Chương 204: Chapter 7: “Cave of Water Crystals”

From the next day, Yu began educating Asha. Through the World of Heart, by conveying the meaning of things and nuances of words directly to her heart, Yu was able to make her learn far more efficiently than normal study. Together, Yu also taught Esta slightly more advanced knowledge. A few days passed. Asha had become able to speak words, albeit only a little. Although she herself was enthusiastic and cooperative, it was a prodigious achievement nonetheless.

The mountain covered with red soil and rocks didn't seem to have much elevation, so with Qi Reinforcement, even children could climb it without difficulty. Perhaps because both Esta and Asha grew up in nature originally, they seem not to be as frail as they look. And what awaited them beyond the mountain. The three just stood there for a while, stunned by the overwhelming scale. A Wall. A sheer cliff stretching as far as the eye could see, high enough to pierce the heavens. The color changed again.

Blue ores transparent like crystals were sticking densely to the bumpy wall, forming their own shape. The front was blocked without gaps. Even when they looked up together, the upper part was hazy, and the end could not be seen at all. It also extended endlessly to the left and right. Esta and Asha were opening their mouths agape. Yu tried flying up as much as possible with Flight Magic as a test. But she felt the limit halfway and came down.

Since this world does not have a high Magic Tolerance, her Mana wouldn't last until the end. Even if it runs out, if Yu were alone, there is a way to climb the cliff, but doing that with children is reckless. A method of forcing her way up using 《Passtrive》 continuously was also considered, but no matter how little burden it puts on the World of Heart, using it too many times consumes physical strength. Since it's not guaranteed that they can climb all the way, it cannot be called a wise choice.

It seems like a dead end. Should we turn back? Just in case, I've marked a spot for Teleportation Magic as insurance, but... While Yu was thinking this and that in her female form, Asha pulled her sleeve chon-chon.

"Yu."

"What?"

"Hole!" What Asha pointed at was a cave opening wide in the middle of the cliff. Since she was deep in thought, she seemed to have overlooked it.

"Yu, you can go there, right?" Esta was enthusiastic about continuing the adventure. Asha simply seems excited. Her eyes are shining with curiosity. However, a cave, huh. Yu hesitated. generally, caves are not easy things like game dungeons. They are extremely dangerous places. Full of steps and holes, slippery. The ceiling and footing could collapse at any time. There might be no oxygen, or it could be filled with toxic gas. Naturally, there are no lights or guideposts, and no one knows how the paths branch.

If they get lost, death awaits. But I have Teleportation Magic. Even if there is danger, we can return to a safe place... Before making a decision, Yu flew to the entrance to investigate. The wind is passing through. There might be an exit on the other side. The hard blue ore forms the footing as it is, and it seems solid. Moreover, this strange ore seems to emit light by itself, and visibility was good enough that no light was needed even deep inside. If it's this.

Although carelessness is forbidden, Yu thought it seemed worth going. 【Rebellion】《Survival of the Unfit》 Just in case, she cast insurance on herself and the two. If she casts this technique learned from Lenks, at least they won't die because of the environment.

"Let's go.""" Oh-!"" It was soundless, quiet, and fantastic. The inside was chilly, and cold air wrapped around the three. The angular ores were filled with a sparkling blue shine. It is beautiful like sapphire. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. On the way, almost no creatures were seen, and only odd-shaped, dull-colored winged insects flying around caught their eyes. Asha is frolicking happily, saying "Bug!"

Since she was worried Asha might run off on her own, Yu told her firmly and held her hand properly. Esta is walking sticking close to Yu on the opposite side of Asha. They walk for a while. It was originally wide enough for the largest Yu to stand and walk, but it expanded further in the back.

"Flower!" Asha jumped pyon. She seems happy just using the words she learned herself. Looking there, the light is slightly stronger only there, and as she says, small white flowers are growing densely.

"To think flowers are blooming in a place like this. Beautiful."

"I'll pick some for you, Asha." Showing his big brother side, Esta approaches the flowers. Yu was watching with a smile, but observing carefully, she noticed that the carcasses of those winged insects were scattered nearby. She had a bad feeling.

"Watch out." Yu panicked and grabbed the shoulder of Esta who was about to crouch, pulling him back forcefully. Almost simultaneously, green liquid spurted out vigorously from the petals all at once. A horrifying sound of things melting was heard. Actually, the liquid melted the ore and opened holes. It was strong acid.

"Is this how they earn nutrients?"

"Hiee-" Esta, who was saved in the nick of time, was terrified. Regaining their composure, the party proceeds further. Then, the path branched into three on the way. Yu marked it for Teleportation Magic and then measured the airflow using Wind Magic. It seems the middle path connects to the other side. Proceeding again. Since there is no sunlight in the cave, they almost lose their sense of time. Yu was measuring the approximate time in her head. It's about time the sun starts to set.

If it doesn't seem like they can get out after proceeding a little more, she was thinking of setting a warp point at a suitable place and flying outside once to spend the night. At that moment, Yu's eyebrow twitched pikuri. Something is coming. Yu strengthened her vigilance and transformed into a man. He didn't want to use magic too much in a cave that might collapse if he messed up.

"Step back a little." Yu pulled his hand back. Sensing his seriousness, Esta pulled Asha's hand and retreated to the wall as if protecting her. Slitheringly, something approaches soundlessly.

"Waaaaaaaaah!"

"A-!" The two scream. What appeared was a mollusk like a snake. The body was thick and long, so huge that the rear couldn't be seen. The body surface was slimy like a slug, and it had no eyes. It was grotesque in appearance and disgusting. Yu was impressed. Did it erase its presence? It was an almost perfect way of erasing reaction for an animal. It is rare to be able to erase it so cleanly. Therefore, Yu, who was in the female form without Qi Perception, couldn't notice until it approached quite close.

Against the monster pouncing to swallow the three with its mouth wide open, Yu remained calm to the end. Just a basic Qi Sword is enough. Holding the sword in his left hand, he kicks the ground and goes around to the opponent's side. It was a quick movement that the monster couldn't capture. Stepping in one step from point-blank range, he drives in a powerful upward slash. The snake-like head was cleanly cut off from the body. With a heavy zuzun sound, the monster's giant body sinks.

The battle ended as if almost nothing happened. Yu has fought opponents of this level many times when he was a magical beast hunter. To Yu who sheathed the Qi Sword quickly as a finishing touch, relieved Asha and Esta clung to him.

"Yuu~!"

"Yuu-!"

"There, there. It was scary, wasn't it?" I made them feel quite scared. They must be very tired. Shall we go back and rest for today? Yu, who was thinking such things, was assaulted by a sense of incongruity before he could even exhale. What. Qi swelled up suddenly. The monster's corpse wriggled bikun-bikun. Don't tell me, it's still alive even though I cut off its head? It wasn't that. From inside the corpse, flesh swelled up. And burst. What gushed out were creatures like"Spiders."

Although not actually spiders, they looked close to that to Yu. They are small, about the size of a thumb tip, but above all, their number was abnormally large. Moreover, they are increasing rapidly. The"Spiders" began to eat the meat chunk from which they were born with all their might. Yu was appalled. Esta reacted the same way, and only Asha looked blank. The"Spiders" were achieving rapid growth at a momentum impossible by common sense.

According to the mass of the meat they ate, in the blink of an eye, each one swelled up to the size of a human child. The eyes of the three Yu's group and the grown"Spiders" met. Yu felt a chilling sense of crisis. This is bad. These guys, of course, intend to eat us too. Hundreds, no, thousands of them. Dealing with this many numbers was, as expected, terrifying.

"Hold on! Quickly!" There was impatience in Yu's voice. Responding immediately, Esta clung to Yu's stomach, and Asha clung to Yu's back. Even while doing so, the"Spiders" swelled up in swarms and increased their numbers as if filling the gaps in the cave. Yu ran. The"Spiders", of course, do not let their prey escape. They surge in swarms. While running, Yu transformed into a woman. Fireball. Shoot. 《Volket》 She fires several magic shots with adjusted power behind her back as a check.

Several"Spiders" had their bodies burned by life-sized fireballs and died raising voiceless cries. However, the majority try to chase without knowing fear. No, insects moving by instinct seem to have no emotion of fear. Too many. Endless. In the cave, large-scale magic cannot be used. If surrounded, Yu was not confident in fighting through while protecting the two. Besides, there is no need to fight forcibly. It can't be helped now. I have to give up on this cave and look for another way.

At that moment, Yu felt the wind on her cheek. She realized. Great. The exit is near. Yu transformed into a man again.

"Hold on tiiiight!" Yu dared to laugh. Responding to the call, the two put strength into their gripping hands."" Run awaaay!"" "Ero-!" Esta screamed somewhat happily. Asha is screaming kyaa and laughing. Yu just ran. Every time he kicked the ground, he left the space far behind gun. Still, this place is the field the"Spiders" specialize in, and they cannot be shaken off easily. Light was visible. For the final push, Yu jumped in with 《Passtrive》. The bodies of the three are thrown out into the empty sky.

Yu put strength into his legs and landed magnificently with a bam. It seems they managed to escape safely. The"Spiders" didn't chase them beyond the hole. Even if they attacked, he could burn them all without difficulty in this open space. Yu stroked his chest phew in relief.

"Bye-byee!" To the"Spiders" withdrawing into the cave sadly having lost their prey, Asha was waving with a smile.

"Whoa!" Then suddenly, Esta raised a pathetic voice. When Yu looked back, he was losing strength in his legs awawa. When looking up at where he pointed, even Yu flinched as expected. Only Asha brightened her face waa as usual and remained calm. In front of the three, a long-necked dinosaur as big as a mountain—Yu had no other way to describe it—crossed with a leisurely gait. The burning sunset illuminates the grass grown to knee height in red.

What spread out beyond the cave escaped with their lives was—— a hill where giant beasts live.