"Grii"
As soon as we reunite with the group, Kora proudly displays the bean.
[[[[Congratulations!]]]]
The girls applaud, as if they were encouraging a local preschooler begging for attention. But they don't forget to send me evaluative glares.
[Bitches, if you want to suck up to me that badly, go ahead, I allow it.]
[[[[Tsk]]]] — With a click of annoyance, they focus all their attention back on the goblins.
Kekeke, yes, just like that. Hate me. Feed the rat-boy.
[What was all that racket earlier? We were thinking of going in to back you up.] — Grandpa Orangutan openly declares he was going to ignore the pact to abandon and escape in case of trouble.
Why even make pacts then?
[There was a minor setback, but I resolved it with a fiery argument.] — John reports to Grandpa.
On the surface, his words mean nothing, but Grandpa lets out a slight smile as he glances at the empty pocket in John's vest, where the incendiary grenade used to be.
Not just him—everyone seems to get it more or less… The rat-boy has been wondering, but aren't these monkeys a bit too competent? Apparently, they even memorize their teammates' ammo counts.
[Because of that stupid old man, instead of standard police training, our department has a military training regimen. That's why new recruits don't usually last long and we're always short-staffed.]
The receptionist-vixen seems to read my thoughts and clarifies.
What is up with this power again? … Vixen, I know you can read my thoughts… suck my—
[GYAAA!] — I cry out as I take a hit from the receptionist-vixen.
[Hmph.]
Damn telepaths.
[Almost everything we saw were oversized insects, but what attacked us was a gigantic toad, roughly the size of the Orc Lord. Tentatively immune to bullets; they bounced right off it.]
[Do you think it could withstand a shot from the .50 cal rifle?]
[Uncertain, but it withstood a shot from the Magnum.]
[Resistant to penetration, weak to fire. I see, that makes sense.]
Grandpa concludes in agreement with the rat-boy's previous thought.
[Oh, please. How does that make sense? It's obviously illogical.]
[Why is it illogical? Fire damage is clearly different from penetration damage; it's Elemental Damage.]
[So what? Bullets also come out at high temperatures due to combustion.]
[But that is, at most, +2 passive Fire Damage, not direct Fire Damage.]
[It's like in games, right? There must be some weakness and some strength.]
[This isn't a game, okay? Unless your weakness vs. your strength actually makes sense.]
[Are bullets even penetration damage? I've always seen them more as high-speed Crushing Damage. Since they don't have a point and all.]
[Now that you mention it…]
Soon the monkeys split into two factions. One advocating for the logic of "fire-ing damage" and the other against it.
Of course, the rat-boy was in favor, but there's no point in me picking a side; my goal is just to stoke the tensions between the two camps. Winning or losing doesn't matter. All that matters is that misery spreads—my sacred duty. My reason for being.
[What the hell are they doing…?] — The receptionist-vixen complains, staying on the sidelines by my side.
[More importantly, how is your hand?]
The aunt asked, snapping me out of my concentration. So annoying. What if I miss the perfect moment to fan the flames?
But I don't want to take another hit, so let's drop it.
[It's… not as good as I'd like,] — I say, holding up my hands. They're still shaking, numb.
[Did something happen?] — Flora asked.
[It seems he injured himself from the recoil of firing the Magnums.]
[Is that so? Brat, didn't you say your body was fine?]
[The rat-boy was… until he wasn't.]
[[Do you want to die?]]
[I really do feel fine, okay? But when I fired… did my bones tremble?]
I don't truly understand it all. But it felt like when I fractured a bone before.
[Umm… I see.]
[Do you know something, Flora?]
[I've seen it a few times in patients recovering from serious fractures. Even though their bodies are intact, their mobility is limited for a while. It's likely his bones are chipped or stressed. While it's not an issue in daily life, they will definitely give way under pressure like that of a Magnum.]
[Astrad, the Magnums.]
[Yeah, yeah. Fine…. But don't let anyone else have them… and take care of them,] — I say as I hand over Shiro and Kuro very reluctantly.
The rat-boy has no argument here.
[But how can you get so attached to an object in just two days?]
[Tsk, women understand nothing.]
Dumb women. What's next? Asking me to change my wallet? Ridiculous. They'll bury me with my wallet.
""GRIIII GRIIII""
While I was talking to the aunt and the receptionist, the goblins started a racket.
[Come on, you don't have to get that angry!]
When I look, 9 seems to be teasing them… Dammit, how dare you have fun without me?
[The rat-boy's turn.] — I approach the fun.
""Griii…""
Apparently already aware of my intentions, the goblins hide behind the girls, who glare at me with hostility.
[[[[[Don't you start.]]]]]
Kekeke.
[By the way, did you bring my gear?]
[Do I look like I could have brought anything?]
[You're losing your touch~~~. Wait until I tell the network you got thrashed by a toad.]
[Hey, it was a massive toad. Anyway, what's up?]
[Well, I was just wondering why there's such a fuss over the bean.]
9 points to Kora's bean, and she immediately puffs out her cheeks.
[Stupid, isn't it obvious? It's clearly a magic bean.]
""GRIII""
[That sounds like a scam.]
[When I get to my new cloud base and steal the goose that lays the golden eggs, I'm not inviting you.]
[I'll remind you there's a giant up there.]
[Yeah? Well, I have a .50 cal rifle right here, let's see what's up.]
[Appropriation?]
[Expropriation sounds better.]
[Are you a politician now?]
[Rat-boy for President, kekekeke.]
[[[[Please, no.]]]]
Kekeke.
[Everything is ready. Now get in, we're going home.]
[[[[[YESSSSSS!]]]]]
.....................
-------------- Point of View: Flora --------------
[Finally, my precious rat-den.]
There were countless detours, but we finally managed to enter the residential area where Yumi lives.
[Tell me the truth, do you deal?] — I couldn't help but ask.
What is up with this luxury neighborhood that you definitely can't afford on a police salary?
[What's with the sudden distrust?]
[You don't have to lie to me. That kind of stuff doesn't matter anymore anyway. Just tell me, okay?]
[Auntie, they found us out. Should we let her sleep with the fishes?]
[SHUT UP, YOU'RE NOT HELPING.]
[Yumi, tell me the truth, do you deal? Over.] — The Chief asks over the radio. He seems determined.
[Chief, you guys too? My husband left me this house, okay? It belonged to my husband.]
[[[[[[Ahhhhhh]]]]]]
[Screw you guys.]
Yumi sulks at our jokes. But before we can apologize...
[Hey… what the hell is that? A wolf-bear?]
John asks urgently over the radio as, in the distance, what can only be described as the last thing you'd want to encounter in the woods barks at us while sitting in the yard of a luxurious house.
Technically, it's acting like a faithful dog greeting its owner, wagging its tail and barking tamely. But… it's definitely bigger than a bear… much bigger.
[That's Zeus, he's the rat-boy's dog and he grew too much from so much love… what a sinful rat-boy I am.]
The brat takes the radio and clarifies.
Dog, my ass. What dog? That's a wolf at best. It was definitely a wolf even before all this.
[By the way, I also have a snake and a spider. Hurt them and I'll fuck you up.]
[Did they also receive a lot of love?]
[Tons.]
I definitely don't want to meet the other two.
[BITCHES, THE MILKMAN IS HERE!] — Indifferent to our concerns, the brat hops out as soon as Yumi stops the car, and his first words have nothing to do with a warm reunion.
But indifferent to my opinion...
[BROTHER!] — A girl who doesn't look older than thirteen shot out of the house with sparkling eyes and, without hesitation, threw herself at Astrad, who was apparently ready to catch her.
[Kekeke, the rat-boy was perfectly prepared this time,] — he said, patting the girl.
Is this a common occurrence?
[How does your brat manage to be this popular, despite how he is…?]
[Hahaha… well, he's quite condescending with kids, so… is it normal?]
Normal, my foot.
[Hey… for some reason… am I feeling nervous?]
[You too?]
[Now that you mention it… what is this impure sensation?]
[Why do I feel like "the other woman"?]
""Gri…""
The girls—who seem to have developed a sort of Stockholm Syndrome—suddenly become shy.
The goblins in particular look quite warily at the girl in Astrad's arms as they walk away, growling under their breath.
Aren't they a bit too possessive? Better yet, get out of the car already.
[Well, introductions are always the hardest step. Let's go.]
Yumi takes control and urges everyone to get out. And as we did, from what seems to be the boy's house, a large number of teenagers begin to emerge.
[Zeus, were you a good boy?] — Astrad pets the so-called dog on the snout as it approaches.
At his question, the dog moves its head from side to side, denying it, proud with its chest out.
[Kekeke, that's my brother.] — It is definitely his damn pet.
[Welcome back~~~.]
[Did you bring beer?]
[You look more like crap in person.]
My daughter's two friends and an adult woman I don't know approach Astrad with great familiarity, unlike the rest who stay on the sidelines.
One doesn't need to wonder what the relationships are between the groups.
[Kekeke, even if you're horny, the rat-boy can't handle all of you at once; the spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak. One at a time. You guys decide the shifts, I allow it.]
The brat immediately starts bickering with them. And as if it were the most encouraging signal for them, they start playing along and teasing him back.
[MOM!]
[MILIA!]
At the same time, Yumi meets her daughter, who ran into her arms.
[It's good that you're okay.] — The guy named Carlos also enters the scene and greets Carmelia.
[BROTHER!] — although Carmelia always seemed to me the carefree and somewhat cheeky type, she immediately threw herself on Carlos. Like a spoiled child… I guess you never truly know a person.
The rest, of course, stayed on the sidelines of the emotional scene.
Yes, the rest—but I am no "rest."
[Brat, where is my daughter?]
[Hey, where is my little sister?]
Teresa and I immediately interrogate Astrad. We aren't interrupting the moment; this brat has nothing to do with those moments.
[The rat-boy also wants to know. How dare those vixens not greet me? Me, the rat-boy. The great and powerful. Me.]
[Ugh] — Louise rolls her eyes with disdain at Astrad's comment and then flashes me a reassuring smile. — [Amelia and Mika are helping another of our friends bathe... let's just say there was a minor incident.]
The pressure in my chest immediately evaporates. Is that so? … Thank God…
[The rat-boy also needs to be bathed, I deserve it.]
Just before I could shed a single tear of relief, the damn brat declares and tries to walk into the house while loosening his clothes.
[[Do you want to die?]]
Teresa and I immediately threaten him.
[I don't know what's wrong with you, but hate me more! GYAHAHAHA!]
Damn brat.