Chapter 80

We reached the forest, and we were searching for prey.

Since there don’t seem to be many strong monsters, today we’re going to train in a class we don’t usually use,

【Unemployed Lv79 · Apprentice Spearman Lv1 · Magic Reporter Lv1 · Magic Swordsman Lv1 · Artist Lv1】

This combination has significantly lowered our stats.

Still, as a Magic Swordsman, I have physical attack and defense power on par with an Apprentice Swordsman Lv10, and magic attack and defense power on par with an Apprentice Mage Lv10, making it a fairly high-level class.

With this, I shouldn’t fall behind against most opponents.

“Still, there are fewer monsters than I thought. Marina, over there.”

In the direction I pointed, there was a bird about the size of an eagle. Marina aimed and shot it down with a wind arrow.

Only the feathers.

Then, the falling bird,

“Wind!”

I attacked with a wind spell.

The bird’s head was severed.

【Ichino’s level has increased]

[Apprentice Spearman Skill: Spear Equipment obtained]

[Magic Reporter Skill: Card Creation obtained]

[Magic Swordsman Skill: Enchantment Magic obtained]

[Artist Skill: Brush Equipment obtained]

[Recipe obtained]

I got a lot of new things.

But not many of them will be immediately useful.

The recipe is for a Magic Reporter.

A Magic Reporter can create cards using special ink made by an alchemist.

Right now, I can make Ignition Cards, which ignite after a certain period of time.

They could be useful for making timed explosives, I thought.

“Everyone, let me know when you change classes. But at this rate, we might not gather enough meat to meet our goal.”

Our goal is 200 kilograms of meat.

But each bird is less than one kilogram.

I put the headless bird, which didn’t need to have the blood drained, into the item bag.

At this rate, we might only gather half of our goal.

“Hey, Ichino-sama, should we split into two groups?”

“Two groups?”

“Yes. Fortunately, both Ichino-sama and Marina-san excel at ranged attacks, and both Ichino-sama and Haru-san have the ability to find monsters. So, let’s split into two groups: Haru-san and Marina-san, and Ichino-sama and me. I may not be very useful, but I can gather fruits and edible plants as a Gatherer.”

Indeed, it doesn’t seem like we’ll level up much here, so let’s do it.

“That’s a good idea. How about we make it a competition? My team with Caro, and Haru and Marina’s team, split into two and have a hunting contest. The winning team can have me do anything they want.”

But, Haru and Caro probably aren’t very interested in that.

They’re not greedy.

Marina will probably be the most enthusiastic, right?

When I thought that, Caro’s eyes widened, and Haru’s tail stood up straight.

“Anything… Okay, anything.”

“Ichino-sama, anything… Ichino-sama! Follow me! According to the information about this forest, there’s a good spot ahead.”

“Marina-san, grab onto me! I’ll move through the trees.”

“Huh? Haru? Wait—stop! I’m afraid of heights—Kyaah!”

Haru abducted Marina, and she disappeared with a cute scream.

…Huh, they’re more motivated than I thought?

What will I be ordered to do?

“Ichino-sama, this way! Hurry!”

Looking at the motivated Caro, I felt uneasy no matter which team wins. I wanted to punch my past self from ten seconds ago.

※※※

“Ichino-sama, hurry! Haru-san will get ahead of us.”

“Don’t overdo it. It’s just a game, and I said I’ll do anything, but Caro, if there’s something you want, you should tell me normally. I’m pretty dense, you know.”

“I know Ichino-sama is dense, but… there are things I can’t say unless there’s an opportunity like this.”

“What do you want to say… Oh, look, Caro! There are fruits over there. Can we eat those?”

I found fruits that looked like pears and asked Caro.

“Oh, yes. Those are Pawpaw fruits. They’re sweet and delicious.”

Thanks to her Plant Identification skill or her original knowledge, Caro explained.

“Ah, but I can’t quite reach them… Should we piggyback?”

“Piggyback?”

“Yeah. That way, you can reach them, and you need to gather them to gain experience, right?”

“…Alright.”

Caro nodded, looking a bit unhappy.

When I sat down, Caro sat behind me, wrapping her legs around my waist.

“Okay, I’m going to stand up.”

I held Caro’s legs and tucked them under my arms, then stood up.

To keep her balance, Caro gripped my head tightly.

“Caro! Don’t pull my hair! And stop pulling my ears!”

“S-Sorry.”

I managed to keep my balance, and Caro stretched out her hands to pick the Pawpaw fruits, which I then put into the item bag. We worked well together.

But then, I lost my balance and almost fell.

I slid Caro down my back.

As a result, she ended up hugging my back.

Her slightly rounded chest pressed against my back.

“Caro, are you okay?”

“…Um… Ichino-sama, can I stay like this for a bit?”

“Sure, but were you scared? Sorry for pushing you too hard.”

“…Ichino-sama, I’ve told you many times, I’m 17 years old.”

“Huh? You were 16 before.”

“My birthday was three days ago.”

“Sorry, I didn’t celebrate your birthday.”

“…That’s not the point. I want you to treat me as an adult.”

…With that, Caro hugged me tightly.

“Is that why you’ve been saying ‘I’ instead of ‘Caro’ recently?”

“You noticed?”

“We’ve been together for a long time. How could I not notice? But I preferred the old way.”

“…Huh?”

“Well, I want Caro to be more like Caro. But I realize it was wrong to treat you like a child. How about I buy you a nice drink next time?”

“That’s treating me like a child.”

Even if she says that, I can’t help but think of Mili when I see Caro.

“Ichino-sama, you said to tell you if I want something. I want Ichino-sama’s love.”

“I care about Haru and Caro, and I guess Marina, more than myself—”

“Kiss me, Caro… Kiss me!”