Lair

Chapter 004 - Ignorance

By Skalsar

>Be careful there.>I know, I know. Don't worry.

Shortly after the axe hit the tree again, the tree finally fell.

>Alright. That's it for now. Let's go back.>But we could still get one more, you know?>No. The scouting group will attack very soon. We sould leave the spawnarea.

It was three men, cutting down trees around the hive.

>You know..The biggest one started, axe in hand.

>We could go in, too. Get us some of the treasures and be back before dawn.

>Are you out of your mind, Mardo? You will die before even seeing minerals, let alone gems.

The one who was scolding Mardo, seemed to be the leader of the three.

His hair was already grey, but you could see his strength every time he hit a tree with his axe.

>Oh come on, Rego. If you come with us, what could happen?The third one joined the conversation.

>Like big bro said, if we go in there with the scouting group, kill some weak monster and return, there would be nothing to worry about. And if the first one doesn't drop anything, we can leave it at that.He continued.

>We could really use the money, you know..?

Redo sighed at Mardo's words.

The settlement was poor, more so the two brothers.

After being robbed by bandits when transporting goods, they returned to their [Village].

Only to see it being burned down and devoured by monsters.

Afterwards they tried to find work and ended up in the settlement as lumberjacks.

>I don't like it.. There is something weird about this labyrinth.

Like these flying things, that seem to scout the area.

It's a bad omen I tell you.

The brothers sighed, but nodded.

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It was the third one, the little brother of Mardo. Lant.

He just couldn't get the thought out of his head and therefore followed the scouting party.

Before him, they opened a [Portal].

It's something that everyone can do, when near a hive.

By wanting to go inside, the [Portal] opens.

The same when you are inside and want to go outside.

But for that, you have to go to a safe place within the dungeon.

Mostly the rooms right after ascending or descending a level.

Otherwise, you need an [Explorer].

They have the ability to travel to layers they already visited.

Also they have the ability to leave from everywhere, as long as they aren't involved in a fight.

But that is also a problem sometimes.

There are many [Explorers] who feel save because they can leave from everywhere.

After a fight they often don't rest enough and go on.

Then, when they are worn out and want to return, the [Portal] doesn't open because a monster is near, disturbing the skill.

Panicking they lose their focus and make mistakes fighting the monster hastily.

That's why it's a rule for explorers not to go into a hive alone.

Lant also opened a [Portal] to get into the hive.

Seeing the scouting group inside.

They were careful in exermining the first layer.

>So this is the first level, huh?Looking around for his chance to get some treasure.

Only an axe in hand.

His class was that of a [Novice].

Not once had he fought a monster yet.

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Humans are weird creatures.

Why do they need the treasure?

I still don't get it.

It isn't like they can eat them or something.

And even through they are without question afraid, why do they come into the hive?

"Hivemind" shares my thought that they are just stupid.

No other living thing would take such a risk for treasure.

You can't know what this weird creatures think.

Most likely they don't really think, but act to some sort of instinct.

Trying to reproduce? Maybe the treasure helps attract females?

Showing off how strong they are, if they don't die?

I don't know.

Like those weird green monsters, called goblins.

Well, I'm a bit curious.

After producing a core, I look a bit at the treasure.

Sure, I can't go near the big group, but there seems to be a single human too.

I guess I will watch him for a bit.

He really looks weak.

"Hivemind" doesn't mind, as long as I take a bodyguard with me.

So I took along a [Blazing Hellhound], opened a [Portal] to the lowest layer and started moving.

By the way.. The [Blazing Hellhound] would be weakened normaly, because the influence of the "Hivemind" is weak at lower levels.

That is, if there is no transmitter.

Which is me.

My "core" has a special bond with the "Hiveminds" body.

Therefore, as long as I'm here too, the [Blazing Hellhound] is as strong as ever.

That could also be the reason why the human is trembling right now.

He also seems to be leaking some fluid, and it reeks.

Is that a defensive mechanism humans have?

Well, I send the [Blazing Hellhound] back a few steps and lay down a small mineral.

Backing off, too.

The human is watching me stupified.

He doesn't seem to understand.

I wonder what he will do.

Will he take it?

Or is a human intelligent enough to run away, given the ..

No.. he took it..

I lay down the next one.

A small green gem.

He stares at it greedily.

Seems like his instincts kicked in?

He doesn't even look at me anymore and just grabs it.

I send the [Blazing Hellhound] back a few more steps.

Now I point at that thing in his hand.

To my understanding, because humans are weak, they use weird things called tools.

But he doesn't seem to understand what I mean.

He makes some weird noises. It hurts a bit to listen.

Is that some kind of attack?

Oh, that is his "voice"? He is "talking"?

What a stupid way to communicate.

"Hivemind" got curious too now and is watching us.

I show him some more treasure and point at the tool in his hand again.

Now he seems to understand and lays down to tool, backing off a bit.

After I grab the tool and examine it, I throw it at him.

It's easily thrown and flies in a small arc.

Seems like humans are really fragile.

His voice got really loud when it hit his leg and he fell down.

Trying to get away, he even let go of the treasure.

Seems like finally he understands that it isn't worth it.

Maybe humans are able to learn?

Well, whatever.

I take the treasure back and leave.

Something seems to be missing through.

But I feel bad for only taking a small amount of his magic power.

"Hivemind" doesn't seem to care about it.

He is more fascinated with the fact that I can collect magic power without killing the prey.

Thinking about it, it would be useful to have stronger creatures on the lower levels with that ability.

Like, hurting the humans and collecting magic power, but not killing them. So they try again.

It would allow a steady support of nutritions.

Maybe I can experiment on a "core" to test around somebit?