Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 140

Having passed through the Magmare checkpoint, we descended the mountain following the route we had shared beforehand.

Instead of taking the shortest route down, we opted for a detour.

Moving in large numbers through the vast cave interior would likely attract many monsters.

Prioritizing the safety of the eggs, we chose a route that took longer but ensured steady progress.

While Franryule and the others might remember the detour route well, I was the most familiar with it, so I took the lead and moved forward.

“Alex-san, isn’t the egg heavy?”

“I’m fine. My body is trained for this. Something like this won’t faze me!”

Volkanos’s egg was quite heavy, but Alex seemed to have no problem with his stamina.

Unlike me, he’s also a swordsman who can handle frontline combat, so he’s clearly well-trained.

I might need to train a bit more myself.

“That’s reassuring. Ahead, the path narrows and the footing gets rough, so please be careful.”

“Yeah, got it!”

“If… if you trip and drop it…”

“What do you mean, ‘if I drop it’!? Stop scaring me with that talk!”

Neln’s piercing gaze carries quite a bit of pressure.

Amid Alex’s screams, cheerful laughter fills the air.

Though they seem somewhat relaxed, a bit of mental break is necessary. Humans can’t stay focused indefinitely.

The cave interior gradually narrows, and the footing becomes precarious.

We slow our pace to accommodate Alex carrying the egg, but steadily move forward.

While Gilles and the others lend a hand to ensure Alex doesn’t stumble, I focus on keeping watch around us.

Then, I notice two creatures ahead.

【Hell Scorpion – Danger Level: C】

A scorpion-like creature inhabiting volcanoes and deserts. It is covered in tough carapace, and its tail contains a potent neurotoxin. While not lethal, its sting can paralyze victims temporarily.

It was a creature that attacked while Franryule and the others were fighting the Magma Golem.

At that time, I immediately froze it, so I didn’t know, but it seems to be a creature with paralysis poison.

“There’s a Hell Scorpion up ahead, so I’ll intercept it.”

The path is narrow, only about three meters wide, with no cover. In that case, it’s faster to defeat it.

The Hell Scorpion seems to have noticed us as well, swiftly moving its long legs as it approaches.

It’s surprisingly fast, which is a bit unsettling. I didn’t hesitate to unleash a Blizzard, freezing the two creatures.

“As expected of Shuu-san.”

“The path may be narrow, but with a mage, interception is easy.”

“…That’s because of Shuu-san’s detection skills.”

Well, it certainly would be difficult to sense monsters first in dim light. I’m grateful for the detect skill that can perform well even in such unfavorable conditions.

With that, we continued to preemptively detect and intercept monsters, occasionally taking detours, until sunlight began to filter in.

“Hey! I see sunlight!”

“We’re reaching the outer edge of the volcano.”

There’s no need to panic as we’re following the planned mapping route.

“Whoa! Amazing!”

“I didn’t know there was such a place where we could get such a panoramic view. It’s wonderful.”

“…Beautiful.”

“The breeze feels nice.”

As Alex and the others marvel at the view from the outer edge, I realize that without mapping, I wouldn’t have found such a place.

In the scorching heat of the Ladeo Volcano, no one would think of mapping.

The pleasant breeze from outside blows in.

Despite being covered in cold air, we’ve been exposed to the oppressive heat for so long. The natural breeze feels very welcome.

“Let’s take a short break around here.”

The path is narrow and the footing is poor, but there’s no chance of monsters coming here.

Without the stifling heat, we can rest sufficiently while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

“Yes, let’s replenish our fluids here.”

“Phew, I’m exhausted!”

When Franryule nodded, Alex set down the egg and sat down.

“…Weren’t you supposed to be strong?”

“If you’re gonna say that, why don’t you carry it, Neln? This thing’s pretty heavy, you know!?”

“…I’m a delicate maiden, so it’s impossible for me.”

Neln denied it in a voice devoid of intonation, unlike that of a typical maiden.

Since Alex has the most physical strength and high physical abilities among us, it’s best for him to continue.

As we replenished our fluids with spring water and licked salt, Franryule sniffed and wrinkled her nose.

“There’s a strange smell…?”

“Is it toxic gas?”

At Gilles’s words as he stood up, the other three were startled.

“It’s hydrogen sulfide gas. It has a unique irritating odor and is toxic, but at this concentration, it won’t affect the human body.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a relief.”

“Huh, no big deal then. I got worried when Gilles mentioned poison.”

Alex and Neln were reassured after the explanation.

But Franryule and Gilles still seemed somewhat uneasy.

There are occasional stories about people dying from inhaling volcanic gas without realizing it.

Even though they hear it’s safe from my mouth, it’s understandable that they still feel uneasy.

I have knowledge from my past life and I’m well aware of the safety through appraisal.

“However, since it might still be a concern, I’ll disperse it with wind magic.”

“Thank you very much.”

Even though there’s no danger, it’s a smell that might bother those who aren’t used to it.

After dispersing the gas with wind magic, Franryule and Gilles both showed relieved expressions.

There are natural hot springs and mud baths with skin-beautifying effects deeper inside, but the innkeeper warned me not to mention it too much.

Either way, there’s no time to leisurely soak in the hot springs and take a break, so I decided to simply gaze at the scenery without saying anything.

♦ ♦ ♦

After the break, we entered the cave again from the outer edge and continued our descent.

“…Shuu-san, how much longer?”

As we pushed forward along the narrow path, Neln asked in a voice tinged with fatigue.

“We’re almost there, just after we pass through the next large chamber.”

“In that case, I’ll hold on a little longer!”

Knowing that we could exit the volcano after passing through the next large chamber seemed to boost her morale.

The complexion of Franryule and the others visibly improved.

Humans can push through when they know exactly where the finish line is.

Our pace naturally quickened as we traversed the narrow path.

And then, we emerged into the large chamber. There, Lazona was lounging near the edge.

There were hardly any obstacles like flowing magma, and the temperature inside the cave was much milder.

Compared to the summit, it was a peaceful place.

“It seems there aren’t any significant monsters here.”

“Heh, by this point, I doubt Volkanos would even dare to attack us.”

Feeling relaxed due to the unusual peace, Franryule and Alex said such things.

However, uttering those typical lines of reassurance often led to strangely painful experiences.

Having a very unpleasant premonition, I thoroughly scanned the surroundings with my investigation skill, even though there were no visible signs of enemies.

Then, I saw a massive silhouette underground, moving straight toward us.

“Everyone, run!”

“W-What’s going on?”

“I don’t know! Just run!”

“What’s happening!?”

As I shouted while running, Franryule and the others followed along, bewildered.

The ground trembled intensely, and cracks began to form, spewing out magma.

As the earth rose to its limits, Volkanos burst out from it.

“Graaaaarrrgh!”

“Volkanos!?”

“It made its way here from its nest!?”

Most likely, it realized its eggs were stolen and preemptively came down to the lower levels.

When descending from the Ladeo Volcano, we absolutely had to pass through this large chamber. Volkanos knew that and set up a trap around here.

Though there’s quite a distance from its nest to here, for Volkanos, who digs through the ground, it’s not much. If I hadn’t sensed it beforehand through detection, we’d be blown away by now.

“Run! If we reach that narrow passage over there, Volkanos won’t be able to enter!”

“Come on, Alex! Hurry!”

“Run, Alex!”

“… Faster, faster, faster, faster, faster.”

“Shut up, I get it! And Neln’s voice is too serious, it’s freaking me out!”

Understanding my intentions, Franryule and the others dashed ahead.

We’ve already passed through the center of the large chamber, so the exit is just a bit further.

If we sprint at full speed, we’ll make it easily, but with Alex carrying the egg, it’s going to be tight.

“GRAAARRRGHGH!”

“Whaahhh! It’s bad, it’s bad! Volkanos is right behind us!”

In the rear, Volkanos is moving its feet clumsily as it approaches.

Having Volkanos right behind us is terrifying.

“Thunder Arrow!”

“Stone Bullet!”

Franryule and Gilles cast spells as they turn around—however, Volkanos doesn’t even flinch. It’s like a heavy tank.

“Oh no, it’s impossible! The monster’s class is on a different level!”

“It’s no use!”

With this, Franryule and the others’ spirits break, and they focus on running instead of buying time.

“Waaaahhhh!”

Perhaps realizing this is the crucial moment, Alex shows the fastest carrying speed of the day.

Neln sticks close behind him, murmuring and applying pressure.

And then, Alex dives into the narrow passage first, followed by Neln, Franryule, and Gilles. The only one left is me, at the back.

“Shuu-san!”

“Raaarghhh!”

Right behind me, Volkanos opens its large mouth and lunges to bite.

I throw myself forward with all my might, like an emergency evasion in Monmon Hunter.

“Whoa!”

Thanks to this unplanned dive, I manage to enter the narrow passage, and there’s a scary sound of teeth clashing behind me.

Then, Volkanos peeks into the passage, opening its mouth wide and scattering sparks.

Realizing its intentions, I quickly stand up and activate magic.

“Blizzard!”

The ice wall blocks Volkanos’s breath from close range.

Even though I’ve defended against this attack before, it’s quite frightening at such a close distance.

The sound of ice melting with a sizzle and the layers of ice walls forming immediately after clash together.

In the end, it seems my magic prevailed, as the sound of the ice wall melting disappeared.

Volkanos’s breath probably ended.

Beyond the transparent ice wall, only a faint outline of Volkanos could be seen.

With the ice wall in the narrow passage, Volkanos couldn’t enter.

Knowing this, but eager to put as much distance between myself and the dangerous creature as possible, I started running.