402-370 By the sea (1)

I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not. ...... Mm, it's definitely the ocean. It's salty.

We arrived at the beach while chatting.

After scooping up and tasting the lapping waves, Mr. Marks nodded several times in agreement.

I'm pretty sure we'll get salt. Now we just need to find out what kind of monsters are out there. ...... Have you guys fought in this area?

No, the last time we were here, we left as soon as we saw the ocean.

I'm sure you've heard of it. We had no information about the demon.

Yes. There was no information on demons in the encyclopedia we bought. I had Diora order it for us, but the Adventurer's Guild's demon dictionary doesn't include sea demons, does it?

When Natsuki asked, Marks scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"Oh, I should say I'm sorry about that. There are volumes on sea monsters, but this is a landlocked country, right?　That's why most guilds don't keep them on hand. There's no demand, so there's no stock. Guilds in King's Landing and the big cities would have them. ......

If we want to get it, we can either get a copy from them, or get it from the guilds in the coastal countries.

Either way, they are not easy to come by.

Diora probably didn't dare to order a book that she was unlikely to use - a book that would have cost her dozens of gold coins.

Books about this world are a little too expensive to buy on the side.

But I guess my guild will have to keep it on hand. If you guys need it, I can order it with you.

"By all means, sir. It's dangerous to fight without knowing what you're up against.

All right. I'll let him know. --Now that we've accomplished our objective, I'd like to get a look at the demon.

You've been active in the coastal countries before, right?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

Can't say I know much. I never went out to sea. I've only fought a few on the beach at best. There's a few different kinds of demons to watch out for, but the hopping leathershells are a pain in the ass on the beach.

"Leathershells. ...... Shells?

Yeah. It's a long, thin shell that hides in the sand, and it's dangerous if you're walking along the beach.

It is 30 centimeters long and about three centimeters in diameter.

The upper part of the shell is hard and sharp. It is said to sense the vibration of people walking and suddenly pop out from under their feet.

If you are barefoot, it can easily penetrate the sole and instep of your foot, and even if you are wearing shoes, it can easily penetrate the sole of a soft shoe.

Seriously dangerous. I can't go swimming anymore.

If you wear shoes with steel plates, you'll be fine, but they'll fly out with great force. A pair of sturdy leather pants won't protect you, and if you're unlucky, you'll get stabbed in the butt. ...... No, your butt is still better. The worst is .......

Mr. Marks slurred his words and looked at his lower body.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

...... Yeah, that would suck if it stung.

My life as a man is over.

"Ma, Mr. Marks, we're wearing chainmail pants, is that okay?

Yeah, that's fine. Yeah, that's fine. We're not going to penetrate the chainmail. Hopping leathershell is an easy demon to deal with. You just need a long club and you're good to go.

"Can I use a club ...... or a wooden sword?

That's fine. Give it to me. Like this.

Haruka hands him a wooden sword from his magic bag, and Marks walks off, pounding the sand with it.

I don't know if he's here, but the danger is in the surf. They don't stay where it's dry. When I tap like this, they pop up. ...... They don't seem to be here. Once you get used to it, you can make a little extra money.

It jumps out a little over a meter high. After that, they fall to the beach, and it is easy to kill them if you crush their shells before they dive into the sand again.

It's been a while since I've had one of these.

Mr. Marks says this, tapping the beach with a bit of regret, but nothing pops out.

A little closer to the beach.

It's a scary shellfish, but is it good ......?

I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

It's good for a snack.　It's good for a snack. In those days, we'd collect a few before dark and return to the inn. We'd grill them over the coals and cut them into pieces with a knife, and the salty taste would make us drink more.

Mr. Marks closed his eyes and licked his lips, as if he was remembering that time.

I'm salivating just listening to him.

I haven't had shellfish in a while. .......

I've not eaten shellfish in a while. ...... I don't like the idea of the ocean being dangerous.

I've never eaten shellfish. I've never had shellfish. If I ever get the chance, I'd like to try some. ......

The beach here is wide. You never know where they might be.　You just have to be careful, though.

I guess I can't go swimming.

I'm not sure if I'm imagining someone in a swimsuit, but I'm somewhat fluent.

You want to die?　This is a dungeon, remember?　I think it's suicidal to be defenseless in a place where you never know when the demons will return.

"Ugh, I know, right? If it's not a dungeon, is there such a thing as swimming in the ocean?

Well, only a few. Only in places where demons are few and far between, and where they're regularly swept and controlled. It's a vacation spot for the rich.

I heard that there are areas that only nobles, royalty, and a few wealthy merchants can use, not commoners.

Most of them are coves, and they are managed to keep dangerous monsters and creatures from coming in.

It is not easy to use a shark-avoidance net, and it seems to be quite difficult.

The only places where ordinary people can swim are a few safe rivers and lakes. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. ...... Well, a rank 10 monster might be able to swim in the ocean where demons appear.

"That much?

Oh. They'll repel hopping leathershells in bare feet. They'd shake off a shark bite with a smile. They're a joke.

Mr. Marks frowned and sighed, as if he had seen them first hand.

High rank is that unreasonable?

"It's unreasonable. I don't know about you, but I think you're unreasonable enough for the average person. You've been attacked by something that would normally break your bones, but you're still alive and well, right?

"Oh, I guess you're right...

Yuki thought for a moment and smiled vaguely.

When I think about it, in the beginning I was also hit by an orc and broke some bones, but ...... now I think I'll be fine.

Since I haven't been attacked by Orcs recently, I can't simply compare the two, but I have fought enemies stronger than Orcs, so I can sort of understand if I compare it to that.

The day when you can be stabbed by a knife may come soon, but you should be careful not to get stabbed.

Well, up to rank 5 or 6, you can get by if you work hard enough. But beyond that, it's different. It takes a talented person five or six years at the earliest to reach rank seven, and more than ten years for rank eight, even if he works hard. Normally.

"Well, we'll be rank six in about a year. ......?

You guys are special. You're special. You've had a certain level of skill since you registered, and many of you are wizards. In addition to that, you can use space-time magic. I don't know what's going on with the elves, but I'm pretty sure they don't belong in this part of the country. The guild is grateful.

In response to Haruka's reserved words, Marks smiles and shrugs his shoulders.

"Hmmm, but won't that mean that by the time you reach ninety or ten, you'll be physically weak?　I don't care if you're an elf, but if you're a human or a beast...

"That's why you're a monster. The rank goes up fast, but the strength doesn't go down. I wonder what's going on with him. I've been told that our party is pretty good, if I do say so myself.　Still, we're rank eight when we retire.

He complained, but I couldn't help but disagree with him.

No, Mr. Marks. I'm sure you're not the only one.

You can't possibly hit an Iron Golem with a single blow, can you?

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Is it possible that the improvement in his level of play has an effect on his defensive abilities as well?

No, I understand the feeling, but it's not a small difference.　Because it's not comparable. Rank 10 is. I don't know if you'll ever meet him, but if you did, I'm sure you'd agree with me.

Is that how it is?

I'm both excited and a little scared.

Still, I'd like to see it at least once.