(EP-124.2) Hunting #4

124 – Monster Hunt #4

As Aira said, the weather was very nice.

The sky was high, as the white clouds drifted in the vast blue. The pretty flowers on the flowerbed swayed gently under the sun.

This kind of weather was best for chilling in the shade by the riverside and eating the delicious chicken you packed.

… I’d like to take a day off.

In my mind, I also wanted to relax like the people languidly yawning over there. But my holidays were far off.

━Look, it’s Queen Aira.

━Is she going for a walk? It must be my lucky day today.

Then, I could suddenly hear whispers from the surrounding crowd with my sensitive fairy ears. Since Aira was taking a stroll, many people’s eyes and interest were naturally drawn in our direction.

Simply put, Aira’s mere presence attracted attention.

━It’s the first time I’ve seen the 2nd Ranked. I wonder how strong is she?

━You can try to see for yourself.

━I’m even afraid just approaching her. I think it will hurt my heart if I get rejected just by trying to talk to her.

They praised Aira’s strength and beauty, which made me wonder, how did Queen Aira look in the eyes of others?

“Theo.”

Aira suddenly called out, which took me out of my thoughts. Hwiiuuuu- Aira went on to say as she pressed her fluttering hair amidst the gentle breeze.

“Where is the dungeon?”

“Is my Queen thinking of going to the dungeon?”

“It won’t take too long. Well, it’ll be over before the evening or so. I also want to see how much you’ve grown, Theo.”

‘Oh.’

Aira, who seemed the most unlikely candidate, was the one who would end up going to the dungeon with me. Anyway, I opened a scroll that I had recently acquired from Kalira.

“What is that?”

“This is a map of the nearby dungeons. This should be the closest to our current location, which is like a cave.”

I quickly moved lest the fickle Aira changed her mind.

So Aira and I entered the forest near the South surrounding Ark.

“It is a peaceful forest.”

The confident Aira, treading through the greenery, languidly evaluated.

As far as I knew, this forest was called the “Rabbit Forest”.

Yes, Rabbit Forest.

It was a very peaceful name, giving off a fantastical image of fairies, animals and greenery coexisting in harmony.

And if it were a dungeon in a cave originating from such a forest, you naturally wouldn’t get the impression of ‘terrifying’.

Plus, even if the dungeon was more difficult than expected, I had nothing to fear because Aira would be coming with me.

However, such thoughts were stained when we arrived at the cave’s entrance.

“Is this the right way in?”

Aria’s question made me alternately look at the map and the entrance of the cave, leaving me with no choice but to also question if this was indeed the correct place.

The entrance to the cave looked like a beast’s den, with a large opening beneath the roots of a massive tree. Considering the name Rabbit Forest, the term “Rabbit Hole” seemed fitting.

It looked quite deep…

━Jichecheu-.

After listening closely, you could hear the faint sounds of a creature. However, it was unknown whether it was a beast or an insect.

“According to the map, this seems to be the place.”

Perhaps it could be a dungeon infested with giant insects buzzing around. I didn’t like bugs, but since I had the rare opportunity of getting Aria’s help, it would be a waste to back down now.

“Well then, I’ll go ahead.”

Holding the Imp Tail Wand in my hand, I stooped down and slowly entered the rabbit hole.

Sabujak, sabujak.

“It’s very dusty.”

There didn’t seem to be any sign of anyone else entering before us, but that was why the centipede crawling on top of my head was very uncomfortable.

“Go away!”

Using my Tail Wand, I pushed the bugs aside, finally reaching a spot where I could place my feet.

The cave was relatively spacious, leaving about a meter of clearance above my head even when I stood up straight.

“Queen Aira, you may come inside.”

━Heueung.

Soon, I heard the noise of something breaking apart.

Turning to look, I then saw Aira widening the cramped entrance of the cave.

The stones and dirt were pushed aside, creating enough space that even a truck could enter. Aria was probably using her telekinesis to widen the cramped hole.

With the newly expanded entrance, Aria gracefully descended with elegant steps. Throughout the process, she didn’t look tired at all.

It was funny how I’d just been struggling with the centipede just now.

Was this the sole Rank 7 Archmage on the continent?

Aria, who was standing beside me, looked around and remarked.

“It’s very dark.”

She plucked a strand of her black, long hair and blew on it. It twisted and wriggled like a living creature, transforming into a small thread-like spider figure.

“Go.”

At Aira’s command, the spider on her palm leapt into the air. It then radiated bright light like the filament of a light bulb, illuminating the surroundings.

━Zuzuzujizuzu-.

━Zuz…

At the same time, the insects that were swarming around quickly hid in all directions as if they could not stand the light.

Normally, I would have just looked at this situation and gone past thinking, ‘Aira’s magic is amazing.’ But lately, my curiosity about magic had accelerated, along with reaching the 4th Rank.

“How did you do that?”

Perhaps I could seize this opportunity to assimilate some of Aria’s insights.