Chapter 202: Getting Deeper 2
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri
Illustrations: Posted in discord.
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I felt a rustling above my head.
"Can you hear that? Hanna must be coming down."
"Yeah, I was worried the ceiling would cave in and we'd be buried in dirt."
"Hehe, what's that about? Didn't you say I was reliable earlier?"
"I trust Hanna's magic, but not the earthen ceiling right above our heads. I crushed it too finely when the cave collapsed."
"No wonder the dirt felt so fine."
It was an obvious presence that even Katie, who was at an intermediate level, could easily detect.
After all, it wasn't a sneak attack but a rescue operation.
Glancing at the hologram, I could see Han Se-ah making spirals as she widened the area, similar to the spiral staircase of a spire.
Thinking that there would be no way out if she dug straight up, she created a slanted surface on the walls while leaving the center open, stepping down in a manner similar to descending a staircase.
Considering we were buried at a depth of almost 100 meters, even if it wasnt too deep for an underground cavity, this seemed like the right approach.
The earth was so finely crumbled that if she hadn't solidified the footing, the walls could collapse like and bury us again.
"It's not just me who broke it. Manaashi used his trident to pierce the ceiling while escaping."
"The dirt turned into dust by two senior adventurers unleashing mana... It sounds quite impressive when you put it that way."
Even so, there was nothing we could do from our side.
Unlike Han Se-ah, who was solidifying the ground using Earth Control to descend, we could only breathe through a small gap created by the tree roots.
If we carelessly tried to dig our way up, we might even block our only airway.
So, all that was left was to feel the magic getting closer while conversing with Katie, who was nestled in my arms.Ñøv€l-B1n was the first platform to present this chapter.
Seemingly enjoying the strokes on her head, she would wiggle her head every time my hand stopped, urging me to continue.
Her behavior was somewhat cat-like, and when she openly showed her affection, she seemed dog-like.
How could I feel bad about the affection of a beautiful woman?
So, I just enjoyed the moment, waiting.
"Anyway, not every tunnel we enter collapses like this, right?"
"We'll need the help of the Magic Tower. The mages there could probably create a magical tool to detect underground structures."
"It always comes down to magical tools in the end, huh..."
Katie laughed happily, her breath tickling my neck, while fine dirt sprinkled down on my forehead.
In this world, most research and academic institutions are concentrated in the Magic Tower.
In the modern world, it's natural for a geologist to come when there's something odd about the mountain, an ecologist when there's an epidemic in the trees, and someone related to architectural engineering when there's a problem with a building.
However, in Heroes Chronicle, magic is integrated into all technical fields, except for medical.
Even if there is a Carpenters' Guild, a mage is attached when building a house, and even if there's a Stone Masons' Guild, a mage joins in when constructing a city wall.
"Magical tools are incredibly versatile. The more you use them, the more convenient they become."
"Really, what's so great about them that you like them so much?"
"After suffering in the humid air of the jungle and not being able to wash for about three months, staying all grimy, a mage created a makeshift shower for me."
"...I can kind of understand that."
Jokingly, we followed the tightly packed, stone-like spiral path out of the pit, leaving behind the vanished Manaashi.
After taking a moment to regroup at the tent and campfire set up next to the pit, we decided to head for the 35th floor.
I might have boasted about being a senior adventurer, but Katie, as an intermediate adventurer and the youngest member of the group, couldn't resist the persistent concerns of her teammates.
Brushing off the dirt from our hair and checking the flesh and tree roots from Han Se-ah's inventory, we heard voices coming from inside the tent.
"Come on, I'm not even scratched."
"Still, we need to check. Roland might use divine energy, but you don't, right?"
"Katie, monsters in the marsh have poison and infection abilities. I'll help you take off your armor."
Overwhelmed by her sisters' nagging, Katie reluctantly started removing her dusty armor.
While Katie and I were sharing small talk and growing closer, the others were worried about contamination and infection.
True, Katie's swordsmanship is exceptional, befitting a natural-born 4 Sword Princess.
However, great sword skills don't make one immune to poisoning and infection.
"See? Not a single wound!"
"You're right, just pale... Thankfully, really."
"Still, just to be sure, I'll cleanse you with divine energy."
"Kyah-! That tickles!"
It made sense to be concerned about infection, considering we were buried in a dirt pile in a marsh filled with the miasma of undead, near the clearing where black nagas were replicating.
The conversation inside the tent took a peculiar turn.
Grace worried about possible infection from even a small scratch, while Irene insisted on preventive measures with her divine energy.
The image of Katie, her fair skin exposed after removing her armor, being caressed by Irene's hands filled with divine energy, came to mind.
Perhaps Irene, whose healing abilities had diminished but remained confident in her purification skills, was doing her best.
-F*ck the damn tree roots, turn the camera to the tent?
[Chat deleted by the mod]
-Seriously, if you could film the shonen manga-style romance, that would be greatly appreciated.
-I saw this on a phone, was it voice porn? Just the sound of moaning.
-If you only upload the audio, the channel might get a warning, you know?
"...Well, since Katie seems safe too, let's all get out, pack up the tents, and head down."
-Hey Han! Turn the camera! Hey Han! Turn the camera! Hey Han! Turn the camera! Hey Han! Turn the camera!
-Wow, this is it! Juicy content!
[Chat deleted by the mod]
-These crazy people have attached not only a cyber womb but also a cyber phallus, lolol
[Chat deleted by the mod]
-When I grow up, I want to be a tent in Han Se-ah's inventory. When I grow up, I want to be a tent in Han Se-ah's inventory.
Do the three of them realize how their voices sound?
Or did they think it didn't matter since it was just me and Han Se-ah around?
After enticing the base instincts of thousands of heinous viewers with just a moan and a few words, we headed for the 35th floor.
...The chat I sneakily glimpsed through the hologram looked like hellfire had transferred into reality.
Hang in there, Han Se-ah's manager.
That's not something an A.I. can block.
