Chapter 377
Chapter 377
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 377
Chapter Title: Colors from Outer Space
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"What? A meteorite fell?"
"That's right. The rumor is spreading like wildfire through the marketplace right now."
Kobson, having downed his rum in one go, ordered a beer and started chomping away at his dried fruit and jerky.
Was a meteorite falling really such a big deal?
Ah.
Thinking about it, it wasn't a shooting star—it was a meteorite.
Shooting stars themselves were as common as stars streaking across the night sky, but actual meteorites reaching the ground were exceedingly rare. Even back on Earth, they fetched top dollar.
Hell, there were even folks called meteorite hunters abroad.
From the nuance in Kobson's words, it seemed like he was getting at something similar.
"The meteorite falling itself happened a few weeks back, but since it was a ways off, the rumors took time to spread. Now, there's no shortage of folks heading out to hunt for it."
Kobson's face was already beet red as he knocked back his beer, slurring his words.
"Just curious, but..."
"What?"
I didn't know much about the value of meteorites in this world, so I figured I'd ask before Kobson passed out.
"Are meteorites expensive?"
"What, you think rare metals aren't pricey?"
"Rare metals!"
Rare metals!
These exotic metals were worth more than gold by the pound.
They had all sorts of uses.
Some served as core components in magical items, while others went into crafting deadly weapons like Karin's violet blade.
Apparently, meteorites in this world were synonymous with rare metals.
"Legends speak of famous artifacts forged from meteoric iron. You see it in hero tales all the time. Not that a cultureless barbarian like you would know."
"You bastard. I've got more culture in my pinky than you've got in your whole body."
"Heh heh heh. What's that supposed to mean, barbarian? I've already sussed out that there's a whole world of things you don't know."
Couldn't argue with facts.
I'd picked up a fair bit of knowledge through hands-on experience and books over the years here, but I still didn't know jack about this world.
"Anyway, not all meteoric iron packs that destructive punch, but a rare metal's a rare metal."
There were apparently all sorts of varieties of meteoric iron.
In a world with mithril, adamantite, orichalcum, and the like, it wasn't weird for meteorites to outclass steel.
"They're insanely expensive, of course. Figures a barbarian like you wouldn't know."
"How the hell would I know the value of meteorites around here?"
"Around here? They value 'em different in the barbarian lands?"
"Something like that."
It was intriguing enough that the booze went down easy.
Still, with my arm not fully healed, I couldn't even think about going after one.
And chasing after a meteorite whose exact crash site was unknown, along with its fragments, didn't strike me as smart.
But damn if it didn't pique my interest.
"Word is, a few lucky bastards stumbled on fragments, sold 'em, and turned their lives around overnight."
"Just rumors?"
"Who knows if it's bullshit, but the meteorite fall itself is legit. Now you've got greenhorn adventurers chasing one-hit wonders heading that way with stars in their eyes."
Lowlife adventurers like us were doomed to get swept up in crap like this.
One-hit wonder—what a thrilling ring to it.
All you had to do was pick up some meteorite scraps.
For bottom-feeders like us, it was one of the few hopeful tales out there, so we latched on hard.
Naturally, crowds would flock.
Of course, only a lucky few would actually find any. For every winner, a ton would come home empty-handed.
"Got me curious too. So, what do you say, barbarian? The fall site's apparently near some mountains by a village called Verzek, about a week out."
"You wanna go?"
"Hell yeah. Even a chunk smaller than a kid's fist could change your life. You gonna sit here with a full belly? Bet you are, you fat barbarian."
"Your head's the one that's full, you moron. Like you'd find shit."
This dumbass only had gambling in his skull. Most adventurers were probably the same.
Adventuring was a crapshoot profession, after all.
"Fair point, odds are low. But rumor has it that night was a full-on meteor shower. Gotta be plenty left, right? Worth a shot, says my gambler's instinct!"
It intrigued me, sure, but didn't really tempt me.
Weeks had passed already. Even if meteorites were hard to spot, with every local swarming the area, the good stuff would've been stripped clean by now.
"Guess all the gamblers bit it. Anyway, I'm banged up right now. Arm's fucked, can't go."
"What? Your arm's hurt?"
"Smashed it on the job. Planning to rest up."
"Hmm, too bad. Hey, barbarian... think I'm gonna pass out. Carry me to the inn?"
"You drank yourself stupid."
Kobson was already a total wreck.
Guy still conked out in under an hour.
I decided to cover the snacks as payment for the good intel. Fished his wallet from his snoring ass on the table and pulled out just enough for his tab.
"Urghhh."
"Crazy drunk bastard."
Paid up, dumped Kobson at his inn, and headed home. Still before lunch, so Winia wouldn't chew me out.
Meteorite, huh.
Fun story, at least. Should tell the girls. Opened the door to find Winia lounging with Cloudy tucked against her side, waving while reading a magic tome.
"Blackie's back?"
"Yeah. Cloudy's still out."
"Sis gets super sleepy on days off. Species trait, maybe. So, what'd you do today?"
"Ran into Kobson, had a few drinks—but not too many. Hey, Winia, heard about the meteorite?"
"The one that fell way out? Think I overheard at the Magic Tower. Some folks were interested... You go hear about it?"
Damn, she'd heard before me.
"From Kobson. Said meteoric iron's super valuable."
"Rare metal? Yeah, pricey. Wait, don't tell me our Blackie wants to go hunting? Arm still busted—rest up, no pipe dreams."
"Sure."
Winia seemed uninterested.
Yeah, she was right. Healing my arm took priority over some meteorite.
Cloudy woke up, I told her—she wasn't fussed either. Guess only my heart was racing.
The meteorite talk faded into indifference.
* * *
I shoved the meteorite out of mind and focused on recovery.
Even with the fracture, the monastery's treatments, potions, and proper rest had it nearly healed.
Since awakening mana, my physical stats had skyrocketed—including natural healing.
Figured it was good enough. Grabbed my sword and swung.
—Whoosh! Whoosh!
First time in a month doing inspection swordsmanship, but it felt natural. No pain, arm brimming with power.
Mana was superhuman, alright.
Normal guy: two months minimum for a full heal. Me: just over three weeks. Potions and heals helped, but still fast.
"All good now?"
"Seems like it. Few more days, and it's as good as new."
Cloudy caressed and kneaded my arm.
Such soft touch.
A woman's warm hand. Compared to her brutal strength and blade work, her flawless, pretty skin made my heart boil on contact.
"Katt, arm's firm."
"Heh heh. Cloudy's hands are soft."
Time to unseal two-handed caresses.
One-handed only meant no dual-boob action or handling both girls at once—pure torture.
"Winia's out for a bit... Now that my arm's good, mind if I ask for that thing?"
"What?"
"The usual for Winia?"
"What?!"
Asking for daytime pounding!
"Kyaa! Katt!"
I shoved Cloudy against the wall, hand diving into her panties. Demanding it like that? Naughty demon! Went to yank 'em off—Bang! Door flew open.
"Sis! Blackie!"
"Eep."
"...I said I was out, and you two start munching?"
"It's not like that."
Winia stormed in, glared, sighed, and continued.
"Pack for a trip."
"Huh? Trip? What's up?"
"...Trip? Where?"
Winia suddenly started sorting our stuff.
"Word is, shooting stars are pouring down out there right now. Gotta check it. Falling every night, they say."
She sounded excited.
"What? Meteors?"
"Yeah. And that meteorite you mentioned? Fragments turning up. Not usually my thing, but worth a look. Your arm's better, right? Did that inspection fist thing last night, sword today."
We'd tested inspection fist arts last night—no issues—so I demoed the sword earlier.
Don't you dare diss my inspection fist arts. Cuts me deep.
No mercy.
"Yeah. Checked today—feels perfect."
If a mage like Winia said so, sounded like a real shot at scoring meteorite goodies.
"Perfect timing. Contract's up day after tomorrow anyway. No renewal—head out hunting then. Blackie, hit the monastery last."
"Hmm, meteorite. Far?"
Cloudy perked up too, thanks to Winia.
"Five days one way, so yeah. Sis, this is rare. Meteor showers happen sometimes, but right nearby?"
"Hee hee. Winia all hyped for once. Sure, travel's always welcome. Sounds fun. Let's go?"
They wanna go? No choice.
Thus began our meteorite-hunting trip.
Sudden, with departure in two days.
"Alright, Blackie. Off to the monastery."
"Got it."
"Oh, and tell your other girls you'll be gone awhile."
"...Will do."
Winia smacked my ass as I headed out. Fair—Karin and Lady Risha needed the heads-up.
Too many wives these days.
Raced to the Swordsman Guild.
Midday, so packed with members training under Karin's watch.
"Guildmaster!"
I approached Karin with a wave.
"You're here? Wait a sec."
Training in full swing.
Headed inside, plopped on the sofa. Kim Katt time: thirty minutes later, Karin burst in grinning.
"Hey, hubby. What do you want with your big sis?"
"Just letting you know I'm heading out on a trip."
"Damn it."