Can a Rock Lizard’s head stay fresh for a few days?
The stone loaded onto my carrier can probably be sold individually in town.
The one I marked and spied on is having a conversation with two other individuals.
One of them is accompanying him. Where did the other one go?
“Map!”
The building where the marked individual is located belongs to someone. It’s the corner room on the second floor.
If I investigate even one of them…
I’ll find out who the spied-on person is a subordinate of.
I busily carried the Rock Lizard’s head and the carrier.
Earth Magic leaves traces when cast, which can be detected by the town’s magic detection.
I covered the Rock Lizard’s head and carrier with a viscous liquid and then with small stones, like a caddisfly building its cocoon.
If I sprinkled sand on it next, it would be perfectly concealed.
I returned to town.
I casually browsed through the few stalls.
This… must have been mined in the mountains.
That’s why it’s cheaper than what’s sold elsewhere.
Well, it’s a rough stone.
Once I buy it, I’ll have to polish it nicely.
“Hey old man, I’ll take this one.”
“Oh, young man, you want this one?”
He’s got spirit. I told him so, paid the money, and acquired a dull rough stone.
If polished, it would be worth twice what I paid. However, if an amateur tries it, the rough stone will become too small, and the price will drop even lower than the purchase price.
But I’m a professional who polished my cutting skills to please women.
Right now, I don’t have cutting equipment.
If I did, I’d cut it to be any number of carats.
Gifts. Hehehe, jewels are the best gifts for women.
It allows one to show their generosity by being able to gift at least a jewel, even a small one, to display their wealth.
*Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.*
Multiple gazes turned towards me as I purchased the rough jewel.
Are they intending to make me their prey?
“By the way?”
“Ah.”
After a bit more conversation with the stall owner, I asked why martial artists visit this dusty mining town.
I am a tourist, here to give the rough stone to her as a surprise.
The stall owner seemed to understand.
“It’s to become a disciple of the *Wind Emperor*!”
I see.
The *Wind Emperor*, Dias Amos Count.
Lord Count Amos.
The World’s Strongest. However, he’s over 80 years old.
My mind conjures up my tutor, Stok Calibston.
A cunning old man. Devious.
The *Wind Emperor* didn’t become the strongest through legitimate means.
He definitely broke the law.
What I mean is…
Even though he’s over 80, he’s still active.
A genuine monster.
I don’t want to get involved.
Oh, but…
I heard he’s a kind old man who dotes on his daughter’s grandchildren, so maybe I can get involved?
If it’s possible, I can use his grandchildren as hostages.
Then I can repay the favor from when I was cut into pieces by the leader of an armed group (when I went to the small mountain to look for Gorogame) by someone who seemed to be a disciple candidate.
“Thanks for the information. I’ll buy this jewel (rough stone) too!”
“Got it!”
*Whispers.*
The guys who were watching me started to move.
Are they trying to trap me? You guys are the ones who will make me some pocket money.
*Whistle, whistle.*
I blew a whistle and headed to the eatery where she was waiting.
I wanted the guys tailing me to think…
That I was carefree and unsuspecting.
Now, the hunting ground is just ahead.
“Welcome, how many people?”
“Just one.”
Guided to a seat by a staff member, I ordered coffee, which is expensive to transport here.
“Mmm, not stingy. A rich bitterness.”
*Slurp.*
To the guys tailing me.
I’ll show them.
Through the fogged-up windowpane, I’m pretending to be a shadow or a passerby.
“Mmm, that was delicious. The bill, please.”
“Coming right up.”
My funds consist of what I had for three toys and my original funds.
Even after buying two jewels and coffee, I still have plenty left.
“………”
They’re really following me.
Seeing as there aren’t many of them…
They’re probably planning to ambush me, limiting my escape routes.
Then they’ll beat me up in a secluded place.
“Hehehe.”
“Hey, how’s business?”
“So-so.”
I turned around as if to escape.
“Hehehe.”
I was face-to-face with the guys tailing me. After all, guys… and especially those with mob-like smiles, are just there to hype up the protagonist.
I quickly dashed into a side street.
“Wait!!”
To the mining town, to Craftsmen’s Street.
There are few pedestrians.
The craftsmen are only interested in customers.
Should I intentionally bump into them, the customers who have business with them, hoping to involve them?
Preferably a woman. But it’s a regret that would bring tears of blood.
There are no women!
“Here, you!” “Wait!”
“If it’s a dead end!” “You’re finished!”
“How far do you think you’re going?”
You’re quite spirited, considering you’re trying to make me your prey.
It’s almost time to fulfill your wishes. To a secluded dead-end alley.
“Heh, you can’t escape now. Prepare yourselves!”
“Welcome!”
Thump, thump.
Whack, whack.
Swish.
“Wh-what is this?”
“Somebody help me!”
“Aaaaaaaaaah!”
“There are too many of you!”
“He’s poisoned!”
I knocked the shakedown guys onto the dusty ground.
Next, I used a slow-acting poison that Alchemist Keke taught me. I sharpened the tips of my tentacles like needles. Without getting flustered, I efficiently applied the poison. I took their money and tools and left the scene.
“N-blugh?! P-poison…”
“Gah… why me? No…”
“—?!” “My body won’t move…”
“It’s cold… scary… ahhh…”
“Poison… you’re kidding me…”
The sounds of the guys’ terrified screams don’t make me happy.
I won’t give them an antidote. For one thing, I don’t know how to make one.
Besides, who would treat guys like them… who tried to make me their prey?
Go to hell.
I checked the markings.
Hmm, they’ve moved.
I only had coffee for lunch.
Should I have a late lunch with the guys’ money?
This time, the eatery was for commoners.
The taste and menu were mediocre, but the portions were plentiful.
*Munch, munch.*
The spices are expensive, so the ingredients’ flavors… The smell of blood is strong.
It’s a wild dish.
Next, I might go to the abandoned mine at night.
I should head to the inn early… but a dingy inn used by rough guys is no good.
To the inn for travelers… Damn!
“Only martial artists…”
Camping. I’ll sleep outside.
Let’s head to the abandoned mine now.
*Flap, flap.*
“Kee! Kee!”
Giant Bats.
Also known as Great Bats.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Bats the size of a human head.
Their body length is 1.5 meters (with wings spread).
Their weight is 10-5 kilograms.
Their characteristics are that bats absorb the mana present in this world and become magical beasts. Bats that have become magical beasts absorb more mana into their bodies and become monsters. Their attacks include sucking blood, scratching with their short legs, and ultrasonic waves. They are best defeated in confined spaces, by attacking them when they approach due to sounds or voices.
“Here, here!”
Kee! Kee!
I effortlessly repelled the Giant Bat assault.
I went deeper into the mine.
I rested in a small hole, likely the remains of a break hut for coal miners, until nightfall.
If I made noise now…
It would alert the adventurers and martial artists who accepted requests.
So, unless a monster inside the mine attacks me, I’ll let my consciousness drift towards my desires. When I feel pain, I’ll think, “Ah, a monster attack,” and deliver a deathblow to the monster’s body, which is caught off guard attacking my defenseless self.
“I need to get my desires (her) to come quickly!”
Hehehe.
My smirking laugh echoed through the mine.
Oops. I need to be quiet, mwahaha…
