(Monster Eater)
(Episode 6: Party Formation)
The scenery is quite nice.
This area must be the Barona trout fishery the inn owner mentioned.
Great! I'm drinking more.
Landlord, one beer please.
LOCAL SPECIALTY: SALT-GRILLED BARONA TROUT And two orders of this salt-grilled Barona trout.
Sorry, miss elf.
That dish is sold out.
I was really looking forward to this local specialty.
LOCAL SPECIALTY: SALT-GRILLED BARONA TROUT I heard monsters have taken over the Barona trout fishery.
I've requested help from the guild,
but senior adventurers are all too busy to take it.
I assume you two are adventurers?
Could you take this as a designated request
and subjugate the monsters?
Let's defeat the monsters and go back for that specialty.
Okay.
There they are.
These must be the monsters he talked about.
We just need to defeat all of these...
Rudd...
You've got to be kidding.
The attacks keep coming nonstop.
It's hard to keep dodging them on a rocking boat.
In that case...
Rudd?
Come at me, you stinky fish!
Skill:
Chain Lightning.
Rudd!
Are you okay?
What was that shock?
I'm fine. That was my skill.
I thought I'd got rid of them,
but some must've dived deeper.
That group of Gelneif in the deep water.
They're not attacking out of caution...
Or are they guarding something?
I'll dive to check it out.
Understood. Be careful.
Also... I need your help with something.
They didn't attack me or flee.
So they really are guarding something.
That's...
A giant sea anemone.
Wait, is it a hermit crab?
Its tentacles are spawning fish?
That's ridiculous.
Is that thing producing the Gelneif?
If we don't eliminate the source,
killing Gelneif is pointless.
Since they're not attacking me now,
I'll head back to prepare.
Oh no!
They didn't attack
to distract me from its tentacles approaching?
Darn it, if you want to get serious,
I'll play along.
Skill: Chain Lightning.
How is that?
Even with that huge body, taking the hit head-on should...
It severed its tentacles when electrocuted
to avoid a fatal blow.
I'm running out of air.
Elysia, I need you.
Cylphiid.
Rudd, are you okay?
Thank you. You saved me.
There's a boss at the lakebed constantly spawning Gelneif.
I hurt it but couldn't finish it off.
I must return before it recovers.
But fighting underwater gives monsters the advantage.
My magic can't reach them deep down.
You got any ideas?
I have a tentative plan.
It's time to make up my mind.
Elysia told me about her curse
and trusted me enough to invite me to team up with her.
It'd be unfair if I kept hiding my secret.
Please don't tell anyone what you're about to see.
Skill:
Rapid Swim.
Farewell.
Chain Lightning.
This should restore peace to the fishery.
The request is completed.
Now... it's about Elysia.
She saw me devouring the monster.
What would she be thinking?
What will she say when I return?
Why did I assume she'd wait for me?
A person who eats monsters...
You took a long time.
Looks like you're unhurt.
Did you defeat the boss?
Yeah...
Good. The waiting got me anxious.
So I gathered branches to start a fire.
Your clothes need drying, right?
You don't mind that?
You don't mind after knowing what I did?
I'm surprised, of course.
But you trusted me enough to reveal your secret.
I feel more happy than shocked.
I see. Thank you.
By the way,
I wanted to acquire the boss's skill,
so I cut off a part of its body and brought it back.
It'll feel awkward being the only one eating.
Is that...
I just caught some Barona trout.
You might find it off-putting with me eating monsters...
I'll have it!
Let's talk while we eat. I'll tell you about my first time eating a monster.
It's delicious!
No wonder this fish is a local specialty.
The marbling is perfect. Just amazing.
Great.
I made the right call bringing them back.
Aren't you having the Barona trout?
No, this is enough for me.
I already had quite a bit.
After cooking,
monsters actually look pretty appetizing.
Right?
Monsters are surprisingly tasty.
Though I don't need to eat Gelneif anymore,
I'd still like to properly cook and taste it.
Want to try some?
I'm not confident I'd come out unscathed.
Better not risk it.
You said your first monster meal was in the Aberio Maze.
That happened due to your unique skill and circumstances,
and your fierce will to survive.
It's only possible under those specific conditions.
I can't casually attempt that now.
Honestly,
I only ate it back then because I was starving.
But thanks to that,
as E-rank nobody, I could finally make progress.
I'm grateful for my good fortune.
Good fortune is essential for any great adventurer.
Stop putting yourself down.
You're right. Thanks.
Let me ask you properly this time.
Will you form a party with me?
With your connections, surely there are stronger candidates?
Even with my recent level-up, I'm still Rank E.
Wouldn't I drag you down?
It's been five years since I had my curse.
For me, it felt like moments,
but that's quite some time for humans.
Many adventurers from my time have retired.
Frontline fighters usually have their quirks.
And established parties have deep-rooted trust.
You know how dangerous unreliable companions are.
You're absolutely right.
My goal now is conquering the Abyss Maze.
It'll be perilous,
and likely a long journey.
Even so...
No, that's precisely why I need someone dependable,
someone I can trust with my life.
With you, I will feel safe.
Does that answer satisfy you?
I understand.
Party formed.