Bear-san Examines The Basement
I entered a nearby house with Fina.
It’s dusty.
The dust dances as we walk.
I told Fina to put a handkerchief over her mouth.
When I pull down the bear hood, even if dust gets in front of me, it won’t get to my eyes or mouth, so I won’t inhale it. I feel like I’m being protected by something I can’t see.
It really is a versatile piece of equipment as long as you don’t mind how it looks.
“Here, Yuna-oneesan. A handkerchief.” (Fina)
But Fina, who doesn’t know about that, handed me a beautiful white handkerchief.
It would be easy to say no here. But since I can’t turn down the handkerchief that Fina has given me, I simply thanked her and accepted it.
“Thank you.” (Yuna)
I put the handkerchief to my mouth and examined the room.
“Yuna-oneesan. What should I be looking for?” (Fina)
“I don’t know either. I’ve never seen it before. Something suspicious, I think?” (Yuna)
I don’t know if Kryna-Hark would have made it to mimic something as familiar as a broken chest, drawers, or bookcases like the one in front of me. We found a researcher’s dead body in the basement, so maybe I’ll recognise it when I see it.
…But when I look around the house, I can’t find anything that looks suspicious.
“Is there really something made by Kryna-Hark-san here?” (Fina)
Fina also frantically searched around, but couldn’t find anything.
“The researcher in that basement was trying to protect it, and he had his knight armor close, so I’m sure it’s somewhere nearby.” (Yuna)
We had no luck in the first house, so Fina and I moved to a smaller house next door.
This place is just as dusty as the first house.
Fina and I checked one room at a time.
“Hmm?” (Yuna)
When I entered the room, I felt omnious. There’s a bed in the middle of the room.
If that were all, there would be no problem, but there are scratches on the floor like someone dragged it from the wall.
My intuition, which has seen a lot of anime and manga and played many games, whispers to me that it’s definitely questionable.
“What’s wrong, Yuna-oneesan?” (Fina)
“I just thought that bed looked suspicious. Fina. Stay away from me for a minute so I can move the bed.” (Yuna)
After making sure Fina went to the entrance of the room, I grabbed the edge of the bed and pushed it against the wall. At the same time, dust flies.
I used wind magic to break the wooden window frame and let the dust escape outside the window.
“Fina, are you okay?” (Yuna)
Even if you protect your mouth and nose with a handkerchief, it’s still a problem if the dust gets in your eyes.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Yuna-oneesan, there’s a door under the bed.” (Fina)
Fina pointed to the floor while holding a handkerchief to her mouth.
There was indeed a door on the floor, hidden under the bed.
“Yuna-oneesan. Did you know that there’s a door under the bed?” (Fina)
“Fufu, this kind of concealment is a classic.” (Yuna)
The bed had drag marks, which was a deciding factor.
“Is that so?” (Fina)
In games, removing a carpet would reveal a basement, or moving a bookcase would reveal a hidden door or passage. They could be escape routes or hidden treasures. This technique has been used many times in manga and video games. This time, that knowledge came in handy.
“Now then, I’ll open it. Fina, stand back.” (Yuna)
There could be traps. I’m okay with bear gear, but it’s dangerous for Fina.
“Yes.” (Fina)
Fina nodded and moved back.
After ensuring Fina was safe, I lifted the door on the floor.
A hidden staircase has appeared.
Yep, as expected.
“Fina…” (Yuna)
“Yuna-oneesan!” (Fina)
I looked at Fina as I was about to say, ‘wait here’, she had already casted light magic.