Chapter 121 – Under the Ground

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…How long had I been out?

With sharp pain, I woke up to find myself surrounded by boulders. I had no idea what had happened, but I was still alive.

(Status open.)

There was no guarantee that the dragon was not nearby. And so I opened my status silently.

Name: Ajifu
Race: Human
Age: 25
LV: 37(+1)

HP: 34/264(+6)
MP: 102/168(+4)
STR: 70(+1)
VIT: 72(+3)
INT: 48(+1)
MND: 54(+0)
AGI: 47(+2)
DEX: 40(+0)
LUK: 19(+0)

Skills
Eralt Lv4, Reverse Age Lv4, Farming Lv5, Carpentry Lv5 (+2), Carving Lv7 (+3), Leatherworker Lv5 (+2), Gathering Lv4 (+2), Shield Art Lv8, Magic Manipulation Lv17, Everyday Magic(light/water/earth), Sword Art Lv17, Night Vision Lv3 (+1), Parallel Thought Lv4, Prayer, Light Magic Lv9(+5), Amerata Lv1

Title
Visitor From Another World, Farmer, Blessing of the Ability God, Adventurer, Creator’s Blessing.

While I had lost a lot of HP, at least my life was not in danger. And since I had defeated the goblins and rock lizard, my level had gone up once.

I wanted to heal myself, but had to be sure of my surroundings first. And so I tried moving my arms.

“…!”

The pain in my right arm was so severe that I had to hold back a scream. It must be broken. Thankfully, my left arm was fine, and I was able to push away the boulder that was looming over me. Apparently, I had fallen between the rocks.

I tried to sit up, but had no strength left. My leg might be broken as well. And so I bore the pain and waited for some time. All I could hear were the sounds of running water.

Even if I did sit up, I would not be able to see anything due to the boulders. That being said, it might hear me if I casted Heal now. After thinking about it for some time, I finally dragged my body up painfully and crawled out until I could poke my head out from between the rocks.

I looked around. There were no signs of the earth dragon. I sighed with relief.

My Nightvision skill had leveled up, and I was able to see even more clearly than before. It was like a night on a full moon, I suppose. Quite bright. Though, my surroundings were burnt black. You could really see the power of its breath. But the rocks were cool, so some time must have passed.

After being blasted, I must have been lucky enough to roll down into the crack. It was a good thing the terrain was filled with such obstacles.

“Mei-lei-mote-sei Heal!”

In any case, I could not do anything unless I healed. I had burns and my ribs and clavicle were broken. I had to cast Heal several times until I could move properly.

With my hand on the rock, I stood up on one leg. Then I noticed that I felt lighter than usual. Mine Breaker was gone. It must have fallen down somewhere when I was blown away. As I hopped around on one leg…I found it! It was quite far away.

I managed to reach it and pick it up.

And with Mine Breaker as cane, I began to walk unsteadily. I felt bad for the manager who had allowed me to buy it. But right now, I had to use it like this in order to get out of this place. Hopefully, he will forgive me.

Still, I suddenly felt nostalgic, thinking about how passionately he talked about it. And in spite of my situation, the corner of my mouth rose into a smile.

In order to get out of this situation, I had two options right in front of me. Forward or back.

Up that gentle slope. What was ahead? Could I even go? If I went back, I knew that it led to the goblin cave. Well, there was no need to think about it. I had already started to walk up the slope.

After all, if I returned, I would have to pass through that dragon’s nest. Perhaps it would not be there. But I was not going to take any risks after being lucky enough to survive the first time.

No matter what dangers faced me up ahead, it would not be as bad as that dragon. Of course, it was also possible that the dragon could be up ahead, but the chances should be lower.

Walking without one leg and using a sword as a cane… It was slow and used up a lot of energy. I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to fight well if monsters attacked. I had gotten so used to having a prosthetic leg.

Still, I generally took it off in the house, so I wasn’t helpless without it. But I had never had to walk long distances without it. So I quickly ran out of breath and strength.

My armor was in ruins. The shape completely changed. As it was making walking difficult, I tore it off, leaving only the parts that protected my leg and arms.

I probably looked like a soldier who just survived after a terrible battle. Limping with torn clothes while leaning on his sword. Still, I did not feel sad.

I was not going to die down here! I roused myself and kept walking, one step at a time.

After some time, I had a better grasp of my surroundings. The first thing I noticed is that it became easier to walk. As if there was just one straight path.

Also, there were few monsters. All I caught glimpses of were bat-type monsters.

But that felt wrong. What if this was a path used only by the earth dragon? If that was the case, I should not be walking so slowly. And so I moved away from the smooth ground and kept close to the wall.

The ground had more stones, and I could no longer use my sword as a cane. I had to go down to my hands and knee crawl. The wounds that weren’t fully healed throbbed painfully, and my consciousness grew hazy.

My pace fell dramatically, but it was not all bad. There were fewer directions to be wary of, and there were cracks in the wall that were perfect for resting.

To be honest, I was so tired that I felt that I was at my limit. And so I rolled under the crack and used rocks to cover up the entrance. I knew that it was dangerous to sleep in such a place. But continuing my journey would be dangerous as well.

While clutching Mine Breaker, I closed my eyes. And in an instant, lost consciousness.

—

“That Ajifu. He sure is taking his time.”

The people of the village had gathered together at the chief’s house. They had actually come here to talk about how they would bury the goblin nest.
But Ajifu had not yet returned from his investigation.

“Depending on how deep it is, it could take two days. That’s what he said, yes? So we should wait a little longer.”

“That being said, two days have already passed. If we wait too long, the goblins might return.”

They had also asked Ajifu to check the tunnels leading from the cave. There was a rock lizard and probably other monsters. Perhaps something had happened to him.

Though, Ajifu had said, ‘It’s fine. I can do it’…

“Everyone, calm down. If something really did happen, something serious enough that it prevented Ajifu from returning, then there would be nothing that we could do. Regardless, we cannot bury the nest before he returns. And so there is nothing to do but wait.”

Chief Lozon said. Ajifu was a skilled Adventurer. He did not want to think of the idea that he was facing something too powerful.

But then again, Ajifu could be rather clumsy. Perhaps he had tripped and fallen off a ledge.

“And so, Mezerir, you should calm down and wait. Walking around like that will just make us nervous.”

“But I was the one who asked him to go…”

“I would have asked him if you did not. That’s just how it is. Don’t blame yourself.”

She had been walking in a circle, but now stopped. That’s it! This was Ajifu. Surely he would return suddenly as if nothing happened! She would then scold him for making everyone worry!

As there was nothing to be done, the villagers all returned to their homes. However, though several days passed after that, Ajifu did not return to the village.

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Ossan Boukensha no Jimichi na Isekai Tabi