After obtaining a sufficient amount of rest, I set out for that red crystal at the top of the mountain.

With the distance of the area, it would seem to be a long journey. Unfortunately my ink clones would need to be dispersed. As the food stocked is not enough for the rest of us.

Once I am done eating though, then I will head out.

You know, for something so deadly these claws are actually delicious. The meat contained in the shell I mean.

Done with chow, I set out. On the way I encountered nothing there. Yet at the same time, there were times where I felt as though a presence were in the area.

It was pretty mystique indeed. The environment was just filled with barren rocks. Usually a floating mountain or two will pass by. They tend to be either dead or filled with the greens of the grass.

It was a really bizarre sighting. One instance they would be full of life, then the next they would wither and turn to dust.

I don't understand why, but I am poised. Anyone would be afraid in my position. Is it due to being older? Hm…

Cautioning myself I ready my blade for anything that was to attack me. Looking everywhere for any hint of movement was all I could do. If something were stalking me, I would have heard it by now. It would seem as if something is just staring at me. Observing my every move.

The horrifying aura that can make even the strongest beast flee, and yet it allures me to come closer.

I don't know what is at that crystal, but something might give me an answer once I get there.

On the way I encountered a little creature getting bullied by larger beasts.

“H-help me!!! Please!” responding for the call for help, I reacted to the voices plea.

Slaying the two creatures who seem to be goblins with ease. Weird...? I was never this strong, when I cut the bodies of the goblins their bodies split in half instantaneously like that of a heated blade slicing butter.

The little creature I saved jumped at me by surprise.

“T-thank you!! You have no idea how much I was so scared!”

...it was bawling everywhere.

Comforting the timid creature by rubbing its head back and forth with my hand

“It's no problem little fella.”

“I-I know! Are you going up the mountain?”

“Y-yeah…” a little skeptical of this little buddys intentions.

“Up the mountain to the crystal, right?” Pointing at the crystal with its tiny hands.

“Yeah, that's right I plan to go there. Would you mind explaining to me what's up there?”

It starts to ponder “Hmmm…I don’t know...”

Uwah~, unhelpful. He noticed my expression and became worried.

“I-I'm sorry, I don't know what's up there! B-but, I know how to get there! I have gone there many times.” It starts trembling.

“Hm. My bad, would you care to guide me there then?” Bringing out my hand for him to latch onto me.

“It's fine?!? Yay!” It was so gleeful that it began jumping left and right.

Instead of going for my hand, it jumped right on top of my right shoulder.

“D-don't worry about me! I-I will hold onto this thing, r-right here!” It grabbed onto the belt of my satchel.

Oh well at least I won't be alone during this journey, I guess.

“T-there!” it pointed at the rocky path. It seems climbable.

Climbing the rocks one at a time. I ascend to wherever my new little buddy is taking me.

I don't know where but I'll just trust him for the time being.

“So what kind of thing are you?” I asked the creature while I was walking.

“I'm an inklet. Uhh… h-here look at my arm.” Observing it, the arm is all blob like yet it's so rigid and thick.

“Uh-huh.” I continue onwards.

Up ahead there I couldn't advance any further.

“H-hero if you take a le-left there should be an opening that will allow you t-to go through the wall.”

I walk to the left as instructed. “STOP!”

Looking at the surroundings there was indeed an opening. But it's so dark…

I could only stare into the pitch darkness.

“H-hero? Wh-what-s th-the matter?”

“I can't see in the dark… ”

Nudging at me, he spoke aloud. “Get closer to the walls.”

I do as he says. He rubs his hands against the walls.

This resulted in the darkness to be filled with a glowing light.

“S-see? This cave l-lights up wh-when you touch it.”

“Interesting.” Making my first step, my foot lights up some of the area.

This cave can react to anything, right? Grabbing a rock I toss it to the wall. The wall began glowing the moment the rock made contact with it. Dropping down to the bottom the area lit up as well briefly.

Good, the light seemingly remains lit for half a second.

Confirming this, I confidently move in deeper.

Each step I took lit my area at an extraordinary rate. Thankfully, the light was enough to barely be visible to see up ahead.

The inklet was nice enough to throw pebbles forward into my direction.

He started whispering to my ears. “Hero~...”

I stopped walking to hear what he had to say.

“From he-here on out. We need to be as quiet as possible. There are inkers up ahead. Don't catch any of their attention.”

Weird the inklet whatever didn't stutter as much this time.

“What is an inker?”

“Have you never encountered an inker? Inker’s are those that have ascended potentially into their true form.” There he goes again. He isn't stuttering…

Hm, recalling the wolf man fight I have a sort of clear image of what an inker is.

Treading carefully as warned, I make my way to where the inklet pointed at.

Eventually he stopped pointing, so I kept walking. Huh? My shoulders are kind of light.

Looking back I see that the inklet is no longer on my shoulder. I can see a tail being dragged onto the ground, making a turn. Hearing a muffle, it seems to be the voice of the inklet.

Rushing after him I strike the figure in the darkness, making sure to free the little inklet at the very least.

He seemed to be entrapped in a silk like ooze. Looking at my sword it seems that the liquid is stuck to the blade. Gross.

Engulfing the sword with fire, the liquid disintegrates.

Tss~

The liquid is still seeped into the sword. Actually the sword seems to be making the liquid sizzle like crazy.

Crap some of the liquid is coming onto me. The flame seems to be connecting to the droplets as well.

Observing the liquid, it would appear that the substance was similar to that of petrol. In other words, gasoline.

Not good I need to distinguish the flames!

Able to put out the flames from the sword. I prevented the burn damage that would have inflicted onto me.

“sniff* sniff* I-I knew you'd come for me!! Thank you~! Thank you so much ~! Erhhhuu”

Uwah! His nose, it's so much snot. Crying of gratitude he comes to hug me.

“Thank you so much, I'm sorry I am such a burden to you~!”

Patting the inkling on the head, I comfort him.

“There there, it's alright. Don't worry about it little buddy.” His crying seems to lessen.

Sniff* sniff* gulp* ”o-ok… “ he sucked in his snot and swallowed it from the inside. Ughh that's a little disturbing. At least he's calmed down.

“Let me get you out of that sac.” cutting him free he sprouts onto me immediately.

Instead of latching onto my shoulder, he delves into my garment.

Popping out he tells me “Th-this should k-keep me safe!” With his cheery attitude we head for the nearest exit to the red crystal.

“What was the thing that got a hold of you?” I asked concerning while observing my blind spots.

“I-it must be a-a Komodo arachnea!” Confidently answering me.

Huh? A komodo dragon fused with a spider you say? Lucky there weren't more that showed up.

“Hey...I have been calling you inkling this entire time, do you have a name buddy?”

He replied to me. “N-name? What is that?”

“Ah, a name is some sort of identification of announcement toward the specific individual.”

“Hmm. I s-see…”

“Then… would you… start calling me by that name?”

“Uh...oh! You mean buddy? You sure you don't want a different name?”

“Y-yeah! Hearing that word makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!~”

“Sure, I guess…if that's what you would like.” Hm, I guess I will come up with one for him, it would be inconvenient if he responds to everyone saying “buddy” when the opportunity arises.

Chapter 17 End