I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#44. Mountain Lord (1)

 

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Near a mountain peak not far from the coal mine.

 

Thud! Thud-thud! Thud-thud! Thud-thud-thud-thud!

 

The sound of digging through snow echoed endlessly.

 

The solid ice sheet was breaking apart, revealing a deep hole beneath it.

 

The being digging the hole had a humanoid form, but stood over 5 meters tall and weighed close to 2 tons.

 

A giant monster so large it could tear apart even the fearsome Ogres with its bare hands.

 

It was a Sasquatch, one of the dangerous monsters inhabiting Meursault Mountain.

 

Thud— Thud— Thud— Thud— Thud—

 

Inside the ice cave surrounded by darkness, the Sasquatch continued digging deeper into the ground.

 

The Sasquatch’s two arms began moving even faster.

 

The Sasquatch’s arms digging through the earth were covered in deep wounds.

 

These were injuries sustained a few days ago while fleeing from a terrifying existence.

 

Born as a powerful monster and having reigned as the terror of other monsters its entire life, it had suddenly encountered its match one day.

 

The Sasquatch, who only knew how to rule and had never bowed to anyone, thought for the first time that day.

 

‘That Thing’.

 

Before That Thing, it was nothing more than a small piece of meat.

 

…It didn’t even know how it had survived after that.

 

To escape from that terrifying existence’s teeth and claws, the Sasquatch had thrown itself off a cliff and barely managed to save its life.

 

After the fall, the barely surviving Sasquatch was warned by the tenacious survival instinct unique to monsters.

 

It had to hide in a safe place until its wounds fully healed.

 

That’s why the Sasquatch had ventured deep into the snow mountain, digging into the frozen ground until its fingertips bled.

 

Then.

 

…Thud!

 

The Sasquatch’s hand, which had been digging the tunnel, suddenly stopped.

 

Blue light was flowing out from between the piles of dirt, twinkling like fireflies.

 

As the blue light enveloped the Sasquatch’s arm.

 

Hissssssss—

 

The wounds began to slowly heal.

 

Looking at its cleanly recovered arm, the Sasquatch snorted with satisfaction.

 

The identity of the blue light was the essence of the Mörso Mountain Range.

 

It was a crystal of the purest mana.

 

For monsters, beings based on mana, this was the ultimate source of growth.

 

The Sasquatch began digging in a circle around the energy vein to prepare for hibernation.

 

Thwack― Thwack― Thwack― Thwack― Thwack―

 

Before long, a dome-like hollowed cave was completed.

 

Along the walls of the earth cave, blue light flowed and sparkled like the Milky Way.

 

Soon, Sasquatch crouched down in the newly created nest.

 

Tssssssssss―

 

The energy of the frozen mountain range began flowing into Sasquatch.

 

Broken bones mended, and severed muscle fibers connected strand by strand.

 

One week.

 

If it could hibernate for just one more week, Sasquatch’s body would recover to its original state.

 

…No, to be precise, while absorbing pure mana, it would be reborn with an even more powerful body.

 

Sasquatch had sweet dreams.

 

The current wounds were a stepping stone to obtaining a larger and more resilient body.

 

When it emerged from here, it would have become a much stronger being.

 

While dreaming of such a future ahead.

 

…!

 

Instinct suddenly warned it.

 

Leave this place right now. Run away.

 

It was the exact same premonition it had felt when encountering ‘That Thing’ mentioned earlier.

 

Sasquatch was conflicted.

 

Should it abandon the nest it had worked so hard to create and flee following its instincts, or should it risk the danger and remain here?

 

Looking around, there was nothing particularly strange.

 

After all, what could happen in such a deep underground tunnel?

 

In case other predators might follow it in, it had dug decoy caves in various places and set many traps.

 

Not satisfied with that, it had also blocked passages here and there with ice and dirt to disguise them as dead ends at first glance.

 

So nothing would happen.

 

Sasquatch ignored its instinct’s warning and curled up tightly.

 

Right at that moment.

 

Crack! Crackle!

 

The sound of something approaching could be heard.

 

Cracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecracklecr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The Sasquatch bristled its fur, standing it on end toward any enemies that might be approaching.

 

The pile of dirt in front trembles lightly.

 

If an enemy appeared, he would immediately claw at their face, Sasquatch thought.

 

However.

 

Wajijijijijijijijijijik!

 

The thunderous sound was coming from above, not from the front.

 

[!?]

 

The moment the Sasquatch raised its head upward.

 

Thud―!

 

A large, sharp metal chunk pierced through the ceiling of the earth cave and revealed itself.

 

…Crack!

 

The sharp iron stake skewered the Sasquatch like a kebab.

 

[Grrrrk!]

 

The Sasquatch coughed up blood in bewilderment and indignation, but no one acknowledged it.

 

It was the futile and lonely end of a high-ranking monster.

 

* * *

 

A blizzard rages across the vast snowy field.

 

…Bang! …Bang! …Bang! …Bang! …Bang!

 

Iron stakes were being driven throughout various places on Meursault Mountain.

 

The prisoners had begun their final task.

 

“Raise it! Raise it! It’s tilting!”

 

“Pull that cord over there more! To the right! Right… not left, pull with your eating hand, you idiot!”

 

“I eat with my left hand!”

 

“Whoa!? It’s falling! Aaaaah!”

 

“Hold the rope properly, you crazy bastard!”

 

They were driving iron stakes into various places across the snowy field.

 

Clang! Bang! Thud!

 

The prisoners split the ice sheet, then tied stakes with cords to secure them, climbed onto temporarily built platforms and swung their hammers down.

 

Crack―crack! Wujijijik!

 

Each time the large hammers struck down alternately, the iron stakes split the ice sheet and drove deep into it.

 

Their number had reached several hundred.

 

The countless iron stakes that the prisoners had suffered to death to create were now planted throughout the snowy field, creating a maze-like spectacle.

 

Meanwhile.

 

‘Good. They’re being severed well.’

 

Featherback was looking down at all of this from atop a high hill.

 

…Bang!

 

Each time an iron stake pierced through the ice sheet and drove deep into the ground.

 

…Snap!

 

One strand of the energy vein through which the mountain’s spiritual energy flowed was severed.

 

Each time this happened, the scenery below the canyon changed moment by moment.

 

Crackle crackle crackle…

 

The green crest on the snowy field created by melting snow was being covered with ice again.

 

This was because the geothermal heat rising from deep within the ground had been cut off.

 

The melted earth froze at a rapid pace, and the sprouting buds and flowers all withered and died.

 

Featherback nodded his head.

 

‘As expected. Human corruption is the best at harming the health of nature.’

 

Iron stakes containing the prisoners’ hair and saliva.

 

They contaminate the mountain’s pure energy.

 

That wasn’t all.

 

As the iron stakes severed the mountain’s energy veins, the flow of vital energy began to become disrupted.

 

It was similar to a cerebral infarction occurring when blood vessels in a human’s brain burst.

 

The entire mountain was screaming and suffering in agony.

 

‘If you’re going to keep rejecting humans, then just die.’

 

Featherback said while looking up at the high mountain peak.

 

During the Great Demon War, nature was not on humanity’s side.

 

As if seeking revenge for the suffering it had endured, nature empowered the monsters through harsh climates.

 

Because of this, humans were driven to the brink of extinction and ultimately had to be trampled in endless pain and screams.

 

‘…Back then, not a single human was babbling about protecting nature or anything like that.’

 

Humans should protect nature?

 

That is outrageous arrogance.

 

If nature set its mind to it, exterminating humans from this world would be nothing.

 

‘So when establishing discipline, you must do it thoroughly.’

 

Featherback drove iron stakes contaminated with the prisoners’ corruption and impurity throughout the Mörso Mountain Range.

 

And each time he did so, the energy veins through which vital energy flowed were severed one by one.

 

‘Saving a mountain is difficult, but killing one is all too easy.’

 

Just like how killing a patient is easier than treating them.

 

Eventually.

 

Rumble—

 

A faint earthquake occurred in the distance.

 

Finally, Featherback nodded his head.

 

‘The one who was feeding on the mountain’s vital energy has awakened.’

 

All this time, there had been something at the heart of the energy vein where the mountain’s vital energies gathered.

 

People of the world call that existence the master of the mountain, namely the ‘Mountain Lord.’

 

‘Until my patience completely runs out…’

 

Featherback closed his eyes and counted the time in his mind.

 

‘…5.’

 

The faint earthquake continued.

 

‘…4.’

 

And it was gradually getting stronger.

 

‘…3.’

 

The moment Featherback recited the number.

 

Kwa-bang!

 

Unable to wait any longer, an explosive sound burst from the cave at the end of the canyon.

 

[Grr-ooooooooooo!]

 

There was no need to count 2 and 1.

 

Mountain Lord.

 

The culprit that made Meursault Mountain a Human Survival Impossible Zone had revealed itself.

 

* * *

 

One minute before the Mountain Lord appeared.

 

‘Go ahead and run around all you want. You’re all going to die soon anyway.’

 

Lee Wan, who was driving in iron stakes, had a bloody smile on his lips.

 

He stood on the platform set up for driving stakes and looked at the distant mountain peak.

 

…Thud! …Thud! …Thud!

 

The deeper he drove the stakes, the more the rocks on the distant mountain peak seemed to shake.

 

He could see that rocks that had been far up just moments ago were now slightly tilted by the time he finished driving in the stakes.

 

Lee Wan was certain.

 

‘By the time I finish driving all these iron stakes, an avalanche will occur.’

 

With each iron stake driven in, the foundation of the upper mountain peak was becoming increasingly unstable.

 

At this rate, an avalanche would surely occur soon and sweep this entire area away.

 

Lee Wan called his gang members.

 

And in a low voice, he gave instructions for what was to come.

 

“We don’t need to drive in all these iron stakes. Looking at it, the foundation above has become extremely unstable. At this rate, if we go up there ourselves and stomp our feet a few times, it’ll collapse immediately.”

 

It was time to slowly make their escape.

 

“What about the other guys?”

 

“Why worry about something like that?”

 

Lee Wan planned to betray even the other prisoners and go up the mountain peak to trigger the avalanche.

 

“To deceive the enemy, you must deceive even your allies. We’re moving the plan up by 30 minutes. Just a tiny vibration will do. Like how a single snowball rolling from a mountain peak becomes a massive snowball below. What do I care about the other trash? Let them get swept away and die.”

 

Lee Wan turned his head with a satisfied smile.

 

“Now, let’s depart… huh?”

 

But he couldn’t finish his words.

 

[Graaaaaaaaaah!]

 

A terrifying roar echoed as something burst out from the cave in the distance.

 

The moment he saw its pale, bloodless face and blazing red pupils.

 

“?”

 

Lee Wan could no longer distinguish whether this was a dream or reality.

 

…Splat!

 

Soon after, Lee Wan’s head, who had been standing there dazed, exploded.

 

[Kraaaaaaaaaak!]

 

The Mountain Lord raised all the scales on its body sharply.

 

And with claws sharper than blades, it sliced through the nearby prisoners like insects.

 

“Aaaah! It’s a dragon!”

 

“Monster! It’s a monster!”

 

The prisoners let out shrill screams the moment they met the Mountain Lord’s burning gaze from high above.

 

But that only further stimulated the attacker’s violence.

 

Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwakwak!

 

With a single swing of the monster’s hand, dozens of prisoners died.

 

But as if that wasn’t enough to satisfy its rage, it roared thunderously once more.

 

[Krooooooooh!]

 

The place where it had been hibernating, the Sacred Ground where all the mountain’s spiritual energy gathered.

 

Since the spiritual energy flowing to that Sacred Ground had suddenly been cut off, it was natural for it to wake up and rage.

 

And the ‘hunter’ who had orchestrated all these results from the beginning finally moved.

 

“Finally showing your face.”

 

Featherback.

 

Having descended into the canyon, he swept back the white hair that had been covering his face.

 

And before him stood the king of the Human Survival Impossible Zone, towering with its massive body.

 

Featherback spoke.

 

“Ice Dragon Adara. I will now subjugate you.”

 

This was the true purpose of leading the Prisoners of Narok on an expedition to Beauvoir Abandoned Mine.

 

This was the real purpose behind leading the prisoners of the abyss on an expedition to the abandoned Beauvoir mine.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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