Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 162

“Now, it’s time to collect the poison sacs.”

After finishing the treatment for my foot, we should immediately take refuge in the cave—or so I’d like to say, but we need to collect the crucial poisonous materials first.

“Before that, let’s put on raincoats since the rain is heavy now.”

The rain that started pouring down had turned into a heavy downpour.

Since we were in battle, our clothes are completely soaked, but it’s much better than getting our bodies directly wet. Lowering body temperature leads to loss of stamina.

I take out raincoats from the magic bag and hand them to Lumia and Leilushka.

“Can I borrow one too?”

“Of course. I prepared extras just in case.”

As Lumia said, there are about four raincoats, so even if Leilushka wears one, I won’t run out.

“In that case, I won’t hesitate to borrow one.”

I’m grateful to Lumia for preparing extra. Otherwise, someone would have had to continue collecting in the rain.

“Even though it’s raining, it doesn’t soak into the clothes at all! It’s actually repelling it! Amazing!”

“With this, working in the rain is much easier.”

When you put on the light blue raincoat, the rain makes a pitter-patter sound as it falls.

However, the slime-coated raincoats boast impressive water resistance, effectively repelling the rain.

This should prevent a sudden drop in body temperature.

That being said, our clothes are already thoroughly soaked.

Wearing wet clothes for a long time can significantly reduce body temperature.

It’s better to recover the carcasses and take refuge in the cave for now rather than spend time dismantling and collecting them outside.

“Let’s collect the carcasses and take refuge in the cave for now.”

“Hmm? Wait. The toads are quite heavy. It’s tough for three of us to carry them around, isn’t it?”

Normally, that would be the case, and the only option would be to hurry and dismantle them in the rain.

However, I have a different option.

“No, I have a magic bag.”

Saying so, I store an electrocuted poisonous swamp toad in the magic bag.

Leilushka had a surprised expression at first, but then she laughed as if finding it amusing.

“I see, a magic bag. In that case, it’s best to go along with Shuu’s suggestion. Thank you for trusting me.”

“No, we’re grateful for trusting outsiders like us.”

From Leilushka’s words and actions, I know she’s a trustworthy person.

She’ll likely stick together while collecting the poisonous materials, and there should be no problem teaching her.

So, I revealed the magic bag and started storing the poisonous swamp toad carcasses one after another.

“The cave where we can take shelter from the rain is right there. Let’s move there for now.”

After finishing storing, we nodded at Leilushka’s words and ran.

We followed her lead as she guided us forward. This area is surrounded by rocks, and the roads are intricate, making it difficult to tell which way we came from. However, Leilushka seems accustomed to marshlands and proceeds without hesitation.

Surely, if it were just Lumia and me, we would have had a hard time finding shelter from the rain.

“There it is!”

After running for a while in the pouring rain, we saw a small cave ahead.

As the surroundings are open, we should be able to notice if any monsters approach.

However, as an extra precaution, I’ll use magic stone detection to confirm the situation inside. If there’s already someone inside, it could lead to troublesome situations.

“I’ve checked with my skill, and there’s no reaction from any monsters inside.”

“You even have such a convenient skill. Alright, then let’s go in.”

After confirming the cave is safe, we proceed straight in.

The inside of the cave is spacious, with a high ceiling, giving it the atmosphere of a cavern.

Cool air flows through, and the sound of dripping water echoes as droplets fall somewhere.

As confirmed by the skill, there are no reactions from animals or monsters.

“Fireball.”

I create a fireball with fire magic and let it float gently.

The dim cave is now brightly illuminated.

It serves as both a light source and a source of warmth, killing two birds with one stone.

“Phew, with this, we can take shelter from the rain for now.”

“Yeah.”

Now that we’re inside the cave, we don’t need the raincoats anymore, so we take them off.

Swinging it sharply, most of the water splashes away. It’s quite effective at repelling water. Just leaving it spread out on the rocks should be enough for it to dry thoroughly.

Taking off the raincoat, what catches my attention is how wet my clothes are. It’s not soaking wet from the battle with the poisonous swamp toads, but it’s damp enough to be uncomfortable.

It would be wise to change clothes to prevent further loss of body heat.

“…Should I step outside while you change?”

“No, that wouldn’t be fair to you, Shuu.”

It would be easy for me, a man, to go outside while the two women change, but it seems that idea has been rejected, probably out of consideration for my feelings.

The rain outside seems to have intensified. It would be difficult for me to insist they go outside, even from the opposite perspective.

“…Besides, I don’t have a change of clothes.”

“If you don’t mind borrowing mine, I can lend you some.”

“But do you have the space for that… Oh, right, you have the Magic Bag.”

Leilushka, looking puzzled, seemed to remember this fact and nodded in understanding.

Still, it feels awkward for men and women to change in the same place.

Leilushka and Lumia don’t seem to have any ideas either and look unsure of what to do.

Maybe it’s better for me to come up with a solution.

“I’ll create a partition with earth magic. I’ll change on this side, and you two can change on the other side. How does that sound?”

“It’s regrettable to use up magic power, but I appreciate it.”

Lumia nodded in agreement with Leilushka’s words.

“Yes, please. Is this size okay for you?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

With Leilushka being tall, my size should be suitable for her, but I always keep a range of sizes just in case situations like this arise.

“Please lend me your clothes as well.”

“Understood.”

Some of Lumia’s tools are stored in my Magic Bag this time, so I take them out and hand them over. I don’t keep things like underwear in there, of course. Those items are securely stored in her bag.

I create a horizontal earth wall about seven meters wide with earth magic. With such width, as long as we don’t go around it, we won’t be able to see each other. It’s about three meters tall, so it should be reassuring.

I split the created fireball and place it on the other side of the earth wall.

“Well then, I’ll change on this side.”

“Got it.”

“Y-Yes.”

Leilushka nodded calmly, and Lumia, though a bit nervous, responded and moved to the other side of the earth wall.

Once confirming that the two figures were completely out of sight, I set up a slime sheet.

This is also a waterproof sheet made by Lumia. Processed from slime skin, it allows for comfortable sitting even on damp ground.

Thanks to the slime shoes, the insides of my shoes are hardly wet. However, my socks are soaked around the ankles and stained with mud. It’s a bit disheartening, but it’s unavoidable in this kind of weather.

As I resigned myself to this, I began to undress, and I could hear the rustling of clothes from the other side of the wall.

The cave’s silence makes you inevitably conscious of other people’s presence.

On the other side of this wall, Leilushka and Lumia are also undressing.

“Eek! Cold!”

“Hahaha, Lumia, you got startled.”

“Sorry, a water droplet fell on my shoulder…”

Their voices echoed as if they could hear what I was imagining.

Startled by my own guilty thoughts, I shook my head vigorously to dispel the temptation.

“But Lumia’s chest is surprisingly…!”

“Leilushka-san!? There’s Shuu-san on the other side of the wall, you know!?”

“S-Sorry. I completely forgot about that!”

Just as I was consciously trying to dispel my temptations, the two dropped another bomb.

I can’t help but be curious about why Leilushka is so interested despite her slim figure. However, I decided not to dwell on it and calmly changed my clothes, clearing my mind of distractions.