Chapter 28

Yesterday, after Galahad and the others started drinking, I brought out some whiskey and wine halfway through, and they were delighted. I was also made to drink, but my impression was that it was bitter and burned my throat.

Galahad said that if you keep drinking, you'll eventually come to appreciate the taste.

I exchanged Patka with Eagle, Camilla, and Ruba. It was good that the corrections were made; someone must have sent a request email. Speaking of emails, I also sent a message to the tea-soaked group, telling them that the place where I picked the "Moon Chant Grass" would remain visible for five days. With this, if they have the inclination and spare skill points, they can obtain the "Mining" or "Gathering" skill and go pick it up.

In the morning, I went to the East Gate before the meeting time.

I had already logged out once, and more importantly, I have a day off tomorrow, so even if it takes a long time, it's fine.

Because I arrived early, the other three hadn't arrived yet. I had breakfast and took a walk from the inn. White had already returned. We stayed at a small inn for residents, which Ruba recommended. The inn where Galahad and the others were staying was still full of adventurers.

I also stopped by the Alchemist Guild to replenish potions and check out what other medicines they had.

"What, you were inside?"

When the meeting time came, I went to the gate, and this time, the three and Ruba were there.

Is Ruba here to see us off?

"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"

"No, you're right on time."

"Take this."

Ruba handed me a sword.

"Thanks, but I don't have any money?"

"I haven't used the forge in a while, so I tested it with the remaining ore. I made sure the magical effects wouldn't wear off, but it's not for sale, so don't worry about it."

"Thank you."

I smiled and took the sword that had been offered to me.

"Alright, good luck."

Saying that, Ruba quickly walked off down the alley, apparently having come just for this.

"Hey, wait a minute!!"

I was surprised when I saw the slender sword he gave me. It was five times stronger than the one I currently have, and it even has "Magic Conduction" and "Strength +5" effects.

Ruba's figure, which had turned the corner, was already out of sight.

"Is this the strongest weapon of this rank?"

"Sure lives up to the name 'God's Artisan.'"

"Probably the strongest weapon in the rank that Homura can use, right?"

The three seem to have high-rank weapons and aren't too shocked, but I'm different.

I was so surprised that I started sweating while holding the sword.

And what's this about a "God's Artisan"?

"You were all set to forge a sword with the 'Moonlight Stone,' right? What kind of amazing thing will come out?"

"No, I can't equip it, can't equip it."

"Why is the 'Moon Chant Grass' valuable? Not only is it hard to gather, but it can be used in medicine. When used in weapon and armor production, it removes equipment restrictions, but it also means only the owner can equip it, making it untradeable."

Eagle dismissed my objection.

I haven't gotten any stronger myself, so why this cheat?

"Yeah, I tried to borrow a sword with a record of defeating Fehr Fars, but it didn't work."

Galahad's casual voice.

"It has 'Magic Conduction' and 'Strength +5'...?"

"That's impressive for a weapon of this rank to have two effects."

"What kind of magic stone is used for 'Magic Conduction'?"

When I asked why magic stones were mentioned, it turns out that some magic stones, when used in the production of weapons and armor, can grant special effects to the finished product. There's a chance of failure, in which case the effect might not be attached, a negative effect might be attached, or the weapon's performance might decrease.

"Is it good now?"

After walking for a while from the East Gate, Galahad stopped and said that.

"Is it good?"

Not understanding what was good, I looked at the three, and Galahad threw a gem-like object.

Before it hit the ground, it gained mass and turned into a tiger with bright orange fur, probably larger than a regular tiger.

I was surprised and wide-eyed as Eagle and Camilla also called out wolf-like creatures.

"Let me introduce you, this is my mount, Tyle."

Galahad patted the tiger-like creature's neck. It was as tall as Galahad's face.

"This is Hagar."

Eagle's mount is a white wolf-like creature.

"This is Uruk."

Camilla's is a black wolf. All three are strong, beautiful creatures with supple bodies.

I'm glad I have the "Nausea Resistance" skill. I'm riding on Tyle behind Galahad, galloping through a place a bit off the road.

It's fast!

Tyle's running is smooth and doesn't shake much, but the road isn't flat. It's more like there's no road. We jump and move through the wetlands, choosing places to step. If I didn't have "Nausea Resistance," it would have been terrible, but now it's refreshing.

We arrived at the field where the boss in Sar is located in about an hour.

Since there are many people in Sekan, we decided to go there first. The plan is to fly to Fos, defeat the boss in Fos, and then the boss in Sekan... But for me, it was a bit of a mismatch since I could have used the transfer to Sar and Sekan.

We got off Tyle and walked to the boss's spawn point. The boss here appears by the lake. The scenery has changed from wetlands to a forest. The trees are thicker and straighter than in the forests to the south and north of Fastbrim, which makes sense since Sar is known for woodworking.

"Where do you become friends with mounts?"

"Friends?"

"We caught them in the country of Ail to the east."

"It's a one-on-one battle to the death?"

"You have to show your strength and make them submit."

"It was tough. It might be easier now, and you might get a faster mount, but my partner is Hagar."

"Same here. I'm fine with Uruk."

"Same. I don't want to get killed by a failure."

"There were even people who stuck around, saying they'd kill to get one."

I suspect the "kill to get one" was a joke, but the "stuck around" part is a no-go.

"Since you're talking about becoming friends, Homura, you'll be fine."

Camilla winked at me. The three seem to really care about their mounts.

"This is next to the country. To move between countries, you first need to be C-rank, right?"

"How many ranks do you have now?"

"I'm still D."

"Next, right? Getting to C is fast."

"From C, it gets much harder. It's nostalgic."

We arrived at the lake.

The boss battle started immediately. For Galahad and the others, this boss is probably no big deal, so there's no preparation or waiting.

The boss was a giant pill bug.

Is it better because it's not a spider?

"【Full Power Strike】!! Oh yeah!"

Galahad's first strike made the boss thrash around.

"【Astute】!"

"【Crimson Note】!"

Eagle's one-handed sword skill looks refined. Maybe it's the skill, or maybe it's the subtle movements that make it look different. Camilla's magic is flashy. The pill bug, now called Circle Moss, is writhing in flames, probably with burning damage.

"【Thunder】!"

I drew Ruba's sword and swung it horizontally, testing it out. Despite being an upper-level magic, it doesn't seem very strong. Maybe it's because I'm using Ruba's sword.

It's because the three are too overpowered!

"Wait, lightning?!"

"How can you use it?!"

"Can you learn it at this level?!"

Huh?

I was surprised.

《You have obtained the solo first defeat title 【Bug Slayer】》

《You have obtained the solo first defeat reward 【Pendant of Substitution】》

《You have obtained the title 【Lone Adventurer】》

《Announcement: The boss of Sar, "Circle Moss," has been defeated solo》

《This will disclose information》

《When a boss is defeated solo, a title and item are obtained at first defeat, and an item is obtained at each defeat》

《Note: Non-player partners such as "residents" and "summoned creatures" do not count towards the number of people, so feel free to invite them》

What?

The boss was defeated without any danger.

Circle Moss Carapace × 4

Circle Moss Chestplate

Ruby × 10

Ring of Agility

Transfer Stone "Sar"

These are the regular spoils.

Yeah, I'm escaping reality.

Can residents not hear world announcements?

What do you mean by solo defeat when there are four people in the party?

And three of them are overpowered, three!

And we still have to defeat more bosses!!!!

Is the game balance okay with this!!!! It's not, right?!

The boss battle didn't feel like a boss battle because of the overpowered three!

The overpowered three!!!

"What kind of overpowered is this?"

"Why do you have both 【Light】 and 【Dark】?"

"Two blessings from the gods, what kind of cleric are you?"

"【Thunder】 is almost never seen nowadays. I only know one other person who can use it."

"What's with the assassin? Patka doesn't have a crime mark, so I get that it's like a dungeon thief, but..."

"Even brewing in cooking..."

I'm being examined by the three, having moved away from the boss's spawn point.

I feel like I should sit seiza... I'm being called overpowered by overpowered people, but I'm not that strong!

"Even if you're called overpowered, you have a lot of things, but you're not that strong."

"It's normal at level 20s. What will happen when your level goes up?"

"Is 【Lone Adventurer】 because Homura has been soloing?"

I just got that title!!!!!!!

The effect is natural HP and MP recovery when soloing. From what I can see, the MP recovery overlaps with my skills.

"Especially Verna's blessing, the rare drop rate increase, is enviable."

"It affects the party, so I'll kidnap you when I want rare items."

Huh?

"Verna's blessing is supposed to be a luck bonus and a dark attribute compatibility increase..."

"That's part of it."

"Maybe Homura's appraisal level is too low to see it."

"Ah, I see."

"The blessings from the gods can't just slightly increase stats."

"Even at this level, it's scary to have them."

【Val's Blessing】 increases skill growth rate, and 【Verna's Blessing】 increases rare drop rate for the party.

I was considering whether to hide the assassin, but it seems necessary or mandatory.

"Let's get to C-rank quickly, okay?"

Galahad put his hand on my shoulder with a very good smile.

"Then help us get rare items."

"At this level, skills are hard to level up."

Eagle put his hand on my other shoulder with a smile.

"I want to meet the upper-level wind and dark elementals. The chance to meet them increases if the compatibility is good."

Camilla ran her finger along my jaw.

How did it come to this?!

I'm registering the transfer stone at Sar's temple while being teased.

But I made sure to get the barrel from the barrel shop between the gate and the temple!

The "Pendant of Substitution" can nullify instant death damage. It can be used once, and it takes a day to recharge, but it's not a consumable, which is nice. We flew to Fos, rested at a bar, and the next target is the Day Dragon.

《Announcement: The boss of Fos, "Day Dragon," has been defeated solo》

The world announcement is flowing...

《You have obtained the solo first defeat title 【Dragon Slayer】》

《You have obtained the solo first defeat reward 【Boots of Gale】》

Yeah, this also ended quickly.

It was so close yesterday!!!

The gloves I sold came back, and I got a duplicate ring of health. I learned that you can't wear the same ring twice.

I'll ignore the dragon slayer title. I'll ignore it.

"Hey, you leveled up?"

"Yeah, now I can get 'Mining.'"

I spent 2 skill points to get "Mining."

"Even at night, I can be safe."

We were taken to Sekan on Tyle again.

It was 12:00 in the game time, and 10:30 PM in real time. There were still many people logged in, and there were several parties at the boss spawn point. Even though the boss spawns when you enter the boss field, there's no need to wait, but they were either checking equipment or discussing before the boss battle or confirming spoils after the battle.

"Can you wait until the other parties leave?"

The world announcement is the enemy.

It was fortunate that we were at a distance where Tyle and the others could return without being seen.

"Huh? Sure, it's lunchtime, so let's eat."

□ □ □ □ □

・Increase・

Level +1

Titles

【Lone Adventurer】

【Bug Slayer】

【Dragon Slayer】

Skills

【Mining】

□ □ □ □ □

Homura Lv.23

Rank D

Job Magic Swordsman Alchemist (Assassin)

HP 646

MP 826

STR 35

VIT 22

INT 45（＋1）

MID 16

DEX 16（＋1）

AGI 23

LUK 14

NPCP 【Galahad】【－】

Titles

■General

【Communicator】【Circulating Power】【Mystery Solver】

【Economic Leader】【Lone Adventurer】

■Blessings of the Gods

【Val's Blessing】【Verna's Blessing】

■Slayer Series

【Lizard Slayer】【Bug Slayer】

【Dragon Slayer】

Skills (1SP)

■Magic

【Wood Magic Lv.4】 【Fire Magic Lv.5】【Earth Magic Lv.3】

【Metal Magic Lv.4】 【Water Magic Lv.3】【☆Wind Magic Lv.3】

【☆Thunder Magic Lv.3】【Light Magic Lv.2】【☆Dark Magic Lv.8】

■Swordsmanship

【Swordsmanship Lv.10】【Slash】

【Katana Lv.2】

■Summoning

【White Lv.1】

■Elemental Magic

Water Elemental 【Rufa Lv.2】

■Talent

【Martial Arts】

■Production

【Alchemy Lv.1】【Alchemy Synthesis Lv.1】【Cooking Lv.7】

■Gathering

【Gathering】【Mining】

■Appraisal & Concealment

【Tool and Medicine Appraisal Lv.4】【Plant and Food Appraisal Lv.5】

【Animal and Monster Appraisal Lv.4】【Skill Appraisal Lv.4】

【Weapon and Armor Appraisal Lv.2】

【Aura Detection Lv.4】【Aura Dilution Lv.4】【Concealment Lv.4】

■Enhancement

【Strength Enhancement Lv.2】【Intelligence Enhancement Lv.4】【Spirit Enhancement Lv.2】

【Dexterity Enhancement Lv.2】【Agility Enhancement Lv.2】

【Swordsmanship Enhancement Lv.3】【Magic Enhancement Lv.2】

■Resistance

【Nausea Resistance】

■Other

【Natural HP Recovery】【Natural MP Recovery】【Night Vision】【Map】【Telepathy】

【Equipment Change】【Life Magic】