Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.1 Chapter 3.13

It’s shaking.

It’s shaking.

Just shaking like crazy!

“Hyahh!”

Not used to hunting monsters, I was surrounded by everyone, crouching down with my ears flattened tight against my head. The terrible cry of the subterranean fish—Ooooooh—was so frightening I couldn’t summon any strength.

“It’s a bit bigger than usual, but let’s stick to the usual strategy: aim when it surfaces from the water.”

I heard Simon’s voice.

“The important thing is just to bring it down! This is your specialty, MaiMai, MuiMui!”

Rouge shouted. MaiMai and MuiMui, the twin fairies, were floating lightly in the air with their wings, so the shaking didn’t seem to bother them much.

““Aye aye, sir!””

The twins leapt up, hands raised to the sky. At that moment, thousands of dazzling arrows appeared, suspended in midair.

The dim subterranean lake suddenly filled with golden light.

“Go!”

“Boom!”

As the twins slammed their hands down, the arrows pierced the thrashing subterranean fish one after another.

Its eerie cries echoed throughout the underground lake once again.

“Oh, nice, nice!”

Gant and the others cheered. The fish shot a column of water into the air before crashing to the ground. The shaking was incredible. Without Simon’s transparent barrier protecting us, we might’ve been blown away.

“But it’s huge and stubborn as hell!”

“Doesn’t it feel like something’s off? I’m pretty sure this is an irregular monster.”

Stella and Maki murmured.

“But the upside is if we take it down, it might drop some rare items!”

Gant shouted excitedly. Unlike me, the other adventurers weren’t trembling like leaves.

They were calm and making rational decisions. When the unexpected happens, can you stay calm?

At that moment, I painfully realized the difference between ordinary people and adventurers.

Because, well… I totally panicked.

“Lili!?”

The moment the ground shook violently, a yellow Mokomott suddenly popped out of my backpack.

“Piyo!?”

I had just put the fluffballs back into the backpack right after the subterranean fish appeared, but since I was in a hurry, I must not have zipped it up properly.

“Lili!”

“Piyo~!”

Unfortunately, MaiMai and MuiMui’s second strike hit the subterranean fish. The ground shook even more violently.

Lili tumbled and, unbelievably, fell into the lake!

What should I do? Someone, please help…!

But even though I thought that, no sound came out. I’d been told not to act on my own, but somehow, I didn’t rely on anyone and just ran after her.

“Kuna-san!?”

I dropped my backpack where I stood, shoved Maki aside, and chased after the rolling Lili.

In the raging waves, I saw the little yellow chick being tossed around and disappearing.

No, no, no!! We all have to return together. No one left behind!!

Without thinking, I plunged into the water. Splash! A violent spray shot up.

“…!”

The cold water wrapped around my body. I barely opened my eyes. The current was fierce…!

Lili struggled desperately. Her tiny body was being battered by the waves.

Wait, I’ll save you right away…!

I stretched out my hand desperately, kicking through the water, pushing forward.

Just a little more, almost there!

“Unn—!”

Got her!

Grasping something yellow and soft in my hand, I felt a wave of relief.

Holding her to my chest, I tried to surface. But before me, I saw a gigantic creature approaching. A chill ran down my spine, every hair standing on end.

In the murky water, the subterranean fish looked even more sinister.

Its creepy, bulging eyes locked onto me.

“…!”

The subterranean fish opened its huge mouth.

No way…

“Ooooooooh!”

Chomp!

Everything went pitch black.

We had been swallowed whole by the subterranean fish’s huge mouth.