Chapter 4: Bonus Quest!

Original: Chapter 4: Bonus Quest!

I managed to get the Medicinal Herb and Mana Gemstone. All I need now to make a Potion is an Empty Bottle.

“I’m sure if I use a Skill to make a Potion, it’ll automatically go into an Empty Bottle.”

That’s probably why the Empty Bottle is essential.

“After all, Potions are liquid.”

If I don’t have something to put it in, even if I make it, it’ll just spill on the ground. That would be sad.

“I wonder if any Empty Bottle will do. Maybe I should look for one at home.”

Whoa, a Message Window appeared in front of me. It says, ‘Not allowed. Unless it’s an Empty Bottle obtained in this Dungeon, the Potion’s preservation state will deteriorate quickly.’

“Could it be that I can actually converse with the Dungeon’s system or something?”

I waited five seconds, but there was no reply. It wouldn’t hurt to reply, you know.

Huh, another Message Window appeared. Did it read the mood? But it doesn’t seem like it wants to chat. It was completely different content.

‘Will you undertake the Bonus Quest to obtain an Empty Bottle? This Bonus Quest can only be attempted by those possessing certain Create-type Skills. It is set to low difficulty for beginners.’

Just like before, ‘Accept Quest’ and ‘Do Later’ are displayed. There’s no reason to put it off now.

“Alright then, ‘Accept Quest.'”

I clicked it. I felt a floating sensation. Huh, what’s this? Am I being transported somewhere?

“I feel like some kind of Warp is happening.”

‘Yes, that’s correct.’

“Ah, you replied—”

Whoa, it’s bright. There’s a sun.

The ground beneath my feet is soft, fluffy grass. In front of me is a large pond. Or maybe a lake? I’m not sure which, but the water is clear. I wonder if there are fish.

“Kinda reminds me of a golf course.”

I think there was a course like this in that old bearded uncle’s golf game I played once.

Still, wow, the sunlight here is pretty strong. I’m a little worried about getting sunburned.

“So, what am I supposed to do here?”

‘Fishing.’

“Huh?”

‘Please go fishing.’

“What am I supposed to catch?”

‘An Empty Bottle, of course.’

“It’s not fish…”

‘It’s a Quest to obtain an Empty Bottle. There are Empty Bottles in this pond, so please fish for them using the special Bonus Quest Fishing Rod.’

“That sounds like just cleaning up the pond…?”

‘It’s a Bonus Quest.’

“So I’m just picking up Empty Bottles someone threw in the pond, right?”

Ah, silence. No reply at all.

“Silence equals consent, you know.”

‘I thought this was a place where silence would be more amusing.’

“No need for that consideration.”

‘Then, shall we begin fishing?’

A Fishing Rod appeared in front of me. It even has a cute fish lure. The hook is a bit large, probably to hook the Empty Bottle.

“I wonder if I can catch fish—”

‘You cannot return to your original location until you obtain an Empty Bottle. Please do your best.’

“Okaaay. I’ll take it seriously.”

My “Okaaay” just now sounded a bit like that five-year-old from that popular national anime. Hehe, maybe I should practice imitating that voice. Hoh-ho-kay. Just kidding.

I picked up the Fishing Rod. Then, I immediately cast the lure into the pond.

“Since I need to hook an Empty Bottle, I should search the bottom, right?”

I wonder if it’s set up so I can actually catch it. If the mouth of the Empty Bottle on the bottom happens to be facing away from me, I might never hook it and not be able to get it. Hmm, does it have a lid? In that case, there might be a gap between the closed lid and the bottle, so maybe it could get hooked.

I reel in the line. Just keep reeling.

“Hmm… … … … Oh?”

Something heavy got hooked. Must be an Empty Bottle.

“As expected of a Bonus Quest. Easy peasy ♪”

I reel in the line, winding it up. I pull the hooked thing above the water.

“Wait, this isn’t an Empty Bottle—!”

What was hooked on the line was a fairly transparent-colored Slime. Maybe it’s transparent to match the color of the water here.

The Slime is glaring at me with a “What do you think you’re doing?” face. Sorry. And, sorry again.

“Let me step on you.”

I pulled it onto land and stepped on it for now. Got it. A Mana Gemstone came out—. This is a good deal. Huh, if I can get Mana Gemstones here, then—.

I checked my surroundings.

Ah, there’s a Medicinal Herb growing on the grass about 20 meters away.

“What the. I could have gotten all the Materials here.”

As expected of a Bonus Quest. I should have done this earlier.

I resume fishing.

Tried once, but no luck. Changed spots and tried again, and another Slime appeared.

Tried changing spots once more. Finally, I managed to get an Empty Bottle.

Ah, it has a lid properly closed.

“The hook got caught in the indentation between the bottle and the lid. That was a clever move.”

Felt a bit miraculous.

‘Congratulations! Bonus Quest Completed! When you return to your original location, please try using 〈Potion Create〉!’

Ah, the floating sensation again. Seems I’m returning to my original spot in the Dungeon.

My surroundings returned to the dull, dirt-filled Dungeon. Coming back makes me miss the sun. Because here, there’s only a dirt ceiling. Also, I miss the greenery. The Dungeon is all brown, so the color scheme isn’t fun.

Well, I’ve heard there are Dungeons with forests or seas and such. I wonder if the day will come when I can go to those. I hope I can go someday.

Now, the Fishing Rod in my right hand is gone, but I have an Empty Bottle in my left.

“Shall I give it a try? Making a Potion.”