Chapter 26: Goma Loot

Chapter 26: Goma Loot

Let’s check the gear.

We brought back all the Goma equipment we could from that T-junction of carnage. With both me and Futaba-san, we used the stretcher I once made to carry her, to bring back a decent amount. I quickly decided on which ones to take by briefly looking if they’re usable, and upon coming back to this safe location, I took upon the talk of carefully sorting out which ones we’ll be needing for dungeon exploration from here onwards.

“I say that, but all I’ve got here’s dull blades and junk...”

Goma not carrying decent weapons, is but a well-known truth. Even for rusty knives, blades of iron would be their top spec.

Still, now when Futaba-san became a peerless Berserker, even these trashy weapons are better than being empty-handed. There’s meaning in picking out ones even a bit useful.

“Futaba-san can probably handle something a midge heavier, hmm, but lighter ones should be better for speed... No wait, high damage should be...”

So I’ve being deliberation like that groaning hmm, but thinking about it, being able to choose weapons like this could be said to be quite a luxury. Especially for my type of people who likes min-maxing with weapons in games, there’s a good bit of fun.

Incidentally, I’m here choosing Futaba-san’s weaponry only because she has left it to me. Her take on it would be that she hadn’t the slightest clue about these things. I mean, I can’t say I’m any expert in real battle though.Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com

“Kay, let’s go with this”

Piling deliberation upon deliberation on my mind, I finally came to an answer.

First, the main weapon will be the axe she used just before. The handle being around a meter(~3.3ft) long, and furthermore, maybe because it’s built for combat, the blade is on the somewhat larger side. Looks to be a genuine battle-axe.

Comparing sizes and quality, the result was settled upon this being the closest to ideal size.

Next are the sub weapons. For this I chose a hatchet typically fashioned for chopping wood, and two simple single-edged knives. For the hatchet, the blade length would be 30 cm~12in, as for the knives it’s 20 cm(~8in) I guess. There were many similar things but the deciding criteria here would be the low rusting. Adding on to that, the clincher would be the fact that these had sheaths as well.

Sheathes are essential when venturing with blades. Even gradeschoolers understand the dangers of running around with a naked blade. Though they’re dirty and made of shaggy pelts, just having a sheath or not presents a big difference.

Finally, one more for emergencies, a small knife wrapped in cloth, I’ll put it in her bag.

Futaba-san’s equipment status: done. Next is me.

“Equipping myself won’t be of much use though”

Maybe because of that mindframe, I didn’t really care much and quickly finished choosing.

My main is a spear. Tree branch with a large knife tied on, hand crafted by the Goma. Compared to the merely sharpened branch tip I used to kill the Red Dog and Trap Goma, the one with a blade attached is clearly superior. What I fundamentally lack is physical strength, and though there was a surprisingly good-looking axe, I settled for the spear which was light and had better reach.

My sub-weapon, similar to Futaba-san, a single knife. This too had a sheath.

“Would’ve been great if I had bow or something long range”

No use demanding the impossible. And say I got a bow, without being an Archer, there’s doubts whether I can handle something like that.

If asked to prepare a long range weapon from the items in hand, there’s only stones. Using the pouches that the Goma hung at their waists, I’ll go ahead and gather some stones that look throwable. Maybe they’ll come in handy at some point, and carrying around a few won’t be cumbersome.

Now then, I’ve prepared two of these throwing-stone pouches, one for me and another for Futaba-san. But rather than these generic weapons, there’s others to think about. Gear, or rather these should be called Items I guess.

First, starting with Ointment A, a variety of meds. The existence of wound healing medication is practically our life-line in dungeon capture, and the area where I can truly show my mettle.

There’s probably more Fairy Squares dotted with some frequency, so I’ll produce an amount on the premise that I’ll be making more along that frequency. Thanks to beating all those Goma, small articles like pelt bags are aplenty, lots of room to store my meds.

Actually, amongst these meds, there’s that narcotic included too.

I found some when scavenging off the Goma. Bags with that white powder. A number of them were carrying the item, so we have plenty to go around.

However, using this raw would make Futaba-san rampage again, and there’s no telling if I can return safely from being high again.

So to safely make use of this drug, I’ll use the Blueflower with it’s antidote effect. Pertaining its usefulness in settling down the dependence factor and extreme high, I’m living proof.

Therefore, mixing this drug with Blueflower beforehand, inhaling once should make it usable while decently lowering the effects. In the case that Futaba-san goes rigid from fear, or even if you simply want to stop the pain, it has more than enough value.

I dub it Reagent X.

Having to use this would mean it’s a situation of great crisis, so I’m praying that we never end up in something like that.

“S-sorry...”

Before I could reply, Futaba-san’s sense of embarrassment from her own greed dyed her face red, and she said so as if wringing out the word.

“No, I don’t mind ok, really”

For now, so as not to further pile shame onto Futaba-san, I’ll cut the chit-chat and get done eating. My thanks to you Takashima-kun, your CalorieMate has been put to use as Futaba-san and my provisions to last another day, I’ll dine upon it graciously.

“Also, we should get our rest in while we can, and get ready... The area ahead, seems harsh”

The vigilance is totally called for. Since, as we go out from this Fairy Square, the dungeon goes into the biggest Forested Dome we’ve seen yet.

“Uwa-, Uwaa...”

The blatantly displeased groan of displeasure, is to be expected. I mean, I’m back at the closed space of Curse God Ruinhilde.

“Mine devotee, Momokawa Kotarou”

“G-ge-greetings, my Lord(kamisama)...”

In the bizarrely brightened empty universe-like space, stood the God who took the appearance of a Grim Reaper(shinigami) and I. Me coming here means, it must be that I’ll be getting a new Curse, but thinking about the damage from the previous times, I can’t be 100% happy about it. I sincerely pray, please don’t let it hurt this time.

“Ku ku ku, to have tamed the Berserker... We praise thee”

“T-thank you very much”

Berserker obviously means Futaba-san. I didn’t think making her an ally could get so many points. Maybe God realizes how easy it is for a Shaman to get isolated.

“We shalt grant a new Divine Protection”

Don’t let it hurt, don’t let it hurt, please don’t let it hurt, no seriously, I beg you my Lord.

“Reveal thine hands”

“Ye-, Yhess”

At this point, I’m practically almost crying. What is it this time, will it be tearing off the nails? Or is it the whole wrist? I know it’s a dream but, gimme a break here.

Like that, as if coming to an understanding of having given up, I lift my hands towards Ruinhilde-sama and spread my palms as if I’d be receiving a ball.

The attack, isn’t coming. Is it the teasing strategy?

“Know this. A Shaman dealeth not solely with death and agony”

On top of my palms, rests Ruinhilde-sama’s own large hands of bone. That action itself, doesn’t hurt. The feeling on my palms, is only one of chilled metal.

“Those hands, they posesseth the capability to further birth, new life”

“Uwah”

Ruinhilde-sama is likely in the middle of an important lecture, but I inadvertently let out my voice. At that moment, a lukewarm something, touched my palms... No, it felt as if the thing was sinking into my hands.

“But, ye mustn’t forget, that life too at it’s base, is but a mere curse”

I didn’t really get it. But the sudden drowsiness, marked the end of this dream.

Ah, I’m glad. It didn’t hurt this time.

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[1] I’m changing Magic Circle on the notebook, to Note Circle... for obvious reasons. It’s actually much easier to say in the jap.

[2] 擬態蚕 (Gitai Kaiko), More specifically it’s silkworm, but I bit my tongue saying it so no.

[3] Dogeza → prostrating with head on the ground. I’m quite fond of word, so I’ll be using it instead of a localization.