57 - the second day of the bloodstream

After exchanging promises with Rorolf to return, Thor and the others retired to the riverbank where their tent was located.

Ulille's permit expires tomorrow, so they are determined to make as much money as they can.

After a lunch of only bread, dried meat, and tea, Thor and the others started hunting for red poison frogs and blood-spewing fish.

While Sora and Moo distracted the fish with the method they had been taught, Thor cut down the frogs that Yuril had stopped moving.

Yuril's also finishes off the incapacitated fish.

In many cases, only one school of frogs appeared in an hour, and the fish were not always present, so the total number of frogs and fish killed in six hours was 32 and 5, respectively.

The skill points for the red poison frogs were five, and those for the blood-spewing fish were fifteen.

Since each of them is a separate group, each participant receives five and three points per battle.

The total number of skill points earned was fifty-five, with Yuril receiving a five-fold correction due to his , making his total skill points twenty-seven hundred and seventy-five.

As for the reward, it is almost impossible to take the large number of frog corpses covered in poison to the buying station, so I decided to throw them all into the river to dispose of them.

The fish will be damaged tomorrow, so we cut off only the dorsal fins of the dead fish and throw them into the river as well.

Although we have not yet paid the bill, we have earned two silver coins and eight large copper coins, including yesterday's.

"Compared to the cave of the little ogres, this is clearly a drop.

"Is it about half?"

Less than that. Around 30%.

It is much easier to wait idly at the edge of the river than to walk around in the pitch-dark corridor and fight, but it is not surprising that we get less for it.

"I want to go back to the cave again!

"If only I could do that. I guess it's too late to say that now."

In fact, the cave of the kobolds is a place where adventurers can earn a great deal of money.

Although the hours are limited, it is exclusive and the monsters are dense, easy to hunt, and reappear quickly.

It is a very popular hunting ground, so it is understandable that only a couple of groups a month can challenge it.

However, once you conquer the forest, you will be promoted to the red iron class, and you will be banned from hunting in the Ko-oni no Mori area.

And what awaits you is the bloodstream, where your earnings will drop quickly.

Dialgo told me that it was a very bad idea to attack the river in a single attempt like Thor and the others did.

It was a common practice to try several times over several months to collect iron ore, and to hold out until one had enough cast-iron weapons and armor.

"I'm sorry. I think I rushed them."

No, don't worry about it. Enjoying the inconvenience of your current situation is one of the most enjoyable parts of adventure.

"Torchan, this again?　No food?"

"Sorry, Moe. You'll have to be patient.

Dinner consisted of cold bread and dried meat, exactly the same menu as lunch.

The only thing to warm us up was herbal tea made from water boiled on the heating board.

Thor hardly minded, but it seemed that a diet consisting only of preserved foods was hard on the children, whose palates have recently become more discerning.

"......Oh, by the way, there's also the problem of this."

"Well, I spent a lot of money. I don't think there is much left.

Sola's worried gaze fell on Moe's favorite sled, which was propped up on the bank.

This is a story about magical stone tools such as fever boards and rebound boards.

They are very useful, but they require a magic stone to use them.

However, only subhuman or spirit creatures were supposed to drop the magic stones.

In other words, they are no longer easily obtainable for Thor and his friends who can no longer exterminate goblins.

Of course, they can be purchased from the Adventurers' Bureau, but the selling price is three times the amount of the purchase price.

Although the price is not unaffordable, the fact that they were originally available for free makes them hesitant to buy them.

Dialgo pointed this out to me as well, but I heard that magic stones are often used and should not be sold off unless you are in need of money.

He said that he needs to accumulate as much as he can during his time in the imp forest so that he can keep it until he reaches the wilderness of the winds of destruction.

It was a habit that Thor, who did not own a magic stone for a long time, could not have thought of, and it is something that he cannot do anything about now.

However, I do have a little help in this regard.

"There are many other problems, too.

"Yes, it's hard not to be able to drink when there's so much water."

"If only that red water didn't smell so bad!"

We had brought quite a lot of drinking water in leather bags, but even so, there was very little left after two days.

The reddish water from the river is said to be drinkable if it is boiled, but it leaves a very iron taste on the tongue for a long time.

Furthermore, when used for washing hands, the water has a peculiar smell.

Moreover, there is a high risk of being caught off-guard by monsters when fetching water.

We also need to build ...... latrines as soon as possible.

"If possible, this should be a top priority."

"Moo is fine everywhere!"

Unlike the forest where the green bushes hid us, here there are only brown hills as far as the eye can see.

The bare ground was therefore somewhat unpopular with all but one of the women.

However, the sucking grass breaks down and absorbs the emitted substances, so there is no need to clean up.

"And we need new shoes for Moo. Maybe a walking stick for Mr. Yuril.

Another issue that needed to be addressed was the fact that the ground conditions were worse than expected, causing problems for Moe and Yuril to move around.

Sola suddenly thought of something and asked a question to the senior magician.

"Um, Yuril-san, don't you need a wand when you use magic?"

"Oh?　Um, ......."

"I'm sorry, I didn't teach you anything about that.

When Thor interrupted from the side, the silver-haired beauty's eyes lit up a little more.

It seems that the former teacher's blood has been rushing again.

"Yes, that's right. On the contrary, why do you think you need it?"

"Well. Is it because you seem to be a magician?

"Oh, you're right. That's wonderful, Ms. Sola.

The girl smiles shyly at the unexpected hit and compliments.

Ulir, who narrowed his eyes a little at this, gave us a rough explanation of the situation.

Originally, the wands were carried by the priests of the Temple of the Six Gods.

In honor of the tree of skills that was bestowed on their souls, they developed the custom of carrying a wooden staff with a branch that indicated the tree's branches, and this custom gradually spread to the mortals who used magic tricks.

The staffs of the priests are sometimes decorated with jewels and beads to show the colors of the gods, so that it is easy to tell at a glance whom they are serving.

What?　So it's not much different without the staff?"

"With that young cane. I heard that it can replenish your magic a little, but it's only for a short time.

"I see. ....... I thought it was strange that I was the only one with a wand, but I guess I didn't need it.

"Well, it makes it easier to walk, and it helps me to set a goal. Oh, by the way, don't you have a priest's staff, Yuril-san?

"I have ............."

But what?

"Because it stands out so weirdly, and with that ...... cane, doesn't it make you look like an old lady?"

Euril, reddening the tips of his long ears, looks up at me and asks, "What do you want?

Thor and the others shake their heads and laugh at the adorable expression on her face, which has not a trace of an old woman in it.

As he laughed, Thor remembered Dialgo's complaint last night.

The party that had conquered the kobolds' cave without much thought would easily get stuck in this river.

The monotonous and unfulfilling hunt continues, amidst a situation of reduced earning potential, inconvenience, and tension.

Quitting and leaving are an inevitable part of the process.

The young man from the brown-horned tribe said that he was the one who was left behind because of his reticence and reserved nature.

He said that when they had conquered the kobolds' cave together, he had felt that this party was the only one, but that it had been a fleeting illusion.

Thor looked around at his three friends, scratching the bottom of his chin, and chewed on the joy of having met them all.