Chapter 50 - Translation

<h1>Chapter 50: On Edge</h1><p>The two lizardmen were thankfully not bothering with looking after the prisoners, this gave them enough time to finish smearing themselves in mud and soon extract themselves from the cage.</p><p>"I need you to do me a favor though," Ludwig said before the two left.</p><p>"What is it?" the girl said.</p><p>"I need you to make a small commotion after you escape, nothing too big that it will draw the other guys over, but just enough for these two to go and check it out," Ludwig said.</p><p>"I told you, this commoner is trying to use us as bait!" Tommy's face twisted into a sneer.</p><p>Ludwig's expression darkened. The ungrateful bastard was grating on his nerves. Just moments ago, Tommy had been a trembling wreck, desperately clinging to hope, and now he had the audacity to sneer and call Ludwig a " <i>commoner</i> " as if he weren't the very reason Tommy was alive. For a fleeting moment, Ludwig considered grabbing Tommy by his collar and throwing him back into the cage. Let him see how long his noble blood could fend off a hungry lizardman. But Ludwig dismissed the thought. There wasn't time for petty revenge—not yet, at least.</p><p>"Shut up!" the girl said. Ludwig, was it?" she said. I don't know about the commotion, but I have a slow-burning spell I can use it'll blow up after half an hour. I'm currently injured, so I can't run fast or far. You're going to have to wait a bit for your opportunity," she said.</p><p>"Good enough for me, also what's your name? I never got to hear it," Ludwig said.</p><p>"Talia, Talia Moor," she said.</p><p>"Nice to meet you, Talia, now please, go on ahead I'll be waiting," Ludwig said.</p><p>The two crept into the shadows, their muddy forms blending with the surroundings. Ludwig watched them go, his fists clenching as Tommy skulked ahead without so much as offering Talia a hand to steady her injured leg.</p><p>"Fucking waste of air," Ludwig muttered under his breath, shaking his head before turning back to the lizardmen.</p><p>He couldn't fully rely on the two to cause enough commotion, though it would be helpful he knew well that if they take too long, the Champion would probably come back earlier than expected.</p><p>Of Ludwig's personal abilities and skills, he didn't have much to work with. He took another glance at all of his abilities and muttered, "I didn't think it'll come down to this."</p><p>Glancing down at the dirt beneath his feet, Ludwig felt the reckless idea form in his mind. It was dangerous, untested, and could just as easily backfire as succeed. But it was his only option.</p><p>"This is such a bad idea," he confirmed to himself. "But I don't see another way."</p><p>"Though I have no idea what might come out of this," he muttered, "But I hope it's enough to cause issues. "Rise!" Ludwig said as he placed his palm on the ground.</p><p>The mana in his body dipped down to almost nothing. And a massive sigil painted itself on the ground, spreading like black ink on paper, maleficent and horrid, the mana gathered and poured out into the ground.</p><p><strong>[Your mana level is critically low, you might fall {Unconscious}]</strong></p><p><strong>[Since you are an undead, you cannot fall {Unconscious}]</strong></p><p><strong>[You lack the understanding to summon a loyal undead]</strong></p><p><strong>[Your Luck stat plays a role in easing the process of the summoning]</strong></p><p><strong>[Your affiliation with Deus Necros further eases the process of the summoning]</strong></p><p><strong>[You have called forth {Lizardman Zombie}]</strong></p><p><strong>[Warning, your current Wisdom and Charisma are too low to control {Lizardman Zombie} he will consider you an enemy once he sees you]</strong></p><p>Ludwig was completely stupefied by what just happened, this was just a small attempt to see if he can create enough commotion, though he couldn't use his mana for anything else, since he couldn't use the [Fireball] spell as it will instantly reveal his position, his only thought was to try and use the undead summoning sigil, and apparently he succeeded in creating an undead.</p><p>A clawed, rotting hand burst through the soil, followed by a grotesque body that clawed its way into existence. The creature was a sick parody of its former self, its flesh sloughing off in patches to reveal decaying muscle and broken bones. Red pinpricks of light burned in its empty eye sockets as it groaned and stumbled forward. which mixed frighteningly well with the atmosphere.</p><p>He backed away from the creature that began groaning as it finalized its manifestation and pulled the attention of the two Lizardmen with it.</p><p>Ludwig wanted to inspect it, but he feared that it would pull the Zombie's aggro, as many people have already felt the use of [Inspect] on them. And honestly, it would serve him no use, this is nothing but a pile of rotten flesh and bones, all it would ever amount to was to act as a meat shield for the incoming lizardmen.</p><p>The two lizardmen rushed the zombie and Ludwig took the chance to go around the area, using the {Low Presence} passive he got earlier to pull through without being noticed.</p><p>The sound of battle wasn't too high, and the lizardmen only hissed at the Zombie and poked it around, the latter looked too slow and too confused to do anything, enough that Ludwig gave up on it.</p><p>'It'll die soon I guess, but it bought me enough time,' he said as he moved inside the cave.</p><p>He didn't know if there could still be more lizardmen inside, but seeing that no one came out of the cave besides the Lizardmen queen and the champion earlier, he braved the dangers and walked in.</p><p>The cave was dark, but not enough to hamper an Undead's sight, Ludwig's vision was perfectly clear during both night and day and he could see the inside of the cave with ease. There was nothing worthy of note inside.</p><p>The air inside was damp and heavy, carrying a faint metallic tang that set Ludwig on edge. Old bones and piles of hay littered the ground, the remnants of previous meals and crude bedding. Ornaments fashioned from teeth and claws hung from the walls, crude trophies that glinted faintly in the dim light.</p><p>There was a slow and constant sound of breathing coming in from deeper in the cave. It seems that the Queen wasn't the least bit worried or maybe didn't even notice the skirmish happening outside, after all, she probably lived her entire life unworried about anything, as the entire tribe protected and sheltered her.</p><p>Ludwig approached the deeper part of the cave slowly and just as he reached the end of the cave a notification popped up in front of him.</p><p><strong>[You gained 1 Wayward Soul]</strong></p><p>'Huh?' Ludwig frowned, how did that come to happen? He has yet to do anything.</p><p>Then it hit him, 'Did the Zombie, that slow awkward thing, manage to kill a Lizardman?'</p><p>Ludwig didn't have the luxury of going out and inspecting things outside, he brandished his weapon and continued on with his approach, and once he saw the Queen lying on the ground he began enacting his plan.</p><p>He already had an idea of what to do, and now with one lizardman gone, it should be easier.</p><p>He removed his leather belt and slowly approached the sleeping Queen, once he was close enough to the latter, he jumped on the back of her neck.</p><p>The sleeping queen immediately jerked her head up, and was about to scream but Ludwig had the belt ready and instantly hooked it around her mouth and tightened it.</p><p>The queen panicked and tried to use her skills, but since her mouth was closed, she couldn't <strong>[Cry for Help]</strong> and since there were no lizardmen nearby, she couldn't use [Instigate].</p><p>Ludwig rode on the back of the lizardmen Queen, pulling the belt with his left arm, and with a backhand grip on the ceremonial sword he jabbed it into her neck.</p><p><strong>[Critical!]</strong></p><p><strong>[You caused Laceration onto {Forest Lizardmen Queen}]</strong></p><p><strong>[ Laceration causes the target to lose 1% of maximum HP every second!]</strong></p><p>The Queen desperately tried to claw the leather belt away, but the moment her hand went toward it, Ludwig would yank the belt causing her arms to miss, and then send another stabbing hand onto her body.</p><p>Sadly, the laceration effect only applied once</p><p>But he still did damage.</p><p>Ludwig used all of his strength to hold on to the back of the queen, stabbing as fast and as forcefully as he could, blood sprayed all over him and across the cave, as he continued to swing down his blade. More and more, and as much as he could, desperately clinging to the Queen with his boney thighs.</p><p>The queen finding herself unable to get free, hurled her body toward the nearest wall. In his panic, Ludwig unlocked his legs and flung his body forward but didn't let go of the belt.</p><p>The queen slammed her back into the wall meeting nothing but rocks, and the falling Ludwig who still held the belt in his hand, yanked her back to the ground.</p><p>The queen's snout was then pinned as Ludwig stammered up and stomped it down with his foot, using all 30 points of his strength value, he stabbed once more. This time into one of her eyes. Ripping it in the process.</p><p>Ludwig continued stabbing at the Queen, he knew he wasn't doing any real damage, the sword itself seemed to chip and crack with every swing of his sword. if she could scream, she would be causing an uproar, all she could do was suffer in silence as her remaining eye was watering both blood and tears from the agony.</p><p>A notification appeared in front of Ludwig.</p><p><strong>[You have obtained 1 wayward soul]</strong></p><p>Seeing that the queen was still 'breathing' and mostly alive gave Ludwig a small shock, after all, that could only mean that the Zombie had killed the second lizardman. Only then did Ludwig regret not inspecting that Zombie, after all, it could have had some interesting perks, and if it killed two Lizardmen then its strong enough to be an issue once Ludwig leaves the cave.</p><p>However, he was more worried about finishing this job. Once the Queen dies, who is the boss of this dungeon, they should be able to leave the area.</p><p>Suddenly, a loud crash sound echoed outside the cave, enough that the cave itself vibrated a bit causing pebbles and some dust to fall.</p><p>Ludwig had no idea what could cause such an impact, but a notification soon appeared in front of him to explain.</p><p><strong>[Your summoned {Lizardman Zombie} has perished]</strong></p><p>"I guess it died," Ludwig thought.</p><p>Ludwig's eyes shined blue as he inspected the Queen's health bar.</p><p>***</p><p><strong>[Lizardmen Queen]</strong></p><p>Level 20</p><p>HP:220/2000</p><p>Damage: 1-2</p><p>Tier: Rare: <strong>{Boss}</strong></p><p>Status Ailments: <strong>{Laceration}</strong> <strong>{Bleeding}</strong> <strong>{Blind} {Curse of Weakness} {Pacifist} {In Heat}</strong></p><p><strong>***</strong></p><p>Seeing the Queen on her last breath, and her health bar almost reaching zero, he went for the final few swings, only for the ground to shake once more.</p><p>With his hand raised up, foot on the queen's snout, and his body fully covered in blood, he turned to see the Champion standing tall at the entrance of the cave.</p><p>The Champion's whole body seemed to be riddled with wounds and injuries, there were also marks of burns on it and some wetness remained on his belt. But his eyes looked like that of a demon in rage as he saw Ludwig standing on top of his Queen with a bloodied sword in hand.</p><p>"Well... shit."</p><p>This chapter is updated by f(r)eewebn(o)vel.com</p>

<h1>Chapitre 50 : Sur le Fil</h1> <p>Par chance, les deux hommes-lézards ne surveillaient pas les prisonniers, ce qui leur laissa le temps de se couvrir de boue et de s'extraire de la cage.</p> <p>« J'ai besoin d'une faveur avant que vous ne partiez », déclara Ludwig avant leur départ.</p> <p>« Laquelle ? » demanda la fille.</p> <p>« J'ai besoin que vous créiez une petite diversion après votre fuite. Rien de trop spectaculaire pour attirer les autres, mais suffisant pour que ces deux-là aillent vérifier », expliqua Ludwig.</p> <p>« Je te l'ai dit, ce plébéien veut nous utiliser comme appâts ! » La grimace de Tommy se tordit en un rictus méprisant.</p> <p>L'expression de Ludwig s'assombrit. Ce salopard ingrat lui tapait sur les nerfs. Quelques instants plus tôt, Tommy n'était qu'une épave tremblante, s'accrochant désespérément à l'espoir, et maintenant, il avait l'audace de le traiter de « plébéien » comme si Ludwig n'était pas la raison même de sa survie. Un instant, Ludwig envisagea de l'attraper par le collet et de le jeter dans la cage. Qu'il voie combien de temps son sang noble le protégerait d'un homme-lézard affamé. Mais il écarta cette pensée. Il n'y avait pas de temps pour les vengeances mesquines — pas encore, du moins.</p> <p>« La ferme ! » lança la fille. « Ludwig, c'est ça ? Je ne sais pas pour la diversion, mais j'ai un sort à retardement. Il explosera dans une demi-heure. Je suis blessée, donc je ne peux pas courir vite ou loin. Tu devras patienter un peu pour ton opportunité. »</p> <p>« Ça me convient. Et ton nom ? Je ne l'ai jamais entendu. »</p> <p>« Talia. Talia Moor. »</p> <p>« Enchanté, Talia. Maintenant, allez-y, je patienterai. »</p> <p>Les deux s'éclipsèrent dans l'ombre, leurs silhouettes boueuses se fondant dans l'environnement. Ludwig les regarda s'éloigner, les poings serrés, tandis que Tommy se faufilait sans même offrir son aide à Talia pour soutenir sa jambe blessée.</p> <p>« Putain de gaspilleur d'air », murmura Ludwig entre ses dents, secouant la tête avant de se retourner vers les hommes-lézards.</p> <p>Il ne pouvait pas totalement compter sur eux pour créer assez de remous, même si ce serait utile. Il savait que s'ils tardaient trop, le Champion reviendrait plus tôt que prévu.</p> <p>En termes de compétences personnelles, Ludwig n'avait pas grand-chose à exploiter. Il jeta un autre coup d'œil à ses capacités et murmura : « Je ne pensais pas en arriver là. »</p> <p>Regardant la terre sous ses pieds, une idée téméraire germa dans son esprit. C'était dangereux, non testé, et pouvait aussi bien se retourner contre lui que réussir. Mais c'était sa seule option.</p> <p>« C'est une très mauvaise idée », se confirma-t-il. « Mais je ne vois pas d'autre solution. »</p> <p>« Bien que je n'aie aucune idée de ce qui pourrait en sortir », marmonna-t-il, « mais j'espère que ce sera suffisant pour semer le chaos. — Lève-toi ! » dit-il en posant sa paume sur le sol.</p> <p>Son mana chuta jusqu'à presque rien. Un énorme sigille se dessina sur le sol, s'étalant comme de l'encre noire sur du papier, maléfique et horrible. Le mana se rassembla et se déversa dans le sol.</p> <p><strong>[Votre niveau de mana est critique. Vous pourriez tomber {Inconscient}]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Étant un mort-vivant, vous ne pouvez pas tomber {Inconscient}]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Vous manquez de compréhension pour invoquer un mort-vivant loyal]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Votre statistique de Chance facilite le processus d'invocation]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Votre affiliation avec Deus Necros facilite davantage le processus d'invocation]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Vous avez invoqué {Zombie Homme-Lézard}]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Attention, votre Sagesse et Charisme actuels sont trop bas pour contrôler {Zombie Homme-Lézard}. Il vous considérera comme un ennemi dès qu'il vous verra.]</strong></p> <p>Ludwig était stupéfait par ce qui venait de se passer. Ce n'était qu'une tentative pour créer du chaos, mais il ne pouvait plus utiliser son mana pour autre chose. Comme il ne pouvait pas lancer [Boule de Feu] sans révéler sa position, il avait tenté d'utiliser le sigille d'invocation de mort-vivant — et apparemment, il avait réussi.</p> <p>Une main griffue et putréfiée jaillit du sol, suivie d'un corps grotesque qui émergea péniblement. La créature était une parodie macabre de son ancienne forme, sa chair tombant par lambeaux pour révéler des muscles pourris et des os brisés. Des lueurs rouges brillaient dans ses orbites vides tandis qu'elle gémissait et avançait en titubant, s'intégrant parfaitement à l'atmosphère lugubre.</p> <p>Ludwig recula devant la créature, dont les gémissements attirèrent l'attention des deux hommes-lézards.</p> <p>Il aurait voulu l'inspecter, mais il craignait d'attirer son hostilité — beaucoup avaient déjà ressenti l'effet de [Inspecter]. Et honnêtement, cela ne lui serait d'aucune utilité. Ce n'était qu'un tas de chair et d'os pourris, bon uniquement à servir de bouclier charnel contre les hommes-lézards.</p> <p>Les deux hommes-lézards chargèrent le zombie, et Ludwig en profita pour contourner la zone, utilisant sa capacité {Présence Ténue} pour passer inaperçu.</p> <p>Les bruits de combat n'étaient pas intenses. Les hommes-lézards sifflaient simplement vers le zombie, le piquant du bout de leurs armes. Ce dernier semblait trop lent et confus pour réagir, au point que Ludwig abandonna tout espoir en lui.</p> <p>« Il mourra bientôt, j'imagine, mais il m'a donné assez de temps », murmura-t-il en pénétrant dans la grotte.</p> <p>Il ignorait s'il y avait d'autres hommes-lézards à l'intérieur, mais voyant que seuls la Reine et le Champion en étaient sortis plus tôt, il brava le danger et entra.</p> <p>La grotte était sombre, mais pas assez pour gêner la vision d'un mort-vivant. Ludwig voyait parfaitement clair, de jour comme de nuit, et distinguait aisément l'intérieur. Rien de notable ne s'y trouvait.</p> <p>L'air était humide et lourd, avec une légère odeur métallique qui le mettait mal à l'aise. Des ossements et des tas de paille jonchaient le sol, vestiges de repas passés et de couchages sommaires. Des ornements faits de dents et de griffes pendaient aux murs, trophées rudimentaires qui luisaient faiblement.</p> <p>Un souffle lent et régulier provenait du fond de la grotte. La Reine ne semblait pas inquiète, ou peut-être n'avait-elle même pas remarqué l'escarmouche extérieure. Après tout, elle avait probablement vécu toute sa vie sans soucis, protégée par toute la tribu.</p> <p>Ludwig s'approcha lentement du fond de la grotte. Alors qu'il atteignait l'extrémité, une notification apparut :</p> <p><strong>[Vous avez obtenu 1 Âme Égarée]</strong></p> <p>« Hein ? » Ludwig fronça les sourcils. Comment cela était-il possible ? Il n'avait encore rien fait.</p> <p>Puis il comprit : « Est-ce que ce zombie, cette chose lente et maladroite, a réussi à tuer un homme-lézard ? »</p> <p>Il n'eut pas le luxe d'aller vérifier. Arme en main, il poursuivit son approche. Lorsqu'il vit la Reine allongée, il mit son plan à exécution.</p> <p>Il avait déjà une idée de ce qu'il fallait faire. Avec un homme-lézard en moins, ce serait plus facile.</p> <p>Il retira sa ceinture en cuir et s'approcha lentement de la Reine endormie. Une fois assez proche, il bondit sur sa nuque.</p> <p>La Reine se réveilla en sursaut, prête à crier, mais Ludwig lui passa la ceinture autour de la gueule et la serra.</p> <p>Paniquée, elle tenta d'utiliser ses compétences, mais sa gueule fermée l'empêchait de [Crier à l'Aide], et sans hommes-lézards à proximité, elle ne pouvait pas [Inciter].</p> <p>Ludwig chevaucha son dos, tirant la ceinture de son bras gauche, tandis que de l'autre, il enfonça son épée cérémoniale dans son cou.</p> <p><strong>[Critique !]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Vous avez infligé Lacération à {Reine des Hommes-Lézards Forestiers}]</strong></p> <p><strong>[Lacération fait perdre 1% des PV max chaque seconde !]</strong></p> <p>La Reine tenta désespérément d'arracher la ceinture, mais chaque fois qu'elle levait la main, Ludwig tirait brusquement, la faisant rater sa cible avant de la poignarder à nouveau.</p> <p>Malheureusement, l'effet de Lacération ne s'appliquait qu'une fois.</p> <p>Mais il infligeait toujours des dégâts.</p> <p>Ludwig utilisa toute sa force pour rester accroché, poignardant aussi vite et fort que possible. Le sang gicla sur lui et dans la grotte alors qu'il continuait à frapper, s'accrochant désespérément avec ses cuisses squelettiques.</p> <p>Ne parvenant pas à se libérer, la Reine se jeta contre le mur le plus proche. Pris de panique, Ludwig décrocha ses jambes et se projeta en avant, sans lâcher la ceinture.</p> <p>La Reine heurta le mur, ne rencontrant que la pierre, tandis que Ludwig, toujours accroché à la ceinture, la fit tomber au sol.</p> <p>Il immobilisa son museau sous son pied et, avec ses 30 points de Force, planta à nouveau son épée — cette fois dans un de ses yeux, le déchirant.</p> <p>Ludwig continua à frapper. Il savait qu'il ne faisait pas de réels dégâts — l'épée s'ébréchait à chaque coup. Si elle avait pu crier, elle aurait déclenché un tollé. Tout ce qu'elle pouvait faire était souffrir en silence, son œil restant pleurant du sang et des larmes.</p> <p>Une notification apparut :</p> <p><strong>[Vous avez obtenu 1 Âme Égarée]</strong></p> <p>Voir la Reine encore « respirante » et vivante choqua Ludwig. Cela signifiait que le zombie avait tué le deuxième homme-lézard. Il regretta alors de ne pas l'avoir inspecté — il aurait pu avoir des capacités intéressantes. Et s'il avait tué deux hommes-lézards, il était assez fort pour poser problème à sa sortie.</p> <p>Mais il se concentra sur sa tâche. Une fois la Reine morte, chef de ce donjon, ils pourraient quitter les lieux.</p> <p>Soudain, un fracas retentit à l'extérieur, assez fort pour faire trembler la grotte et faire tomber des cailloux.</p> <p>Ludwig ignora