"This is way too awful."
Wells stepped barefoot onto the Fungal Carpet. It was like stepping into gelatinous honey, every gap between his toes filling with slippery, living matter.
When he lifted his foot, it even stretched into strings...
The others were in much the same state. Everyone's shoes had been worn through back at the Venom Lake.
"I'm saying, why don't we go back to Mushroom Road? There aren't any of these fungal threads there."
The captain cut off Wells's complaining. "Show some grit. You're an adventurer too, aren't you? We'll be able to see the forest any moment now. We can switch back to the road then."
"Tch." Wells felt like the captain had been belittling him, openly and otherwise, ever since. What a petty bastard.
As if venting his frustration, he stomped hard onto the Fungal Carpet ahead.
"Fuck!"
A sharp shard of stone stabbed into the sole of Wells's foot, and he crouched down on the spot from the pain.
"Are you all right? Let me see!"
Hearing his cry, Jini came over and cupped Wells's sticky, slime-covered foot in both hands without the slightest hint of disgust.
"It's nothing serious, just a small injury. I'll be able to treat it quickly."
As she spoke, she reached out and pulled out the shard of stone, then used her staff to cast Potential Stimulation on Wells.
Sure enough, Wells soon stopped hurting. The wound also gradually began to heal, and even his whole body felt more energized.
"Jini, thank you."
Hearing his thanks, Jini gave Wells a smile.
The captain at the side could not stand watching anymore. "If you're fine, hurry up and move. Don't do something stupid like getting injured by a bit of gravel again."
The mage standing behind them seemed about to say