For Shaka, the Fire Fairy Cloth was a risk-free venture but for adventurers who'd hit setbacks and needed to return to the surface, it was essential. Even if they had to take out loans, they'd sometimes buy it anyway.
But such "unlucky ones" were few and far between. After an hour of waiting, they'd only sold one piece.
Lily watched with envy...
"400,000 Faris gross profit per item what a huge haul."
She'd taken advantage of the stall too, sitting on Shiro's lap to spread out her own supplies. She'd sold a couple small items, earning a few thousand Faris...
"Isn't this better than stealing?"
Lily suddenly felt that thievery was a dead-end path.
Shiro stroked Lily's head as she mumbled: "Life's just a trash game. Find the right strategy or bug, and you can reach the top in no time."
Sora's lips twitched at that thought: If life were really a trash game, we wouldn't have become shut-ins. No self-awareness at all...
"I see." Lily seemed to understand yet not quite.
If life was a trash game, then hers must be a bug in that game.
"Don't worry if you don't get it just enjoy the moment." Shiro squinted happily as she petted Lily's animal ears.
Elsewhere...
"Cloud-shaped fruit is definitely better!"
"Crystal candy tastes way better!"
Dekomori and the black cat had left, arguing as they made plans to find the special dungeon-only fruits. Crystal Candy teardrop-shaped and sweet was extremely rare, with nobles paying 30,000 Faris apiece in Orario.
Only Miko was left alone.
Unlike her distinctive companions, she was just an ordinary girl afraid of ghosts and worried about gaining weight from sweets. Ironically, her life was anything but ordinary.
A month in this world had taught her plenty of "useless knowledge" from the "seniors" things like the invisible boundary line and the will of the abyss. She'd even earned the nickname "Demon Eye."
"The seniors are all so amazing I'm not scared at all."
Miko walked along a forest path as a gentle breeze carried the earthy scent of nature. Only now could she truly enjoy solitude and appreciate the beauty around her.
"Ah a world without ghosts or monsters is perfect." She lay on the grass, gazing up through the trees at the sky.
"The dungeon's really incredible. Even without the sun, it creates a 'daytime' feel."
She'd originally entered this world just to get proper sleep so she could face monsters the next day. Now she was a bit greedier, but still longed for normalcy.
"How wonderful to have a quiet afternoon alone without worrying about monsters jumping out."
Miko closed her eyes, soaking in the moment as she listened to insects chirping, leaves rustling, and water flowing...
"Flowing water?"
She rolled over and stood up, her rounded rear shifting under her panties as she walked deeper into the woods. Parting a bush, she peeked through...
A waterfall pond shimmering with light came into view.
"This is..."
Miko's face lit up as she stepped forward to scoop up water and splash it on her face.
So cold...
The water was crystal clear she could see fish and shrimp darting along the blue riverbed. She kicked off her shoes and socks to soak her tired feet in the water.
"Ah... so comfortable."
The fish and shrimp swarmed around her feet, nibbling at dead skin and fungus.
"Oh it tickles!" Miko squeezed her legs together and rubbed them, enjoying the sensation. Then a bolder idea crossed her mind.
After checking that no one was around, she carefully undressed, laid her clothes neatly on the bank, and dove into the pond.
Happy moments pass quickly. When Miko popped her head up and shook water from her hair, she spotted something that seemed out of place.
Turning her head, she saw a cluster of mounds with a dozen rusted weapons stuck in them.
"Is that... a grave?"
Miko shivered, ducking back underwater and blowing bubbles: No way there shouldn't be ghosts here. Mr.Shaka said reincarnation exists in this world.
After muttering to herself, she climbed out, dressed properly, and approached the graves.
Withered white flowers lay on the mounds someone visited regularly, but there were no markers to identify the deceased.
"Whose graves are these?"
The only clues were the weapons stuck in the earth. Miko slowly reached out, thinking she could clean off the rust to find some trace of their owners.
"I'd advise you not to do that."
A cold, indifferent voice came from behind. Miko froze, slowly turning around.
A woman stood there long white hair, closed eyes, delicate features. A black battle robe hugged her curvy figure, with only her chest exposed.
"So big..." Miko compared herself secretly, realizing the gap was insurmountable.
The woman paid no mind to her reaction, continuing calmly:
"Adventurers have an unwritten rule if you find a fellow adventurer's body in the dungeon, bring them to the surface if you can. If not, don't covet their weapons."
"Doing so will earn you the contempt of all adventurers."
Miko drew back this person's aura was overwhelming, making her reprimand feel completely natural.
"Hmph... there's been far too much noise lately."
The woman sighed, floating above the graves to look down at the cenotaphs holding only relics. Her expression held a hint of resentment.
"She's flying...flying!"
Miko's eyes widened in shock. She covered her mouth before she could scream her real-world experiences were screaming warnings at her.
This is definitely a real ghost!
"Hmm?"
The woman's keen senses picked up on her reaction. She turned slowly and opened her eyes beautiful heterochromatic irises, one green and one gray, seemed to see straight through Miko as she stared intently.
"Can you see me?"
Waaaaah!
Miko froze completely, but managed a trembling grin from sheer experience:
"Wow the leaves are flying! Where leaves dance, fire burns bright..."
What am I even saying?!
The woman descended slowly, drawing closer with her delicate face: "Can you see me?"
"Fire... fire lights up the village..."
I can't see, I can't see...
Miko was drenched in cold sweat as she turned awkwardly: "Ah it's getting late! I'm supposed to meet my friends I'll be late!"
She started walking faster to leave.
The woman crossed her arms: "Your muscle twitches and bodily reactions say you're terrified. Is it because of me?"
"Is it because i, a spirit have become your 'noise'?"
She sighed:
"I hate unnecessary 'noise.' So answer me you can see me, can't you?"
Oh no...
Miko's steps came to an abrupt halt.