Chapter 29. Left Arm
When I first encountered Rizenova.
He was crawling on the ground with a large wound on his side, struggling to move.
And the monster that had injured him at that time was none other than…
［Kirik. Your side has now become my child.］
【Pururu】─So this guy was the culprit.
【Mysticism】─😠
It was the Psycho Clown I had tamed today.
The clown had cut off and taken the flesh from Rizenova’s side, intending to turn it into a taxidermy piece.
Rizenova, cautiously watching the clown, approached me and asked, “Gauntlet Gong. Did you also tame this monster?”
【Pururu】─?? What’s a gauntlet?
“Yes. I came across it by chance and tamed it.”
“Oh, wow. That’s impressive! Taming such a strong creature!”
Rizenova marveled, awe apparent in his eyes.
“More than that, you were lucky, Rizenova.”
“Lucky? What do you mean by that?”
Rizenova tilted his head in confusion.
I patted the clown’s head as I answered, “If this wasn’t the first creature you fought, you wouldn’t have escaped alive back then.”
Before meeting me, Rizenova had encountered two types of monsters:
1. The monster that had attacked the executioners.
2. The Psycho Clown that had attacked Rizenova.
The first monster had been too focused on the executioners, allowing Rizenova to escape unharmed.
The second monster, the Psycho Clown, had targeted only Rizenova.
And yet, Rizenova had managed to escape alive, albeit while crawling slowly with injuries.
The reason it was possible was simple: the Psycho Clown didn’t kill its prey to preserve the flesh for taxidermy.
I explained the clown’s grotesque hobby to Rizenova, and he finally nodded slightly in understanding.
“So that’s why it didn’t seem to be chasing me… It deliberately let me go.”
“Yes. It can’t let its prey die.”
【Pururu】─But there were plenty of other parts it could’ve taken. Why the side? What if he died from blood loss?
“It probably judged that it wouldn’t be fatal. Or maybe it knew there was a Medical Mushroom nearby.”
After answering Pururu’s question, I grabbed the clown’s arm and stood it in front of Rizenova.
“Anyway, since it caused you harm, I’ll have it apologize. Clown, apologize properly.”
［I’m sorry. I’ll raise the child that fell from your body with great care to make up for it.］
【Pururu】─What do you mean, raise it, you crazy bastard?
The clown bowed its head.
“…It’s alright. I’m actually grateful that you spared my life when you could have easily killed me.”
［Kirik.］
Thankfully, Rizenova didn’t seem to hold a grudge against the clown.
In fact, he was not only forgiving but even expressing gratitude.
He was unexpectedly a big-hearted person.
***
As I sat down to rest, hugging and stroking the tired Jellyfish in my arms, Rizenova stood up with a sword.
“Then, I should start the dismantling.”
It was the Execution Sword I had lent him this morning.
“I’ll handle the dismantling alone, so everyone else can rest.”
Rizenova said this as he approached the Pig King’s corpse.
I didn’t object. He had insisted that he was the most useless among us, so he wanted to at least do chores to earn his keep.
“Haha! I’ll carve it up nice and finely! Haaaap!”
Rizenova’s mood seemed to soar.
And it was no wonder—he had heard that we could track the Drifters thanks to the Psycho Clown’s ability.
【Pururu】─By the way, why did Rizenova call you Gauntlet earlier?
“Oh, that? I told him to call me that this morning. ‘Gun Gong’ sounds weird, don’t you think?”
【Pururu】─Why Gauntlet, though? There are plenty of cooler names.
“Gauntlet is the name I used in the other world.”
【Pururu】─?? You used that lame name? Seriously?
【Mysticism】─🤭
［Kikik. That lame name.］
【Pururu】─?
The clown covered its mouth and laughed.
It was using mind-reading on me.
Of course, I had given it permission.
It was curious about what my assistants were talking about, so I allowed it to use mind-reading while I rested.
【Pururu】─Isn’t it using mind-reading right now?
［Kirik. It is.］
【Pururu】─Look at how naturally it’s responding. Lol.
【Pururu】─But didn’t you say you wouldn’t read your friend’s mind without permission?
［Gauntlet gave permission.］
【Pururu】─Gun, is that true?
“Yeah. I said it could use it.”
【Pururu】─Ah, I must’ve missed that when I wasn’t paying attention.
I turned my head and looked at the clown.
I had another question for it.
But I didn’t open my mouth.
Since it was already using mind-reading, it would probably read my thoughts and answer on its own.
［Kirik? You’re asking if I know the Drifters?］
【Pururu】─Gun didn’t say anything, though.
【Pururu】─Oh, it must’ve used mind-reading.
【Mysticism】─😐
The clown nodded and continued, ［I know. It’s simple to distinguish them. If they’re weak, they’re Drifters.］
Weak, and they’re Drifters?
［Yes. They die as soon as they arrive here. That’s why it’s hard to collect their bodies. They’re rare.］
Weren’t there any strong Drifters?
As I thought that, the clown answered again.
［Occasionally, strong ones come. I’ve only seen one Drifter stronger than me. Never saw a stronger one after that.］
【Pururu】─It sounds like it’s talking to itself since Gun isn’t saying anything.
How did you know that was a Drifter?
［I used mind-reading.］
I see.
Did that Drifter survive?
［No. That group killed him.］
The clown pointed at me.
The end of its finger was directed at the Jellyfish I was holding.
It was probably referring to the Jellyfish swarm led by the Jellyfish Queen we had seen before.
Well, even if they were strong, there’s no way they could’ve beaten an SS-class and over a hundred S-class monsters.
Even the first hero or the great sage wouldn’t be able to defeat that group alone.
As for me…
［Kirik? Sealed? You had your power sealed?］
The clown read my thoughts and asked.
I nodded and then spoke out loud this time.
“Yes. To be precise, it’s more like I sealed it myself. Anyway, do you know any monsters that can use unsealing magic? I think I should lift the seal now that I’m here.”
［Monsters that can use unsealing magic? Kirik…］
The clown stroked its chin.
After a moment of thought, it replied, ［Sorry. I can’t think of one right now.］
It seemed the clown didn’t know such a monster either.
I wasn’t disappointed.
It was just a question I’d thrown out there without much expectation.
［When I return to my secret space later, I’ll touch all the creatures there one by one and try to remember.］
“Thanks.”
The small talk continued for a while after that.
After about 10 minutes…
“All done! Everyone, come quickly!”
Rizenova shouted energetically, waving the Execution Sword.
It was time to eat.
***
We finished our meal quickly.
As expected, the Pig King’s meat, grilled over magma, was delicious.
After a short rest, we resumed our exploration.
“Ah… I still can’t forget the taste of that meat. It was a fantastic flavor I’ve never experienced before.”
Rizenova seemed to be really fond of the meat.
Even hours after the meal, he hadn’t stopped talking about it.
I half-heartedly nodded along, checking my wristwatch.
It was now 4 PM.
We had been walking for three hours since setting off at 1 PM.
“…It’s taking a while, even with speed magic.”
［Kirik. I told you, the Drifters are far away. We still have a long way to go.］
It seemed we wouldn’t be able to return to the hideout today.
“We’ll have to leave the place empty for a while.”
【Pururu】─You should’ve left one to guard it. What if monsters steal your stuff?
“I brought the most important thing, the monster guidebook. Besides, there’s not much to steal.”
【Pururu】─They could steal your mattress, pillow, or blanket.
【Mysticism】─😐
We continued to follow the clown’s lead.
【Pururu】─Don’t ignore me.
There were no more forks in the path.
At some point, it had become a straight line.
Another hour passed.
I stopped walking and called out to Rizenova.
“Rizenova, let’s take a break here.”
“Alright. I was just about to ask for a rest myself.”
Rizenova plopped down on the ground.
It was understandable, as we had been running without rest.
I sat down too, taking a brief moment of respite.
Then, an idea for a new taming method I had thought of earlier suddenly came to mind.
‘I should prepare for that while we’re resting.’
I stood up and approached Rizenova.
“Rizenova, can I borrow… no, return the Execution Sword for a moment?”
“Sure.”
【Pururu】─Lol, he’s giving it back without even asking why. Shouldn’t he ask what it’s for?
【Mysticism】─🤭
After getting the sword back, I called the clown, who was lying nearby.
“Psycho Clown.”
［Kirik?］
“I need a favor.”
I handed the Execution Sword to the clown.
***
Early evening.
In Ha Yumi’s clinic.
“Hoo.”
After finishing all her consultations with patients, Ha Yumi leaned back in her chair with a sigh.
“What a hellish day. I don’t know why so many people were so aggressive today…”
She stared blankly at the ceiling.
Her mind was completely empty.
That’s how exhausting the day had been.
“…Well, now that it’s all over, I can finally watch Gun’s broadcast.”
She stretched, then grabbed the tablet from her desk drawer and logged into Kang Geon’s broadcast.
『RED-level Assistant ‘Yumi’ walks up to you with a determined expression.』
【Pururu】─Are you insane? That’s too much.
【Mysticism】─😨
The chat from the assistants was flooding in as soon as she logged in.
【Pururu】─I can’t watch this. I’ll just close my eyes.
“Huh? What’s going on?”
Ha Yumi tilted her head, focusing on the broadcast screen.
On the other side of the screen, Kang Geon was sitting on the ground, extending his left arm.
Beside him was a monster she had never seen before.
A monster that resembled a human.
［Kiriric…］
The monster hesitated for a moment, then, with trembling hands, raised a long sword.
“Wait, what’s happening…”
The monster shut its eyes tight.
Then, it swiftly swung the sword toward Kang Geon’s arm.
［Kiriric!］
【Mysticism】─😱😱😱
“No, don’t!!!”
Ha Yumi’s scream echoed through the clinic.
On the screen, Kang Geon’s left arm was cleanly severed.