NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 50
Chapter 50: The Samurai Learns of Higher Grounds
Tyumen was a colossal lizard, akin to something out of a bird-and-beast scroll. Of all the races encountered thus far, this was the most inhuman-looking.
Standing nearly seven feet tall, his bulging muscles made his head look disproportionately small. The thickness of his biceps likely surpassed even Kurosu’s thighs. His entire body was covered in rust-like copper scales, complete with webbed hands, vertically slit golden pupils, and horn-like protrusions on his head.
He was conversing casually with a wine cup in hand, and though identified as another race, if they had met him in the woods, Kurosu might have mistaken him for a monster and attacked without hesitation.
“E-Rank’s Cross. Pleased to meet you,” Cross greeted.
After exchanging pleasantries, Kurosu followed suit and took a seat across from him.
“Cross, you’re an adventurer from another town, right? There’s no commission here in Navar at the moment. That’s why I’m drinking during the day. I’m just bored,” Tyumen lamented.
“Angila just arrived today. Usually, are there more commissions?”
“Haven’t you all heard about the recent poor fishing in the capital? Sea turtles are dwelling offshore. All aquatic monster extermination commissions are gone, damn it. Ah, I wish I could move to a city like Angila’s,” Tyumen cursed as he took a hearty gulp of wine.
Though his face seemed void of lips or cheeks, not a drop spilled, and he handled the cup with surprising dexterity.
Kurosu felt as if he were watching a rare creature eat.
“What is this ‘island turtle’? Is it a monster?”
“You don’t know even as an adventurer! Don’t you know about those ridiculously massive islands that appear at sea? That’s an S-Rank monster, the island turtle. It moves around as it pleases, what a troublesome creature.”
“—–Surely you jest? That’s a monster?”
He had glimpsed a large island from the harbor that had trees, mountains, and cliffs—nothing biological about it. The existence of a creature so gargantuan was hard to believe.
“If only it were a joke. Basically harmless unless we bother it, it wreaks havoc on boats passing nearby, much like a short-tempered woman. It’s truly a moving disaster, an S-Rank one at that. We can only wait for it to leave.”
“…”
“Hmm? What’s wrong? Hey!”
Kurosu was speechless. Fighting that would be akin to chopping down a mountain—foolish even to contemplate.
And, he remembered Diana’s explanation when he registered as an adventurer.
“The adventurer rank signifies whether one can defeat a monster of the same rank alone.”
In other words, could an S-Rank adventurer—defeat it alone?
“…Sorry, I’m just a bit shocked. So, would only an S-Rank adventurer be able to defeat that?”
“Idiot, you! Who do you think can defeat something like that?! S-Rank adventurers aren’t just strong like monsters—they’re titles given to heroes who’ve accomplished great feats. You heard during registration, right? Adventurer ranks aren’t just based on combat power.”
“Commission success rate, personal conduct, and contributions to the Adventurer’s Guild…”
“Exactly. For instance, in the Holy Kingdom, there’s an adventurer called the ‘Holy Maiden,’ who was granted an S-Rank for curing numerous lives with unparalleled healing miracles. However, the person is extremely timid and can’t even harm a child. On the other hand, an S-Rank monster is the term for ‘undefeatable monsters,’ evaluated solely on pure combat power. There’s a rumor that one was defeated centuries ago, but that story sounds more like a fable.”
“……I see.”
Relieved but also slightly disheartened, his emotions were somewhat complicated.
If anyone could defeat it, they would be far above Kurosu. A lofty existence unreachable for comparison. Dying in a battle against such an opponent would have been a samurai’s desire fulfilled.
“Therefore, as I said earlier, unless that turtle decides to travel, I’ll be stuck drinking here. For the sake of my wallet and liver, I hope it departs soon.”
Tyumen grumbled and slumped onto the table. Kurosu was tempted to touch the horn on his head but managed to resist the urge.
“Indeed, it’s tough for a port town if the boats can’t sail. The seafood sold outside must be caught near the shore. When did the turtle start staying offshore?”
“Early this year… It’s been almost a year, hasn’t it? They’re supposed to move within three years, though. Adventurers have already migrated to other towns because of the turtle. I should’ve followed them.”
“That makes sense. An adventurer could just move quickly to another place. Angila is only a two-day horse ride from here.”
“Yeah, but… Lizardmen are more suited for water areas, see? Look at these fantastic webbed hands and this splendid tail. They’re useless on land.”
Tyumen displayed his tail, which was longer than his own height. The tip was encased in something resembling a spiky leather armor, almost like a metal stud.
“Is that so? The tail looks powerful enough for attacking if swung around.”
“Humanoids often say that, but tails, like hands and feet, hurt when attacked. If bitten by a monster, you’d weep!”
Tyumen chatted away and inquired about Angila and the labyrinth. Despite appearances, much to Kurosu’s surprise, Tyumen was sharp and engaged well in conversation, leading to a lively exchange.
In the end, they exchanged information over drinks until twilight, and Kurosu kindly paid the tab before departing the Guild.
…
After briefly pausing at the harbor, Kurosu leaned against a mooring post and observed the island illuminated by the sunset.
It still looked like an ordinary island from any angle. Dense, dark trees covered its landscape. Waterfalls cascaded down its cliffs, sending up sprays of mist. Rock formations resembling a fish’s dorsal fin jutted out, filled with bird nests. Sea birds flew freely.
Though Tyumen showed no malicious intent whatsoever in their exchange… Could he have been exaggerating?
A legendary divine beast flashed through Kurosu’s mind.
In the famous Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one unreasonable demand posed to the princes seeking the princess’s hand was “the jeweled branch from Mount Horai.”
This Mount Horai was reputedly carried by a great turtle that had lived for ten thousand years — a benevolent and auspicious creature called the Linggui.
The four divine beasts that bring good fortune were common decorative themes in artworks. Black Su had seen them numerous times in the ink paintings hanging in his family home. But the island before him bore no resemblance to those depictions…
Suddenly, a massive whirlpool formed beneath the cliffs. As it dissipated, an immense boom echoed like an underwater explosion. A towering water spout erupted, and mist rained down even on Kurosu from far away.
“—–It just… breathed?”
Looking around swiftly, the townsfolk and anglers only wore expressions of annoyance, no one appeared particularly alarmed. It seemed they were used to these extraordinary situations.
Though Kurosu braced himself for an attack for a moment, realizing this was simply…
He turned back to the island and scrutinized it closely.
“If that happened while aboard a ship nearby, even a large vessel would surely crumble into ocean debris. Never mind that, even an entire fleet of warships would likely be wiped out in a single blow.”
Tyumen had said this island turtle was impossible to defeat…
What measures could be taken if this monster ever attacked the town?
By now, Kurosu was convinced the island was indeed a monster. His warrior instincts compelled him to consider and discard all possible countermeasures.
Bows and firearms would be meaningless, even lining up a hundred cannons couldn’t possibly make a difference.
Would landing by boat and directly targeting the head work?
No, if the head were underwater, there would be no way to reach it.
Would spreading oil to set fire work?
No, just a single breath demonstrated that kind of power. If it became violent, approaching would be impossible.
Then… what?
Kurosu, drenched in seawater, didn’t give it a second thought as he headed back, arms crossed in deep contemplation.