346-314 Waiting days (2)

The source of the light was the location of the return point.

While I was thinking, "Oh, so this is what it looks like from the outside when you return," the light subsided, and Haruka and her group appeared there.

There were five of us. As I was relieved to see that there was no one missing, Haruka and the others were stunned for a moment by the walls surrounding them, and then, as if in a panic, they raised their weapons and immediately noticed us.

Welcome back.

"I'm back. ......?

I raised my hand and lightly called out to her, and she dutifully replied, but was silent for a while.

I raised my hand to her, and she replied politely, but remained silent for a while. Then, as if in a state of shock, she closed in on me.

What?　No, what?　Wait, what do you mean?

"Looks like everyone's okay. Thank God. Thank God.

No, that's our line, okay?　Nao and Natsuki fell, didn't they?　You two aren't ghosts, are you?　Why are you eating cake back there?　What the hell is going on around here?

Yuki also looked confused as she touched my body.

"Don't worry. I'm alive. You're not hurt.

"Fortunately, I was able to come back about two days ago.

Fortunately, I've been back for a couple of days." Toya was the first to smile at Natsuki and me as we looked at each other.

The first to smile was Toya. Mary and Mitya also smiled, though they looked surprised.

It's just like big brother Nao!

I knew that Nao and the others would be fine, but I was still relieved.

I'm not saying there weren't dangerous parts, but ...... well, here we are.

I'm not saying there were no dangerous parts, but well, we're safe now.

In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at the most effective way to get the most out of your time.

I'm sorry about that.

"Huh, ...... is fine. It's good that you came back safely.

I thought that Nao and Natsuki might come back on their own, but I didn't expect them to come back before us.

Well, it was just luck, I guess. As you can imagine, we came back with the transfer team, too.

That's right. Otherwise, there's no way we could have overtaken them, right?

Yuki and Haruka nodded in agreement with my words.

If I had honestly climbed the rock wall or killed the gargoyle to go backwards through the dungeon, it would probably have taken me months.

If I hadn't started by leveling up, I wouldn't have been able to do anything.

I'm more concerned about the walls around here.　And that table over there.

"The walls are there. It's for safety. It's not safe for just me and Natsuki, right?　Demons around here.

We had time for the tables, I guess. Do Haruka and the others have lunch yet?　Do you want to eat?　We had barbecue at Stub Burrows for lunch.

I want some!

Oh, good. You're going to use that stove over there, right?　Don't make a fire.

As soon as Natsuki said that, Mitya immediately raised his hand and Toya immediately started to move.

The coals were still smoldering in the stove, so preparations would be ready soon.

Huh. While we were losing our nerve, you two were having a barbecue party. --They even ate dessert.

"Oh!

I'm not sure what to make of this.

Yes, it's delicious.

Haruka, you're behaving badly. If you want some, I'll give it to you.

I'll get that after dinner. I'm taking it out on Nao.

".........

If you're conscious, don't do it.

I want to tell you not to do it if you're conscious of it, but I kept my mouth shut because I'm sure I worried you.

I'm not sure what to say.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.

What about you, Haruka?

We had a flying gar fly over us in the middle of the night, out of nowhere. Thanks to Toya, no one was hurt.

As we waited for Haruka and the others to finish their lunch, we sipped our after-dinner tea and updated each other on the situation.

We had been attacked by a Shadow Margay in the middle of the night, but it seems that Haruka and her friends had also been attacked by a Flying Gar while they were sleeping in their tent.

That thing that can pierce even leather armor, suddenly flying at you in the dark, is super scary.

Was the tent all right?

Yes, everything was fine there too. After the second day, I took all the necessary precautions before going to bed.

It's good news that the handy magic tools I acquired were safe.

The second layer is also going to be useful after you get past the gargoyle boss room.

Of course, it goes without saying that the safety of Haruka and the others is more important.

We can't be too careful, can we? How was the rock wall?　It hasn't collapsed since ......

No, it did not. I was very careful up there.

That's good to know. The problem is that we don't know if the collapse was an accident or a trap in the dungeon. ...... You don't know, do you?

Natsuki then turned his attention to Toya, who was the only one left up there at the time.

He was the only one who could tell, but the problem was that Toya didn't have any trap-related skills.

The problem was that Toya didn't have any trap-related skills. Still, Toya thought about it for a while, as if remembering what had happened, and then opened his mouth.

Hmm, I have the impression that the collapse was sudden. If it was a spontaneous collapse, there would have been a little more warning, and it could have been a trap.　It's really just an impression, though.

Do you think so? ....... Hmmm, we might need a little more preparation before we can proceed to the second layer.

That's what I thought too. At the very least, we need more fall protection.

Nao and Haruka can manage on their own, but us, well, ......

I'm hoping for a simple parachute. If you can slow down a little bit, I or Haruka can catch you, right?

The only reason I was able to catch Natsuki this time was because he was falling from above.

If I had been in Toya's position when Natsuki fell, it's doubtful that I would have been able to capture him.

However, if I had a parachute, there might be enough room for me or Haruka to catch her with a "walk on air".

I can't say for sure, but it's better than nothing.

You can make a parachute ......, but the problem is that you can't experiment with it ....... No, maybe I'm supposed to experiment with it?

What?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it. .......

I'm not sure if there's anyone else. I'm not sure what to do. I'm sure you'll be able to use your walk on air better than I can.

Yeah, maybe, but that's a situation I'd rather avoid.

Good luck. I'll share with you once I've practiced and gotten better at the Walk on Air.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

But let's put that aside for now. What about the harvest?

"I told you that I got some Torrent, right?　We've got a few torrents, and a war hammer from the treasure chest. Haruka and the others don't have much in the way of ......, do they?

I'm just going back the way I came. In fact, we spent a lot of transfer points, so we're in the red.

When I checked, it had only increased by one, but it seems that every time you go up a cliff, you've set up a transfer point.

That's certainly a deficit.

But it was Yuki who objected to this.

"But I got a flying gar just by sleeping.

I caught a lot of them!

I didn't catch them, I just collected them in the morning from the wall. ...... I got quite a lot of them.

"Well, we only collected them in the morning when they were stuck in the wall, but we got quite a lot of them." Metia and Mary were also smiling and happy as they showed us the bags they had taken out of their magic bags.

If you take a peek at the bag, you'll see ...... oh, there's so much in there.

I think I can make a lot of dried fish with this.

It's even better when it's grilled!

Oh, you ate it?

They had enough room to cook fish when they were camping.

Well, that's what we did, too.

We roasted and ate the stubby barrows we hunted in the forest.

Even when separated from his friends, he never forgets to be normal.

You're living up to your party's name, "Clear Vision." Isn't that good?

The first to die is the one who forgets their normality and panics.

It's a staple of panic movies and horror films.

But I think it's a bit much to build a table and chairs and have a leisurely tea time with cake.

I'm not sure what to do.　Come on, Natsuki-san, give Haruka-san some more cake.

"Yes, yes.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

I'm not fooled by a piece of cake.

"Well, well, well. There you go.

It's .......

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

Seeing Haruka, Natsuki smiles a little and opens her mouth.

I'm sure you've heard of it.　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

"Yes, yes. Haruka and the others didn't fall, and they'll be able to come back.

...... Well, that's what I'll tell them. Let's go back to Rafan and stay here for the night. ...... Now that Nao has given us a solid place to stay?

I agree. I'm a little tired too. I'm a little tired too. I think we'll be safe here.

Yuki looked at Mary and Mitya as she said this.

They had finished lunch and dessert, and at first glance they seemed to be in good spirits, but a closer look revealed that they were a little tired.

Unlike us, who had been taking it easy the past few days, Haruka and his friends had spent all their time rock climbing.

It's not hard to imagine how physically and mentally taxing it must have been for two kids.

--So that's the main purpose. In that case, there's no reason to object.

Roger. Then we'll leave tomorrow. Until then, take it easy. You'll be mostly safe inside these walls.

There was no problem if it was just the two of them and Natsuki.

I don't need to tell you what it's like when there are seven of us.

After that, we rested until the next morning, keeping a proper lookout, and returned to the town of Raffan.