Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps
Chapter 151
As Freesia began to calm down outside, we finally resumed our hunting. Our goal for now was to earn some money, so we returned to the Shutogar Mine where we had hunted with Deus and the others a few days ago. This time, there were five of us, excluding Runa, and we ventured deep into the mine's tunnels.
Inside, we found the remnants of the mining activities—pickaxes and wheelbarrows scattered about. It seemed like something must have happened while they were digging...
It was pitch dark inside the tunnels, but Estel-san's magic, from the Light Grimoire, solved that problem. She bent sunlight into the tunnel, making it as bright as day. Magic is truly amazing. Not many mages could do what she did.
There are also offensive spells using light magic, and I was curious to see them. However, when Estel started chanting "Gather, light of destruction," instead of her usual "Hey!", I quickly stopped her. If she had cast that, the whole area might have turned to scorched earth...
Despite that incident, we managed to establish a base deep inside the tunnel and have been visiting it daily for the past few days.
"Hmph!"
Just like during the hunt with Deus, a gargoyle emerged from a hole in the rock wall. Freesia, ready with her bow, shot an arrow, and the gargoyle shattered into pieces.
"Got another one!"
"Impressive as always, Freesia! Crushing a gargoyle with an arrow, you're amazing!"
"Hehe, this is nothing!"
Freesia did a victory pose and ran over to Noru. She scratched her head through the hood with wolf-like ears that Noru had made for hunting. Although it's rare to encounter other adventurers while hunting, it can happen, so Freesia had requested a special hunting hood, which Noru eagerly made.
"Freesia, you really seem to like that hood. Do you feel more comfortable wearing it?"
"Yeah! At first, it felt a bit strange, but now I feel safer with it on! Plus, Noru-chan made it, so it's my favorite!"
"I'm glad you like it! I could make one for Ookura-dono as well, you know?"
"Do you really want to see me wearing a cute hood?"
To be honest, no one would want to see me in a hood with animal ears...
"Oh, I'd love to see that," said Sisuha.
"Me too... it would be... interesting," Estel added with a smirk.
"You're just enjoying this, aren't you..."
Seems like some people would enjoy it... but they’re just having fun at my expense.
"Hey, Heiha, don't you like it? It's so cute... Everyone should have matching hoods. What do you think, Estel-chan and Sisuha-chan?"
"I think I'll pass..."
"Me too... it wouldn't suit me..."
So it's not just me. Estel might suit it, but Sisuha, not so much. I'd laugh if Sisuha wore one, but she'd probably get back at me later.
"Honestly, Ookura-dono, you're such a shy person. Freesia, let's go out together wearing matching hoods next time!"
"Yay! Noru-chan, you're so kind! I'll recommend it to Runa-chan when we get home!"
Even Runa, who isn't here, is getting dragged into this... I do want to see her in a hood, though. She'd probably hate it, but I hope Freesia and Noru can persuade her.
As we were having this relaxed conversation, the rock wall blocking the tunnel suddenly shattered with a loud crash. Emerging from the dust was an orange creature, a Colossus.
"Oh, finally. Here we go!"
The Colossus began to glow, preparing to use its teleportation ability, but before it could, I teleported my hand using the Dimension Bracelet and struck its head with Excalibar. The glow stopped, and I immediately sent a mental command to the silver liquid, Centibar, on the ground to bind the Colossus's feet, immobilizing it.
"Take this, and one more!"
Estel swung her staff, encasing the Colossus in a hemispherical rock wall, then directed her staff forward, casting a spell that sent a straight line of flames towards it, like a flamethrower. The Colossus writhed in pain but couldn't escape due to the Centibar. Eventually, its hard orange body cracked and shattered, along with the Centibar, which returned to the crystal on my shoulder as light particles.
"Alright, that's the second one down."
"Ookura-dono, your strategies are as ruthless as ever..."
"Using Centibar like that is quite bold."
"It regenerates in a few days anyway, so I might as well use it effectively."
We had already defeated one Colossus earlier. The first time, we failed to stop its teleportation in time and had to forcibly immobilize it with Centibar, but this time we managed without any issues. Even though we sacrificed the Centibar, it would replenish in a few days.
"Still, Colossus monsters are really rare. Hunting for ten days and only encountering two is surprising."
"Yeah, we got lucky when we found two in two days with Deus, but that was probably just good fortune. Even though we're deeper in now and more efficient, this is the result."
"But the rarity of encounters keeps the value of Colotium high. And we've made plenty of money even with just this."
"True."
I collected the Colotium dropped by the Colossus and put it in the magic bag. This was the second piece, worth 10 million G. Plus, we had gathered a lot of iron ore from the iron gargoyles. Ten days was a long time, but the earnings were substantial. Still, it would be nice if more Colossus appeared...
"If you're so curious, why don't we go further in? I'm really curious about what's deeper in this tunnel!"
"Me too! Exploring this place sounds exciting!"
"Right, Ookura-san, let's go!"
"Wait a minute..."
Sisuha and Freesia, who didn't seem to get along before, suddenly hit it off and were raring to go deeper. I was curious too, but advancing further might be dangerous. Encountering multiple Colossus at once would be no joke.
"I understand the curiosity, but it's better to stay cautious. Even with Freesia and Sisuha, getting surrounded by gargoyles would be dangerous."
"Yes, if we're going further, we should bring Runa too."
"Oh, come on, I can handle gargoyles in one hit!"
Noru and Estel shared my hesitation about going deeper. But Freesia, pulling on Noru's arm, was insistent.
"Freesia, don't be selfish. There are iron gargoyles and potentially more Colossus. It's dangerous."
"But..."
"Exploring monster dens is always risky, but we must stay vigilant. If we continue, someone might get hurt. I understand your curiosity, but we must be cautious."
"Okay... but next time, let's bring Runa-chan and explore together! Promise!"
"I can't guarantee that, but I'll try."
"Yay! I'm looking forward to it!"
Freesia jumped for joy. Well, it looks like Runa will get dragged into this. I am curious about what's deeper in the tunnel, so if we can convince Runa, we'll explore further.
"Noru-san, you seem to handle Freesia well. She wouldn't listen to me when I was looking after her."
"Noru and Freesia seem to get along well. But Sisuha, I think you also get along well with Freesia."
"Oh, please. A lady like me can't handle such an energetic girl."
Sisuha said, covering her mouth with her hand, while Estel looked at her with an exasperated gaze. I probably had the same look. Despite her claim, Sisuha often did things that were far from ladylike...
●
With the second piece of Colotium, we left the mine. We sent Sisuha and the others home and then went to the Adventurers' Guild in the Capital with Noru and Estel to inform Deus about the Colotium and check for any new information. We could deliver the Colotium directly to Gantz, but it was better to confirm with Deus first.
When we arrived at the guild...
"Deus-sama and the others left for a guard mission after Sumika-san returned," said Wiggy.
It seems we missed them. We'll have to leave the Colotium with Gantz later.
"Could you let Deus-sama know we found the Colotium when he returns?"
"Colotium?! I expected you to gather some after we told you about the hunting grounds, but this is quick..."
Apparently, Deus didn't tell Wiggy they had found Colotium. Maybe it's better to keep this quiet for now.
"Understood. But there's something the guild master wants to discuss with you."
"The guild master? Must be important."
"Maybe there's some progress. Let's go hear him out."
"Please wait a moment, I'll take you to him."
Wow, getting called by the guild master... Must be some new information. After checking with Wiggy, we were led to the reception room.
"Sorry to trouble you."
"No problem. Is this about that matter?"
Facing Christoph again made me tense. Being called here must mean it's about the black magic stone or Diabolos.
"We've received a report of a black flying monster, similar to the one you described."
"Did they find it again?!"
"But 'similar' means it's not confirmed?"
It's directly related to Diabolos! If it's him, more trouble is surely brewing... But Estel is right; saying it's '
similar' is cautious. Christoph's furrowed brow confirmed her suspicion.
"The adventurer who reported it only saw it during a material-gathering mission and didn't fight it. But it looked very much like the monster you described, including the trident."
"That sounds like it could be the same monster. High chance, at least."
"Yes, but we can't be sure."
So it might be Diabolos, but there's uncertainty. The adventurer who reported it probably didn't know about Diabolos. So, they want us to investigate?
"We'd like you to investigate this, if you can."
"Alright, we can handle it."
"Great. Please head to the port town of Sevarya."