Chapter 32. Centaurides
Amidst the sudden appearance of the centaur group, a female centaur, the Centaurides, stepped forward.
She clarified that they bore no hostility towards us and explained that they were descendants of an explorer.
【Pururu】─What nonsense. How can a monster have an explorer as a parent?
【Yumi】─Maybe that explorer wasn’t human?
【Mysticism】─🤔
The explorer was likely human.
After all, the labyrinth supposedly only selected humans as explorers.
However, it was possible they weren’t the same species as me.
After all, being “human” didn’t necessarily mean belonging to the same species as those from Earth.
What exactly is a “human”?
An animal that thinks, uses language, makes tools, and lives in a society—that’s the definition we know.
By that definition, Centaurs could technically be considered human too.
Just like how I treated Rizenova as a “human” from another world.
In the grand scheme, there were no fundamental boundaries.
The division between humans and monsters was something arbitrarily established by the mages of this otherworld.
Moreover, the labyrinth’s definition of “human” might differ from ours.
Drifters who didn’t originate from the labyrinth, intelligent creatures, beings living in other dimensions—the labyrinth could consider all of them human and select them as explorers.
In the end, terms like “human” and “monster” were just concepts the labyrinth explained to me to make things easier to understand.
The creatures living in the Ancient Labyrinth were perceived as monsters in my mind, so the labyrinth simply adjusted its terminology to match my perception.
［Kirik. It’s done.］
As I organized my thoughts, Psycho Clown tugged on my sleeve.
It seemed he had finished what I had whispered to him earlier, asking him to observe the centaurs for any signs of deception.
［There’s no lie in their words. I read their thoughts, and it’s all true. Kirik.］
The Clown declared with certainty.
It seemed they weren’t cunning monsters pretending for some hidden motive.
【Yumi】─You’ve already read their minds? Telepathy sure is useful.
【Pururu】─For real, it’s such a broken ability.
【Mysticism】─😐
“So, we can trust them?”
［Yes.］
I shifted my gaze back to the centaur group.
They still didn’t seem hostile.
Since even the Clown’s telepathy couldn’t detect any ulterior motives, I allowed myself to relax a little.
For now, I decided to listen to more of what the centaurs had to say.
***
The centaurs were very friendly towards us.
However, they weren’t friendly to all explorers.
［We only help the Assisted One. We don’t assist explorers with other traits.］
Centaur A explained.
［Help the Assisted One. Ignore the Solitary One. Kill the Dominant One. Those were our mother’s last words.］
Centaur B added.
［Our late mother was also an Assisted One. She greatly disliked explorers with other traits.］
［When our mother became an explorer, there were five explorers in total. Aside from our mother, three were Dominant Ones who enslaved and abused monsters.］
Centaur C and Centaur D chimed in to provide more context.
【Pururu】─?? Isn’t there supposed to be only one explorer at a time?
【Yumi】─That’s right. Geon said that when a new explorer is selected, the previous one has to die.
I also found this puzzling.
So, I raised my hand and asked.
【Pururu】─Kang Geon! Ask them!
“Isn’t only one explorer selected at a time?”
［No. Multiple explorers can be selected.］
［However, there are cases when only one is selected. If all the explorers have died and there’s only one drifter left in the labyrinth, only that one will be selected. The labyrinth prioritizes drifters already inside when searching for explorers.］
［Also, even if there are multiple drifters, if all but one have severely low intelligence, the labyrinth will only select the one with higher intelligence. If none of them have adequate intelligence, it won’t select any of the drifters.］
【Mysticism】─😐
So, there could be multiple explorers at once.
I nodded at this new information.
【Pururu】─Does that mean there are other explorers besides Geon somewhere?
“No, I’m the only explorer right now.”
That much, I was certain of.
When Min Hyeong-seok died, I had been reduced to a drifter.
Then, once it was announced that there was only one drifter left, I was selected as the new explorer.
So, there were no other explorers at present.
‘But that means Min Hyeong-seok was likely the last surviving explorer from the previous generation?’
If Min Hyeong-seok wasn’t the only explorer of his generation, he must have been the one who survived the longest among multiple explorers.
I used to think he was just an idiot, but…
It seemed he was more capable than I gave him credit for.
Well, he did have a lot of monsters with him.
［Explorer.］
The Centaurides called out to me.
［It will soon be time for Solorb to close its eyes, so we should move to our shelter for a more detailed conversation.］
“Solorb?”
She looked up at the sky.
［Do you see the glowing sphere up there? That’s Solorb.］
The Centaurides explained further.
When Solorb closes its eyes, darkness falls.
That’s when the cloud-like monster Lunamist opens its eyes.
Unlike Solorb, which emits a strong light, Lunamist emits a soft, gentle glow.
【Yumi】─So, it’s like moonlight.
【Pururu】─A cloud that gives off moonlight. Damn.
［When Lunamist’s light touches the ground, the monsters that have been quietly hiding will start to rampage. It would be safer to move to our shelter.］
Does Lunamist’s light have some kind of berserk effect?
I didn’t know the reason, but since they said it was dangerous, we decided to move.
Before following the centaurs, Rizenova circled the bound Pig King and asked me.
“Gauntlet Gong, what will you do with this Pig King? Are you not going to eat it and instead tame it?”
I had placed my hand on the Pig King’s spot.
If we brought it to a safe location and waited long enough, it would eventually be tamed.
However, I had no intention of taming it.
“No, I only wanted to confirm my ability… I don’t plan to tame it.”
I intended to eat it.
It was a precious source of protein, after all.
“No way I’m passing up on something this tasty.”
“Good news! Then I’ll handle the butchering.”
【Pururu】─Rizenova looks so happy about eating pork. Lol.
【Yumi】─It must be delicious for him to be this excited.
【Mysticism】─😋
Rizenova licked his lips and drew his Execution Sword, but the Centaurides hurriedly intervened.
［Wait! You can’t kill it just yet!］
At her shout, Rizenova sheathed his sword and scratched his head.
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but since you said not to, I won’t.”
【Pururu】─He sure listens well. Maybe it’s because they’re horses? Lol.
【Mysticism】─🤭
As the Centaurides sighed in relief, the other centaurs explained why killing was forbidden.
［Apologies. We should have explained sooner. Solorb cherishes peace and never forgives those who commit murder beneath it.］
［Exactly. So, while Solorb’s eyes are open, we refrain from hunting. Fighting or injuring is fine, but if we accidentally kill someone… we’ll die as well.］
［Earlier, my daughter—ah, and my sister—didn’t explain enough. Lunamist’s light simply signals that Solorb’s watch is over. It means that none of us living here need to worry about Solorb anymore.］
［Killing is only allowed once Solorb closes its eyes. So, you can kill it later.］
That’s how it was.
So, the Pig King would remain alive for now.
Once we got to the centaur’s shelter and Solorb closed its eyes, we’d cook and eat it.
***
The centaurs didn’t offer us a ride.
Only the Centaurides was willing to let me ride her, but the Assistants protested against that.
【Pururu】─Don’t ride her. She’ll be mad if you do.
【Yumi】─You shouldn’t ride her either. Even though she’s a monster, she’s still a woman. It’s not right for a man and a woman to have such intimate contact on their first meeting.
【Mysticism】─😡
In the end, I just ran along with them.
Luckily, the centaurs’ dwelling wasn’t far.
Their home consisted of five large tents arranged in a circle, with a spacious fire pit in the center for cooking.
It seemed that besides the five who brought us here, there were no other inhabitants.
I looked up at the sky for a moment.
‘It’s fully night now.’
Solorb had closed its eyes, and Lunamist’s light gently illuminated the ground.
The once safe field had now turned into a lawless zone.
For the record, the centaurs’ home was relatively safe, according to them.
［We will prepare a meal for you.］
One of the centaurs said.
They suggested we have a meal first.
The rest of our conversation could wait until during or after dinner.
［Please rest here for a moment, Explorer.］
“I’ll help as well.”
Four centaurs and Rizenova left to prepare the Pig King.
Meanwhile, I sat by the fire with my monsters.
As I pulled out my notebook.
［Gauntlet.］
Clown tapped my arm with its finger.
“What?”
［I’ve never seen those guys before. Kirik.］
The Clown was staring at the centaurs preparing the meal in the distance.
I could guess what it was thinking.
It probably wanted to collect the centaurs’ body parts.
“Don’t.”
［Got it…］
I turned my attention back to my notebook.
I picked up my pen and resumed my monster encyclopedia work.
■ Centaurides
─Real Danger Level: S-rank.
─Current (Nerfed) Danger Level: B-rank.
─Abilities: ?
I sketched the Centaurides, who was resting right in front of me.
【Pururu】─Why are you only drawing the woman?
【Yumi】─You should draw the men too, to be fair.
“It’s too much trouble.”
Centaurs and Centaurides were the same species, only differing in gender and name.
So, I didn’t see a need to draw the centaurs as well.
［You seem to be conversing with your Assistants.］
The Centaurides approached and spoke to me.
It seemed she knew about the Assistants.
Well, her mother was also an Assisted One, after all.
I nodded in response to her question.
Then the Centaurides glanced at my notebook.
［Oh? Is this a drawing of me?］
“Ah, yes. I apologize if you’re uncomfortable with it.”
I quickly apologized.
I had drawn her without asking for permission.
I was so used to sketching that I hadn’t realized it might be rude.
Unlike other monsters, she was friendly and capable of conversation, so I should have asked for her consent.
［No, not at all. Could I take a look?］
The Centaurides smiled and asked.
She didn’t seem upset.
Usually, people get offended when you draw them without asking.
I handed her the notebook.
［This is amazing. It’s so well-drawn, I could believe it was taken with a camera.］
She admired the drawing under the moonlight, smiling softly.
It seemed she really liked it.
“Thank you. But… do you know what a camera is?”
［Yes. My mother’s Assistants provided one for her.］
It seemed her mother came from a fairly advanced world.
“…If you don’t mind me asking, what species was your mother?”
I asked an out-of-the-blue question.
I’d been curious for a while now.
［My mother’s species? She was similar to you.］
“Oh, so she wasn’t a Centaurides.”
［Correct. And my father’s great-grandfather wasn’t a centaur either—he was fully horse.］
“What? Your father’s great-grandfather?”
［My mother’s first husband was my father’s great-grandfather. My father’s great-grandfather passed away with my mother a long time ago.］
“……”
What?
I didn’t get it.
Was it just me?
【Pururu】─What’s she talking about?
【Yumi】─I don’t get it either. Is there a translation error?
【Mysticism】─🤔
Judging by the reactions from the Assistants, I wasn’t the only one confused.
I cautiously asked the Centaurides.
“Sorry… I don’t quite understand. How can your mother’s husband be your father’s great-grandfather? Wouldn’t that make him your father?”
［Hmm… how should I explain this…］
The Centaurides scratched her head.
Then she pointed at one of the centaurs.
［That centaur over there is my brother and also my father.］
【Pururu】─Huh?
Her finger shifted to point in another direction.
［And the one next to him is my grandfather. And also my brother.］
【Yumi】─What?
Her finger moved again.
［Next to him is my great-grandfather. And beside him, my great-great-grandfather. They’re all my brothers too.］
【Mysticism】─😦
She lowered her hand.
［We all share the same mother. We were all born from the same womb.］
I stared at her, speechless.
She continued explaining in more detail.
To summarize…
A female explorer gave birth to a son with a horse-shaped monster.
Then, she bred with that son to have more sons.
Then, she bred with one of those sons to have even more sons.
She continued breeding with her descendants until she eventually gave birth to the Centaurides.
In other words, to the centaurs, the female explorer was both their mother and wife.
【Pururu】─Are they insane?
【Yumi】─I’m feeling dizzy…
【Mysticism】─🤪
“Why would anyone do something like that…”
I blurted out.
The Centaurides gave an awkward smile and responded.
［My mother likely didn’t want to at first either. But in the end, I believe she had no choice. To tame her partner, she had to mate with them.］
“…Mating was required to tame them? Not just touching them?”
［I see that you only need to touch your partners to tame them. You’re quite blessed. Every explorer has different conditions for using their traits. My mother could only tame her partners through mating.］
Uh, well…
I guess I was lucky things didn’t turn out that way for me…