Chapter 63 (1/2)

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 b.u.mp 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 pa.s.sing 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 . d.a.m.n, 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 .