Volume 4 Chapter 1-2 Avalanche, Bracelets, and the Hero’s Arrival
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Lifia, use magic and just do it all at once!”
When I gave that order, Lifia looked a bit confused.
”What if it causes another avalanche?”
Her worry was valid.
If we recklessly collapse the snow now, we risk triggering another avalanche, trapping us even more.
”Don’t worry about it. Just collapse the snow until there’s no more risk of avalanches.”
We’ll use the avalanches to shelter inside the Love Hotel, repeating that to clear the snow.
Eventually, the avalanches will stop.
Lifia looked surprised for a moment at my suggestion but then nodded as if she understood.
”I see. Understood.”
Lifia quietly raised her arm and glared at the snow wall with sharp eyes.
Her palm started to shine a little.
”Mooluumve, Air Torment!”
The spell echoed and the air became tense.
A mass of wind appeared in her palm, gradually growing larger with a low growl.
In the next moment, the wind blast was released toward the snow wall.
The sound of a booming roar surged as the compressed air shot straight and collided with the wall.
Snow fluttered up, and a snow cloud filled the lobby of the Love Hotel.
The white mist spread out like fog, obscuring our vision.
After a while, when the snow cloud settled and visibility returned, there was a massive hole opened up.
”What is this…”
The inside of the hole was a perfect circle, continuing through the snow wall like a cave.
It showed no signs of collapsing.
The snow must have been compressed and hardened from the weight.
Beyond it was shrouded in darkness, but there was definitely a path cleared.
”Alright, we can move forward now. Well done, Lifia.”
When I called out to her, she smiled modestly.
”Thank you.”
We carefully stepped into that snow passage.
The snow underfoot was hard and compact, surprisingly easy to walk on.
After a bit, the snow wall gradually thinned, and our surroundings changed.
Beyond the snow, a cave with exposed rock stretched out.
The rocky cave was dimly lit, with small icicles hanging from the walls and ceiling.
The air was cold, but without the reflection of snow, visibility felt calmer.
Snow mountain rock cave.
Inside the cold silence, I think about things in my head.
What is this cave even?
Is the path right, or is it just some natural maze?
Like she sensed my doubts, Lifia uses detection magic.
”Mooluumve, Ex Vent.”
With her words, a faint breeze starts blowing around us.
That wind drifts through the cracks in the cave, turning into invisible eyes that search deep inside.
”Not much depth. No monster vibes either.”
Lifia reports calmly.
Just a dead end, huh.
”But, there’s something inside.”
”Oh?”
The words catch my interest, and naturally, I step forward.
We carefully head into the cave’s depths.
As we walk through the echoing rocks, we finally hit a dead end.
And there, standing before us──
”It’s a treasure chest!”
Kéa’s eyes light up, and she shouts happily.
”Milord! Open it quickly, I beg ya!”
Kéa wriggles, urging me on with excited energy.
It’s like she’s a kid face-to-face with the toy she’s waited forever for.
But she doesn’t reach out to open it.
Last time, Kéa opened a chest without permission and got scolded by Lifia.
She’s learned, good girl.
Seeing her like that, I smile tiredly and check around the chest carefully.
No trap signs.
Gently lifting the lid, inside floods with bright light.
”So pretty…”
Lifia gasps.
Inside is a finely decorated, golden bracelet.
The carved patterns shimmer faintly under the light, and the weight in my palm feels real──like it holds true value.
”A treasure, surely!”
Kéa beams with a happy voice.
Her joy makes me quietly smile, caught up in the moment.
But… is there some secret power hidden in this bracelet?
It came out of a dungeon’s treasure chest, after all.
It’s likely some magic tool with a special function.
We decide to go back to Love Hotel and purify the bracelet, just to be safe.
Last time, an item from a treasure chest turned out cursed, so we’re cautious now.
The love hotel’s laundry service has a handy feature that can cleanse not just dirt, but even curses.
I gently placed the bracelet into the laundry box and started fiddling with the touchscreen menu.
As I tapped a button, a cheerful “ping” echoed through the air.
It seemed to finish in an instant.
”There doesn’t seem to be any curse,”
Lifia peered into the menu screen and said.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me at her words.
I took out the bracelet and watched it reflect light in my hand.
It was adorned with fine decorations, and when I touched it, it felt pleasantly warm.
”Well then, let’s give it a try.”
Feeling a bit nervous, I put the bracelet on.
It wasn’t cold; its smooth texture fit my wrist comfortably.
And then──
”…whoa.”
The moment I put it on, I felt my body lighten as if a weight had been lifted.
All the stiffness in my muscles melted away, allowing my whole body to move fluidly.
It felt like a magic tool that boosts physical ability.
”Milord, how does it feel?”
Kéa watched me with a curious expression.
Trying to meet her expectations, I did a light stretch.
”Not bad. I feel like I can move a lot easier.”
I’d need Tifi to appraise it for precise details, but there’s no doubt it’s a useful magic tool.
It’ll definitely help in our future explorations.
* * *
”About the appraisal results…”
Tifi gently placed the bracelet on the table and began to explain in a soft voice.
”This bracelet has a strengthening effect on physical abilities, especially muscle power.
Specifically, it enhances your strength in situations like lifting heavy objects or increasing the impact of strikes. If I were to name it, I’d call it the ‘Bracelet of Power.’ Also, no side effects have been detected, so you should be able to use it without worry.”
I see.
A magic tool focused on improving strength.
As I stared at the bracelet, I started imagining all the possibilities.
”Kéa, want to give it a try?”
I offered the bracelet to her, but Kéa showed a moment of hesitation before finally shaking her head.
”I want Milord to use it. I’ll pass, thank you.”
”Hmm?”
”I want speed more than power. I learned that fighting the Avalanche Oni. If I was faster, I could dodge all the attacks and hit back.”
Kéa squeezed her fist tight, talking about her perfect way to fight.
”I see. Sounds like Kéa.”
I decided to respect her choice.
Going for speed really fits her fighting style.
”Then I’ll use this power bracelet.”
”Milord will use it perfectly!”
Kéa smiled big, cheering me on.
Seeing that, I felt confident too.
I held the bracelet for a bit, then Tifi’s voice came.
”Also, Mr. Taro, another thing…”
Tifi spoke carefully.
”The Hero has arrived here, in Dungeon City. They’ve already started the dungeon.”
They’re finally here.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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