Chapter 65

We arrived at the riverside. After confirming with Katanasu, we successfully found the Kokezu fruit. It looks a bit like a catkin. Inside the fluffy brown part, there are many small seeds. This isn't a fruit, is it? It's a seed, right?

**Kokezu Fruit**

*Grows by the riverside with clear water. The fluffy part can be used as cotton. However, it has a unique scent. The seeds inside can be used to make medicine for dizziness, tinnitus, and headaches. By the way, there are proper seeds inside. They can be eaten as they are if not in large quantities.*

I secretly appraised it, and it seems to be a fruit.

Since it's edible, I tried putting a few in my mouth. It's harder than sesame seeds. It has a gritty texture. The taste is barely noticeable. If I fry it, it might become more sesame-like. Since it's not written that it can produce oil, I probably can't extract any. Well, it's just a substitute, not sesame seeds. I want to eat sesame buns.

We decided to take a lunch break here. It's not the planned spot, but according to scout Kuuen, it's safe for now, so we decided to take some time. However, we were told not to start a fire or enter the forest.

The schedule is quite relaxed, considering the round trip. It seems to depend on the client, Lady Nilva. If we can reach the campsite before dark, the schedule can be adjusted to some extent.

Kokushin, Rada, and I had sandwiches we made before leaving in the morning. They were made with bread and meat seasoned with tomato sauce for a strong flavor. The pepper was effective, making them delicious.

By the way, when we consulted about the rental house, they said we don't need to pay rent during the expedition. Well, we don't have any belongings there. It's convenient to come back without any hassle.

Nergi and the others are taking turns eating dried meat and bread. We might have to do the same from tomorrow. If we were alone, we could take our time and hunt each time.

Lady Nilva and the driver are eating something we saw in town. It's a small, deep wooden bowl filled with vegetables and meat in a soup. Steam is rising. It looks good, time to stop.

After finishing our meal quickly and taking care of the horses, we set off. We decided to make the medicine after reaching the campsite.

Suddenly, there was a loud splash from behind. I thought someone had fallen in, but when I turned around, I saw something emerge from the water with its mouth wide open. It was heading towards Rada.

"Whoa!!"

"Rada!"

Kokushin drew his sword and ran over.

"Hey!!"

Rada, still crouching, threw something from his pocket. It hit something's face, and red dust flew. Rada fell on his butt.

"Kokushin! Get Rada out of there!"

"Got it!"

Kokushin sheathed his sword and dragged Rada back.

Guh, guh, guh!

The thing that emerged from the water was thrashing around. It was holding its face and screaming. It looked like a cross between a hippopotamus and a giant salamander.

"Ugh, ugh. What is this?"

Nergi came over. My eyes hurt. It seems we used a bit too much. I was going to ask Kokushin to finish it off, but he was coughing too.

"Can we kill it?"

If it's an animal, we should retreat now.

"Yeah. It's a monster, and it's edible."

Yosh! I aimed a finger gun and fired. The skin was tough, and it didn't die with one shot. It didn't die even after the second shot. Finally, Kokushin finished it off.

"But, what was that just now?"

While helping to pull it out of the water, Nergi tilted his head. The red dust was still floating on the surface.

"It's Kiranca (chili) powder. As you can see, it affects any creature with eyes and a nose."

"You're ruthless."

Huh, I've been told that again. Is it that bad? It's a mix of chili, pepper, and spicy spice. If the amount is adjusted, it can be used as a regular seasoning.

"Rada, are you okay?"

Rada, who had collapsed, nodded excitedly.

"I was scared, scared, scared!"

Yeah, you seem fine.

"That's the kind of reaction we want. Just don't throw it towards people."

I've given Rada various things like blinding powder. It came in handy right away.

We threw the hippopotamus-like creature into Lady Nilva's magic bag and quickly left the riverside. Rada was thrown into the carriage.

Scout Kuuen approached smoothly. I thought he had encountered an enemy, but that wasn't the case.

"Sorry about that. Is the other one okay?"

"He's fine."

His cat ears were a bit droopy.

"I wasn't negligent in my vigilance, but I didn't notice it until it emerged from the water."

"Is it hard to detect things in the water?"

When I asked, Kuuen shook his head.

"I've handled many requests on lakes. It was just hard to gauge the distance."

"Hmm. So, did that monster have a stealth skill? Have you never encountered one before?"

Kuuen looked startled and turned to me. His elongated black eyes widened, and his tail stood up. I couldn't help but look at it.

"Right! Stealth! I see, so that's how it works. I've never met a monster that uses stealth before. I see. So, the stealth disappears when it attacks? Well, in this case, I noticed it because of the splash..."

Kuuen started muttering, verifying things.

Well, I was just guessing. I hadn't seen that monster in the guild's encyclopedia. Nergi seemed to know about it, though.

"That was a good experience. I hope it will be useful next time."

"If you experience it once, can you detect a stealth user next time?"

"Haha, no way. If that were the case, stealth would be meaningless. But, with enough experience, I think I might notice a slight discrepancy."

"Is that so? How does detection work?"

Since I had the chance, I asked. Kuuen didn't seem upset and tilted his head.

"It's not so much that I see it, but I can sense, 'Oh, there's something over there.' With practice, I can even identify the type of monster."

"Wow. It's a kind of sixth sense. When we encountered the Forest Wolves, you accurately guessed the number and direction, which was impressive!"

It's not like a radar or a red dot in a game. It's more of a sixth sense skill.

"Haha, don't make fun of me. I was pretty shocked when I failed to detect something."

Kuuen laughed awkwardly. Then, Nergi called him from the front.

"Oops, I talked too much. Anyway, detection isn't perfect. You guys should be careful too."

"Understood."

Kuuen raised his hand and sped up. The swift Suberaga quickly caught up with Nergi. They seemed to be chatting happily.

"Have you ever encountered a stealth user?"

Kokushin asked, still facing forward.

"Me? No. I've just heard that there are monsters with such skills."

Well, that's a lie. I just thought it was a stealth function because I didn't notice it until it attacked.

"Why?"

Is that a keyword for Kokushin?

"I met one a long time ago. It wasn't a monster, but a person using it."

"Really!?"

They must have been doing all sorts of bad things.