Chapter 16

With the low fantasy daily ranking at number one, I'm posting three episodes today. (First one)

The bickering among the four stalker boys showed no signs of stopping, and I was starting to feel like I wanted them to be released. The time we could spend hunting in the second layer was limited.

I wanted to leave before it got dark, but still, since we had come all this way, I wanted to hunt at least 200 or 300 monsters.

So, I decided to cut off their argument.

"Hey, I understand very well that you guys want to be Makoto's exclusive followers."

"Oh, really?"

"You understand?"

"But, if you're so strong, why did you go out of your way to track me down? If you have the strength, you should be focusing on improving your own abilities instead of doing this."

As soon as I said that, their anger was directed at me.

Oh, crap. Did I step on a landmine?

"......"

I thought they would say something, but they just glared without a word.

What's going on?

As I was wondering, the man who claimed to be the team's brains stepped forward.

"Yes, indeed, we were very dissatisfied with our actions this time. But it's all because of what you did yesterday."

"Yesterday, you mean..."

"You defeated a rare monster that appeared in the first layer and brought back the rare drop, the 'Super Strength' skill, right?"

"Ah, yeah."

"Gathering information is my job. I had already investigated who you were. A negligible weakling, the weakest slime hunter. But if that information was true, there's no way you could have defeated a monster that our team could barely take down, all by yourself. I couldn't believe it! That's why we decided to observe you."

I see. Indeed, since I obtained this skill, I've grown rapidly.

I was known as the weakest, but the idea of a single person taking down a monster that a team should handle must seem impossible to them.

"...... So, you approached me because you found a reason?"

"Yes, I understand. You're an incredibly unconventional person!"

"...... Huh?"

The brainy guy's anger seemed to have pushed the others over the edge, and they started to raise their voices.

"Right! In the Dungeon Association Branch 525, we were proud of having the highest daily submission of items! And yet, you managed to get 100 'Tiny Magic Stones' in just a few hours? And only in the morning!?"

"That's abnormal. Even the number of monsters we kill in a day is at most 150 to 200. After that, you'd normally be exhausted. But this morning, how many did you hunt in that short time?"

"About 239..."

To be honest, I was so focused on the back that I couldn't really get into the hunting mood. Plus, I was careful not to get 100 consecutive kills while mapping. So, I felt a bit dissatisfied with that kill count.

"That's just wrong. Don't you even feel tired?"

"Well, I do get tired, but it's fun..."

I do get tired.

But it's fun to uncover hidden mechanics and explore the map on my own. When I achieve something, any fatigue just flies away.

"Damn, this is the difference between a third-year veteran and a newbie like us. If you can do this in one day, the gap in the number of monsters we've killed will only widen over time. With this level of dedication, we can... We can't lose! Let's go, everyone! We're going to beat this guy!"

"YEAH!!"

It seems they resolved it themselves. The noisy group left, saying something as they went, quickly disappearing from my sight. That direction, I think, is where the stairs to the third layer are.

"Still, that's abnormal. Until just a few days ago, my limit was around 300 slimes. With my stats improved and the 'Body Reinforcement' skill, 300 is no problem. ...Probably, if I tried, 1000 might not be a dream."

Well, I have to be careful not to get too carried away and accidentally summon a rare monster in a populated area. And if I hunt 1000 monsters, my backpack will overflow with magic stones. Definitely.

"Alright, now that the audience is gone, I can finally get back to it. Plus, I can try out the 'Fire Magic'!"

The new magic I've been eager to try since yesterday! Let's do it right away!!

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Opening the 'Dungeon Communication Network App' and searching for 'Fire Magic', it seems there are two spells available at level 1: 'Torch' and 'Fireball'.

'Torch' creates a small fireball that acts as a lamp, providing light as its name suggests. 'Fireball' is an attack spell that summons a large ball of fire. Both can move according to the caster's will, and can be activated without saying the spell name by just picturing it in your mind. They can also be extinguished by thinking about it. Additionally, as long as you don't let go of your consciousness, they won't disappear or change position, even if you close your eyes or look away.

However, if you forcibly shift your consciousness to something else, they tend to disappear.

It seems that magic requires a constant allocation of mental resources.

It might be difficult to use while fighting with a sword...? No, if I think of it as an additional means to control the battlefield, it's not so bad.

"But maintaining both 'Torch' and 'Fireball' at the same time will require a lot of concentration. Since the dungeon has dark areas, there might come a time when I need to use 'Torch' for lighting while attacking with 'Fireball' and fighting with a sword. I need to get used to it early."

It's a challenge, but also good news. I now have a long-range attack option besides the 'Iron Knife' from the goblin drop, which is used for throwing. The app doesn't specify the limits of magic use, so I'll have to figure it out as I go.

"Kiki!"

As I was thinking this, a Killer Rabbit appeared.

I must have entered the river area without noticing, and I could see Killer Rabbits everywhere.

"Alright, let's start the experiment with you guys!"

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