NOVEL NEXT Volume 1 Chapter 39 - I Can't See Anything
Upon passing through the gate, it was not the ruins of a derelict building as before, but a dimly lit flatland of about 50 square meters surrounded by rock walls.
Right near the gate, there was a solitary cabin, and in front of the cabin, a raggedy table and chairs were placed.
Nanapon was sitting in one of the chairs, but as soon as she noticed me, she stood up.
I approached Nanapon.
“Hello. Sorry for being late.”
I apologized for being late.
“No, I haven’t been waiting that long!”
Nanapon waved her hand hurriedly.
“What’s going on? Ah, should we introduce ourselves? I’m Elenora Ocean. Nice to meet you.”
“I, I’m Nanaka Yokogawa! Nice to meet you.”
“You seemed socially awkward yesterday too, didn’t you?”
I tried speaking to her candidly.
“No, but, you’re the person of time. The Golden Witch. You, you eat people, right?”
What’s that?
Did she read that on the internet?
“I’m not going to eat you.”
“I knew it… But, I was surprised because your demeanor, or rather, atmosphere, seemed feminine.”
“What do you mean by atmosphere? I’m a woman, after all.”
You can tell just by looking.
“Knowing Okita-san from yesterday, something feels off… or rather, why that way of speaking?”
“You said you didn’t like men, so that’s why I’m talking like this. Or would you prefer Okita-kun’s way of speaking?”
“Please stop, it’s confusing. Please be Elenora-san.”
Alright, let’s do that.
I prefer it too, so it’s less confusing.
“But this place is creepy, isn’t it?”
I looked around.
There were a few scattered trees, but hardly any grass.
However, there were rock walls about 10 or 20 meters high.
That’s why it was dim, even though it was daytime.
“Right? I hate being here alone.”
“Certainly.”
Nanapon came here because she disliked men.
But it’s scary.
That’s why she stopped at level 8.
“Oh, by the way, how did your rank turn out?”
“I was demoted to E-rank. They said to start over from scratch since I had a break.”
Pupu.
Serves you right.
“Then, let’s get along as E-rankers.”
Though Elenora-san is still F-rank.
“Are you sure you’re not overstepping your bounds?”
“I advised you for your own good.”
“You’re definitely overstepping your bounds!”
Shut up, E-rank.
I won’t accept you being above me.
“If Okita-kun becomes D-rank, I’ll return you to normal.”
“Why are you the one deciding!?”
“Kaede-chan said it would be alright when I asked her.”
She’s a good girl.
“It’s the worst kind of cheating! Abuse of authority! I think it’s bad!”
Silence, embodiment of dishonesty.
You have no rights, you deceitful cheater.
“You’ll rank up soon. Come on, let’s go. The guild master asked me to help raise your level too.”
“Eh… Do I have to do it too?”
She’s selfish.
“Shall I turn you into materials for the Philosopher’s Stone?”
“Eek! A witch! I’ll go! I’ll go!”
“Good. So? Where’s the entrance to the mine?”
All I see are rock walls?
“Ah, this way.”
Nanapon started walking towards the back of the cabin.
When I followed, I saw a hole like a cave behind the cabin.
The hole was about 3 meters high and 2 meters wide.
“This?”
I pointed to the hole.
“This is it.”
“We’re going in here?”
“Yes, we’re going in.”
I don’t like it.
“Isn’t it too narrow?”
“It’s spacious inside.”
“It’s pitch black.”
“You can see with the Insight skill.”
That’s only you!
“Are you stupid?”
“How about this?”
Nanapon raised her left hand to chest height, palm up, and with a poof, a fireball the size of a dodgeball appeared, floating in mid-air.
“Oh!”
“This will make it bright.”
Awesome!
Magic!
“Speaking of which, Nanaka-san was a level 2 Fire Mage, right?”
“That’s right!”
Nanapon looked proud.
“That’s amazing. It’s my first time seeing magic.”
“Eh? But you’re a witch, aren’t you?”
“Did Okita-kun use magic yesterday?”
“Ah, it was a sword!”
It’s a blade.
Watch carefully.
“I only use alchemy and swordsmanship.”
“What about that wand?”
Nanapon pointed to the wand I was holding.
“This is a magic wand. You can use it even if you can’t use magic.”
“A magic wand!? Wasn’t it super expensive?”
“Hehe, around 10 million yen.”
Cheap, cheap.
Wahaha.
“10 million yen… Amazing! My wand was only 50,000 yen.”
Cheap, huh?
But then again, she’s a student and hasn’t adventured much, so that makes sense…
I also started with a 50,000 yen short sword.
“You’ll be able to buy a more expensive one eventually.”
“Is it okay if I sell the healing potion you gave me yesterday?”
“No.”
It’s for emergencies, you know.
“What’s the magic of that wand?”
“Air Hammer. Skeletons go flying amusingly.”
“Please don’t do that here.”
Well, it’s a mine.
Better not, as it’s dangerous.
“I understand. I have a sword.”
I put the staff into the bag, and took out a short sword worth a million yen instead.
“Hmm, you are completely a resident of a fantasy world.”
A long blonde-haired woman wearing a black robe and holding a sword.
Yep, fantasy.
“Well, the frontier is a fantasy, isn’t it? Do you want to wear a black robe? I’ll make you my apprentice.”
“You look like that but can’t use magic, right? What should I learn from you?”
“Making money. True alchemy.”
Let’s make money!
“As expected of the Golden Witch. I’ll settle for the scraps.”
“Then, let’s go.”
Saying that, I move behind Nanapon.
“Eh? I’m the leader? Isn’t it usually the person with the sword?”
“You’re the one holding the light. And this is my first time here, so guide me.”
“Then, I’ll go first… Useless master.”
Nanapon mutters to herself.
“You sometimes become Black Nanapon, don’t you?”
“Can you stop calling me Nanapon? It’s going to spread.”
Too bad.
Satsuki-san is already calling her that.
“Come on, go, go.”
I push Nanapon’s back.
“I, I understand, so don’t push me. It’s dangerous.”
Nanapon and I enter the mine.
Inside the mine, it was indeed a vast space, as Nanapon had said.
And there were several tunnel-like holes visible.
“It seems easy to get lost…”
It’s dark, and there are many tunnels.
“It’s fine. I can see everything.”
Cool!
“Being with you is really fun. Where are the monsters?”
“Over here.”
I follow Nanapon into one of the tunnels.
“They’re ahead. They’re slowly coming this way. Shall I attack first?”
“It’s fine.”
I say, unsheathing my sword and taking a stance.
“Um…”
“Quiet. You’re distracting me.”
Don’t get in my way.
I remain in my stance, waiting intently.
Then, I close my eyes.
I think I wait about 10 seconds.
I step forward and swing my sword.
Then, a definite sensation remains in my sword, and smoke appears before my eyes.
“Huh.”
I coolly sheathe my sword.
“Eh? H-How did you know?”
Nanapon is astonished.
“It’s like a presence. You understand it at my level.”
I’m lying.
Actually, I just heard the noise.
Skeletons make a clattering sound, after all.
“Am, amazing! Like a master!”
Respect me!
“Heh, this is swordsmanship level 5!”
“5!? That’s high! Even though you’re a witch, that’s high! Aren’t you a solid vanguard!?”
“I’m a swordsman, after all.”
“You’re not a witch or alchemist then…”
Come to think of it, I’m not a witch, let alone an alchemist…
No, surely my swordsmanship is that incredible!
“Alright! Let’s move on to the next!”
“Oh, they’re back there.”
“Then, Nanaka-san, please use your magic. Let’s alternate and level up.”
“Understood… um, can I put out this fire? It’s in the way.”
Nanapon has been holding her left palm up all this time.
“Well, that’s fine. Next time we need to bring a flashlight.”
“You can’t create something like that with alchemy?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t make that yet. Maybe when my level increases?”
“It would be nice if they sold recipe books for it, huh?”
I’d even pay a fortune for one if they had it.
“That’s true.”
“Ah, they’re coming. Sorry, but I’m putting it out.”
Nanapon says, and suddenly it’s pitch black.
I really can’t see anything.
I’m a bit scared, and just as I’m thinking that, there’s a faint light in front of me, and it gets a little brighter.
Looking closely, the tip of Nanapon’s staff is glowing.
The light gradually intensifies and turns into flames.
“Fire!”
Nanapon shouts, pointing her staff toward the back, and flames fly out.
The flames hit something and spread.
Then the flames disappear, and I can’t see anything again.
“How was that!?”
I hear Nanapon’s voice.
“The flames were amazing, but I can’t see anything.”
I really can’t see anything…
Neither hide nor hair of a High Skeleton.
It’s dark, and I can’t see anything.
Now I understand why no adventurers come here.
“Ah, sorry.”
Nanapon apologizes, and it becomes bright again.
Just like before, a fireball illuminates the surroundings.
“Well, I generally understand that Nanaka-san’s magic is impressive. Shall we move on?”
“Yes. The next ones are over there.”
We turn back and continue hunting High Skeletons in another tunnel.