Chapter 63

The twisting tunnels had many branching paths. We carved markings into the walls every time we detected kobolds nearby, and went further, further in.

“By the way, Daniela. Do you think we’ll be able to return within the day?”

“Hm…I do not see why not, as long as we do not get lost.”

Doesn’t she know that even wondering about getting lost was a flag?

“That worries me…”

“Well, we could always just camp out if we end up late. You do have the barrier tools and more food in the hollow bag, do you not?”

“I do, but still…”

This place was dark and tight. It was oppressive and made you feel trapped… I would much rather sleep in the forest. However, Daniela seemed quite enthusiastic, so I didn’t want to ruin the mood. I just had to bear it. Let’s keep going and hunt some kobolds then.

We continued to use Presence Detection to find groups of kobolds and crush them. The number of encounters increased the further we went in. By now we had three bags full of left hands. Still, as it was now confirmed that we would have to camp out here, we continued to hunt without regard of the time.

It wasn’t until we filled up a seventh bag that we finally decided to rest. Perhaps it was because I had been stuffing it with different things recently, but the hollow bag was starting to look full. Had I really put so much inside…

“I have set up the magic barriers.”

“Ah, thanks.”

I had asked her to put two near both sides of the tunnel and on the cross section that was further on. Just in case. So that even if one was broken, we would still notice. It was barrier, barrier, us, barrier, barrier. Usually, you would need four for each corner, but this setup worked because it was a tunnel. It looked like I would be able to sleep easy tonight.

I created some magical water over a nearby rock and washed it. Then I wiped it with a cloth and covered it to make a nice table. I liked to be fancy when out camping. Though we would just be eating some stall food.

“Let’s eat then.”

Sitting side by side and eating like this brought back memories of our first encounter. We had just happened to bump into each other, but there was something that drew us together before we knew it. And now we were deep in the mines together. Life had a way of being unpredictable.

“Asagi, your one looks better…”

“Haha. This one’s a recent favorite of mine.”

It was sauteed chicken in a ginger sauce. The hollow bag had dimensional magic cast on it, which stopped the passing of time for anything inside of it. So the food was still hot and juicy, even in this dusty old place. Regardless of the scenery, the taste was amazing. It was cooked just right and the smell of the ginger was refreshing. The food stalls in this world were of a very high caliber. It was its own culture even. Of course, there were great restaurants and diners as well, but the stalls held their own even in comparison.

“Want some then?”

“Mmm, give me a bite.”

Daniela said as she opened her mouth. I stabbed a piece of meat with my fork before dunking it into plenty of sauce and offering to her. She chews it slowly. A smile begins to spread on her face. Damn, she was cute.

“It is good.”

“Right?”

“Give me more.”

“I suppose I have no choice.”

We continued to flirt as we went through our dinner. I could really use some soup with this, but we would probably die of carbon monoxide poisoning if we started making bonfires. I regretted not buying soup at the stalls as I cleaned up my plate. Now we just needed to sleep.

“Alright…I guess I’m on the night watch this time. You go and get some sleep.”

“Very well. We will trade places if you become tired.”

Daniela nodded and rolled over onto a cloth that had been spread out on the ground. I caressed her head as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. She seemed happy as she dreamed.

And so I began my watch.

□ □ □ □

I amused myself by poking Daniela’s cheeks and watching her giggle in her sleep. Then I noticed that Presence Detection had caught something. It was on a course to run straight through our barrier. I moved away from Daniela’s cheek with much regret and went to see what it was.

I could see the dim light of a lantern leaking from the corner ahead. It was still a good distance away.

When I peered in the direction, I saw that it was several kobolds. They were loud and excited as if they were on some kind of field trip. This was something I could easily deal with alone. But just as I unsheath my sword, I remember the features of my equipment.

“Maybe I’ll try some ice magic…”

I saw the speed of the wind dragon. Now I wanted to test the effects of the ice dragon on ice magic. I quietly put both of my palms on the ground. Waves of magic run through the ground, and I imagine what I want to do.

Jack of all Trades, Master of None plays an image in my brain, and I follow it, sending the right amount of power. Once the power has flowed over to where the kobolds are walking, I add some blue energy and activate the ice magic.

“Gwargh…!?”

The first kobold realizes the change. His voice is raised, but it was already too late. The chill had gone past his feet and stretched towards those in the rear. And just like that, all of them were frozen up to the waist.

“Interesting…”

Freezing someone’s legs in an instant was a relatively simple thing to do. But it depended greatly on distance and the amount of magical energy used. It wasn’t likely that I would have been able to do this with normal equipment. So this was the effect of the ice dragon armor…amazing.

I moved my palm to face upwards and created an ice sword. It had intricate designs and was generated at a much faster speed than usual. It even used less magical energy as well. I could make a sword like this with about half as much effort now. It showed that the most important thing with magic was the ability to visualize. And with that, I walk over to the frozen kobolds and lop off their heads. They had no opportunity to let out a final scream.

I deactivate the ice magic after taking their left hands and move them into a single pile. That was it. Either the magic would return them into the soil, or they would become food for other kobolds. They were not very good for materials anyway. We just needed their hands. I began to feel like I was descending into a very apathetic person as I turned on my heels and returned to the camp where Daniela waited.

“Ahh, Asagi… Where were you?”

“Morning, Daniela. I had to take care of some kobolds that visited. Everything’s fine now.”

“Ahhhhhmm…mmm…I see…”

I sat next to her as she rubbed at her tired eyes. My hand went around her waist.

“Hmm…What is it…?”

“Just, I…”

And like that, I held her tight and buried my face into her. I felt like her warmth helped me return to feeling human again. I indulged myself in her gentleness as she caressed my head.

Eventually, I dozed off to sleep.

□ □ □ □

The next morning…well, I think it was morning. In any case, we were all rested up. And so we packed everything and prepared to leave.

“What do you think? Do we continue?”

“Indeed… We know the way back. I have it memorized and we also left markings. And in an emergency, we could always use earth magic to make a hole to the surface.”

“Wouldn’t that cause the place to collapse?”

“We would to it slowly and at an angle. However, that should be a last resort. As it might affect other humans who might be exploring.”

There was only one path out of here.

“I guess we’ll go then.”

“Yes. It has been a while since I last explored a place like this. I do not want to leave.”

“Ah, the truth is out!”

I chuckled at her ability to enjoy herself even now. And so we decided to go even deeper into the tunnels.

We traveled further for around two hours. Aside from the kobolds, a mole-like monster once emerged from the walls and attacked us. My heart nearly stopped, but I managed to kill it. Looking at the mole now, with its ridiculously long and thick nails, I was reminded of something.

“Hey, Daniela.”

“What?”

“Isn’t it strange?”

“Is what strange?”

Before coming out here, I had asked the guild worker about these mines.

“Wasn’t this place quickly abandoned due to a lack of resources?”

“Yes, they did say something like that…hmm, wait, do you mean…”

“You noticed?”

Yes, these mines should not be this deep. It took us a while to realize this, as we held the lantern and fumbled through corners, relying on Presence Detection. But we must be very, very deep inside by now.

And now we were encountering monsters of a different variety.

“Maybe this guy here was digging tunnels?”

“That is a possibility but… It could not have been this one alone.”

So, a bunch of mole monsters turned what should have been a shallow mine into an elaborate dungeon?

“Daniela, I don’t think we can return just yet.”

“Yes… We must do something about the number of monsters here. Or it may lead to a stampede later on.”

There were not many adventurers who actively hunted kobolds. In fact, there were no signs of other humans coming in here. In other words, this place was overflowing with kobolds. There were quite a lot in the upper areas already. Who knew how many lurked in the deeper layers.

There could be a stampede of not just kobolds, but many other types of monsters. Even if they were on the weaker side, their numbers could easily make up for it when it came to violence. And so we decided to go deeper in and hunt as many monsters as possible.

Spiris would be in danger otherwise.