Chapter 61

『Your level has increased. Please allocate your status points.\')

『The skill level of 《Sword》 has increased.\')

『The skill level of 《Enhancement Magic》 has increased.\')

『The skill level of 《HP Auto Recovery》 has increased.\')

『The skill level of 《Life Force Manipulation》 has increased.\')

『The level of the tamed monster 《Lumina》 has increased.\')

After finishing the practice right after logging in, it was the usual training with monkeys and bees.

As usual, they attack in large numbers, but getting used to dealing with them through repeated battles, I can now handle them quite easily.

With my level increasing and my attack power rising, I can dispatch them rather quickly.

According to Fumito, the experience points required for level-ups are increasing, but the combat efficiency has also improved, so it’s still a viable hunting ground.

Personally, it’s becoming less interesting, but now is the time to focus on efficient growth.

"However, you’ve grown quite a bit, haven’t you?"

"…?"

As I placed my hand on Lumina’s head, which grows with each level-up, I could feel how much larger she had become.

Before we left the capital, she was still at a toddler’s size, and riding her felt completely natural. Now, she’s about the size of a child in upper elementary school.

It seems she’s also growing mentally, making the sprite’s behavior even more mysterious.

Well, since she has to handle a sword, it would be troublesome if she remained a child forever. It’s exciting to see how much she will grow mentally.

"Fumito, check on Lumina’s condition. We’ll do this every level from now on."

"Understood. Don’t attack any enemies you spot, okay?"

"Only if they come to us, right?"

"Well, that’s understandable."

I chuckled in response to Fumito’s half-hearted warning.

I have no intention of attacking first.

Confirming Lumina’s growth is that important.

As Fumito, who looked slightly anxious, began checking Lumina’s status, I spread my senses to start scouting.

The monkeys and bees call other monsters of the same type, so once we fight, the number of surrounding monsters decreases significantly.

Therefore, to fight efficiently, we need to wait or move to a new location. In other words, there are almost no enemies around us right now, so there’s no need to be on high alert.

"Then, let me see a full demonstration."

"Yes, please, Fumito-sama."

With that, Fumito began checking Lumina’s proficiency.

This included not only Retsushin but also her basic movements, proficiency with Bamboo and Flowing Water.

Her basic movements have improved to a considerable degree. From what I can see, she’s already at a level where she can handle most players.

She might even be able to match a Kibumizu jellyfish. Honestly, there’s no trace of her old fairy combat style.

Though she’s still small, making it less suitable for sword fighting, a few more levels should resolve that.

"…Why did it come to this, I wonder?"

The fairy, who was supposed to specialize in magic, somehow ended up with front-line combat abilities that rival players.

I tamed Lumina on a whim, but I never expected this kind of development.

Still, this is the path Lumina chose, and I have no intention of denying it.

In any case, Lumina has improved significantly.

Retsushin, in particular, seems to be taking shape for very short distances.

However, it’s far from being ready for practical use.

This will require more practice.

But the fact that it’s taking shape to some extent is also true. Considering her growth from level-ups, it’s time to start training her in the next technique.

"Teacher! Can you teach me Zan no as well?"

"Sure, no problem. I was thinking about it too."

While Lumina’s proficiency is still far from where it needs to be, considering her growth from level-ups, it’s not a bad idea to start early.

Teaching her the basics will allow her to quickly improve with each level-up.

By teaching her the basics, she can effectively utilize the benefits of level-ups.

Zan no, in simple terms, is a large thrusting attack.

Generally, it’s performed while moving forward, concentrating kinetic energy on the tip of the blade to deliver a powerful strike.

The challenge is efficiently transferring power to the tip of the blade.

Even a slight deviation can drastically reduce its effectiveness and might even break the blade.

From the grip to the tip, and from the arm to the shoulder, waist to the feet, the entire body must move in unison.

This is a technique that requires efficient use of kinetic energy, different from controlling the center of gravity.

For a beginner, it’s a difficult sensation to grasp, and it will take time to learn, but teaching it early is effective.

"…Hm?"

While keeping Fumito’s explanation of body coordination in the corner of my eye, I suddenly raised my gaze.

I could hear a sound that I hadn’t heard before, coming from a distance.

This is—

"The roar of a beast? It’s a type I’ve never heard before."

It’s quite far away, but it’s a sound I’ve never heard.

Around here, the only animals are monkeys and bears. But this sound doesn’t seem to be either of them.

It sounds more like the roar of a fierce carnivore, a sound I’ve never heard before.

Is there a monster around here that I haven’t encountered yet? But it’s strange that I haven’t seen it despite all the battles.

What could it be? I strained my ears—then, a high-pitched voice echoed through the forest.

"Kya—!"

"That was…!"

Unlike the previous sound, this one is very familiar.

It’s definitely the call of the monkeys to gather their companions.

This means that there’s something in this forest, other than us, fighting the monkeys.

"Teacher, that just now—"

"Wait, Fumito."

Fumito, who must have heard it, opened her eyes wide and ran over to me.

But I stopped her with a hand and told her:

"It’s still far away. Ignore it for now and focus on Lumina’s training."

"Ah… So other players have finally made it this far, huh? Got it."

She seems to be quite nervous about that cry.

But if it’s a battle between other players, there’s no reason for us to intervene.

I’ve been told that it’s bad manners to interfere unless it’s a serious situation, so there’s no need to get involved.

Fumito, nodding at my words, returned to Lumina’s training, though she still seemed a bit concerned about the direction of the sound.

"However… with other players around, the efficiency will likely drop."

The monsters in this area have the ability to gather enemies from a wide area, so with multiple players, the efficiency will drop significantly.

However, we don’t have exclusive rights to this area, and we can’t prevent others from entering.

Even if we try to divide the area, efficiency will still drop. What should we do?

"…?"

I searched for the presence again and furrowed my brow.

The presence is getting closer.

Well, we’re near a checkpoint, so it’s not surprising that they’re coming this way—

"…Is something running away?"

A presence that seems to be retreating while restraining a swarm.

This movement seems similar to how we handle the ants.

The problem is that the presence is getting closer to us.

The sounds of battle are already reaching us. It seems they are being pushed back while fighting.

"Hmm, Fumito."

"Yes, it looks like they’re running away."

I shrugged and drew my sword, getting ready to face the approaching presence.

If they’re trying to push the monsters our way, it’s a problem, but if they’re just running away, it’s not.

In any case, if the enemy comes to us, we can deal with it.

The presence is already quite close. As it gets closer, a man’s voice can be heard.

"Rouga, take out the nearest one’s legs! Gao, I’m sorry, but take the two on the left! Leon, support Gao!"

A young man’s voice, giving rapid instructions, but there’s no response.

Instead, the roar of a beast answers.

The sound made Fumito, who was standing next to me, gasp in surprise.

"Hey, that voice… Could it be…?"

"Do you know him?"

"…I’ve met him before, but he’s quite famous."

As she spoke, Fumito started operating a window on her screen.

I don’t know what she’s doing, but since she’s doing it in the middle of a battle, it must be necessary.

Judging that, I turned back to the front—finally, I could see the figure.

A man with blue hair, wearing a unique outfit that looks like a nomad’s, holding a staff and a harp.

The young man was notable, but what stood out more was that all his companions were not human, but monsters.

"Sure enough… Shepherd! I’ll send a mini-raid request! Please approve it!"

"Got it, Fumito! Thanks!"

In response to the young man—Shepherd’s words, Fumito quickly operated the window on her screen.

At that moment, a system window appeared in front of me, just like on Fumito’s screen.

『Party member 《Fumito》 has issued a raid request. Do you accept?』

"Teacher!"

"Sure thing."

I don’t know what system it is, but since Fumito did it at this timing, I have no reason to doubt it.

Without hesitation, I accepted the request—and a few seconds later, a new display, “Raid in Progress,” appeared in my vision along with the member list.

"It’s fine! Teacher, let’s go!"

"Got it, as usual."

"Okay!"

With Fumito’s words, the three of us rushed forward without hesitation.

Lumina, who is already used to it, but it’s been a while since we’ve fought with other players.

I’m curious about their skills, but this guy is clearly different.

Moreover, Fumito called him “Shepherd,” the famous tamer player I was interested in.

So, the monsters he’s leading are all tamed companions.

This is—

"A more interesting opponent than I thought."

As I slipped past a bear that was blocking attacks from two monkeys, I smiled and whispered.

With interest in both the enemy’s elimination and Shepherd’s fighting style, I swung my blade.

■Avatar Name: Kuon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 23

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 22

VIT: 17

INT: 22

MND: 17

AGI: 13

DEX: 13

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.23》

Magic Skill: 《Enhancement Magic: Lv.15》

Set Skill: 《Dead Point Strike: Lv.15》

《MP Auto Recovery: Lv.11》

《Plundering Sword: Lv.13》

《Identification: Lv.14》

《Sword of Life: Lv.14》

《Sword of Demon Slaying: Lv.5》

《Tame: Lv.9》

《HP Auto Recovery: Lv.9》

《Life Force Manipulation: Lv.3》

Sub Skill: 《Mining: Lv.1》

Title Skill: 《Fairy’s Blessing》

■Current SP: 22

■Avatar Name: Fumito

■Gender: Female

■Race: Human

■Level: 24

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 24

VIT: 15

INT: 21

MND: 17

AGI: 15

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.24》

Magic Skill: 《Fire Magic: Lv.19》

Set Skill: 《Fighting Spirit: Lv.16》

《Spell Charge: Lv.13》

《Fire Attribute Enhancement: Lv.14》

《Healing Proficiency: Lv.8》

《Identification: Lv.14》

《Dead Point Strike: Lv.13》

《Martial Arts: Lv.15》

《Combat Skills: Lv.14》

《Traversal: Lv.14》

Sub Skill: 《Gathering: Lv.7》

《Mining: Lv.4》

Title Skill: 《Crimson Sword Maiden》

■Current SP: 24

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Sprite

■Level: 11

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 18

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