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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Lakeworm
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Lakeworm.
Lakeworm.
The name literally means a worm living by the lakeside. It dwells in the water, hiding its body in its territory, and when it detects prey, it lunges in one go and devours it.
"What the hell is that?!"
"L-Looks like it's over twenty meters long?"
Its size alone makes it a tyrant in the Lakeside area with no rivals.
Even lizard hatchlings that could rip off human limbs with raw strength steer clear of its territory.
That's why some players dove deep into the water to shake off the lizards' pursuit, but no one was ever seen coming back alive.
Because in the water, the Lakeworm is an existence beyond human movement.
Kwaaaaaarrr!
And right now, such a creature was charging straight at me. With my sword resting on my shoulder, I took three steps back.
Whoosh-!
In that instant, my vision blackened as the worm's massive, muscular body whipped past my face in a flash.
'As expected, out of the water, it's manageable.'
Kyaaaaaooo!
But its flexibility was undiminished from the water. It twisted its body in one motion for another attack. I took three more steps back and dodged it effortlessly.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Because I'd dodged repeatedly? The thing started cunningly slamming its body against the floor.
Rumble rumble rumble!
The ground shook violently, forcing me to crouch low to avoid toppling over.
One moment's gap, and I'd be sucked right into that horrific maw swirling with thousands of teeth.
"Kyaa! M-Min-jun!"
"Dickhead! When I signal, roll sideways! Gonna hurl a big fireball!"
While I evaded, the two snapped out of their panic and shouted offers to help. I waved them off.
"No need."
"What? One slip and you're dead, what do you mean no need! Don't play hero—dodge on my signal! If you die, I swear I won't let you rest in peace!"
Didn't seem like they'd let me rest even alive.
"Don't worry. It can't attack me anymore."
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
I stood straight and gazed ahead.
A gigantic banquet hall.
The monster over twenty meters long had rampaged everywhere, smashing tables and chairs. The once serene, beautiful space was now a total wreck.
Gooooooo.
The prey-evading beast was furious. But it no longer lunged at me standing boldly before it.
"Huh? It stopped attacking? Why?"
"Simple. It has its territory. Hates leaving it."
"Hah?"
That's why it's a raid boss in Lakeside.
To hunt it, you must enter waters over four meters deep—but then you're just floating bait.
"And the second reason's the big one: it can't last long out of water."
Sizzle-
Not even two minutes in, its skin moisture was gone, radiating scorching heat all around.
Reason it lives in the water.
I lowered my sword, dragging it across the floor to draw a line.
Scraaaape. Scraaaape.
With the grating noise, the line from the banquet hall's left reached the right end before stopping.
"So remember: stay outside this line, no attacks. Ha-na, you too."
"Y-Yes. Got it."
Sssslither. Unable to endure land any longer, the Lakeworm slunk back into the waterway, vanishing into the deep darkness beyond the wall.
Silence blanketed the vast stone chamber as if nothing had happened.
"But it needs water to wash before bed, so wait a sec."
I sheathed my sword, recalled the warehouse among rooms I'd spotted, fetched four buckets from there, and emerged.
Grabbed one and approached the waterway.
"Hey, dangerous inside the line!"
"Fine. It's sensitive to blood scent—this much splashing won't stir it."
Splash splash.
I splashed deliberately for show, startling Shin Seo-yeon and the Saintess—who'd rushed to stop me—into backing away.
Behind them, Isera had dropped stealth, waving frantically with a tense face for me to hurry back.
"Just in case, you three stay out."
"Like I'd go in even if told!"
Oh dear, Seo-yeon actually listening for once.
They were so on edge, they missed my slip-up saying "three."
Their tension melted only after I filled and returned with the second bucket safely.
Whew. Shin Seo-yeon extinguished her fireball in her hand.
"But how do you know all that?"
Oh no.
Reunited after ten years, I got carried away and blabbed.
"Saw it at the Rest Area shop. Had a monster guide."
"That important? Hm. Guess so—I was fixated on the staff you gave me."
Shin Seo-yeon nodded, convinced.
And the Saintess's eyes sparkled as always.
"Such foresight! Min-jun's amazing! Best decision ever joining you! Might be the luckiest person alive!"
"Sis, what's great about this loser? Wouldn't want him given. Unless he begged."
"Eek, but... he's great to me."
Shin Seo-yeon scowled at the Saintess's pure reaction, crossed her arms, snorted, and glared at me pointlessly.
Meanwhile, I hauled all the water to safety. Set one bucket each before them, grabbed two, headed to the warehouse.
"Dickhead, where?"
"You'd feel awkward washing with me here."
"So? We've naked-showered together tons."
Showers weren't all. Fucked plenty too.
Remembered Shin Seo-yeon writhing, hips gripped, cursing me not to cum inside.
"Don't! No cumming inside! If you do, you're dead!"
Then when I did, her pussy clenched tight around me with that pitiful face...
'Seo-yeon's cute during sex, if nothing else.'
Her helpless expression, toes and fingers twitching with every thrust—pure gold.
Well, only in the heat of it.
"Why the creepy stare? Spill it."
Hand on hip, attitude all high horse. I shook my head—nothing.
"Anyway, wash here together. Seen your dick so much it's old news..."
Said it casually, then froze. Glanced aside—the Saintess blinking innocently.
"Eek. You two naked shower...? Ah, childhood friends..."
"Damn, sis doesn't know us yet."
Not thrilled, she scratched her head. Eyes rolling—she was debating spilling the truth.
'Seo-yeon's queen bee type—won't tolerate group couples besides herself.'
Wants worship only, guys or girls serving her honey pot.
Normally she'd sabotage me and Saintess dating, but hurting Saintess risks party dropout—and her loss.
After agonizing, she dodged truth, switched topics.
"Hey, too much! Why two buckets for you!"
"My call."
"Hah? For real?!"
She lunged to argue, but paused—hand flying to protect her nape.
'Damn, the beatings work wonders. Even sealed Seo-yeon's yap.'
I chuckled lightly at her wary glances around, bucket in hand, entered the warehouse depths.
Handed one to the cute grim reaper who'd followed.
"Yours, Isera. Wash up."
Honestly skipped her at first, but she led us here. No her, no dreaming this spot.
"Take it. Shampoo here, body wash there. Towel too?"
"..."
Isera stared up silently from beside the bucket.
Hime-cut, baby-fat cheeks still cute—girl said nothing.
Seemed like "move, gonna wash," so I shoved a towel in her tiny hand, turned away.
"Toss shampoo and stuff my way when done. I'll wash at the entrance, blocking others."
As I moved to leave, she tugged my clothes tight.
"?"
"Question. Why me?"
Because you'll become S-Rank assassin, humanity's must-have.
But no fool to say straight, so bullshitted.
"Dunno. Need reason to care?"
"Huh? No hard words."
"Just wanna."
"Eh?"
Bullshit, but true.
Again: taking Isera, no doubt.
Saintess recruit one; her two or three.
That vital.
Duh—future life-saver, gotta pamper.
"More?"
Just blank stare up again.
'Stealth off, that piss stench hits hard.'
Still unwashed from nape-grab wetting.
Well, washing proper in Trials? Luxury.
'No wonder water mages hot.'
I set my bucket before her too.
"Fetch fresh. Use both. Scrub everywhere clean—shampoo, body wash, go nuts."
"..."
"Answer."
Blank stare, so assumed got it, turned.
Round one Isera? Quiet or quieter—not chatty.
'Anyway, skip Lakeworm. No raid ping, just fouls water.'
Rustle rustle.
Kang Min-jun exited the warehouse. Isera peeked his retreating back at the entrance, then murmured softly.
"Yeah. Decided."
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