The Novice Alchemist’s Store

Climbing the mountain for another hour or so while avoiding a place where the hot air stood, what I encountered there was a huge red brown lizard, about a meter or so from head to tail tip.

The torso area is thicker than my waist circumference and the back area of my body is covered in a bitter, hard looking epidermis.

I stopped walking quite a distance, so it's unclear if the other side is noticing this one, but at least from that leisurely movement, I can't feel myself on guard.

"Fine, you're a big lizard, right? Sarasa, what is that?

"That's," Lava lizard, "isn't it? Also known as" Salamander Modki. "

"Oh, Lord Store Manager, that sounds like a strong name!

I leak a bitter smile to Mr. Iris, who seems to be happy.

"I have a rumor that I was swimming in lava..."

"Oh, seriously? Are you that resistant to heat?

"No, I think you're lying."

Looking back, I shook my head at Mr. Andre, who looked at me with a surprised face.

In the volcanic area, some places have red hot water erupting, so I guess I missaw you swimming there.

However, it seems to be quite resistant to heat for sure, it does not die as long as hot water is applied, and is quite resistant to flame-based magic.

Conversely, they don't like the cold extremely well and are unable to move even at temperatures around the spring tip.

I mean, it's where the ground is warm all year round, like here, that's their favorite environment.

"Looks like you still don't have a Hell Flame Grizzly"

"That lava lizard? Did that kick you out?

"Are you that strong? That lizard."

"No, it's not strong, but it's hard, okay?"

He has a rugged epidermis that is not just on the back side, but is strong enough to kick back Hell Flame Grizzly's nails. Lava lizards are.

"Besides, I also throw up flames, because my resistance to heat is more than Hell Flame Grizzly..."

Flaming stones, which are staple foods for both lava lizards and Hell Flame Grizzlies, are common in high geothermal locations.

For example, where hot water is erupting or, in some cases, where lava is erupting.

Exactly, lava lizards, unlike their name, cannot enter the lava, but they can withstand enough hot water.

"I mean, flaming stones where Hell Flame Grizzlies can be eaten can also eat lava lizards, but vice versa is impossible?

"That's the thing. Now, lava lizards aren't weak enough for Hell Flame Grizzlies to easily drive away, and if you run off to a hot spring location, you won't be able to help."

"There's been a hell of a flame grizzly frenzy after losing the competition for survival."

"Yes, maybe not."

The small number of flame stones that could be picked up on the road also reinforces that hypothesis.

If you're going to question it, it means why there are more lava lizards, or they've moved from somewhere else, but I don't really know about demonic ecology, so hey.

I can't seem to say enough about more reproductive activities, just like normal animals, and is it useless to think about it too much? What the alchemist needs is to use the material obtained from the demon, not the demon ecological survey.

Even if we go into your research, it won't be money.

"What do you mean, this ends the investigation? It's not subtly refreshing."

To Mr. Gill's words, Mr. Andre nods too.

"The conclusion is that the cause of the frenzy is lava lizards. The chances of a frenzy happening again are pretty low, you know."

"Right. There doesn't seem to be a Hell Flame Grizzly either. - Instead, we don't have the materials anymore."

The great tree sea is huge, so there seem to be other habitats, but given the size of the Hell Flame Grizzly, going hunting is a bit tight.

It takes a few days to get here.

Anyway, if the alchemist were to accompany us, it would be limited if it were a farther place than here, such as where the gatherer alone could bring it back with decent quality.

"Hmm? Are we done here? You don't need an investigation from up here? There's more to the summit, isn't there?

Mr. Iris is right, this place is a little over the middle belly.

If you're going to say the scope of the investigation, it's very small...

"You should stop that, right? Why are lava lizards said to be" salamander modoki ”? Do you know who it is?

Everyone looks at my inquiry and shakes their heads.

"That's what you're asking, besides the fact that lava lizards are heat resistant or throw up flaming braces, right?

"Yes, it's a very important piece of information, so most of it is in the book."

Lava lizard and salamander.

If you know it, there is nothing wrong with seeing it, but it is still called "Salamander Modki” because these two are frequently witnessed in the same place.

I'm not sure if it's in some complementary relationship or just a coincidence, but if you look at the unknown combination of Hell Flame Grizzly and Salamander, where habitats are close, I'm sure there's some reason.

"I mean, are you Nani? Moving on, you think you might run into a salamander?

"Yes, there is a danger of that"

"Mmm... the manager. That's right, sir, but can't you shoot Salamander?

"At least, you can't do it with your current equipment. If you're profitable and ready to go... what do you think? I've never thought of killing a salamander."

I was wondering if we could do something with some protective equipment that could withstand salamander braces or all kinds of disposable smelting equipment (artifacts)?

Even if you read a book and you know it's dangerous, it doesn't give you a numerical indication of strength, so you can't easily tell if you can shoot.

"I've never confronted a salamander either, and I'll ask my master next time."

Mr. Iris waves a little hastily at me for giving the answer.

"Oh, no, I didn't want to go shoot him or anything..."

"Yeah, right. Mr. Store Manager, Salamander never comes to the village, does he?

"You don't. Because it is not a demon that leaves the territory. Unless this mountain erupts and the village is swallowed up by lava, isn't that what Salamander says?

"That's right. Of course we're running away with all the villagers! Ha ha!

"No, Andre, that's not funny, is it?

Mr. Gray looks at Mr. Andre, who says something slightly careless, but Mr. Andre just shrugs his shoulders and laughs bitterly.

"Ma, I can't help but worry about it. So, Salasa, there's a salamander. Really?

"Probably, you're here. Because there's a pretty powerful response to detective magic. If it's not a salamander, it's definitely a strong demon."

That's why I stopped going first.

When he heard my answer, Mr. Andre nodded instantly.

"All right, that's it. Exactly, I can't hang my life with that degree of reward. You have no objection?

"No problem."

"Of course."

In response to Mr Gray, who immediately agreed, Ms Iris will say one suggestion while she snorts.

"We have no objection, either, but we've come this far because of it. There's also the manager, and I'd like to hunt some lava lizards home... What do you think?

"Right. I came here because I wanted to stay, but I feel a little short on revenue and...?

Mr. Kate looks at me like she asks and tilts his neck.

On the road, I was able to collect some material, but if there was anything of great value... it's subtle.

Hell Flame Grizzlies are freaking out, so it's natural to say so, but not so much as the amount of flame stones I could pick up.

If divided evenly, whether the extra minutes will arrive to make a day's worth of money. Only to that extent.

I know you don't mind because it's an excerpt, but I can also understand the feeling that it's a waste.

"I don't mind. There is no harm in securing lava lizard materials. The question is, can you hunt safely, but... you've never hunted before, have you?

"I don't have one. I've never seen it before."

"We're the same. I don't think we're ever gonna make it here."

"Right. So at first, I'll try to kill you."

A little further away, pointing to a lava lizard rolling without a sense of crisis, I begin my commentary.

"First of all, it's the braces and tails to watch out for"

Brace needless to say, it's dangerous, but an attack by the tail is never insulting.

Its tail moves faster and stronger than you can imagine from its normal, relaxed movements.

If the hit is bad, even adult legs are broken, and you think, "Get close behind your back and attack" cheaply, you will be slapped on the leg.

"Sharp nails also seem seemingly dangerous, but you don't usually have to worry that much about them. It works when you can't move, so it's not okay to insult you."

For example, when a tail attack broke a leg bone and made it impossible to escape.

Claw attacks rolled out of thick arms seem to penetrate even Hell Flame Grizzly fur and are useless with some protective gear.

When a lava lizard fights Hell Flame Grizzlies, use the withstanding temperature and good terrain differences to lure them into muddy hot springs and kill them or something.

"So when fighting lava lizards, deep pursuit is forbidden. If you don't pay attention to your feet, you may take unexpected unconsciousness."

Even we would be in danger if we were surrounded by several lava lizards in a situation where our feet are being taken by mud and attacked with braces and nails.

The best part is how to use long weapons like ranged attacks or spears, but most of our weapons are swords, right?

There's nothing you can't do, but it's hard to say it's right for you.

I could deal with it magically, but this time it also means demonstrating to Mr. Iris...

"Okay, I'll try. It's the slightly soft part of the stomach that should be targeted. The upper side of the body is pretty sturdy, so the sword doesn't go through"

Practice once the explanation is complete.

Jump all at once from somewhat further away toward the side of the lava lizard.

Slowly approaching, brace feeding.

Swing your sword down quickly before your opponent turns his head toward you.

"Thus, even attacking from above..."

Zubang!

Golori. Bitch, bitch!

"... and like this. So you can either aim at your lower abdomen from the side or, if possible, flip it and attack it, and you can easily kill it."