Chapter 12

What is this heavy labor, I’m already tired of it.

I dug up the soil, which was packed hard, with a shovel and tilled it with a hoe. This is quite heavy labor in the game.

Damn it.

“Haa, haa. What is this?”

When I cast an enchantment to increase speed, the speed at which I dig with the shovel increases. Even though it’s a small plot of land, it feels like my spirit is breaking before it’s ready for planting seeds.

Moreover, it seems that just scattering seeds won’t improve the quality of the items.

According to the NPC, mixing various things into the soil is good. That means soil, wild grass, bones, and bone meal. In other words, mix in fertilizer.

So, I spent a considerable amount of time mixing fluffy black soil from the forest, laying wild grass like straw, and mixing bones and bone meal into the soil.

Then, I realized.

Sense Status

SP held: 3

【Bow Lv9】【Hawk's Eye Lv16】【Magic Talent Lv11】【Magic Power Lv14】【Alchemy Lv5】【Augmentation Lv13】【Synthesis Lv8】【Mixing Lv8】【Crafting Lv5】【Production Knowledge Lv6】

On hold

【Training Lv1】

Before leaving the forest, I checked my Sense Status, but I don’t remember doing anything related to synthesis or mixing. However, it has increased, which means it must be due to this farming work.

Mixing bones and soil to turn them into fertilizer in the soil can be interpreted that way, right? If so, the growth makes sense.

And it was added to the 【Recipe】. In other words, it’s treated as handmade.

Hmm. I still don’t feel quite right about it. I don’t feel quite right!

But, it’s fine.

All that’s left is to scatter the seeds and finish. I can plant up to twenty seeds on the land I paid 3000G for. Apparently, herbs can be harvested in a day. It’s a fantasy world, after all.

“Hmm. Done. Oh, it’s a chat.”

The name that appeared with a ringing sound was Tak.

“What’s up?”

‘No, are you free? If you’re free, let’s go hunting. In a party.’

“Sure, but where to?”

‘We’re going to hunt Big Boars in the east. To level up the party. So, you can come without worrying about leveling up this time.’

“No, you’re assuming I’ll come?”

‘Sure, it’s fine. To be honest, we’re stuck because we don’t have enough potions.’

“Got it. Let’s meet in front of the east gate.”

‘Understood.’

Hmm, Big Boar hunting, huh. That means they’re around the level of Sandmen in the western mines. I’m a bit interested.

I quickly checked my equipment. I have plenty of arrows, and they are strong. I have about 300 arrows' worth of strength, so I won’t run out during combat. However, it’s a bit worrying to only have stone and wooden arrows. I should buy iron arrows and reinforce them with alchemy. But I don’t have the money right now.

I looked for Tak at the east gate. He was already waiting. His equipment seemed better than on the first day. It’s a bit frustrating. I’m still in my initial equipment.

“Hey, Yun.”

“Yeah, is it okay? Even if I’m with you?”

Honestly, I’m quite anxious. But the other members are a 2:2 ratio of men to women. Since we’re two men, it’s a bit skewed, but it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Yun, you’re a girl!”

“Wow, you’re a beautiful girl.”

“But you’re an archer, right? Will you be okay? Plus, you’re in initial equipment.”

“It’s fine. It’s a game, so just enjoy it.”

Ah, yeah. I’m also worried about that. Being an archer in initial equipment. And, you know, being called a girl and a beautiful girl, I’m a guy.

“Tak said he would bring his real-life friends, but they’re at a high level. Moreover, they’re competitive, or rather, cool and distant.”

“They’re beautiful.”

Don’t say anything more about their appearance! Please.

Still, the gray-clad, lightly armored person is about my height. With wavy blonde hair, a white robe, and a staff, they look like a cleric.

“Um, this is Yun. As you can see, he’s an archer, but he should be somewhat useful. Even if he’s not, he can be a reference for changing Senses during this battle.”

“Hey, don’t decide I’m useless from the start. I’m a production class.”

Everyone looks surprised. Hmm. Yeah, it makes sense. An archer, a production class, and initial equipment—how ridiculous. But the truth is, I’m broke and can’t do anything.

“Then, you might be useful. By the way, what are you making?”

Wow, the guy is reacting to the bow and initial equipment. He looks rugged but cool. He has a weathered warrior vibe with his gray or lead-colored armor. He’s cool, but it’s annoying.

“I’m making potions.”

“Are you a beginner?”

“No, one level above.”

“Then, you can be a healer.”

“Ah, I’m broke and sold them all.”

“What!?”

Tak is laughing, holding his stomach. And he’s been holding back laughter since he’s been misunderstanding me as a girl. I’ll get him later.

“Are you an idiot!? Why did you sell all your potions!?”

“No, beginner potions and pills are enough.”

“What!?!? When the total obtained SP exceeds 10, the effect of beginner potions decreases!”

“Oh, so that means all my Senses are still below 10. I have plenty of room.”

The lead-armored warrior is holding his head. The green-triangular-hat, round-glasses magic user next to him seems to be calming him down. She looks like a witch.

Still, they’re going to hunt Big Boars because they don’t have enough potions. So, they’re still at a level where beginner potions are enough.

Still, front-line players need potions for that reason.

“Then, let me introduce everyone. The lightly armored fighter is Gants, the healer next to him is Minits. The armored guy is Kai. The witch is Mami. And I’m the armored swordsman, Tak.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yun. As you can see, I’m a broke archer in initial equipment.”

I wonder if my self-introduction is okay, but it’s the truth. I thought it was better than lying or being vain.

Then, we moved through the plains to the location of the Big Boars. As an archer, I was told not to waste arrows on battles along the way, so I wasn’t allowed to participate in those battles. Instead, I trained my Hawk's Eye, enchanted, and collected stones and other items.

I found basic items like antidote herbs and paralysis herbs. A new recipe for antidote potions was added: antidote herb + potion.

In other words, there are multiple ways to make items in the 【Recipe】.

There are methods that involve stages and several ways to make them. Most players don’t gather items because they can buy them from NPCs.

The stones turned out to be copper and tin. If I smelt and synthesize them, they might become bronze ingots. I should consult with Mami.

Also, branches can be collected wherever there are trees. And near the Big Boars, there are birds, so bird feathers are easy to get.

These can be used in sewing to make feathers for items like beds or sleeping bags that increase recovery during rest. Everyone sells them for a pittance, but I need them for making arrows, so I’m grateful.

On the way, I was happy collecting items, but the gazes of Gants and Minits, who were focused on my appearance, were painful.

Kai looked bitter and was being calmed by Mami. Hey, Tak. Since you’re the leader, you should mediate, but he just smiled.

“Then, let’s intercept them here. There’s one right there. Can the fast Gants lure the Big Boar over?”

“No way, Big Boars are fast. Let’s hit them from a distance.”

“Sure, but I’m in paper armor, so a bad hit could kill me. Also, magic can’t be used continuously, so I might get caught in the crossfire.”

Ah, what to do? Hey, didn’t you think about this?

“Hey, to lure them, you just need to land one hit, right?”

“Yeah, just one direct hit.”

“If I can hit from this position, I’ll do it.”

Tak looked confused.

“Just watch. 【Augmentation】—Attack.”

Enchanting a player. Augmentation, after reaching level 10, has shorter waiting times between spells and longer effects.

I increased my attack power and drew my bow. The distance is about 20 meters. The range depends on my attack power, and the growth of enchantments increases the range.

The range calculation is complex, but with a grown bow, 【Arts】, and enchantments, it’s within reach.

I aimed with Hawk's Eye, heard the bowstring creak, and released the arrow.

The arrow cut through the wind. I aimed the next arrow before confirming the first hit. By the time I released the second arrow, I confirmed the first hit.

“It hit. They’re coming!”

I released the second arrow but missed this time.

I used far-range shooting Arts, so my MP is low. I can only use one enchantment before my range returns to normal.

“【Augmentation】—Defense.”

I enchanted Tak for defense and prepared to intercept.

The magic user’s firepower was overwhelming, and the attacks from the two swordsmen and the fighter were fierce. Still, the Big Boar’s attack could take 30% of the frontliners’ HP in one hit. But Tak only lost 20%. Ah, right, I’m defenseless without armor, but Tak has armor. And enchantments increase based on the user’s stats. So, the higher the stats, the better the effect.

Yeah, it’s a good discovery.

I also shot arrows and, when my MP recovered, cast defense enchantments. We finally defeated the Big Boar when Minits and Mami’s MP were almost depleted. It was long and tough. Are Sandmen this strong? It’s tough.

Afterward, everyone checked their levels. They seemed happy. I noticed my Bow, Magic Talent, Magic Power, and Augmentation levels increased. So, fighting strong enemies gives more experience points.

“No, I didn’t expect to defeat Big Boars so easily. Maybe the items I bought were a waste.”

“Eh, it took a while, didn’t it?”

“Yun, you haven’t fought in a party much, have you?”

I only did the initial tutorial and fought weak enemies alone.

“Usually, when a party includes players with less than 10 SP, potions and MP potions are necessary.”

“Ah, I’ve never seen MP potions. How do you make them?”

“...”

Tak seems to be thinking. I don’t know what he’s thinking about.

“Hey, Yun, right? Can I ask you something?”

“What? Kai.”

Kai calls me this way