Chapter 58

Rio and his group were leading Yomban, who was not a combatant, but they were accompanied by seven veteran adventurers. When the group of four adventurers who had run up saw Rio and his group, they immediately called out to flee without hesitation.

"How many are coming?"

While asking the question, Rio gently pushed Yomban's back to encourage him to run, and together with Shiraha, he took the lead and ran towards the town. The four adventurers, who were supposed to guard the rear, let the group of four go ahead and took up the rear guard to protect them, as they held important information about the enemy's appearance. Despite being a hastily gathered group from the guild, they readily took on the dangerous role, showing their good nature.

Running at full speed, the group of four began to explain.

"We encountered them in Terop's territory. They are cylindrical-bodied creatures with ten tentacles on top, and they look really creepy."

Even with the description, the creatures were so unusual that Rio couldn't picture them. Jumping over the roots of trees, Rio glanced back over his shoulder. He could sense something approaching from behind the adventurers, but the forest was too dense to see anything.

"How did you determine they were black wax creatures?"

When Yomban asked, the adventurer quickly answered.

"They spray black wax from the tips of their tentacles. Their entire bodies are covered in this black wax, and when we tried to cut them, our blades dulled and couldn't cut through. We were at a loss, so we fled."

It was natural for the blades to dull when coated with wax. They seemed to be tough opponents for swordsmen. However, Rio was concerned about something else. Shiraha, too, seemed to be paying close attention to the trees ahead. The veteran adventurer's corpse that Rio and his group had found had been attacked on the trail, and the branches at the attack site were coated with black wax.

"Ambush."

Rio nodded in agreement with Shiraha's prediction.

"They're driving us."

He recalled the chase after they had wandered into the hidden monkey village. If the black wax creatures had intelligence similar to the monkeys, an ambush was entirely possible. The sun was setting, and the forest was growing dim. It was the perfect hunting time for creatures covered in black wax.

"Shiraha, can you light the way?"

"Sure."

Shiraha channeled magic into her sword, still in its sheath, and activated the engraved spell. She pushed the orb of light that appeared in front of her chest with one hand, sending it forward to illuminate the trail. The surrounding adventurers were surprised that Shiraha, who carried a sword, could use magic, but Rio and Shiraha increased the intensity of their body enhancements as they caught a glimpse of a black shadow in the brief illumination.

"Shiraha, below!"

"Got it!"

Shiraha drew her sword and leaped forward. Realizing they had been spotted, the black creatures began to move, trying to escape from the shadows of the trees.

Cylindrical bodies with ten tentacles—these were undoubtedly the black wax creatures the adventurers had described. The other adventurers also realized they were being ambushed and tried to come to their aid, but they were too slow.

Shiraha, who had leaped forward, slowed down by placing one foot on a stone embedded in the ground and then kicked off the ground with her other foot, making a sharp turn. Her speed, as she dashed through the treetops and charged at the black creature, was threatening even to wild animals. The black creature, apparently judging that escape was impossible, tried to strike with its ten tentacles. Each tentacle was thicker than Shiraha's thigh, and ten of them lined up like a thick board.

To get within striking range, Shiraha ignored the tentacles and moved closer. In the next instant, Shiraha's figure disappeared. As the tentacles struck the spot where she had been, her sword pierced the cylindrical body of the black creature. She lightly jumped out from under the dead black creature, which had fallen to the side. The ground where she had used magic to create a deep depression was gradually returning to its original shape.

She had avoided and approached simultaneously by diving into the ground she had made to collapse before the tentacles struck. Moments later, two heavy thuds sounded from the side of the trail. Two black creatures, their tentacles cut at the base, were writhing in pain. Rio, who had kicked the black creatures off the branches, observed them with a cold gaze.

"I thought they would cover their wounds with wax to stop the bleeding, but it seems the generating organs are inside the tentacles."

Rio and Shiraha surveyed the surroundings, looking for more threats. The adventurers, who had witnessed the entire scene, were stunned.

"She's not just a swordswoman... What is that girl?"

"That monk who cut them down so easily is also scary."

Hearing the voices, Rio pointed to the severed tentacles on the tip of his sword to share information.

"The black wax is secreted from the tips of the tentacles, so the base is not covered in wax. I think the tentacles are not that flexible either. If you're going to cut them, aim for the base."

"Got it. The base."

One of the adventurers, convinced by Rio's report, glanced back. The presence that had been pursuing them had stopped. The forest, shrouded in twilight, was impossible to see through, but the ambush had failed, and they were likely waiting to see what would happen next. When the adventurers drew their swords, the sound of leaves rustling indicated that the presence was retreating.

"They've fled. Being able to judge when to retreat means they have high intelligence. They might be on par with the Terops."

The adventurers, not foolish enough to chase after them, looked silently at Yomban, their nominal client, for instructions. Yomban pointed to the black wax creatures that Rio and Shiraha had killed.

"These are valuable samples. Let's collect the corpses and return to town quickly."