A road continued all the way to Marda Cave.
「It used to be used as a storage cave, but after they built storehouses, it fell out of use」
That was what Mido-san, a hunter from Roz Village who came along as a guide, told us.
Mido-san is both a hunter and an adventurer, and apparently knows the area around the village better than anyone.
「Takato. Goblins」
There are quite a lot of goblins hiding around us. From how strong their presence is, it’s clear they aren’t short on food. It’s a shame we can’t lure them with bait, but at least they probably won’t give off any strange smells. Probably.
「Kill them quietly」
「Yeah!」
She put on her goggles and vanished into the grass.
Among us, Bisha is the one who can best use the night-vision and thermal goggles, so for now she’s the one carrying them. Go get lots of kills.
Almost immediately, the rewards started coming in as she began a goblin slaughter.
「Is that child going to be all right?」
「No problem. She kills Roselans too」
In forests and mountains, there are probably quite a few who could beat Bisha, but she won’t lose to goblins.
We passed through the fields and followed the forest path for about five hundred meters, and the entrance to the cave that had once been used as a storage site came into view.
Perhaps because goblins were constantly going in and out, only short grass grew there, and the presence of goblins was densely packed deeper inside the cave.
Standing in front of the cave entrance, I turned on the light attached to the VHS-2 and shone it inside.
「What’s it like inside?」
It’s been worked on by human hands and reinforced with timber. It looks like it could collapse at any moment, though.
「I don’t really know anymore since no one goes in, but I’ve heard the back opens up into a wide space」
Then we’d better not go inside.
Just in case, I took out the two smoke grenades I had brought, pulled the pins, and threw them deep into the cave.
「Please cover your ears」
Once Mido-san covered both ears, I raised the VHS-2 and fired every round into the ceiling.
If no one uses it anymore, collapsing it should be fine. Better to block it so it won’t be used again.
After swapping magazines and emptying another full load, the cave ceiling collapsed, sealing the hole tightly enough that no smoke leaked out.
「I’m going to kill goblins now, so please don’t stand in front of me」
I changed magazines. The empty one went into my backpack, and I took out a fresh one and slotted it into my pouch.
There are still about two hours before sunset, but we can do about an hour of goblin extermination. Let’s earn while we can.
I went into the forest as well and managed to exterminate twenty goblins.
「That covers today’s food expenses」
That’s one day’s earnings, but Bisha managed to kill fifty goblins. From the feel of it, Kainzel-san’s group also exterminated around a hundred. We’ve finally turned a profit.
「Looks like about ten died inside the cave too」
They said there were holes everywhere, but maybe the airflow wasn’t very good? There weren’t many that escaped either……
I blew the whistle to call Bisha back.
「Mido-san. We’ll stop here for today. Please take care of cleaning up the goblins tomorrow morning. We’re going to move to the back of the cave」
「What about at night? Red-furred bears come out」
「That won’t be a problem. We’ll take precautions」
I prepared various things while thinking about the autumn extermination operation, and this time is more like a rehearsal. It might be dangerous…… but that’s exactly why we’re doing it, to learn about those dangers and problems. So do your best.
「Takato! I killed lots of them!」
「Yeah. You did great. I’ll make steak for dinner」
「Yay!」
「Mido-san. We’ll stop by the village again on our way back, so please tell that to the village chief」
We parted ways with Mido-san there and headed behind the cave.
There was no path, so we had to cut our way through with a machete, but it wasn’t that overgrown. In about thirty minutes, we reached a slightly open area. I don’t know if you’d really call it the back, though.
「Alright. Let’s camp here. Bisha. I’ll bring out the Pioneer, so level the area」
「Got it」
We cleared away weeds and dead branches, then I brought out the Pioneer with several trailers attached from Home.
While Bisha was setting up the fire, I unloaded the gasoline inverter generator and set up three LED stand lights, connecting them to the generator.
The generator noise is a bit loud, but it should work as bear deterrent. With a full tank, it’ll run for over ten hours, so they probably won’t come near.
「Bisha. Wipe yourself down and change clothes while you can」
I set up a one-touch tent and carried over hot water.
While Bisha wiped herself down inside the tent, I set up bird netting on the trees behind us and installed booby traps.
By the time I finished setting everything up, Bisha was done changing. I went back to Home, bought dinner, and brought back the steaks.
「What are Mebi and the others doing?」
「Looks like they’re having dinner too. Ladarion was at Home」
We briefly exchanged updates, and it seems they’re also setting up camp in the mountains.
「I’ll go have another meeting with Ladarion, so I’ll need you to stay alone for a bit」
「Okay. Are there goblins nearby?」
「A few are hiding around, but they’re clearly on guard. If a red-furred bear shows up, kill it. There are plenty of magazines loaded on the trailer」
There’s also one MINIMI and two box magazines loaded. She should be able to hold out just fine until I get back.
After Bisha finished eating her steak, I returned to Home.
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