Chapter 17

"Wait. There's a trap."

I stopped the others, including Artemis, and crouched down near the bushes.

The trap was hidden by branches and leaves, but there was no mistaking it. It was definitely a man-made trap.

It was just a simple trap that caught and restrained someone by their limbs, but it could be dangerous for people walking through the forest.

Such traps should have colored strings attached to warn of their presence and should use numbered fittings from the guild. However, this trap had none of those.

Moreover, iron pieces were embedded at the base of the nearby bushes, likely to weaken struggling prey. It was quite impressive how many violations this trap managed to accumulate.

People from rural areas tend to set up a lot of these, which is quite a problem.

"It's an illegal trap."

"I'll collect it. There have been quite a few this year."

"Recent newcomers don't seem to think at all. They probably did as they pleased in their hometowns."

"The guild's initial training should be more thorough. Maybe even a written test would be good."

"If you did that, the guild members would disappear."

Ulrika's concern was valid, but with so many troublemakers, it's a real issue.

I think the guild members are about half decent and half criminals. If it's going to be impossible anyway, it would be better to filter them out more strictly.

It would save money in the long run, I think, rather than letting them settle in and cause trouble.

"…Hmph. I see. You have a good eye for traps."

"Well, I'm decent at it. I'm not a born hunter like Sienna, so please cut me some slack for any oversights."

"No, you're seeing it much better than I expected."

"…Are you really complimenting me?"

"I am."

"Your eyes are scary, though."

"Be quiet."

"Ahahaha."

"Ulrika, be quiet."

"Okay."

We search for minor anomalies in the forest. This skill has been honed since I came to this world.

To be honest, I'm not very confident. What I've learned is average, but without the protagonist's cheat, I feel incredibly insecure. Ironically, this makes me study harder.

"Footprints."

"Eh, where? Lina."

"Here."

As we continued walking, Lina was the first to spot a trace.

I really hate this kind of work. The soil all looks the same. Even now, I'm not sure if I can identify animal paths.

"Really. Good job, Lina."

"Good work, Lina."

"Hehe."

Seeing Lina being praised, I can tell how she is treated in Artemis.

I heard they get along well, but she is really treated like the youngest and most beloved. That's good to see.

"…What is it?"

"I didn't say anything."

She's probably at that age where she doesn't want to be seen like that.

Well, she's 16, so she's already a grown-up, even if she looks small.

"…The footprints are from a large Charge Deer."

The mage Natasha, who had hardly participated in the conversation, was poking the footprint to measure its depth.

She was probably imagining the weight of the prey from the depth of the soil. Probably.

By the way, a Charge Deer is a deer-like monster with extremely aggressive horns.

It has two horns specialized for stabbing rather than sweeping, and it prefers the simple yet powerful attack method of charging and impaling its enemies.

Despite having horns that look carnivorous, it is herbivorous, so it seems that impaling is just a hobby or instinct. It's a real nuisance, adding harmful elements to an already harmful creature.

Many guild members, even experienced hunters, are killed by it every year, making it more troublesome than the Crazy Boar, which has a longer reach.

However, the profit from slaying it is better than the Crazy Boar, whose skin doesn't sell.

The horns, skin, and meat all fetch a good price. I usually break the horns, though.

"It's not a territorial mark. It just passed through here."

"It doesn't seem to be heading to a water source. What's going on?"

"Maybe it's because the forest's layout has been messed up by the recent influx of newcomers. The current distribution of the forest can't be relied on."

"True. It might be a waste to think too deeply about it. …Mongrel? Do you have any ideas?"

Well, I can't really help with that.

"I just kill the prey I find. I don't know anything about hunting techniques. I just go to the locations of the guild's requests and search around. From an amateur's perspective, I can only give off-target advice."

"…Yeah, I guess that's true. I understand. Let's resume moving."

"Okay."

It would be helpful if a Charge Deer or Crazy Boar appeared to show my strength.

If I could take down a monster of moderate strength, they would be convinced of my power.

Plus, I want to use my bow-sword for the first time.

"Huh?"

"Guah?"

While thinking about this, we encountered goblins walking down the animal path. There were two of them.

It's like encountering them on a hiking trail.

Of course, they won't be friendly even if we greet them with "Hello."

"Goblins."

"They've increased recently. Maybe the ones hiding in the fields have fled into the forest?"

"Trying to predict goblin behavior is a waste of time. Mongrel, can I take one? I'll reduce their numbers with my bow first."

"You can take both. I won't have any trouble with these small goblins."

The goblins were yelling and trying to intimidate us. Normally, they would run away from a large group like us, but upon noticing that the Artemis members are attractive females, they became more aggressive. That's what goblins do.

"One arrow is enough. Why? Because one arrow can kill one goblin."

"Looks like it's starting."

I nocked an arrow to my bow-sword and drew it back.

The creaking of the string. The goblins, holding clubs, slowly approached.

"Your stance is off."

"Don't laugh, Ulrika-senpai."

"You're holding it too far from your body. Bring it closer to your face."

My extreme focus blocked out the noisy women around me, and it reached its peak.

"Swiftly!"

"Guah!?"

The arrow, released like a meteor, pierced the trunk of a tree next to the goblin at an incredible speed.

"Shh! Because…"

"Wow, that was pretty bad."

"Don't laugh. Everyone starts as a beginner."

"Hey! I'll show you the true power of the bow-sword!"

"Kyaa!?"

Distracted by the missed arrow, I quickly slipped into the goblins' midst.

The blade of the bow-sword, with a decent reach, swiftly cut through the goblins' throats and hearts, and the two witnesses to my failure were eliminated from this world.

"Your archery is a bit lacking, but your close combat was good."

"Senpai, are you giving up on the bow already?"

"I'm just not suited for it."

"Oh, Mongrel, you're sulking. I'm sorry."

Still, the bastard sword I'm used to is the best. With it, I can handle almost anything.

I'm done with the bow for today. I'll hang it on the wall of the inn as a decoration.

"…You're still using a short sword, aren't you?"

"Hm?"

Sienna looked at my bastard sword with a thoughtful expression.

Well, it's about 20 cm shorter than the longsword used by the military, so I understand her point.

"Holding the end of the hilt extends the reach, so it's not a problem. This one is longer, after all."

"Then why not use a longsword?"

"Hah."

"What's with that laugh?"

"You guys don't know the strength of the bastard sword."

Everyone looks skeptical, but I'll show you if a monster appears later.

"Senpai, I know the strength of that sword."

"Oh, Lina understands. You've seen it in action."

"Yep. After being saved by it, I can't complain."

"Hmm… I've heard this from Lina, but is it really true? Maybe a sparring match with Gorilliana later?"

"No… I don't really want to do that…"

I want to show my good side, but I don't want to fight Gorilliana.

I don't think I'll lose, but it's scary, you know.

"Everyone, let's take a break. It's lunchtime."

We continued walking and took several breaks in open areas.

We disarmed a few traps and chased away some weak monsters, but we arrived at the target work shed without any major issues by late afternoon.

"There's someone here."

It seems someone is already at the work shed.

People who work in forestry or those on expeditions sometimes use it, so it's understandable.

However,

"The question is whether they are legitimate users."

"…Yeah."

The faces of the group took on a serious expression.

Yes, this work shed is also an excellent spot for bandits to stay.