Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 129

“Hmm…”

I groaned as I managed to escape.

That’s because Volkanos, who laid the egg, was keeping a close watch on its nest.

Let’s consider this okay for now. The difficulty of getting the egg has increased, but it’s an expected event.

Rather, what I should be concerned about is the persistence of the monsters along the way.

Before I had the egg, if I cast Blizzard, they wouldn’t come near. But as soon as they realized I had the egg, they began attacking boldly.

It’s impossible to move swiftly while carrying an egg weighing tens of kilograms in both hands.

The monsters probably know whether we are in optimal condition or not.

However, I’m afraid that scattering magic randomly might have unintended consequences.

Avoiding contact with the monsters is still the best strategy.

It’s necessary to have a thorough understanding of the types, characteristics, and habitats of the monsters and carefully choose the route.

“It may seem like a detour, but this feels like the shortest way.”

I’ve overcome this level of difficulty many times in Monmon Hunter.

Checking the movements of monsters to pass through safely is fundamental. It’s just a matter of doing it in reality.

When it comes to securing materials, obstacles like these only fuel my determination.

With a clear plan in mind, I decided to retrace my steps and check the route.

The caves of Ladeo Volcano are intricate. The path I’ve taken so far is the main route, the one that cuts through the shortest distance.

This time, I’ll check other areas besides that.

“There sure are a lot of Magmares around here.”

Inside the cave leading to the summit. This area, which can be considered the first hurdle, is a breeding ground for these Magmares.

There’s a lot of magma flowing, and when I use my detection skill, I can see dozens of Magmares swimming around.

The Blizzard I released in anger has already melted, leaving the ground barely damp. I feel a renewed sense of how hot this cave really is.

There’s no end to dealing with Magmares.

It’s important to swiftly move through while blocking the flying magma.

Last time, I tried to pass through the main route, but this time I’ll try going down a side path.

Just to be sure, I’ll use my detection skill to check if it’s a dead end.

…Hmm, it seems like a narrow path continues ahead. And there are no monsters.

Here, even if monsters come, I can handle them easily since they can only come in single file.

At least, I won’t need to be as vigilant in all directions as I was when surrounded by monsters last time.

As I continue along the single path, I come to another large chamber.

Looking around, I see a few Lizardmen wandering about, and there are three more narrow side paths.

“…Guess I’ll have to meticulously map this out.”

Presumably, the interior of Ladeo Volcano spreads out like an anthill, formed by many side paths and chambers. Naturally, there won’t always be a path ahead. There might even be dead ends after advancing.

But to find the right route, I have to methodically go through and check.

Using my detection skill makes grasping the path easier, so it’s not an insurmountable task, but it will require multiple experiments.

“But, I don’t mind this kind of meticulous work.”

With a makeshift map of the volcano’s interior and a pen from my magic bag in hand, I continue through the cave.

♦  ♦  ♦

“Detection.”

Inside the cave, I release my skill. But right now, I’m not using it to find materials; rather, I’m sending out waves of magic to see if there’s a path ahead.

“Huh? The magic resonance stopped?”

In a narrow cave, magic waves resonate. However, that resonance dissipated halfway.

The way it dissipated doesn’t indicate that it continues into a chamber. Even in somewhat wider areas, my magic would reflect to some extent.

Curious, I decided to proceed down the side path where the magic resonance ceased.

As I advance through the narrow passage like a stalactite cave, bright light begins to shine ahead.

“It’s bright. Is it sunlight…?”

Squinting at the pure light different from the brightness of magma, I move forward, and the outside scenery unfolds before me.

Accustomed to the dim cave, the outside landscape seems dazzling. But either I’m getting used to it or I’m adjusting, as I manage to perceive it clearly.

“Wow, what a view!”

It seems I’ve arrived at the outer edge. From here, I can overlook the forest that thrives from the towering volcano.

The cityscape visible in the distance is undoubtedly Eld.

I never thought I’d be able to look down from here, considering I looked up at Ladeo Volcano from Eld.

I came here only to look for a route for carrying the egg, but if I can see this view, it’s worth coming all this way.

Even if the path ahead turns out to be a dead end, I have no regrets.

Basking in the pleasant breeze outside, I embrace such refreshing feelings.

The outskirts are paved with gravel, and the road width is narrow enough for two adults to walk side by side. It continues all the way down below.

Perhaps, if I keep following along this path, I might reach a lower chamber.

With such faint hope in mind, I continue forward.

Naturally, there are no guardrails or fences along this path to prevent falls.

If I were to fall, I’d roll down a steep slope, which is a bit scary.

However, there’s no sign of monsters, and the scenery is beautiful. With the pleasant breeze blowing, if there were only a railing, it would be an excellent tourist spot.

“Huh? I smell something sulfuric?”

As I descend the narrow path, I catch a whiff of a sulfur-like smell coming from the mountainside.

Turning my gaze towards the smell, I see faint white steam rising.

When you think of sulfur in a volcano, you think of hot springs! But there’s also the possibility of dangerous sulfur gas emissions.

However, what’s handy in times like these is appraisal. With it, I can confirm if the air is safe.

【Hydrogen Sulfide Gas】

A substance formed by the combination of sulfur and hydrogen.

Like volcanic gas, it is highly flammable. It drifted from the sulfur spring.

It has a pungent odor resembling rotten eggs, and continued inhalation can cause symptoms of poisoning. However, the gas drifting around here is not at a concentration that affects the human body.

“A sulfur spring!?”

It seems it’s not a dangerous gas, so I breathe a sigh of relief. But there’s a word in the appraisal information that catches my attention.

Could it be that there’s a hot spring where that steam is rising?

Since it’s not a gas containing dangerous components, I decide to climb the mountainside to investigate.

As I continue up the gentle slope of the mountainside, sure enough, there is a natural hot spring emitting steam, just as I expected.

A picturesque hot spring area surrounded by rock walls.

“Without a doubt, it’s a natural sulfur hot spring!”

“…It’s rare to see someone make it all the way here.”

Upon finding the natural hot spring and expressing my excitement, a voice came from nearby.

The one who spoke, uttering lines akin to a boss waiting at the depths of the most challenging dungeon, was a nervous-looking dwarf.

“Ah! You’re the dwarf who ran the tool shop in Eld!”

“Hmm? The adventurer who bought the fire-resistant gloves?”

Enjoying the hot spring as a prior visitor was the dwarf who ran a tool shop in the city of Eld.