The lion earth doll doesn’t chase us where we land.
We’re also lucky that we fell on a grassy field. If it was a grass monster, we’d be caught and killed because we don’t have the strength to resist.
I lay down and focus completely on Magic Energy Circulation. I haven’t healed my body yet, but that won’t happen without magic energy.
Fuuma is lying sprawled, most likely also at its limit. I should be cautious, but I’ll be done with if I’m attacked anyway.
After some time, I recover magic energy and use Healing Magic to treat my body.
Now that I’m calmer I’m also hungry, and while we’re not safe, I figure we should eat well.
I start cooking, and Fuuma gets up and brings its nose close. Apparently it’s sick of sky fighting fowl meat, and wants something else.
Fine then. I add pepper and tabasco to mirage great snake meat, and cook it on low heat. I fill up a plate and place it in front of Fuuma.
Fuuma gobbles the whole thing.
Hey hey, are you serious? I try having some too.
It’s surprisingly… Surprisingly… I’ll drink some water.
It’s spicy. Really spicy, and tasty.
I figured it would take courage to eat it after adding so much spice, but it feels mild after a bite, and the spiciness comes with the aftertaste. I could get used to this spiciness, it’s not bad.
I’m satisfied by this unexpected outcome, and hear a crying mhe~. I turn towards Fuuma, and see it rolling on the ground pressing its stomach.
…That much of a time delay?
I take out the blue flower vase, and drop water into its mouth.
After eating, I have my stamina and magic energy back, and I’m healed up, so I continue exploring.
The plan is to fight one monster if I encounter it, but run if there are two.
I can’t fight multiple monsters on this floor. It’s one thing if it’s one after the other, but if one protects the other’s core like before, there’s nothing I can do.
I’ve already used my trump card, Limit Break, and even magic with magic circles didn’t work.
My full firepower wasn’t enough.
I think I was just lucky the first time.
◇ ◇ ◇
As I decided, I’ve been avoiding fights against multiple monsters. I’ve run away a few times, and had to take detours.
I’ve learned from multiple encounters that grass monsters tend to be alone, but earth dolls mostly come with grass monsters.
It’s really annoying, but I think I’ve mostly figured out these earth doll monsters.
They appear within a hundred meters of their cores. They come in various shapes, from an armor to an uncool pile of mud. Beasts, birds, monsters, and things I don’t really understand.
Their range of activity seems to be between one and two kilometers in diameter. I can’t say for sure, but this is what I think based on dozens of encounters. I imagine these powerful earth dolls can’t leave their cores.
Incidentally, I’ve only taken down three, including the armor one. The others were a bird and a wall. I want to ask why they picked a wall, but it kept propagating and it was hard to take it all down.
These three didn’t have protected cores, but there was also one I couldn’t take down despite not being protected by a grass monster.
It was a dragon earth doll.
It had the narrowest range of activity, and was more powerful and vicious than any other.
None of my attacks worked, and it cornered me with swift moves. It attacked with intense flames from its mouth, and it always caught me when I tried to run. I was in extreme danger.
In the end I got hit by its wing and luckily managed to escape its range of activity, but at that rate, Fuuma and I would’ve died.
That’s how terrifying that one was.
As I think back, I eat again. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve eaten since I woke up.
Each fight drains a lot of my magic energy, and I have to rest. It’s not like I eat every time, but I at least drink water.
Ahh, I yawn.
And Fuuma does too.
It’s still bright, there’s no sign that night will fall.
This day is feeling really long, maybe because I haven’t been advancing or fighting as well as I’d hope.
I’m starting to get tired and sleepy too.
I really should find a place where I can sleep soon.
I keep exploring, and as I have my fifth meal, I notice something’s odd.
What’s going on? Night isn’t coming.
Is it a white night? Does that happen in the dungeon?
I’ve never seen this phenomenon.
The dungeon is linked with the outside, so it’s always morning and night in both. I’ve always taken that for granted, so it took a while for me to notice.
Fuuma is already at its limit, and fell asleep like it collapsed.
I carry Fuuma as I stagger forward, since I’m also reaching my limit.
This is bad. Grass and earth doll monsters don’t attack unless I get in their range, but who knows what other monsters might be out there.
There was that stupidly big one, so there could be more. And I don’t know if the grass monsters don’t move.
I simply can’t relax and rest.
…
Let’s dig a hole.
I use Earth Magic, and make a hole about as big as my tent.
I strengthen its surroundings as best I can. Sturdy, like sturdy walls that won’t collapse.
I set up the tent, throw Fuuma in it, take off my equipment, and sleep too.
◇ ◇ ◇
I’m having a dream.
It’s too soon to call nostalgic, but it makes me happy nonetheless.
“It looks like you’re having fun, Tanaka.”
How? This is dangerous and a pain.
“You just have to enjoy yourself, that included. Ah, two raw ones, and a platter of green soybeans and skewers… Do you want anything?”
Horse sashimi.
“Hahaha, try to get along. Only something that noisy could fill the hole inside you.”
What do you mean hole? And are the others coming?
“Ah, Takeshi and Ruri are on their honeymoon, and Naito is shutting himself inside because he got rejected by a girl. Hajime wanted to come, but it was hard because this is a bit too far.”
Far? It’s two train stations away.
Hn? And Chisato?
“Hn, I dunno. She’s been focusing on studying lately, but I haven’t seen her recently.”
Ah, I see. She was going to study to become a childcare worker. I’d feel bad about bothering her, you shouldn’t call her. So what happened to Naito? He’s not the type to shut himself out like that.
“No no, he’s more delicate than you’d think. He’s like his brother, earnest, puts on a brave front, and looks calm, but gets depressed when he’s alone. That’s a real pain! I just want him to start grumbling and get mad! Hey, there’s my beer, cheers!”
Cheers… Sounds like you had a lot bottled up.
“Ah, I’m curious about something. Your horse, Fuuma, right? It’s the same, kind of a pain, but reliable too.”
Fuuma’s not like that. It’s a glutton, hurts me, and just does whatever it wants.
“That’s nice, you don’t get bored.”
And I never get any peace either.
“Hahahaha! Fuuma must be great if it makes you fuss like that.”
How? It’s just a bother.
“Now now, don’t say that. Two more raw ones please. But you really are in trouble. You think you’re going to be okay?”
I’ll manage somehow. I have to, or I’m done.
“Yes… It’s almost time.”
What? It just started.
“Until we meet again. Ah! I forgot one thing. Chisato loses all common sense when it’s about her friends, so please look after her.”
…Yes.
“And be friends with Fuuma, it will help you.”
…I get it.
And Toufu, you guys…
“Sorry, that will have to wait until next time! Wake up!”
…Do you resent me?
I wake up before I can say it.
Clay clown (earth doll monster)
Its range of activity is between a meter and an unknown distance. It has a strong body, but a short range of activity. Its core is hidden underground, and many are protected by killer plants.
It will regenerate forever unless the core is destroyed. The core has to be destroyed if it is to be beaten.
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