Chapter 19: Live Bait

Looks terrible

After guiding Futaba-san to a side of the passage, a minute, two I took a dazed time-out for around 5 minutes, only after which, I got myself together, went to inspect the Gomas corpse, and let out the preceding line.

The body was bloody to the point that I couldnt even tell how many times Id stabbed it. The brutality was on the level youd see in some B-Horror films.

Well, I did hear that when you consciously commit murder for the first time, its often the case that you get too worked up and end up with a sever case of overkill, so this kind of result isnt something I cant say I expected.

Still, perhaps Im not feeling so much of a repugnance to this kind of rated R-18 gore in real life, is because it is something I myself produced. Could be that my sensitivity has dulled quite a bit from my brief experience of dungeon life.

Since I can regain calm in just a bit of time, that theory may not be far from the truth. I didnt learn any Psyche Skill though.

Anyway, my state of mind, Ill leave be. Lets just finish up with the Goma and get out of here.

I didnt expect any Core from the Red Dog but this Goma may just have a fragment or two. In addition, though crude, these humanoid Goma do carry weapons. Futaba-sans story had indeed touched on ones using bows for ranged combat.

Implying, this is our chance to get gear.

Huh, this guys

Yet, when I observe again, or rather, plainly looked at the Goma, I realized.

got nothing on at all!?

P-pervert! Id shout but my disappointment was a bit greater.

Yup, whichever way I look at it, this guys just plain butt naked.

Actually, this is the first time Ive seen a Goma from so close. First time I witnessed the creature was a scene where I was peeking at them gorging on a girl from slightly far away.

Getting a better look, I can see that not only is their skin reminiscent of cockroaches, but theyre different from humans at the musculo-skeletal level.

Their height is less than that of an adult man, around my height quite frankly, but looking at that black, slimy, humanoid form makes me equate it to a primate like the orangutan rather than a person. Their image could be best described as one of primitive man, a hunched posture, short legs, and long arms, ones you can find in an animal encyclopedia.

Though, I cant really tell if its male or female. I happen to glance at its nether regions, but that didnt help at all. Of course, touching to see if its got one or not, doesnt even cross my mind.

Even if Goma were unisex creatures, that information is something I give not one ** about.nw stries at n/vel/b/i/n(.)co

Damn this guys really got nothing at all

I dont care if you got no undies but at least have a knife or something. This dungeons chock full of vile Monsters you hear. Whyd you gotta prance around in your birthday suit, dumbass.

No, well, maybe normal Goma are like monkeys and live naked in the wild.

Maybe those ones dining on that girl were a special class amongst Goma like Hunter or Warrior; those who go out to hunt Monsters and are given the privilege of clothing and weapons.

Shit, just stop thinking about Goma ecology already. Rather than info, I need some physical loot here.

Hm?

Cmon, something, anything; I stare intensely at the Gomas remains with bloodshot eyes, when I realize.

Theres, way too many wounds.

No, youre the one who did that remember, Id like to self-retort but thats not it. Certainly, I had stabbed it countless times, but area I did that on was only one.

Basically, in my high-tension, frenzied state, I could only manage to hit the biggest part i.e. the trunk of its body. I was not at all in the frame of mind to go for the head or any kind of vitals.

Meaning, injuries from my spear didnt exist on its face or limbs. Nonetheless,

This cut here may be a knife

The Gomas arms and legs had deep wounds even amateurs could distinguish. These wounds were rough yet certainly ran in a line, theyd in no way be from claws of something like an Armor Bear.

Dare I say, from dulled knifes, yes, those same rusted knives carried by Goma; Like it was forcefully stabbed at the same places by those very knives.

The precise positions of those wounds would be, on the calves of both legs and the upper part of the left arm. For some reason, the right arm was left alone.

Just what, was it that attacked it?

In this otherworld, Monsters with severe wounds suddenly popping up in dungeons, meant to become mobs to kill for delicious bonus exp, would obviously be really too good to be true. At least for me, apart from the whole magic thing, everything appears to follow the physical laws just like on Earth.

Thus, since its injured, there is necessarily a cause to be found. Considering its a dungeon, the most likely cases would be: unforeseen accident, or attacked by Monsters.

Theres an exception at present where us humans are also fighting Monsters and if this Goma had been in combat with a student, theres no reason to leave it be after some damage to the limbs.

This situation was just as if the purpose was to immobilize the Goma, aiming to injure but not kill; as if that was the attackers true objective.

But then, for what intent?

The questions keep rising. I feel like the protagonist of a mystery. What secrets lie in the body, through the art of deduction

Momokawa-kun

With a shock! my body jolts hard quite pathetically from the sudden voice. No, no, that didnt scare me at all, I pretend as I turn around.

Futaba-san, alright now?

Ah, yeah Im fine, so

That pale complexion doesnt look fine at all, but I wont push the point. She must be, working hard in her own way.

So, whats up?

Yeah, umm the Core, we should get it, right?

From her fidgety way of asking, I quickly got her point.

Oh yeah Futaba-san, you did say youre used to handling Cores

Yeah

In Futaba-sans previous dungeon adventures, her only usefulness in the Class Rep party was that of extracting Cores. Luckily her skill in cooking is quite the thing and dismantling these Monsters went splendidly, is apparently the case.

Matter of fact, now that its a simple corpse, she shouldnt carry so much reluctance. If the dead bodys fine, Id have thought killing it would garner the same emotion, but apparently, thats not the case.

But you dont have any knives though, is that alright? I mean, we only got the cutter

Its alright, I think Ive handled some Goma before, and the Core isnt too deep inside, I think I can do it

Oh, such reassuring words. I guess its that thing where everyone has their strong points.

Alright, its all yours

Ok, leave it to me, no problem!

And when I went to hand my boxcutter to the slightly less pallid Futaba-san, shoving my hand into my gakuran(uniform) pocket, searching for 3 seconds, grabbing the required plastic article, and offering it as if here, a gift; right then.

Ah, Momokawa-kun, this Goma, its holding something?

Eh, no way

This naked fella? I thought, but looking where Futaba-san was indicating, there was indeed a something.

The hells, this

What I see, is the Goma holding a small bag in its right hand. Yes, a truly small, crude bag of brown pelt, small enough to be completely covered by the palm. With only a quick lookover, I didnt notice.

I wonder what its white, powder?

Futaba-san spread open the Gomas right hand without the slightest hesitation and retrieved the bag. Even though I felt so disgusted at the Gomas corpse, needed so long just to gather the guts to touch it what can I say, nothing less from a master of the kitchen whos even chopped up Monsters.

As I raise my opinion of Futaba-san by another point, I stare at the mystery bag of white powder in her hand.

Hmm, this is

It a glance, it seemed like wheat flour, or potato starch, it couldnt be described as anything other than pure white power. I also notice that the Gomas bloodstained right hand has bits of this powder on it here and there.

Before wondering what, white power, the first thing to pop in mind were those illegal substances.

Kay, lets see here when ingested, it uplifts the spirit and eases fatigue, you get into a state of extreme high, and furthermore, has a strong addiction factor wait, this is a drug!

Eeeh, d-drugs!?

Via Intuition Pharmacy, I learned the characteristics of this white powder, this Goma-made drug.

If this Goma was on a trip from this narcotic, and decided to run around bare naked in the dungeon, then thats all good. If this ones got an extra dose of stupid compared to the average unintelligent Goma, then thats all there is to it.

However, even that most likely scenario doesnt hold given the fact that those wounds exist on the Gomas limbs.

Right, this ones had its limbs cut by some thing, making it unable to move, and then given this bag of drugs; I cant think of any other scenario.

Therefore, the culprit must be

W-w-wha-wha-what, do I do with this, Momokawa-kun!?

Futaba-san holds out the bag of narcotics, panicking as if shes got a time bomb in her hands.

Calm down, its fine as long as you dont breathe it in

B-but

Ah, ok, fine, Ill hold on to it for you

Reaching out my hands, my movements stop. In front of me is Futaba-san; the glimpse of those things behind her, seeing those I turn stiff.

W-whats wrong, Momokawa-kun?

Seeing me suddenly stop. Seeing my face probably paling in fear, Futaba-san asks uneasily.

Its unfortunate but right now, I cant say its fine. No words of relief, nor those of comfort would escape my mouth. What I voice, would only be the cruelest of realities.

I-its bad we, fell for it

Eh

And turning around to follow where Im looking, Futaba-san screaming so loud as if the stone passage would break, was the natural result. I mean, I even feel like screaming with her.

Reason being, right there, there were

Damn it all the Goma, got us surrounded

Chapter end