Chapter 9
Upon entering the cave, the entire place was covered in black shadows, so nothing was visible.
That's why I hadn't noticed, but it seems we're inside a pretty large cave.
After what felt like about five minutes of walking, we finally arrived in the next chamber.
All I can see are shadows, but after purifying the area, I can faintly make out a spacious chamber.
It feels as spacious as the chamber where the wolves were when they first entered.
Well, I can't be certain since the shadows make it impossible to see.
When I look at the wolves, they seem pretty exhausted.
Their stamina must have dropped from being cursed.
Maybe I should have let them rest a little longer before we moved on.
Sorry.
But even here, it doesn't look like we can rest right away.
The reason is the shadows.
These shadows really are everywhere.
This presence feels like it's slowly wearing down my mind.
I need to purify the area before we can rest.
I could visualize the area within my field of vision, like before, but...
I want to try visualizing something larger and purifying it all at once.
...
It's a pain to do the same thing over and over.
...
I can't see a thing; I have no idea how far back it goes.
The shadows have thoroughly covered everything.
I have no choice but to do something with magic.
If I want to see in a dark place, Night Vision is the obvious choice.
To see places I can't see... Farsight? Clairvoyance? Which one is it?
...I don't know.
For now, I'll imagine being able to see in the dark and see places that are out of sight...
Heh-heh-heh, I can't imagine it.
Ah, Night Vision should work. Farsight... Clairvoyance...
Nope, that's impossible.
I can't imagine at all what kind of image I'm supposed to create.
I'll think of a different magic spell.
I just need to be able to perceive the space I can't see, right?
Spatial Perception, then. The image is... iffy, but I can sort of picture it.
In the darkness, using my hands won't work. I have to imagine sending magic power through the area to check it, but will that work?
...
I guess I'll just have to try.
"Night Vision. Spatial Perception."
It worked, but it startled me.
A realistic image suddenly appeared in my head. Well, if it had been anime-like, that would have been a problem in its own way.
Okay, next, I'll imagine using this image to purify every nook and cranny.
"Purification."
I couldn't help but grin a little.
It feels good when it works.
While I'm at it, I don't want shadows slipping in from somewhere again.
"Barrier."
This one worked perfectly, too!
I even struck a little victory pose.
How embarrassing.
Now I know that this is a gigantic chamber.
And then my gaze settles on a certain spot.
"I don't want to look, but I can see it anyway..."
In the direction of my gaze is a mass that spews out black, ominous shadows. It looks like a pitch-black rock.
Though I've never seen a rock that spews curses in Japan.
Or rather, is this really the cause of the curse?