Chapter 91

Ito is enveloped in a bubble barrier underwater.

What is that? It's pretty amazing in a way.

I approach and call out to him, entering the bubble barrier.

However, when I get close, I pass through a slimy membrane-like substance.

Then, with a sensation of being suctioned to the ground, I land on the seabed.

"Is this the underwater equipment?"

"Yeah, it’s a suit that creates an air membrane, allowing you to move underwater."

"Pretty handy stuff."

"Still, there’s a limit to the diving time, so it’s hard to stay underwater for long periods. There are special items that can extend that, though."

"Like an oxygen tank?"

"Exactly. If you ask Hagizawa, he can probably make one. I think it’s called... an Air Bomb."

An air bomb, huh.

I see.

"You can naturally replenish the air by passing through areas with air."

"Wow..."

"Depending on the situation, you might be able to extend the diving time by having Hashibashi transfer air."

"Air transfer? That sounds dangerous."

I’m not sure if you can specify the air, but if you can, you’d send air to the target location, right?

"Indeed... It would be best to send it to a depression where the air won’t escape."

"Prioritizing safety, of course."

By the way, the magic power consumption changes based on weight, but how about air?

After experimenting, I found out that even within a specified range, the magic power consumption is high.

Sending oxygen over a wide area to finish off an opponent would be difficult...

"By the way, isn’t there a subtle difference between the seabed and underwater?"

"It seems so. There’s something like gravity on the seabed in this world, and the water pressure is weaker in return."

Looking up, you’re pressed down by gravity from about three meters above.

On the other hand, you don’t feel the water pressure... it seems.

There must be some difference between the seabed and underwater, right?

The laws of this world are hard to grasp.

"You don’t really notice it in a game, but it feels really strange when you experience it in real life."

"True. You can walk on the seabed and fight monsters that attack you."

"Wow..."

"Still, it’s difficult to progress in very deep areas due to the water pressure."

Supplying oxygen is also a challenge.

It’s better to think of it as being able to move on the seabed.

"Whoa, let’s stop the experiment here."

"Yeah, this glove seems to allow you to swim and fight underwater."

It’s not equipment for walking on the seabed.

The diving limit seems to be about 10 minutes. After 5 minutes, you start to feel short of breath, and at 10 minutes, you’re on the verge of suffocation if you don’t take a breath.

It’s not suitable for long dives.

"Ha-ha-ha! So fast!"

"Voff!"

I can see Jitsu and Kumako swimming happily on the surface.

From the seabed, the surface looks sparkling and very beautiful.

"Let’s head back to the beach early."

"Sounds good."

So, we walked back to the beach from the seabed.

Thanks to the air membrane, Ito isn’t very wet.

The equipment has a water-repellent effect.

During combat, the air membrane also protects against attacks from monsters.

On the way back, Ito told us that fish-like monsters can swim inside the membrane, which is a mysterious structure.

We plan to explore the seabed with Mochinobu’s equipment, which should be completed tomorrow.

"Adventurers and knights regularly clear out monsters in that area—"

Ito points to the sea.

There are a few small islands, but the area beyond the farthest one is where the ruins are.

"Beyond that, there are sunken ruins where monsters tend to gather. If left alone, the monsters can increase and attack the land, so they are regularly thinned out."

"I see. Ruins?"

"Yeah, I haven’t confirmed it, but they were built a long time ago. Miki told me this. There are various speculations about treasures and such, but the entrance to the ruins is heavily guarded, and you can’t enter. The monsters are also quite strong."

"Wow... Are we going to go there?"

"No, the main goal this time is to level up everyone. Some might want to go and check it out, though."

"Voff"

Kumako and Jitsu finish their swim and return to the shore.

They looked like they had a lot of fun.

I returned the glove to Kumako and finished the experiment.

"Voff voff"

"Yeah, it was very fun."

Kumako looks at me with her eyes, grabs my hand, and wants to swim with me.

"Hey, take me too!"

"Ku... Hashibashi, getting along so well with Jitsu!"

Hagizawa looks jealous.

If you’re jealous, just swim with us.

Besides, we’re not in that kind of relationship.

...I have no intention of falling in love.

I stopped thinking about it.

"Hagizawa, if you’re jealous, just come."

"Hashibashi, you’re the best! I’ll go right away!"

"Jitsu, just say you want to play with her."

"Eh? Does Hagizawa-kun want to swim with Kumako-chan too? Sure, that’s fine."

When I wave, she comes right over. What are you, really?

I can’t quite read Hagizawa’s actions lately.

Ito seems to understand, though.

"You guys get along well. I’ll just read the manga Hashibashi brought, then."

Ito starts reading the manga he brought to the beach, just like yesterday.

You really love manga, don’t you?

I’m getting a bit tired of the beach, but swimming with Kumako carrying us was surprisingly fast and enjoyable.

Even with the benefits of levels and stats, it’s different from humans swimming.

After such a beach day, the sun set once again.

Honestly, it’s supposed to be a training camp, but everyone seems to be refreshing themselves.

Incidentally, the inn’s renovation is complete, and it has become a large beachside resort.

I wonder how serious they are about staying here... The villagers are also very happy.

Rambles told us that adventurers are eager to stay at the renovated inn and reservations are pouring in.

And at night,

Mochinobu shows us the underwater equipment.

It’s the same as what Ito had.

Bubble Armor: Air Membrane (Large), Water Resistance (Medium), Underwater Movement (Small)

Bubble Cloak: Air Membrane (Medium), Underwater Movement (Slight)

Sea God’s Protection: Air Membrane (Small)

"Here’s the Bubble Armor. It’s a suit for underwater use. This is the Bubble Cloak... it’s worn under better armor than the Bubble Armor. Sea God’s Protection is simply for moving underwater."

By the way, Mochinobu made the Bubble Armor, the tailor made the Bubble Cloak, and Hagizawa and the tailor made the Sea God’s Protection.

"There are differences in the sizes, right?"

"Yeah, according to the story, the diving time varies. For those who seriously want to hunt on the seabed, the Bubble Armor and Bubble Cloak are best. For sightseeing, the Sea God’s Protection is good enough."

"Starting tomorrow, we’ll recruit candidates for the seabed exploration."

"Seems so. Apparently, the experience points are quite good, so it will serve as a final touch for the combat group’s training."

I see.

"Koichi, the Full Metal Turtle’s chest plate should be fine, right?"

"Yeah."

"Gau?"

"Kumako... use the Sea God’s Protection."

Ah, Mochinobu is having trouble.

There’s no Kumako-sized clothing.

Besides, Kumako will probably come in walrus mode and can swim underwater.

Using the glove effectively should control oxygen consumption, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

"Gau!"

"Ito said there are ruins ahead on the seabed. Also, Hagizawa wants rare materials from monsters in the deeper areas."

"That’s right. I heard that too."

"What do the others think?"

"Bringing back the people for the base is going well. With the various expanded abilities, we should be able to earn more efficiently when we return to the town below the castle."

It’s a good trend.

Kumako and I have also leveled up quite a bit.

However, even though our levels have increased, the desired abilities haven’t appeared.