Chapter 31: Don’t Lose Focus

Rust Monsters are also known as “underdark scavengers” or “subterranean roamers.”

Just like many other insectoids, they typically dwell within the countless deep, winding caverns of the Underdark. The pitch-black, sunless environment has caused these creatures’ eyesight to gradually degenerate, leaving their vulnerable eyes safely covered beneath thick, protective carapaces.

In contrast, the feather-like antennae on both sides of their heads and the fin-like long tails covered in dense bristles act much like blind man’s canes, helping them navigate the deep subterranean tunnels with ease.

To a certain extent, these insects—which do not rely on meat as their primary source of sustenance—possess a relatively docile nature. If provided with ample food and proper care, they can even be domesticated into obedient pets, not unlike dogs or cats.

However, since they carry the suffix of “Monster,” Rust Monsters can display an exceptionally fierce aggressiveness under certain circumstances.

Rust Monsters feed on metal.

Iron, adamantine, mithril… they do not discriminate, and the vast majority of metals are fixed firmly onto their menu. Their highly developed sensory capabilities even allow these bizarre magical beasts to detect the presence of delicious metals from miles away.

Naturally, the armor and weapons carried by adventurers fall squarely into the category of “delicious metals.”

According to statistics from the Adventurers’ Guild, a vast number of adventurers die each year from Rust Monster ambushes while exploring the Underdark—even though they know perfectly well that they could survive simply by discarding their weapons and equipment.

Much like camels in the desert or herds of cattle migrating during the savanna’s dry season, their unique dietary structure grants these insectoid monsters an innate ability to locate all kinds of ore veins. Their highly corrosive saliva also helps them easily erode and soften hard metals, making them convenient to consume.

As “neighbors” who also traverse various major ore veins, the dwarves—renowned for their mastery in forging and mining—naturally harbor a deep-seated hatred for these monsters. Some clans even dispatch specialized “extermination squads” every year to purge these “termites” nesting within their mines.

Xia Nan hailed from another world. The only dwarf he had interacted with since crossing over was Barn, the heavily bearded smith at the Rockhammer Blacksmith Shop, who stood a few heads taller than himself. Yet looking at the hideous figure crawling on the ground not far ahead, he couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of shared grievance.

His eyes darted toward the meadow out of the corner of his eye, focusing on the one-handed hammer that had been completely melted down by the deep green saliva.

He felt his mouth turn dry, his throat tightening as he swallowed a mouthful of spit. The palm tightly gripping his hilt was already drenched in sweat. At this very moment, he genuinely began to weigh the feasibility of fighting with the two daggers at his waist instead.

This pressure… is seriously suffocating!

The hesitation lasted only a fraction of a second.

Despite the intense inner conflict, Xia Nan gripped his longsword and instinctively charged forward to offer support.

Because he had chosen to rest in a far corner, he was currently separated from Larry and Doris by almost the entire length of the camp. No matter how quick his reflexes were, he wasn’t as fast as the rogue who sat right next to the campfire in the center of the camp.

Having taken only a few strides forward, that exceptionally low-profile figure appeared beside the first Rust Monster like a shifting shadow.

Slyce!

The air tore open as a sharp, cross-shaped silver light erupted abruptly.

Xia Nan felt the space in front of Wood blur for an instant, and in the next moment, the twin daggers in the guard’s hands were already coated with a layer of yellow-green insect blood.

Hiss—

A sharp, agonizing screech echoed through the woods.

The Rust Monster’s thick carapace, which had only suffered minor cracks when struck by Larry’s heavy iron hammer, was sliced open as easily as flimsy paper beneath the twin daggers in Wood’s hands, which were barely a palm’s length.

Insect blood splattered in all directions!

The fin-like long tail whipped forward like a lash, but it swung through empty air, striking fruitlessly against the soft grass. Wood had long since vanished from his original position.

His ghost-like, agile frame leaped into the air, landing squarely on the Rust Monster’s dorsal carapace.

His brows were knit tightly. He had failed to deliver a fatal blow. The slash that had just severely wounded the Rust Monster seemed to leave him somewhat unsatisfied. The rogue combat technique [Gutter Strike], designed to sever internal organs and bone cavities, had failed to yield the desired result against a magical beast with a physical structure vastly different from a human’s.

However, his wealth of combat experience and knowledge of magical beasts instantly pointed out the vital weakness of the massive insect before him.

Flash!

The short dagger in his hand darted out as swiftly as a venomous serpent, its tip piercing down at an incredibly tricky angle through the seam between the Rust Monster’s neck carapaces.

It was like the venomous sting of a wasp, delivering a precise jab.

The grating screech ground to an abrupt halt.

The heavy body beneath the Rust Monster’s carapace collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, looking like a piece of machinery that had suddenly lost its power source.

With that, one of the four Rust Monsters was eliminated.

Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Wood pulled his dagger out of the monster’s body and seemed to sense something. He whipped his head up.

His pupils dilated instantly!

Unbeknownst to anyone, another insect had taken advantage of the chaotic battle to circle around, successfully sneaking to the far end of the camp.

And that was exactly where Haian was stationed!

“Young master, watch out!” he roared at the top of his lungs.

Simultaneously, his body atop the insect shell blurred into a phantom, vanishing from the spot.

With silver strands of hair stuck to his cheeks by sweat, Haian—who had retreated to the backline since the start of the battle—had his bowstring drawn to its limit, prepared at any moment to provide support anywhere on the field.

One has already been dealt with by Wood, one is over by Larry and Doris, and one hasn’t had time to charge into the camp yet. I need to first…

Wait, where is the last one?!

Haian’s brain worked at high speed, analyzing the situation on the battlefield. He was suddenly startled, and Wood’s roaring shout echoed through the air right after.

There was absolutely no time to think! Because in the very next second, a piercing screech accompanied by a sour, foul stench closed in from directly behind him.

He turned around violently.

What met his eyes was the menacing, towering frame of the Rust Monster. Its bone-white, razor-sharp mouthparts opened and closed, and a lethal, deep green venom was brewing within.

The imminent descent of death made time and space in front of Haian seem to freeze entirely in this single instant.

But right on its heels, a streak of iron-grey arc-light bursting from the darkness beside him instantly dragged Haian back to reality.

[Sweeping Slash]

The incomparably sharp arc of sword-light resembled a passing crescent moon, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. Following the seam between the carapaces with equal precision, the cut was flawlessly clean, sending half of the insect’s head spinning through the air.

Thud.

The heavy insect carcass crashed to the ground from its momentum, and foul-smelling insect blood gushed out like a fountain.

Sheathing his sword smoothly, Xia Nan caught a glimpse of the blade out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that the surface was only stained with blood and had not come into contact with the corrosive venom, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Looking at the half-elf before him, who seemed to have lost his focus due to the sudden ambush—his face, splattered with deep green insect blood, wearing a completely dazed expression—Xia Nan couldn’t help but frown and say:

“Be careful. Don’t lose focus.”

(End of Chapter)