Chapter 28: Let's Search for the Crayfish!

Original: Chapter 28: Let’s Search for the Crayfish!

The stream’s water flows slowly.

This water has been flowing all the way from a danger zone called the Red Zone. If I keep walking upstream along this stream, there should be tons of strong Monsters.

What I’m about to fight is the Crayfish Monster, located just one step before that danger zone. It’s definitely going to be strong.

It’s probably a trial I absolutely must overcome to advance even one step further as a Dungeon Conqueror. If I can get past this, I should eventually be okay even in the Red Zone.

“Now then, what should I do?”

I look out over the stream that continues towards the Red Zone, but I can’t find any crayfish at all.

Looking back, I see many Dungeon Conquerors entering the stream. Even if they aren’t going into very deep areas, they’re definitely getting into the water.

On the nearby bank, their shoes and socks were lined up in abundance.

“I really don’t want to get wet…”

But it seems I have to get in the water to defeat the crayfish. I’m not keen on the idea, but I’ll do my best to get the Reward of an Empty Bottle.

“I’m not very confident about my bare legs, though.”

They’re not pretty like a model’s.

I slipped my hand under my skirt. Then, I hooked my fingers into my Black Tights and slowly began to pull them down.

“Ugh, this is still a bit embarrassing.”

Maybe I should have at least gone behind a rock or something to take them off.

Taking off my Black Tights in a place where there are lots of people just a little ways ahead… I might look like some kind of pervert with exhibitionist tendencies.

I pulled the Black Tights down past my thighs.

The exposed bare skin felt quite chilly.

The Black Tights passed my knees. There was no turning back now. Steeling my resolve, I pulled them down further and further.

Finally, they passed my ankles. Being careful that my skirt didn’t ride up, I lifted one foot at a time. I tried to make it look as cute as possible, turning my knees slightly inward as I pulled my right foot out first. Next was my left foot. Of course, I’d already taken off my shoes too.

Now, everything from my skirt down was completely bare legs.

“Ta-da! My Uniform Look bare legs, first public reveal~. Not that anyone was waiting for them. They’re not particularly pretty legs anyway. What am I even saying?”

Just because I’m a high school girl doesn’t mean anyone’s bare legs have inherent value, right…? I’m the type who can’t stand next to other girls without the corrective effect of Black Tights.

“Sigh… I wanted a life with beautiful legs…”

I wanted beautiful legs so I could try wearing my skirt even shorter.

No, but I really dislike the cold, so I feel like even if I had beautiful legs, I’d probably still wear Black Tights. Would there be a demand for that? Sigh… Anyway, I really wanted beautiful legs.

I stood barefoot on the ground. The Dungeon floor was cool.

“How old was I the last time I stood barefoot on the ground?”

Maybe since early elementary school. It feels nostalgic.

Since it might get in the way, I set down the Shark Backpack I was carrying next to my shoes. I can’t very well carry a backpack in a stream where movement is already difficult. I took off my Blazer too while I was at it. Because I really don’t want it to get wet.

“Alright, let’s get in the water.”

I picked up my Hammer and headed for the stream. First, I gingerly touched the tip of my right big toe to the water.

“Yikes! Cold!”

It’s still spring, not really the season for playing in the water.

Come to think of it, since I didn’t plan on getting wet today, I didn’t bring a towel. What should I do with my wet bare legs after defeating the Monster?

I thought about it but couldn’t come up with a good plan. Oh well. It’ll work out somehow. Steeling myself, I plunged my right foot into the water up to the ankle.

“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh~”

The feeling of the ground under the water was a bit unpleasant.

But I got used to it quickly. I put my left foot in the water too. This made me feel like there was truly no going back.

The water is pretty cold, so I probably have goosebumps or something around my thighs. Well, never mind. The other Dungeon Conquerors aren’t paying attention to me. They’re all too busy with their own battles to have the spare attention to look at anyone else.

“Let’s search for the crayfish.”

I started walking towards the middle of the stream, splashing the water as I went.

Crayfish, where are you?

The further I walked, the deeper the stream became. The water was already up to just below my knees. Ugh, getting any wetter than this is a bit tough. I’m worried that if the water gets above my knees, I won’t be able to move nimbly anymore.

But there are no crayfish here, so I have no choice. Let’s walk just a little further ahead.

In the end, I got wet up to about my thighs. I lifted my skirt with my fingertips.

I can’t help but feel this is quite a service pose.

“Well, I doubt there’s any demand for my services…”

The self-deprecating words sting. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

“Still, no crayfish. Maybe I won’t see them unless I put my face in the water?”

I leaned forward.

I don’t want to put my face in the water, but if I get close, I should be able to see into it properly. I think it’s fairly clear, pretty water.

“Hmmmmmmmmmm~”

I can’t really tell. I lean forward even more. If someone was directly behind me, they might be able to see up my skirt.

Well, there’s no one there, so it’s fine.

That’s what I thought.

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Something shot out from the water behind me. And it struck my butt under my skirt with a sharp, painful impact.

It’s cold, and it hurts!

It was a tremendous shock. I lost my balance badly and simply—

“Bwuhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

I plunged face-first into the stream.