A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai (素材採取家の異世界旅行記)

So then...

Children like me will no longer be born?

Very well. Let us search for the elf-folk's god, Libelania.

It is also a god's duty to answer the cries of those who seek salvation.

Enough tears. Do not wallow.

You just smile instead.

Ah, Puni-san. How did it go?

I could not sense even a trace of Libelania's presence.

No... Could it be that Libelania, our guardian deity, has deliberately hidden herself?

Given the density of mana surrounding this region,

there's no doubt something is going on in the area.

Brolite, let's gather information first.

Is there an adventurers' guild nearby?

Yes. The Daimos Adventurers' Guild is close.

Daimos, huh...

Is it well-known?

It's one of the most reputable guilds on the entire Gran Rio continent.

All right, let's head there.

Daimos. The guild with the highest average adventurer rank on the entire continent.

But because they have almost no contact with outsiders, they're called a phantom guild.

That means they might have information on rare materials you can only find around here...

Excuse us.

Oh, my. You must be the rumored divine envoy, right?

I'm Agara Filia Lobelsahra, the guild master. Just call me Sahra.

An All-Rounder and the glorious Dragon King, right?

I've been wanting to meet you both.

And also...

Brolite, I've been so worried about you.

S-Sahra, I'm sorry for making you worry. But I'm fine now!

FLIRT

FLIRT

You cried a lot, didn't you? Your eyes are all swollen.

Th-This is nothing... It's not a big deal...

What is this...? Watching this is making me embarrassed.

Really? Are you sure you're okay?

I-I said I'm fine.

Checking the request board?

Yes. I thought there might be some investigation requests if anything unusual had happened, but...

Looks like most of these are material-gathering quests...

Cat-Ear Fungus?

Cat-Ear Fungus tastes great raw, you know.

It's a type of glowing mushroom that grows deep inside Kieto Hollow.

But lately, the mana particles around that area have gotten so dense,

no one can go collect them anymore.

The mana particles, huh?

It's worth looking into.

I've been to Kieto Hollow many times.

I can guide you all the way to the deepest area.

Then it's settled. Let's explore Kieto Hollow.

We might find clues about Libelania.

All right, done.

This? Given the situation, even the elves' guardian deity has vanished.

We don't know what we're going to run into.

This is just in case.

You're a big help, really.

I've had so many Cat-Ear Fungus gathering requests piling up.

Leave it to us. We'll bring back the best-quality ones we can find.

But, um... Are you sure you're okay going so lightly equipped?

It takes several days on foot to reach Kieto Hollow, you know?

There's no problem.

If we go north for a while, we'll reach a large lake.

Kieto Hollow is to the east of it.

I see it.

That must be the lake.

The mana particles are growing denser.

Already? We're not even at the hollow yet.

Clay, Brolite, take these.

What is that?

You said the mana inside the hollow is dense, right? So...

Takeru, is that the entrance?

Brolite, is that opening the right one?

Yes, it is. But something's wrong.

That's a Doldbear, a weavyweight class monster.

What happened here...?

I'll go check ahead!

Hey, wait!

Takeru, be careful. Strong mana particles are swirling here.

Brolite! What's wrong?!

Wait, Clay!

If the cause is mana particles...

Clean, activate!

I... I'm saved...?

Takeru, the mana particles will build up again soon.

Seriously?

Both of you, activate the magic tools I gave you!

Right!

Understood!

Start!

Oh... It's surrounding my body!

It's a magic tool that works like protective gear.

It keeps out strong mana particles. I'm glad I made it.

Strong mana...

Then the corpses we saw were killed by the mana leaking out of the hollow...

I have resistance, so I'm fine for now,

but if the mana's this strong, Bee and Puni-san might be in danger...

Puni-san, could you wait a moment?

I'll make one more magic tool.

No need.

Huh?

P-Puni-san?!

In this form, I can fit within the tool's protective range.

There is no issue.

Now, let us proceed!

Amazing.

Light.

This hollow has a very complex structure.

Stay close so you don't get lost.

It looks different from the last time I came here.

What in the world is happening?

What is that...?

A creature that can move within mana particles this dense...?

No. I've never seen anything like this.

Be careful! No telling what it can do.

Anything that survives in this environment is dangerous.

Takeru!

We are surrounded.

Whoa!

Take this, you little...!

Clayston! On your right!

There are too many of them! This will never end!

I want to wipe them out in one go, but...

Brolite! Is there an open space nearby?

Yes! Up ahead!

Everyone, get close to me!

Desperate Barrier, Activate!

Impressive as always!

But wasn't that a bit excessive?

You've changed the shape of the hollow.

Haha... Sorry.

Ooh! This is delicious! I'm reminded every time