Chapter 55 – Demonic Beasts

“Well then, let’s begin the lecture right away. Since it’s the first day, I’ll start with the basics. You may already know this, but it’s important, so think of it as a refresher. I’m going to talk about the demonic beasts that explorers fight.”

　In labyrinth exploration, battles with demonic beasts are inevitable.

　Knowing the characteristics of demonic beasts can make a big difference to your chances of survival, so it’s something I definitely want them to know.

“First of all, the basic premise is that demonic beasts have a habit of attacking people. The reason for this is not known for certain, but the most popular theory is that they may be targeting the dense mana stored in the human body that comes from breathing in the magic power in the air.”

　Demonic beasts won’t aim for demonic beasts of a different species.

　However, since demonic beasts also breathe, they are also thought to have dense magic power inside their bodies.

　While this is considered a strong theory, there are still many elements against it, so no definitive conclusion has been reached.

“This is also why demonic beasts prefer to target areas with more people. However, that is not the only factor that influences the behaviour of demonic beasts. Demonic beasts don’t aim for other demonic beasts — though, they do aim for magic stones.”

　This behaviour is also evidence against the previously mentioned theory.

　As soon as a demonic beast becomes a magic stone, demonic beasts will target that magic stone to take it into their own bodies.

　Moreover, they prioritise this act very highly.

　If only one or two magic stones are absorbed, there will still be no change, but if many magic stones are absorbed, that demonic beast will become proportionally stronger.

“In the case of a small group and a single person carrying a magic stone separated from each other, the one attacked is often the person with the magic stone. It’s not for certain though. They’ll also target other people who attack them. Well, that’s only natural. Considering the survival instincts of a creature, that’s not strange behaviour.”

　That’s why Attackers must be careful to not earn too much hostility from demonic beasts and take care while attacking.

　It’s not a position where you can just attack without thinking.

“Defenders often have magic stones on their equipment, right? By taking advantage of this habit of demonic beasts and dangling magic stones in front of demonic beasts, they can attract their attention and draw attacks to themselves.”

“Ah, I see.”

　Sophie mutters as if she understands something.

“What’s up?”

“N, no, it’s nothing.”

　Sophie is too shy to answer.

　Knowing her personality, normally I would be fine with that.

　But that’s not good here.

“It’s fine if you’re wrong, so speak up. If you’re mistaken, you’ll just be learning the wrong thing, if you’re right, then that knowledge can be shared with everyone else, so isn’t that better?”

“Y, yes. What I was saying. Um, the last time, when Orn was, fighting the Black Dragon, then, before the actual fight started, you put on a necklace with a magic stone around your neck, right? I was wondering if that was also to attract the Black Dragon’s attention, or something……”

“………….You’re right. You did well to notice even in those circumstances.”

　I direct sincere admiration to Sophie.

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　When the Black Dragon appeared, the beginners must have been in a panic.

　And despite that, to see something I casually did and to even remember it, I don’t think it’s normal.

　When attacked by that group of Orcs, even though it was just barely, Sophie was able to handle that number of opponents, Sophie might have better awareness then I’d thought.

“Sophie, amazing! You even saw that kind of thing Master was doing!”

“T, thank you, very much.”

　Sophie’s face turns red as if she’s embarrassed.

　I want to give her confidence little by little like this.

“Getting back to the subject. The principle behind how demonic beasts behave is as I’ve mentioned. There are some explorers who do challenge the labyrinth with many magic tools for battle. However, it might be better to not do that.”

“Is that because to use magic tools you need magic stones?”

　A question comes from Log.

“Exactly. It’s true that magic tools for combat are convenient because they can be used to easily activate offensive magic. But using magic tools makes you require magic stones. If you hold on to many magic stones, the more likely you are to be targeted by demonic beasts, so it’s better to be careful about what you bring.”

“So then, isn’t it okay if you just put them in a storage magic tool?”

“If you put them in storage magic tools, it’ll attract demonic beasts less than if you carry them by hand, but it won’t be reduced to nothing…… Right, let’s suppose that magic stones release a ‘scent’ that only demonic beasts can detect. If you put them in a storage magic tool, that scent will be suppressed to a certain extent, but some of it will still end up leaking out. That’s why the more you carry, the easier it is to attract demonic beasts.”

“I see. I wasn’t aware of that. Master really possesses a lot of knowledge!”

　Log gives me a respectful look.

　You’re seriously going too far…….

　This is irrelevant, but it reminds me once again that first impressions are very important.

“…….W, well, it’s because I’ve dabbled in all sorts of things. –Besides that, have you heard that the longer you stay in the labyrinth, the more likely demonic beasts will appear?”

“Ah! Yeah yeah! ‘When explorers get exhausted, the labyrinth gets serious’, that one, right!”

　Among the explorers who don’t know much, there are quite a few people who say so.

　When I first became an explorer too, that’s what I’d thought……

“The reason is because of what I said earlier. The more you continue to explore the labyrinth, the more magic stones accumulate in your storage magic tool. That draws more demonic beasts, so the frequency of encounters with demonic beasts increases as time goes on. That’s why in labyrinth exploration, it’s better to judge when to return not by time, but by how many magic stones you’ve obtained.”

　This is just a side note, but my storage magic tool is able to suppress the ‘smell’ of magic stones even more than the average ones.

　Seriously, I can’t tell what was going on in the head of Gramps when he made this.

　Even after looking at the magic formula sealed within, I can’t decipher a single thing……

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