I Have a Task Log

The party climbed out of the water outlet and proceeded along the channel.

As before, Dorn was in the lead, with the others following behind.

They had spent a considerable amount of time climbing, so Karen Stone Heart was already at the edge of their tracking spell’s range. He was also moving much faster now. The party could only press onward, afraid they would lose their target.

A moment later, Dorn’s voice echoed in their minds, "Stay back!"

The others following behind immediately halted.

Colin asked in his mind, "What is it?"

"My god, there’s a structure in here made of wood. It looks like a damn little castle," Dorn said. "Dammit, it’s a Mind Flayer! Why the hell would something like that be in this piece-of-shit sewer?!"

A Mind Flayer?

The moment the word popped into his head, Colin thought Dorn must have been mistaken.

"I’m not mistaken! It’s a Mind Flayer and its lackeys—those damned, fucked-up brains," Dorn’s urgent voice came again. "We absolutely cannot let this thing live, or the entire Thousand Masts City will suffer for it!"

Dorn’s agitation wasn’t baseless.

Colin recalled what he knew. The library didn’t have much information on the monster, but like Giant Dragons, it was rated ’Extremely Dangerous’.

They were a species with intelligence far beyond that of humans, and both their diet and method of reproduction were intimately linked to humankind.

The creatures’ favorite food was the brains of humanoids, and their method of reproduction was horrifying. They would implant a tadpole-like larva into a humanoid’s skull. Once the larva devoured the host’s brain, it would transform the host’s body into a new Mind Flayer.

Because of their terrifying intelligence and utterly inhumane nature, these creatures were the mortal enemies of all humanoids.

The vast Mind Flayer Empire had been shattered by a combination of attacks from external forces and rebellions from their own slaves. Most of the world’s Mind Flayers were forced to flee into the darkness of the Underworld.

This, however, was unfortunate for those who lived underground.

It was said they were even responsible for the transformation of some Dwarves into Gray Dwarves. The Mind Flayers had enslaved an entire clan of Dwarves for thousands of years, subjecting them to countless experiments with Spiritual Energy.

These experiments permanently altered the Dwarves’ physiology, transforming them into what would later become the Gray Dwarves.

To the Gray Dwarves, Mind Flayers were their arch-nemesis.

’So all those missing people were eaten by the Mind Flayer? And Karen Stone Heart has been controlled by it, too?’

A torrent of thoughts flooded his mind.

Colin didn’t waste time on speculation. He asked in his mind, "Can we approach?"

"Come slowly. Those things haven’t noticed us. The space inside is pretty big. Dammit, that big-headed octopus-face built a little wooden castle in here!"

Colin and the others crept forward and peered inside through a small doorway.

Through his limited Darkvision, he could see that the space beyond the doorway was indeed vast. A large pile of broken lumber, Hemp Rope, and other debris had been fashioned into a small wooden cabin.

Colin recalled the map.

’This should be near the Dock District. Because of the district’s lawlessness, this area is rarely maintained. This must be the junction between the first and second levels of the sewers.’

"What’s the plan?" Dorn’s voice came through.

"I can sense his location," Colin replied. "I’ll greet him with a Lightning Bolt. I don’t think Karen can be saved."

"But I see other people at the entrance to the cabin."

"Others?"

"Six poor souls. I think they’re the ones we saw at the Black Tower. Karen is getting close to them. Looks like he’s about to drag them inside."

"Then I have to act now!"

Colin took out his Spellbook. With a wave of his right hand, it flew open and rapidly flipped to the desired page.

As he recited the Spell, the pages of the Spellbook began to shimmer with colorful light, which slowly enveloped the Caster’s body.

Colin had cast Haste on himself several times recently.

The sensation of time suddenly accelerating no longer disturbed his senses. Soon, he recited another Spell. The Spellbook’s pages fluttered rapidly in reverse, then began to spark with blue electricity, emitting a low CRACKLE.

"They heard us!"

The instant Dorn’s warning came, Colin leaped into the doorway.

With a loud KRAKOOM, a thick, white column of lightning shattered the silent darkness. Guided by the Magic, the bolt struck Karen Stone Heart, who stood before the wooden cabin.

In the brilliant flash of white light, Colin caught sight of the enemies gathered on either side of Karen.

They were living brains.

Yes, the things had no facial features. Each was simply a brain with four bare, fleshy, clawed legs, scuttling across the ground. The sight was utterly nauseating.

These were Intellect Devourers, one of the Mind Flayer’s creations.

The illustrations in the bestiaries were one thing, but seeing them in the flesh, Colin felt a wave of nausea.

At that exact moment, a low, unfamiliar voice entered their minds. "Welcome, distinguished guests. Interested in making a deal?"

Colin didn’t respond.

He stepped just past the doorway and began to recite the Spell for Flaming Arrow.

At the same time, he used Mind Communication to warn the others, "Spread out! There’s definitely a Mind Flayer here. They have abilities that can target an entire group."

Thanks to his Specialty, his Casting range was much greater, more than enough to reach the charging enemies.

In the distance, Karen staggered from the blow, then hesitated for only a moment before charging them, his Large Shield held high. The two Intellect Devourers at his side followed suit.

Ale, Kase, and Dorn arrived at the doorway.

Kase and Dorn leaped out from the doorway, spreading out to create distance from their allies.

A Spiritual Dagger materialized in the Dwarf’s hand, and he hurled it at his foe.

Meanwhile, the Half-Orc drew the Longbow from his waist. He plucked a leaf from the tip of the bow, which glowed with a faint green light and instantly transformed into an Arrow fletched with plant fibers.

He drew, aimed, and released. The Arrow shot forth, squarely striking an Intellect Devourer.

Two Flaming Arrows followed, instantly turning the monster into a charred corpse.

Despite the concentrated ranged assault, the monsters didn’t flinch. The distance between the two groups closed rapidly.

Just as the enemies closed in, Ale, who was at the rear of the party, raised her Magic Staff high. The liquid on the ground began to churn. Foul sewage mixed with a torrent of magical water, forming a giant wave that surged forward.

The massive, three-meter-high wave crashed over them, knocking the charging Karen and the Intellect Devourers to the ground.

Just as Colin was about to cast Shatter to follow up on her Magic, a strange silver light flashed before his eyes.

At that moment, countless black tentacles erupted from the top of his field of vision.

SCREEE—

A piercing, mind-numbing shriek completely filled Colin’s mind. It was followed by waves of cold, sharp pain that bored through his skull to the very core of his brain, as if a billion ice needles were stabbing directly into it.

"My distinguished guest, my favorite things are intelligent, juicy brains. And if I may be so bold... you happen to have a particularly fine one."