Bab 804: Rusa Air (2)
Di luar cahaya yang menerangi perkemahan, kunang-kunang berseliweran dalam jumlah tak terhitung.
Saat menyadari bahwa cahaya-cahaya itu sebenarnya adalah mata rusa air, aku tak bisa menahan merinding.
Tepat sebelum tidur kemarin, aku melihat sekelompok cahaya berkedip di gunung yang jauh dan mengira itu hanya banyak kunang-kunang.
Tak menyangka itu adalah mata rusa air—aku bahkan tak bisa membayangkan seberapa besar populasi mereka.
"Kkau!!!"
Saat kami mengambil posisi tempur, salah satu rusa air mengaum.
Raungan itu terdengar seperti peringatan bagi kami, jadi aku melirik ke arah Lackey.
Kalau Lackey, pasti dia mengerti apa yang dikatakan makhluk itu.
"Revan... itulah katanya."
"Revan?"
"Sepertinya mereka mencari balas dendam atas rusa air yang kemarin ditabrak Master."
Sebelum aku mencerna jawaban itu, sebuah pertanyaan muncul di pikiranku.
Karena insiden kemarin adalah kecelakaan, aku merasa sedikit bersalah. Meskipun aku sendiri yang mengakhiri hidupnya.
Tapi yang terpenting, saat itu tidak ada rusa air lain di sekitarnya, jadi bagaimana mereka tahu itu aku?
Kalau mereka mengawasi dari jauh, aku tidak bisa berkata-kata, tetapi fakta bahwa mereka memiliki konsep balas dendam sungguh membingungkan.
'Mereka bahkan bukan gagak...'
Kebanyakan hewan, ketika rekannya mati, biasanya hanya mengangkat bahu seperti, 'Oh? Mati ya?' lalu melanjutkan hidup.
Di sisi lain, kudengar hewan yang sangat cerdas seperti gagak akan mengadakan pertemuan untuk membahas siapa pembunuh rekannya dan seperti apa rupanya.
Mungkin karena pengaruh Forest of the Four Seasons, rusa-rusa air ini luar biasa ekstrem.
Untuk makhluk yang awalnya hidup menyendiri mulai membentuk perilaku kawanan dan bahkan memiliki kecerdasan unggul...
"Kyaoo!!"
"Kyahoo!!"
Saat aku sedang berpikir keras, rusa-rusa air itu berteriak satu per satu.
Mungkin karena malam hari, raungan mereka terdengar semakin riuh.
"Mereka berteriak, 'Balas darah'."
"Aku tidak mau bertarung. Tanyakan apakah ada yang mereka inginkan."
Dengan jalan raya yang terbuka lebar di sekeliling kami dan jumlah mereka yang luar biasa banyak, kami berada dalam posisi yang sangat tidak menguntungkan.
Kalau memungkinkan, menyelesaikan ini lewat dialog adalah tindakan terbaik.
"Kuoo!"
"Kuo!"
"Kyaoo!"
Saat Lackey menerjemahkan, salah satu rusa air berteriak keras.
Lalu, yang lain menyusul.
Waoooo!!!
Akhirnya, seluruh gerombolan rusa air meraung serentak, mengancam kami.
Aku tidak mendapat terjemahan dari Lackey, tapi aku bisa menebak artinya.
'Mereka bukan semacam sarang lebah, jadi kenapa banyak binatang berbicara dengan kata-kata yang sama secara bergiliran?'
Antara jumlah mereka yang abnormal dan Lackey yang digigit di bawah jalan raya tadi...
Ada lebih dari beberapa hal mencurigakan, tapi saat ini petunjuk sangat kurang.
Terlebih lagi, mereka akan segera menyerang kami, jadi tidak ada waktu untuk menganalisis.
"Lackey. Elia. Bisakah kalian membuat dinding cukup besar untuk memblokir satu sisi jalan raya?"
"Kalian ingin kami membuat tembok sementara, kan? Aku bisa melakukannya."
"Aku juga bisa."
"Lakukan."
Rencananya adalah menaikkan tembok di satu sisi terlebih dahulu, lalu perlahan memblokir mereka.
Jauh lebih baik memblokir mereka seperti ini daripada membiarkan mereka menyerbu dari segala arah.
Lagipula, rusa-rusa air itu hanya masalah karena jumlahnya; secara individu, kekuatan mereka agak biasa.
Paling-paling mereka hanya bisa menggigit dengan gigi tajam, menendang dengan kaki belakang, atau menyeruduk.
ㄴAllfather) Mereka benar-benar terlihat seperti vampir. Setiap satu dari mereka punya gigi yang tampak ganas.
ㄴStarlight Lady) Apakah mereka benar-benar mengisap darah dengan gigi itu?
ㄴSuspiciously...) Taring panjang biasanya berarti berbisa.
Mungkin karena tidak banyak hewan dengan taring panjang, para pengguna terdaftar juga menganggapnya menarik.
Mere sepertinya tidak menganggap aku dalam bahaya sama sekali.
Aku penasaran apa yang mereka pikirkan tentang diriku, tapi tiba-tiba sebuah pikiran muncul.
'Tunggu. Aku cukup yakin rusa air dengan taring sepanjang itu semuanya jantan. Mana betinanya?'
Karena cukup sering menjumpai rusa air selama dinas militarku, aku pernah mencarinya di XX Wiki sebelumnya.
Hanya rusa air jantan yang menumbuhkan taring ganas seperti itu.
Dan taring itu digunakan untuk memperebutkan hierarki, memenangkan betina, pamer, dan sebagainya.
Karena fungsinya beragam, taring itu praktis menjadi simbol status.
"Mungkin agak sulit di tengah pertarungan, tapi kalau kalian melihat individu tanpa taring, tolong beri tahu aku."
[Apakah itu pemimpinnya?]
"Aku tidak yakin, tapi kemungkinan besar begitu."
Melihat tidak ada betina yang terlihat dan hanya jantan dengan taring mengancam, kemungkinan besar memang begitu.
Saat kami berbisik dan menyusun rencana, rusa-rusa air mulai bergerak.
Cheok- cheok- cheok-
Seolah-olah seluruh kawanan menjadi satu, mereka mendekati kami dengan gerakan yang disiplin.
Bagaimanapun pun kulihat, ini jauh dari normal.
Bahkan pasukan yang terlatih pun tidak akan bisa bertindak seperti itu.
Waooooo!!!
Dari belakang kawanan, terdengar raungan kasar seekor rusa air bergema.
Itu seperti sinyal dimulainya perang.
Lebih dari itu, suaranya terlalu keras untuk sekadar raungan; itu bergetar di telingaku seperti ledakan yang menggema.
Dududududu!
Seolah-olah raungan itu adalah suar, banyak sekali rusa air yang berlari ke depan.
Aku segera memerintahkan Lackey dan Elia untuk memasang perisai.
Kugugugugu!
Tak lama kemudian, sebuah dinding besar muncul di belakang kami melalui kekuatan dua penyihir.
Dinding yang begitu panjang dan tinggi hingga sepenuhnya memblokir sisi kiri dan kanan jalan raya yang lebar itu.
Itu adalah mantra dengan biaya mana yang cukup besar, tapi dengan keduanya menggabungkan kekuatan, itu bukan masalah.
Sekarang, satu-satunya hal yang tersisa adalah membantai gerombolan rusa air yang mendekat dari depan.
Kkigigik-
Aku memasang anak panah yang sudah disiapkan ke tali busur.
Paang!
Dan melepaskannya tepat ke kepala rusa air yang memimpin.
Peok!
Bersamaan dengan suara kepala yang mudah ditembus.
Peo-eok! Peok! Peok!
Itu berturut-turut menembus kepala rusa-rusa air lain yang mengikuti di belakangnya, meninggalkan jejak bangkai.
Namun, rusa-rusa air itu menyerbu dengan membabi buta, sama sekali tidak terpengaruh.
Piing! Ping!
Aku tidak berhenti menembak bahkan saat Cain dan Dolsoe, yang berdiri di garis depan, memblokir serangan rusa air.
Dengan setiap panah, hampir sepuluh rusa air roboh ke aspal yang dingin.
Selain itu, ada fenomena mistis di mana anak panah yang telah lenyap ke dalam kegelapan kembali ke tabung panahku.
Ini adalah teknik yang menerapkan prinsip halus dari Unity of Self and Object—khususnya, kendali pedang terbang yang pernah didemonstrasikan Ash.
Itu mirip dengan telekinesis, tetapi perbedaannya terletak pada apakah menggunakan tangan atau tidak.
Sementara telekinesis membutuhkan tangan terulur untuk mengambil senjata, teknik ini tidak memerlukan hal semacam itu.
[Sisi kiri terbuka!]
"Aku akan masuk!"
Keseimbangan party kami cukup bagus, jadi kami tidak punya masalah nyata dalam menghadapi perang atrisi.
Cain dan Dolsoe membentuk garis depan yang dapat diandalkan, sementara Elia dan Lackey melepaskan tembakan kuat sebagai penyihir.
Khususnya, Lackey adalah serba bisa, mampu mengisi posisi apa pun.
Karena anak-anak lain, terutama Wonmo, sudah mulai berkontribusi, ada lebih sedikit hal yang perlu kukhawatirkan.
Chwareureuk!
"Awasi."
"Ah! Terima kasih!"
Di atas itu, ada bantuan tepat waktu dari Heukgu.
Karena dia muncul dari bayangan untuk menutupi semua titik buta kami, pertarungan berjalan lancar.
"Taddaddaddaddadda- tta- da! Taddaddadda- ttatta! Ttatta!"
Bersama dengan penampilan Maengkkongi yang luar biasa.
Itu adalah keterampilan yang mendapat ulasan bagus karena dia terus mengunggah musiknya ke Galeri.
Gitar yang dia mainkan jelas merupakan gitar akustik biasa, tapi herannya, dia bisa memainkannya seperti gitar listrik.
Aku sama sekali tidak tahu apa prinsip di balik itu, tapi karena itu sangat membantu kami, itu tidak masalah.
Kwajik!
Berapa lama waktu telah berlalu?
Cain menghantam kepala rusa air terakhir yang tersisa dengan gada besinya.
Kepala rusa air itu benar-benar meledak, langsung membunuhnya seketika.
Aku menatap tumpukan bangkai rusa air yang berserakan di tanah, lalu menoleh.
Kunang-kunang yang tadinya terlihat di balik kegelapan sudah tidak terlihat lagi.
Aku bahkan tidak bisa mengingat berapa banyak rusa air yang kami bunuh.
Jumlah mereka memang sangat banyak, tetapi kekuatan tempur individu rusa air itu lemah.
'Ini aneh.'
Aku menendang bangkai rusa air di tanah, memendam keraguan.
Rusa air ini tidak hanya hidup berkelompok, tetapi juga memiliki kecerdasan tinggi.
Biasanya, makhluk yang sangat cerdas akan melarikan diri jika mereka berada dalam posisi tidak diuntungkan.
Bahkan predator biasanya lari jika mereka merasakan bahaya.
Namun, binatang-binatang ini menyerbu seperti orang gila, sama sekali mengabaikan nyawa mereka sendiri.
"Argh!"
"Ada apa?"
"Bajingan ini menggigit kakiku!"
Mereka bahkan melancarkan serangan saat mereka di ambang kematian.
Aku memperhatikan Lackey menginjak-injak seekor rusa air dengan marah, lalu menoleh.
Kunang-kunang yang tak terhitung jumlahnya sudah lama menghilang.
[Kau sepertinya menyadari sesuatu yang aneh.]
"Ya. Apa kau juga merasakannya, Cain-ssi?"
[Seluruh kelompok itu tidak menunjukkan rasa takut mati, seolah-olah mereka sedang di bawah pengaruh obat. Itu seperti melihat para pendekar gila.]
Perumpamaan yang pas. Rusa air itu tidak takut mati.
Sejujurnya, cukup menakutkan bagaimana mereka menyerbu dengan obsesi tunggal untuk membunuh kami.
ㄴAllfather) Ada banyak kasus di mana goblin atau orc menggunakan kekuatan dukun untuk memicu kegilaan kolektif.
ㄴSmart Demon) Maksudmu ada dukun di antara bajingan mirip rusa itu? Apa itu masuk akal?
ㄴAllfather) Ini kan Forest of the Four Seasons.\
Chapter 804: Water Deer (2)
Countless fireflies glowing outside the light illuminating the campsite.
When I realized that those lights were actually the glowing eyes of water deer, I couldn’t help but get goosebumps.
Just before falling asleep yesterday, I had seen a cluster of lights flickering on the distant mountain and assumed there were just a lot of fireflies.
To think those were actually the eyes of water deer—I couldn’t even begin to fathom how massive their population was.
"Kkau!!!"
As we took our combat stances, one of the water deer roared.
The roar sounded almost like a warning to us, so I glanced at Lackey.
If it was Lackey, he would have understood what that guy was saying.
"Revenge... is what it says."
"Revenge?"
"It seems they are seeking revenge for the water deer Master ran over yesterday."
Before I could make sense of that answer, a question popped into my mind.
Since yesterday’s incident was an accident, I did feel a bit sorry about it. Though I was the one who personally ended its life.
But above all, there were no other water deer around at the time, so how did they know it was me?
If they had been watching from afar, I’d have nothing to say, but the very fact that they possess the concept of revenge is mind-boggling.
’They’re not even crows...’
Most animals, when a companion dies, usually just shrug it off like, ’Oh? It’s dead?’ and move on.
On the other hand, I’ve heard that highly intelligent animals like crows will actually hold a meeting to discuss who killed their companion and what they looked like.
It might be due to the influence of the Forest of the Four Seasons, but these water deer were exceptionally extreme.
For creatures that originally lived solitary lives to start pack behavior and even gain superior intelligence...
"Kyaoo!!"
"Kyahoo!!"
While I was racking my brain, the water deer cried out one after another.
Perhaps because it was night, their roars sounded even more clamorous.
"They are shouting, ’Blood revenge.’"
"I don’t want to fight. Ask them if there’s something they want."
With the wide-open highway all around us and their overwhelming numbers, we were at a severe disadvantage.
If possible, settling this through dialogue would be the best course of action.
"Kuoo!"
"Kuo!"
"Kyaoo!"
As Lackey translated, one of the water deer cried out loudly.
Then, another one followed suit.
Waoooo!!!
Finally, the entire horde of water deer roared in unison, threatening us.
I didn’t get a translation from Lackey, but I could guess what it meant.
’They’re not some kind of hive mind, so why are multiple beasts speaking the same words in turns?’
Between their abnormal numbers and Lackey getting bitten under the highway earlier...
There were more than a few suspicious things, but right now, clues were sorely lacking.
Moreover, they were about to charge at us, leaving no time for analysis.
"Lackey. Elia. Can you guys erect a wall big enough to block off one side of the highway?"
"You want us to make a temporary wall, right? I can do that."
"I can do it."
"Do it."
The plan was to raise a wall on one side first, then slowly block them off.
It would be much better to block them like this than to have them swarm us from all directions.
Besides, the water deer were only a problem because of their numbers; individually, their strength was rather average.
At most, they could only bite with their sharp teeth, kick with their hind legs, or charge.
ㄴAllfather) They really look like vampires. Every single one of them has vicious-looking teeth.
ㄴStarlight Lady) Do they really suck blood with those?
ㄴSuspiciously...) Long fangs usually mean they’re venomous.
Perhaps because there aren’t many animals with long fangs, the registered users also found it fascinating.
They didn’t seem to think I was in any danger at all.
I wondered what on earth they thought of me, but then a sudden thought struck me.
’Wait a minute. I’m pretty sure water deer with fangs that long are all male. Where are the females?’
Since I encountered plenty of water deer during my military service, I had looked them up on XX Wiki before.
Only male water deer grow those vicious-looking fangs.
And those fangs are used for hierarchy disputes, winning females, showing off, and so on.
Since they served various purposes, they were practically a symbol of status.
"It might be tough in the middle of a fight, but if you spot any individuals without fangs, please let me know."
[Is that one the leader?]
"I’m not sure, but there’s a high possibility."
Seeing how there were no females in sight and only males with menacing fangs, it was highly likely.
While we whispered and formulated our plan, the water deer began to move.
Cheok- cheok- cheok-
As if the entire pack had become one, they approached us with disciplined movements.
No matter how I looked at it, this was far from normal.
Even a well-trained army wouldn’t be able to act like that.
Waooooo!!!
From the back of the pack, a rough roar of a water deer echoed out.
It was as if signaling the start of a war.
Moreover, it was far too loud to be called a mere roar; it vibrated in my ears like an echoing boom.
Dududududu!
As if that roar was the signal flare, countless water deer charged forward.
I immediately ordered Lackey and Elia to cast a shield.
Kugugugugu!
Before long, a massive wall surged up behind us through the power of the two mages.
A wall so long and tall that it completely blocked the left and right sides of the wide highway.
It was a spell with a substantial mana cost, but with the two of them combining their strength, it was no problem.
Now, the only thing left was to slaughter the horde of water deer approaching from the front.
Kkigigik-
I nocked a pre-prepared arrow onto my bowstring.
Paang!
And loosed it straight at the head of the leading water deer.
Peok!
Along with the sound of a head being easily pierced.
Peo-eok! Peok! Peok!
It consecutively penetrated the heads of the other water deer following behind, leaving a trail of corpses.
Yet, the water deer charged blindly, completely unfazed.
Piing! Ping!
I didn’t stop firing even as Cain and Dolsoe, standing on the front line, blocked the water deer’s charge.
With each arrow, nearly ten water deer collapsed onto the cold asphalt.
Furthermore, there was the mystical phenomenon of the arrows that had vanished into the darkness returning to my quiver.
This was a technique applying the subtle principles of the Unity of Self and Object—specifically, the flying sword control that Ash had demonstrated.
It was similar to telekinesis, but the difference lay in whether one used their hands or not.
While telekinesis required extending a hand to retrieve a weapon, this technique required no such thing.
[The left side is open!]
"I will step in!"
The balance of our party was quite good, so we had no real trouble handling a battle of attrition.
Cain and Dolsoe formed a reliable front line, while Elia and Lackey unleashed powerful firepower as mages.
In particular, Lackey was versatility itself, capable of filling any position.
Since the other kids, especially Wonmo, had started pulling their own weight, there was less for me to worry about.
Chwareureuk!
"Watch out."
"Ah! Thank you!"
On top of that, there was Heukgu’s timely assistance.
Since he emerged from the shadows to cover all our blind spots, the battle flowed smoothly.
"Taddaddaddaddadda- tta- da! Taddaddadda- ttatta! Ttatta!"
Along with Maengkkongi’s splendid performance.
It was a skill that had received rave reviews as he consistently uploaded his music to the Gallery.
The guitar he played was clearly an ordinary acoustic guitar, yet amazingly, he was able to play it like an electric guitar.
I had absolutely no idea what the principle behind it was, but since it was a huge help to us, it didn’t really matter.
Kwajik!
How much time had passed?
Cain struck the head of the last remaining water deer with his iron mace.
The water deer’s head literally exploded, killing it instantly.
I stared at the mountain of water deer corpses strewn across the ground, then turned my head.
The fireflies that had been visible beyond the darkness were no longer in sight.
I couldn’t even remember how many water deer we had killed.
Their numbers were just ridiculously high, but the individual combat power of the water deer was weak.
’This is strange.’
I kicked a fallen water deer on the ground, harboring doubts.
These water deer not only live in packs, but they also possess high intelligence.
Normally, highly intelligent creatures will flee if they find themselves at a disadvantage.
Even predators usually run away if they sense they are in danger.
Yet, these beasts charged like madmen, completely disregarding their own lives.
"Argh!"
"What’s wrong?"
"This bastard bit my foot!"
They even launched attacks when they were on the verge of death.
I watched Lackey stomping furiously on a water deer, then turned my head.
The countless fireflies had long since vanished.
[You look like you’ve noticed something strange.]
"Yes. Don’t you feel it too, Cain-ssi?"
[The entire group showed no fear of death, as if they were drugged. It was like looking at berserkers.]
An apt comparison. The water deer did not fear death.
To be honest, it was quite terrifying how they charged with the sole, single-minded obsession of killing us.
ㄴAllfather) There are many cases where goblins or orcs have used a shaman’s power to induce collective madness.
ㄴSmart Demon) You’re saying there’s a shaman among those deer-looking bastards? Does that even make sense?
ㄴAllfather) It is the Forest of the Four Seasons, after all.
ㄴSmart Demon) That actually makes sense.
ㄴHeavenly Demon) Foolish fellow. It is about time you adapted.
ㄴSmart Demon) Fuck;;
ㄴSword Matstar) It’s rare to see that guy gloat like that. Just how much has she teased him all this time? Lmao
Just as Allfather said, this was the Forest of the Four Seasons.
It was a region where the abnormal was normal and common sense, so applying standard logic was futile.
Even I, who had lived here for over a year, hadn’t fully adapted and was still left bewildered.
"So to sum it up, is it this? Only males are visible, and no females are in sight. And the males are all acting as if they’ve fallen victim to a hypnosis app."
"...A hypnosis app? Where on earth did you hear about that?"
"I saw it on the Gallery before. They said it’s an ability that completely paralyzes common sense and reason?"
"Who said that?"
"I saw it in a discussion among the users."
"...."
Indeed, just as Starlight Lady’s words implied, it was a massive relief that adult content hadn’t been unlocked yet.
The problem was that Starlight Lady was constantly looking for countermeasures, which honestly worried me a lot.
’I couldn’t show her our embarrassing self-portrait, but it couldn’t be helped.’
For now, clearing the piled-up water deer carcasses was the priority.
I wanted to burn them all to ashes, but since the quantity was so vast, I decided to just pile them up in one place.
After all, if we left these corpses alone, other beasts would eventually scavenge them.
"Keungkeung. Keung."
"Ehey. Wonmo-ya. That’s dirty, dirty."
Since Wonmo was trying to tear into a water deer carcass, I adamantly stopped him.
If he really wanted to eat it, it would be better to cook it over a fire to avoid worrying about parasites.
Coincidentally, Lackey was also curious about water deer meat, so he could help out.
Just as we were taking a breather like that...
Waooooo!
The darkness outside the light projected by the Light Crystal Orb.
From deep within that distant darkness, a chillingly familiar roar echoed resoundingly.
At that roar, everyone stopped what they were doing. I did the same.
Then, as we turned our heads, countless fireflies began to appear one by one in the darkness.
As if multiplying, their numbers gradually swelled, just like when they first ambushed us.
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