Necromancer Survival

Chapter 419

‘What's this? This guy…'

Wary, I looked at the caterpillar monster. Then, confused and wondering if I was somehow mistaken, I looked at the crumpled map in my hand.

[Monster–Transformation Complete]

However, the caterpillar in front of me was clearly marked as a monster on the map.

[Pushishishi…]

Soon, the caterpillar monster began to make some unfamiliar noises. It sounded as if the monster were talking to me, but I couldn't comprehend at all.

"I don't understand… what you're saying."

[Shishishi…]

Discouraged by my whispered murmurs, its face–full of eyeballs–drooped. Then, the volume of the strange words I couldn't understand dropped to a low level.

"I-I'm… Sorry…"

[Shishi….]

I automatically apologized, but the caterpillar monster shook its head from side to side as if telling me ‘it's okay.' The monster's attitude made me think that this particular monster was a little different from the others that had been chasing me.

‘Is it perhaps… Dawon-ie…?'

That thought flashed through my mind, and I stared intently at the monster's bulging eyes. However, there was no trace of Dawon in the caterpillar monster's glassy, glossy eyes.

"You're not Dawon, right?"

[Pushishishishi!]

Furthermore, the caterpillar monster shook its head in a greatly agitated manner when I mentioned Dawon-ie. At first I thought it was angry, but, scrutinizing the monster closer, I realized that it was afraid; all the fluff on its body was standing up.

It seemed that the monster was afraid of this scenario's Dawon-ie.

‘Well, he did just kill a monster earlier…’

When Dawon-ie was with me, he was just a young and adorable little brother… But things couldn’t be that simple. After briefly gathering my thoughts, I tentatively asked the caterpillar monster, “Are you going to take me to Dawon?”

[Shishishi!]

The caterpillar monster shook its head repeatedly while staring directly at my face. I could see what appeared to be tears welling up in its numerous eyes, as if it was pleading with me to believe in its innocence. It was almost amazing how clearly its emotions were conveyed despite the difference in our species.

[Oookkee!]

Moreover, the monkey doll hiding behind my back also popped out while holding onto and perching on the back of my head. The monkey's tail began to move erratically, as if it didn't find the caterpillar monster scary anymore.

I stared at the monster's hairy arm and took the initiative to reach out. "Well then… You're going to help me, right?"

[…….]

The caterpillar monster blinked, seemingly not understanding why I had extended my hand. But when I grabbed the thickest of its many hands, it didn’t pull away.

I shook the monster's hand up and down, "Do you know Dawon's weaknesses? Or perhaps places where I can hide?"

[Shishishi…]

After listening to me, the monster blinked its eyes as if deep in thought; then, it suddenly lifted up my clothes.

"Wh–! What are you doing?!" Startled, I blushed and pulled down my skirt-like robes. Disregarding my wariness, the caterpillar tapped the pocket at my waist. Of course, that pocket contained the blade I received from Jo Chan-young's imprisonment room.

"This is Dawon-ie's weakness?"

[Shi-ee-ee-ee…]

The caterpillar monster nodded slowly.

However, Dawon wasn't the only one weak to this weapon. The monster subtly retreated as soon as I pulled the dagger out of my pocket and gripped its hilt. More than half of its many eyes were fixed on the dagger, indicating that it was likely a far more dangerous weapon than I had initially thought.

‘What is this? A loaded gun?'

After scrutinizing the monster's reaction, I asked, "Then… Is there a place where I can hide and wait for Dawon-ie secretly?"

[Pushishishi.]

As if it had been waiting for that question, the monster immediately lowered its head and gently tapped the map I was holding. So, I opened the map and showed it to the monster.

[Shishishii.]

[2nd Floor Entrance]

The monster tapped its nails on the blank space labeled [2nd Floor Entrance].

The 2nd Floor Entrance was located at the other end of a complex and lengthy path. Moreover, the map didn’t show the layout of the mansion's 2nd floor. From there on, I would have to rely on my intuition and senses.

"Great. You're saying I have to go there?"

[Pushishishi!]

The monster nodded emphatically and began to move forward. Of course, I was still a little anxious and wary of it, but I still decided to believe in the caterpillar. After all, it didn't try to take my dagger away.

"Alright. Let's go."

[OoKkeeKkee!]

And so, the three of us began to walk through this long corridor.

* * *

"Wait, stop. Something's coming."

[Shishishi.]

Since we needed to ambush Dawon secretly, it was crucial to avoid encountering other monsters. So, I had the map constantly open; whenever another monster appeared on the map, I would quickly hide nearby. The caterpillar monster would stand guard in front of the room we were hiding in, helping us avoid detection.

The issue, though, was that the number of monsters roaming around increased significantly the closer we got to the [2nd Floor Entrance]. I also noticed that the caterpillar monster wasn't very good at detecting other monsters' presence; it would only notice when I looked at the map and gave advance warning. This time, once again, I stopped walking when I noticed a monster approaching us at high-speed from the front.

‘Damn…There's no place to hide here.'

Since we were in a straight corridor with no rooms or other such alcoves, I couldn't duck into a suitable hiding place.

I looked around frantically and spotted a large white vase, just big enough to fit my body. With no other options, I quickly hid inside the vase half filled with water as the monster rounded the corner. The caterpillar monster stood guard in front of the vase where I was hiding.

[Heheugh… Heheheuk…]

Before long, I could feel an eerie vibration and heard the cries of a monster approaching. The monster must have been gigantic–a shadow began to loom over my head inside the vase.

I forced myself to suppress my fear and cautiously lifted my head to take a peek. Luckily, I didn’t make eye contact with the approaching monster. The problem, however, was that the monster didn’t just pass by; it started talking to the caterpillar monster.

[Pushishishi…]

Though the caterpillar monster was quite large and frightening, its voice, which normally sounded quite menacing, now quivered with fear and tension. I pulled the dagger out of its sheath, ready to use it if necessary.

Then, all of a sudden, I was able to comprehend the monster's language.

[Why are you idling about here?]

The noises, which sounded nothing more than eerie groaning and sobbing until just a while ago, were now intelligible.

[I was just on my way.]

I could also understand what the caterpillar monster said. However, my relief that came with the communication barrier dissipating was tinged with anxiety at the worsening situation.

‘It's being questioned…'

Just from that brief exchange, I learned that there was a hierarchy that divided the monsters in this mansion. At the very least, the caterpillar monster was at a lower station than the monster that appeared just now.

[Your duty is to stay in your assigned position and report if Choi Lee-kyung passes by, isn’t it?]

[…I'll return immediately.]

[Why don't you explain why you've come all the way here?]

[I just… took a wrong turn somewhere.]

Unfortunately, this interrogation was less about seeking answers and more about confirming a predetermined conclusion.

Thwack–!

I was suddenly hit by a powerful force and fell backward, shattering the vase I had been hiding in. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured, but it was clear that the monster wasn’t trying to harm me—it just wanted to reveal my hiding spot.

[Really? To my eyes… It seems that a low-level Shikigami like you forgot your place and hid Choi Lee-kyung here.]

The monster–with eight split legs like an octopus–said with a smile, floating in the air. I fixed my grip on the dagger so that the weapon wouldn't slip out of my hand.

Become a member!

TL: That feel when even a Shikigami in a dream world can't escape living in a hierarchical society.