CH 95

Baphomet, the goat monkey.

A familiar goat-headed devil in various ancient legends. It is often associated with the image of sitting in the middle of a feast of evil people.

It’s definitely a demonic and symbolic idol, but in New Tokyo, it actually exists as a wild beast with the senses of the living.

The level of a normal individual as a metro beast is 15 to 20, which is a little tougher than Ghost Wolf or Blue Goblin, and a little tougher than Red Goblin by Outsuka’s standards. If we consider the level of the metro beast as a criterion.

“Meeh!” (Baphomet)

“Meeh!” (Baphomet)

Three Baphomets were jumping up and down as they approached the not-so-wide cave behind the waterfall. Kicking the rock wall with their bipedal walking and strong legs trained in bouldering, they leap through the air and performing Rolling Sobats [T/N: Street Fighter, Guile’s move].

A Metro Beast’s killing ability doesn’t depend on its level—the strength and growth of the hypha inside its body. It depends on their physique, muscular strength, intelligence, and various innate characteristics. These factors work as correction values, so it cannot be measured by appearance or estimated level alone.

As for Baphomet, compared to other beasts of the same level range, it can be said that “they are not as cunning as goblins, but they are a muscle-brained race that excels in explosive power and jumping ability, and prefers hand-to-hand combat”. They are a group of wild animals that deviates considerably from the traditional religious/mythical image.

When ordinary people or low-level hunters face them, the practice is to kill them by shooting or throwing projectiles from a long distance, but the danger level increases dramatically when they are brought into close quarters combat. Even melee fighters in the same level range, such as [Knights] and [Warriors], are subjected to tricky and acrobatic footwork that is difficult for humans to handle.

The reality is that for a level 70, they are not much of a threat.

Baphomet, who fell to the ground with a sticky clatter, realized after a one-second delay that it had lost its kicking leg and let out a shrill, muffled “BEEEEEEEEEE!”

As the screams echo in the cave, the remaining two beats also attack from above my head. The right one jumped straight at me with its sole, while the left one swung down at my head with a heel drop. It was a straightforward attack with no pretense of making a feint.

The kick was explosive! Raising a roar and piercing through the air.

My takes a half step back and my head dodges the downward attack at an angle.

“Sha!” (Shuu)

With a short exhale, the [Katana] was raised at an angle and swung down without a pause. It is a compact swing that takes into account the narrowness of the space.

The right side of the beats is cut off from the side of the head to the brain, and the left side is cut off from the shoulder to the waist, and both sides fall to the ground. A muffled cry escapes, but it soon stops.

The last one is leaning against the wall, writhing in agony and dragging itself backward with its arms. The goat’s eyes are already losing their will to fight as it stares back down at me, but like a goat, its pupils are dilated horizontally, making it look creepier than normal.

“Sorry.” (Shuu)

I thrust the tip of my sword into the goat’s throat. Soon the screams die down and the only sound around us is the sound of the waterfall…

“Abeshuu!” (Tamiko)

Before I can reply, I turn around. My eyes meet those of the fourth one, which jumped at me from behind.

The [Katana] that I was about to swing at it struck the rock wall.

If it was aiming for that, from his positioning, this goat-monkey is a schemer, not a muscle-brain.

The soles of its feet straighten out. It has a hoofless, monkey-like, almost human-like foot. At the end of the trajectory was my nose.

“Ooh!” (Shuu)

With a spirited effort, I swung the [Katana] with a force that shatters the rock wall and blows away the foot that is closing in on my face from the joint. The second blow, delivered from the returning blade from the right eye, splits the horns like bamboo and spraying a large amount of blood on the wall.

“…phew.” (Shuu)

I checked the front, back, left, right, and even the ceiling to make sure there are no ambushers or reinforcements. Finally, I take a breather.

“I was a bit nervous for a moment.” (Shuu)

In an unexpected way, I almost opened my eyes to the depths of Jigen Ryuu. Next time I’ll try pinching them with my fingers.

Rather, it was my mistake that I had deactivated [Sensory Spores], when I am entering the back of the waterfall, due to the narrowness of the space and my exasperation from the splashing water, I canceled the [Sensing Spores] for a while and entered the battle as without, albeit abruptly.

“I couldn’t hear it either because of the sound of the water.” (Shuu)

It wasn’t a big deal due to the level difference of the surprise attacker, but there is one thing to reflect on. The same thing happened with the dense fog in the depths of Ouji, but the feedback of the [Sensory Spores] is noisy and its range is narrowed in places where there are splashes of water and mist dancing around. If it is as loud as the sound of a waterfall, Tamiko’s enhanced hearing will be affected. We’ll have to be careful next time.

“Now……” (Shuu)

I’ve been waiting for this. It’s the sporangium munching time since Ouji Metro.

Four Baphomets. I was able to kill them rather neatly, so all the sporangia are safe, including the fourth one like a split bamboo.

“The rice balls I got from Kurano will be our late-night snack, so this is dinner.” (Shuu)

“Squeak…” (Tamiko)

I glared at the fact that one of the reasons why hunters were periodically urged to dive in the Metro regularly was the unsatisfactory sporangia. Once you get used to the taste of food on the surface, this chewy texture and bitter taste that sticks to your tongue can be a factor that keeps you away from the Metro. Humans are creatures that are vulnerable to the corruption of gastronomy. Oh no, another one.

A total of eight sporangia, slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball. I made Tamiko eat one and a half of them (I forcefully stuffed it into her reluctant mouth, saying, “I’m still eating one, squeak!”), and I ate the rest.

The difference in level between us and the enemy may not be worth much in experience, but it is a hunter’s duty not to leave the sporangium behind. We gratefully accept it as a sign of respect for the enemy with whom we have exchanged our lives. And, thankfully, there is plenty of water wash it down our stomachs.

“At times like this, Noa… if Noa were there, squeak…” (Tamiko)

“Don’t try to force it on your little sister. It’s only the first one that tastes so bad you want to puke, from then on it’s just the usual bad.” (Shuu)

This guy has a very discerning palate. Not only her stomach, but her tongue as well. If we don’t give her a metro boot camp regularly, she will go straight to being a chonk squirrel.

By the way, goat meat is not tasty. It tastes bad when it is cooked improperly (only Noa can eat it). In the village, Kaya carefully prepares the meat and cooks it into grilled with ginger or Yamatoni [T/N: Boiled with ginger, soy sauce, and sugar], which is quite tasty.

Horns can be sold, but it is not really priced. They are not used for medicine like Unicorn Horns but are simply processed into materials for crafts and daily necessities. I’m sorry, but I’ll just take the sporangium and leave the rest in the side. I will leave for the road.

“Abeshuu doesn’t leave any sporangium, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“That’s it. It’s human nature to want to see them, you know, a legend. In fact, the Baphomets were hiding.” (Shuu)

“They might have been the kind who wouldn’t be afraid of people, squeak. Maybe they were just quietly running around, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“That’s right…” (Shuu)

If you’ve been to the home of a harmless metro resident and made them and their friends your dinner, you’re going to feel a bit uncomfortable.

“But they were pretty motivated, too. I guess they were starving.” (Shuu)

Baphomet is basically an omnivore and will eat anything, including humans. However, they also have an unexpectedly cautious side, and compared to other beasts, aggression is high for a muscle-brain beast. The reason these guys are turning violent is because of the food situation due to the overpopulation.

“If a strange-looking animal suddenly appears on the scene, anyone would be startled, squeak. They are very eager to get rid of us, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“Why though, I have a forgettable face…” (Shuu)

“I feel bad, really bad, squeak.” (Tamiko)

Tamiko put her hand together and prayed over the corpses that were lined up. For some reason, I began to dig a hole. Then I offer one rice ball in front of the grave.

“Even so, your movements are squeaker, Abeshuu.” (Tamiko)

“Oh? You saw?” (Shuu)

I smiled. As expected of my partner, she is a squirrel who knows the difference. She has not been watching over me for five years.

With Ouji, I have gained two levels, and have now reached the 70 level. Two levels are not a dramatic change, but it is still a clear improvement in mobility and a slight increase in Fungal Skills.

It has been several weeks since we left Ouji, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t do anything before that. I have been moving my body regularly to get acclimated, and I have been training a lot to get used to [Accumulation].

I do not intend to be overconfident, but I feel that I am still growing even after leaving Outsuka. I can still get stronger.

“If I say that I want new Fungal Skills, Professor Noa will get angry. Even if I say that I’ve become stronger, I am still a half-baked hunter, and I have to make use of my experience here for the future.” (Shuu)

“Be humble and kind. I hope you will be blessed with a bald head in the future, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“Oh? Yeah.” (Shuu)

We descended the wet, rock wall that shone like metal, this time into a swampy area where mangrove-like tree roots served as footholds.

A hill with misty rain from cracks in the ceiling. A pond with huge vines hanging over it like a bridge. A meadow with small fish swimming in floating bubbles.

One person and one animal marveled at the scenery that changed with each step, saying, “Wow” and “Squeak” one after another. It was like a fantasy land.

“I wish Noa could see this too.” (Shuu)

“Squeak.” (Tamiko)

“I’d like to try fishing in that pond.” (Shuu)

“Squeak.” (Tamiko)

It is said to be an unpopular metro, but with such a fantastic scenery, it would be nice if more people came here. Well, the metro is not a tourist spot, and not many hunters go out of their way to seek it out. Or maybe Outsuka and Ouji were just too orthodox, and this kind of strange scenery is not uncommon in New Tokyo.

Of course, I cannot afford to stay in a sightseeing mood. Metro Beasts roam everywhere, including the familiar Sahuagin, the Hermit Crabs and Tentacle creatures that also appeared in Outsuka, and Giant Piranhas that roam the ground with their fins.

If I activate [Beast Repellent Spores], they rarely come close to us. Even so, the beasts are somewhat frightened but still seem to be constantly on the lookout for their surroundings.

I know the reason. It’s the Baphomets.

The drooling goat headed beasts enter every scene, making me want to quip that they are very unphotogenic. Even if I use [Beast Repellent Spores], they will approach me slowly and hesitantly. It’s troublesome when they call their companions, so I’m trying to deal with them promptly, but there are still a lot of them.

The scenery is not all breathtaking. Nuts and leaves are being devoured, bones of beasts with pieces of meat are lying around, fish carcasses are floating in ponds, and the bare reality of the situation is everywhere. It is like a beast infestation caused by the overpopulation of Baphomets.

The lives and cycles of Metro flora and fauna, including metro beasts, are so powerful that it is impossible in the commonsense world that I know. They are constantly rising and falling in the midst of the weak and strong and the changes of the metro, sometimes even involving the metro’s surroundings, creating their own unique ecosystems.

I remember the 49th floor of the Outsuka Metro, which was full of slimes. The irregular and explosive proliferation of one species will probably have a great impact even on the balance of the system. If this situation continues for a long time, the environment of this metro may change drastically, just as the overpopulation of goats, deer, and other species that have no natural predators will turn lush mountains into bald mountains.

(What would the Metro Church say?) (Shuu)

Something like, “The changes within the Metro should surrender itself to the will of the Metro?”

Or “In order to preserve the Metro ecosystem, some intervention is unavoidable in the face of rapid change”?

I have a feeling it’s the former, but I doubt it.

In this respect, the hunters and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are (or should be) governed by “people’s lives and property,” not by doctrine. Even for this request, if there had been no damage to the Rikugi Village, they would have left it alone.

The other party is nature (or the supernatural), and it is a beast. Even if a great deal of damage is caused by beasts, it is not evil. However, justice was not part of it.

—As long as the opponent is not a Demon.

Suddenly, I see the carcass of an Almiraj, which has been eaten and infected by insects and rats.

“… Abeshuu?” (Tamiko)

“……nope.” (Shuu)

I slap my cheek.

Should I be overthinking this or that?

No matter what the emotional argument is, no matter where I stand.

In the end, there is no good or evil.

It’s a fight for profit and survival between different races. That’s all.

I’m just doing my job as a hunter. That’s all.

“Over there, the stairs of the fourth floor. Let’s be careful.” (Shuu)

After a few short pauses, about three hours after entering the metro area.

Shuu and Tamiko finally set foot on the fifth basement floor.

There, a new “evil” awaits them.