Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 72

Although I continued to bring materials to Rosca with enthusiasm, nothing seemed to resonate with her.

We tried mining on the fourth floor as well, not just the third, but her response there was lackluster too.

In our quest for more materials, we decided to delve even deeper.

That led us to the sixth underground floor.

As we reached the sixth floor, the width of the passage widened compared to the previous levels, resembling more of a cave than a mine.

Light stones were exposed on the walls, and luminous moss proliferated, making the overall atmosphere a bit brighter.

“It has changed quite a bit, hasn’t it?”

“As you reach the sixth floor, the number of monsters increases, and not many miners can come in anymore. The paths are not as maintained as before. It gets even more dangerous from here on.”

The previous paths were well-traveled by many people and extensively used by miners, hence they were well-maintained.

However, from here on, it’s the territory of monsters where not many people venture.

It seems the path ahead is different from what we’ve experienced so far.

We cautiously tread the path using my magic stone detection.

In the distance, the silhouette of monsters is emerging in our field of vision. Crab-like figures, gigantic snakes, things resembling human arms… Monsters we have never seen on the previous levels are suddenly increasing.

The abrupt change in monsters is probably hindering miners and adventurers.

For now, I’ll use the investigation skill to walk and grasp the internal structure first.

As I pondered such things, Rosca sniffed lightly.

“…Shuu-san. It’s better to stop using the left path. I smell a gas-like odor.”

“Really? I don’t smell anything… ”

“Even if Shuu-san doesn’t, my nose can already sense it.”

【The air contains a small amount of toxic gas. As the concentration increases, it may cause abnormalities in the respiratory system.】

Hearing this from Rosca, I appraised the air, and it turned out that there was a toxic gas lingering.

Moreover, it was the dangerous kind.

If we had continued without noticing, it might have caused respiratory abnormalities.

If I had only noticed it then, it might have been too late.

“Understood. Let’s proceed on the right path.”

I’m grateful to have Rosca with me. From now on, I need to frequently appraise the air and check for the presence of gas.

We proceed on the path safely, utilizing magic stone detection and appraisal.

“It seems safe around here, so shall we try mining?”

Noticing no monsters in the vicinity and finding a place easy to evacuate from, I propose to Rosca.

However, Rosca seems to be closing her eyes and listening intently.

“What’s the matter?”

“…I can hear the sound of flowing water in the distance. Shall we check it out?”

I can’t hear it at all, but perhaps Rosca, being a beast person, can. There might be an underground water vein in this mine, and water might be springing up.

“Sure, let’s head there.”

“I’ll guide you.”

As I say that, Rosca happily smiles and starts walking. It’s not bad to act on such small curiosities. I’m genuinely curious about what kind of water vein is inside the mine.

While following behind Rosca like this, I try using detection.

It seems like the passage ahead leads to a small hall, with areas where magical reflections are dull.

The sensation is similar to when I used detection on a river. That means there’s water ahead. In a normal path, magical reflections on the walls quickly reveal the collision of magical forces. This sensation is what you feel when magical power has permeated water.

Still, it’s quite deep for my magical power not to fully penetrate. It seems like there’s a vertical hole beneath us.

“I can hear the sound of water now.”

“Maybe it’s over there! Let’s go check!”

Chasing after the briskly moving Rosca, we enter the hall, and there lies a beautiful spring.

The water, a mix of blue and green, looks like the water itself is a gem.

In the water, small squid-like creatures float gently, emitting a faint glow.

The sound of water springing up faintly from the ground and the gentle flow of water create a quiet ambiance.

Surrounding the spring, colorful crystals are exposed here and there.

“…It’s a beautiful place.”

“Indeed.”

Unable to find the right words for such a fantastical scene, all I could do was nod.

There’s a lot to feel from this sight, but expressing it with words seemed inadequate, and speaking about it felt cheap.

At this moment, rather than expressing my thoughts, I just wanted to gaze at this beautiful space.

Rosca seems to be walking around, perhaps trying to view the crystals from a different angle. As I was about to follow her, I suddenly realized something.

I haven’t conducted magic stone detection in this area yet.

Neglecting detection at a time like this could lead to trouble.

Knowing this from experience, I quickly activate magic stone investigation.

Around the spring, there are no monsters… or so I thought, but a creature is camouflaged on a stalactite on the ceiling.

It’s a monster with a body composed of rocks and minerals, appearing to have only two legs sprouting from a rock.

【Gantol】

A cave-dwelling monster. It prefers to eat rocks and minerals, and its body hardens over time.

It can change the surface of its body based on minerals it has consumed.

Although it is very slow, it can stick to the ceiling and fall to crush enemies, so caution is advised.

“Rosca-san, get back!”

“Eh, huh!?”

As soon as I shouted upon seeing the information from the appraisal, Rosca, though bewildered, reacted and stepped back.

Then, the Gantol that had been on the ceiling where Rosca was moments ago fell down.

“Whoa, there was a monster on the ceiling! Thanks, Shuu-san. I almost got flattened—”

As Rosca expressed her gratitude while stepping back next to me, the ground made a cracking sound.

Shifting my gaze from the Gantol to the ground, I saw cracks resembling a spider’s web.

“Oh, it’s just some cracks in the ground.”

Rosca, unaware of the situation, breathes a sigh of relief. However, knowing that beneath is a deep vertical hole, I can’t stop sweating.

“…Not good, Rosca-san. There’s a deep vertical hole here.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“If this continues, we’ll fall into the hole.”

The moment I informed the bewildered Rosca, the ground collapsed, leaving us with no footing.

As the ground crumbled beneath us, we fell into a deep abyss.

“Aaaahhhhh!”

It’s quite a deep hole; we can’t see the bottom, and even our screams don’t echo back.

We could see the hefty Gantol falling with tremendous force.

“This is bad, Shuu-san! I’m deeeaad!”

Rosca, almost in tears, cries out. Due to the pressure of the fall, her face looks terrible.

In this split second, we’ve fallen several tens of meters. It’s almost impossible for an ordinary person to survive such a fall from a great height.

While dying during material collection might be an acceptable fate, I’ve only been in this otherworld for a few months.

There are still heaps of materials I haven’t collected. I can’t die here, and I can’t give up.

Activating detection, I sense magical power reaching the ground about a hundred meters ahead.

However, there’s no time to feel reassured. At this falling speed, a hundred meters is just an instant.

I quickly scoop up the falling Rosca with my left arm, thrust my right arm towards the ground, and activate wind magic.

“Wind!”

Unleashed without holding back, the wind magic rages within the hole.

Sharp blades of wind dance around, mercilessly carving into the walls. It’s no longer a novice-level magic that simply conjures a gust of wind.

The force is significant, and our falling speed decreases considerably.

Next, I envision continuously releasing the wind downwards and activate wind magic.

Our falling speed gradually slows down, and we descend as if in a hovering motion.

Finally, without any injuries, we manage to touch the ground.

“Phew, we somehow did it with wind magic—huh!?”

As I set Rosca down on the ground, intending to take a breather, I’m suddenly embraced.

“Shuu-san, thank you! We’re alive!”

It must have been quite terrifying. Rosca sheds tears while tightly wrapping her arms around me.

I’m bewildered by the unexpected embrace, but without my substantial magical power, we would have been in real trouble.

It’s only natural for Rosca, who had given up before, to shed tears of joy at still being alive.

“It’s okay now, we’re safe.”

“Uh, sniff… Yes…”

I continue to gently stroke her head until Rosca calms down.