A Critically Injured Female Elf

Chapter 19 - A Critically Injured Female Elf

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"P-pleash... don't hurt me... please don't kill me..."

Nearing her death as she begs, the female elf in front of me timidly weeps as she trembles in pure terror. Without hesitation, I hurriedly approached her while I took a [Healing Potion]. The female elf who saw me closing into her started to tremble like crazy.

"A-ah...!" The Elf stammered as she sobs. "P-please, don't—"

"Don't worry," I spoke in assurance as I gently put the potion into her mouth. "I won't hurt you."

Goodness! Her state is worse that I imagined it to be... Not to mention her trembling response is quickly sapping her remaining strength like crazy.

The female elf stayed quiet and meekly drank the [Potion]—as tears pours down from her eyes. Gradually, all the bruises and cuts from her body has started to heal. Even the foot that has been cut-off has been miraculously started to regrow. Magic really is so convenient.

I poured some Mana into my eyes and activate ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ to check her status:

『???』

『HP: 104/360』

『MP: 20/20』

『Armor: 0』

『AGI: 30』

『DEX: 25』

『ENDURANCE: 60』

Damn, that was a very close call!

[Healing Potion] restores the person's HP by fixed 100HP. With her health looking like that, she's probably only got a few minutes before her death. I'm really glad I made it...!

As soon as her body had calmed down and felt the comfort, she weakly falls into my arm as she falls asleep. The fatigue that she's been enduring for the whole time has finally been released so it was a normal reaction.

I gently lay the elf down to the floor and covered her with a black sweater I took inside my pouch. I pondered as I began to make a [Campfire] to keep the place in a peaceful light and a comfortable warmth. While doing so, I suddenly remembered Luna. Knowing her, she probably won't be doing any reckless things...

"Man, I'm worried..." I mused.

* * *

An hour later...

Working, overthinking, and often times tending the female elf is what I did during an hour that have passed. My eyes were starting to get heavy sitting idly—and was about to fall asleep when I heard a rustling noise beside me.

"Oh? You're finally awake." I remarked. "It was faster than I expected."

The female elf slowly opened her eyes—still half-asleep. But as soon as her mind had started to warm up, with pure fear, she quickly slides away from me and began to tremble.

"Ah...! Ah—" The female elf stammered in complete shock. "P-please, don't hurt me!"

"Calm down, I won't hurt you." I gently said and took a [Bread] in my inventory, then hand it to the trembling female elf. "Here. you must be hungry, right? Eat this."

"E-eh...?" The female elf paused in surprise and looked at me in bewilderment. But after a moment, she slowly approaches me with a bit of uncertainty and took the [Bread] into my hands—like a frightened dog that's slowly being tamed at.

With a bit of hesitation, she took a bite from the [Bread]—and to my surprise, tears began to flow down from her eyes. She awkwardly tried to wipe it with both of her hands, but it just keeps flowing uncontrollably and short after, she began to weep.

Sympathizing, I can't help but frown as I watch her cry horribly. I silently waited for her to cry as to be considerate for her feelings but man, just how terrible did this girl just experienced all this time...

After a while and she started to calm down—albeit, still sobbing a little. Although, it made her very exhausted just after she just rested...

I don't want to wait another hour and she's mostly recovered so I took the [Bucket of Mana Water] and poured it into the bottle of the [Healing Potion] as a container and gave it into her.

"Here, drink this." I gently told as I hand her the water. "It'll help you get better."

Ah, now that I remembered... Luna used to take a bath to the [Mana Pool] when we're there for some time. So right now, this elf is basically drinking Luna's—

Ahem! I had no choice. Anyways, I activated ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ to her as she drank Luna's Ba— [Mana Water] I gave to her.

『???』

『HP: 289/360』

『MP: 20/20』

『Armor: 0』

『AGI: 30』

『DEX: 25』

『ENDURANCE: 60』

Good, she's mostly recovered but still not fully healed so I took another [Healing Potion].

"Here," I hand her the [Potion] which she meekly took. "Also drink that to fully heal yourself."

"T-thank you..." She timidly said and began to drink it.

Alright, everything is good to go. I don't want to be inconsiderate but I'm losing too much time. Luna might be worried sick about me now.

"Sorry to be in a hurry but we should start to leave now." I rose into the ground as I informed. "Are you feeling okay now? If yes, we should leave immediately."

"Y-yes...!" She timidly responded and slowly took my hands. "I'm okay..."

I took my [torch] and started to walk while the female elf silently follows after. I shot a look into as to check her and to my surprise, instead of putting the sweater on, she's nakedly walking with me and is just using it to cover the front of her body. When she noticed my glare, her eyes began to swim around as she blushes in embarrassment.

"Don't mind and wear that sweater I gave you." I remarked while looking ahead. "It would be bad if infections got on your body."

"Mhm..." The elf girl meekly nodded and began to wear the sweater as we walk. Oh, I forgot!

"Now that I remember, I haven't asked your name yet." I remarked then began to introduce myself. "My name is Sai—Sai Crimsonheart. And you are?"

"M-my name is Lily... Lily Helianthus..." She timidly introduced, then added. "Uhm... T-thank you for giving me food and letting me borrow your clothes..."

"Eh?!"

I abruptly stopped to my tracks and slowly turned my face into her. Did she just say Lily Helianthus? What? How and why is she in here?! Now that I clearly see her, I can barely recognize her face!

Why is Lily Helianthus—a 『Heroine』 in the game, is here?!?!?!

Lily Helianthus is one of the 『Heroines』 of the Stella game that specialize in Ranger Class. She can dish out an insane damage that can cheese almost all bosses and events in the game whenever she's on your team. It was never mentioned in the game that Lily almost died on a Cave Chamber so what the hell happened?

"Uhm... Sai?"

"Eh? Ah—It's nothing! B-by the way, how did you end up here?" I asked as to abruptly change the subject. "It would normally be impossible to get here unless you got teleported or something, did something happen?"

Despair, that's what I saw I shot a look at Lily's eyes who didn't answer my question. Oh boy, seems like I said something I shouldn't have asked.

"A-ah My bad, I shouldn't have asked." I apologized anxiously. "Please forget what I said. I—?!"

I abruptly cut my words and quickly took the 『Kusanagi』 into my pouch. Ahead of us, 3 Skeletons had emerged from the ground. Lily, who came into reality slowly stepped back in fear.

"Luna, wait here for a moment."

After my command and I quickly leaped and ⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ towards the 3 Skeletons as I unsheathe my weapon.

⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Battōjutsu⟩⟩

Slash! With blinding speed, the 3 Skeleton died instantly without even a chance to make any move. I, who was already behind them sheathe my sword back into its scabbard.

"A-amazing..." Lily who completely saw what happened had her eyes wide open and her jaw dropped dumbfoundedly.

"Let's go, Lily." I took my [Torch] back and began to continue walking.

"Ah, w-wait for me...!" Lily hastens her walk and follows behind me, then asked a question. "Are you perhaps a 『Royal Guard』, Mr. Sai?"

"Me? No. I was actually planning on enrolling into an Academy called Imperial Academy, thus, the reason why I'm here right now."

"Really?! I also enrolled on the Imperial Academy!" Lily suddenly became excited, then became timid as she added. "Though, something had happened so I doubt if I can still go to the Academy..."

"Don't worry. We're getting out of here so that we can both go into the Academy."

"Heh..." Lily forced a smile at my remark. "I wonder if it'll be that easy..."

"I know what I'm doing," I confidently remarked to assure. "Just trust me."

"I see," She slightly beamed at my remark and walked closer into me. "I'll take you up on that offer."

* * *

After walking for quite a while, we arrived at the other side which became extremely expansive in width. As I take a careful look, partial of the cave dimly shined with red crystals. Man, there were so many [Life Extract] that I can't help but smile in delight.

"Wow! It's beautiful." Lily's eyes glitters as she looks.

"I know right."

Nonetheless, it was different than I expected. In the game, you can only mostly see a number of it in a cavern but right now, I was looking at least 50 of them. Was it because compared to the game, this world was as larger as the earth?

"Lily, can we stay here for a bit? There's actually a reason why I came here in this place you see?" I remarked, then explained. "I'm mining a crystal called [Life Extract] which can be found in here."

"I see. Sure, I don't mind. If anything, is there anything I can be of help?"

"It's okay, Lily. Even if your body was healed your fatigue still hasn't fully gone yet. I suggest you take things easy and rest for now." I said as I make [Campfire] near Lily. "Ah, call me immediately if you saw some monsters. I'll take care of them."

Lily nodded at my remarks and lay down on the ground near the campfire. As for me, I took out my pickaxe—the 『Beaver Shark』 and began mining on everything my eyes can see. Forgive me Luna, looks like it'll probably take me a while since there were so many.

* * *

It took me at least an hour to completely mine all the [Life Extract] in this Cave Chamber. It was thanks to the strength of the 『Beaver Shark』 that mining went faster than I expected. Although, I can't fully concentrate on it since I need to watch Lily who was asleep while I mean in case Monsters started to attack her. Well, some did try but was dealt immediately in order not to wake-up Lily.

"Lily, wake-up. We'll began to move now."

After mining, I woke-up Lily and started to continue finding the exit of this Cave. All teleportation traps are all only connected inside the Cave Chamber which means that It'll be near to where I stepped the trap and to our current location.

As we walk, I decided and count all the [Mana Extract] I manage to mine earlier and to my surprise, I managed to get a total of 48 it which is 10 times more than you can get in the game.

Just to be sure, I put the 25 [Life Extract] on the [Water of Mana Water] so that I can use it sooner. There's a possible chance that we encounter some Monsters I was possibly expecting so it's better to be ready than not.

Briefly, the [Life Extract] I dropped in the [Bucket of Mana Water] has turned into 『5 Life Essence』. The 『Life Essence』 appeared to be of a red octagonal shaped crystal that's the size of a fist. Similar to a 『Mana Essence』 I crushed the 『Life Essence』 which permanently increased my HP by 20. I crushed the rest afterwards which led me to have 200HP thereafter.

Lily seemed to only watch me crush the crystals without making much of an expression. I saw that she already had at least 300HP on her, so I guess she already know a bit about this.

On our way, we encountered some regular monsters like Skeletons and Slimes until after, we finally reached the dead-end of the cave. Knowing this, Lily displayed a worried look on her face.

"W-what do we do Mr. Sai?"

"Ah, you don't need to worry about that." I calmly replied as I began searching on the walls carefully. "We just need to find a cavity here then we can find another passageway."

"Cavity...?" Lily asked.

"It's like an unusual placement of a rock that signifies something beyond those— Oh? found one!"

Using my pickaxe, I began mining a passageway straightly. Lily who was watching quietly followed behind while she holds the [Torch]. Not to act greedy, but I hope there are more [Life Extract] to be mined beyond this passageway.

After some mining, we finally reached beyond the Cavern which we were greeted by another one. Although...

"Lily, careful where you step." I warned as I began to walk slowly.

A Cave Chamber that was mixed with an unusual biome—green mushrooms and vines that almost surrounds every part of this Cave, creates a dim light of green that illuminate the gloomy area—giving this Cave a very beautiful but eerie kind of atmosphere.

"This place give me a very bad feeling." Lily worriedly remarked. "I don't think we should go here..."

"You're right. But I regret to tell you, it's the only way we can go through."

To tell you the truth, this place is extremely dangerous. This biome not only consist of poisonous traps, but a 『Mini-Boss』 is actively guarding a place like this so...

A 『Mini-Boss』 is normally a weaker version of a 『Boss』. But this time, that Monster active here is recommended to fight after you've progressed enough in the early game. Not to mention that the space here is limited so that's also to be concerned about.

As we begin to traverse in the Center of the place, I began to see some spores started to fall down. This is the signal! Before that, I got to warn Lily about this.

"Lily, I'll say it now, we're about to encounter a very large monster that guard this place."

I explained it without sugarcoating. My remark made Lily pale in response and is beginning to get teary-eyed.

"W-what do we do...?! C-can we really make it out here alive?!"

"I don't fully know what happened. But I'm sure you had your life experienced myriad of sufferings ever since you've come here." I quote, then confidently added. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you so just trust me!"

After my words came a violent shaking which can be felt underground to where were currently standing. Here it comes...!

"Speak of the devil." I mused as I began to look at a possible appearance. "Lily, go hide yourself. I'll deal with this bad boy."

Lily who was beginning to shake meekly nodded and sprinted towards a giant mushroom and hide.

"Come!" I shouted as I postured a quickdraw stance.

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『Green Mushroom Hare has Awoken』