I Became a Veteran Who Has to Stir Up Trouble to Survive - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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[036] Misty Swamp Wetland
“Damn it…! We’ve run out of food!”
Adventurer Brook hurled his empty backpack to the ground.
Days of unrelenting hunger made the world spin before his eyes.
His companions were in no better condition.
Those who had collapsed one by one lay across the sandbar in grim silence, staring blankly at the sky.
“Are we… going to die here…?”
Someone’s whispered words brought a suffocating silence.
Five days ago, when we confidently set out to cross the wetland, no one could have foreseen this ending.
“No, if we just wait a little longer, a rescue team will come….”
“Who?! What kind of fool would push through this fog to save us?!”
That was when it happened.
─Croak!
As the cry of a monster echoed from beyond the mangrove, the Adventurers fell silent as one.
Days of torment had etched a nightmare-deep terror into their very bones.
Despair born from an insurmountable, overwhelming gap.
What were those impossible numbers, and what was that ‘alien equipment’ adorning their bodies…?
“Someone… please help us….”
The desperate cry scattered uselessly into the thick fog.
* * *
The next morning, Doran was roused from sleep by a messenger’s summons at the break of dawn.
After gathering my supplies and heading to the water’s edge with the Guild Members, the Merchants greeted me with eager faces.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Doran! Please come this way!!”
At the dock where I arrived after their enthusiastic guidance, a log raft far sturdier and more solid than before was moored.
The craftsmanship was too refined to believe it had been completed in just a day.
True to form, the Merchants bore deep dark circles beneath their eyes.
“What do you think?! The rafts we’ve so ambitiously prepared!”
“Excellent. Thank you for your consideration. …Would it be alright if I inspected it?”
“Of course!!”
Upon my ready acceptance, I climbed onto the raft and examined every corner meticulously.
If there were any leaks or loose knots, it would be catastrophic….
“Hmm? This is….”
“Ah, you noticed! We sealed the gaps in the raft with resin to increase adhesion and applied waterproofing! We couldn’t have you sitting with a wet backside, after all!”
“And this crossbeam sail…?”
“We installed it to spare you some of the labor of rowing!”
“And the wine and nuts packed in this box…?”
“We prepared them in case your mouth grew weary during the crossing! Please feel free to use the floral cushions we’ve laid on each raft!”
“….”
Was all this really necessary?
The Merchants spoke with obvious smiles on their faces.
“Twice now you’ve resolved our troubles, Doran. This level of courtesy is the least we can offer! After all, we can resume our business thanks to you!”
“But…”
“It’s fine! The raft you used can be repurposed by us anyway! Besides, simply having a promising Adventurer like you take notice of us is more than profitable enough!”
“Well then, I’ll gratefully accept.”
‘…The Merchants of this era still possess their conscience!’
Seeing the bright expressions on their faces, I felt there was no need for concern.
After all, the very idiom “making a fortune” originated from the vast wealth raftsmen accumulated.
After finishing the cargo loading, I untied the mooring lines and pushed off as the raft drifted smoothly toward the Lake.
‘Good… the buoyancy is fine…’
So, shall we depart?
The moment I hopped onto the raft, a refreshing breeze swept across my hood.
I wouldn’t be returning to this Campsite for some time now.
Doran waved toward the gathered figures at the Dock, a smile playing at his lips.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way! Take care, everyone!”
“Travel safely!!”
Leaving their modest farewells behind, I began rowing toward the expanse beyond the Wetland.
* * *
「You have entered the Misty Swamp Wetland!」
「A vast region perpetually shrouded in mist! Take care not to lose your way!」
Splash… splash…
With each stroke of the oar, the raft cut smoothly through the water, gliding forward without resistance.
True to its name as nature’s treasure trove, the Wetland teemed with diverse creatures.
Between the aquatic plants, gentle ripples undulated, and occasionally water beetles and frogs peeked out as if offering greetings.
When cormorants and herons took flight from beyond the thicket with a flurry of wings, startled fish scattered beneath the surface.
The sight of dawn’s light filtering through the hazy mist was nothing short of magnificent.
‘The atmosphere here is extraordinary.’
As I rowed leisurely, I sensed movement and turned to find Radi gazing at the Wetland with sparkling eyes.
“This place is… truly so beautiful. The water droplets clinging to the lily pads look just like jewels. To think such scenery existed within a Dungeon… I wonder if the Sea looks like this too?”
“Well, this Wetland is famous even on Layer 1 for its beauty. But you’ve never seen the Sea? There’s a small Port Town nearby. What was it called… Puerto del Mar…”
“…That place is infested with Pirates. No normal person would go near it. According to rumors, there’s a terrifying Ghost Ship that appears in the nearby Coastal Region, and there are even stories of Undead appearing in the Harbor…”
“…”
Me, right?
“…Wait, what’s with that expression? Don’t tell me the Undead that appeared in the Harbor was…?”
“Ah, no, when I stopped by, they definitely looked human?”
“…How did you even end up going there? Now that I think about it, you mentioned having a Pirate form among your transformations. Is the source of that Pirate the one I’m thinking of?”
“Uh… well, it probably is. This would take a while to explain…”
As my words trailed off, Radi fixed me with a demanding stare, insisting on clarification.
“Oh…! Look over there!! A freshwater crocodile!”
“I’m not falling for that! Do you think I’ve been fooled like this once or twice before?! Now that I’m your partner, we need to settle these things properly…”
As we continued our usual bickering, I heard rustling sounds from behind us.
“Hmm… it’s quite humid here. My back’s already damp from just lying down for a bit.”
“Ah, Malton, you stood watch last night—you could sleep a bit longer.”
“This is enough. More importantly… how much further does this wetland extend?”
“Well… at this pace, we’re looking at a solid half day of travel.”
“Half a day?! The map made it look much closer than that….”
“That’s being optimistic. The center of this wetland is dominated by the Mangrove Forest, so we’ll have to detour around it.”
‘I only know this from what I heard the Adventurers say back at the Campsite,’ I added as an afterthought, glancing around to see the Guild Members rowing diligently behind us.
As I smiled back at those innocently waving their hands, Radi tugged at my sleeve and whispered.
“Now that I think about it, why did you ask them to build rafts for the Guild Members too? It can’t be about loyalty.”
“Ah, that’s… we might suddenly need reinforcements. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but….”
“Reinforcements?”
“Yes.”
We’re not alone in this wetland.
Sure enough, a scream suddenly erupted from one of the rafts trailing behind us.
I immediately stopped rowing and located the source of the cry.
A Guild Member, hand clamped over their mouth, pointed with trembling fingers at a dark, tire-like object protruding from the water’s surface.
｢[Green Anaconda] encountered!｣
｢A monster often seen in slow-moving rivers, streams, and floodplains. It favors environments dense with aquatic vegetation.｣
｢However, be cautious. Those mesmerized by its beautiful patterns who draw near may find their bones crushed and themselves swallowed whole!｣
｢There are rumors that the Green Anacondas in this region offer special rewards in exchange for certain creature eggs.｣
“A Green Anaconda… fortunately, as long as we don’t provoke it first, it’s generally a safe monster. Since our raft seems full anyway, let’s pass through quietly.”
The Green Anaconda is renowned as the undisputed lord of the river, boasting a massive frame.
With specimens occasionally reaching Level 46, it ranks among the strongest in Layer 1.
“L-Level 46?!”
“That’s only for fully mature adults. Such large specimens are rare.”
“Wait, then perhaps….”
“If you’re thinking of extracting venom, forget it. I know you have a hobby of collecting deadly toxins, but what if the raft gets damaged when you approach? Besides, anacondas aren’t even venomous snakes—why would you even consider it?”
“…Hmph, how often does one encounter an anaconda anyway? I was just asking on the off chance.”
Radi, who had subtly reached for a venom bottle, quickly turned away.
I communicated with the Guild Members using our predetermined hand signals, carefully detouring to avoid agitating the anaconda.
‘Still… to encounter a Green Anaconda, which is rare even here. Am I fortunate?’
In the past, the Green Anaconda was called a symbol of good fortune among Adventurers.
It was a non-aggressive monster that didn’t initiate combat, and it hunted surrounding creatures while protecting nearby vessels.
For Belheim, where treacherous and formidable monsters typically congregated near water’s edge, it was exceptionally benevolent.
“Then… is that also a docile monster?”
The water’s surface where Radi pointed began to bubble and churn, and green eyes suddenly burst through the foam, glaring in our direction.
A bipedal frog monster with webbed feet then emerged, advancing across the water’s surface.
As it approached with splashing steps, clutching a rusted metal skewer, the Guild Members murmured among themselves.
“A monster suddenly appears? It looks fairly weak….”
“Where did it find that scrap metal? This Dungeon hasn’t been visited by humans until recently.”
“It must have flowed down from the Surface. You know, during the flooding that inundated this wetland, water from above came pouring in. These creatures probably got swept down with it.”
While the others let their guard down at the amphibians’ meager appearance, I scowled and shouted.
“Damn it, they’ve appeared after all… Lucky my ass. Everyone, prepare for combat!!”
“What? Just one of them, and you’re making such a fuss…?”
“It’s not just one!”
This was why I had dreaded venturing into this wetland after the torrential downpour.
This was why I had brought sturdy log rafts capable of carrying all the Guild Members.
Green forms erupted from all directions in rapid succession, and the log window updated urgently.
Ding─! Ding─! Ding─!
「Emergency Sudden Quest Triggered!」
「The Kokokuran tribe, dormant at the bottom of the wetland due to the vicious downpour, has awakened!!」
「They despise outsiders setting foot in their territory! If you don’t want to become water beetle food, survive their onslaught!」
「The Kokokuran tribe will attempt to capsize your raft and drag you beneath the waters.」
「Quest Failure: Death」
I had to protect the raft.

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