Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Kobold Hunt
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We got a little lost on the way, but by carefully backtracking the path we'd taken, we were able to pinpoint our location on the map before the sun set.
Through my adventurer life, I'd trained myself to remember paths whenever the chance arose, so getting my bearings wasn't much trouble.
Anyway, once we found the path, things went smoothly from there.
"Whoa, Sister. It's completely dark now."
Before we knew it, the sun had fully set.
The mountains, where even moonlight barely reached, became pitch black at night—you couldn't see an inch in front of you. Without a way to light the night, pushing on was impossible. Time to prepare for camp.
Of course, camping was everyday life for adventurers. When you were broke in the city and couldn't even afford a stable, or when a quest dragged on into the night, or during long marches. Camping was always with us adventurers.
No worries here. I was used to overnighting in undeveloped areas like this.
There were nocturnal monsters, sure, but the ones living near human settlements like cities weren't strong. Their kind had been wiped out long ago, so even if nocturnal monsters lurked, they weren't a problem. The strong ones were deeper in.
Even the tricky goblins were diurnal. And above all, monsters feared fire. Light a fire and take turns sleeping—that was it.
"Then let's find a good spot and set up camp..."
—May the Radiant One illuminate the darkness.
"Holy Light."
"Ooh."
As Elise recited her prayer, a small ring of light appeared above her head, illuminating the surroundings.
A holy spell that lit things up like this?
Elise was a true all-purpose survival nun.
Priests and nuns were seriously overpowered classes.
More versatile than mages, even.
"It won't last long."
Holy Light summoned an angelic halo that emitted light—a handy holy skill that could substitute for a torch.
Elise explained it had the advantage of lighting dark dungeons or midnight areas, plus it repelled monsters to some degree. Most monsters feared or disliked this divine presence. I was genuinely impressed.
There were tales of stronger monsters being drawn to the light, but I'd never seen any. Probably needed at least orcs for that. And orcs wouldn't be just two hours from the city, of course.
The city powers-that-be wouldn't leave orcs that close.
"Seriously overpowered."
Amazed, I clapped.
"O-Overpowered...? What does that mean?"
"It's a saying from my homeland. Means the best of the best."
"I see."
Elise smiled at my half-baked explanation.
Anyway, with our "flashlight," we pressed on without issue and reached the familiar brush area. We'd detoured just as before.
I'd used up all the lamp oil without thinking earlier—wish I'd saved a bit to make a torch. I had a fire starter, but that could only handle a campfire, not torches.
"It's about to end."
Holy Light faded. No monster attacks on the way here was a blessing.
Typical nocturnal attackers near the city were stray wolves, giant bats, or imps—weak, but their night vision made them tricky without light.
"Sister, can't you do it one more time?"
"Afraid not."
Then we'd camp here.
"Mr. Katt. We should make camp."
"Yeah."
I pulled the fire starter from my pouch and snapped it in half. Pssh. Smoke rose from inside soon after, and flames ignited. Technically, it wasn't just a fire starter.
This thing was made by sealing flammable materials in a bamboo-like tube. Split it, and fire sparked inside. An essential for most adventurers.
"Dry wood..."
But the flame didn't last long, so while the area was lit, I gathered dry branches and leaves. With Elise's help, we quickly built a campfire. She seemed to have tons of field experience—what was she, special forces? She could handle just about anything.
"Sister, shall we take turns sleeping? You decide the order and times."
"No need for a watch. I'm a light sleeper."
"Huh... really?"
Camping here without a watch was usually suicidal, but coming from near-special-forces Elise, I trusted it. I'd half-accepted death living as I did anyway—if something happened, oh well.
Life was precious, sure, but lately, that felt less urgent. Existence was harsh and shitty, wearing away my attachment to it. Sure, I had grand dreams of returning home. But this world wasn't easy enough to chase such vague hopes... Still, clerics were stronger than most monsters.
So whatever.
"Sister, cover with this and sleep. My armor's warm enough."
I offered Elise the kobold hide. Cursed or not, getting cold at night was bad—hypothermia could kill. I was wearing quilted armor, great for insulation, so I'd yield it.
Wished I could give up my armor too, but I'd freeze.
"Thank you."
Elise took the bundle, casually kicking the kobold skull aside, and wrapped the hide around herself. The pagan markings bothered me, but cold trumped superstition.
No matter how ominous, you cover up when cold.
Catching a cold meant medicine costs, too.
"But it's a bit big. Better if we share."
It was sized like a banner flag, pieced together, so there was extra room.
"Heh heh, I'm fine. Doesn't it feel ominous? Just looking gives me chills. Scared it'll haunt my dreams."
Grateful offer, but superstitious me passed.
I was a grown man who feared ghosts. Korean culture was steeped in it—who could avoid that? I still couldn't sleep with my head north.
Once told another adventurer, got called a barbaric savage. But facts, damn it.
"Then why offer it to me?"
"Sister's fine with it. Divine power and all."
Elise surely had holy protection.
Me? No faith, no resistance to demonic stuff.
"...Just come in. It'll be warmer."
"Aw..."
I crawled beside Elise and draped the extra over me. Covering with this ominous hide felt uneasy—like sleeping head-north.
"So I just trust you and sleep, Sister? You're really a light sleeper?"
"I'd wake instantly if anything approached. Trained for it."
"Whoa! Awesome, Sister! Too cool!"
"...Such praise embarrasses me a bit."
I closed my eyes at her words.
I wasn't one to sleep easily, even lying down. But since coming to this world, exhaustion hit daily—lie down, and sleep came.
"Can't sleep, insomnia's killing me mornings"? That's full-bellied complainers.
Truly tired? Eyes shut, asleep. Sleep issues? Work out first.
Lulled by the crackling campfire, I slept.
I woke from a nightmare at dawn.
"Ugh, damn. What a shitty dream."
Good—no attacks overnight. But tossing from the hide left me heavy as lead. No way to sleep normal under that crap.
Shouldn't have covered. Better head-north... Nah, skip that.
"Awake?"
"Morning, Sister. Good morning."
Sun was rising. Area brightening—time to move. I splashed canteen water on my face, stretched, and stood.
"Let's head back quick."
Elise, up before me, was ready.
I packed the kobold hide and skull.
Elise took point with the map, and we set off for the city. Map worth it?
"About an hour, I'd say."
"Heh heh, perfect."
Back to the city at last. After a hellish day, 1 silver earned—smiling already. My weekly living was 30 coppers; this covered three weeks lazy with 10 left.
Oh, and the hook fungus too. Over the moon.
"Hee hee."
"You seem happy."
"Quest done. You too, right Sister?"
"Of course."
If only I hadn't bought that shitty salve... Living costs weren't high, but gear was pricey. Saving sucked.
We walked; sun rose.
And basking in it, freak monsters appeared.
"Whoa!"
I yelled in shock. Two pitch-black Giant Spiders crawled toward us. Dog-sized or bigger, low-tier but visually repulsive—female adventurers hated them.
"I'll kill them."
Elise drew her morningstar with fierce intent, ready to smash heads.
"No, wait!"
She raised her arm high. Horrified, I grabbed it.
"Let me. Their carapaces sell at the smithy."
"Really?"
Intact giant spider carapaces made good armor material—1 copper each at the forge. Smashed or cracked? Worthless. Elise's mace would shatter them.
—Squeee.
The giant spider raised forelegs, glaring with eight eyes, drooling green venom from churning fangs. I'd figured even Elise would freak—but I did.
"Eek!"
I'm weak to gross stuff...!
Yelping embarrassingly, I gauged distance and front-kicked its mouth. Splat! Fangs flew. Taekwondo 3rd dan, remember? The wounded spider convulsed.
"Behind!"
I slashed down, splitting its brain. Done. Giant spiders looked vicious but fought poorly—body structure disadvantaged against humans. If they grew man-sized, I'd be screwed, though.
—Squeak!
The other lunged, jumping to sink fangs. I upper-slashed its airborne mouth, then two-handed overhead to finish.
"Nice."
Perfect hunt. Both carapaces intact. I drew a small dagger from my pouch and pried them off.
"Grotesque."
"Way too gross, Sister."
Under the carapaces: muscle and guts galore. Adventurers ate spider meat when starving, but no thanks.
I expertly removed both. Crack—body fluids stretched like strings.
"Sister, one's a gift. No need to keep; sell for a treat."
I handed one over. Score points.
"Um... Th-thank you."
Elise accepted.
Women love gifts.