(Monster Eater)
(Episode 3: Crimson Blade)
Crimson Blade,
thank you for reporting this immediately.
Based on your report,
all adventurers entering the new maze yesterday have returned.
However, it seems Rudd, who was with you, did not survive.
Yes.
The moment we encountered the Minotaur on the fourth floor,
he was killed before we could protect him.
If only we had noticed sooner...
I understand.
We will temporarily prohibit anyone from entering that maze.
An investigation team will be dispatched later to reassess the required rank for exploration.
Crimson Blade, we will need to ask you for more details later.
Please come to the reception room upstairs.
Miasma Scavenger?
Isn't he dead?
Rudd, you're still alive?
Say one more word and I'll kill you.
Are you okay? Are you hurt?
Sorry.
We wanted to go back for you,
but the maze was sealed off immediately.
Anyway, let's celebrate your survival first.
It's not very convenient here. Let's go somewhere else...
He won't budge.
I was used as a decoy and abandoned by them.
R...Rudd, what are you saying?
Can you elaborate on this "decoy" situation?
When the Minotaur appeared,
they abandoned me without hesitation.
Bayer took my luggage and stabbed me in the back.
Rick used a skill to direct the Minotaur to attack me.
Then Sasha used Haste on themselves.
The three of them escaped together.
We did no such thing!
He just barely survived and he must be confused.
Isn't that right, Rudd?
We're not lying.
I see.
Then let's uncover the truth.
Verifier.
Verifier?
Why would a Verifier who rarely leaves the capital come to a remote guild like this?
Because the mortality rate of temporary porters in your party is suspiciously high.
When I heard your report yesterday, something felt off.
So I called in a favor to bring a Verifier here.
I just didn't expect things to escalate like this.
So, Verifier,
regarding the claims of Crimson Blade and Rudd,
which side is telling the truth?
By the power I possess, I declare
that all members of Crimson Blade are lying,
Rudd's account is the truth.
I...I'm not lying!
What does she know?
The "Verification" skill
is not something one can acquire later.
From the moment the skill is confirmed,
the holder is placed under state surveillance
and vows to dedicate their power to the nation.
If we can't trust such a person,
who else can we trust?
Adventurer Rule, Article 1:
"Do not abandon your companions."
You've reached Rank D,
so don't pretend you're unaware of this rule.
Moreover, you intentionally harmed your companion and used him as a decoy.
Even without other possible crimes to be investigated later,
your revocation of adventurer status and enslavement are guaranteed.
No!
This...this can't be real!
To think I'd become a slave...
If only...
If only she weren't here!
How dare you attack a Verifier?
Rudd!
You can't do that.
You must be tired. Sorry for the trouble.
You can relax here.
No, I'm fine.
I see.
Regarding this incident,
there are a few things I'd like to confirm with you.
But let's set that aside for now.
What will happen to them?
The three have been escorted away by staff.
They will be interrogated.
If it's confirmed they habitually used porters as bait,
and if any other crimes are uncovered,
members of Crimson Blade will have all assets confiscated and adventurer status revoked
and be reduced to slavery.
However...
Bayer's case is different. He attempted to attack the Verifier.
That alone is a capital offense.
You probably won't see him again.
Anyway...
The proceeds they gained in the new maze now have no owner.
Consider it compensation, and what you deserve.
There's about 200,000 Regin.
Take it.
That should cover living expenses for a while.
Even though it was meant for three people,
to get this much in a single day...
I wonder how long it would take me to save this much just by picking miasma grass.
Adventurers sure make good money.
Probably because they saw what happened earlier,
no one is picking a fight with me.
But they haven't exactly become friendlier either.
If I keep drawing attention like this,
sooner or later, someone will question my sudden increase in power.
Besides, the new maze is still sealed off.
I'll probably have to go back to Miasma Maze to make money there.
Ah, no point dwelling on that.
I've got this money now.
So first, I'll upgrade my gear,
and then go treat myself to a good meal.
TOOL HOUSE
Magic Bag.
I took them down so easily.
If I ran into five of them a few days ago, I'd have had to run away.
Skill...
Appraisal.
MIASMA RAT, RACE: BEAST, STATE: DECEASED
STATUS, HEALTH: 24, MAGIC POWER: 5
STRENGTH: 16, MENTALITY: 3, WILL: 12, AGILITY: 27
SKILL: MIASMA
I was surprised before that monsters had skills like this.
It's a handy skill, usable even on corpses.
By the way,
just how much have my status improved?
Before, I was struggling to survive,
and things were hectic after getting back to the city,
so I never had time to check.
Open Status.
Level 42?
But just the day before yesterday, I was only level 7.
Oh,
I should check my newly acquired skills while I'm at it.
Open Skill.
There are so many!
Now that I've gotten so strong,
I really want to test my current strength.
The Aberio Maze is still sealed off for now,
so adventurers who were going there have returned to the nearby mazes.
I only planned to explore the Miasma Maze a bit,
but why not see how deep I can go now?
Also, it's my first time using
the things I put in my Magic Bag.
I need a decent monster to test them on.
These are too weak. I need to go deeper
until I find a monster suitable for testing.
That one is...
Appraisal.
SOLDIER LIZARD, RACE: DRAGONKIN, STATE: NORMAL, STATUS
Soldier Lizard.
They're supposed to fight cooperatively in groups,
but there's only one here?
Testing on a lizard might be just right.
Not bad.
But I won't miss with my next strike...
It ran away!
Stop there!
Dead end.
Nowhere left to run now.
Darn it.
This is
a trap?