Volume 1 Chapter 9 Magic Crystal
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The sunset is going down, down, down.
Don’t go down, sunset! I still have things to do!
I know it’s the same every time, but I check the bag again.
It’s a bit bigger than the 20kg rice bag from my house. The black sand is only about 60% full.
But my work is getting worse. If I keep this up, I can’t finish the quest today.
I can’t mess up on the last day of a 10-day quest…
Gold coins! I’ll lose one common gold coin.
My 10 days of effort… Aaaah!
I have the Gathering skill.
It’s like a weaker version of Mr. Zenom’s Mining skill.
At the hardware store, the professional tools and the hobby tools look the same, but the price is so different.
I wonder if the professional tools are really that good?
I was curious about the difference.
When I asked a craftsman, he said the work efficiency is amazing.
I think the difference between Mining and Gathering skills is like that too.
I bet if I used the Mining skill, I could dig up a lot of sand, like a pro.
I’m trying hard with the Gathering skill, but I don’t think the sand is increasing.
Maybe it’s increasing a little, but I can’t really feel the change.
The most obvious effect is that I can kind of tell where the sand is.
It feels like the Searching skill, so it’s easy for me to use.
I even tried using the Searching skill and Gathering skill together.
I tried “Super Me,” which overpowers skills, but it just used up my MP and didn’t do much.
I realized I’ve already gathered most of the sand that’s out in the open.
I wish I could remove the sand from the surface, but I don’t have a skill like that.
I aimed for a spot with as much iron sand as possible, and when I poked the tip of my magic tool into it and twisted, the iron sand stuck to it.
I managed to gather some this way, but since I had to keep pressing the switch on the tool, my magic stones ran out quickly.
The magic tool won’t work without magnetic force.
What if I directly poured my magnetic force instead of using magic stones?
No, that won’t work.
If I break the magic tool, it would be a disaster.
If I panic in situations like this, one mistake leads to another, and things just get worse.
I’ve experienced that way too many times.
In times like this, I need to stay calm and take a deep breath.
I watch the sinking sun.
What’s my greatest weapon as a Stargazer?
It’s my Astronomy skill, especially in moments like this.
When I activate my Astronomy skill, information about the sun’s orbit flows into my mind. With my current strength, I could probably work as a NASA researcher right away.
From the sun and this planet’s luck situation, I conclude that there are 23 minutes and 12 seconds left until sunset.
Considering the time it takes to get to the guild hall, it’s decision time.
”Damn, Melos has it easy. He just has to run.”
I vent my frustration on Melos, who popped into my head for some reason. I know I’m really flustered.
”Is Mr. Melos your friend?”
I even get annoyed by Ms. Nina’s unexpected reaction.
I really am a small man.
At this rate, I can’t become a great hero.
”For now, I’ll just deliver it to Mr. Zenom. One bag is still one bag.”
Right, the quest request only says to gather one bag of iron sand.
If I push through with the cleverness of a little monk from Ankokuji, I might just manage.
I try to lift the burlap sack, but it’s too heavy and doesn’t budge.
How much does this weigh, anyway?
”Shall I help you?”
Ms. Nina offered to help.
It’s not cool to rely on a girl, but she’s built like a wood golem.
It’s only natural she’s stronger than an average guy, so it’s not embarrassing to get her help.
Ms. Nina is strong! She slowly lifts the sack.
But, CRACK! I hear a bad sound, like wood breaking.
”Are you okay? Don’t push yourself!”
Gold coins are good, but I don’t want Ms. Nina to break.
”I’m fine, no problem!”
But, Ms. Nina is okay, the sack is not.
The bottom of the sack tears open, and the iron sand pours out!
* * *
”You were too greedy, weren’t you?”
I thought Mr. Zenom would yell at me for failing, but he was laughing.
”Iron is heavy! A sack of iron sand is like this, it’s common sense!”
The sack Mr. Zenom gave me only had a little iron sand, about 2-tenths full. I can lift that easily.
”I don’t know that! Tell me first!”
”No good! You won’t learn from mistakes!”
I understand what Mr. Zenom says, but I wish he’d think about being efficient!
”Charge all the magic stones you used today by today!”
Hmm, maybe there’s a reason for “today.” If you leave lithium batteries empty, they get worse.
I sit at the desk in the corner of the forge.
I’m allowed in the forge now, but I have to clean more.
I’m happy to have more work. Mr. Zenom is really sneaky with his teaching!
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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