The Silent Pact of a Wolf Babysitter-Chapter 68: The Jewel Crab, and The Jewel Crab Thief

Swanir radiated elegance, mature in stature—on par with Levi, even. Nothing about her screamed "someone who'd sexually harassed me two minutes ago."

And actually, none of them seemed capable of what just occurred.

All four were clad in skin-tight garments... well, all except one.

I turned to the odd one out.

"Ah, my name is Chiyama," she said, cheerful and sincere. "And I really appreciate the name I was given, my Lord."

Her black-and-pink hair was tied into two little buns at each side of her head—And wait, how are their hairs turning out tied?

And their clothes; I don't want to think it's creation magic at work.

Chiyama flashed a toothy smile, showing off those pristine human-like teeth.

Oh, heavens, so adorable. So small. Like a dolly.

She will be a little shorter than me...

...Now that I think about it, I'm not tall...

Trying not to dwell on that revelation, I turned to the third figure.

This one looked like he could break a tree with a sigh.

Short deep-blue hair. Muscle-packed. His tight black upperwear practically adored his torso.

The pants, however, were loose and comfy-looking, and his straw sandals somehow made it all work.

The others also wore the same kind of lower-wear.

His sclerae were pitch black, his pupils red—also, same as the others.

Except Chiyama. Hers were pink. Not that pink eyes are normal... but they're less terrifying, somehow.

"I am the one called Fangstrong," he said, voice deep and respectful. "I thank you for this exclusive reward, Great Lord."

And this guy was moments from putting it in a while ago?!

Looks are definitely deceiving, indeed.

Then there was the last one—hiding behind Swanir's shadow like a kid behind his older sister.

After Swanir gave him a nudge (actually, a deafening smack).

He flinched, then peeked out.

"I am Bladir, my Lord..." he said with clear shame.

His hair was medium-short, tied to the back like Swanir's. "Also, I'm sorry... for trying to take off your garment earlier."

Wh—what?!

My face burned. "Ah, no. It—it was just a moment of... excitement. I'll overlook it."

So it was you?!

No wonder he was feeling guilty! That pervert!

(Platform... I want to see their Prime Value.)

{I'm not stopping you, Master. Go ahead.}

(...C'mon, I'm serious. Okay, what can I do to make it up to you?)

{...}

Cold, heavy, stubborn silence.

Sigh.

Why is she mad at me now...?

...Maybe I really hadn't been fair to her...?

Showing appreciation and rewarding others, but I'd never given her classified gratitude; other than just quick thanks.

(You know... when I first obtained another Supreme Gift called Platform... I felt like omnipotent... like there was nothing in the world I couldn't do anymore.)

{...}

(You helped me with every little thing. Defense, offense, perception... Sometimes, you'd even carefully teach me how to better use my own abilities. I never had any real friends, but I was never really bored when you were around.)

{...Hmph.}

(The worst thing that could ever happen to me is losing you. Seriously. I'd die. I'm a very irresponsible Fenrir, you know.)

{Heh. I'm glad we both agree on one thing.}

(Ouch. So... am I forgiven?)

{...Yes.}

Yaaaaaaay!!!—

(Alright then. Show me the PV.)

{...You...}

*

At the end of the day, Platform caved in and revealed their PVs:

{Swanir: Mid-level Principality

PV: 560,128}

{Chiyama: Mid-level Principality

PV: 555,013}

{Fangstrong: Mid-level Principality

PV: 540,134}

{Bladir: Mid-level Principality

PV: 520,026}

And honestly? I didn't really see much difference from their beast forms.

Just a few thousand points here and there... though, in supernatural terms, that could be a whole volcano, depending on some factors.

Though, I thought naming them would trigger some proper evolution. You know, like in Tensura.

Or maybe the problem's... me?

Since I've already crossed worlds, one part of it was done...

(Platform, I've discovered the path to unlimited potential; I need to get stabbed. As soon as possible! And also change your name to Great Sage while you're at it.)

But all that aside, this attractive bunch still pack a serious punch. And I believe they've got room to grow—maybe even break past the million PV mark someday.

Turning away from the drool-worthy Phantom Fangs, I revved up my perception. Let's see what juicy meat I could pick up today.

Gotcha.

Something pulsed at the outskirts of the cursed land. A monster, no doubt.

"Follow me," I said, before shooting off in a burst of Maddening—quiet, but absurdly fast.

In few seconds, I reached the spot. Just under two miles from where the earlier explosion went off.

Wait... was the blast really that bad? I didn't think it'd cleared an extra mile in curses and poison.

The initial impact ended a little over a mile out, sure, but the lingering curse aura? That stretched almost three miles deep.

It'd have dangerous consequences if a lesser monster, or a human were to walk in here...

I turned—and lo and behold, Phantom Fangs stood behind me.

Impressive.

Didn't think they'd catch up that fast.

{They moved through shadows.}

Seriously?

That's cheating. Meanwhile, here I was, swinging my arms like a certain red-suited speedster!

I returned my focus to the thing I'd sensed earlier, and...

Oh-hoh. Jackpot.

A giant crab.

An actually giant crab. Exactly what I was looking for.

My entire years' worth of luck must've accumulated for this one moment.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

But it wasn't just any giant crab. And not just because it stood a beautiful 8 feet tall, or that it somehow can thrive in this plagued environment.

No, it was its species.

{Jewel Crab.}

Platform appraised.

And it was gorgeous.

It was green—its entire body shimmering like a mass of crystallized glass.

Embedded across its shell were gemstones and precious stones of the rarest kind, jutting out in wild elegance.

A living treasure chest.

Its body was definitely harder than diamond.

Then again, to me, diamonds were basically deified sand.

Phantom Fangs might have trouble piercing its flesh—unless they pulled out some dangerous magic.

And honestly, I had no idea what kind of magic they used. Or how they used it. So—

Let's give them the spotli—

SLASH!!

Before I could even give the order, something blurred through the air. And the giant crab split in two.

Clean split. Real-life Moses on the poor creature.

It let out a soft, pitiful growl as rainbow-colored liquid poured from its fresh wound. Then... thud! It collapsed.

It's screen time forever vanquished.

Just like that.

Our gig was stolen.

I snapped my gaze toward the culprit—and saw a haze darting across the fallen crab.

No pause. No hesitation.

Ignoring my existence completely.

The thing was already looting. Stripping the crab of its glittering bounty with unsettling speed—yanking gems and stones, hurling them into a stretchy sack that looked suspiciously like spider silk.

What the hell is this abomination?

Our glorious hunt, desecrated by some... lowly devil.

{Jorōgumo – Spider Devil

Mid-level Principality

PV: 670,000}

Platform's appraisal dropped like a bad omen.

Several times stronger than Owl-head, despite it being Mid-level.

And clearly, no manners.

For a devil to severe such a sturdy crab in one clean slash... without magic, no less.

I think I've finally found it—the ultimate guinea pig.