While relying on his nose more than the guidance of the goddess, he descended the slope for some time until the atmosphere seemed to change.
He could hear the sounds of a waterfall now. And after emerging from some bushes, what he saw was one river and a ravine.
“Yes. Smells of iron.”
‘A lot of iron ore is mined here. They once used the river for smithing. Around that cliff over there.’
He looked towards the cliffs and saw that there was an entrance reinforced with wood.
‘That’s how they made the mines. That being said, as it was close to the river, it was easy for water to seep into the tunnels. And since there was not that much ore, they ended up abandoning this place.’
“I see.”
‘However, one day, humans of this world will surely acquire the skills to dig deep into the great veins that lie below.’
“They didn’t dig out all of the ore?”
‘It was the limit of this world’s technology. This is a world with magic civilizations. There is less interest in science. Still, eventually, an age of steam and fuel will surely come.’
Sheto did not understand what she was saying at all. However, he sensed that there was a sadness in her voice.
“So, where is my enemy?”
‘Ah, sorry. There will be no light in the cave. Is that fine?’
“I can see, so it’s no problem. …Should I fight inside?”
From what he had heard, they had sticky bodies and tentacles they used to smell.
‘Are you afraid?’
“N-no! Let’s go!”
He approached the cave with long strides and then peered inside. The damp darkness went on, and he furrowed his brows.
“Mold, moss and rust smells.”
’By the way, how do you feel about darkness anyway?’
“Not a like or dislike. Do not care.”
It was often said that monsters preferred the darkness or hated the light. But he was not like that. Dark places were good for hiding, but they could also allow enemies to hide.
As he continued through a cave that felt large to him, the amount of water that splashed at his feet increased. His ankles were wet and gold, and his brain felt numb.
“Feet, should have covered them. Too much water.”
‘I’m sorry. Apparently, it was flooded a few times. We can turn back if you want.’
Just then, something that smelled of rust caressed his nose.
“Ahhhh!”
‘At your feet, Sheto!’
As he jumped back, the thing stood up in front of him. From the puddle of water, the tentacles swayed as they emerged. A semi-transparent creature that looked like it was covered in fish eggs. It came up to his shoulder in height.
“It-it’s huge!”
‘Don’t be phased! It may be big, but it hardly has any attacks that can do you harm!’
“Hardly!?”
‘Sometimes, the tentacles become hot. But they use oxidation on iron to…’
The tentacle shot out and grazed his body. The impact was still stronger than he expected, and he felt it through the goddess’s protection and his fur.
‘…Not bad!’
“Just be quiet now!”
He shouted at her and then raised his spear. The tip was enchanted, and he was just about to thrust it out.
“Ah!?”
The transparent body twisted, there was a strong explosive sound, and the wooden spear was knocked down.
‘No! Hurry and retrieve it!’
“I-I can’t!”
The form approached him while swallowing up the spear. It would sometimes do this to living creatures, and only melt the metal. It continued to swing its tentacles aggressively as it got closer.
“Wh-what should I do!”
‘It cannot be helped. Retreat for now!’
Salia said, and the kobold started to move away.
‘What is with that speed! Did you intend on running away from the beginning!?’
“And what if I did! I’m weak! Cannot be reckless!”
He was out of the cave in no time, went through the path he had come, and continued to run upstream.
‘Wa-wait! Your campsite is…’
“Won’t return that way! There will be footprints! And smell! All over the branches!”
‘…You really are a genius when it comes to running away.’
She was likely being sarcastic, but he had always been taught that it was more important to run and survive than to win. And he would not change that, no matter what this goddess said.
‘Still, we will have to do something about your nature.’
After washing his body and going around half of the mountain, he returned to the camp in the evening. And then the goddess started her lecturing.
‘Indeed, it is important to know when it is dangerous, and when you should run. However, if that is all you do, your level will never go up.’
“I’m a kobold… It is reckless.”
Near the cave, he picked up branches and tied them together with vines. And under this makeshift roof, Sheto started a fire.
‘Tomorrow, you must be a little bolder.. Hey, are you trying to burn those branches?’
“Fire will be small. It’s fine. The smoke disappears when going through leaves. We do this way so that the fire is not seen.”
‘The way of hunters, I suppose.’
“Our way. When being chased, or when it rains. Quite useful.”
He placed river crabs and small fish on the hot stone, and then ate some tree berries while he waited. Once the delicious smell began to waft, he tore into the shell of the crab.
‘In any case, while you may not like it, you will have to deal with that enemy for some time.’
“No. They stink. My feet get cold.”
‘You are in no position to complain! It has no poison or vicious attacks. You won’t even get seriously hurt if it hits you. That is what kind of monster it is!’
“…Then you come and fight.”
He had not meant anything by it. The water was cold, and his fur got sticky. And the goddess was not very helpful. He had meant to complain a little, that’s all.
‘I would do that…if I could!’
Suddenly, the air seemed to grow heavy, and a pressure weighed down on the kobold.
‘I too! I too… If I could…I would use my own hands to…!’
“Sa…Salia…”
‘Ah…’
As if realizing the strength of her voice, she suddenly stopped apologetically.
‘…I’m sorry. You are the one who is fighting. It would not feel good to face something like that. However…if you could just bear it for a little while…?’
“…Fine.”
The air returned to normal, but now things felt a little awkward instead. Sheto put out the fire by covering it in soil. And then he lay down in the cave.
“Tomorrow, will cover my feet in vines.”
While thinking of cold water and slimy enemies, Sheto fell into a deep sleep.