Day 6: Base Camp

Holy Era 6102, Month of the Moon Rabbit, 19th day.
Weather: Sunny

---

Today also had good weather. It felt like the sun was blessing me, and so I had to do my best.
Before setting out, I notified the lady at the guild. Because she is always worried about me.
She became quite frantic, but there was no need to worry. I would return safely.

As for today’s plans, my main goal was to reach the foot of the mountain with the Kobo mines.
There should be something like a base camp there, that some Adventurers had made.
Distance-wise, it was a day on foot and half a day by carriage. That was very far.
I suppose it was my first real expedition as an Adventurer.

Still, while I had bought a new camping set and pickaxe, I had to carry it along with my usual equipment… It was all very heavy…hmph. I want a horse and wagon.
In the future I might have to consider hiring a porter. Of course, it was not possible for me to pay for such personnel now… It is hard being poor.
I have heard that when Adventurers in the upper ranks go into dungeons, they sometimes find bags that you can put anything into without the weight changing…I wonder if that is true?

I continued to walk quietly and alone. And by the time the sun started to set, I finally arrived at the base camp. There were a decent number of people there.
And so I quickly started to prepare to camp out before the sun disappeared completely.
First, I had to pitch the tent. As I worked near the edge, so that I wouldn’t draw attention, a large bear-like Adventurer man gave me a warning.
The moment he talked to me, I felt that my heart was going to jump out of my throat.

According to him, beginner Adventurers were supposed to pitch their tents as close to the center of the base camp as possible.
The reason was simple. If something happened at the outer rim, they would be the first to be targeted. I see. I’m grateful that he told me this.
Besides, if you are close to the center, you can meet all kinds of Adventurers, which is nice. Hearing about the experiences and failures of senior Adventurers, as well as the hopes and trials of others your own age. It’s very educational and interesting. I suppose that was another reason that beginners were supposed to be near the center!

The old bear man was scary at first, but once the ice was broken, he was a hearty, cheerful person. He said that his name was Mack Bear.
When I told Mack that I was working solo, he was greatly surprised. And he made me promise that I would enter the mines tomorrow with him and the others… But I can manage just fine on my own as well? Everyone always worries too much.

Yes, yes. Today’s dinner was a forest frog(It was just a normal frog that happened to be as big as a medium-sized dog) that the Adventurers had hunted in the forest. They were good enough to share some with me. While I was a little hesitant when I found out what it was, it turned out to be rather delicious when I ate it.
It was a little dry, as there was less fat compared to bird meat, but I ended up eating a lot of it. It wasn’t that not being able to eat a satisfying amount of meat regularly had made me greedy!!

Now, my stomach is full, so I must prepare for tomorrow and go to bed.
I can finally put my camping set to good use♪

Today’s earnings and expenses:
Bronze: -7(Pickaxe I had forgotten to buy earlier)
————————–
Balance: 1 silver, 40 bronze

Yes!! o(≧～≦)o I can finally go to the mines tomorrow!! I am going to dig so much!! I will do my best!!

Next Chapter

(Some artwork)

Senpai boukenshasan ga tasukete kureru no de kitto daijoubu nano desu! Shinmai boukensha no nikki-chou