WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 166: Rain, Mud and Fire (3)

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The Earth Spirit Tribe was at risk of losing more than just the [Blood Fire] trait.

"It must be because of their long suffering under the Mountain Snail Tribe."

I pondered over the next trait that needed attention.

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[Supreme Greed]

Rank: B

Effect: The Earth Spirit Tribe is overflowing with greed. Perhaps due to their inferiority complex and self-loathing for being ugly, they seek recognition not for themselves but through their possessions. ‘Kerk! I’ve covered myself in warm mud!’ ‘Keruk! I’ve plastered myself with premium mud from upstream!’

An insatiable desire for better things.

A longing for more impressive possessions.

Mixed with feelings of inferiority, self-loathing, and a craving for recognition, the Earth Spirit Tribe’s hearts brew a powerful greed. They might begin to covet shiny treasures, or perhaps they will boast about having prettier slaves than others. The Earth Spirit Tribe is greedy, and their potential lies within this greed.

The direction of their 'greed' depends on you.

*However, this trait may change depending on the course of history.

*Warning! Due to prolonged oppression, the Earth Spirit Tribe has begun to become indifferent to desire. They have resigned themselves to the belief that coveting something is pointless because they can never obtain it anyway. If they continue failing to experience 'the fulfillment of desire,' the Greed trait will be lost to history.

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"Hmm."

Greed is essentially desire. Having an ambition for something. Greed, desire, ambition - these words might have negative connotations, but...

My thoughts were different.

"It's better than being indifferent to everything."

-Well, I think so too.

Guardian Spirit scratched the back of his head.

-Desire is like a flow. It's like a river. If you dam it up and forcibly stop it, it builds up and floods. If you completely cover it up so it can't overflow, it stagnates and rots. Where does the rotten water go? It seeps underground, eating away at the land.

Guardian Spirit's voice was quite serious.

-Waterways need to be released. If you're going to release it, do it big! Let it flow in one direction. I see that as the direction of life.

"This disciple's opinion is similar, master."

-Hey, hey, who's your master? I've never had a disciple who teaches as ignorantly as you.

"What else should a tadpole learn to swim from but a frog? Sword Emperor, you are my frog, and I am your tadpole."

-Crazy brat...

We, master and disciple, proudly pondered side by side.

"Now, how should we guide the [Greed] in a splendid direction?"

The deliberation didn't last long.

Before I could find the answer, or before Guardian Spirit could tell me, someone else brought the solution.

More precisely, not 'someone else' but 'some others.'

-Kekerkker!

Three weeks into the journey home.

Goblins at the back of the procession caused a ruckus. The ones who had been following me leisurely suddenly rushed forward in panic. Wondering what was happening, I turned my head and locked eyes with Gorke.

-I can see soldiers behind us! Ker!

"Soldiers?"

I concentrated aura in my eyes and looked far beyond the horizon.

The first thing I saw was a cloud of dust. It was clear weather, yet there was dust billowing. It wasn't a natural occurrence, but the dust that rises when a herd of beasts stampedes.

I enhanced my vision a bit more.

"Hmm."

Hundreds of dogs.

Hunting dogs panted as they galloped across the plains.

No matter how much dogs are pack animals, hundreds is not a number that gathers spontaneously. Proving this, the hunting dogs carried something on their backs.

-The Mountain Snail Tribe!

Snails clung tightly to the hunting dogs.

-The Mountain Snail Tribe is pursuing us! Keruk! Form battle lines! Form battle lines!

-Children to the center! Be careful not to get trampled!

Cavalry.

No, the Canine Cavalry was approaching.

5.

The Canine Cavalry of the Mountain Snail Tribe was fast.

-Lime!

-Drive them towards the riverbank! Keep the distance!

As soon as the Earth Spirit Tribe formed a defensive line, the Mountain Snail Tribe gave up the charge. Instead, they slowly herded us, nudging our weak formation, causing the Earth Spirit Tribe to involuntarily step back.

-Kerruk...!

-Don't let the formation break! Keep in step with those on either side of you!

Although the Earth Spirit Tribe outnumbered them, there were many elderly and children among them. They had to form a protective formation. The Earth Spirit Tribe was defensive, while the Canine Cavalry of the Mountain Snail Tribe took the offensive advantage. Using their mobility, they leisurely herded us towards the riverbank.

"That's a good strategy."

I shielded the Earth Spirit Tribe from the front, thinking.

"I thought their military was nothing special after they collapsed so easily in Slimepolis, but..."

-If they couldn't command the military, they wouldn't have been able to rule the six tribes. What happened in that cave was because all the slaves rose up at once, right?

"True. They're well disciplined."

I had stood at the forefront of soldiers in the 11th floor, [Aegim Empire's] port battle. So, I wasn't completely ignorant of military tactics.

Even to my eyes, the command of the Mountain Snail Tribe was adept.

-Buuu.

The Mountain Snail Tribe blew snail horns to control the pace of the advance. Sometimes they rushed as if to attack immediately, and other times they slowly and indirectly pressured.

-Lime!

Once the encirclement was complete, a commanding snail, who seemed to be the general, approached.

The general rode a much larger hunting dog than the other Canine Cavalry. Did the snail's mucus act as an adhesive? Unlike ordinary cavalry, they had neither saddles nor stirrups.

-Hear me, you dirt-poor mold bastards!

The general snail raised their voice.

-Your 'slave rebellion' has already been suppressed! Slimepolis has risen again after its defeat. Our glorious empire's twelve cities have formed a large army and are pursuing the remnants. This is the proof!

The general inserted their tentacle into the snail shell. Something round. The Mountain Snail Tribe raised it high and then hurled it towards us.

It was the head of a Ghost Tribe member.

The general did not stop there and continued pulling out severed heads. Saegi Tribe, Pure Race, Vampiric Tribe, Fairy Tribe. One head from each race rolled across the ground.

-Watch carefully! Lime! This is the fate of slaves who dared to rebel against the glorious Slime Empire! Our wrath is great and enduring. These are not the first punishments we have given, nor are they the last. mold. If you do not wish your dirty heads to form a bridge of blood, surrender immediately!

-Ker, Kerr.

The Earth Spirit Tribe shrank back.

-Other tribes have already been suppressed?

-It's a lie. That can't be. The world of the Mountain Snail Tribe is already over.

-I don't want to return to hell, Ker....

Hmm.

"They're shaking our morale."

-What will you do?

"Expose their fraud."

I stepped forward.

The Earth Spirit Tribe stopped their murmuring and looked at my back. Between the standoff of the Mountain Snail Tribe and the Earth Spirit Tribe, a plain lay. In the middle of the plain, I quietly glared at the Mountain Snail Tribe's general.

[Purchasing 'Oracle Message.']

[20 race points are consumed!]

[You currently have 50 race points.]

Sorry, snail of this world.

I'm one step ahead in deception.

I used the divine message to directly implant words into the Mountain Snail Tribe general's mind.

[The White Lion sees through your lies!]

Startled!

The general on the back of the hunting dog twitched their tentacles. Although I'm not familiar with the physiology of the Mountain Snail Tribe, I could tell they were tense.

A simple story.

'There's no way they've really suppressed the rebellion.'

If the Mountain Snail Tribe had won, the Tower would have informed me with a message. That the rebellion failed. That they returned to slavery.

'I haven't heard any such notifications yet.'

The conclusion was clear.

The Mountain Snail Tribe general had made a bluff with lies.

'Well, I also figured it out because I receive benefits from the Tower system. But you must use everything at your disposal.'

I opened my beastly jaws wide and inhaled deeply.

Then, with aura, I unleashed a lion's roar.

"Gooooo!"

My roar echoed across the plains. Gekeng! The hunting dogs were startled and writhed. The Mountain Snail Tribe didn't fall or slip due to their adhesive strength, but they too were unsettled.

-The god of mold...

-False gods descended all at once, bringing disaster to the city.

-Those Slimepolis fools committed sacrilege against Lime. Only those who sufficiently serve Lime can enjoy blessings.

From the Mountain Snail Tribe's perspective, I was an evil god. But even an evil god is still a god. Seeing the god with the Earth Spirit Tribe in person, the Mountain Snail Tribe lost their momentum and hesitated.

"Good."

I seized the opportunity.

The opportunity to revive the Earth Spirit Tribe's [Greed].

[Purchasing 'Oracle Message']

[20 race points are consumed!]

[You currently have 30 race points.]

Despite clearing the 31st floor, the great escape on the 32nd floor, freeing the slaves, and continuing the lineage of [Blood Fire], I had not yet received a tally of race points.

There was a reason to save them for later, but now wasn't the time to explain.

"This will be enough."

I spent the remaining points to acquire another divine message.

I sent a message to the Mountain Snail Tribe general.

[The White Lion proposes an honorable duel.]

The Mountain Snail Tribe general twitched. It must have been frightening to be addressed by a wicked god.

But even then, the general didn't shy away from a counter-question.

-Lime. An honorable duel, you say...?

"Krrr."

Actions speak louder than words.

I turned around and walked back to the Earth Spirit Tribe, who looked at me with puzzled expressions. Enjoying the attention of the children, I stopped in front of one Goblin.

"Hey."

It was Gorke.

"Get on."

-.......

Gorke's face darkened.

-Ker, Kekerkker! It's an immense honor to have such an insignificant creature like me in your presence. May you proceed as you wish, Kekerkker.

"Enough of that."

I bent my front legs to make it easier for him to climb, assuming the posture of a slide.

"Get on, I said."

-Kerup!

Gorke hiccuped.

He looked around with pleading eyes for help.

-Wh... why is the White Lion doing this to me? It's really strange. Do you understand the will of the White Lion, Ker?

The Earth Spirit Tribe murmured amongst themselves.

-It seems like he's telling you to get on...?

-It definitely looks like he's allowing you to get on his back.

In desperation, Gorke spoke out.

-Kerurup! How could we, mere followers, rudely climb onto the back of the White Lion? It's blasphemy! There must be another, holier meaning that we can't even imagine!

I bent my hind legs as well.

Then I lifted my tail and tapped, tapped my waist.

The Earth Spirit Tribe deeply pondered.

-It really seems like he's telling you to get on...?

-If you don't, he might get very angry....

-Isn't disobeying the White Lion's command a greater blasphemy? Keruk?

Gorke looked distraught.

"That brat."

I decided to spend my last points to personally deliver a divine message to Gorke.

[The White Lion says he will fuck you up if you do not get on quickly.]

Eventually, Gorke, with tears in his eyes, climbed onto my back.

Seeing Gorke's tears, those around let out a rumble of admiration.

-Look! The grandson of Kirugepub, Gorke, has been granted grace by the White Lion!

-He's so moved that he's even crying! Gor!

-He's crying! It's worth crying over! It's a glory that will last for generations!

-I’m so envious!

Gorke cried even harder.

-Kerrr... No, it's a misunderstanding... Kekerkker isn't the kind of god you think... Rather than a god, he's more like a brother, and a very bad one at that....

Of course, Gorke's voice was drowned out by the noise.

Insincere shouts always disappear.

Ununderstood by anyone for the tears he shed, Gorke was carried on my back to the Mountain Snail Tribe general.

-Indeed.

The Mountain Snail Tribe general stared at me and Gorke on my back.

-So that's what an honorable duel means. I understand.

The general wiggled their antennae.

-I heard that you molds did not take part in massacring our fellow citizens of Slimepolis. Lime. Though your fate is to rot in the salt mines, there's room for leniency for not participating in the slaughter.

The general murmured, perhaps this too was Lime's will.

They then turned their head and shouted to their army.

-The filthy molds and their god have challenged us to a duel! How laughable, coming from slaves who did nothing but pound stone hammers in pits! Soldiers! Isn't there a hero among us who can break the pride of these mold!

-.......

-I stake my antennae that the warrior who wins this duel will be granted a glorious life! Wealth! Slaves! Honor! Anything is possible. Break the noses of these mold!

The Mountain Snail Tribe soldiers murmured.

Shortly after, one snail riding a hunting dog stepped forward boldly.

-Lime! I will seize the glory!

It was indeed a giant hunting dog.

Honestly, calling it a dog was legally questionable. At any rate, calling a lion-sized beast with three pairs of legs a dog was pretty damn ridiculous.

The dog was not the only one with an excess of appendages.

-I, the inheritor of the Spiral Four-Blade Style, stand before you!

The Mountain Snail Tribe soldier with more tentacles than the others wielded a sword in each one, with four tentacles swishing through the air, the swords slicing the atmosphere. Shick! Shick! The dazzling swordplay drew admiration from the Mountain Snail Tribe.

-Oh. A noble!

-Wow... So that is the fearsome Spiral Four-Blade Style...

-Truly blessed by Lime!

These guys are amusing.

"I wonder if nobility is determined by the number of tentacles?"

-It seems so.

"That's really strange."

-Yeah. Quite erotic.

"What?"

-Huh?

As the Guardian Spirit and I lamented the lewdness of snail civilization, the Mountain Snail Tribe warrior who called herself the inheritor of the Spiral Four-Blade Style drew close.

-I am Seimseulam, a member of Rekamulime, one of the seven families that rule Canyon City, and inheritor of the Spiral Four-Blade Style! Servant of the evil god! State your name!

Gorke tensed up at such a grand self-introduction.

-Ki, Kirugepub's grandson Gorke....

-A priest's kin?

-Kerrr. The priest has passed away.

-A noble?

-We don't have nobles, Keruk....

-A mere slave.

The Mountain Snail Tribe soldier twirled a head antenna.

It seemed to be a gesture of ridicule.

-Today, I will show you the majesty of one beloved by Lime! Hyah!

The Mountain Snail Tribe led the hunting dog into a charge.

The four swords crossed, making a noisy clang, clang. Seemingly trying to overpower with sound before the fight. I thought no one would fall for such a silly trick, but the coward on my back was thoroughly scared.

-Ker! Kerrrr!

Gorke grabbed my mane and howled.

-Why me! Why do I have to suffer like this, Keruk! It's a demon! I've been tricked by a demon!

"Krrrung."

Hey. Don't worry.

Trust this brother!

I'll turn you into a hero!

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