Damn... this complicates everything.
If it had only been the Grade 2 monster, I could have handled it with the right caution. One well-timed strike would have been enough to grab the artifact and slip away. But facing it together with that little army of Grade 1 and even Grade 0 monsters... that was a completely different story.
I carefully peeked again, holding my breath to make no sound, and studied the creature better. It was big—much bigger than I had imagined. Its proportions vaguely resembled those of a man, but the rest... It resembled a giant mutant cockroach, with knobby limbs and a dark shell that reflected the light.
On its back, rows of keratin plates overlapped each other. I silently prayed they didn't hide wings, because if that beast could fly, my day would go from "difficult" to "hopeless" in a heartbeat. Its head, long and narrow like a real insect's, jerked in quick movements, while its serrated mandibles chewed through the carcass of some unlucky creature. The sound they made — crunch, crunch — would have frozen the blood of anyone faint-hearted.
The artifact was on one of the monster's four wrists.
The real question now was: could that thing use the artifact's effects?
If yes, this mission could turn into suicide. A monster already strong, blessed with Minor Healing, was not something you'd ever want to see.
Attacking head-on was out of the question, so it was time to use my brain. Luckily, if there was one thing I excelled at, it was studying my prey until I found the perfect way to bring it down.
****
Day 1
It doesn't move. Since I set up this stakeout, the monster hasn't left the cave even once. I've spent three full hours watching it, and it hasn't shown any sign of coming out. It only eats what's brought to it inside.
The Grade 0 monsters around it are basically... walking food supplies. It ignores them as long as it's being fed; otherwise, it has no problem eating them.
I still haven't seen the artifact glow, so I couldn't confirm whether it could use it or not.
I noticed one thing: after every meal, it curls up against the darkest wall of the cavern, folding its four arms as if protecting the bracelet. Maybe it senses its importance, or maybe that's the second effect of the bracelet, and the reason I need it.
Day 2
The monster still hasn't left its lair, not even to scout around. I don't know if it's just lazy, but I'm starting to suspect the second effect of the artifact is influencing it.
Anyway, I studied its shell more closely. Those plates on its back... yes, I'm pretty sure they are wings. The monster never fully spreads them, but they twitch slightly when it gets irritated. This still doesn't tell me if it can fly, and if it can, I'll have to fight it inside the cave no matter what.
Its feeding pattern is irregular and depends on its minions. After each meal, it becomes more sluggish, making that the perfect moment to strike.
Day 3
Today, for the first time, I saw the artifact pulsing faintly. I don't know if it activated it on purpose or if it's passive, but it confirms the artifact is in use.
Another important detail: when it sleeps (or what looks like sleep), it still has strong senses. One monster made the mistake of coming too close while it was resting, and it instantly lost its head.
****
On the fourth day, I headed back to the dungeon exit.
During these days, I had studied every detail of that monster, along with the behavior of its minions and the layout of the cave, concluding that... I couldn't do it alone.
Even if I managed to lure away part of the guards, a few dozen would remain, and in the time it would take the others to return, I'd have to find a way to steal the artifact from a monster stronger than me, and boosted by healing on top of that.
"Oh? What do we have here? Looks like someone found some interesting loot."
Before I could step out, a pair of rough-looking men blocked my path.
Haah... I'll at least give them a chance.
I kept wondering why some people were so eager to die.
"I'm with the Explorers, so if you'll excuse me."
I tried to walk past them, but one grabbed my shoulder.
"Listen, kid—AAAAHHRG!"
With a sharp sound, I broke the man's arm. He screamed in pain, staring at his limp limb.
"I'll gut you like a pig, bastard!"
The man's friend didn't seem very smart. Even after seeing how easily I'd broken that arm, he still thought he had a chance.
When he got right in front of me, I dodged the strike and drove my blade straight into his heart, twisting hard.
As I pulled out the dagger, blood spurted like a fountain. The man looked shocked for a moment, then collapsed dead.
Then I turned to the other man, now pale, who bolted with all his strength.
I almost laughed at the sight and chased him, closing the gap fast. When I was just a few steps behind, I tackled him to the ground.
"W-Wait, let me explain!"
I ignored every word as he squirmed beneath me, and I began stabbing his back mercilessly.
One, two, three... I lost count of how many times I stabbed, even when a pool of blood had already formed under him.
I pulled out the dagger, wiped it on his clothes, and turned to the crowd watching in horror.
"Got a problem?" I taunted with a grin, and everyone quickly looked away.
At least for a while, no one would bother me.
Crossing the dungeon exit, I returned to the chaos of the stronghold.
Just like before, I ignored everyone and headed to the citadel to recruit some bait-companions to face that monster.
The citadel area hadn't changed, as if untouched by the surge, probably thanks to those walls.
I kept moving until I reached the entrance to the Explorers' base. Adjusting my expression slightly, I went inside as Leda.
"For all the sea monsters! It's Leda!"
"Damn! I lost that bet!"
"Pay me back, bastard! Hahaha Leda! I knew you were my lucky star!"
I gave them a small wave.
"For everyone who bet on my death, I wish you a big, fat screw-you! For the rest, at least buy me a drink, huh?!"
"HAHAHAH!"
After exchanging a few words with some members, who were wondering where I'd been, I went to the mission board where Grade 1s traded favors or posted jobs.
I immediately spotted my main target, Dorian. Broad shoulders, tight jaw, ambitious eyes to the core, but most importantly, a Grade 1 at the peak.
"Is this seat free?"
"Depends on if you're buying me a drink."
"What if it's something much better than stale beer?"
He looked up, curiosity piqued, then smiled with interest.
"I hope you're not wasting my time, Leda, but you don't seem stupid enough to do that."
I smiled back and sat down, sipping beer discreetly so others wouldn't pay attention. If my plan worked, I didn't want anyone knowing about the people I'd chosen.
"I found something that could let you take a general's place."
His gaze instantly sharpened.
For someone as ambitious as Dorian, the only reason he hadn't tried to advance was that he valued his life. The moment he reached Grade 2, one of the two generals would challenge him, and since they were already at mid-stage, fighting them would mean his death.
"Kid, don't think that just because I like you, I wouldn't kill you."
I shrank back, pretending to be frightened by the threat.
"I-I'm not trying to mock you..." I made sure he saw how paranoid I looked around, then covered my mouth and whispered, "I found a Grade 2 artifact."
Dorian's eyes widened, and I smiled inwardly.
"...How do you know it's Grade 2?" he asked suspiciously.
"A pirate faction group found it, and their leader bragged to the others, saying it was Grade 2." I told him the story I'd made up.
"If they really found such an artifact, they'd already be back." Dorian snorted.
"And that was the plan, until they found out the cave was home to a new Grade 2 monster. They didn't make it out, and the artifact stayed there."
"A Grade 2 monster? No way." Dorian waved his hand, uninterested.
Gods, how can someone be such a pussy?
Well, technically, I was using him, but that wasn't the point. The longer this took, the greater the risk someone else would find that monster and the artifact.
"If that's the problem, the monster doesn't seem strong. It resembles an insect-humanoid and is extremely lazy, never leaving its lair. Think about it, prey doesn't get easier than that."
"I'm not sure..."
"Look at it this way. If you give that artifact to the boss, you can ask for anything, even to have him kill one of the generals so you can take his place."
I decided to play on his ego, and it worked like a charm.
"Let me think for a couple of days."
Time to go all in.
"I'd love to, Dorian, but that's impossible." I scratched the table's surface nervously. "Someone saw me leaving the cave area with these two artifacts I found, and now they're searching it too. In less than twenty-four hours, they'll definitely find it, and the artifact."
Now I just had to chip away at his pride.
"If you're not up for it, that's fine, I get it. In that case, Isra and Verek owe me a favor, and I'm sure they'd accept."
"You really gonna ask those two clowns?" he said with disdain. "Forget them, if I'm in, the mission's already done."
It was so satisfying when people behaved exactly how you wanted them to.