Oversseer System: I Shall Recreate This Civilization
Chapter 36: Expedition (4)

Chapter 36: Expedition (4)

Dahr moved cautiously through the corridor. From each cabin, he could hear groans—some filled with pain, others laced with pleasure.

’What exactly are those demons doing?’

Alongside those unsettling moans, there was a mechanical, inhuman cawing.

Just like what ’Lazhra’ did.

Dahr smacked his forehead.

’That’s not Lazhra!’

He reminded himself again.

’Besides, why am I even associating that fantasy with my own cousin?’

Feeling embarrassed, Dahr climbed the stairs, making his way up—only to cross paths with Sahmira.

"Oh, I knew you’d survive, Dahr. From the beginning, you stood out the most among the others. I’m sorry I never mentioned it before, but I’ll always adore you."

’Yep, this definitely isn’t Sahmira.’

So Dahr ignored her.

Considering Sahmira’s earlier warning not to listen or respond, this creature would likely ignored him as long as he did the same.

’At least, that’s what happened with ’Lazhra’ below.’

As he passed by the Sahmira imposter, Dahr pondered.

’If the best way to escape this madness is to ignore anything that come into you, then how do we identify and reunite with the real ones?’

Sign language, perhaps?

But no one had told him anything about that.

After a short trek through the dim surroundings, Dahr finally reached the designated meeting point, where four of his comrades were already waiting.

Or so it seemed.

’Are they real? I need to be sure. But if I respond and they turn out to be fakes, things will only get worse.’

Dahr had no idea how many of those creatures were prowling the deck.

One of the four approached—it was Nord!

Dahr gripped the blade he had managed to seize after a scuffle in one of the cabins, raising it in front of him.

"Whoa, easy there, buddy. Everything’s fine now."

But Dahr held his ground.

’How do I confirm that? Think! Think!’

It was pointless. These creatures were so cunning that any response could be twisted into something else.

And if he stayed silent, they would keep repeating the same phrase in an eerily unnatural tone.

’Wait... repeating the same words?’

That was it!

’If he’s really human, even if I don’t reply, he should at least change his tone.’

"Oh—"

The tone remained the same!

Dahr lunged forward.

"What, did you just piss yourself? Were you that scared of me?"

Dahr instinctively halted and protested.

"What? No, it’s just—"

’Damn.’

He took the bait!

But wait...

That was a different response.

Dahr lifted his head to see Nord laughing hysterically.

"Gotcha!"

Dahr exhaled, his tensed shoulder finally easing.

"I told you to relax. Everything’s under control now."

Dahr stepped forward with more confidence.

"How could I relax when those skinchangers keep appearing, saying the same things?"

"Oh~ Skinchanger? That’s a cool name, Little Cousin."

Lazhra’s voice chimed in cheerfully.

She grinned, pressing herself against her sister as if they were inseparable.

’This time, it’s really her.’

Dahr couldn’t help but recall what had happened in the cabin below, making his face flush.

"Nord has magic that detects mana flow. The pills we took were created using his magic, allowing us to sense mana in a similar way."

Nord nodded in agreement with Sahmira’s explanation.

"Essentially, mana flow determines how we appear to the world. Normally, it naturally aligns with the user’s body, but these creatures—let’s call them skinchangers—"

"Goblins!"

Lendra interrupted.

"Sorry, Dahr, skinchanger is too long and too bland. Let’s just call them goblins!"

Nord didn’t seem to mind and continued.

"Well, these goblins can alter their mana flow at will, often taking the form of something that reflects their target’s subconscious desires."

Lendra suddenly raised his hand.

"Oh, me, me! I got a goblin that looked like Sahmira."

Sahmira clicked her tongue.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, disgusting freak."

"By the way, what kind of goblin visited you, Little Cousin?"

Caught off guard by Lazhra’s question, Dahr stammered.

"Eh, uh... does that really matter right now? Besides, talking here might attract them."

"That’s not a problem."

Sahmira glanced around, as if expecting the goblins to surround them at any moment.

"If we can hunt them down, we’ll get home faster."

*#*

"Formation!"

’Formation?’

Dahr watched as his four companions instinctively grouped together, so he followed suit.

Seeing Nord and Lendra at the front, Dahr figured that’s where he should be.

But Sahmira quickly stopped him.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Dahr turned to her.

"Isn’t holding the front a man’s job?"

"So just because you’re a man, you think you’re stronger than me?"

"What are you even trying to say? I’m just doing my part."

"Err ..., Little Cousin."

Lazhra stepped between them.

"What?"

"I think my sister means that, as fellow long-range magic users, we should be in the back, supporting Nord and Lord Lendra."

’Stay In the back?’

That actually made sense. Unlike that blonde guy who gave them salmon and had a technique that make him like a natural bait, Ethan’s beast-taming magic would be more effective once the enemy was weakened.

Dahr relented and took his place in the rear.

"Don’t worry, buddy. Stay behind me. I’ll protect you all."

"They’re coming!"

Lendra was surprisingly quick.

The young noble unsheathed his massive sword and swung it with precision.

Two goblins were immediately thrown aside, rolling and writhing on the ground, muttering words eerily similar to human speech.

"... I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you."

Dahr shuddered.

’Che, this isn’t the time to be creeped out!’

While the goblins were weakened, he could use his magic.

If they could capture one alive, it would be a major achievement.

But Lazhra stopped him.

"Er... Little Cousin. You might want to hold off."

Sahmira chimed in as well.

"If it were this easy, explorers would just take three days to return. And yet, those who do make it back never bring any of these creatures."

The reason behind that mystery soon became clear.

The goblins that had been lying helpless on the ground suddenly surged back to life, as if revitalized by divine energy.

Their broken bones and severed limbs were rapidly mended by grotesque, fibrous roots.

Then they stood up, good as new, as if nothing had happened.

"Of course, it wouldn’t be fun if it were too easy."

Dahr was starting to realize that this trip wouldn’t be as enjoyable as he had hoped.