Chapter 105: Don’t Force It If There’s No Need
Leon didn’t rush to start mining. Instead, he pulled out his Galaxy Watermelon Knife, extending its length on purpose so he could keep his distance from whatever foul-smelling monster was lurking ahead—one he hadn’t even seen yet but could already smell.
If he got that stench on him during the fight, he wouldn’t hesitate to turn around and leave the mine.
And once outside, he’d dive straight into the lake, soaking for at least half an hour before daring to face another human being.
He also remembered Marlon’s warning. As he moved toward the Slimes he could see, he kept well away from the cave walls and avoided stepping on the patches of sandy ground. Every step was cautious.
That caution soon proved its worth. After only a few steps, a bug the size of his head—its body covered in a greenish-blue chitin shell, with a pair of pale gray wings—darted from the shadows of the rock wall, lunging straight for him.
Its clumsy, straight-line flight made it easy for Leon to track its path. He swung the extended Galaxy Watermelon Knife in a powerful vertical chop.
The sharp blade tore through the chitin shell, slicing into the soft flesh beneath. The bug split cleanly in two, spilling a gush of thick green fluid that reeked even more than the air already did.
The kill was instant. Leon stepped back quickly, putting distance between himself and the falling corpse. He covered his nose and mouth, trying to block out the stench.
It didn’t work. The smell seeped into the air, invading his nose with every breath. The water and bread he’d eaten earlier churned in his stomach, making him feel sick.