WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Mordor
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Mistaken as the Dungeon Boss Monster ◈
Chapter 19: The Rowdy Golden Kids
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[The target has exceptional potential and a body suited to Evolution! The chance has exceeded 50%, so second-stage Evolution will begin with a 75% chance!]
I had expected a second-stage Evolution, since this guy would one day become an Abyssal Palace boss. I hadn't expected the success rate to increase too.
After completing the Evolution without issue, Balutak's body returned to normal, and two new special features appeared that hadn't existed before.
First, their forelegs had sharpened into blades like a mantis's. Wings resembling those of a dragonfly had also sprouted from their back.
[Lv. 70]
Their level had jumped straight from the thirties to 70.
Undead Balm Monk had been a similar case, but while Balm Monk had reached his limit through Evolution, Balutak's potential was boundless.
There were many ways for a living creature to grow stronger: natural growth, training, equipment, and so on.
Evolution was different.
It didn't just send combat ability soaring in an instant. It brought physical changes as it pursued the completion of a species.
That was why Evolution was a transformation a creature could only undergo once.
The same applied to the Evolution skill.
Even I couldn't evolve a creature I had already evolved again, except in unusual cases like a second-stage Evolution.
'The same goes for Insects.'
In a game, people might think an Evolutionist controlling Insects as familiars would be absurdly overpowered.
Naturally, there was no such easy shortcut.
As far as the Evolution skill went, Insects could only undergo Evolution once.
Which meant the Evolution skill I had just used was the first and last one I could use on Balutak.
Even so, I wanted to recruit them because Balutak's own potential for Evolution was limitless.
Insects started off exceptionally weak, but their growth through Evolution never stopped.
'Balutak is the Insect King standing at the pinnacle of those Insects.'
If Balutak became an ally, they would grow endlessly stronger as long as I gave them an environment where they could evolve and enough nutrition.
My dungeon had more than enough resources for that.
In the long term, Balutak would have combat power on par with an Abyssal Palace boss.
“Balutak evolved. Even twice. Strange?”
Balutak tilted their head as they examined their dramatically changed body.
Even for an Insect, a second-stage Evolution must have been a first.
“Balutak evolved. Skeleton did it? Thank you. Balutak lived because of you.”
So they knew without me having to say anything.
I nodded.
“But it's impossible. Evolution is something you do yourself. Others can't do it for you. But Skeleton evolved Balutak.”
“They've evolved so much that I can barely recognize them as the same Insect.”
Charlotte had come over at some point.
Balutak looked at Charlotte and tilted their head from side to side.
“Kirik, human? Human?”
“Kneel and lower your head.”
After spending time with Charlotte, I could tell what lay behind that expressionless face.
Contempt. Disgust.
I moved Charlotte behind me in case leaving them alone led to a fight.
“Your name is Balutak, right? I've taken an interest in you.”
“Balutak too. Balutak is interested in Skeleton. Skeleton evolved Balutak.”
“Do you wish to evolve even further? Then submit to me willingly.”
I couldn't evolve them anymore, but a lie like this was fine if it helped lure them in.
At this point, I thought their obsession with Evolution might make them follow me.
“Can't do that. Balutak only submits to the strong. Balutak doesn't listen to those weaker than Balutak. But Balutak doesn't know if Skeleton is stronger.”
“Do you want to die?”
Charlotte answered for me.
“This person is a boss of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss. A lowly creature like you is beneath even a bug.”
“Balutak knows Seven Palaces of the Abyss. Balutak heard they're strong. But Balutak evolved. Balutak got stronger. Balutak beats even Seven Palaces of the Abyss.”
“...You fucking bug. I'll fry you alive.”
I had been listening quietly, but that caught me off guard.
Did she just swear?
“Humans are weak. But human provoked Balutak. Balutak kills human.”
“Balutak. This human is my adjutant.”
“Adjutant? What's that?”
“She’s my subordinate. I'll make you an offer. You said you only submit to and follow the strong. If you defeat my subordinate, I'll enter your service. But if you lose, submit and enter mine.”
“Kirik, Balutak doesn't understand. If Balutak loses to human, Balutak submits to human. Balutak has to lose to Skeleton to submit to Skeleton.”
“You aren't worthy of facing me. If you want to fight me, beat her first and come back.”
Yeah, you fucking suck at games. You aren't on my level. If you want to fight me, beat her first and come back.
I never expected to use that bluff from my school days like this.
It would be a disaster if Charlotte lost, but that wouldn't happen.
[Lv. 72]
[Lv. 70]
Charlotte was going to win anyway.
You think a two-level difference was manageable?
In the game, the high-level threshold began at level 70. Since they were high level, even a one-level gap was enormous.
Charlotte might not be able to toy with them, but if she got even a little serious, she would win easily.
“Kirik. Fine. Balutak eats human. Skeleton has shown Balutak kindness. But Skeleton is a boss of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss. Balutak won't eat Skeleton. Balutak only fights to see who's stronger.”
* * *
Ten minutes.
That was how long Charlotte and Balutak fought.
To be more accurate, that was how long Balutak endured.
Charlotte attacked relentlessly like a mad Witch, while Balutak was too busy running away.
Even then, she had gone easy on them. She hadn't used fire magic or large-scale magic because she didn't want to burn down the entire forest.
“Kirik....”
Balutak was sprawled out on their back.
After Charlotte thoroughly thrashed them, they could only stare emptily at the sky.
'No wonder they're mentally broken.'
They had gained confidence after a second-stage Evolution, only to get utterly destroyed by an unarmed human.
Balutak didn't even know what magic was. They were probably wondering, 'Were humans always such absurd creatures?'
I quietly asked Charlotte, “What do you think?”
“They're certainly useful. As an Insect, they have plenty of chances to become stronger than they are now. Their intelligence is also quite high, considering they adapted to my magic during the fight.”
Charlotte paused and let out a deep sigh.
“Their lack of manners is the problem. They're only temporarily discouraged right now. They're an Insect with an extremely strong competitive spirit. Even if we force them into submission, they will try to rise against us again as they grow stronger.”
“When that happens, can you suppress them as you did today?”
“...I apologize, but my limits are clear. That Insect will surpass me before long.”
That wasn't a guess. She was certain. If Charlotte lacked confidence, that said it all.
It wasn't strange, and I had expected it.
Charlotte was originally a Keeper in charge of one layer of the second-ranked Tenfold Abyss.
Though ranked sixth, Balutak was destined to become an Abyssal Palace boss.
“If that time comes, Boss....”
Perhaps she felt too sorry to say it aloud, because she couldn't even meet my eyes.
It was late to say this after setting everything in motion, but Balutak was a double-edged sword.
The more they evolved, the more dangerous a weapon they could become, one that could turn against me.
“Don't worry.”
“I'm ashamed.”
Like hell I was going to step in myself.
I just had to make sure Charlotte could deal with them before it ever came to that.
How?
For now, the solution was to focus on Charlotte's growth rather than Balutak's Evolution.
'As it happens, I know the materials for Charlotte's Awakening.'
Charlotte's first phase was Charlotte, Witch of Dust.
Her second phase was Charlotte, Prophet of the Necronomicon.
The reason Charlotte was so insanely difficult was that the moment she entered her second phase, her level suddenly shot up to 90.
She would be nearly as strong as an Abyssal Palace boss, and among Keepers, she would be the best Keeper in any Abyssal Palace.
Honestly, I had flinched when Kalandas brought up the Necronomicon before.
The Necronomicon would be the icing on the cake for Charlotte.
'Though things have already gone sour with Kalandas.'
It was true that Kalandas possessed the Necronomicon.
That didn't mean he had complete authority over it.
Rank 6, Valentia Rose Sha.
She possessed the Necronomicon too. Thinking about it now, that might be why the two of them didn't get along.
What if I got Rose Sha to like me?
Or maybe she would hand it over if I said I wanted to join her faction. Of course, that was a last resort.
'Even then, Charlotte's advantage would only be temporary.'
The balance of power couldn't last forever.
At most, it would delay things. Balutak would surpass Charlotte someday.
I had already thought of a Plan B to prevent that.
During that time, I would thoroughly win Balutak over and cultivate blind loyalty in them.
There were plenty of methods. I could act like an untouchable powerhouse by showing off as an Abyssal Palace boss, or build loyalty like that between a lord and vassal.
The point was to reshape Balutak's mindset so they couldn't challenge my authority.
“Kirik. Human is strong....”
They might be a troublesome bastard, but their combat power was solid. I needed to buy while they were at their lowest.
Since I had been mistaken for a boss of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss, recruiting Balutak was urgent.
“First, establish the hierarchy. Make sure they can't bare their fangs carelessly.”
“I will carry out your order.”
I approached the fallen Balutak and held out my hand.
Balutak stared blankly at it, then seemed to realize my intention and took my hand to stand up.
“Do you accept the result?”
“Balutak accepts it. Balutak lost to human. Human was very strong. How strong is Skeleton, then?”
“It's impossible to measure. The Boss is surely so strong that the likes of me cannot even be considered an opponent.”
Charlotte spoke at just the right moment, and Balutak let out a startled kirik.
It was pretty embarrassing for me, but since she said it herself, they had no choice but to believe her.
“Balutak has never seen a strong person like human. Human defeated evolved Balutak. But Skeleton is much stronger than human.”
“So, my offer?”
“Balutak lost completely. The weak submit to the strong. Balutak will submit to Skeleton.”
“The proper form of address is ‘Boss,’ not ‘Skeleton.’”
“Kirik. Boss is the leader of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss. Balutak follows Boss.”
“We are leaving this forest at once. If there is anything you still need to do here, finish it without regret and come back.”
I worried they would say they couldn't suddenly leave the home where they had lived since birth.
If Charlotte dragged them away by force, it would go against my plan to instill loyalty in them.
I hoped they would follow willingly, but Balutak looked hesitant.
Afraid all my efforts would come to nothing, I hurriedly added, “I saved you when you were dying and gave you Evolution. I'm also incomparably stronger than you. Even so, will you defy my order?”
“Balutak knows all that. But Balutak can't leave forest.”
I saved your life! I evolved you! I did everything for you! So what's the problem?
“Balutak has weak ones under them. What happens to weak ones?”
“The weak ones?”
“The strong rule the weak. And take responsibility for them.”
Were they talking about the other Insects?
It was regrettable, but I couldn't take them all.
Balutak alone was enough of a double-edged sword. I couldn't also accept the risk of making an enemy of Rank 14.
“How many are there?”
“Kirik. Twelve. There are twelve.”
Twelve out of several hundred sounded negotiable. If not, should I just buy them like slaves with money?
Standing around and thinking wouldn't solve anything.
“I'll take care of it.”
With Charlotte and Balutak at my sides, I headed for Lionheart.
Bang!
The moment I opened the door, Lionheart greeted me with an expression like they had seen a ghost.
“I-I greet Your Exalted Presence.”
“I will take twelve Insects. I will pay the price. Will ten million Cell suffice?”
“...Pardon?”
“I asked whether ten million Cell would suffice.”
“Yes, y-yes. Of course.”
I had unexpectedly acquired twelve Insects, but beyond earning Balutak's goodwill, they could be put to good use.
Our dungeon was shaped like a labyrinth. Insects were as well-suited to digging tunnels as Kobolds.
“Balutak is surprised. Beastfolk King can't even do anything. Great Chieftain is strong.”
“Not Great Chieftain. Boss.”
“Boss is strong. Balutak is loyal to Great Chieftain.”
“...This is driving me crazy.”
Balutak kept chirping happily as they went looking for their subordinates.
When Balutak found them, every one of the subordinates reacted with surprise at Balutak's changed appearance.
“Kirik! Balutak. Our chieftain changed!”
“Chieftain evolved. Chieftain became stronger. We must still follow Chieftain.”
“That's right. Balutak is an evolved chieftain. But there is a strong one who defeated Balutak. Balutak follows them.”
Led by Balutak, thirteen Insects, including them, stood before me.
The subordinate Insects all tilted their heads as they looked at me.
Balutak stepped forward.
“Balutak is your chieftain. But this Skeleton is stronger than Balutak. Balutak submitted to Skeleton. So Skeleton is our Great Chieftain. With Great Chieftain, we aren't slaves.”
“Kirik! So that's how it is!”
“Great Chieftain! Great Chieftain!”
“Great Chieftain! Never seen Great Chieftain before, but Great Chieftain is stronger than Balutak! We follow Great Chieftain!”
“Kieek! With Great Chieftain! We won't become slaves!”
The sight of human-sized bugs cheering was something else.
Honestly, as someone who had once been human, I felt at least a little disgusted. It was only bearable because I was undead. If I were human, I might have actually thrown up.
Charlotte ground her teeth beside me.
“You filthy little bastards. I said Boss.”
“Charlotte.”
“...My apologies.”
Did she hate Insects that much?
She wasn't someone who normally swore, but this was already the second time. She really must have hated them.
The Insects approached me and pressed their forelegs together like mantises.
If I remembered right, that was an Insect gesture of submission.
“Great Chieftain! I introduce myself! I am Gurutak! I am loyal to Great Chieftain!”
“I am Velutak! I am also loyal to Great Chieftain!”
“I am Buraltak! I am loyal to Great Chieftain!”
“What did you say your name was?”
“Kirik. Buraltak.”
“...We need to change your name.”
“Kirik? Buraltak?”
“Yes. I will personally name you. From today on, you are Kelotak.”
“Kirik! Great Chieftain gave Kelotak a name! Kelotak is happy!”
“Kirik! I want a name too! Great Chieftain, give me a name!”
“Me too! Give me a new name!”
The Insects swarmed in front of me, each trying to get ahead of the others.
They shoved and tripped over one another in a complete mess, all because they wanted me to give them names.
'They really are a bunch of rowdy golden kids.'
Being around these golden kids made me feel like my intelligence was regressing.
Even I felt that way right now, so our adjutant, who would have to take charge of these golden kids in the dungeon...
“Haah....”
Beside me, Charlotte pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
They were my subcontractor's subcontractors anyway, so they weren't my problem. Hang in there, Charlotte.
Footnotes:
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