The dungeon has been parasitized

Chapter 61 Transaction Request

"Look, these are the charcoal left behind after the Wild Dog Forest was burned down."

Yanami pointed to one side, where there was a pile of charcoal that Yanami had collected for grilling fish, and the quality seemed to be quite good.

Hyacinth's expression showed some emotion, but more so, hesitation.

"Ah, of course, I'm not saying the Wild Dog Forest belongs to me. I'm just saying I can help you gather resources."

"Uh, what do you mean?"

The hyacinth tilted its head.

"Right now, during the demonic tide, I imagine you wouldn't want to risk gathering charcoal yourselves, would you? But I'm different. I can control magical beasts and have them gather it for me, which saves me a lot of risk."

Yanami's words made Hyacinth's eyes widen slightly, and then she nodded thoughtfully.

"If that's the case, then it's certainly possible. The demonic tide has made the threats all around too unstable, forcing our race to hide and avoid it, which is why we've used up all the charcoal. However..."

Hyacinth paused, her mind now more focused on weighing the pros and cons than on doubts.

"What do you want to trade? We don't have many supplies right now..."

Yanami had already figured out what she needed, and finally, she heard those words from her.

"Salt, I don't have much salt left. If possible, I also need some seasonings, and some clothes."

Yanami's clothes were tattered after several battles, and the holes could only be patched up with her own needle and thread.

"We have plenty of salt."

Daisy answered first, before hyacinth, and hyacinth nodded in agreement.

"Well, we rats are good at digging, so we've discovered a lot of salt wells. If it's salt, there's plenty. We also grow other seasonings. However, because of the demonic tide, most of us are now growing food. I'm not sure if we can trade with it."

"I'd be happy if there was salt, since people would die without it."

"That's true."

Hyacinth echoed Yanami's sentiment and smiled as well.

"What type of clothing would you like?"

"Hmm... something that's easy to move around in, and also a robe and durable shoes."

Could you elaborate?

Yanami used charcoal as a pen to make a list for them.

"Is that all? Is there anything else you want to trade?"

"Hmm~ What I need most right now is salt, but I also have magic cores and some monster materials that I don't need. If you're interested, I can trade with you."

The plantation also contains some monster cores, such as those of several steel-toothed boars, sword lions, rock frogs, and some weaker monsters.

As for materials, the steel teeth and hide of the steel-toothed boar, the sword of the sword lion, and the shell of the rock frog were all brought back to the plantation.

The reason why they didn't start by talking about trading these things, but instead traded salt, is because salt, as something everyone needs, is more convincing.

Only with a small beginning can one develop in a larger direction.

"Monster cores and materials, these are things we lack... What do you have?"

"Hmm~ For example, the rock frogs and sword lions we hunt, as well as some other monsters."

"Rock frog?! You've hunted such a powerful monster?"

"Yes, it's because the demonic tide ran into the forest and we hunted them down."

Yanami looked at the Shadow Wolf beside her. The Rock Frog and the Shadow Wolf should be considered equally powerful monsters, right?

Hyacinth followed Yanami's gaze and suddenly felt no longer surprised.

"Has the demonic tide grown to this extent...? I didn't expect Wild Dog Forest to become so dangerous. You're right."

"You're amazing! If it were me, my legs would go weak with fear."

"After all, Daisy's an idiot. At this rate, when will you ever get into the guerrillas?"

"I'm not a hyacinth."

Daisy pouted and turned her head to one side.

"So, is it possible to trade?"

"Um……"

Hyacinth returned to the topic, stroking her chin thoughtfully for a while, her expression somewhat troubled.

"I can't say for sure... These things are quite valuable. I need to report to the leader about the transaction, and it can only proceed if the leader agrees."

Yanami shook her head.

"That's alright. If we can't make a deal, you're still welcome to come back."

"Sorry, I can't make a decision, but salt should be fine."

"I, I will also help, I will talk to the leader."

Having received their promises, Yanami smiled, her eyes crinkling, and nodded gently.

"I hope the deal with you will go through."

"How much salt do you need? And spices too?"

"Uh, um... about two kilograms?"

"Two kilograms?"

Hyacinth looked somewhat surprised.

"Huh? Is that too much? Sorry—"

"No, it's just too little. This little bit of salt can't be exchanged for all these monster materials."

"Is that so...?"

"Is there anything else you need?"

"Um……"

Yanami thought for a while.

"I want... methods for processing monster materials and some magic."

Hyacinth paused for a moment, then her expression turned to confusion.

"Shouldn't humans be better at this?"

"Uh...look, I'm completely isolated from the world now."

"That's true... In any case, I can't guarantee that a deal will be made."

"It's okay."

After that, Hyacinth and Daisy looked at the forest from the entrance of the plantation cave, then left through the same passage they had come from. Before leaving, they even used their guinea pigs to help clear away the debris from the explosion.

It seems they are truly sincere.

"So, what exactly happened?"

After they left, Klein finally had the opportunity to ask Yanami what had happened, and Yanami, with delight, told Klein the details of what had happened.

"How did it go, Klein? Did I help?"

"Of course, our great hero."

Yanami is capable of handling things on her own; she not only protects the plantation but also facilitates the trade with the Rat-like people.

but……

Yanami received Klein's praise and her face was full of joy. Although he was reluctant, Klein still had to remind her of some things.

"But have you forgotten what I said?"

"Huh? What?"

"Didn't I tell you? Safety first. I hope that next time you encounter a situation like this, you'll immediately seek shelter in a safe house."

"But the plantation... Waaah."

Yanami wanted to argue, but seeing the serious expression on Shadow Wolf's face, she lowered her head in guilt.

She knew Klein was serious.

He also realized that he had acted impulsively in order to protect himself and Klein's plantation.

"This time it's alright, it was just the relatively weak hyacinths and daisies who stumbled in by accident, but what if they really were invaders? What if they were powerful monsters brought by the demonic tide?"

No matter how thorough the preparations are, accidents are inevitable once they exceed her capacity to handle the situation.

Not to mention, when she found the other person this time, she had no way of knowing whether the other person was dangerous.

"While I should commend you for your responsibility, the plantation is not that important. As long as we are here, the plantation can exist anywhere."

"I understand... I'm sorry, Klein."

Yanami lowered her head and murmured a response. Klein sighed helplessly and raised the Shadow Wolf's large paw to rub her head.

"Okay, lift your head now. I'm not blaming you."

After a moment of silence with her head down, Yanami raised her head, and Klein saw that the guilt on her face had been replaced by determination.

"But I still want to help Klein as much as I can. I don't want to be Klein's pet, always being protected."

Klein stared at Yanami's serious expression, feeling a mix of helplessness and emotion.

She clearly helped me a lot, capturing the Shadow Wolf and even negotiating a deal with the Rat People herself, but she still seemed to feel that she hadn't been of any help.

Klein didn't want to say something as unpleasant as "You've already helped me," so he simply removed his claws from her head and said with a hint of provocation.

"Then let's become stronger."

"I will."

Yanami nodded solemnly.