Sword, Magic and Academic Society-Chapter 279Vol. 1 - - Promotion and Clan (3)

With Satowa nodding in tandem, I paraphrased the situation.

"Err, let's see... I believe I had explained till the part where I encountered another Steinberg at their nest. As a matter of fact, the second Steinberg also had its unique, but dangerous ability. ...I really managed to make out of their nest by the hair's breath."

I added some flair to the explanation. Uncle Shell's curiosity picked up and as he leaned forward, almost sliding out of the sofa.

"Heh, what kind of ability did it have?"

"Tongue... it had an abnormally long tongue, at least 25 meter long, and it moved like a snake. There would be no cue when it targeted you, it was so fast like a cannonball. And, of course, there was also this suction ability at the tongue's tip. Frankly, there was no salvation if you get caught in it, and challenging it solo had to be suicide mission. ...From my observation, the Steinberg at Area 81 had many potent magic attacks, but the second Steinberg was the definition of deadly assassin. It kicked off your 'premonition of death' like nothing else."

My back shuddered as I recall my first encounter with second Steinberg. I don't think I had ever felt so close to death than facing that tongue.

Uncle Shell's eyebrows creased as he crossed his arm at my explanation.

"Uh-huh, that's definitely a deadly ability... So, how did you cope with it?"

"What other option do I have? There was no second path to take except through the nest before me. I resolved myself for a sink or swim situation, and ultimately decided to go through the nest. But, I must be halfway into my path when the two Steinbergs suddenly wake up. At that moment, I was too far forward into the nest to retreat, and just as faraway from the exit..."

"T-that certainly sounds like a brush-off with death..."

"My words, mine soul nearly left my body. Fortunately, it appeared they're awakened by something else, so I somehow trudged forward, holding my breath. But the serpentine tongue slithered my way like a sharp arrow when nearly half of them had left for whatever reason occured..."

"Exciting! And then, what happened then?!"

"...E-exciting, you say... I evaded the first attack by hiding myself behind smaller frogs, but the Steinberg was smart. It would jump to gain a perfect angle and kept chasing me. I had to dodge sometimes here or there, then one time I was almost caught in its trap but somehow slipped past by sacrificing my quiver..."

"Woah~! Just listening to your narration makes my balls shrink from fight" (T/N - Yeah, there's basically no filter in Shell's dialogue sometime.)

"I know, right? I really didn't feel like I made my escape from them... But even that escape was short-lived. It turned out Steinberg's nest also led to the depth of Rootzenia Mining Ruins."

"Heh, the fact you didn't shat your pants is amazing! So, did it charge after you?!"

"Yeah, just when I was wondering, troubled at the loss of water when—"

—And Fifteen Minutes Later—

"—And that's how I landed into that situation. I knew I was bound to be cornered if I didn't deal with it sooner! It's either I take a gamble, or let that damned frog come after me! I had gone through mining related books in the Royal Library in my preparation for the request, and then it occurred to me that the magical coal dust could be used to induce an explosion. Then again, it was the last resort method I couldn't use nilly-willy. I mean, a wrong move, and I would even end up kicking the bucket! I had gone all over my head to see if there's any way to ensure my safety while also ending that whelp.

But, my word, that frog was such a bastard. It would strike at every opportunity...! Soon, I knew I just had to push through! I made up my mind, and somehow dodged slipped under its tongue via paper-thin margin, and grabbed hold of its upwind! I had learned from books that miners used to have water ledgers to stop fire from spreading, so I used wind magic with my left hand to control a membrane of water and stick it to me, while I pulled together the frog monsters in one place as I held a hemp cord in my right hand. Then—"

I had switched into a story narrator mode, infected by reaction from Uncle, and pulled out an actual hemp cord from my pocket. I held it in front of him, lit it up, and pointed at the ground.

"—I used wind magic to put it into fire. Ignition...... Goodbye, you bastards. Now return to dust for eternity and buried beneath... As I had muttered it, the burning hemp cord touched the coal dust, and immediately—"

'The explosion ensues,' but before I could say the remaining part, Uncle burst out in laughter.

"Hahahaha! What was even the point of monologuing to look cool in a forsaken place?! The journey was full of up and down, but the ending sure made it perfect! It's definitely a perfect story to tell in tavern~"

".....H, hey... I said don't tell anyone, didn't I?"

"Hmm? I did say I would never divulge the trade secret of explorers. That said, nothing you did is possible to be copied. And it's truly just like you to make a narrow escape from the jaw of death, and still have energy to make those cringe monologues! There's nothing to complain about. It is perfect A! Believe me, hahaha!"

".....Don't give me that crappy explanation! I will die from shame, You baldy!!!"

"Aww, pup wants to fight? Come on. This is what I like about you, to jump at even the President of Association! You're the perfect example of the new rank—General «Mad Dog» of valiant struggle!"

"Haa......? ....W-what nonsense you're blabbering. I have never heard of that rank!"

I immediately brandished my fist as the old man beckoned me with his hand while lazily stretching himself on the sofa.

T/N - Hmm, this has to be shortest chapter I guess. The rest are followed by long chapters.