v2c33 - Volume 2 - A Slow Life to Protect My Friends - Chapter 33 - Me, seeking a new monster and Lydia seeking magic power
“Well …… let’s start exploring the underground cave today.”
The day after hearing Shelly’s explanation of my newly acquired extra skill and learning that I could become stronger by eating monsters, I headed into the underground cave with Ellie and the others.
The objective was to bring back and eat the flesh of various monsters and become so strong that I would not be defeated even if a demon of the Four Heavenly King class attacked us.
“[Firestorm].”
“Aah! Ellie, if you kill all the scorpions at once with a big fire, Mister will end up eating charcoal!”
When we entered the cave, Ellie used her fire magic to destroy the green scorpion that appeared immediately, but Nina’s mouth twitched in response.
Er, Nina …… even if it is to become stronger, isn’t it harsh to eat a green scorpion?
No, it’s to protect everyone, and I’m going to eat it …… yes. I’m prepared to eat it.
I would have preferred to start with an animal monster like the Assassin Rabbit.
“Um, Nina? Are you going to make Alex eat a scorpion?”
“Hmmm, rather than eat, drink it …… I guess? A dwarf, or rather, Nina’s dad used to soak scorpions in alcohol and drink it, you know? …… Nina never had one before, though.”
“I-I see. It seems like Alex’s skill was triggered by a piece of Assassin Rabbit’s meat, so I wonder if that kind of ingestion would work?”
I see.
I received a hint from Ellie and Nina’s conversation and lowered the difficulty considerably.
To be honest, the idea of eating scorpions was quite painful, but if I drink it marinated in something, I think I can still go for it.
However, I don’t know if my extra skill would be triggered by that method, and if I could protect the three of them by eating a scorpion, it would be a small price to pay, so I would at least try to nibble on it over a fire.
“Oh, Mister! It’s an iron scorpion! If you eat that thing, it feels like it’s going to give you even more defense!”
“…… There’s no way that I can eat iron, so I’m going to soak it in alcohol like Nina’s father did.”
Yep. Even I can’t eat minerals.
In no time at all, I took back my previous statement and decided to soak the scorpion in alcohol for the time being.
I’ll ask Tabitha to send more booze next time.
I can give Shelly the rest of what she needs to help her recover.
“[Middle Freeze]”
Ellie froze the Iron Scorpion with her ice magic, so I decided to take it home for now, and while I was at it, I cut the Green Scorpion that appeared in half.
I retrieved the green scorpion that I had cut in half, and had Ellie use her magic to destroy the rest of them.
“Okay. We’ve acquired a new monster, so let’s go back for now.”
We decided to return to the cabin for now.
This time, we returned just after entering the cave, but we couldn’t go back every time we found a new monster, so we would have to think of something to do.
“Lydia. Do you know how to cook scorpions?”
“I-I’m sorry. Even I have never cooked scorpions before ……”
Lydia looked apologetic, but it was normal that she didn’t know, so I’d like that she doesn’t worry about it.
I told Lydia that…
“How about Ellie?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I know how to cook scorpions either.”
“Figures.”
I knew that Nina was right.
“You wouldn’t soak anything in grape wine, so it must be distilled, right? “
“Well, I don’t even know what kind of alcohol he was drinking.”
As for me, I’d rather have tea than alcohol …… but I guess I don’t have a choice.
“I’d like to keep this scorpion in storage until Tabitha can send me some booze, but can I have the green one frozen too?”
“Sure, I’ll take care of it!”
As Ellie froze the scorpion with her ice magic…
“Mr. Alex. Why don’t we dig a hole in the ground and store the frozen scorpions in it? That way, they can be stored in the cool soil for a long time.”
“I see. Alright, please do so.”
I quickly adopted Lydia’s suggestion and went outside the cabin.
“Well, Mr. Alex. Give me your hand, please.”
“Wait a minute! You’re going to ask Alex to share his magical power with you just to dig a hole!? No matter how I think about it, that’s not going to deplete your magical power, right!?”
“I’m sorry, but my spirit magic is very depleting in terms of magic power. Ms. Ellie’s attack magic seems to consume very little magic, so I really envy you!”
“You definitely don’t think that! Your words don’t match your expression!”
“Mr. Alex. Ms. Ellie is scary.”
Saying this, a frightened Lydia turns around and stares at me with teary eyes.
On the other hand, Ellie, who looks at me and Lydia, is angry- …… Eh, she’s smiling?
I think that their faces are a little stiff, but I wonder what on earth Ellie and Lydia are competing about.
First, Lydia uses her spirit magic to make a hole in the soil, and then we put a simple lid on it using the tree Shelly grew for us yesterday.
After a short break, we were talking about going back to the cave to explore…
“Oh, Mr. Alex! Mr. Alex! Are you not there? Please, if you’re there, answer me! Mr. Alex!”
From inside the cabin, I heard Tabitha’s voice, sounding somewhat desperate.