Chapter 22: Gunpowder Flower Quest Completed!

Original: Chapter 22: Gunpowder Flower Quest Completed!

My heart is pounding wildly.

I can’t calm down after that life-or-death exchange.

Ah, a Message Window appeared.

『Flare Lizard Subjugated』

So that’s what it says. So that red lizard was named Flare Lizard. Judging by the name, it sounds like a strong monster.

It seems I got quite a lot of Experience Points for defeating it. But not enough to level up.

Phew, I think I’m starting to calm down a little.

I stood up on both feet.

Ugh, no good. I’m still a bit unsteady. My remaining HP is 16. My current maximum HP is 79, so that’s about one-fifth. No wonder I’m feeling wobbly.

I’ll drink a Potion to recover. Then I’ll get the Gunpowder Flower and—

“Something feels… breezy.”

I looked at my own body.

I was shocked.

I’d gotten too excited during the life-or-death struggle and forgotten. Now that I think about it, my blazer and blouse were both in tatters. My right side was especially bad. The clothing from my chest to my sleeve was completely gone.

“Even my flower-patterned bra is completely visible… I can’t walk around outside like this.”

My not-so-toned stomach is on full display too. Though, I’m relieved my skirt is intact.

“I’ll change first.”

Good thing I brought a change of clothes. If I hadn’t, I’d have had to go back with my bra and stomach exposed.

Well, even though I call it a change of clothes, it’s just a tracksuit gym uniform, so it’s pretty lame.

I took off my tattered blazer and blouse.

“Whoa~. Strangely, I feel incredibly liberated~”

I even took a deep breath.

This might be the first time in my life I’ve been outside with my upper body in just underwear. Somehow it feels refreshing and nice.

Maybe I could even stay like this. I wondered if people in games and anime who wear bikini armor feel like this.

Wait, this isn’t the time to be savoring this feeling of liberation. This is a Dungeon. If I let my guard down, a man or a Monster might come walking by.

“Tracksuit, tracksuit…”

I took out the tracksuit and slipped my arms through the sleeves. Then I zipped it up firmly.

“It feels reassuring to have clothes on.”

On the other hand, there’s not a trace of that liberated feeling left. Honestly, mood-wise, I didn’t really want to wear anything.

Whoops, my legs are wobbly.

“I’ll drink a Potion.”

I took out a bottled Potion from my Item Space. I downed it in one go. Glug, glug, glug—even I have to admit that was an impressive way to drink.

A little bit dripped from the corner of my mouth.

It ran down my chin, fell onto my body, went between my breasts, and reached my stomach.

“The coolness of the droplet felt kinda nice…”

Oh… Ohhh… Ohhhhh… It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s heeere!

“Life Force is surging through me—!”

I’m getting my energy back. Fully recovered. I feel like I can do anything now. I might even be able to fly. I feel like my motivation has increased too.

I rolled up the sleeves of my tracksuit a little. It felt like it would help me get pumped up.

“Alright, let’s do this—!”

I’m gonna gather a ton of Gunpowder Flower Buds.

Thanks to the Potion, I’m full of energy and motivation, and by moving briskly, I managed to gather my target of 20 buds in no time.

“Quest Completed~!”

All that’s left is to go back and make the Delivery to Miss Rilril.

“Hmm, somehow it feels unsatisfying.”

Seems like drinking the Potion made me too energetic. Maybe I’ll explore a bit more before heading back.

…Hm?

From the path deeper in, a Flare Lizard came walking along, toco toco, with a peaceful-looking face. It checked its surroundings, then headed in my direction. It must be coming to eat the Gunpowder Flower Buds.

Hmm, even though I’m overly energetic now…

“I can’t fight something that strong back-to-back.”

If my tracksuit gets burned too, I’ll be naked when I go back. A girl in the bloom of youth can’t possibly go all the way home looking like that.

“I should make a quiet retreat here.”

I broke into a light jog back the way I came.

Oh right, I need to Create the Potions I used. While walking, I activated 〈Potion Create〉. I’ll sell these Potions to Miss Rilril when I get back to the Plaza.