih besar.
"Omong-omong, apa yang dikatakan orang itu untuk diwaspadai?"
"Bukankah kita hanya perlu waspada pada hewan-hewan kecil?"
"Haah, sial. Kok tidak ada satu pun orang yang benar-benar menontonnya?"
"Aku juga diseret ke sini di luar keinginanku."
Bahkan jika mereka adalah veteran yang tangguh dalam pertempuran, itu hanya berlaku di luar; ini adalah pertama kalinya bagi semua orang di Forest of the Four Seasons.
Bahkan jika mereka membaca postingan Grylls, itu adalah tempat di mana variabel tak dikenal yang tak terhitung jumlahnya bermunculan.
Hikmah di balik musibah adalah masih banyaknya obat anti serangga yang dibawa Brown.
"Serius, kalau kita tidak punya ini pun, entah apa yang akan terjadi."
"Hei, Nak. Kamu kuli angkut profesional?"
"Aku seorang petualang. Aku hanya bertindak sebagai kuli angkut karena aku kurang bakat dalam bertarung."
Brown menjawab sambil menggenggam erat koktail Molotov di tangannya.
Karena dia tidak tahu kapan, di mana, atau apa yang akan muncul, yang terbaik adalah selalu bersiap.
Hal yang sama berlaku untuk para petualang lainnya. Mereka menyelidiki daerah sekitar secara menyeluruh mulai dari pintu masuk.
Tidak ada alasan untuk menjauh dari pintu masuk; melakukannya hanya akan menurunkan peluang mereka untuk bertahan hidup.
"Omong-omong, kenapa pohon-pohon di sini begitu gundul? Apa kepik-kepik tadi memakan semuanya?"
"Setahuku, kepik memakan kutu daun, bukan rumput."
"Spesies kepik yang berbeda memiliki pola makan yang berbeda. Kepik herbivora diklasifikasikan sebagai hama, bukan serangga bermanfaat."
Brown dengan bebas membagikan pengetahuannya sebagai seseorang dari desa pertanian.
Dia tidak menyangka akan menggunakannya di Forest of the Four Seasons dari semua tempat, tapi kegunaan tetaplah kegunaan.
"...Pengetahuan yang bagus, tapi bukankah semua serangga di sini memakan manusia?"
"Itu benar."
Brown mengangguk setuju mendengar kata-kata penyihir wanita itu.
Bukankah segala macam serangga gila muncul di postingan Grylls? Di sini pun pasti tidak akan berbeda.
"Aku ingin tahu apakah ada sesuatu yang bisa kita dapatkan dari tempat ini."
"Skenario terburuk, kita ambil sedikit tanah. Bukankah ini semua pupuk kelas atas?"
"Benar, tapi serangga mungkin sudah bertelur di sini. Kita harus mengirimkannya ke Menara Sihir."
"Bajingan, mau serakah sendirian?"
Apa karena tidak terjadi apa-apa setelah kematian Recol yang sia-sia? Mereka mulai saling melempar lelucon.
Namun, saraf mereka yang sudah tegang hingga batasnya, dengan cepat menjadi lelah.
"Eek?!"
"Apa itu?"
"S-seekor serangga menyambar telingaku."
Terlebih lagi, setiap kali suara serangga berdengung di telinga mereka, mereka kaget setengah mati.
Meskipun serangga tidak mendekat dengan sembarangan berkat obat anti serangga itu, mereka pasti sensitif karena contoh Recol.
"Ayo istirahat di sini sejenak."
"Haaah... Kenapa ini menguras energiku begitu banyak? Apa karena kita tidak bisa menggunakan mana?"
"Itu juga, tapi terutama karena kita harus tetap waspada."
Meskipun mereka adalah tim veteran yang tangguh dalam pertempuran, mereka beristirahat hanya setelah 30 menit.
Biasanya satu jam akan terasa mudah, tapi mereka kelelahan secara fisik dan mental.
"Ke mana kita pergi selanjutnya?"
"Kita berkeliling di sekitar penanda, jadi ke mana pun seharusnya tidak masalah—"
Petualang yang ditunjuk sebagai pemimpin sementara berhenti berbicara. Dia menatap kosong ke satu titik.
Berdiri membeku dengan mulut terbuka, ekspresinya menunjukkan dia sedang melihat sesuatu yang mustahil.
Tentu saja, para petualang lain menjadi curiga, bertanya-tanya mengapa dia begitu terkejut.
"Apa? Berhenti di tengah kalimat—"
Petualang yang sedang bersandar di batu menyadari bahwa tatapan pemimpin itu tertuju padanya.
Menoleh ke belakang, apa yang dilihatnya adalah:
Kriik!
Apa yang dia kira sebagai batu ternyata adalah mulut belalang raksasa.
Krek! Retak! Krek-krek!
Itu terjadi dalam sekejap mata. Belalang itu menggigit leher petualang itu hingga putus.
Darah menyembur seperti air mancur, langsung mewarnai mulut belalang raksasa itu menjadi merah cerah.
Seolah mencoba melawan, petualang itu mendorong belalang itu dengan kedua tangannya, tapi sudah terlambat.
Tidak mampu menggunakan mana, dan dengan leher yang sudah robek, dia tidak bisa berbuat apa-apa.
Demikianlah, tanpa bisa berteriak, petualang itu tewas di tempat. Para petualang yang menyaksikan pemandangan mengerikan ini membeku.
Meskipun mereka telah menghadapi banyak monster dan binatang buas, mereka belum pernah mendengar atau melihat monster sehoror ini.
"B-brengsek! Semuanya, bersiap untuk bertarung!"
"Apa kita yakin bisa mengalahkannya?!"
"Kalau begitu kamu mau diam saja di sana?!"
Para petualang memilih bertarung daripada melarikan diri. Itu adalah pilihan yang dibuat karena mereka punya peluang untuk menang.
Jika itu adalah 'kawanan' seperti kepik tadi, itu lain cerita, tapi ini satu entitas.
Terlebih lagi, karena ia sedang melahap seorang petualang, saat lengahnya adalah peluang mereka.
"Awas, bajingan itu mungkin bisa terbang!"
"Kaki! Potong kakinya dulu!"
Seperti veteran sejati, mereka tahu cara menangani target besar.
Lebih jauh lagi, meskipun mereka tidak bisa menggunakan mana, mereka memiliki kemampuan fisik yang terasah dan senjata yang dibeli dengan uang banyak.
Hancur! Krek! Patah!
"Kriit! Krik!"
Menggabungkan dua kondisi ini dengan salah satu kekuatan manusia—kerja sama untuk mengeroyok—bahkan belalang raksasa itu pun tidak bisa bertahan.
Namun bahkan sambil dipukuli, ia terus merobek dan memakan kepala petualang itu, menyajikan pemandangan yang benar-benar mengerikan.
"H-haruskah aku melempar koktail Molotov?!"
"Apa kamu gila?! Kamu mau membakar siapa hidup-hidup?!"
Grylls menggunakan api hampir sebagai alat serbaguna, tapi itu karena dia terampil dalam hal itu.
Biasanya, membakar monster yang sedang mengamuk seperti ini akan membuat
Chapter 608: Reverse Discomfort (3)
"Huff... huff..."
"What on earth... huff... was with that kind of ladybug?"
It happened in an instant. An adventurer on the verge of reaching 1st Rank was done in without even putting up a proper fight.
It was closer to getting what he deserved, but even Recol hadn’t provoked the ladybug without a thought.
In his own mind, he had probably kicked it thinking he could force his way through somehow.
However, the Forest of the Four Seasons made using mana extremely difficult, and being physically built wasn’t a catch-all solution.
Even Grylls had lived as quiet as a dead mouse before he properly understood the forest.
Even with the Gallery’s help and Bbareumbo’s protection, there were countless times he had ’almost died’.
"Are they chasing us?"
"No. They all swarmed that dumbass, so they aren’t coming after us."
The adventurers who fled frantically checked if the ladybugs were following.
Fortunately, there was no sign of the ladybugs.
But a vague dread washed over them irresistibly.
"..."
"..."
The adventurers caught their breath for a moment, after which a heavy silence fell.
Though a team of troublemakers, that didn’t mean it consisted solely of inexperienced rookies.
Except for Brown, most were 2nd and 3rd rankers, so they realized it quickly.
That in the Forest of the Four Seasons, there was nothing you could touch lightheartedly.
That touching something by mistake in total ignorance meant dying a dog’s death like Recol just now.
"Ah. If I knew, I would’ve captured at least one. The Magic Tower would pay big money for it."
"Can you seriously spit that bullshit out in a situation like this?"
"What? The dead guy is dead, and this is business."
The adventurers clicked their tongues at the gambling addict’s nonsense.
Yet his words weren’t entirely wrong. After all, shouldn’t they do their job?
Their goal wasn’t clear-cutting, but exploration. Frankly, turning back right now wouldn’t be a problem.
Of course, returning like this would mean facing glaring stares.
Above all...
"I agree with him. Recol died a dog’s death, so it’d be a waste to go back now."
"Shouldn’t we at least bring back some rare medicinal herbs?"
As adventurers, they couldn’t restrain their pride, nor their greed.
Most people who made an active lifestyle their profession naturally derived pleasure from it.
Adventurers especially were exposed to various thrills: finding rare herbs, discovering hidden ruins, and the like.
To back off over just this, the mystery called the Forest of the Four Seasons held them captive.
"We can still track where the entrance is, right?"
"Fortunately, we aren’t far. Let’s set up a signpost here."
"Since compasses don’t work, we have no choice but to mark our trail carefully."
"How long until it closes?"
"About two hours left. We need to head back at least 30 minutes prior to be in the safe zone."
Humans possessed a unique trait compared to other races.
Even if they went at each other’s throats normally, they cooperated in times of crisis.
Though a gathering of troublemakers, they had no choice but to unite in the face of ’survival’.
"If you see anything around us, speak up immediately. Don’t touch a damn thing."
"Yeah, yeah. Understood. By the way, who’s the highest rank here? That bastard Recol was a 2nd ranker."
"I’m 2nd rank."
"Me too."
As a result, a 2nd ranker—and a senior one at that—took on the role of leader.
Seeing this, Brown thought they had managed some organizational structure, but there was a bigger problem.
"By the way, what did that guy say to be careful of?"
"Isn’t it just small animals we need to watch out for?"
"Haah, shit. How is there not a single person who actually watched it?"
"I was dragged here against my will too."
Even if they were battle-hardened, that was strictly on the outside; this was everyone’s first time in the Forest of the Four Seasons.
Even if they read Grylls’ posts, it was a place where countless unknown variables sprang forth.
A blessing in disguise was that plenty of the insect repellent Brown brought remained.
"Seriously, if we didn’t even have this, I don’t know what would’ve happened."
"Hey kid. Are you a professional porter?"
"I’m an adventurer. I just act as a porter because I lack talent in fighting."
Brown answered while gripping a Molotov cocktail tightly in his hand.
Since he didn’t know when, where, or what would pop out, it was best to always be prepared.
The same went for the other adventurers. They thoroughly searched the surrounding area starting from the entrance.
There was no reason to stray far from the entrance; doing so would only lower their chances of survival.
"By the way, why are the trees here so bare? Did those ladybugs earlier eat everything?"
"From what I know, ladybugs eat aphids, not grass."
"Different ladybug species have different diets. Herbivorous ladybugs are classified as pests, not beneficial insects."
Brown freely shared his knowledge as someone from a farming village.
He hadn’t expected to use it in the Forest of the Four Seasons of all places, but usefulness was usefulness.
"...Good knowledge, but wouldn’t every insect here eat humans?"
"That’s true."
Brown nodded in agreement at the female mage’s words.
Didn’t all sorts of crazy bugs appear in Grylls’ posts? Here wouldn’t be any different.
"I wonder if there’s anything to gain from this place."
"Worst case, we scoop up some dirt. Isn’t this all top-grade fertilizer?"
"True, but insects might have laid eggs here. We should send it to the Magic Tower."
"You bastard, trying to hog it all for yourself?"
Was it because nothing happened after Recol’s futile death? They began exchanging jokes.
However, their nerves, strung to the limit, grew quickly exhausted.
"Eek?!"
"What is it?"
"A-a bug grazed past my ear."
Moreover, whenever the sound of a bug buzzed by their ears, they jumped out of their skins.
Although bugs didn’t approach recklessly thanks to the repellent, they were inevitably sensitive due to Recol’s example.
"Let’s rest here for a moment."
"Haaah... Why does this drain my energy so much? Is it because we can’t use mana?"
"That too, but it’s mainly because we have to stay on constant alert."
Even though they were a team of battle-hardened veterans, they were taking a break after just 30 minutes.
Normally, an hour would be easy, but they were exhausted physically and mentally.
"Where are we heading next?"
"We’re circling around the signpost, so anywhere shouldn’t matter—"
The adventurer appointed as temporary leader stopped talking. He stared blankly at one spot.
Standing frozen with his mouth agape, his expression said he was seeing something impossible.
Naturally, the other adventurers grew suspicious, wondering why he was so startled.
"What? Stopping mid-sentence—"
The adventurer leaning his back against a rock realized the leader’s gaze was directed at him.
Turning around, what met his eyes was:
Chrrrkt!
What he thought was a rock was actually the maw of a gigantic grasshopper.
Crunch! Crack! Crunch-crunch!
It happened in a split second. The grasshopper bit clean through the adventurer’s neck.
Blood spouted like a fountain, staining the giant grasshopper’s mouth bright red in an instant.
As if trying to resist, the adventurer pushed against the grasshopper with both hands, but it was already too late.
Uncapable of using mana, and with his neck already torn open, he could do nothing.
Thus, unable to even scream, the adventurer perished on the spot. The adventurers witnessing this gruesome sight froze solid.
Though they had faced numerous monsters and beasts, they had never heard of nor seen such a horrific monster.
"D-dammit! Everyone, prepare for battle!"
"Are you sure we can take it?!"
"Then are you just gonna stand there?!"
The adventurers chose battle over flight. It was a choice made because they had a chance of winning.
If it were a ’swarm’ like the ladybugs earlier, that would be one thing, but this was a single entity.
Moreover, since it was currently devouring an adventurer, the moment its guard was down was their chance.
"Watch out, that bastard might be able to fly!"
"Legs! Cut the legs first!"
Like true veterans, they knew how to handle a large target.
Furthermore, although they couldn’t use mana, they had honed physical capabilities and weapons bought with vast sums.
Shatter! Crunch! Snap!
"Chrrrrt! Chrk!"
Combining these two conditions with one of humanity’s strengths—gang violence—even the giant grasshopper couldn’t hold out.
Yet even while being beaten, it kept tearing off and eating the adventurer’s head, presenting a truly horrifying spectacle.
"S-should I throw a Molotov cocktail?!"
"Are you crazy?! Who are you trying to burn alive?!"
Grylls used fire almost as an all-purpose tool, but that was because he was skilled at it.
Normally, setting fire to a monster thrashing about like this made things far worse.
Furthermore, Grylls possessed cold energy capable of extinguishing fire immediately, allowing him to use it at will.
Crack-crack-crack!
Instead, the female mage fired an Ice Spear, completely sealing the grasshopper’s mobility.
Normally a spell that would activate in less than ten seconds, but in the Forest of the Four Seasons, it took over thirty seconds.
It was also cast at the cost of one Mana Stone, making it extremely inefficient. But so what?
"I froze it! You go and stab it quick!"
"Y-yes!"
As long as they could kill the grasshopper, it was enough.
With Brown joining in to hack away at the grasshopper, it collapsed onto the ground before long.
Even then, its mouth was still chewing on the adventurer’s head, grotesquely unsettling.
"Dammit... Because it’s a bug, it’s still flailing around."
"Can’t we kill it completely?"
"Decapitating it should work. Careful. It might try to bite like a snake."
The adventurers separated the head and body of the grasshopper lying on the ground.
The axe-wielder hacked at the neck area first, then used a sword like a saw to sever it completely.
Thanks to that, the giant grasshopper’s head fell to the ground, and naturally, the adventurer clamped in its jaw slumped over.
"...What do we do with this guy?"
An adventurer asked, pointing at the corpse whose head was torn to shreds.
Blood poured out like an open faucet. A corpse nauseating just to look at.
"Shit... How did he survive in a place like this?"
"Let’s just snatch his belongings and wrap it up. We need to leave quickly because of the smell alone."
The gloomy atmosphere lasted only a moment before the temporary leader hurriedly wrapped things up.
This was an adventurer’s fate. A profession with no luxury for a proper burial no matter where you died alone.
There was a reason countless parents begged their children never to become adventurers.
You couldn’t verify life or death, and it was hard to even receive a proper body.
"By the way, isn’t there anything to harvest from this grasshopper?"
"Come to think of it, doesn’t even ordinary fish in the Forest of the Four Seasons have Inner Cores? Does this one have one?"
"Inner Core, my ass. We’d be lucky not to get infected by parasites."
There was a high chance an Inner Core was inside, but it was an uncomfortable task in many ways.
Though they were adventurers who had butchered countless beasts, this was the Forest of the Four Seasons.
But as the thirsty man digs the well, the gambling addict adventurer stepped forward willingly.
"Then I’ll butcher it, okay? If there’s one, it’s mine."
"Do whatever you want. Better than your life’s worth."
"Offering just this to the Magic Tower would earn a fortune, man."
Nobody stopped the gambling addict.
Soon, the addict began rummaging through the grasshopper’s innards with a gleeful face.
The texture, entirely different from ordinary animals, should have been unpleasant, but he didn’t care at all.
And then...
"F-found it! It really has one!"
"Really?"
"Look at this! The brilliance!"
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