Chapter 328

────... The afterglow of the avalanche has finally vanished.

"Book..."

We just kept breathing and hugging until Uranus spoke in a low voice after a while. He took a card out of the Binder that appeared and threw it away. In its place, I picked up the card at my feet and snapped it.

"Book.

Hahaha...

It's okay... I'm tired."

Uranus erased the Binder and sank into the ground. I also knelt down to support my body. It was as if the mood I had just felt was a lie. You could even see it from the top of this clothing.

The amount of snow on the slope has decreased significantly. Most of it has flowed down the slope, and the ground we were trying to climb is even spotless.

"Are you okay... Uranus?"

"Mm.

Cough, cough, cough..."

"... Not at all."

"Please tell me later what your ability is now.

This seems to be a fairly major move."

Or rather, I don't understand why. What on earth could you do to prevent this kind of snow?

Seam rubbed her teary eyes excitedly,

"This is amazing...

I was really scared, but this was fun."

Uranus smiled weakly,

"Haha...

If it was fun, then that's all there is to it.... Sorry for making you feel scared."

"... No."

"No way, it's not an ability to resist avalanches, is it?"

Regardless, I don't think I would develop my own ability for this.

"No way...

It's just an ability that is effective against avalanches. It's hard to use, but..."

"Now... never mind that kind of talk.

Seam, you still have tea, right? For this child."

"Yes!"

I must have been exhausted from this climb. I made a mistake about the snowman. You did a good job in stopping the avalanche.

Uranus drank the tea he received from Seam, then breathed,

"Hmm... it's a question of whether it's uphill or downhill...

The Hot Spring is harder to find, I don't know if I should climb the slope..."

Because it's close to the Hot Spring, wow...

Even if I look for items in the avalanche trail, there is a possibility that monsters will appear."

"If I get to the Hot Spring, will the monster appearance rate decrease?"

"Maybe..."

Then I have no choice but to do so. After soaking in the Hot Spring, look for avalanche traces?

"But come on.

I think you can find it if you look, but isn't it not always possible to find the Hot Spring quickly?

You don't have much energy left, do you?"

"Even if I go to the top of the mountain, if there is no hope of Discovery, I will go down the mountain.

... Seam, can you try a little harder?"

"Yes."

"Okay.

... Oh, sorry. Let me rest for five minutes."

"Are you okay?

... He is a helpless person."

I smiled bitterly and continued to support the soft Uranus, who was leaning back.

After a short rest, we reached the top of the steep slope, and a flat snowfield spread out before us.

Due to the avalanche, the area felt good, with almost no snow. The Sun reflected off the snow, and the scenery was beautiful, partly because it was high up.

"Hmm. You finally made it this far..."

Uranus looked at the surrounding environment with an expression that was either satisfied or exhausted.

"Ah...?

Don't you see something like steam over there?"

Seam pointed to the location. Is it just on the other side of the excitement? Hmm... how is it? I don't know. It does feel whitish, but it's so bright that I can't tell.

Uranus stared at it,

"... Yeah. It should be Hot Spring steam.

I remember the aura I felt somehow."

Ho. ──Ah!?

"Hmm, you can distinguish that kind of thing very well..."

"If I hadn't been told, I would have realized the confidence I had at this distance."

"Hmm? Seriously?

It seems, did you find it?"

"I can't tell the difference at all..."

Because it is almost all white. My eyes have become accustomed to that whiteness, and I cannot even see the steam in the distance.

"Even if you use 'grass', I don't understand..."

"The distance is far.

If I walk as fast as I can, I can minimize encounters with monsters.

... You are very helpful, Seam. Thank you."

"Hehehe"

Oh, my god, I am so happy to see your pretty face.

We walked straight in the direction Seam pointed, and fortunately we arrived at the location without encountering any monsters.

"Oh oh..."

Meleoron put his hand to his mouth and made a sound; he was even moved.

A magnificent natural Hot Spring opened unnaturally in the snow. It was full of hot steam. This might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it is another world.

"Without a doubt, this is the Beautiful Skin Hot Spring I was looking for. Seam, you did a great job."

"You did it, Seam!"

"This is amazing. This is a wonderful observation."

"Don't praise me so much..."

Shining Seam. The sight when it intertwines with the water is truly magical. First of all, it must have been derived from a Chimera Ant, but it might have been a quality from the beginning. Being able to reach this point is the realm of talent.

Meleoron stared with interest,

"By the way. Are you entering this Hot Spring?"

"No no, don't say that.

I understand how you feel, but if you go in like that, you will catch a cold."

"Ah, really?

Even just being exposed to the steam like this makes a big difference."

Certainly. The air you breathe is different. On the contrary, it is a bit hot and humid.

"I have to sweat, so let's keep it this way.

It seems, put your hand on the tub."

"Hmm?

Oh, wait a minute. I'm going to take off my gloves...

Hmm, like this?"

Seam, having taken off the gloves, placed a hand on the edge of the Hot Spring.

Boom! And the entire Hot Spring disappeared, turning into a card.

"4: Beautiful Skin Hot Spring"

Grade A Card, limit 15

A Hot Spring that can cure all your skin problems.

Taking a bath for 30 minutes every day will make your skin as smooth as a baby's.

Seam looked at the card in front of the bare ground, where the snow must have already melted in the heat of the Hot Spring.

"... Should this be given to Aisha?"

"I don't know."

"Yes, Aisha."

Seam tried to hand over the card in hand. After thinking for a while,

"This is your credit, you can keep it for a while."

"Hmm?

But if I have it, it might get stolen, right?"

"You should have plenty of Specified Pocket cards.

I also put in an S-Rank Floating Stone, so I think it's too late now."

"Seam, please eat for at least one day today."

"... Yes, I understand. Book."

Seam seemed to happily stuff the card into the Specified Pocket of the Binder.

"Well, since the monster encounter rate has returned to normal, let's go down the slope this time."

"Perhaps the search range is wide, isn't it?"

"I agree...

I will look for it while going down that slope."

Then back on the slope, carefully walking down the soft snow path. After all, the monster encounter rate seemed to have dropped; after the Discovery of the Hot Spring, I only encountered a mole once.

After a while, when I went down halfway down the steep slope,

"Hmm. Found one."

Retsu changed course, and we followed closely behind. Retsu eventually stopped, pointing downward with a fingertip.

"I am here, but...

I have to dig the snow out."

"Does it look deep enough?"

"No, it's about fifty centimeters away."

"Then I'll go dig."

If you hesitate, the "Perimeter" will soon begin to weaken.

Extend your arms into the snow, apply pressure to make it Hard, then lift gently.

"It's like digging or planing."

Poor Meleoron. This is simple.

Quickly set the snow aside. Attempt to repeat again.

"Ah, Aisha, that's enough. Lost."

Put your hand into the snow dug out by Uranus and—bang! And smoke.

"4604: Snow Hat"

Rank H Card limit 828

A hat belonging to someone who came out of the snow.

... Yes. You were wrong.

Found it when going a bit further down, this time the seam challenged. Tried hard to dig, and the result was—

"4606: Frozen Shoes"

Rank H Card limit 825

Shoes belonging to someone who came out of the snow.

"What is this..."

"As you can see, shoes."

"So, are you going to take this?"

"You can't be there.

No activity, cheaper than a Monster Card, the real deal."

A seam littering, looking very bored. I know how you feel.

"—He went!?"

Huh, something pricked me!?"

"Ah...

It might be frozen and Hard.

... Here, that's it."

"4608: Frozen Brush"

Rank H Card limit 909

A mysterious brush that emerged from the snow.

"Maka!!"

An angry Meleoron picked up his Brush and smashed it into the snow. A brush jumping and flying somewhere. Absolutely... too many pranks. I'm totally kidding.

I went down while searching, but when I reached the end of the slope, I couldn't find it. Below the slope—a large amount of snow had flowed down, and Uranus looked around; the landscape within had changed significantly.

"Failed a while ago, but was it really a success?"

"Since we have already found the other two places, one of them must be the jackpot.

Well, which one?"

"Is there any way to know in advance?"

"No. Just leave it to luck."

The three of them sighed at the same time: "Ha..." Since that's the case, it doesn't matter which one it is, so why don't you hurry up? I want you to finish this quickly.

When it snows, Uranus digs snow diligently like a cat, not like a dog.

"Shh! I found it!!"

"451: Frozen Platinum Ring"

D-Rank Card limit 52

A widow looking for the remains of a man who died in an avalanche.

A wedding ring engraved with the widow's name.

Uranus removes the slime card, throws it away, and replaces it with the Ring card.

After looking at the Binder, Warmth suddenly raised his gaze, shocked to see our indescribable expressions.

"... Ah, um, yes.

Everyone did their best. Thank you all."

"Wow, that feeling of being taken care of."

"Uranus is sneaky!"

"I didn't know where the jackpot was from the beginning..."

"No, no, that's not true! Then, I will be the one to lose the rest—"

"Are you kidding me.

It's fine, let's go home early."

"Yeah, you can go home!?"

"Yes."

"Omara."

After the four of them laughed together for a while, Uranus showed a smile.

"Thank you all very much for your hard work.

This is the end of everything you were supposed to do in the Snow Mountain!

So I will be right back. — 'Accompanied', open, Snowflake."

Just like that, we soared through the snowy winter sky.

We arrived at Snowflake City, a city covered in white snow.

"Hahaha..."

Perhaps the tense strings had been cut, for the three of them collapsed beautifully.

"I'm so bored..."

"I can't walk anymore..."

"Ugh..."

Hey, hey, hey, it would be troublesome if we were crushed to death in a place like this. What if another player comes along?

"You were all just standing a moment ago, weren't you?"

"Yeah... well, just like Aisha said."

"Hey, it's dangerous if you get stuck in a place like this.

Please do your best until you reach a place where you can rest."

"Aisha, how did you..."

Compared to Uranus in "Hero Hero". I also want to rest, but I'm not done yet. It's snowing here too.

"Listen, I will look after your luggage, both of you stand up.

Meleoron, it's a bit cold here, so please stay calm."

"Hmm, that's right, but come on."

I rubbed around my joints, so I guess it must be cold. But Meleoron might be the most elegant one in the Phantom Troupe.

"Uranus, let's go open an Inn.

Are you going to sleep here tonight too?"

"That is correct.

I am going to give that couple a night at the Hot Spring as a gift, so we have to stay here too..."

"Aisha, I'll carry the luggage, lend me your shoulder."

"... Is that so?"

"Hmm, not bad, not bad.

I can walk... hmm. Hey?"

Uranus rose. With such a cheerful call,

"I can't believe that floating feeling.

You don't want to accidentally slip, so let's do this."

"Ah..."

From the city gate, passing through a narrow alley covered in thick snow for a moment, we arrived at a slightly large but quaint Hot Spring Inn.

Hmm... my goal is to create an atmosphere like a long-established inn. The shop name is also the yumomeonsenryokan "Kotonoyuin", which is also quite Heavy.

"You often find places like this, don't you?

Why don't you love Japan?"

When I asked Uranus who was guiding me, he exhaled so that I could hear his voice,

"Even an Aisha like this likes this kind of Eastern light, right?"

"Yes, that is correct.

Did I mention that I hate Japan?"

"I didn't say that.

... Pfft, although I teased you, it didn't go well either."

"N/A."

"But Snowflake isn't all about inns like this, is it?"

"Well.

This city has Hotels, Hot Spring resorts, and pensions.

If anything, you want to relax in a secluded place."

"Hey, you two.

Stop flirting, let's hurry inside."

"Are there games here too?"

"Ah.

Snow Mountain climbing results.

Consumed items: 16 Kairo, 16 homemade Rice Balls, total Jenny 2067.

Purchase amount: Time required (start climbing ~ use Movement Spell): 3 hours 17 minutes 40 seconds. Breakdown of cards obtained (cards with a sales price below 1000 Jenny were discarded except for the necessary quantity): 1 '4: Beautiful Skin Hot Spring', 1 '451: Frozen Platinum Ring', 2 '516: Yeti', 5 '538: Dire Wolf', 48 '546: Silver Fox', 5 '672: Crystal Ball', 21 '709: Snow Mall', 1 '713: White Mouse', 1 '717: Whip Rabbit', 15 '725: Cool Slime', 5 '734: Swan Hawk', 5 '758: Ice Phantom'.