[Table of Sheep] is a B-grade common eroding-type dungeon.
Inside, it looks just like an ordinary forest.
The oxygen level in the air is no different than outside. There are no winding terrains like a maze, and due to the numerous hunters’ explorations and raids, paths that humans could walk on have been established.
There’s no fog filled with poison, nor are there peculiar monsters lurking underground to ambush hunters, so without monsters, even an ordinary civilian could easily go trekking as if climbing a hill in their backyard.
Thus, the fundamental element making this place a dungeon was ultimately the monsters residing there.
Shiplani.
also known as sheep water deer in English.
This creature, referred to as 양라니 or 쉽라니 in Korean, is classified as a rare monster, unlike goblins or orcs, which are as ubiquitous as cockroaches worldwide.
“Alright. Let’s set off to catch those sheep little bastards!”
[What a cringy moment]
[LOL]
[The streamer is definitely a total nerd before returning, for sure.]
Huh, how did they know…
Of course, it’s classified as a rare monster, but around 90% of the world’s Shiplani are gathered in Korea, and hunters believe there are at least hundreds of millions of them, making their numbers impossible to measure.
Furthermore, their vicious nature means they’re considered a shoot-on-sight monster in Korea.
Essentially, Shiplani is a bipedal monster akin to orcs and kobolds, and as their name suggests, they have a mix of the appearance of a sheep and a deer.
They are generally depicted as a deer standing on two legs, covered in fluffy wool akin to sheep, and possessing fangs like bats, which are rumored to suck human blood.
Anyway, while wild deers live solitary lives, according to the Hunter Wiki, these Shiplani live in small primitive tribal units, meaning that in order to hunt one, you’d have to deal with its tribe members too.
In fact, when Shiplani first arrived on Earth, they appeared somewhat intelligent, using tools and building huts, which led the government to send envoys to establish a peaceful relationship based on friendly signals.
Given examples of elves, dwarves, or beastfolk, the government wanted to interact and share knowledge with Shiplani.
However, the very next day after sending envoys, the government learned that the Shiplani had killed the human diplomats and thrown a lavish party with their flesh. After that, the government classified Shiplani as monsters that merely walk on two legs, similar to orcs and goblins, and dispatched massive hunters to completely exterminate them.
However, due to their large numbers and high reproductive capabilities, they were unable to achieve total extinction. Since then, Shiplani have been stigmatized as inherently harmful to humans merely by existing, leading to consistent extermination orders.
For reference, one of the tasks I received from the Hunter Association upon my return was to exterminate 30 Shiplani.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s been quite a while since I completed a mission…’
Ah, I don’t know. If something happens, the association will surely contact me.
In any case, during the early appearances of Shiplani, several scholars and hunters attempted to domesticate them or tame them just like I did with the Lucky Bladed Centipede.
The fur that comes from Shiplani has excellent tactile and insulating properties, making it ideal for hunter-specific clothing and high-end clothes produced exclusively in Korea. Given that the population of Shiplani is substantial, their meat also has considerable economic value.
Of course, the attempts by the government and hunters to tame them were all in vain.
Despite their intelligence, they exhibit a primal and vicious nature that does not regard humans as anything beyond food.
While normal goblins have strength ratings ranging from F to D, Shiplani are rated as C at least, and adult Shiplani are typically classified as B-grade monsters, making them even more wicked than goblins to the point where integrating them into human society is impossible without brainwashing-level taming.
They approach nearly 2 meters tall and weigh over 250kg.
Adding to their wool, the dense fat and muscle within gives them a strength that poses a significant threat to lower-ranked hunters. Moreover, their personality is also pretty dirty.
They don’t recognize strength and let out almost monstrous screams as they charge at any human they see, causing considerable annoyance to hunters.
Thus, today’s evaluations of Shiplani are that, while they can communicate amongst themselves, their language is indecipherable. They are extremely vicious, primal, and evil, making them monsters that must be eradicated as soon as possible.
As such prevailing evaluations accumulated…
Shiplani have gained a rather speedy and familiar nickname.
The nickname ‘Sheep Bastards.’
[But, is that Shiplani edible??]
[I remember a truck came when I was a kid and grilled some in front of the school.]
[It tasted fine.]
“Oh ho, you guys don’t know? The meat of these sheep bastards is so delicious that it’s used as emergency combat food for hunters!”
If it didn’t taste good, hunters wouldn’t bother eating it.
“Ah, of course, it’s not without problems…”
“Shia.”
Though it was time to have some banter with the viewers, I whispered as I spotted a hut in the distance while walking.
Menelapie, sensing the presence near the hut, turned to look at me.
“Hey, guys, sorry. I’m going to enable chat stealth mode for a moment.”
[The streamer is leaving us!]
[NOOO!]
[Mom, it’s cold here!]
[Where are you, Mom? Where are you, Mom? Where are you, Mom? Where are you, Mom? Where are you, Mom? Where are you, Mom?]
“I’m not your mom.”
Thud.
The chat from the viewers posed a risk of interfering with the hunt, but more importantly, I wanted to prevent the aggressive Shiplani from targeting the drone, thus avoiding damage.
While I regretted not being able to see the chat, it was better to secure the drone’s safety in stealth mode in such situations.
“How many are there?”
“One, two, three… Nine. I sense other presences near other huts and caves at 3 o’clock. I estimate there are about 30 around.”
“Hmmm…”
I began scrutinizing the Shiplani, who were draped in fleece as if they were wearing coats.
Beneath that thick fleece, there must surely be fatty, muscular meat filling the space.
Such meat couldn’t possibly taste bad, but the question was… whether these Shiplani were among the best meats in this area.
‘Since it’s Olga’s first experience… no, first meat experience, I want to treat her to the best…’
If I had come alone, I would have just slaughtered all the ones in front of me, chopped them up for meat, and stored the leftovers in the meat refrigerator at home.
However, with Olga having her first meat-tasting experience and, more importantly, my heroine, Menelapie beside me…
‘While I’m sure Menelapie will eat whatever I serve her, it’s natural to want to give her something delicious.’
I knew best that my cooking skills were non-existent.
Though I was no professional chef, I managed to whip up something resembling cooking in my streams by recording various cooking methods and tips from the internet, studying them whenever I could.
Thus, the quality of ingredients couldn’t be stressed enough.
Ultimately, my lack of cooking skills would be compensated for by the quality of the ingredients.
‘Hmmm, in such cases, the tribe leader or the mutated ones tend to be tasty…’
However, as I looked around the huts, I sensed a similar malice emanating from all of them.
Hmm, what to do…
“Should I catch a few to interrogate them…?”
“Ah, is that a good idea?”
Paaang!
And the next moment, before I could say anything, Menelapie abruptly leaped forward.
“Wait…! Come back!”
—
Gag?
Gyu?
Hooeek!
Uweck?
Shiplani are usually fearless.
Not only because they aren’t particularly intelligent but also because they tend to overestimate their innate physical abilities.
Several Shiplani turned their eyes to look at Menelapie, who suddenly appeared in front of them, and licked their lips in anticipation.
While the speed of that female was fast, the Shiplani, who could reach speeds of up to 130 km/h, didn’t think she was that fast.
Among them, one Shiplani, overly excited by Menelapie, took out a stone axe and spear hidden in its fur and charged at her.
Today’s meat party is with the human female!
No.
This robust female looks like she can give birth well!
I’ll capture her, tear off her arms and legs, and make her give birth!
Gugag!
The leading Shiplani charged at Menelapie with fierce momentum, throwing the stone axe with all its might.
To an ordinary civilian, it would be an unseeable speed, but Menelapie slightly tilted her head to dodge it, then instantly closed the distance and grabbed the Shiplani’s hair with her bare hands.
Zzizzzzz!
Guuueeeek!?!?!
As her immense strength yanked out its hair in an instant, the Shiplani shrieked in agony, rolling its eyes.
Gwoooonk!
Gukheek!
Gyuuk!
Gweeek!
As the leading Shiplani rapidly became a bald one, the others began to laugh at the sight.
To Shiplani, being hairless was considered extremely ugly and a sign of being unattractive.
It looked grotesque even to human eyes.
Yet, witnessing that sight, Menelapie tilted her head in confusion.
Why are they laughing?
After all, they’ll all look the same soon enough…
And whether they have hair or not, they all appear equally hideous.
Crunch!
Menelapie, who was gripping her fingers tightly, slowly approached the remaining Shiplani.
Since they were B-grade monsters, I figured they would be a challenge, but in the first encounter, the physical abilities of the Shiplani didn’t seem too impressive to Menelapie.
It seemed like I could control my strength just right without causing any damage to the meat.
Gugak!
Kkiik!
As the human female didn’t stop approaching them, the Shiplani cautiously rose from their positions.
The figures of deer with small hooves standing straight were quite bizarre.
Why does that human female continue to come closer?
Humans usually go back after catching one.
Upon closer inspection, she appeared to be a robust female. Let’s make her a breeding female!
As the Shiplani pondered, they each drew their hidden weapons from their fur.
Most were stone axes or spears, but occasionally there were those who pulled out equipment looted from hunters.
“Well, it’s fine that you didn’t need to take out a sword for this,” I said.
Considering their size, the fluffy fur was a significant target.
Menelapie took a short breath.
Then, as she took a step forward, a small shockwave radiated from where she stood, and her hand swung towards the Shiplani at lightning speed.
Gugak?
Ehh?
Kkiick?
With a speed surpassing sound, Menelapie approached the Shiplani and paused to contemplate.
Should I kill them comfortably here?
Or would it be more beneficial to subdue them so Shia can dismantle them afterward?
Of course, I quickly reached a conclusion.
If my goal were merely to kill them, I could annihilate them all in one blow right here, but the reason for attacking the Shiplani was to gain their meat.
Besides, with Shia doing a broadcast, it was clear that she would showcase the cooking or dismantling processes, and tearing out the bushy fur would be nothing more than a tedious task that wouldn’t even affect Shia’s broadcast content.
Perfect.
I should not kill them, but rather leave them as bald Shiplani, subduing them for later.
With accelerated thoughts, Menelapie stomped her foot forcefully on the ground, infusing the ground with her aura.
Bam!
Guwak!?
Gweeek!
It wasn’t direct contact. Merely stamping the earth, but the shock transmitted to the Shiplani like a momentary glimpse of death.
The impact surged through the delicate little hooves of the Shiplani, hitting their brains hard with such intensity that they momentarily became disarmed.
Before the Shiplani could fully comprehend the shock, Menelapie turned and forcefully kicked one of the Shiplani in the side while simultaneously pulling its hair out.
Thud!
A Shiplani’s ribs shattered entirely as it flew away.
Before the flying Shiplani could crash somewhere and become unconscious, Menelapie smashed the axe of another nearby Shiplani with her bare hands and then hit it in the jaw.
The Shiplani, with its jaw shattered, soared into the sky without even being able to scream, and as it crashed back down, Menelapie yanked at its hair with a Woooduck!
In an instant, witnessing their kind being destroyed, the remaining Shiplani finally seemed to grasp the situation and became panicked.
They understood that rather than leisurely hunting the female, they were pitted against a dangerous opponent capable of life and death.
However, Menelapie harbored no intention of letting any of those Shiplani, those meats destined to become Shia’s daily rations, escape.
In an instant, she dove back into the fray of another Shiplani, delivering a swift uppercut that sent that Shiplani into oblivion while she tore at another clutch of hair.
Frothing at the mouth, the Shiplani launched themselves at Menelapie through fear and excitement, but as she quickly kicked at their legs, the reverse joints of the Shiplani twisted into the same direction as human joints, causing them to collapse.
Paff!
Thunk!
Smack!
While not meant for killing, this was purely for the purpose of incapacitating, and making it easier for Shia to dismantle by tearing out the hair.
If it were a slaughter purpose, there would have been no need to go through the hassle of taking down one at a time.
Given Menelapie’s abilities, she could have annihilated them all in one fell swoop.
However, that would have likely meant leaving no meat behind, so caution was required.
“Ah, don’t try to run away. The saintess has need of you; how could you ignore such a call?”
Gweeek!
Having done so, Menelapie managed to tear out the fur from 22 Shiplani before Shia arrived.
When Shia finally arrived, her eyes widened in awe and admiration, Menelapie smiled contentedly.
Hehe, splendid.
Shia, praise your burden!
“Wow, is this the Menelapie style of subduing—making them bald!?”
“…Uh, no.”
For reference, in the chatroom now cloaked in stealth mode, Menelapie has inadvertently acquired an amusing new nickname: [The Hero Who Makes You Bald.]
—
Gweeek!
We’re going to die!
Gweeek!
My hair!
My fur! My fur!
Whether due to the power of the saintess or something else, I occasionally hear the voices of monsters in my mind.
Of course, I don’t fully comprehend the Shiplani’s language.
It’s merely emotions flowing into my mind like premonitions or thoughts, and controlling them isn’t easy.
Well, it isn’t headache-inducing, so I just leave it be.
Don’t worry.
Uweck?
These days, humans are kind and don’t harm captives.
Really?
That human said he’s looking for something more delicious than us.
Gweeek!
Ah, that isn’t entirely wrong.
The meat of Shiplani is indeed high in protein, high in calories, and high in fat.
It can be used as a high-calorie emergency food for hunters, but one serving translates to weight directly converting into fat, making it quite burdensome for civilians to consume.
Unless it were a scenario like the first Great Rift when apocalypse and humanity’s extinction loomed before our eyes, but now it is 2088, a time when society has largely stabilized.
People are increasingly seeking healthy foods in this wellness era, leading to a relative decline in demand for Shiplani meat, with fewer cases of mass hunting for them compared to before.
So, thank goodness!
What will you do when you get home?
I’ll eat the leftover lizard tails.
Hurry and let us go, human!
Quickly free us, human!
This is tyranny!
However, needing to correct their misunderstanding, I leaned my head forward and addressed the Shiplani.
By the way, I feel like I can understand their words a bit, but I’m not certain if they comprehend mine.
“Eh, we’re totally going to eat you guys.”
?
?
Eh…
Based on their reactions, it seems they understood rather well.
In any case, the saintess doesn’t lie.
While I won’t serve them to Menelapie and Teresa, I will dismantle them all and eat them myself.
How could I just leave delicious meat behind?
After all, wasting food is the most disrespectful act one could commit.
In China, leaving food is a virtue, which I find a bit hard to understand.
Googoo—
Eh, eh…
Ggweck…?
Good.
Then it’s time to dismantle… no, time to interrogate.
Gweeek!!!
Oh ho, quiet down, you sheep bastards!
Ah… just like with Yane and the Lucky Bladed Centipede, surely something can work out somehow, right?
