Chapter 106

Chapter 106
## Chapter 106

Rolling in the Pumpkin (1)

“…So, what do we do now?”

“Hmm…”

Harley and his companions remained concealed within the subterranean hollow, keeping their perceptions sharp as they felt the vibrations radiating from overhead.

“That is without a doubt a horrifying entity. We would have been in serious trouble had our arrival been delayed by even a moment.”

Knight Robin murmured with a grim expression, analyzing the oppressive pressure radiating from the beast.

Had they lacked the protective ward that concealed every trace of their presence within, they would not be in a position to calmly monitor the circumstances.

“Ugh— I can’t even employ it frequently due to its restricted durability. This venture has turned into a massive deficit! Still, I suppose it beats losing my life.”

Zaonic grumbled incessantly as he diligently labored to widen their underground refuge.

An artifact capable of generating a concealment field to deceive the sharp senses of that monster on short notice was an exceedingly scarce item.

Nevertheless, it was precisely due to this tool that he had managed to survive in this place until now, and because it had kept the group safe from immediate doom just now, it had already proven its worth.

“…It possesses immense weight. Furthermore, it moves on two limbs. It bears a resemblance to an Ogre, though I cannot be certain since its scale feels far grander.”

“At this very moment, it is… consuming the remains up there, correct? It stands to reason, as it could never sustain a physique of that magnitude on a standard diet.”

“We have essentially laid out a banquet for the creature. It is fortunate that Mr. Zaonic acted swiftly to inter Bordo.”

The guide alongside the Rangers focused on the muffled sounds drifting from above, attempting to deduce the nature of the entity.

Though they had successfully evaded a confrontation for the moment, deciphering the exact nature of their adversary remained paramount.

And Harley…

‘That tool…’

The monstrosity prowling unhindered above had completely slipped his mind.

His eyes were wide and gleaming as he locked his gaze onto the extraordinary pickaxe gripped by Zaonic, who was noiselessly carving out the subterranean earth.

When the group had initially crossed paths with the Dwarf Zaonic, Harley had listened intently to the specific methods the craftsman used to endure such a perilous environment.

It matched their current strategy: rapidly boring into the earth and deploying a protective barrier.

And throughout that tale, the instrument that had proven indispensable alongside the defensive artifact was that very pickaxe.

‘I merely considered it impressive at the time.’

Yet the moment Zaonic retrieved the pickaxe from his dimensional storage, the realization struck him instantly.

That particular implement, saturated with the very spirit and dedication of Dwarf Zaonic Steelstone, served as the flawless vessel for “Customization”!

‘I was under the impression that only items of immense symbolism, like a branch from the World Tree, would suffice, but it appears a personal possession of this nature is equally viable… In that case, a shift in strategy is required.’

His initial intent had been to conceal the rest of the group within this secure subterranean pocket while he ascended to confront the beast overhead by himself…

However, his objectives had shifted.

‘I must claim that object.’

When would a flawless prospect like this present itself again?

This was an acquisition he needed to secure while the circumstances permitted.

Regrettably, his covetous stare was far too pronounced, prompting Zaonic—who was turning the earth with rhythmic swings of his tool—to shift his gaze and connect with his eyes.

“…Is there something you wish to utter?”

“Ah— I was simply admiring what a magnificent pickaxe that is. I hold some competence in excavation myself, but to hollow out a cavern of this depth in mere moments… It is truly remarkable!”

Harley’s earnest praise appeared to diminish the suspicion in Zaonic’s expression.

It was only natural for a creator to feel a sense of gratification when their handiwork received such adulation.

“Ho ho, you possess an observant eye! You bear the appearance of a combatant, yet you appreciate a tool rather than a conventional weapon!”

He had anticipated as much… though the matter extended far beyond that.

“The multitude may marvel at ostentatious weaponry, but I maintain that an artisan requires supreme implements to manifest their true capability. For that reason, every hammer and anvil within my forge is shaped with utmost precision. I brought only ‘Elinne’ along on this journey, however…”

Harley’s words of admiration seemed to have unlocked a reservoir of enthusiasm within him, prompting a passionate discourse regarding the pickaxe named ‘Elinne’.

An implement that had transitioned into a magical artifact after integrating an assortment of precious, scarce ores, enduring consecutive days and nights of forging, and ultimately receiving the traditional Dwarven mystery, the ‘Artisan’s Soul’.

This particular tool, saturated with terrestrial essence, could slice through the densest terrain as though it were soft curd, and…

It came integrated with diverse utility enhancements for the wielder, such as accelerated operational pace, dampened vibrations and acoustics, and endurance reinforcement.

It was nothing short of a legendary weapon among excavation tools.

“I personally extract every piece of raw iron utilized in my supreme creations! The caliber of the mineral is heavily influenced by the manner of its extraction, allowing it to better absorb the vitality of the smith…”

Zaonic proceeded to extol the virtues of Elinne with the fervor one might display for a cherished companion, before transitioning into the narrative of its forging.

He recounted his decision to establish himself within Aonia County to fully exploit the rare minerals hidden within the Northern Mountains, and the subsequent necessity for a specialized implement to mine safely amid such hazards.

“Its creation dates back to the era of the preceding governor, meaning we have labored side by side for greater than two decades! We have traversed these peaks and survived unnumbered perils in tandem. This marks our first encounter with an entity of this scale, yet…”

Despite the danger, he tightened his hold on the shaft with absolute assurance, proclaiming that he and Elinne would navigate this hardship together.

‘Understood… so that is the background.’

That implement was not merely a product of technical expertise.

It was an object that had accompanied him across a vast span of time, gathering significant history since its inception—a testament to Zaonic’s twenty-year journey.

Harley silently absorbed the enthusiastic narrative, tracking the smith’s adoring gaze toward Elinne.

Yet in stark contrast to Zaonic’s devotion, Harley’s own expression harbored a much darker intent…

Gulp—

‘Ah, my throat remains entirely parched.’

A burly titan adorned with body-spanning markings, wetting his lips with a predatory expression, was a display capable of drawing immediate suspicion for illicit intent. Fortunately, the others were entirely preoccupied with their own anxieties, leaving his behavior unnoticed.

While the companions remained still, conserving their respiration amid the high anxiety,

“Huh?”

“The creature…”

A shift manifested in the behavior of the beast roaming outside.

Having apparently sated its appetite, it lowered its massive form onto the terrain directly above.

“What is our course of action? Since it has lowered its guard, should we launch a coordinated assault?”

“Could we perhaps excavate a path forward and slip away?”

Neither path offered a viable solution.

The protective field remained tied to this specific location, and the instant they stepped beyond its boundaries, the entity would detect their movements and strike.

“It cannot remain stationed there indefinitely. We can simply bide our time until it departs.”

“Are you blind to the sheer volume of beast remains scattered above us? What do you imagine prompted it to settle in this specific spot?”

Naturally, taking the monster’s sheer proportions into account, that quantity of sustenance would not sustain it for an extended duration.

Yet time was a luxury they lacked.

“The more we delay, the greater the likelihood that we draw the attention of even more formidable predators.”

Remaining stationary would not inherently resolve their predicament.

If anything, the circumstances were more prone to deteriorate.

However, while the rest of the party wrestled with the dilemma, Harley’s focus was fixed elsewhere.

‘This marks my opening!’

He stood as the sole individual capable of resolving this crisis.

The group might devise a functional strategy given enough deliberation, but time did not permit that currently.

Which signified…

“Ahem! I have conceived an effective approach.”

He could manipulate the path of events toward his intended goal.

“The issue lies in the fact that the entity overhead has chosen this spot to rest. If we manage to draw its attention elsewhere, our dilemma evaporates, does it not?”

“That would be an ideal outcome, but by what means?”

“I shall venture out and handle the distraction.”

Harley stepped to the forefront with absolute assurance, an unwavering grin etched across his features.

“I will agitate the beast and guide it away from this position, moving in the precise opposite path of our intended route, before concealing myself. Straightforward!”

“…You intend to undertake this personally? The tracking capabilities of that entity appeared immense; are you certain you can successfully evade its pursuit?”

Having previously observed his remarkable capabilities, the companions offered their assent without raising any objections.

“Harley is undoubtedly capable of executing this.”

“Yet is this truly appropriate? Would it not be wiser for the entire group to engage together?”

As the party debated whether it was just to displace the entirety of the hazard onto a single individual,

Harley pressed on with his explanation.

“Ahem, in candor, even I cannot guarantee a flawless escape from its pursuit unaided. Consequently, I require a minor concession…”

His eyes drifted intentionally toward Zaonic.

More precisely, his gaze locked onto the pickaxe ‘Elinne’ held in the Dwarf’s hands.

Gulp—

He quietly cleared his throat, addressing Zaonic with utmost courtesy while veiling his underlying greed.

“Zaonic, the excavation capability of that magnificent tool you forged would prove monumental in ensuring the secure execution of this endeavor!”

“Uh… uh?! You intend to wield Elinne…?”

With every eye in the hollow shifting toward him, Zaonic instinctively pulled the implement tightly against his chest as an alarm sounded in his mind.

His reluctance to part with the item was unmistakable, prompting Harley to press his argument with greater fervor.

He maintained that the tool’s assistance would guarantee his survival during the task, which in turn meant the entire party could successfully navigate their way out of the mountain range.

‘Therefore, yield it to me!’

Confronted by a gaze burning with such absolute intent, Zaonic began to perspire, shifting his vision away.

“It… it will not accommodate your stature.”

It was a valid point; the Dwarf’s crown barely aligned with Harley’s midsection, meaning an implement balanced for his proportions would resemble little more than a plaything in Harley’s massive grip.

Yet Harley dismissed the objection with a resolute shake of his head.

“Far from it! The most formidable excavation tool on the land, Elinne, can easily transcend such an insignificant hurdle. Do you not agree?”

“Well, naturally! B-but…”

Deep down, Zaonic recognized the absence of alternative choices.

The man was offering to expose himself to mortal peril and claimed the item was vital for his preservation; denying the request was simply impossible.

An implement remained an implement, regardless of its exceptional worth.

Though he had poured his entire being into its creation and maintained it with immaculate care, a tool was fundamentally an asset meant to be utilized.

‘No, that is a false thought! My apologies, Elinne… I never intended to diminish your worth. You are irreplaceable to me.’

Lost momentarily in his inner turmoil, Zaonic eventually closed his eyes tightly, handing over the pickaxe with visibly trembling fingers.

“I… should it sustain harm, it matters not. Merely ensure its return, and I shall forge an even greater implement of combat for you once we return.”

“Hmm! I shall exert every effort. However, given the unpredictable nature of what lies ahead, I can make no absolute guarantees!”

He was setting out toward an environment that could easily become a graveyard, after all…

It was only to be expected that the tool might be ruined or misplaced in the midst of a struggle.

“…No, those words should not have escaped my lips. Regardless of an implement’s value, your survival carries far greater weight. Should the situation grow dire, do not overextend yourself and simply cast it aside… it is… it is fine… Sob!”

The moment Harley grasped the handle, Zaonic held fast to the metal with an expression of profound misery, incapable of breaking contact.

He appeared to perceive it through pure intuition.

That this encounter marked their final moment together, with nothing but a permanent separation looming on the horizon.

Harley maintained his composure initially, but as the moments stretched on, he reinforced his hold on the shaft and began a deliberate upward pull.

Zaonic remained suspended in the air, shifting back and forth like a pendulum weight.

Thud—

Yet such a display could not persist indefinitely, and Zaonic ultimately relinquished his hold, dropping back down to the stone floor.

The look of unmitigated heartbreak he directed at the tool now resting in Harley’s possession mirrored the despair of losing a lifetime companion, inducing a sense of awkwardness in Harley.

‘Indeed, I am unmistakably the antagonist in this scenario. I harbor absolutely no intention of relinquishing this item.’

He experienced a brief prick of remorse at the sight of Zaonic’s pathetic state, yet he resolutely pushed the feeling aside and secured the implement to his belt.

‘My apologies, but I am ultimately preserving your existence, am I not? Every one of you would have perished without my intervention, so consider accounts settled.’

The sight of Zaonic’s absolute desolation threatened to rouse his latent instabilities, but on this occasion, he fought hard to keep them suppressed.

‘I cannot bring myself to draw pleasure from the implement or mock him while he remains completely broken!’

The unstable impulses fed by the ‘Seed of Madness’ attempted to seize control of his actions, yet he refused to step past that boundary.

Should he commit an act that shattered his current reputation, his carefully constructed heroic persona would crumble entirely.

Such behavior could wait until he found himself in isolation.

Regardless, that matter was secondary at present.

The crucial detail was that the sequence of recent occurrences had permitted him to amass a sufficient quantity of Karma points to fashion a completely new manifestation, and…

‘This is magnificent. What title should I bestow upon this form?’

The prize was finally within his grasp.

Elinne… was not the target.

A Dwarf.