camp vargas ~the happening returns~ 2-5 "...do you though?"

[mandytl]

 

 

Location: Dwarfs’ Mine - Interior

Grim: Heeey, we’re here. Extract any gems yet?

Trey: Grim and Yuu, huh. Nope, not a single one.

Maybe we should go a little deeper into the mineshaft…

Grim: What for?

Trey: Well, “magic gems” are mutated gemstones that've absorbed power in their immediate surroundings.

That’s why it’s recommended you trace them from the scant mana they emanate. 

Though even if we find one here, it’ll be hard to dig out with them buried in this hard rock.

Rook: The surface shows signs of having been scraped away, therefore I believe there was once a soft layer of worn rock.

Grim: Oh, yeah. Come to think, the sports clubs were diggin’ around here last time.

Trey: That’d do it. Guess we better give up on the entrance and head deeper in.

Science Club Member B: But… is it safe further in the mine?

Rook: Little oxygen or gas leaking from the bedrock would certainly render the situation perilous.

Trey: Hmm. I think we’ll be fine on that front.

Most of them shouldn’t have any effect on the human body if the concentration levels are low.

And besides, even if the wind isn't blowing outside, you can still feel a slight air current, right?

The mineshaft here’s pretty well-ventilated.

Science Club Member A: Ventilation, sure… but if I can’t really tell if that’s happening I get anxious.

Trey: If you're that worried, it might be good to prepare a torch.

Grim: I get it! Nothin’ to be scared of when you’ve got fire makin’ everything bright.

Trey: Ahahah. True, but that's not the only thing it's good for.

You can tell if there’s enough oxygen by the way the flame burns.

Grim: How’s a torch do all that?

Trey: Fire needs oxygen to burn, right?

So, if the torch's flame blows in an odd direction, you should assume the oxygen saturation is abnormal.

Grim: Uh huh.

Trey: What's more, the gasses produced in these locations can be burnt to create water.

To put that to the test, we'd need a bottle… which, unfortunately, I’m not carrying right now.

Rook: Here, Trey-kun! My articles are at your disposal.

Trey: A glass vial, huh. Thanks, Rook. You're really well-prepared.

Rook: If we came across a rare species, I planned on collecting them.

Trey: O-Oh, yeah? I’ll put this to use.

Fill this vial with air from in the mine, then approach the torch flame outside… 

The reaction can also help identify what kind of gas is in the vial. Well, Grim? Understand?

Grim: Hmm, hmm, I see!

Trey: … Do you though?

Grim: Not at all.

Trey: Yeah… I figured.

I tried to explain for your benefit, but… I guess the material’s too difficult. Teaching others is hard.

> I got it well enough.

> I couldn’t make heads or tails of that…

Rook: Why, you did a fantastic job instructing them, Trey-kun!

Trey: Thanks. Let's begin by creating our torch. There’re lots of trees around, so it shouldn't be too complicated.

Grim: Uh, come to think, where’s Malleus? Ain’t he on your team?

Trey: Oh, Malleus. He was just over—

BAAAAAM!!

Grim: W-Waugh! Th-the heck was that?!

Science Club Member A: I-Is the tunnel collapsing?!

Trey: R-Relax! If it's actually a cave-in, it’s better not to move or make a sound!

Luckily, there hasn't been a collapse in this area yet, but just in case, cover your heads as you lea…—hn?

Malleus: What’s causing you all to panic so? Did something happen?

Trey: Oh, Malleus… 

Grim: What, ya didn’t hear the sound of the roof cavin’ in just now?

Malleus: Sound? Ah, that would be my doing.

Trey: What?!

Malleus: The gem we’re digging for today was to be no heavier than three grams and no larger than a cubic centimeter, yes?

I just discovered one right where you predicted it’d be.

Trey: A-Amazing… and without a pickaxe? Did you just, uh, smash the wall with your fist?

Malleus: Indeed I did. Is there a problem?

Trey: There isn’t, but… haha. You really are incredible, Malleus.

Rook: Marvelous! I expected nothing less from Roi du Dragon. With that, we've completed our task.

Malleus: I’ll leave the magic gem in your care since I’d like to explore the mineshaft a little longer.

Trey: Got it. We’ll hand it over to a ghost.

Grim: The dig-site’s all crumbled to pieces. Talk about power…

Anyway, was that it? All that talk about gas amounted to nothin’!

Trey: Hahah… Well, at least we managed to clear our challenge.

Now. Guess we better head back to camp.

Rook: No, hold on. We appear to have guests who aren't quite convinced…

A fire faerie appears. 

Science Club Member B: Eee, a bat?!

Trey: No, it’s… a fairy? Where’d it come from?

Rook: I don't know, but I doubt they'll allow us to pass without a struggle.

I'm betting they’re after the magic gem, based on how they gaze our way.

Trey: Oh, boy… I'd want to avoid conflict if at all possible, but we can't exactly give it up.

No way around it. Clearing our challenge comes first, so let's send them packing.