NOVEL NEXT Chapter 89.1
Violet Manor
I saw a delectable-looking turtle floating on the river's surface. It looks even more delicious because I've been dealing with giant slugs endlessly in the dungeon.
But I don't have a net or fishing rod to catch the turtle. What to do?
No problem at all! I've got [Mucus]!
"Hmm… It seems the time has come to show off the newly leveled up power of [Mucus] (sluuurp…)."
On the bridge, I drip mucus from my fingertips towards the river. I make it as thin and long as possible, like fishing line, not knowing where or who might be watching.
[Splash…]
Hmm, the mucus has landed. It's time to move on to the next part of the plan. I use my magical powers to manipulate the created mucus, making the tip wriggle like a worm. The turtle would mistake it for [A worm struggling in the water"].
"…Siiigh…"
Oh, the turtle notices the fake worm and is approaching.
[Chomp! Plop!]
The turtle has bitten the mucus worm. However, the force of its bite breaks the mucus thread. But no worries.
"Sweet! That was just a decoy; the real target is here!"
[Gyupaaah. Splat!]
Suddenly, water that had been trickling down the river's concrete wall attacked the turtle like a mucus. Using slime as thin as a fishing line to lift the turtle is impossible. So, I prepared a mucus trap by guiding the turtle with mucus worms and creating additional mucus from below, dropping it along the concrete wall of the river from the base of the bridge.
"Gjurururuu…"
The aim was spot on, and the prey, the turtle, arrived alive in my hands as if it had been preyed upon by a massive jellyfish.
"Wow, impressive! It's quite big! Its shell is about the size of a basketball!"
I wonder how much I'd get if I sold it. This turtle I caught with mucus is quite a catch. It seems like it'll be a satisfying meal.
"Alright, alright, thanks a lot, my mucus friends. Heave-ho!"
I gently sink the created mucus into the river. So it won't be found. It will remain in the spot until I completely consume my magic energy. It's possible to break it down by infusing more magic energy, but that would be a waste, so this should be fine.
In any case, I've obtained a high-quality ingredient. I wonder if Nina-san will be pleased.
…..
"Hmm, so this is Nina-san's place…"
Hidden at the far end of a complex labyrinth of narrow alleyways, at the very end of an unpaved dirt private road with no asphalt, Suzuran Manor, where Nina-san lives, stood quietly. There was no gate, just a thin concrete wall surrounding it. There wasn't even enough space to call it a garden. I doubt you could even properly park a bicycle here. Square concrete slabs were lined up on the ground as makeshift mudguards, and the only thing hanging on the entrance was a wooden board with ‘Suzuran Manor' written on it.
[This is… incredible again…]
It's like something from the 1930s or 1940s. To be honest, it felt like it was about to collapse at any moment. After all, the exterior was slightly leaning.
[Creak, creak, creak.]
"Excuse me… Ah!?"
I opened the sliding glass door at the entrance and was further astounded. The reason was that, upon opening the entrance, I was immediately confronted with a dial-style black telephone that I couldn't tell if it was working.
(I've only seen something like this on TV… Amazing, it feels like I've time-traveled to the Showa era.)
The rough cement-floored entrance had a wooden grid, and there was a wall-mounted shoe rack. The writing was fading, but the numbers indicated that the residents of the rooms here probably placed their everyday shoes here.
Oh, by the way, I wonder what they do with the mail? When I turned around, I noticed that there was a communal mailbox on the other side of the thin concrete wall.
(Hmm… This living space is quite different from the glamorous image I have of Nina-san's place.)
I can't stand here at the entrance holding the turtle forever. Let's see, I think Nina-san's room should be number 202. Oh, it's available. I'll put my shoes in this shoe rack.
With my shoes now placed in the shoe rack for Room 202, I stepped into the corridor between the boards.
(Squeak, squeak.)
This wooden corridor alerts you of noise when someone walks on it, serving as a security system. I thought the sliding glass door at the entrance was a bit questionable for security, but if it's meant for staying at home, the security might be surprisingly good.
(Squeak, squeak, squeak.)
Furthermore, Nina-san's room is on the second floor, so I climb a narrow, and steep staircase while holding the turtle. Why is this staircase so narrow and steep? Is this also part of the security measures?
Once I reach the top of the stairs, a dimly lit hallway continues, even though it's daytime. However, considering only about 5 rooms are facing west, it's safe to assume that Nina-san's room is the second one from the stairs.