Vol. 5 - Chapter 278 - Lumbering Happening in The ‹Rokumori Thundering Tree Dungeon›

The dungeon we had come to today was «Rokumori Thundering Tree Dungeon».

Thick and dense trees populated the whole surrounding but the strangest thing about the trees were they were crackling with lightning.

"Woah!? What's this, trees are emitting lightning!?"

"Indeed, that's why it's also known as ‹Lightning Forest›."

The one to raise their voice in surprise when we entered into the dungeon was Lana. It's been a while since I have seen her genuinely surprised reaction.

Though I could relate with their surprise they're feeling seeing it for the first time. Even I who was supposed to have seen this scene on the game screen was astounded by the difference in visual impact in reality. I was moved to some extent.

"By the way, don't carelessly touch the trees, it will shave off your HP otherwise."

"Really? So this means the trees are like traps?"

"...Explode them?"

This damage was what is generally known as terrain damage. This type of terrain damage comes under the same category like your stamina gradually depleting when you're in a volcano. The terrain damage was another new factor that makes its entry from the intermediate dungeon.

That being said, there's no need to fear as long as one doesn't touch them.

Karua looked around the forest with a slightly surprised expression at my advice and then looked at the ‹Extreme Speed Star Boots› she was equipped with while uttering such dangerous words.

After all, the skill ‹Trap Explosion› was equipped in those shoes.

"You don't need to do so, because there's no end to these trees and you will just tire yourself out. The main thing is this dungeon is an important source of income for ‹Collection Department› and ‹Trap Disarming Department› because the trees here give lightning attribute laced limber by collecting the trees of this dungeon. You wouldn't want to wish to see the glaring expression of upperclassmen by exploding their source of money at the entrance, do you?"

"Oh, so that's the case."

"Hnn, no explosion."

A careful scrutinizing of the surrounding would reveal upperclassmen felling trees here and there.

The expression with which Rika and Karua were looking at the trees changed as the realization dawned upon them at my word.

These trees, while forming dangerous traps and transmitting terrain damage, were an income source at the same time.

Hannah's eyes would have immediately turned into Mir if she had been here most likely.

"I'm going to get some lumber. Can you wait here for a while?"

Lana was improperly holding the axe so I quickly corrected her grip. Come to think of it, Lana had hardly ever held any weapon as far as I could recall. This might be her first time holding it surprisingly.

In fact, even her center of gravity wasn't in correct position which was dangerous so I supported her by holding the axe from behind.

The situation kinda turned out like I was hugging her behind. Her smell tickled my nose. She had a sweet smell.

"Ugh, this is kind of nerve-wrecking."

"Don't lose your focus, swinging the axe is quite dangerous, you know."

Our gazes met when Lana looked over shoulder when I was admonishing her while looking at her.

Our gazes were just a few inches apart since we were almost hugging each other. The distance so close our lips could touch others with slight movement. My movement froze as if someone pressed the pause button, my gaze involuntarily attracted to her deep blue eyes, reminiscing of the ocean, that had been widened to their limit. And after what seemed to be a moment that lasted for a while,

"一一A, A, A, Ack."

"Woah!?"

Lana's face flushed red in a heartbeat and went poof.

"Lana-sama!?"

Ester rushed in an flustered appearance. I handed Lana in my arms to her.

I had already retrieved ‹Gentle Axe› from her carefully so it was fine.

"Kyu."

"Get a hold on yourself, Lana-sama!"

Ester quickly nursed Lana whose eyes were swimming in circles and vapor rising from her face.

"Hn, turn away your face in the opposite direction Zephyr."

"Karua's right, Zephyr. Lana-dono's health doesn't seem to be quite right. You move in the opposite direction and cut down trees for a while until we call in."

"Huh, ah. Okay."

Karua and Rika immediately stopped me just as I was about to help out in nursing Lana. To top it off, they even asked me to distance myself in the opposite direction.

Ugh, my heart just received a slight shock at that.

But it seemed like I was the main reason for Lana's current situation, so I quietly moved to another location and busied myself into gathering wood until Lana was back on her feets again.