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CHAPTER 09…………………………………………..
[The current location is not suitable for creating a shelter. Searching for a suitable location.]
The loading bar spun, then the window disappeared, and a green dot appeared somewhere in my field of vision.
It was a cave located on a slope piled with large rocks.
“Calyon! There’s a cave over there!”
“You have fairly good eyesight.”
I had spoken to Calyon, but Senez cut in.
Why are you the one responding?
“I’ll go check inside. Please wait a moment, Master.”
Like a bouncing ball, Calyon leapt onto the rocks and checked inside the cave. After confirming it was safe, he signaled toward us.
Well. It would be safe.
It was a shelter created with a fortification skill!
I quickly headed toward the cave, but instead of moving forward, my body was suddenly lifted upward.
“At this rate, you’ll be too slow to even reach the cave before sunset.”
“P-put me down!”
“Why would I put you down when the cave is above? You should be asking to be lifted. It seems your vocabulary left along with your memory.”
No, just let go of me!
Calling me luggage this and luggage that, Senez really slung me over his shoulder like I was baggage and leapt onto the rocks.
The rock was about as tall as I was, but he climbed it effortlessly without even a running start, and soon set me down in front of the cave.
Was he helping because he thought I’d struggle climbing up?
Despite his rude words, his actions were unexpectedly kind.
While I was thinking about it, I missed the chance to thank him, but Senez didn’t care and casually walked inside, brushing dust off a flat rock.
He took a clean cloth from inside his clothes, folded it in half, spread it on the rock, and looked at me.
“Oh. Thank you.”
“For what? I’m the one sitting.”
Senez sneered at me and sat down on the mat.
“…What a rude bastard.”
He had looked at me after arranging the space, so I thought he was being considerate, but apparently not.
If he hadn’t looked at me, I wouldn’t have misunderstood.
“Are you treating me like I’ve got delusions of romance or something?”
As I glared at him in disbelief, Calyon—who had wiped the wide rock clean and even spread out his own cloak—called me.
“Master. Please sit here.”
“I’m fine. I’ll make my own seat.”
“You have no shame, but you also lack sense. My younger brother went through the trouble of preparing a seat for you, and is it your nature to ignore others’ goodwill?”
Shut your mouth, you rude bastard.
I thanked Calyon and obediently sat where he had prepared.
The rock was uneven and I thought it would be uncomfortable, but Calyon’s fur cloak made it surprisingly soft.
“Master, are you uncomfortable?”
“I’m fine. But Calyon, is it okay if I sit on your cloak?”
“Of course.”
His consideration warmed my heart—he had thought the rough surface might be uncomfortable.
They were brothers, so how could they be so different? Not just in face, but in personality too.
I felt a little sorry toward Calyon’s parents, but it almost seemed like one of them was adopted.
“Then, Master, please stay here with my brother.”
“Huh? It’s already getting dark. Where are you going?”
“There is a spring across the way. I’ll wash up and return shortly.”
Calyon. You smell fine even without bathing.
Please don’t leave me alone with that rude bastard.
But even when he saw my pleading eyes, Calyon only lowered his gaze with reddened eyes and quietly turned away, leaving to wash up without mercy.
Right. Calyon is just very clean.
Now that I think about it, even after fighting monsters like that, he never smelled of sweat.
A neat man—how wonderful.
Our Calyon has no flaws!
“Hey, baggage person?”
“Talk to the baggage if you must, I’m going to rest too.”
“You’re planning to sleep without even washing? And stink up my brother’s cloak?”
Honestly, I wish someone would shut this rude guy’s mouth.
Isn’t there a skill to silence obnoxious people?
The system window, which usually screamed at the slightest thing, was completely silent at times like this.
Allies [Calyon] have left the stronghold!
No allied units are within 10m.
Fortification skill canceled.
No, not this kind of message!
As I glared at the system window, a familiar notification popped up with a mocking cuckoo-like sound.
[The Lazy Righteous One Again]
You have stayed too long in the shelter.
The shelter will collapse in 40 seconds.
Are you insane? Too long? I’ve barely been here five minutes!
I was so wronged I could’ve screamed, but the damn system cheerfully began its countdown.
39 seconds. 38. 37…
I quickly pulled up the minimized windows.
First, my skill status window—Fortification.
[Condition 2. At least 1 ally within 10m]
- There are currently no allies nearby. Skill cannot be activated.
Next was Senez’s party invitation window I had been ignoring.
[Accept party invitation?]
No choice. I didn’t want another cave collapse PTSD situation.
“Accept! Accept the party!”
As I shouted internally, the (1/1) empty slot disappeared, and a sneaky notification appeared.
[Ally [Senez] has joined your party.]
Once conditions were met, the fortification button in the skill window became active.
[Build fortification]
I pressed it, and a green grid spread across the cave wall like a blueprint.
Then with a ding, the earlier window—[The Lazy Righteous One Again]—flashed.
[Quest canceled]
This shelter has been recognized as your stronghold.
Unless struck by physical force exceeding the stronghold’s defense, it will not collapse.
A new message appeared below, the countdown stopped, and the window closed.
“…I survived.”
It only collapses if attacked, not due to random quests.
I sighed in relief, clutching my chest. That was close.
“What are you sitting there panting for? Hyperventilating?”
That rude bastard spoke again.
If you don’t know the situation, just stay quiet.
“I was just worried the cave might collapse.”
“…Ha.”
He scoffed.
“No common sense, but plenty of imagination. Why would a perfectly fine cave collapse? No monster attack, no earthquake. Calyon already checked everything…”
“It almost collapsed on me before.”
“….”
His mouth shut. He looked slightly surprised.
Seizing the moment, I told him what had happened a few days ago when a cave really did collapse.
A bit unfair to Calyon, but I wasn’t lying.
“It collapsed suddenly, and I barely escaped before encountering monsters and almost dying. I guess that memory just made me anxious.”
“….”
“But well, it doesn’t look like it’ll collapse now. You were right, Senez.”
After saying everything I wanted, I ended it with a firm “Okay, you win,” leaving no room for rebuttal.
But Senez’s expression turned serious.
What? Did he suddenly start worrying about the cave collapsing?
He didn’t seem like the type to feel guilty for being rude to me.
“…Master.”
“What?”
He called my name but didn’t continue.
Just stared silently.
I didn’t push him either.
The surroundings grew quiet. It was dark outside now, but strangely, Senez’s golden eyes shone brightly.
“Calyon is back.”
“Huh?”
I looked up and saw a white figure approaching the cave entrance.
His hair was still damp from a quick wash, making Calyon look even more refreshing.
A wet handsome man—bless.
Before Calyon could speak, Senez stood up.
He left to go wash, switching places with Calyon and walking out.
I didn’t know what he wanted to say, but I wasn’t curious enough to follow him.
Calyon was already calling me.
“Master. I brought water for bathing.”
“Huh? Bathing water?”
Calyon placed a water container on the ground.
It looked different from the usual one used for drinking.
As expected, when he pressed the dark green mana stone attached to it, the container suddenly expanded.
‘Wow… expansion magic? The opposite of an inventory?’
When Calyon held it, it looked like a small bottle, but now it had expanded to the size of a children’s inflatable pool.
It wasn’t luxurious, but large enough to sit and bathe comfortably.
“Please enter, Master.”
“…You want me to bathe here?”
Here? Now?
I mean, I appreciate the effort, but—
“We confirmed there are no monsters near the spring, but it cannot be considered completely safe. I couldn’t let you go there alone, so… please forgive the inconvenience.”
“I—I understand.”
Actually, I did want to wash.
Even though I had died and come back, or maybe because this body was new and adjusted to the world, I didn’t really smell of sweat—but skipping my daily bath felt mentally uncomfortable.
“The problem is that Calyon is here.”
As I stood hesitating, Calyon tilted his head slightly, as if understanding my concern…
