Episode 229 BloodBat's Antipyretic

The round rock pierced by the D-Particle Pile cracked open and became a giant pillbug-like monsters. It looked like it didn't hit the vital point. I shot a QuintColdShot and killed it.

"That was a giant pillbug, was it. I should have used 'Pile Shot' from the beginning."

[ On this cliff, are there lots of giant pillbugs? ]

"There might be. I have no choice but to move forward to confirm that ..."

[ Considering the Risk, would you like to turn back? ]

" ... There are Risks as well, but I'm out of time. If I stick around any longer, I'll have to pass through the 6th floor after it gets dark."

I originally planned to just take a quick look, so I decided to turn back. I returned to the entrance of the 7th floor with the Combat Wing, passed through the 6th floor, and returned to the 1st floor from the Transfer Gate of the 5th floor.

After returning to the surface, I headed to the Adventurer's Guild. Katou stopped me at the reception and told me to go to the Branch Chief's office. Wondering what it was, I went to the Branch Chief's office and knocked on the door.

I heard the Branch Chief's voice and went inside.

"You're finally back, are you. I was looking for you."

Branch Chief Kondou said as soon as he saw my face.

"What happened?"

"Akagi-kun's team developed a high fever and collapsed. Apparently they were cursed."

I was taken aback by the unexpected words.

"A curse is it. Are you saying that seriously?"

The Branch Chief let out a sigh.

"Well, I expected that kind of reaction. However, it's true that they developed a high fever and collapsed."

Even if that was true, did it have anything to do with me? When I asked that,

"In the basement of the Church of the Underworld God, which Grimm-kun also reported, it seems that there is an underground shopping center. If you defeat the BloodBats you encounter in the basement, they may drop an Antipyretic. I need that Antipyretic."

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"This is the first time I've heard of an underground shopping center."

"Akagi-kun and the others discovered it during the last expedition, but it seemed they delayed reporting. I plan to punish them for that matter."

"But, if it's an antipyretic, isn't there a lot of it in the hospital?"

"It's not a normal fever. It's a fever caused by a curse, so it seems that it won't work unless it's a BloodBat's Antipyretic."

"Have you tried?"

"Yeah, among Akagi-kun and the others, there was only one person who had an Antipyretic. When they took it, their fever dissipated."

I still didn't understand why he called me. When I asked in detail, it seemed that Akagi-tachi's conditions were bad. He said that he wanted to make use of the Transfer Gate because he wanted the BloodBat Antipyretics as soon as possible.

"But, I just got back from the dungeon and I'm tired."

"I understand. In that case, I want you to go to the Narukami Dungeon first thing tomorrow morning and get them. Of course, it would be difficult for Grimm-kun alone, so I would like a team of three, including B-class adventurer Gotou-kun and C-class adventurer Fukamachi-kun, to undertake the request."

Gotou, a B-class adventurer, seemed trustworthy, but could the adventurer named Fukamachi be trusted?

"Can they keep the fact that I have the Transfer Gate Key a secret?"

"Of course. I promise."

The lives of adventurers like myself were at stake. Personal circumstances had to be endured, this was a situation that required cooperation. And if Gotou was there, it would work out somehow.

"Is Fukamachi-san also necessary?"

"Without him, you won't know how to enter the underground shopping center."

If Fukamachi taught me, I wouldn't need the person himself. But he said it was hard to explain. By the way, Fukamachi was said to be the leader of a Team called 'Senjou no Oni'.(TN:Literally Oni/Demon of the Battlefield)

The Senjou no Oni Team also investigated the underground shopping center, but it seemed that Sheephead and Goathead appeared, fought, and then fled at that time.

I accepted. After that, I reported on the 7th floor then went back to my apartment and went to sleep.

I headed to the Narukami Dungeon early the next day.

"Ahh, Gotou-san, good morning."

Gotou arrived earlier than me.

"Good morning. I never thought we'd be exploring together again."

"Me either."

"Come to think of it, I heard you were diving in the dungeon yesterday too?"

I nodded.

"Then you must be tired. I don't mind if you leave it to me and Fukamachi today."

"After sleeping all night, I'm no longer tired. It's fine."

While Gotou and I were talking, Fukamachi arrived. We changed clothes at the Dungeon House and entered the Narukami Dungeon. Fukamachi was a tall man in his thirties who seemed to be a Muscle Wizard.

"Where is the Transfer Gate at this place?"

When Gotou asked the question, I told him that it was a point where the huge trees were densely packed.

We went to the place where the huge trees were densely packed and stood in front of the Transfer Room door.

"This is the entrance to the Transfer Gate."

I used the tattoo on the back of my left hand to open the door.

"Hou, that's the trick, is it. I guess you can get that Transfer Gate Key by defeating the Vagabond. I definitely want to get it."

Gotou, who had defeated a FortSpider, should be able to obtain it. We went inside and transferred to the 5th floor.

Fukamachi came out of the Transfer Gate with a surprised face.

"The 5th floor in an instant, it's a convenient thing. I envy you who can use this."

After descending from the 5th floor to the 6th floor, we prepared. When I say prepare, the other two just pulled out weapons with holy attributes, but I took Tamegorou out of the shadows, equipped the Holy Claws, and took out my Black Staff.

Gotou focused on Tamegorou because he was seeing it for the first time.

"A bear-shaped Shadow Puppet, is it. It looks strong. Does that claw-shaped weapon have the holy attribute?"

"That's right. I made it to protect my back."

Gotou nodded in agreement.

"This can be used in battle, and it can also be used as a lookout. I want one too ... Can I touch it?"

When I gave permission, Gotou stroked Tamegorou's back and narrowed his eyes. Fukamachi, on the other hand, was watching Tamegorou warily.

Well, I guess it couldn't be helped. Tamegorou's appearance was that of a splendid moon bear. It was a black bear, though it didn't have the crescent-shaped mark that characterized the Moon Bear.

"How much would it cost to make this?"

Gotou seemed to be serious about making one. But I thought it would be difficult for him to make the same thing as Tamegorou. The work of kneading D-Particles into Shadow Clay was difficult without using the magic of 'Clay Knead'.

"This is a Shadow Puppet I made as a lookout. If you were to make one, I would recommend a small one like this."

Gotou's eyes sparkled. He picked up Taabou and rubbed his cheek against it. When Taabou let out a cry, he looked surprised and then started laughing. He seemed to like it very much.

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