Chapter 60 - Kraken 1 (1/2)

Chapter 60 - Kraken (1)

Kraken.

It was a monster that existed since the distant past.It was a large monster of the ocean.Over the numerous years, it had eaten its competitors to grow in size.It had the combination of overwhelming size and massive amount of magical energy.It was a calamitous monster.Sailors, who lived their entire life on the ocean, couldn’t even catch sight of its shadow.Still, when it did show up, it destroyed everything and everyone in the region.This was why no one knew if it was a squid, an octopus or a crustacean.Still, this monster appeared frequently in legends.

[Kraken]

[Level : 267]

[Oooh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Moreover, this Kraken had shown itself in the ocean in front of Frate.It was still very far away, so Artpe could discern only two facts.The first fact was its level, and the second fact was that the Kraken was a squid.

“It has impeccable timing!”

“Oppa, is that edible?”

“Nope.However, we usually eat their kind.”

The humans had been about to coalesce into a unified front in an effort to face the monsters.It was supposed to be a tale of brotherhood and bravery amongst the humans.However, the final boss had shown up at that moment!

“There is no doubt about it!It’s the real Kraken!”

“Its legs are incredible big!”

“C...can it be?”

“Kraken!? It really is that dreadful being!”

The current situation was so unfair that it verged on being immoral.It wasn’t the case where a final boss made an appearance to scare its opponents.It had locked in on Frate as its target, and it was making a beeline from the deep sea to the coast!

[Kee-heeeeeee!]

[It’s here!That bastard is here!]

Humans weren’t the only ones to shake from fear in the presence of the Kraken.The sea monsters had lost their mind as they coveted the inland, but they felt fear when they realized the Kraken was approaching them.

[We follow its words.Obey!]

[If we don’t listen to it, we’ll die.We’ll all die.]

This was especially true for the mermen and mermaids.They spouted some nonsense about obeying the Kraken.It seemed there was a clear hierarchy between the Krakens and the mermen.

It was extremely rare for a monster of Kraken’s caliber to appear in a Lunatic Wave.It seemed this Kraken was aggressive as it ruled over the mermen of this region.It seemed the Kraken was the leading this Lunatic Wave!

“Why did it have to show up this year!”

“Customer, let me go!Please!”

“No way.If we are going to stay alive, we do it together.If there are going to be any deaths, you will die alone.”

“Isn’t that a roundabout way of saying you’ll throw me out as bait, while you guys run away!I’m right, aren’t I?Let me go!”

Mycenae was on the verge of tears as she fell to the floor.

In truth, she was well aware of the current situation.Once she decided not to run away, she couldn’t escape the clutches of the Kraken.

Moreover, there was a record of her entering Frate.If she left solely on the basis that the city was a dangerous place to be, a huge crack would form in her qualification as a merchant.She would have thrown away her wares and customers in pursuit of her own safety.Even if she was able to survive through running away, it would be tough for her to be a merchant in the future.

“On the other hand, if you survive this, it might count as an Achievement.”

“Achievement······?”

Artpe’s words stopped Mycenae’s tears.A thought came to her when she heard his words.

“When you say Achievement…..Are you perhaps…..”

“When one is trying to gain a high rank Class, this requirement is more important than one’s level.”

“I have to put my life on the line if I want to move forward?”

“It is up to you to make the choice.”

He didn’t know how she felt about being a merchant.Since she was a Dark Elf, he was sure there was some backstory as to why she became one.On the other hand, she wouldn’t be able to drop the Class easily.This was true even if her life was in danger.

“······how?Is there a method that’ll allow us to win against such a powerful monster?”

In the end, she put strength into her two legs to stand up, and she carefully posed the question to Artpe.He let out a sigh as he gave an answer.

“I’m working through that problem right now.”

Obviously, the humans in this place were of no help.The highest level amongst them was lower in level than Sienna.None of them could last a second against the Kraken.Moreover, there were only a very select number of people that could use magic.Artpe and the Dungeon Merchants were the only ones that could use magic.

“If the Kraken hits this barrier wall with its full strength, it’ll eventually fall.”

“Barrier wall….Reinforcement…That’s right!Wait a moment, customer!”

It seemed Mycenae had come up with an idea.She desperately clung to him as she asked him a question.

“Customer, didn’t you say you could duplicate the effects of Reinforcements if you had Magic Stones?”

“I was talking about small items like my boots.If I want to further Reinforce such a large barrier wall, the amount of Magic Stones I would need…..”

Artpe stopped mid-speech.Mycenae was looking straight at him with incandescent eyes.This was the first time he had seen such sincere eyes since she had talked about the Eternal Forest with her Soul Contract in hand.

“Is it possible, customer?”

Was that the reason?

Artpe acted out of character by talking somewhat seriously towards her.

“······according to my calculations, the Kraken won’t be able to destroy or cross the barrier if I Reinforce it twice more.”

“Is it really possible for you to calculate the amount of Magic Stones you need?”

“I would need around 500 Magic Stones that is over level 200.It doesn’t matter what properties they possess.It just has to be a high rank Magic Stones that is over level 200.”

Magic Stones were rare drops from monsters.It was a crystallization of pure Mana.

Each Magic Stone possessed different properties, and since it was the purest form of Mana, it was often used as supplementary ingredients for artifacts.Of course, it was traded at high prices.As the level of monster it had dropped from increased, the price also increased precipitously.

Moreover, if one was talking about 500 Magic Stones that only dropped from level 200 monster and above…..

“We could have bought every item put up for auction with that amount.”

“Even if we empty all of Diaz, I question as to whether that much Magic Stones could be found.”

“It’ll show up.I’m sure it’ll show up.”

Mycenae spoke with strong conviction behind her words.

“Money can even summon ghosts.”

“You······.”

“I need to go and negotiate, customer.Please wait a moment.I’ll be sure to bring all 500 of them.”

Mycenae immediately turned around as she jumped off the barrier wall.However, it wasn’t the sight of someone trying to run away.The sight of her retreating figure was something that could be seen only with a person that had put their life on the line.

“She’s only an ajumma, yet she is trying to act cool······.”

However, at that moment, he was sure of one thing.If they were able survive today’s ordeal safely, Mycenae would be able to advance to the high rank Merchant Class.

‘Yes, if we are able to survive today…..’

The humans were running about in confusion at the appearance of the Kraken.Alongside the humans, the monsters were plunged into a state of confusion too.They were acting as if the world was ending today.As expected, the irresistible urge to run away tempted everyone.

At that moment, Maetel realized that the Kraken had made its appearance, so she hopped across the surface of the water.She returned to Artpe’s side.

“Artpe, what should we do to catch that thing?”

“If we make the ocean boil, wouldn't it cook completely on its own?”