Chapter 50

As they moved downstream, the river's meanders gradually became gentler, and the number of riverbanks gradually decreased, with more space between them.

Glancing at the tents of the earlier arrivals, Tōru and the others continued walking tirelessly.

They finally reached an uninhabited riverbank about an hour after leaving the outpost.

"Phew, we finally found an open spot. Good job, Tōru."

"No, the real work is just beginning. I need to set up the gear, so give me a hand."

"Can I go collect some stones, Tōru?"

"Whatever you do, don't get too close to the river. Ah, Yūriru, please take a rest."

"I... I'll help too..."

"No, don't overexert yourself. You look really pale."

Her already pale skin had turned even paler, as if the blood had drained from it.

Yūriru was strong in magic-related matters, but her physical strength was below average.

Tōru quickly unloaded the gear and took out a small wooden folding chair.

After unfolding it and laying a fur on it, he gently pushed Yūriru's slender shoulders, forcing her to sit down.

Seeming to be aware of her condition, she sat down quietly and exhaled softly.

"...I'm sorry, I completely forgot. I didn't realize I was this weak."

"If you don't feel better, let me know, and I'll heal you."

"Yes... I'll take you up on that and rest for a bit."

Without leaning on the backrest or slouching, Yūriru managed a smile.

Impressed by her maintaining her grace even when tired, Tōru admired her even more.

"Tōru, is this the right spot?"

"I'll go check. Call me if it gets tough."

"Ah, Tōru. It's better not to set up the tent on the embankment..."

"I thought about setting it up on the riverbank like everyone else. Is there a reason not to?"

"That brown grass. It's called Spirit Suction Grass. I don't recommend getting too close to it."

"This is it. I've heard of it, but it's my first time seeing it in person."

Spirit Suction Grass is a plant that has been mutated by miasma, absorbing nutrients and vitality from everything around it.

Due to its strong reproductive ability, the land quickly becomes barren, and other organisms avoid it.

It seems that Yūriru's poor condition was partly due to passing through the embankment several times on the way.

Following Yūriru's suggestion, Tōru and the others decided to set up their tents at the edge of the riverbank.

First, they combined wooden poles to form a large triangular frame.

They then hung a cloth treated with slime fluid to increase its water resistance.

After securing it with large stones to prevent it from moving, they covered the roof with a boar's fur.

Finally, they removed as many sharp stones as possible and laid fur on the ground to complete the setup.

The front and back were completely open, but it was fine for just sleeping.

They had set up two tents: one for the two women and one for Tōru and the children.

Four folding chairs were placed next to the tents.

While a table was impractical, they had a small heat plate to boil water.

This magic stone device was a gift from Dadan.

Yūriru, who had recovered, boiled the water and brewed a herbal tea.

"Tea is ready, everyone."

"Thank you, Yūriru. Wow, it smells great."

"Hey, take a break, Mū."

"Wait a moment, Tōru. Perfect!"

Mū, who had skillfully stacked stones to her waist height, ran over to Tōru.

Suddenly, she turned around and threw the stone she was holding.

The pile of stones collapsed with a rumble.

The child, who had destroyed her own creation, giggled expressionlessly.

By the time Tōru and the others had a short break, it was already past three in the afternoon.

With the preparations complete, the group readied themselves for their first battle at the Blood Flowing River.

"Since I'll be in the front, Sora, look for openings to provide support. Mū, use your usual 'Zap' and watch. Yūriru, you can move freely."

"Leave it to me, Tōru."

"Got it!"

"Um, I understand."

While they often pre-decide detailed instructions, in Tōru's party, Sora and Mū's roles are almost fixed, so there's no need to assign them.

Since they can do fewer things, it's inevitable.

Also, with Tōru as the only front-liner, there's no need to worry about coordination or positioning.

It's a very easy party for the back-liners to play, being a single-point focus type.

Equipped with <Thunder Needle> and <Electric Thorn>, Tōru approached the water's edge and stomped his feet.

This was a method he had seen other parties use on the way here.

After about a minute, the reddish-black water rippled, and black masses began to emerge one after another.

They were as tall as Tōru's knees.

Their rounded backs were dotted with red spots on a black background.

Their long, folded limbs.

Protruding eyes and a large mouth that took up half of their face.

Four frogs had appeared from the river.

Tōru immediately jumped back to create distance, and behind him, a clear prayer echoed.

"Sleep quickly—<Cold Sleep>."

The red poison frogs, which had emitted eerie cries as they climbed ashore, suddenly stopped moving.

The girls, who had never seen a monster forcibly put to sleep, were surprised.

"Wait, did Yūriru do that?"

"Yū-baachan, you're amazing. Mū can't be left behind! Sora-neechan is already losing, though."

"Um, that's true, but we agreed not to say that, right?"

"Oh dear, you'll wake them up if you make noise."

In a normal <Cold Sleep>, the effect is to induce a light drowsiness to disrupt the monster's concentration.

It's one of the most beginner-friendly skills in the ice magic branch, often mockingly called a "nap inducer."

However, Yūriru's <Cold Sleep> was far from gentle.

The effects are as follows:

<Cold Sleep>—Lowers the target's body temperature to induce sleep.

Level 9 / Uses per hour: 10 / Activation: Minor / Effect: Major / Duration: 15 seconds / Range: 15 steps

However, when combined with <Target Dispersal> and <Magic Infusion>, it can produce terrifying effects, as Tōru, who had been helped by it many times, knew well.

<Target Dispersal>—Disperses the target of the magic skill.

Activation: Active / Effect: Decrease / Range: Up to 20 targets

<Magic Infusion>—Enhances the effect of the magic skill by consuming more magic power.

Activation: Active / Effect: Up to 6 times / Range: Self

Dispersing the target can significantly reduce the effect of some magic skills.

This characteristic compensates for that reduction by enhancing the effect several times.

Furthermore, with the advanced characteristic <Magic Overload>, which is an upper-level characteristic of <Magic Increase>, running out of magic power is not a concern.

While feeling the strength of a perfectly cultivated ice spirit tree, Tōru maximized the sharpness of his iron sword.

The red poison frogs, as their name suggests, carry poison on their skin, which can cause numbness if touched.

Their bodies, covered in mucus, are difficult to cut, and they have excellent evasion skills.

They hide retractable claw-like bones in their fingertips, and their bite is strong enough to sever limbs.

But that's only if they're moving.

Tōru walked up and calmly beheaded three of them.

He then deliberately kicked the fourth one away and signaled to Sora.

"Here, practice, Sora."

"Y-Yes!"

The girl, who had been given a forced opportunity, raised her staff and tried to <Reverse> the monster that was charging at Tōru.

However, her attack, tinged with anxiety, only twisted the red poison frog's body in mid-air.

The monster emitted an eerie cry and scattered its bodily fluids around.

Tōru, reacting quickly, stepped back and raised his blue-striped mantle to intercept the flying poison.

Then, taking a step back, he instantly moved forward and swung his blade.

The monster, bisected without a death cry, rolled to the ground.

"Sorry, Tōru."

"Don't let your guard down until the battle is over. And don't rely too much on others."

"...Okay. I'll be more careful."

Thus, Tōru and the others' first battle at the Blood Flowing River ended easily.

It was a good start, but the real challenge was yet to come.