Chapter 8

When I woke up before Tarte, there were a few fallen monsters outside the [Holy Light Domain Barrier].

Waking up to see monster corpses is the worst feeling.

It seems they attacked while I was sleeping, but how is the durability of the [Holy Light Domain Barrier] holding up?

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Holy Light Magic [Holy Light Domain Barrier]

Durability 30,000/30,000

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As expected of my mental strength. The durability hasn't decreased at all.

Now that I've confirmed this, let's deal with these monsters.

Basically, I've heard from the adventurer training sessions that if a monster's corpse remains in one place for a certain amount of time, it will decay and decompose into the atmosphere, becoming nutrients to spawn new monsters.

So if I had finished off Tarte back then, it would have eventually decomposed and become nutrients for a new Catastrophe Dragon.

Thinking about it now, I'm really glad I didn't finish it off.

By the way, even if Tarte becomes my familiar, the Catastrophe Dragon, the boss of the 390th floor, will still revive. Otherwise, it wouldn't be able to guard the floor.

However, it will take a considerable amount of time. It takes years to spawn a monster of that strength. The 390th floor is definitely an uncharted area, so a significant amount of time must have accumulated, which is why it had such stats.

The same can be said for the floor bosses above the 390th floor.

Having experienced the battle with the Catastrophe Dragon, I plan to avoid floor boss battles for a while. I was curious about the floor boss of the 380th floor, but I didn't engage in combat.

Starting with the strongest boss rather than the weakest one won't be much of a hindrance for me.

However, as someone in a hurry to escape to the surface, it's a waste of time. I might challenge them eventually, though.

Now, let's go back to the topic.

About the monster corpses.

Actually, the phenomenon of decomposition doesn't occur if you bring the monsters back as materials. The same applies if you process the materials into equipment.

It's quite mysterious, and this mystery has yet to be solved.

Well, thanks to this, I can sell medicines that cure diseases and weapons that adventurers need.

Still, what should I do with these monsters?

They haven't decomposed yet, so it hasn't been that long. Probably 1-2 hours before I woke up.

Using spatial magic to bring them back is one option. There's a spatial magic called [Interdimensional Storage Box].

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Spatial Magic [Interdimensional Storage Box]

Can move and store objects in a separate dimension.

Capacity is influenced by the magic user's magical power.

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My [Interdimensional Storage Box] is about 50 meters square.

Oh, if the capacity is influenced by magical power, then it's even larger because I receive status corrections from Tarte.

Thinking about how it's even larger when I already have few items stored in it makes me feel a bit empty.

To fill this emptiness, I'll start bringing back the monsters I defeat from now on.

As it turns out, I don't have any money.

Well, to be precise, I did.

The license I recorded on a crystal also serves as a bank account.

I had saved up a considerable amount of money, but if you don't renew your license once a year, it becomes invalid and is just a piece of paper.

Of course, I haven't renewed it for three years, so the money I saved is gone.

It might seem unreasonable, but once you renew it, it's valid for a year.

And there's a year-long validity period, and the renewal process doesn't take much time.

Renewal is possible at all adventurer guilds, and it's recommended to renew every six months. It's your own fault if you don't.

I was told multiple times at the adventurer training sessions to be careful about this.

It's a pretty strict rule, really...

If I don't have any money when I get to the surface, I won't be able to eat anything good, so I'll have to sell the monsters at the adventurer guild or stores to exchange them for money and start saving again from scratch.

By the way, I've heard a rumor that if a party member dies or goes missing due to an accident, the items and money they left behind can be inherited.

It's just a rumor, so I don't know if it's true, but if it is, there's a high possibility that the money I saved was used by Adol and the others.

When I told them I was being let go and they agreed to accompany me for the last time, it might have been for that reason.

They must have had a great time with the money I saved!

It's pointless to get angry over possibilities, but thinking about what they did to me makes me incredibly frustrated.

"…Qu?"

It seems Tarte has also woken up.

And as if to calm my frustration, Tarte has come closer to me.

Ah, this child is truly my healing presence. She easily heals things that can't be cured by healing magic.

"Thank you, Tarte."

I stroked Tarte's head.

I feel like I can't live without Tarte anymore.

Let's stop thinking about Adol and the others.

When their faces come to mind, I can't focus on appreciating Tarte.

They probably think I'm already dead.

Even if they're still adventurers, the chances of encountering Adol and the others in such a vast world are slim.

Well, I don't really want to see their faces either, so it's fine if we don't meet.

Some corrections have been made. This does not affect the main story.