Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 128

Having obtained the Volkanos egg, I desperately made my way back from the Ladeo Volcano. Now descending from the summit into the cave’s interior, smoothly progressing without being discovered by Volkanos. However, due to the weight of the egg, my pace was only slightly faster than a jog. But at this rate, it seemed possible to safely exit the volcano and return to Eld.

As I pondered this, there was a reaction in the magical stone survey. Visible within the magma was a Magmare.

“…This is bad. I don’t feel like I can avoid being hit by magma in this state.”

However, I couldn’t freeze it like last time using Blizzard. After all, the egg in my hands was fragile life. If it died due to the influence of ice magic, the mission might fail.

There was a suggestion to freeze it and transport it in a state of suspended animation, but I was asked by the lord to bring it back alive.

The best option seemed to be to cast ice magic from a distance where it wouldn’t affect me, or to detour around without making contact.

It would be quite a detour, but it was best to go where there were no Magmares.

I would detour as much as possible to avoid getting close to the magma.

Staggering along while holding the egg in both hands.

However, even after detouring, there was another Magmare ahead.

I couldn’t detour any further.

I braced myself and passed by while holding the egg.

My wish not to be noticed was in vain as the Magmare reacted.

“Damn it!”

As it emerged from the magma and attempted to open its mouth towards me, I cast Blizzard.

As a result, the emerging Magmare froze.

However, perhaps due to narrowing the range, the surrounding magma gradually melted the ice.

Staying in this place, even the frozen Magmare would soon start moving.

Continuing on at a jog, another Magmare began spewing magma.

It was cunning enough to launch attacks from afar, wary of my ice magic.

Unable to crush it before it attacked, it was truly despicable. However, this time, I had created distance, so even now with reduced mobility, I could easily avoid it.

I anticipated the impact point, so by casting Blizzard there, I had no worries about being caught in it.

Passing by the frozen magma balls nonchalantly, I encountered a group of Lizardmen ahead.

Damn it. I was too focused on the magma and neglected to scout the surface.

As soon as they spotted me, they let out a roar and charged.

With the egg in hand, I couldn’t escape from the Lizardmen.

“Blizzard!”

If that’s the case, then I’ll crush the Lizardmen first.

I cast Blizzard from a distance, freezing the group of Lizardmen.

Taking advantage of that opening, the Magmare showered me with magma fire.

“Damn it. When I didn’t have the egg, they would have fled when I cast ice magic!”

The supposedly cowardly Magmares attacked fiercely.

They probably knew we couldn’t move freely. Their keen wild instincts were infuriating.

I dropped the magma with Blizzard and dodged what I couldn’t shoot down with a jog.

Anything that seemed like it might bounce nearby, I defended against with the cold of Blizzard.

“Alright, if I keep going like this and shake them off—ouch!?”

Just as I thought to sprint away, a Firebird descended from above and grazed my arm.

Surprised by the scorching heat, I inadvertently dropped the Volkanos egg from my hand.

Watching the egg fall in slow motion, I opened my mouth in shock.

“Don’t break!”

But my wish was in vain, as the Volkanos egg made a crunching sound as it cracked.

“Ah!”

The BGM of Monmon Hunter’s “Gaaan” echoed loudly in my mind.

I had broken the Volkanos egg. I had ruined such a valuable material.

Seeing the scattered shells, whites, and yolks in front of me, my heart ached terribly.

It was more shocking than ruining a game. Despite the chance to obtain the egg when Volkanos wasn’t around, these creatures casually interfered with it…

“What the hell are you doing, you bastard!”

I impulsively cast Blizzard around me in an emotional outburst.

Sensing the danger, the Firebird fled, and the Magmares sank into the lava.

While the ice world eroded the magma, I couldn’t capture either of the monsters and they escaped. That also made me quietly furious.

However, it was just a random scattering of magic, so it was the expected result.

What remained was me kneeling on the icy ground, and a group of Lizardmen transformed into ice sculptures. It felt somewhat hollow.

“Enough, it’s too early to give up! I’ll go back to Volkanos’ nest and get the egg again!”

How many times in Monster Hunter did we run out of time or get interrupted by monsters on the way back with the materials we needed? Compared to the struggles in the game, one failure was nothing.

If I broke down over something like this, I’d be disqualified as a material gatherer. As long as there were materials there, I wouldn’t give up.

Losing the rare Volkanos egg was painful, but there were still seven left…

With that in mind, I switched gears and hurried back to the Volkanos’ nest at the summit.

If I returned quickly, this area would remain frozen. Maybe no monsters would come near.

With a lighter heart, I started running.

♦  ♦  ♦

“This is bad.”

With hope in my heart, I returned to the nest, but there was already someone there. Or rather, I should say the rightful owner.

【Volkanos – Danger Level B】

A terrestrial sea dragon species that inhabits the depths of the Radio Volcano and caves.

They do not actively gather in groups and show no mercy to intruders in their territory.

Despite their short limbs, they are surprisingly agile.

With their sturdy body and claws, they can break through hard rocks and dig through the ground. They have excellent heat resistance and can push through even magma.

Their entire body is covered in cooled and solidified magma, forming a natural robust armor.

Their eggs are considered a delicacy and are famous among gourmets. However, their numbers have been decreasing recently due to overhunting.

“Grrrhhh!”

Their body is adorned with red scales reminiscent of a Red Dragon, and they have a reptilian long tail. They support their body with four short but sturdy legs.

They have dorsal fins on their head and shoulders, dripping magma that has clung to them.

Their sharp emerald-colored eyes, reminiscent of birds of prey, were focused on the location of the missing egg.

“Oh, did you notice that one is missing?”

Perhaps they had noticed the missing egg. Volkanos dashed over with agile movements that one wouldn’t expect from its appearance, beginning to check.

“Graaaaah!”

And indeed, it seemed they had noticed the absence, as Volkanos let out a roar filled with anger.

I instinctively covered my ears at the unique roar.

Perhaps detecting my slight movement, Volkanos immediately approached me.

Our eyes, like those of birds of prey, met perfectly.

Volkanos charged towards me, seemingly expressing strong anger as if to say, “Was this your doing?”

“No! I’m the culprit, but it wasn’t me!”

I stole it, but it was the monster who destroyed it.

I try to make this contradictory explanation, but there’s no way Volkanos would listen.

Using its lizard like legs, it charges forward trying to crush me.

I immediately want to freeze it with Blizzard, but my opponent is a rare creature. If I accidentally killed it by freezing it, it would be a problem.

“Blizzard Line!”

So, I create a wall of ice to separate Volkanos and myself.

Volkanos crashes into the ice wall that was generated in front of it.

I can hear the sound of it trying to break through the ice wall, but without looking back, I leave the area with all my strength.