Chapter 69 (1/2)

Ch 69 -- Mithril Lizard

We left the city early the next morning, running toward Pasquale Mountain. Of course Fer is doing all the running, I'm simply riding on his back and Sui is sleeping comfortably in her new bag.

Fer gobbled up some Orc General steaks for breakfast before we set off. We had a long day ahead of us and I didn't want him getting hungry and crabby half-way though. Sui seemed to be quite happy in her bag.

”Is that where that reptile's supposed to be?” Fer's tone of voice was dismissive of his intended prey. Hey, it's supposed to be a Cla.s.s A monster! A tall peak that I took to be Pasquale Mountain appeared on the horizon.

”If the Guild Master's directions were correct, that's Pasquale Mountain. Do you know where the Metal Lizard is likely to be, Fer?”

”Wait a moment...” Fer said and after a second or two he accelerated towards where he thought the Metal Lizard would be. When I asked him he told me he seems to know the approximate location of any monster nearby. It's something like a feeling of recognition rather than a specific location skill, apparently.

”We're just about there.” Saying that Fer slowed down to a halt.

”It's over there.” I followed Fer's gaze. There was a cave under the shade of a tree.

”Is that where the Metal Lizard is living?” I asked. I don't like caves for good reason. I blame Fer's magic training regime.

”Probably.” Fer answered.

”So how are we going to do this?” I asked apprehensively.

”I'll think about it later.” Fer answered. That wasn't the answer I wanted to hear... Fer charged into the cave with me still on his back.

”W- W- W- W- wait a minute, ahhh-” At least let me off first, you big idiot.

As we ran into the pitch-dark cavern we immediately encountered the Metal Lizard. There was a wide opening just past the cave entrance. Over by the far wall the Metal Lizard was eating something with a loud crunching sound. It looked... huh?

”Hey, what's up with that Lizard? Somehow its body is glowing....”

”So what. I'll defeat that reptile with one hit and turn it into money.” Fer was indifferent to the unusual sight.

Don't just say ”So what”, you... To be on the safe side I used Appraisal on the glowing monster and it registered as ”Mithril Lizard”. ...Mithril? That's the precious metal that appears in fantasy novels?

”Fer, I just used Appraisal on that Metal Lizard and it's actually a Mithril Lizard.” I warned him.

”If that's the case there's a vein of mithril ore in here somewhere. That reptile has been eating mithril ore and it's mutated.” Fer explained.

So there's a vein of mithril ore here... that's an important discovery, isn't it? Well, it's not something that involves me really, but if there's some mithril ore lying about I'll pick some up. I like the idea of having a mithril sword, or if that's not possible maybe a knife. Mithril sword, mithril knife, both? hmmm... Having a knife and a sword made of such a rare metal is the stuff of fantasy stories. Mithril is especially romantic. I decided that I really wanted them.

”Mithril means that magic is not very effective.” Fer explained.

Anything made from mithril is light and hard and it protects well against magical attacks by diffusing the energy. From Fer's experience he told me that magic was reduced to less than half of its usual effectiveness. Did that mean Fer's magic wasn't going to be strong enough to defeat the Mithril Lizard?

Fer shook his head. ”All that means is that I'll have to use twice as much magic as normal to deal with that reptile properly.” Saying that, the cavern resounded with a loud crash as Fer unleashed his magic attack. Kaboom! Rumble rumble rumble... A single flash of lightning hit the Mithril Lizard. I stared open-mouthed at the sight. Sui, surprised by the loud sound poked her head out of her bag.

”Hey Fer, what did you just do?”