SL:R

Chapter 15

It was natural for the gate to be guarded by a checkpoint.

[It looks like they were mining mana stones in the dungeon.]

“Yeah, exactly.”

As Beru had said, plenty of mining carts were lined up outside the gate. Seeing the carts filled with mana stones, it seemed like the miners had just finished their work and left for the day.

Typically, they wouldn’t have left so many mana stones lying around like that, but it was possible in a field-type dungeon.

‘Because there wouldn’t have expected any thieves sneaking around this mountain at night to steal some mana stones.’

But coincidentally, there was a thief here now.

Crunch, crunch.

[Wow, this place is a treasure trove of mana stones.]

Before anyone realized it, Beru had flown to the carts and started picking up and eating the mana stones. He had expressed disapproval initially, but now it seemed like he enjoyed eating the mana stones.
[They have a subtle and chewy taste.]

Beru chewed on the mana stones and looked around his surroundings. Then, after confirming that there was no sign of anyone around, Beru called out to Sooho.

[I guess everyone has gone home. Can’t even see a single ant larva.]

– Count properly. You’re the ant larva.

[Oh? My little king, is the handle of your sword a little too long? Should I take a bite to shorten it?

– Hmph. If you eat me, it will be difficult for you to find relics in the sanctuary, won’t it?

“That’s true. Stop drooling, Beru.”

[Burp. Understood.]

Beru replied casually and finished swallowing the remaining crumbs of mana stones.

In fact, eating Rakan’s Fang would have been much more energizing than eating a truckload of mana stones like this. But since Sooho finally had a weapon he could use after a long time, Beru couldn’t ask for it, so he had no choice but to eat the stones.

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.

– …

Rakan’s Fang trembled. Even as Beru chewed on the mana stones, he watched the sword with eyes dripping with regret. At this moment, Sooho’s hand holding it felt incredibly reliable.

– Now, go through the gate. There should be a sanctuary beyond.

“Wait a moment.”

At that moment, Sooho suddenly turned and hid behind the guard post. Then he narrowed his eyes and stared at the gate.

‘Somebody’s there.’

Just then, someone walked out from inside the gate, but it wasn’t just one or two people.

‘Have the miners not gone home yet?’

Unlikely.

Staying outside the field-type dungeon until it got this dark was too risky for the way out. Besides, there was no reason to work until this late, as mining didn’t require a day’s work.

So, in the end, they must be attack Hunters, but that was even stranger.

‘With all the magic beasts outside the gate, why would an attack team have anything to do inside the gate?’

At that moment, Beru quickly jumped onto Sooho’s shoulder and whispered in a small voice.

[Little King, something’s strange. I smell the scent of beasts from them.]