Chapter 19

For now, I'll ask Mr. 'Scholar' about what I'm wondering.

"Rizathia had a skill like 'Archery (Turka Village Style Small Bow)', but why does this goblin have 'Spear Mastery'?"

<Answer. The skill possessed by the relevant creature is strictly 'Spear Mastery (Northern Forest Goblin Style Wooden Spear)' 0.19.>

<Due to structural differences, direct use is difficult, so we extract and apply the applicable parts.>

<For example, in Zhanghao's world, there were derivatives such as the Shinakage and Jigen styles of the 'Swordsmanship' skill.>

<'Swordsmanship' is the foundational concept at the top of the tree structure, with each derivative branching out below it.>

Ah... The core movements, such as the basic actions of wielding a sword, receiving, and returning, are common, and then they branch out according to the situation.

So, if the 'Swordsmanship' skill improves, it might be possible to perform the movements of a past sword master.

However, in this medieval-like world, it would be difficult to find a katana, and it would be better to focus on mid-range combat rather than close-range.

To be honest, I can't even imagine a middle-aged, overweight man swinging a katana gracefully.

Let's stop daydreaming and think about the aftermath of what I've done.

It's unclear how intelligent the goblins are, but they will likely become suspicious if the scout doesn't return.

If they come searching and encounter the group, it would be very bad.

I don't have any tools to dig a hole.

It feels quite unpleasant to damage a bipedal creature, but I'll cut off the nose, which is the target for the kill, and the limbs and head, and stuff them into a burlap bag.

The torso won't fit, so I'll carry it as is and return to the swamp from earlier. I'll sink each part and place a suitable rock on top to prevent it from floating and to conceal it.

Looking around, there are small crabs and shrimp-like creatures, so they will probably clean it up eventually.

There are also carnivorous animals like bears and wolves in the forest, so if they think it was attacked, that would be ideal.

I'll wash the blood-soaked burlap bag and wring it out. I'll put the nose from earlier in a small, folded burlap bag with some Vaz grass.

"Ah, my leather shoes are a mess. I need to buy new shoes."

The clothes I borrowed were mostly second-hand, but shoes are relatively expensive and have size issues, so I couldn't borrow them and had to wear my own.

I take out a piece of cloth I received as a towel and wipe my shoes.

I return to the site of the earlier battle, scatter some dirt, and hide the bloodstains.

"For now, this should be enough to put my mind at ease. I'd like to use this as a gathering spot in the future."

I recall that a goblin is worth 2,000 wyr, equivalent to about three hours of part-time work. Life is cheap...

I think about trivial matters as I return to the entrance of the forest.

It's already well past noon, and I'm hungry. The cleanup and travel took over an hour.

"Well, what should I have for lunch?"

I open the package given to me by Tisha. It was a morning bread with lard and mustard spread, and sandwiched with salted cabbage and prosciutto.

"Is this mustard? So there's Western mustard here... Maybe in the Southern Forest?"

The prosciutto is much saltier than what I ate in Japan, but my tired body craves salt, so it tastes very good.

"Thank you for the meal. It was delicious."

I thank Tisha and start walking back to the village, the sky gradually turning to dusk. I return to the Adventurer's Guild.

I head to the counter marked 'Appraisal' as the receptionist instructed. Since it's still early, I don't have to wait and can get the appraisal done right away.

"Vaz grass and a goblin, I see. Let me confirm. Please wait a moment."

The receptionist is a man in his 30s with dark brown hair. He examines each piece. The appraisal takes about 10 minutes.

"The reward is 2,000 wyr for the goblin and 16,000 wyr for 20 bundles of Vaz grass, totaling 18,000 wyr. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, please."

"Then, please provide your card."

He inserts the card into the reader and waves the request slip posted on the bulletin board over the reading part several times.

I wonder if the request slip itself contains some embedded information. It seems to be quite advanced technology.

"The registration is complete. Your rank has not changed this time. For the goblin slaying, it's a 9th rank task, but since you are currently 10th rank, it will be processed as one 10th rank task."

It's not going to increase just from one day's work.

"The Vaz grass was running low, so it was very helpful."

Apparently, the outer part of the Northern Forest had been over-harvested, making the supply unstable. Healing potions are crucial for life and death, so the Alchemist's Guild was quite pressing.

It might grow deeper in the forest, but it's too dangerous for my current rank, which is why it's unpopular.

Thanks to Mr. 'Recognition,' I can gather it efficiently without much confirmation, which is very helpful for me personally.

I receive three 5,000 wyr coins and three 1,000 wyr coins.

Ah, I want a small bag for my wallet. If there are no banknotes, a bag would be more convenient.

For now, I'll check my to-do list.

[x] Confirm the gathering request.

[x] Confirm the method of searching for the target.

[x] Improve gathering efficiency with 'Recognition.'

These are completed. I'll put the combat-related to-dos on hold for now. They're not efficient until my rank improves.

[ ] Confirm the fruit I gathered with Rizathia.

[ ] Buy shoes.

[ ] Buy a wallet.

[ ] Buy a burlap bag.

These are the additions.

I'll stop by the general store before heading back to Ast's house.

The general store is closer to the center of the village than the Adventurer's Guild.

It seems to have most daily necessities.

For now, I can't return the burlap bag, which is quite dirty, so I'll look for a new one.

I'll choose a 15 cm square drawstring bag. The cute pig emblem on the toggle is adorable.

Incidentally, there's a place to attach the toggle in the pocket of the tunic I'm borrowing, so the wallet is meant to be kept in the pocket.

I could attach it to my belt, but because of my pot belly, I can't see below it, so it's not a good idea.

My belly is also soft, and the belt is loose, so I'm afraid it might fall.

"The burlap bags are 3,000 wyr for two, and the drawstring bag is 2,000 wyr. That's a total of 8,000 wyr."

The clerk is a white-haired man in his 60s.

Almost half of my day's earnings are gone. Oh well.

Incidentally, the shoes are sold at the clothing store.

Considering they are handmade, it's more likely that 10,000 wyr won't be enough to buy them.

For now, I'll check my to-do list.

[x] Buy a wallet.

[x] Buy a burlap bag.

I'll handle these quickly.

Since I'm quite tired, I'll head back to Ast's house as soon as possible.

"I'm back."

As I open the door and call out, I realize I haven't said "I'm back" when returning home since my divorce.

I feel a warm sensation in my chest.