Inside the mine

 
 I took the dwarves’ test. I had to go to the mine Jay chose, choose and bring back superior ore, and then refine it into iron that was to Jay’s satisfaction.
 Thus I came to the mine Jay had chosen. The entrance was covered in rope, but I was told I could take it off if I wanted.
 I removed the rope and got into the excavator. I was told I had to go alone, but I wasn’t told I couldn’t go with the magic excavator. Jay also said I could do whatever I wanted with my tools.
 I went in, the engine softly humming. Certainly, it would be difficult with it in its large-size version, but in its usual size, there was more than enough space.
 We moved into the tunnel. I can’t really see anything strange right now.
 The inside was quite intricate. At any rate, after progressing a bit, I activated the radar equipped on the excavator.
 
 ”This is — is there a monster inside?”
 
 Red lights, indicating hostile reactions, could be seen here and there. There are many monsters and magic beasts that use mountains as their base. However, when using a mine, it’s normal to eliminate them beforehand.
 
 It’s likely that they settled down here once the mine closed down, but the number is still quite high.
 Could this maybe be the reason why the mine was closed? Anyways, we’ll go and look. The red spots and the iron ore are roughly in the same place.
 And the one I was headed for — was a Slime. Although I said it’s a Slime, it doesn’t have the same kind of charm as Keon. It’s a Slime with a messy, slimy appearance. Although I say that, if I had to choose, I’d say this is the type that I’m more familiar with.
 And the problem with this Slime is that it is an Acid Slime. Acid Slimes use strong acid to attack enemies and corrode metals.
 Keon himself can also use acid, but the acid the Acid Slime uses is unquestionably the strongest type. Therefore, it’s a nuisance in the mines due to the latter meaning. [TL: i.e. that it melts metals]
 
 ”Kya—–!”
 
 By no means charming like Keon, it exposed its hostility as I approached. If you think they’re threatening, there’s no doubt they’ll attack you with their strong acid.
 We took a number of attacks from the Acid Slime head on, but that wasn’t a problem. It’s true that it’s really bad for iron, but it’s useless against the magic excavator, which has been treated to be corrosion-proof.
 I swung down the bucket and disposed of the Acid Slime. Sorry, but they’re the natural enemy of mines. And, although Keon’s charm makes it easy to forget, this type of Slime can use its slimy body to get in through even the smallest gaps.
 It would be a nuisance if they escaped and fled to other mines.
 After defeating the Acid Slime, I checked the iron ore. But it’s no good. It was already worn out.
 … is this the reason the mine is closed after all? I don’t know, but I continued on anyway.
 This time it’s giant ants. They were gnawing at the walls of the mine. When they noticed the magic excavator I was driving, they attacked all at once.
 It’s a ferocious monster. There’s many of them. It’s not visually pleasing seeing the black mass scurrelling toward me.
 
 ”Super excavator spiiiiiiin!”
 
 The magic excavator rotates at a high speed, mowing the ants down. The ants that were blown away were no longer moving. I looked at the iron ore, but — it’s also already worn out here…
 Seems these ants also used acid. Would these ants be called Acid Ants? Anyway, that acid’s effect was strong.
 Sigh. It can’t be helped. Anyway, let’s continue on like before again. I kept relying on the radar, but there were a lot of monsters near the iron ore.
 I proceeded while clearing out ants and Acid Slimes. After that, I found a giant monster.
 
 ”UoOOOoOOn!”
 ”This is absurd as well. And the smell is also harsh.”
 
 It was a four-footed, sludge-like monster. Its whole body was mushy, and when its sludge-like substance dropped to the ground, it corroded, raising smoke.
 The smoke it produces when it melts is a toxic gas. Thanks to my magic excavator and special work clothes, I’m fine, but if you don’t take any countermeasures, it’ll be a tough opponent. [TL: … next thing you know, we find out his work clothes are better than some hero’s holy armour or whatever]
 
 ”Gua, gua, gebraAAaaaaAaaAah!”
 
 The monster spat out a large amount of liquid from its mouth. The ground melted and a vertical hole was made.
 I moved the excavator by operating the lever and dodged it, but it’s absurd. It seems that the surrounding iron ore is getting ruined just by it being here.
 
 ”Can’t be helped. Let’s get rid of you!”
 ”UaAOooOOooO!”
 
 It started using its sludge body to attack. It swung around its slimy arm, while spitting out liquid.
 Even if it hits me, it won’t do any damage as long as I’m on this magic excavator, but if I leave it like this, it’s going to mess up the mine.
 I attacked this creepy, bad monster with the bucket. But thanks to its sludge body, it didn’t result in any damage. This guy’s got more physical resistance than the Acid Slime.
 However — if directly hitting it is impossible, the magic excavator is also equipped with options.
 
 ”This is magic freezing gas!”
 
 The option it was equipped with is a spout that sprays out a chilling gas. Then its sludge body hardened stiff.
 
 ”A, ga, ga, a…”
 
 Then the monster, having being completely frozen, stopped moving.
 
 ”Sorry, but you’re a serious hazard to the mine.”
 
 The frozen monster was able to be smashed by the magic excavator. Even if they’re sludge-like, once they’re frozen, it has no meaning.
 But what on earth is going on in this mine…