We split up into groups of two and spent half a day exploring this beach, but we couldn't find a single sign of the Diabolus.

Hmm, no clues for now.

It's possible he just happened to be passing through the area on his way home from doing something elsewhere.

Wow, I don't think I can find that one...

　There's no way to follow it since it's headed to the ocean, and if we're looking for signs of it, we'll have to go inland.
　If we look for a few more days and find nothing, we might as well head to another sighting site.
　Even though there are items in the mess, it's tough even for us to search a large inland area without much of a clue.
　As I was thinking about what to do, Luna, who was walking with a spear and yodeling as if she was about to fall over, approached me.

''I'm tired.......Ugh, I'm feeling ill due to the glare from the sea surface.......''

'Hang in there a little longer. When you're done you can sleep as long as you want no, you can sleep for a couple of days.

'Mmm, why reiterate? You should have let me sleep more often.

　Luna has stopped spearing and is staring at me while puffing out her cheeks.
　You've walked out in the sun without a care in the world until now, and now you're saying that... or rather, you look fine at all!
　In the midst of such lazy little girls, this time Nol and Freesia returned with a large amount of crab legs in their arms.

''Mufu, this investigation is terrific and meaningful!

'Nole, you're awesome!　That's a lot of crabs!

'You guys you're all gathering ingredients, but you're doing your research, aren't you?

Of course there are no shortcuts!　It's an uneventful-- oops.

　Noor saluted with one hand in a Bishin, but he almost dropped the crab's foot and hurriedly held it back.
　Will it really be okay........ Well, I'm sure Noll will do well in that area, so I'll trust him.
　Even if he's a clunker, I trust him for a while.

''Does Freesia feel anything or anything?''

"Hehe, it's so nice to have a sea breeze!

'I haven't heard that kind of feedback, but...'

Let's just say there's nothing wrong with the area.

　Freesia would have made a fuss as soon as she found something, and by the looks of it, it looks like there really wasn't anything there.
　Huh, I was wondering if the few hours of searching around were completely wasted.......

''No, there's one thing I'm curious about.

"...really?　You didn't do much research, and you've been slicing up crabs the whole time.

''Huh, do you think that this me is just defeating demons? That's so sweet.

　Tsk, tsk, holding up an index finger, Sisha raises the edge of her mouth and looks good at it.
　What......... No matter how you look at it, he was just slashing down a crab, what did he know!

'Even though I've defeated so many cancers, I haven't been able to find any rare species. Normally, there would be a number of high-level species-like demons that would appear. In other words, there must be something in that cave!

'Surely you're right...'

　I saw the cancers coming out of the cave, but I didn't see a single rare species.
　The Nolls were taking them down with the force of annihilation, so normally they should be able to come out already.
　It's possible that maybe it's hard for the rare species here to spring up but it's a little strange.

''Alright, let's stop exploring the area and go inside the cave for a while.

　I don't think we'll find anything more out there, so let's check out the caves that feel suspicious first.
　If that doesn't turn up anything, from tomorrow we'll just have to decide on an area and do a roller operation.
　........It's hard to have only five people in a situation like this. It's not just about the fighting, but the exploration is also about numbers.

　As soon as we tried to enter the cave, it was just as dark inside as the Stogar mine's tunnels.
　I asked Estelle to use light magic to get some light inside and then stepped inside.
　It's not like other caves where you're close to the ocean, but the moss and other moss make your feet slippery and make you feel like you're going to slip just by relaxing.

It's a bad foothold, so be careful not to slip.

Yeah, I know-- aha!

　Right after I said that while looking behind me, Esther screamed and leaned forward in the area where she thought I was going to slip.
　I reacted immediately and took it in and just barely managed to avoid falling.
　Huh, I was bracing myself to fall because I was slipping, but I really didn't know I was going to fall.
　It's important to be aware of the danger, isn't it?

Are you okay?

Yeah. Thank you, brother.

Oh, you can hold onto me until you get used to it.

Yes, then maybe we should hold hands.

　Saying that, he held out his hand to me, so I gripped it back.
　

'Oh well, Okura-san is becoming more and more dependable, isn't she? I'd say he's gaining confidence, or perhaps a sense of leeway.

'It is so, isn't it? Before, I had to watch over you all the time, or I would have been very anxious.

You guys....

　I'm tempted to complain, but the fact is that before I was just taken care of by the Nolls, they took care of me.
　I didn't walk ahead of them in the hunting grounds first.
　I guess this is also thanks to the fact that I'm getting my gacha-produced equipment in place.
　........I feel like I've been hunting so much that I'm gradually becoming numb to it.

''He was a guy who was reliable for a lot of things when I was summoned, but he was like that before.

''Hehe, Heihachi was being taken care of by Noor-chan too!　You're with me!

You're not with us!

　I don't want to be lumped in with the screaming, raging Freesia!
　I have never bothered you like that, have I?

　I almost lost my confidence in my past actions, but I recovered.
　I led the Nors through the cave downhill, defeating the cancers that came out.
　Then a narrow passage ended and we came out into a large area.
　The ceiling of the cave is covered with thin, sharp rocks, like a stalactite cave, and multiple large pools of water are eroding the inside of the cave.
　It's like a subterranean lake.

The water is even stored in the cave. It's a pain in the ass to move around.

It's probably connected to the ocean at the bottom. There are some demons out there, so it's best not to get too close.

　I checked the map app and saw some red dots on the subterranean lake.
　I don't even know what kind of demons are there, and it would be best not to approach them poorly.

'Freesia, what's going on?'

I have a bad feeling about this cave...

　When I turned around after hearing the conversation between Noll and the others, I saw Freesia scurrying around and looking for something.
　Showing this reaction is........a hit?

It's dark and gloomy and I'm comfortable.

'It's just that it's darker and therefore more compatible with Luna.... What about Sisha?

''Hmmm, I can feel something like stagnation, but it's not something to worry about that much. There's not much difference between it and my usual hunting grounds.

　I'd like to believe Freesia's reaction, but Sisha and the others aren't as good as they could be.
　But it seems that they have the keenest senses of all of us, so let's hope that Freesia will be able to help us out here.
　I entered the cave and was excited by the immediate reaction and began to move deeper, avoiding the water's edge.

'Hmm?　What's that?

Shells, sir.

　As we continued on, knocking over the cancers, we encountered a large shell on the way.
　It's almost twice my height and its fan-shaped curved shell looks like a giant clam.
　It's marked with a red dot in the map app.

It's a pretty big shell. Is that a demon too, big brother?

Yeah, you look like a demon.

Don't you think the shells will fall out too?

　........Okay, let's ignore the clunker that's muttering something and just look at the status for now.

　------
Species: Shellfish
　Level: 55
　HP: 5000
　MP:0
　Attack Power:100
　Defensive Power:6500
　Agility:10
　Magic Resistance:0
　Inherent Ability:None
　Skill: Hardening
------

　I guess it's called defensive specialization. Even so, I don't have magic resistance, so I'm still prey to Esther-san.

''There's such a thing as a shellfish demon in a place where crabs spring.

'Orcs spring up in the goblin forest too, and I'm sure there are hunting grounds like this.

A big shell. That one looks hard.

I'm going to attack it anyway!

　Ahead of me, Freesia raised her bow and fired an arrow.
　
　Even Freesia, as expected, would not be able to get through an attack against a defensive specialist?
　It's still great to have a shallow scratch on it, though.

'Mmmm, those shells are hard!

'Hmm, if it's a hard opponent, it's my turn. Does it have a high magic resistance?

'No, there's almost no magic resistance. Do it, Esther!

I'll take care of it.

　This time, Esther stepped forward and raised her wand.
　A magic circle appeared on the tip of the wand, and flames were sprayed from it and the shells were quickly enveloped in a flash.
　As a bonus, the cancers that were on that slant were also collectively swallowed up in the flames.
　And when the jet of flame ended.......with a sizzling sound, the shellfish disappeared into particles of light and dropped a round, white object.
　Ah, that........could it be!
　I ran over and picked it up and it was a pearl about the size of a baseball.

'Oh, my goodness, you dropped something beautiful.

Hmm, what's that?

'Pearls. I didn't think I'd end up picking up jewels at sea either.

'It's so beautiful!　I might want it!

You can't eat it, sir.

　That's amazing........I never thought something like this would fall just because it's a shell monster.
　Could it be a rare species!　I checked my phone, but there was no increase in magic stones.
　If this was a rare species, I would have been happier.
　With the exception of one person, we were a bit excited, and we continued to explore the cave with our tension high.

''Even if we beat it, we haven't found any demons that look like rare species.

'Hmm, and I don't see anything unusual about it. There's nothing here, is there?

'Hmm, I don't know...'

'We've only just begun our investigation, so you can't just strike out.

　We continue on, taking out the cancers and shellfish, but so far I haven't found anything unusual.
　But I'm worried about the lack of rare species that Sisha mentioned before she entered.
　I don't think the one lurking in the water is a rare species....

"Freesia, are you wondering what's on your mind again?

'Mmmm, I have a feeling that's what it's all about...'

　Freesia started scurrying around.
　She's still talking about something I don't understand, but is there really something to it?
　What a thought.....

'Oh, I found it!'

Hey!　We'll wait!

　Suddenly, we started running towards the subterranean lake and Nol followed in a hurry.
　We hurried after it as well.

'See!　This is it!

　When we got close to the subterranean lake, Freesia crouched down and picked up something.
　Then she turned to me, holding up her hand, appealing to me.

　Shortly after that, the map app showed a red dot from the subterranean lake to Freesia, approaching rapidly.
　I tried to scream to tell it off, but it was already too late, and a splash of water rose up behind her, revealing a giant red demon.
　It resembles a cancers in appearance, but on its back it carries a large conch that covers nearly half of its body.
　It is several times larger than a normal individual, and both arms were turned into giant scissors.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of it.
　Quickly I took out an item and pressed the switch while looking at Freesia.
　That item is.........spatium, which allows you to swap your position with the target.
　The moment I pressed it, I moved, and a huge pair of scissors swung down in front of me was coming at me.
　I held the lid of the pot that I had prepared beforehand and caught it.

''Whoa--Ri!''

　I felt a slamming and zuzu impact on my body, but I stepped up and bounced off of it.
　That made me lose my stance and stumble back while I was staggering, and then I retreated to meet up with Nol, who was coming after Freesia.
　In addition, while there was a gap, I also checked my status.

　------
Shell Cancer Species:Cancer
　Level: 70
　HP: 84,000
　MP:3000
　Attack Power: 2400
　Defensive Power:4800
　Agility:65
　Magic Resistance:10
　Unique Ability Lurking
　Skills: Full blows, hardening, foam blowing.
------

Okura-dono!　Are you all right, sir!

Oh, more importantly, he's out!　Watch out!

　The shell-cancer regained its position and came up from the subterranean lake.
　Then it clicks its scissors menacingly and shoots a vigorous spray of foam from around its mouth.
　When I avoided it with Noor, it landed where we were and gouged the ground wide open.
　Foam blowing is the name of it, but it's not that easy.......

　Then we joined up with Esther and the others and began to fight, with me and Noll getting their attention in front of us.
　Noll approached at once and slashed his legs, slowing him down with Regi Elitra's ability.
　Then, while keeping an eye out for the foam blowing, he blasted Esther's magic into the air and zigzagged her down.
　Her legs were slashed off one by one by wind magic, and when she opened her mouth to blow bubbles, Freesia's arrows and Luna's spear were slammed into her, causing her to turn her body over and fall down as it was.
　He also sprayed the fire magic that Esther had used on the shellfish in her pursuit, and the fallen shellcancers were engulfed in fire.
　I'm not sure if I can move or not, but I'm struggling on the spot as if I'm in pain, and my movements are gradually weakened by the relentless fire.
　Then the scissors that he was holding up as if he was running out of strength fell to the ground and disappeared from the edge of his body as particles of light.

''Huh, I didn't expect to encounter such a demon in a cave...''

'I knew you were right to stay away from the waterfront. Is that a rare species here?

'Yes. Maybe there's a lot of them at the bottom of the water. Do you want to try shooting lightning at it?

'Don't let it come out all at once, it's not safe...'

　When I checked my phone, I saw that there was an additional magic stone.
　That was the rare species here...?
　We could take them out without any problems, but I don't want to deal with them too much.
　Let's not hunt for magical stones here.

The hunting grounds are dangerous, and you shouldn't run around without permission!

Ugh, I'm sorry...

It's starting to go down a lot, but he seems to reflexively move whenever something happens.

　Although the battle ended safely, Freesia, who was running ahead of me, was shuffling her shoulders as she was pissed off at Nol.
　It's a lot better than before, but I don't want you to make a sudden move.

''Oh well, it's good to know you're safe.

That's true, but I think you need to talk to him harder than that.

That's a very kind thing to say for a guy like Heihachi, who's always been angry.

　Luna crosses her arms and gives me a look at something rare.
　There's no point in yelling at her and getting mad at her, because there's no point in getting angry.
　That's why I want to encourage you to reflect on it in a slightly different way.

'Freesia, I won't be angry this time, but next time you find something, you'll make sure you let us know. You are a good kid, and I have faith that you will understand. It's a promise to Heihachi. Here, let's cut your fingers, stick out your little finger.

Uh, yeah...

If you lie, I'll send you to hunt for the magic stone.

　Freesia, who was always looking down and reflecting on the situation, is looking at me with a blue face and trembling.
　

''It's much scarier than a sermon...''

I'm getting goosebumps.

"Mm, you sound like you summoned me.

　Yeah, I knew that, but that reaction is hurtful, so please don't do it.

'So, what was that thing Freesia found?'

Well, it's this one.

What, that means...

　When I opened the hand that Freesia was holding.........................I found an object that looked like a shattered black crystal in her hand.
　This is the black magic light stone that Diabolus had........