Chapter 8

Standing in front of the large rock left over from making the room, I pondered what kind of room to create.

With the size of this rock, I could probably make two rooms. Since I've never studied construction, even if the rooms end up a bit small, I'll leave the walls thick to support the ceiling. I think a width of about fifty centimeters should be enough to support the ceiling.

Since I can't figure it out just by thinking, I'll just build the room and check afterward. I'll make the room with an entrance and exit into a kitchen, and the adjacent room into a bedroom.

Even calling it a bedroom, it's going to be tough without bedding. If I make a bed out of driftwood, it might be a bit more comfortable since wood is softer than rock. It would be more comfortable if I had some plants, but not even weeds grow in the land of death... I've really been sent to a terrible place.

I started by creating the entrance and exit, then carefully made two rooms of about six tatami mats each. It's just a building with walls and a roof, but compared to yesterday's cave, it's much better. The only thing I'm worried about is whether the ceiling will collapse.

Oh, I forgot to make a toilet. Even if I can take care of small business anywhere, it's tough for the big one. I don't want to dig a hole in the rock for the big one. It's a hassle, but I'll make a simple toilet in a place with soil.

I managed to create a satisfactory result. I went outside and pushed the walls in various places. Hmm, they don't budge at all... Is it safe just because they don't move when pushed by human strength? If I hit them with a hammer, they might shatter. What should I do?

"Are you not going to make windows?"

As I was wondering if it was complete, Sylphie brought up another challenge.

"Hmm, I did think about it, but I'm worried about the strength, and I don't know what might happen, so I'll skip the windows. We can barricade ourselves with rocks at the entrance and exit. If I can get more wood, I'll rebuild a more comfortable house."

"You're thinking of it as a temporary home, right?"

"Yeah, there might be a better place, so it's not worth making a fancy house."

"Dark..."

The young fairy spirit had somehow entered the house and was complaining about the darkness. Of course, only light comes in from the entrance and exit.

"It's almost dark, but are you going to rest today?"

What should I do? I only had two slices of bread for breakfast, so I want to eat something substantial for dinner. Also, I need to level up by defeating zombies and skeletons when it gets dark.

I easily defeated the Death Lizard, but it was too intimidating. I'll practice with zombies and skeletons, which are apparently easy to defeat, and quickly make a contract with Sylphie.

"I'll prepare the kitchen so we can eat before it gets dark. After we finish eating and it gets dark, I want to go out and defeat some zombies and skeletons. Will you come with me?"

"You're full of energy. Alright, I'll help. I can only tell you where the monsters are, but I'll help."

"Help!"

"Thanks. I want to level up steadily and make a contract quickly, so I'll do my best."

"I'm looking forward to it. We're part of the wind, so call us before you leave after finishing your meal. We'll know as soon as you call from outside."

"Got it. Thanks."

After parting ways with Sylphie and the young fairy spirit, I entered the room and tried to make simple furniture out of rock... but I didn't know how to do it.

First, I cast a light ball to brighten the room. Hmm, let's start with a table and chairs. I made a rectangular rock for the table and a square rock for the chair... done. Is this good enough? It's a temporary home, so there's no point in being too particular.

Next... I'll make a place for cooking. I want to make a brick grill like at a campsite, but I don't have a grate... not having cooking utensils is inconvenient.

I checked the exploration tools to see if there was anything I could use. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any cooking utensils or dishes. I think cooking utensils and dishes are necessary for exploration...

Although I'm not entirely satisfied, there's nothing I can do about it. I'll think about what I can do. I'll use branches I picked up from the sea as fuel. Dishes can be made by whittling driftwood, but the problem is metal products. Is there anything I can use?

While checking the exploration tools, I noticed a certain tool. I read in a manga that this can be used as a pot, didn't I?

I took out the magic shovel and checked it. ...Yeah, it works. It can change size, and it has a depression, so it can be used for cooking. It might be harder to use than proper cooking utensils, but it's much better than nothing. Manga can be useful.

Alright. I'll make a grill out of rock. I should be able to carve out a grill shape from the rock. If the rock cracks from the heat of the fire, I can quickly rebuild it because of its simple structure. In the worst case, I can move the fire away from the shovel.

I did it! I carved out the top of a rectangular rock with the magic shovel to create a space for burning firewood. To allow air to flow, I used the magic chisel and hammer to make holes.

I resized the hammer to a mallet and hit the magic chisel, and holes opened up with a "thud." It was so much fun that I got carried away and made more holes... I'm a bit worried about the strength.

"Should I try it out?"

It's lonely without anyone to talk to. I took out the driftwood I picked up from the sea. It seems that it doesn't rain in the land of death, so it's completely dry. This should work as firewood.

I put small branches into the grill and used the fire-starting magic to light them. It took a while, but the fire grew, and I added larger branches. It burned well, but even though it was dry, some smoke came out. And without any ventilation, it was smoky. If I had blocked the entrance and exit, using fire would have been dangerous.

I cast a cleaning spell on the shovel, adjusted its size, and placed it on the grill. It looks good. Since there's no water, I'll eat frozen carbonara pasta this time. It's for the microwave, but it should be edible if heated over a fire.

I broke the bag and placed it on the shovel. After a "sizzle," it started to vibrate violently. The heat was too intense. I moved the shovel away from the fire to lower the temperature.

It was close. If I had left it, the outside would have burned while the inside remained cold. From now on, I'll melt the pasta to a certain extent before cooking it. I have one carbonara and two napoletana frozen pastas left.

Since there are so few, I want to get water as soon as possible and switch to instant foods. I have five packs of miso, soy sauce, and tonkotsu ramen.

I can eat up to three servings of each without any problem. I want to hit myself for not buying salt-flavored ramen when I was indecisive. I heard that it's better not to buy when you're indecisive, but this time, I should have bought it.

Oh, right, I also bought aluminum pot noodles. I think there are four types: tempura udon, burdock tempura udon, fox udon, and sukiyaki udon. I can use them as pots.

There was a warning not to reuse or use them for other purposes, but since this is a different world, it can't be helped, right? In that case, I can use the containers of cup noodles and cup ramen as plates.

The carbonara started to melt, and I realized I didn't have chopsticks. I quickly took out two small branches, cast a cleaning spell, and used them as chopsticks.

I stirred the frozen and hard parts with the chopsticks and heated them over a low fire... I really appreciate the convenience of modern appliances. I desperately want a microwave or a gas stove.

While wishing for things I don't have, I finally finished warming the pasta. There are some burnt parts in the sauce, but for a first try, it's not bad. I shrunk the shovel, which I used as a frying pan, to the size of a plate and placed it on the table.

This time, I'll eat with the branch chopsticks, but when I have time, I'll make proper chopsticks and a fork. I also need a spoon. For a knife... a wooden knife is different, so I'll use the magic survival knife as a substitute.

I slurped the pasta, making a sound. It's rude, but it's delicious. I only had two slices of bread this morning and missed dinner last night. It's been a while since I've had a proper meal, and I want to devour it, but I'll savor it slowly.

As I continued eating, savoring each bite, I felt a sudden sadness after finishing the last bite. What should I do with the remaining carbonara sauce on the shovel?

Even though no one is watching, it's embarrassing to lick the shovel directly... Ah! I'll take out a slice of bread and use it to wipe the remaining carbonara sauce. I want to eat it right away, but I'll store it in the magic bag.

This way, the next time I eat, I'll have bread with carbonara sauce instead of plain bread. Thanks to the time-stop function.

However, I finished a two-liter bottle of tea with this meal. I have instant coffee and tea bags, so if I can get water, I can enjoy them for a while. But the only non-alcoholic drink I have left is the two-liter bottle of tea.

I need to secure water as soon as possible, or I'll have to quench my thirst with alcohol. By the way, I bought stick sugar for the instant coffee, but it would have been better to buy sugar in a plastic bag with a rose mark. Sugar is valuable in a different world, right? That's the image from novels.

If I had known I was going to be sent to a different world, I would have borrowed money and bought as much as I could. It's so disappointing that I can think of so many things I need now. At least, if I had bought water, it would have made a big difference.

I cast a cleaning spell on the shovel and chopsticks and stored them. The chopsticks were stored in the magic bag, and the shovel was automatically stored in the exploration tools. It's so convenient.

Speaking of convenience, the cleaning spell is even more convenient... If I could teach this magic in Japan, I would become very popular among housewives and make a fortune. But it would cause a big fuss just because I can use magic, so it's impossible.

Alright, I feel energized after a delicious meal. I'll defeat some zombies and skeletons and level up. Thank you for reading.