Vol 2 Chapter 3 (1/2)

2nd Volume, 3rd Chapter 【The Fluidic Creature】

5th month, 3rd week, the day of the Light.

「——The subjugation quest for a monster that’s……able to use magic?」

Answering my enquiry was the Merville Guild receptionist, Sheena-san.

Well arranged facial features, fair complexioned skin——a beauty the manner of speech of whom matched her looks.

「Yeah, I’m interested in a monster that uses magic of any kind.」

「If it’s Seiji-san……it means it has to be within the scope of Rank D, right?」

I returned a nod.

Basically, I intend to receive a quest appropriate for my Adventurer Rank. There may be stronger monsters with more useful skills, but I don’t need to be hasty.

With my current ability, I can solo a Blood Ogre.

However, if I overestimated my strength and ventured into an area inhabited by powerful monsters, I would only meet a premature death.

There’s a possibility of getting encircled by a group of Blood Ogres or encountering a monster that I’m not a match of.

The purpose of the Guild in introducing the Rank restriction system is to keep the Adventurers from losing their lives wastefully.

Receiving a quest under the guarantee of safety margin, polis.h.i.+ng the skills all the while, seems the most reasonable.

……Save for the inevitable cases.

That’s the reason as to why I’m searching for a Rank D scope quest. I, who’s not knowledgeable when it comes to monsters, can’t be expected to know as to which ones use magic. Hence, here I am asking Sheena-san quietly.

「Wait a minute……found it……」

Upon my saying so, Sheena-san left the reception desk and walked toward the bulletin board which had the quest papers affixed.

I followed after her. Pleasing fragrance drifted to me softly. 『Ponytail! Cute ponytail!』 That my mind housed such idiotic thoughts with such an innocent face, no one would be able to guess.

「——Here, it’s a Rank D+ quest. Albeit few, there are monsters that use magic. I’ve heard from Bays that Seiji-san is competent. Still, be careful not to be careless, please.」

As for the quest paper she indicated……

————————

Collect the nuclei of the Slimes inhabiting the Paudal Wetland Belt in the southeast of Merville.

Quest completion requirement: deliver nuclei worth 2,000 Dalas.

Client: Helmut Firm

Time limit: none

————————

「Erm……Slimes are those gelly guys, right……?」

「Ah, did you know?」

「Nope, do Slimes use magic?」

「Yes. Although the Paudal Wetland Belt is a place overflowing with nature, the mana in the atmosphere there is extraordinarily thick. It seems to be a manaspot.」

Manaspot……a place where mana tends to be dense……?

「What springs out of there as if pulled out is the Slime from the quest. Because it’s disconnected from the southern highway, it’s not frequented by people.」

I see. So, the purpose of the quest isn’t subjugation……it’s the collection of nucleus.

Hence, the subjugation proof part isn’t required either……or rather, as long as I have the nucleus, there won’t be any complaint.

「Albeit miniscule, it’s nucleus is a mana crystallization; therefore, it seems to be in demand. Do you want to receive this quest?」

Just to be sure, I had her indicate the location of the Paudal Wetland Belt on the handheld map.

It’s quite far……If I were on foot, such a tiring distance would require a day’s trip.

「If you need transport, it’s provided by the gate, okay?」

There’s that option, too?

It’s not needed now; however, it could come in handy if I decided to go on an outing.

Still, wouldn’t it be better to get on one?

I have yet to see……the Riding skill.

Sheena-san suggested so kindly, after all, it would leave a bad aftertaste if I declined.

After having completed the quest receipt procedure, I headed to the South Gate.

In case of moving from town to town, there’s an option of using a guarded coach; however, my destination – the Paudal Wetland Belt – is disconnected from the highway. Besides, the speed of a coach tends to be slow.

Renting a personal mount would be the best, no?

In the vicinity of the gate, the shops which conducted the business of lending mounts could be found sporadically. I decided to enter one such shop and asked.

「Erm, can I rent a horse?」

「Aah, you can rent it for 200 Dalas per day. Are you……an Adventurer? Where do you plan on going?」

「The Paudal Wetland Belt.」

「On a horse……it’ll be risky there. Although it may be more costly, wouldn’t you like to rent some other mount?」

Basically, a horse is the most commonly used means of transport after, of course, walking on foot. Even when you talk about coaches, the single horse ones can be seen most often.

Occasionally, however, people can be seen riding a mount other than a horse.

Such as a furry cow, or a feline one such as……a tiger?

「At least, a mount that can defend its own body……I don’t mean to say a Scale Dragon, but……」

Did he say……

A dragon?

「More details.」

「……Why so sudden? Are you interested in a Scale Dragon?」

「Details.」

A smile befitting a merchant was plastered on the shop clerk’s face.

「I see. Actually, this shop’s top recommendation is a Scale Dragon. It’s inside, though. Do you want to have a look?」

Thereafter, I was led inside the shop.