kscans

Chapter 298 - Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Epilogue (Part 2)

Kudol and the others were confident in their means of interception, but that was not the only problem. The Salt-Sour Mountain was home to many monsters skilled in the art of Stealth, though perhaps not to the extent of a Tyrantbot. The wolf type monster Ulvac, which specialized in continuous ambushes from cover, and the ambush hunter Invisible Mantis were prime examples. How would they detect the ambushes and approaches of such monsters?

"We're all set on that front, too. The thing is, Adon-dono entrusted us with something like this."

Saying so, Kudol showed them a magic tool for seeing through a monster's concealment.

According to him, Adon had been buying up Detection Magic Tools ever since the last Tyrantbot incident. There was no guarantee Yuri would be conveniently present the next time a Tyrantbot appeared. It was a decision befitting a sharp merchant, that it was better to secure a means to break through the situation.

"Well, seems like Yuri took care of the second Tyrantbot too, though..."

Yuri responded with an archaic smile to Kudol's sidelong glance.

"Adon-dono lent this magic tool out during this Tyrantbot incident, too. The Adventurer's Guild asked him for it. It was lent to the Red Sandstorm."

"Oh, is that so?"

So that was it. The Adventurer's Guild had also taken thorough measures. They had placed two parties with experience fighting Tyrantbots, Lucky Footsteps and Red Sandstorm, on both wings of the search formation. They had supplied each with a means to see through the Tyrantbot's Stealth. One side had Yuri, the other had the magic tool. It could be said that it was a rather well thought out lineup. Adon had also lent out his prized possession for this escort mission. Well, since their destination was the foot of the Salt-Sour Mountain, he had probably decided that a certain level of preparation was necessary.

But Yuri's interest and concern were focused not on Adon's intentions, but on the magic tool itself.

"Heeh... so this is a magic tool that sees through Stealth..."

"I don't know the details either, but it seems to be enchanted with some kind of detection magic."

"Heeh..."

Yuri possessed the Magic Tool Creation (Basic) skill, and on this trip to Laurenzen, he had also acquired the Enchant skill. Furthermore, he himself possessed a detection type skill called Investigation, a combination of Appraisal and Perception. There was no reason for him not to be interested. Moreover, Yuri was the owner of the firm misunderstanding that he was at the very bottom of the Salt-Sour Mountain's food chain. It was his principle to never neglect efforts to protect himself. So at that moment...

(My Investigation skill is compatible with infrared and carbon dioxide, and it can also detect traps to some extent... so if I were to make one, would I be enchanting Investigation instead of a detection skill? I don't even have a detection type skill in the first place. ...Maybe this is a good opportunity to study detection and alert type skills...)

After that, there were no particular problems, and Yuri and the others arrived safely in End Village. There is no need to detail the banquet held to celebrate everyone's safe return.

The day after the banquet, Yuri bid farewell to the villagers and returned to his own village.

"I'm home!"

It was the little birds and mice that had completely settled into the village who answered Yuri's greeting.

"Welcome home, Yuri."

"You were late."

"The wild grass is already sprouting."

"Uwaah... I have to get to work right away... Ah, that's right. I have souvenirs for you."

"Souvenirs?"

"Souvenirs?"

"Yeah, I don't know if you'll like it, but it's a Giant Squid Shell. It's a lump of calcium, so I thought you might need it for making bones or eggshells. I'll leave it outside, so if you like it, please eat it."

"Thank you, Yuri."

"Thank you."

A busy daily life begins.