The Retired [Armed Merchant]’s Laid-back Journey Across the Continent 42

Chapter 42: The Rip-off Artist Finds the Requested Item.

I was completely out of breath, but after somehow annihilating the Carnictis, I let out a long sigh.

Although they weren’t a particularly terrifying opponent, that type of monster is numerous.

After all, they were originally parasites, so their reproductive ability is high.

“For now, the ‘Red Gentian’ is taken care of.”

I stored the ‘Red Gentian’, which I had pulled out by the roots, in a preservation bag for medicinal herbs.

This rare flower has different medicinal effects in its roots, leaves, stems, and petals. When making a potion, you need to use the part that corresponds to the desired effect, so you have to carefully take the whole thing.

I don’t know why the white-scaled dragon Hakusha wants this, but I’m sure it will be useful in some way.

“Now, next is the ‘Dragon Scale Mushroom’… it should be nearby.”

The ‘Dragon Scale Mushroom’ grows on or right next to dragon fossils.

It’s a substance that is intermediate between the dragon scale substance that comes from a dragon’s flesh and mana. Although it resembles a mushroom in shape, it’s not exactly one.

If I had to say, it’s a ‘crystal of mana residue’.

It’s rarely found even in the deep levels of the Alanis dungeon.

And the fact that the Carnictis was here means that there is definitely a dragon’s remains or something nearby.

There are certain conditions for a parasite to leave its host and grow.

“…”

I walked through the cave, illuminating the surroundings with a magical light and carefully observing the terrain.

And at a certain point, I finally found what I was looking for.

…A dragon fossil.

It must have been a very old dragon.

It was incredibly large. So large that I almost didn’t recognize it as a dragon fossil.

“I wonder if there are any ‘Dragon Scale Mushrooms’…”

While being wary of my footing, I descended into the mortar-shaped room.

Fortunately, this area is not liquefied.

There seems to be no danger of Carnictis.

“Shiiiiiiiiiii”

…I should have been wary of other dangers as well.

It seems I’ve become a bit of a klutz in just two weeks.

I jumped back just in the nick of time to avoid the white giant that was falling from above.

“Hey, hey, give me a break.”

The Licking Lips let out its unique cry and let its long tongue hang down.

It’s a bit of a hassle to climb up to escape.

I feel like a gladiator thrown into a circular arena.

“I wasn’t planning on fighting any protozoa…!”

Collecting materials is something you do quickly and get back quickly.

I used to think that anyone who went out of their way to fight was second-rate or third-rate… but it seems I’m one of them now.

Sigh, I’m a little shocked.

I feel like I’ve aged all at once.

“Shee! Shisshisshi…”

“I don’t taste good, you know. And you don’t taste good either.”

I wonder if the diner in Yaje would cook this deliciously.

I’m curious, but first I have to get out of here.

I have to prove here that my fighting skills haven’t dulled.

“Alright then, let’s do this.”

I muttered to myself and drew the short sword at my waist.

◆

“Good grief, it took a little while… but this should do it.”

In front of the two lying ‘Licking Lips’, I lightly wiped my sweat.

I didn’t expect another one to fall, but I managed.

“This is also a fairly valuable material. I’ll take a little.”

The Licking Lips is a monster that has some valuable materials.

Its mucus has healing and moisturizing effects and can be used as is or processed into medicine. The highly stretchable skin on its head can also be used as a high-quality protective material for lacerations.

Also, the meat itself is not edible, but the heart is traded as an ingredient for tonics and is a very expensive material.

“Alright, alright…”

I quickly dismantled them and collected the useful materials.

It seems there is still a debate among scholars about what this strange monster is, but as an armed merchant, as long as I know what parts are valuable, there’s no problem.

Since I’ve killed them, it’s the custom of an adventurer to make proper use of them.

I can’t let their lives go to waste.

“—Hm?”

As I was crouching down and dismantling them, something glittered in the corner of my eye.

A small, bluish-green sparkle.

I walked quietly towards it, not taking my eyes off it… and saw a translucent crystal extending from the dragon fossil embedded in the floor.

There’s no doubt, it’s the ‘Dragon Scale Mushroom’. And it’s of a very high purity.

“There it is…!”

I let out a sigh of relief at having found it safely.

When you can’t find it, you can’t find it.

Even though it’s said to grow on dragon fossils, you never know where it will crystallize.

If I had been unlucky, I might have been wandering around here for a while.

“With this, the collection of the requested items is complete.”

I packed the ‘Dragon Scale Mushroom’ into a collection bottle I took out from my magic bag, carefully wrapped it in cloth, and put it away.

Then, after taking a breath, I looked back in the direction I had come from.

I’ve come down quite a way, so it will be a chore to go back.

Since I’ve been careless and reckless, I’ll have to be especially careful on the way back.

A collection request is only complete when the requested item is delivered to the client.

“Alright, let’s go.”

I muttered to myself and left the mortar-shaped room.

I remember the way I came, but… going up, this place looks a little different.

Opportunities to enter a dragon’s lair are rare.

Even though the master is absent and the danger is low, it’s still a place you should come to with the resolve to lose your life.

There are probably a lot of treasures left… but I don’t feel like looking for them.

I’m filled with the desire to go home as soon as possible.

“Excuse me.”

As I was thinking that, someone called out to me from behind.

Impossible. There’s no way there’s anyone who can speak human language in a place like this, and even if there were, they wouldn’t be sane.

Besides, I’m currently concealing myself with multiple concealment spells.

They shouldn’t be able to see me. It must be an auditory hallucination.

“Excuse me? You there.”

…It seems it’s not an auditory hallucination.

Having made my resolve, I slowly looked behind me.