Chapter 61

"Wall Breaker!"

"Backstab!"

Toutobi thrust a dagger from behind the blind spot of the Himatsubu Scissors, while Hino swung a large hammer to crush the scissors.

In a two-on-one battle against a unique mob, Miu was taking on the Sweets Tree all by herself.

"Look, look! Your slow attacks won't hit me!"

Resisting the curse from the singing face of the tree with high magic defense, Miu dodged all the wooden spears that transformed from the branches.

Not all unique mobs are of the same strength.

According to forum discussions, Tent Bug and Spice Spider can be hunted even by beginner parties. However, players who have faced unique mobs generally agree that the others are quite strong.

Among the confirmed strongest mobs, the Camping Goblin is considered the strongest, followed by this Sweets Tree.

Its characteristic is a fast attack from its arms while the main body remains stationary. However—

"If you're too slow, I'll come to you!"

"Hey, how slow is that thing?"

By increasing the number of branches and intensifying the attacks, the wooden spears became so fast that even I had to focus on dodging to avoid being skewered.

I kept dodging by a hair's breadth and gradually closed the distance. The sword in my hand was only lightly swung to cut away branches that obstructed the shortest path.

This back-and-forth battle seemed to be a full effort from both sides. However, the Sweets Tree still had a hidden trick.

After being blown away and its roots separated from the ground, it now stood firmly rooted and immobile.

"Fifth Slash—"

"Get out of the way, Miu!"

Miu entered the range of the Arts and started the motion. I sensed a change in the Sweets Tree and called out to her.

Miu canceled her action and quickly took a step back. In the spot where Miu stood, bamboo spears shot out from the ground.

The difficulty in defeating the Sweets Tree lies in the unpredictable bamboo spears that emerge from the ground.

They don't appear frequently and the range is about ten meters around the tree. However, for front-line fighters who specialize in close combat, this is a poor match.

For magic users alone, the defense is weak, and for front-line fighters alone, one hit can deal significant damage.

The basic strategy is to hold a shield and endure while the back-line magic users deal damage and eventually defeat it.

"Good! That's the spirit!"

"Yeah, my sister has become a combat maniac..."

Avoiding a dangerous attack, Miu didn't show frustration but instead opened her mouth wide in a childlike grin and eagerly readied her one-handed sword.

In an instant, she crouched and then used the spring in her body to close the distance. She dodged the attacking wooden spears with speed, twisting her body to avoid them by a hair's breadth.

It was the same motion as before, but the speed was incomparably faster. I was amazed by the player skill required to perform such actions.

Miu entered the attack range of the Sweets Tree again. As the ground began to rise unnaturally, Miu continued to advance without stopping.

The moment she stepped on it, the bamboo spears shot out from a blind spot. I thought this was unavoidable.

"Too easy! I won't fall for the same trick twice!"

She stopped abruptly, using the momentum of her run to pivot on her right foot. She swung her sword to deflect the bamboo spears and continued running.

It was almost superhuman. It felt like a movie stunt.

"This time—Fifth Slash!"

The blue-white light of the Arts remained on the edge of the one-handed sword as it cut into the body of the Sweets Tree.

Each hit significantly reduced its HP, but it only managed to cut down about 30%. After the initial blow, which reduced it by 10%, 60% remained.

If she repeats the same action twice more, she will win. To minimize risk, it would be best to use hit-and-run tactics to maintain distance.

However, this is my sister, who always exceeds my expectations.

"Too weak! Too weak! Isn't the biggest enemy in this event the Tree?"

The pun seemed to be a play on 'Your Highness' and 'Tree Highness,' only for the Sweets Tree.

What surprised me more was that after crouching, Miu performed an action similar to the Arts motion.

"Chest!"

Clearly not a skill name, but the attack was a rapid five-hit combo. It mimicked the exact motion of the Fifth Slash, a one-handed sword Arts.

The speed and precision were not as good as the Arts, and there was no glowing effect. The damage was not significantly increased.

However, the motion was exactly the same.

"Take this!"

The continuous attacks continued, relying on speed. It seemed reckless to engage in close combat, considering the intervals between the bamboo spears.

She ignored the approaching wooden branches and the overhanging branches, cutting through them.

The damage was not significant, but it was visible. She occasionally used healing to recover.

"This is the end. —Fifth Slash!"

This time, it was a genuine Arts. After the second hit, the Sweets Tree was defeated, and Miu's overkill was evident.

Even the fake Arts attack and the courage to engage a unique mob in close combat alone were impressive.

Miu is truly exceptional and worthy of being called a cheat in the general sense.

I could never do it. To defeat it alone, I would need to use a bow from outside the range of the bamboo spears, taking my time.

"…Ah, don't be so cautious. They're not enemies."

I told this to the cautious Rui, but she kept her mane raised, maintaining a cautious stance without breaking stealth.

"Wow, Miu's still as exceptional as ever. But you took more damage than expected, didn't you?"

"Yeah? I just took the hits to level up my armor."

So, she was taking the hits to level up her armor. As always, she prioritizes efficiency over risk.

"…You're being reckless. If you retire, it will be a problem for us."

"Hehehe, sorry. But it's a treasure."

I couldn't see it, but the three of them must have seen the treasure chest of the unique mob. They seemed to be opening it. Observing closely, items like a whisk, ball, cup, and cookie cutter appeared as if from a subspace.

"Alright! We're one step closer to the dream sweets plan!"

"I think… in a party where no one has cooking skills, that dream is already doomed."

"…I agree. And you've forgotten something. Look."

"Oh, Yun-nee! Long time no see!"

The three of them approached. I wanted to greet them casually, but Rui, who was excited and cautious, made me nervous.

If Rui is discovered by Miu, I can easily predict what will happen.

A paladin with a white horse! Miu is the type who starts with the form.

"Hey, how are you? And sorry, Toutobi, Hino."

"Why is the older sister apologizing?"

Their gazes said, "I understand your situation," as usual. I always cause trouble.

"So, why are you here?"

"Umm, looking for food? You know, with the hunger system, we don't want to retire without eating. We split into two groups, and just as we were about to fight a unique mob, the party ran away. So we took over. Hino's hammer blew it away because the place was too narrow!"

Isn't that player-killing? That's why you were dealing with two mobs with slightly different habitats at the same time. Impressive that you won so quickly.

"Got it. If you're eating properly, I'm not worried."

At my words, the three of them visibly averted their eyes. Why are they avoiding my gaze?

"Well, we haven't had a proper meal since we came here."

"Fruits are delicious, right? Better than us trying to cook…"

"…Actually, we all had poison resistance, so our levels increased quickly. The taste of the poisonous fruit was like a mix of orange and strawberry."

So, you're surviving on fruits and poisonous plants? Eating poison to build resistance sounds like a ninja training.

"Ha… On the second day, the food situation is the worst."

"Because… the skill acquisition limit was suddenly imposed, and everyone is confused about what to level up and how to prepare for life. If I tried to cook, everyone would stop me…"

"Miu, absolutely not! You're the one who ruined cooking in the beta by serving poisonous dishes!"

"Uaaaaa, that's a secret!"

Hino revealed something incredible. So, the culprit of the poison dish incident was my sister. It makes sense. And I offer condolences to the victims of that incident. They're not dead, but still.

"Absolutely, we need to be more resourceful. We're already lacking essential items."

Top players are in a frenzy over cooking, and I sighed.

"Lacking essential items… We used up our potions after the flashy dungeon run yesterday, and Luka's weapon durability is at risk. We got a lot of unique items and drops, but we need weapons, armor, and potions. Using unidentified items is scary."

"…Fortunately, we managed to identify the poisonous food and fruits. If Miu went berserk from confusion, it would be a disaster."

At that point, I would be prepared to retire.

"You guys are in dangerous waters. You can't even properly tackle dungeons. On the third day, if your weapons break, it will be a survival with bare hands, which is no joke."

They understood what I was saying but groaned. They have high game skills but lack awareness of their surroundings.

"Pull it together. I'll help you a bit."

"Eh?"

"Dinner and potions can be prepared at my base camp. After dinner, you'll join my party. Is that okay?"

"That means…"

"But I'll need proper compensation.

The cost of my mobile atelier is a barter. Money is useless until the fifth day. I want items. Not necessarily unique ones, but herbs, food, and information about the dungeon. In return, I'll provide potions, status recovery items, and even meals."

I think it's a good deal. I'm not a pushover to help unconditionally, even if I do similar things in real life. It's give and take.

"Finally, a taste of home."

"Given the absolute food shortage, I can't make a proper meal, but I can make something better than fruit."

"Alright, let's go! I'll convince Luka and the others!"

Miu raised her fist and headed towards the forest. She's a handful.

"…Um… This is a big change, Yun. Is it okay?"

"What is it, Toutobi? If you have ingredients, I can prepare a meal within that range."

"No, it's not that… There's something next to Yun… What is it?"

The timing is bad. I didn't want to stimulate them after the excitement of the battle. If they can't see it, it would be better to leave it.

Plus, Miu will definitely be interested. Given Rui's short acquaintance, she won't let anyone touch her.

"Um, can you see something, Tou-chan? I can't see it."

"Probably related to the discovery skill. What is it next to Yun?"

"…Um, it's… Don't touch it."

Don't stimulate it. Especially Miu, who is the most cautious. I told Rui to come out.

The white horse appeared, and the three of them were transfixed.

"Calm down, they're not enemies."

I knelt and stroked its body to calm it. Miu and the others reacted differently, but Miu, as expected, let out a high-pitched scream.

"Wow! A foal! A white horse! I want it!"

"I won't give it to you! Get your own!"

"Yun-nee, no one said they would give it to you. But how did you tame it?"

The other two were also curious. But there's no special method.

"Um… It just… appeared by my side?"

"Why is it a question…"

"Fact is, it disappeared and ate my lunch when I wasn't looking. I think it got attached to me after that."

Rui's excitement had subsided, and she started to lean on me. It could be interpreted as showing off our relationship.

"Can I touch it?"

"Ask Rui."

"Hey, is it okay?"

But Miu's question was met with a head turn, indicating refusal.

"Oh, Miu, you were rejected."

"But I'll touch it!"

"Ah, stop it!"

Miu, as always, is uncontrollable, but just before she touched Rui, Rui disappeared.

Miu, who doesn't have the discovery skill, couldn't tell where Rui went.

Rui reappeared a short distance away, but something was off. Toutobi also noticed and furrowed his brow slightly.

"Hehehe, running away makes you want to chase! It's the start of a game of tag!"

Miu's overwhelming speed would be too much for the young foal, I thought. But the opposite was true. The small white horse toyed with Miu.

It didn't run fast. It disappeared just as Miu was about to touch it and reappeared. It looked like short-range teleportation.

Miu, unable to find Rui, increased her speed and chased after her.

Just as she was about to touch her, Miu's body was thrown off balance.

"Kyaa… Ugh…"

Rui ran back, seemingly satisfied with teasing Miu.

"What happened? Your