Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Bottom Farm (5)

#09

“Smash.”

Bran muttered.

Perhaps because of the mental shock, the surrounding sounds were heard small.

It was the first time he had acquired a skill.

Soon a new message rose.

『Smash: Consumes stamina to enhance the next attack.』

Truly a concise explanation.

Although there was no more information to add.

The corner of the dumbfounded Bran’s mouth slowly rose.

“Finally.”

Not a joke, it felt like tears would come.

It was worth enduring the pain as if his arms would fall off while hoeing.

Smash!

A main skill that is simple and powerful so anyone with a close-range character can use it.

Even Smash with high utility was no different from the air rice of the skill world.

‘But how do I use this?’

However, there was one problem.

Since it was the first active skill the usage method was confusing.

Even whispering “Smash” very small nothing special happened.

Another approach was needed.

Rolling his head, Bran closed his eyes.

‘First let’s think of the production in the game.’

He recalled the appearance of the character he had raised most recently firing Smash.

Holy Knight of Radiance Astraea.

Serving the Morning Goddess, she could enhance Smash with Divine Power.

I’m just Smash but it shouldn’t matter.

‘As detailed as possible···.’

Press the skill icon.

With a click sound the stamina bar decreases a bit.

The character grasps the sword hilt with both hands. Golden radiance rises on the blade.

The remaining task is only to crush the enemy in front.

While trying to associate the image as clearly as possible, a strange sense of incongruity was felt.

Opening his eyes, Bran admired lowly.

“Oh.”

An intangible airflow was wavering on the pickaxe.

Similar to a heat haze yet different.

A sensation as if touching flowing water was circling his grip.

Whatever it was, it was clear it was a sign that the skill was prepared.

As if possessed, Bran who walked forward swung the pickaxe once more.

“Hup!”

He put his waist into it. The direction was from below to above.

The moment the curved edge smashed Harmeno, a roar reminiscent of a cannon shook the underground.

Boooom-!!!

The bark that shattered as if exploding scattered in all directions.

“Kyaaak! H-he did it once more!”

“Fuck, what?!”

The surrounding sounds were heard again.

The first thing stabbing the ears was the slaves’ screams filled with fright.

Raising his head, the completely smashed tree surface came into Bran’s eyes.

“Huh.”

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

An area large enough for two adults to lie down had been torn off entirely.

The scattered bark fragments were shining like iron ore soaked in blood.

“Hell yeah··· ugh.”

Suddenly Bran staggered.

Because strength left his legs. His entire body was whining.

Strength was draining out like the morning after overwork.

‘So this is what consuming stamina means. Intuitive too.’

It seemed he would have to use it only at necessary moments for a while.

Whether because he wasn’t proficient yet or not, the stamina consumption was quite severe.

The moment Bran who caught his breath steadied his posture, cheers burst out from the surroundings.

“Uwaaa!”

“Newbie, what the hell is your identity?!”

“Where does that strength come from in that small body?”

At the same time the slaves surrounded him.

They looked like they would give him a shoulder ride.

The glances of suspicion and contempt had vanished without a trace.

Anyway men.

While pondering what to say, Bran smiled awkwardly.

“Just, I exercised hard.”

“I see! As expected the result of steady exercise!”

“From today I’ll hang stones on the spoon!”

The slaves admired.

The purity of believing it straight was good to see.

Anyway self-proof seemed sufficient at this level.

“Team Leader.”

Bran turned to look at Cardo.

Still unable to come to his senses, it seemed he himself had been hit by Smash rather than the tree.

Approaching with heavy steps, Bran stood facing him.

“Team Leader Cardo?”

“Ah.”

“May I work in the peeling team?”

“······Of course. Newbie.”

Only then focus returned to Cardo’s eyes.

Hesitating, he grabbed both of Bran’s shoulders.

“Welcome to becoming one of us.”

He was smiling but it didn’t look purely happy.

Bran gave a thumbs up.

“Don’t worry. I’ll work harder than anyone.”

It was sincere.

***

Ten days passed from then.

Today too Bran was faithfully fulfilling the pledge to work hard.

“Bran, that’s enough! You’ve already peeled three days’ worth!”

“It’s old bark so I have to do it now. Please rest.”

Bran said.

Boom!! The part hit by the pickaxe exploded with a roar.

Although energy drained out from the aftermath of using Smash, Bran immediately moved places and continued the work.

“Damn, since you do it all alone we have no work.”

“A lucky charm came in. A lucky charm.”

“Look at him not even wearing the gas mask so we don’t feel deprived. Admirable.”

The peeling team slaves guffawed.

After recruiting Bran their workload had been reduced to about 1/10.

Of course, Bran was not doing volunteer work either.

『You continued labor exceeding the limits of the body. Unique trait “Weed’s Tenacity” activates!』

『The growth speed of Strength increases slightly.』

『The proficiency of the skill “Smash” has increased.』

There was also a reason for not wearing the gas mask.

『Mental Power rose by continuously resisting toxicity.』

Just in time system messages rose before his eyes.

He was especially happy that Smash’s proficiency rose.

Since it was the first since obtaining the skill, it was the first growth in ten days.

“Worth offering stamina steadily.”

Bran smiled.

Despite extreme stamina consumption he definitely fired Smash once or twice a day.

Because the most important thing for the Nameless Hero’s growth was steadiness.

Strength was draining out, and from swinging the pickaxe so much his palms had turned like heels, but that kind of pain was nothing compared to the joy of growth.

‘Definitely fast. Is it natural since the work intensity is like this.’

The frequency of messages rising was much higher than when he was on the surface.

Most of the labor in the Bottom Farm is directly connected to growth.

The act of chopping the tree to Strength growth and Smash proficiency.

Daily personal training to Mental Power and Endurance.

The point that just breathing helps Mental Power growth thanks to the poor environment was what he liked most.

‘Fortunately the rest day matched perfectly. This time I’ll supply generously.’

The only part he had to pay attention to was the supply of Crown Turnip leaves.

A precious item that allows Bran with still low Mental Power value to resist toxicity.

Since Harmeno’s sap basically emits toxic gas, if he didn’t intend to use a gas mask he absolutely had to use the leaves.

There was no remaining stock anymore, but since tomorrow was the day to go up after filling fifteen days it didn’t particularly matter.

Then.

“Hey. Why are you guys playing?”

A low voice was heard from behind.

Bran turned his head.

Cardo was glaring at the slaves who were resting.

“Oh, Brother Cardo.”

“Who’s your brother? Call me Team Leader properly.”

“S-sorry Team Leader··· Bran finished the work too early···.”

“If that kid does the work well you can rest?”

“Ah, no!”

Realizing he was not joking, the slaves froze.

Cardo’s entire body muscles were pumped as if he had just come out from exercising.

One slave who was gauging the atmosphere carefully opened his mouth.

“Um··· it’s not even work time yet why don’t you rest more···”

“Are you saying why did you crawl out when you’re not even helpful now?”

“No! I didn’t mean it that way··· gack!”

The man who was hit in the stomach by Cardo collapsed while kneeling.

A cold silence descended.

The other slaves lowered their heads deeply with their hands behind their backs.

With both hands in his pockets, Cardo shouted as if calling a dog.

“Hey, newbie!”

Bran sighed inwardly.

The only person who still called him newbie was Cardo.

What kind of bullshit is it today again.

Putting down the pickaxe, Bran approached Cardo.

“Yes, Team Leader.”

“Stop and go rest. It’s time for the night shift to work.”

“But, my work time is still···”

“Rest.”

Cardo pointed to the dorm with his chin.

The kind attitude of the first day could no longer be found.

Bran nodded.

“Understood.”

“Yes. You don’t have to work more today so don’t come out anymore.”

Cardo smiled.

As always it was not a smile made because he was happy.

He began peeling the tree bark with the slaves who followed him.

“Idiot.”

Bran clicked his tongue.

He must be feeling a sense of crisis at the point that the influence he exercises as team leader is gradually decreasing.

Still would he want to act like that toward a kid ten years younger than himself?

He could stubbornly insist and work, but Bran decided not to.

“If the Team Leader says rest then I should rest.”

Rather it was good.

It was just when he was tired from using Smash.

Having raised stats too, resting while planning what to do on the surface today seemed good.

Bran wiped his sweat appropriately and entered the dorm.

Mog who was mopping like Cinderella greeted him.

“Hey, Bran.”

“Working hard today too. Want me to help a bit?”

“No. I’m still the youngest. Have to keep the rules.”

Mog shook his head.

He had felt it last time too, contrary to his appearance he was a quite diligent guy.

After finishing cleaning the floor, Mog wiped his sweat and asked.

“Bran. So what is your identity?”

“What are you saying suddenly.”

“It doesn’t make sense in all aspects. Strength, fighting skill··· are you a dragon that transformed into a human?”

“Mog. If I were a dragon this fortress would have already turned into ashes. You would have become my shit.”

If he had possessed a dragon instead of the Nameless Hero he might be seeing the ending by now.

Yes, what happens if you see the ending.

Would I return to that moment when I pressed game start?

Shaking off the idle thoughts, Bran continued.

“So. Mog, how did you end up stuck underground?”

“You ask quickly.”

“Because you were busy washing my panties.”

“Damn guy··· nothing special. They took me saying reinforcement was needed.”

Really nothing special.

Truly the slave average.

Mog asked.

“Is Kale doing well?”

“I don’t know either. He must be doing better than us.”

Bran shrugged.

Since there was no way to contact the outside there was nothing he could do.

Only fifteen days had passed but it felt much older.

Suddenly he missed him.

The life surrounded by steroid monkeys was also getting tiresome.

‘If he prayed steadily Divine Power should have bloomed by now.’

He was also a friend he would travel with in the future.

He wanted to awaken the blood of the Astraea family if possible before escaping.

Then, Mog who had been gauging the atmosphere coughed.

“Ahem, so when is today’s class?”

“Right. I almost forgot.”

Bran snapped his fingers.

Because the work ended much faster than usual he hadn’t thought of it.

Fortunately there were few people in the dorm.

“Let’s do it right now. Stand up.”

“What technique is it today? Please not the damn choke or joint lock kinds.”

“I’ll do both. Take the posture.”

“Aaah! No!”

Mog clutched his head.

As if already feeling the pain the joints would suffer later.

From a few days ago Bran had been teaching Mog modern martial arts.

“You said teach me how to fight.”

“What I wanted wasn’t this kind of thing! When you fought me you didn’t use this!”

“That’s simply done by feel so I can’t teach it. I guarantee, if you just learn this well you can become a superstar in the fighting world.”

Especially ground techniques, if you don’t know them you can only be one-sidedly beaten.

Martial arts is one of the few fields where the level of the original world is higher.

Even if he can’t become a hero he should be able to escape a miserable fate.

It was something that didn’t particularly help the escape but so what. There should be time to catch a breath.

“Remember well. This is called an armbar.”

“W-wait a minute···!”

Bran who charged like the wind locked the armbar.

The moment he put the arm between his thighs and twisted, a girl-like scream burst from Mog’s mouth.

“Kyaaaaak!”

He didn’t particularly feel sorry.

It was a class that more than compensated for the value of breaking the front teeth.

The night of the Bottom Farm was deepening.

.

.

.

How much time had passed.

A low whisper woke him from sleep.

“Newbie. Can you spare a moment?”

Bran opened his eyes.

The sound of slaves snoring was heard from various places in the darkness.

Whether by condition or anything it was still a time to sleep a lot.

Suddenly, a familiar shaped shadow came into view.

“···Team Leader?”

The shadow nodded.

It was Cardo. He was standing at his bedside holding his breath.

Bran raised his body.

“What is it?”

“It seems I should tell you soon. Sorry for waking you suddenly.”

Unusually the voice was gentle.

Bran rubbed his eyes.

“What matter···”

“Let’s go out first. It’s something others shouldn’t hear.”

It was suspicious but Bran did so for now.

Exiting the dorm, Harmeno was visible.

In the underground darkness, the great tree was blinking with a subtle red.

Despite being sleep time the sound of striking iron was regularly echoing.

The slaves assigned to the night shift were diligently continuing the work.

“Really diligent. Still thanks to you the work has decreased a lot.”

Cardo said.

At the sudden praise Bran raised an eyebrow.

Why is this human suddenly like this.

“It’s thanks to the Team Leader leading well.”

“Haha, you’re always humble.”

“So may I ask what the matter is now?”

“Seeing directly will be faster. To tell you one thing first··· among the slaves, the only one who knows this work is the team leader.”

Cardo took the lead and walked.

Truly an ambiguous statement.

Since he had never played as a slave he couldn’t grasp what he would be made to do.

“···Understood.”

Still there was no other choice.

Bran quietly followed Cardo.

It was not the wide path usually used but a winding side path.

After walking about ten minutes Cardo stopped in front of some iron door.

A door with a crow engraved on the stone wall.

Cardo took out a key from his pocket and skillfully opened the iron door.

Creeeak···.

With a gloomy metallic sound the door opened.

“······!”

Bran’s eyes widened round.

Beyond the door, stairs leading downward stretched on.

Just as Cardo was about to move his steps again he tilted his head.

“What are you doing? Come quickly.”

“Ah··· yes.”

Bran nodded.

He would follow for now but he couldn’t help but be surprised.

Because this was the path going straight to the hidden piece that he had planned to visit a month later.