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SSS-CLASS HUNTER WHO DIES TO LIVE

Chapter 177: The Giant’s Legacy (1)

Let's talk about a city.

Slimepolis.

This city thrived on mining and trade.

Renowned as the empire's best rock salt mine, Slimepolis boasted its prominence. It was a place where people asking, 'Can you really dig up food or money from the ground?' could be answered with 'Yes, both, actually.'

-The Great Cave.

-The Skull of the Earth Mother Goddess.

-We collect the teeth of the goddess.

That was the kind of place it was.

A city prospering from mining digs up glory along with the land. As the land gets excavated more, the days of glory deepen. Then at some point, when you swing the pickaxe, clank! A sound rings out.

You've dug to the very bottom.

[The mining efficiency of Slimepolis is deteriorating!]

There was still rock salt left. But it could only be extracted by digging far deeper. The work took longer and became more difficult.

[The cost of Slimepolis' salt industry is increasing!]

Slaves began to escape. The Mountain Snail Tribe's skin is weak against salt. They could only swing pickaxes at the mine entrance or manage workers but couldn't crawl into the deep shafts. This was why slaves from the six races were needed. As slaves disappeared, the economy of the salt city rapidly shrunk.

[The control of the Mountain Snail Tribe weakens!]

The Gill-Fin Tribe, resembling mermaids, found seawater too harsh for their skin, so they only frolicked in the river called Daeha.

But then, a mutant was born among them. This mutant could endure the seawater, thinking, 'Oh, it's a bit salty.' Those who mixed blood with the mutant could also withstand the sea.

[The Gill-Fin Tribe evolves!]

The sea was a Demonic Realm difficult for the Mountain Snail Tribe to traverse, and the ability to live there meant the Gill-Fin Tribe could avoid the Mountain Snail Tribe.

Then one day, another mutant of the Gill-Fin Tribe happened to lick the mud of a tidal flat. 'Huh, this is really salty.' Naturally, the mud was salty because seawater flowed in and out of the tidal flat. 'Could it get even saltier?'

Still harboring memories of their slave days in Slimepolis, they had the notion that 'to get salt, you must dig a pit.' The Gill-Fin Tribe dug a hole in the middle of the tidal flat, stuck in a wooden stick, wrapped it with reeds, and then plastered it with mud. A primitive jar.

A week later, they checked the jar. Seawater had collected inside. They carried the seawater to a kiln and boiled it down. When they tasted it, it was extremely salty. It was boiled salt. When an old preconception met a new environment, a new technology was born.

[A new technology is born!]

[A rival power to the Mountain Snail Tribe grows stronger!]

The Gill-Fin Tribe were also natural sailors. The merfolk, able to breathe on both land and water, did not die even when caught in storms. The once-terrifying sea god was now their guardian deity. Ships loaded with salt came and went along the sea routes and waterways as freely as if they were at home. The production and distribution of salt passed into the hands of the Gill-Fin Tribe.

[Ideological conflicts arise!]

The Mountain Snail Tribe couldn't accept this. According to their myth, salt is the 'tooth' of the goddess. The fact that salt from seawater didn't cause stomach upset was hard for them to accept.

When it's hard to acknowledge the opponent, people can take several attitudes.

-Witchcraft.

The Mountain Snail Tribe chose the easiest attitude.

-The devil is behind it.

-Boiled salt is cursed food, tainted by the devil's breath.

-The Gill-Fin Tribe are all devil-worshipping demons!

-Their ability to endure seawater is also proof of devil worship!

Perhaps the Mountain Snail Tribe could have taken a more arduous path. They could have altered their myth. [Actually, the goddess split in half when she died; half her body was buried on land, and the other half sank into the deep sea].

They could have tried that.

As the empire's territory expands, traditional myths become precarious. Salt once thought to come only from land also comes from water. The world expands. As the world grows wider, myths lose their individuality, and their protagonists lose their distinctive qualities.

Someday, the empire might have abandoned its 'distinctive regional myths' and adopted a 'universal, colorless and odorless supreme deity' as its new faith. [Slimepolis] might no longer be just a city's name but could have become the name of the empire itself, like Rome.

-Those who consume salt made by demons.

-Regardless of the reason, they will be punished for blasphemy!

The Mountain Snail Tribe couldn't do so.

-Salt dissolves in water. Water dissolves salt. How could salt come from water? It's a devil's trick, a wicked scheme to delude people into false beliefs.

They justified their inability to change.

-From now on, all citizens must only eat rock salt produced by the empire. Anyone who mines salt from unofficial mines, turns water into salt, or brings such water salt into the empire will be punished!

-Trade in water salt is forbidden. Block all rivers and waterways. Confiscate and sink Gill-Fin Tribe ships and vessels carrying water salt!

Priests who believed in the ancient myth defended the policy. Warriors who had fought wars against the slaves supported it. Citizens who still looked down on the six races cheered it on. The nobles turned that defense, support, and cheering into the foundation of their power.

No one could stop priests, warriors, citizens, and nobles at once.

‘Aha.’

‘From now on, I shall serve you as my master.’

The god who could have done so had already been eliminated.

[The Mountain Snail Tribe destroys the Gill-Fin Tribe's port bases.]

[The Mountain Snail Tribe loots the Gill-Fin Tribe's trade ships.]

[The Mountain Snail Tribe forces rock salt trade on other races.]

[The Gill-Fin Tribe resists the Mountain Snail Tribe's actions!]

When an old power declines and a new power rises.

When the industrial leadership changes hands.

When one side cannot accept new ideologies and misses the golden opportunity for reform, what must happen, happens.

[A war for hegemony breaks out!]

This is the story of the past 600 years.

-Uburka.

There were six wars.

The empire fell.

-Now, according to the peace agreement of the seven races, we will destroy the holy land.

Priests lost their religion. Warriors lost their victories. Citizens lost their peace. Nobles lost their power.

What remained were the glory of 600 years ago and the mined-out rock salt mines. But a line in a history book could not stop the enemy's spears and blades, and empty caves could not feed the people.

By the time everyone realized this, it was too late.

Far too late.

-You have three choices.

Chairman Uburka said.

-First. I alone destroy everything! I can do it. And I want to. The title [The One Who Destroyed a City Alone] is enticing. But I'm not only powerful but also generous. I'll put aside my greed for now.

Uburka posed like a bodybuilder.

His left pectoral muscle twitched.

-Second. Mountain Snail Tribe, you destroy the holy land yourselves! You can do it. But you probably don't want to. The title [The Ones Who Destroyed Their Own Holy Land] will be shameful. I understand your shame and will let this pass too!

Chairman Uburka's right pectoral muscle quivered.

-Third. All seven races, take up hammers.

Uburka grinned.

-Destroy the city until your anger subsides. Smashing something eases the mind. Soldiers who came all the way here and citizens who suffered during the siege, just smash everything! You can do it. And you will want to.

The last remaining king of the Mountain Snail Tribe, the Mountain King, asked in a trembling voice.

-Fearsome warrior. What if we let your people into the city and a fight breaks out?

-Don't worry! Our Earth Spirit Tribe will keep watch. The hammers you hold will only be used to break buildings, not people's heads.

-There are things that must be preserved, not destroyed. We engrave our history on stone pillars.

-Dismantle them and move them. What's so hard about that?

-They're very heavy....

-Only take what can be moved. History too heavy to bear is not pride but stubbornness. Letting go will lighten the burden, and being light will bring freedom, and with freedom comes strength.

-Slimepolis is our last city. Where do you plan to lead us?

-To a place lighter, freer, and stronger than here.

-…Among our citizens, there are those who do not trust you.

-That's good!

Uburka brought his hands together and flexed.

His biceps bulged.

-Tell them all to come at me at once!

944 citizens of the Mountain Snail Tribe stepped forward. Unable to rush in all at once, the 16 bravest snails led the charge. Despite the fall, they were soldiers seasoned in the ways of war.

-I will bestow upon you the honor of witnessing my true form!

The Giant of Aura descended.

-What?

-What the...

-Crazy.

As the soldiers uttered short exclaims, Uburka's punch sent the Mountain Snail Tribe flying. Not just the 16 in the front but also the 28 waiting behind were cleanly home-run.

-Uhahahahaha!

The giant burst into roaring laughter.

-Come at me if you dare! Little ones!

-.......

-My chest is broad! Whether it's 900 or 9000, I'll accept them all! Unfortunately, no milk will come out, but I have enough muscles to turn you brats into adults! I'll be your daddy!

Not many people wanted an Earth Spirit as their father.

The Mountain Snail Tribe chose to release their stress by smashing their ancestors' buildings rather than getting beaten up by the Muscle Pig. A wise choice.

-Damn it.

-Fuck!

For nine days and nights, Slimepolis was demolished.

As all seven races shouted 'Fuck!' in unison, the city was reduced to dust.

The finishing touches were handled by Uburka.

-Hup!

Transformed into a giant, Uburka pounded Slimepolis. Thud! Boom! Boom! It continued for more than half a day. The cave containing the city shook, and the mountain surrounding the cave collapsed. Rocks poured down as the cave ceiling broke apart.

-Insane…

There it was, a massive hobgoblin burying a city all by himself.

-Hmph.

Chairman Uburka curled his lips into a satisfied smile, similar to a child who had just trampled a sandcastle.

-At least I've earned the title [The One Who Destroyed a City].

-.......

-I hereby declare the peace agreement fulfilled. Earth Spirit Tribe, pack up. Mountain Snail Tribe, drag those ugly chunks of stone pillars along and follow us.

Unprecedented.

The strongest warrior in the entire history of the Earth Spirit Tribe, without equal before or since, spoke.

-We return to Guru.

[The war for hegemony comes to an end.]

[The multi-race alliance achieves an incomplete victory.]

[The Mountain Snail Tribe escapes the brink of extinction.]

This is the end of this stage.

[The Earth Spirit Tribe gains the authority of a Hegemon!]

[The prestige of the Earth Spirit Tribe rises.]

[The power of the Earth Spirit Tribe increases.]

[The Earth Spirit Tribe has a greatly increased chance of unlocking new traits.]

[You have gained 9000 race points!]

[Your current race points are 9800.]

Fellow Hunters murmured.

"Man, that's a real monster…"

"Surely not all Earth Spirit Tribe members will keep being born with such size...? That would be unfair to our kids."

"Probably not."

The Paladin shook her head.

"That must be an unparalleled warrior who might appear only once across all of history. It just so happened that such a talent was born among the Earth Spirit Tribe this time. In other eras, heroes will probably arise from other races. We only have to hold out until our own golden age arrives."

The Tower's voice rang out.

[You can now declare stage clear.]

[Would you like to declare stage clear now?]

"Huh?"

The Black Dragon Witch flipped her hair.

"So, a race didn't necessarily have to fall. Just overcoming the brink of extinction was enough?"

"Who knows? Perhaps some race was on the verge of falling without us knowing."

We watched as the military forces of each race dispersed into the distance.

Eight hundred years since the primeval forest burned.

Although we still reigned supreme like constellations, those children had slowly begun to tread their own paths, no longer just stars in the night sky.

"Hmm."

I began to speak.

"Good work, everyone."

"Was there any hard work? Your race's child solved everything alone. This is the first time a stage was this easy."

The Black Dragon Witch smiled pleasantly.

"I'll declare clear after watching the kids live for about ten days. What about you, King of Death?"

"Then I'll also stay for another ten days. I have something to teach Uburka."

"What else are you planning to teach that monster...?"

"Don't worry. It's something good. Really good."

We agreed to declare stage clear after ten days and parted ways.

Yes.

I still have something to teach Uburka, something to pass on to the Earth Spirit Tribe.

[Purchasing 'Appearance in Dreams'.]

[100 race points are consumed!]

[Your current race points are 9700.]

Uburka, floating above a mud pond, looked at me.

-Ugor. You're back, daddy.

"Yes. Dad’s here."

-I guided the Mountain Snail Tribe as dad advised. Now, praise me.

"Oh, our baby. Did you save a race that was about to go extinct? There, there. Good job, you did so well. Our baby is amazing! Raising you was worthwhile! The Earth Spirit Tribe is the coolest in the world, and our baby is the coolest in the Earth Spirit Tribe! You're far better than this dad!"

-Ugor, ugor.

Uburka grinned foolishly.

After showering him with praises for about ten minutes, I broached the topic.

"Uburka, there's something I want you to learn."

-Ugor?

"More precisely, I want you to learn it and then spread it widely among your people. I hope a teaching can be established that will not be forgotten even after you die, even a hundred years after your death, and even after another hundred years have passed."

-What teaching?

I smiled.

And raised a red Aura in my hand.

"I will teach you the fire of the world."

The new Divine Art of the Demonic Heaven.

I will pass on my own special technique to the Earth Spirit Tribe.

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