CH 301

“Chapter 301: The Survivor Settlement”

【G G G G ! !】

The dark jerk managed to get a last shock before it collapsed, but it wasn’t strong enough to affect me.

Of course, the rubber must’ve helped too.

– Are you okay?

– Somehow.

Deko and Mira are mostly unharmed. I’ll have to wait once my body has relaxed, but I don’t think I suffered any serious injuries, other than a small abrasion on my arm.

– I can’t believe you defeated it with one strike. That’s a great weapon you have there. And of course, you’re pretty brave yourself.

– It’s not mine. If anything, I’d boast about my swing.

– Let’s get out of here before another one of those shows up. We can talk about Ralph then.

– Got it. But first…

I ripped off the poisonous fangs and the discharge organ from the dark jerk. I also took some of its meat, since the body itself is not poisonous.

I don’t like the idea of using my enemy, but I can’t afford to be picky in a situation like this.

※

Deko and Mira took me to the place they were currently settled on.

Surprisingly enough, it looked like an actual village. There were houses, livestock and crops.

Due to the “soil”, only potatoes could grow, but they were robust enough.

– We’re right in the middle of the belly. We’ve lived here for the past 10 years. And we’ll eventually have to move. (Deko)

From what they told me, there are a few other survivors around.

– We heard that Ralph had run away from home, so we tried looking for him, but suddenly an earthquake much stronger than the previous ones threw us off. Next thing we knew, we were inside the belly of a monster. (Mira)

The other survivors are a group of young fishermen who had just returned from a night of fishing.

– So Ralph’s parents… (Takaya)

– We’ve been looking for them all this time. You can imagine the result. (Deko)

– I’m very happy for Ralph, though. To hear that he’s alive and that he could fulfill his dream…

– Just knowing he’s alive is enough. Thank you, Takaya. And thank you for being his friend.

– No need for that. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be dead already.

We spent some time talking about Ralph. Whether it was his childhood stories or his current feats.

All the stories had something in common. Ralph was the center of them. Always cheerful and coming to rescue anyone in need.

– …I want to see him again. (Mira)

– I’m sure you will. He’ll be happy to know you’re both alive. We just have to get out-

– You can’t. Stop that.

Deko said with a gentle voice.

– Takaya-kun, we’ve been trapped in here for 10 years. We’ve tried everything we could and explored as much as we can. As you can tell, we can’t escape. It’s impossible. (Mira)

– The whale only has an entrance. No way out.