Chapter 86 Survey and Manticore (Patreon)

I wake up like yesterday, eat breakfast like yesterday, and we continue the survey.

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​​Today, we encountered a D-ranked monster… a Treant subspecies called White Treant.

​​This subspecies seems to be stronger than normal and it has multiple monster cores.

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​​The Hand-san defeated it instantly.

​​It died without a struggle and we got 3 monster cores.

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​​There was also one B-ranked monster.

​​It’s the first time I’ve seen a B-ranked monster, it is different form the C and D ranked.

​​Looks very strong. Still, is it inferior to a Manticore?

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​​The Manticore is probably A-ranked. No, possibly higher.

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​​The Hand-san fought seriously against the caterpillar-like B-ranked monster.

​​Mid-way through the fight his skin color changed to the color of iron, apparently it was a skill called 『Iron Super Spirit』.

​​Apparently, it increases offense and defense by making the body like iron.

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​​The Hand-san’s fist blows were fierce, but he still got quite a few scratches.

​​Well, his wounds were healed with Margo-chan’s recovery magic.

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​​In any event, high ranked monsters are scary.

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​​Well, after that there was nothing particularly different about what we encountered and only ordinary D-rank and C-rank monsters came out.

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​​The next day, there were so many D-ranked monsters~ especially, ant monsters.

​​Ants are still OK, but if a disgusting monster like a cockroach, centipede, or house centipede (footnote https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata) appeared, will I cry?

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​​I asked Margo-chan if she was OK with insect monsters, after all, I don’t want to encounter them much.

​​She said the worst thing ever was a crane fly (foot note https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_fly) monster.

​​Certainly, crane flies are gross. Their long legs give me the creeps.

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​​The next day, the worst happened. Yes, there was a crane fly monster.

​​Margo-chan and I hugged each other in fear over those long and creepy legs.

​​I think I was in tears.

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​​Still The Hand-san easily defeated it.

​​As expected, he didn’t want to touch it with his hands, and he defeated it by using shock waves from his fist.

​​That surpasses human.

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​​The next day, nothing particular happened…

​​It has the calm before the store feeling.

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​​The next day, this was the fifth day that I have been with The Hand-san’s group. The survey ends today.

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​​We woke up and had breakfast and continued the survey much like how we had been the last few days.

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​​So far today, mostly D and C ranked monsters have appeared.

​​Yes, nothing much has changed so far.

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​​I think about an hour after finishing lunch?

​​Suddenly, we heard nearby a sound that didn’t sound like a person nor a monster.

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​​「Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!」

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​​What? At the sound, The Hand-san quickly stopped and ordered us to not make a sound.

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​​「T… that voice, isn’t it a Manticore…!?」

​​「Ma, Manticore!? Is that true? The Hand-san」

​​「Why would an S-ranked monster appear in this forest… Ah, but three A-ranked monsters appeared at the same time that one time…」

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​​As expected, the Manticore was an S-ranked monster.

​​In a concealed tone, The Hand-san says.

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​​「Alright? I can’t beat a Manticore. I might be able to buy us some time… Anyway, just think about running away」

​​「Hey, do you think maybe the Manticore is the boss of the Myrmecoleon that Gabaina-san fought before?」

​​「Yea, there is that sort of feeling. There are lots of insect monsters and plant monsters in this forest, but no beast monsters. But there is the Myrmecoleon, a half insect, half beast monster.」

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​​Then The Hand-san looks like he remembered something.

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​​「… Oh yea, I had forgotten」

​​「What happened? The Hand-san」

​​「Six years ago, this forest had a lot more plant monsters」

​​「Eh, but we have only encountered insect type monsters except for Treants, haven’t we? 」

​​「Ah, what if the insect monsters were all born of that Manticore…? 」

​​「But isn’t the Manticore a beast? 」

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​​In response to that question, The Hand-san said looking surprised.

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​​「Yea, it certainly looks that way. But that guy is a half-beast and half-insect monster, you know? 」

​​「「Eee….?」」

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​​Both Gog-kun and Margo-chan are surprised.

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​​「Eh… what part, what part of it is an insect? The Hand-san」

​​「I’ve only seen it as a picture in a book, but it’s tail is that of a scorpion.」

​​「Wha….!」

​​「Then, is it really…」

​​「Ah, that guy might have increased the number of insect monsters. We need to contact the guild to get an S-ranked adventurer.」

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​​Right, the four of us quietly escape in consideration of the Manticore.

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​​As we were doing that, a crane fly monster appeared.

​​But, right now we don’t have time to be concerned about it.

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​​However, it ignored us, and rushed to where the Manticore was.

​​Maybe…

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​​It was too late when I had thought that.

​​The crane fly has returned with the Manticore.