Chapter 529: Why?
I poke and prod, and then—poof! I give it a squeeze and name it. Sometimes, maybe due to inexperience, there are mushrooms that don’t puff out when poked.
From the perspective of the Ex-Staff, it seems to go like this: ‘Nothing’ < ‘Poof’ < ‘Black Spirit pops out.’ For me, it’s ‘Nothing’ < ‘Black Spirit pops out’ < ‘Poof.’ Sure, it feels more rewarding when a Black Spirit appears, but poofing is just so much fun!
“Bwaaaah!”
And beneath ‘Nothing,’ there are mushrooms that squish out a ‘buni’ sound when poked. If I hit one of those, the Ex-Staff lets out a wailing sound that’s a mix of laughter and tears.
“What could it be? Is it filled with water or bacteria, making it squish? Or does it collapse from aging?”
With the light magic fixed above me, my visibility is secured, so I’m avoiding the visibly droopy mushrooms, but I still occasionally bump into a ‘buni.’
Given that mushrooms are growing here, the interior of the building is far more humid and chilly compared to outside. The thick stone walls are cool to the touch, and the gray rocks feel oddly refreshing. I hope the humidity isn’t just from those slimy mushrooms.
While pondering this, I carefully avoid the mushrooms overflowing with a gooey liquid reminiscent of a slimy mushroom max, while poking at the others for now.
The mushrooms with glowing fringes brighten even more when poked. The winged insects that had gathered around the light scatter in surprise, only to regroup almost immediately. Speaking of which, aren’t those winged insects half Black Spirits too?
When I try naming them, it seems they’re like pill bugs, forming a collective spirit. However, unlike pill bugs, they seem to be complete on their own. The winged insects from the neighboring mushroom are a different Black Spirit.
My light is magic, after all! The bugs don’t swarm me, making it quite comfortable. Well, I’m wearing goggles, and I’ve asked the Spirits to cover me with an Air Layer, so nothing’s diving into my eyes or mouth.
When I poke a mushroom that has what looks like an egg on its tip, a net suddenly expands, almost capturing me. The net touches other mushrooms, pulling them in along with it, swallowed by the egg-shaped tip.
This isn’t because it has a Black Spirit attached; it’s a type of carnivorous plant, right? And given its size, it seems like it wouldn’t just target insects. Fantasy mushrooms are terrifying!
By the way, can you eat the mushrooms here? They all look unappetizing.
Thanks to [Appraisal], I found out that the ones dripping a viscous liquid and the net-spreading ones are edible. It seems the net is the only part you can eat from the latter.
—Let’s just ignore the fact that the liquid-covered mushroom is edible. Instead, I’ll collect this liquid that looks like blue mold growing on rice cakes or oranges, as it’s said to be useful for potions.
This place is surprisingly fun, and I can gather materials too.
“Why? Why does it look so fun?”
“Why? Why are you safe?”
“Why? Why are you dressed so strangely?”
Hey, wait a minute!
Sure, I’m wearing goggles and a mask, the sleeves of my coat are tightened, and my pants are tucked into my socks! But this is how it has to be to prevent spores from getting in!
“Master, there’s something wiggling on the floor that looks like seaweed.”
“Yeah. Must be the boss of the Black Spirits around here.”
While poking at the mushrooms, it seems I’ve arrived at the center of the ruins. I’m guessing there’s a boss-like Black Spirit that sounds like a child asking “why” repeatedly, so this must be the heart of the place.
There’s also a large round rock here. It rises above the ceiling, and the back part extends beyond the walls, so I can’t see the whole thing.
The surface of the gray rock is covered with mushrooms and moss, and water drips down with a plop. At first, I thought the moisture was coming from the moss or mushrooms, but it seems like the rock is seeping water?
I see, so it’s not just the slimy mushrooms causing the dampness. This room, with the rock, has a wet floor that’s darkened by water. It’s a bit too shallow to call it a puddle, but it makes a splashing sound when I walk.
“Why? Why are you standing on two legs?”
“Why? Why are you moving on two legs?”
Correction: the Black Spirits here are not seaweed; they have a horror vibe. They’re rising up from the damp cobblestone floor.
The first thing I notice is long hair spreading across the floor. Next, I see a head with red-black eyes devoid of whites. The small moving mouth gives the impression that it’s muttering to itself, even though I can hear its voice.
“Why won’t you accept me?”
“Why can’t we be together?”
Yeah, it’s definitely muttering! It doesn’t seem like it wants to communicate with me, and I can’t make sense of it.
Above is a boy or girl with long hair, and below is a horse’s body. A centaur, perhaps? Oh, but its tail is that of a scorpion.