Chapter 35

Today's request is to slay the Green Monkey. As its name suggests, it's a monkey monster about 40 centimeters long, with fur that is a mix of brown and green. It wreaks havoc in the fields, so we've received a request to exterminate it. It's not very strong, but it's quite agile.

Today's task is to improve the accuracy of Kokushin's wind magic. So, the agile monkey is our target. It's good practice for me to aim at a moving target as well.

Kikky!

The monkey, leaping from tree to tree, calls out provocatively. It's quite stressful.

Bashu!

The scythe of wind released from Kokushin's hand grazes the monkey's body. Missed again. No, I'm mostly avoiding it too. Aiming at a target that doesn't stay still is difficult.

"Hmm. Kokushin, can you swing a sword to cast wind magic?"

"With a sword?"

The image is of a flying slash. But even in this fantasy world, it seems that a slash doesn't produce an effect.

"Um, like this..."

I'll try it myself. I draw the knife from my waist and activate the magic as I swing it. A clod of earth flies off in a random direction. Hmm, it's unexpectedly difficult. One more time, using the technique of drawing the sword from the scabbard, I'll make a blade of earth...

Beggin!

The sound is loud, but the earth crescent flies along the trajectory I aimed for. It's not as sharp as I wanted, and the monkey, which received a physical hit to the face, is stomping on the ground.

"I see."

Kokushin nods and starts to form the image in his mind.

"Shiss!"

A swing so fast it blurs. A white, swirling wind attacks the monkeys.

"Hmm."

"Good, good. It's much better than using your hands. If you can make it sharp enough, it might be useful."

To be able to do it in one go just by looking... how skilled are you?

Kokushin swings again and again, gradually succeeding in making the wind finer and sharper. Monkeys fall from the trees one by one. By the time the group of monkeys is gone, he can launch something of a size that can take down his target.

I applaud as Kokushin turns around with a "Do ya!" No, you're really amazing.

"Hmm. Is it easier to use magic when holding a sword? I thought it was just a regular sword with no special attributes."

Kokushin examines the sword in his hand closely.

"Maybe it's not the sword, but the 'Swordsmanship' skill that's doing a good job. It's like combining the skill with magic. Maybe they're compatible."

"Compatibility. Indeed, it feels natural. I can sense how much power to put in."

"Can Reito's bow use earth magic?"

"Um, I wonder?"

I try to draw the bow. What should I do to use earth magic from here?

I have an idea and put away the arrow. I'll create an arrow made of earth and launch it.

"But no, this way is faster. Um..."

Earth... stone... make it stone? Does it activate at a distance?

I draw the wooden arrow again, imagining the impact point solidifying, and shoot it.

Pakikik

The surface of the wooden arrow is covered with rough stone.

You can do it. Let's try one more time without using an arrow. I place my hand and imagine it solidifying like before. It fails. I gradually reduce the distance and confirm that it only activates within about 2 meters.

"Is that an attack?"

Kokushin, who was watching, asks in a bewildered tone. It looks like a 20 cm square of stone attached to the surface. Probably, a monster wouldn't care if it stuck to its skin. Does it petrify inside? I need to test it on a monster.

"I don't know, but if I aim for the legs, it might work as a trap."

"I see."

"Well, the strength and range need more testing."

"Still coming up with clever ideas. I need to practice more. That first one could work as a trap."

"Right. Area attacks are advantageous."

"Indeed."

We nod in agreement. Anyway, let's gather the monkey corpses.

These can't be eaten. So, I extract the magic stones and cut off the tails as proof of extermination. I'll burn the rest in a hole. The rising smoke smells like good barbecue. I'll grill them on a lava plate today. Oh, I need vegetables.

"Kokushin, can I go gather some?"

"Huh? You can do it after the fire calms down."

"They're around here."

Don't be overprotective in weird places. What, no? You attract strange things, so stay where I can see you? That's harsh. I'm not some kind of magnet!

"It'll be quick."

Kokushin sends wind into the burning flames to increase the combustion rate. He's really taken to what I taught him yesterday...

I'm not a child to rebel against "wait." I obediently gather the Tokii grass growing around.

"So, what are you gathering?"

After burying the monkeys, which have turned to ash, and finishing the disposal.

"Something that can replace vegetables."

"Vegetables... You're not buying them?"

"I will, but if I can gather them, they're free, right?"

"...I see."

Actually, we have some extra money now, but saving is important. Probably because I'll buy something spontaneously. You said it's okay to buy expensive seasonings, right? Right?

So, I gather a lot of wild lettuce-like plants. Of course, I don't uproot them completely. I also get garlic. I know it's used for medicine. And there were chili peppers. Well, they have different names here, but it's too much trouble. I really want an identification skill. I want the names from this world and my past life written out.

"Reito, is that edible?"

Kokushin, who was on guard, points to a certain tree.

"Hmm?"

Yellow, bulbous fruits are hanging. They look like enlarged eggplants. I've seen them somewhere before. Hmm...

"Oh, I've seen them before. Grandma showed me. They should be edible."

So, I decide to gather them. Kokushin's sword cuts the branch with a snap. There are fruits at a height he can reach. I cut one in half with a knife.

"Is it really edible?"

Kokushin frowns. Yeah, it's understandable. The inside is packed with red-black fruit. I can see black seeds. Frankly, it's gross.

But! This smell. Could this be that thing from my memory, that nostalgic thing.

"Let's try it!"

I take a small piece with the tip of the knife and bite it.

"...... Wrong!"

I spit it out, and Kokushin looks at me in a panic, holding an antidote in his hand.

By the way, when I was a child, influenced by games, I thought that intentionally poisoning myself and recovering repeatedly would build up resistance. Honestly, it's deadly. It's not like in games where you recover instantly; it's extremely painful. It was a mess from top to bottom. Grandma was also angry.

"Reito?"

"Ah, yeah. I'm fine. It's not poison."

"Your words are changing...?"

I'm fine, I'm fine. But this...