Chapter 11

"Let's have a strategy meeting."

"What's about to start...?"

We returned to the inn and immediately rented our usual room. Then, we sat across the table and discussed our strategy for the future.

It all started because of the announcement we saw earlier: [UR Unit Double Rate Campaign]. The banner said the campaign would start tomorrow and last for ten days.

We had to gather as many magic stones as possible by then.

"So, I'll explain the plan. No objections, okay?"

"O-Okay... I won't say okay! Are you planning something that needs objections!?"

"No, it's fine. We just have to push ourselves a bit."

"I don't feel fine at all..."

Noll said with a worried voice. I didn't really want to push us this hard either.

"To put it simply, we'll go to the usual forest and hunt Black Oaks."

"Nothing different from usual, huh?"

Black Oaks drop magic stones, so we have to hunt them.

"However, if we hunt as usual, even if we spend 10 hours, we can only get 10 to 11 magic stones per day. That's not enough."

"What do you mean?"

We need 50 magic stones for one 11-roll. At our current pace, it would take nearly five days to get enough for one roll.

In the past, we would go to the forest leisurely, spend about two hours including the travel time, and hunt for two to three hours before returning before it got dark.

So, we could only get about five magic stones per day. This pace wouldn't work.

"That's why I came up with a groundbreaking plan to increase our daily efficiency to around 50 magic stones."

"Wow, that's amazing. Five times as much. What's the method?"

How can we increase efficiency? Increasing efficiency means increasing the speed at which we hunt Black Oaks.

Currently, Noll can take down a Black Oak with one hit. So, where can we save time?

"We'll rush to the respawn points."

"...Huh?"

"I mean, we'll rush to the respawn points."

I thought about it. In the past, we waited for them to come out of the forest. Since one hit is enough to take them down, the only way to save time is to reduce the time it takes to encounter them.

The shortest way is to find the respawn points. Monsters don't usually leave their territory, but they come out when someone passes by the edge of their territory.

We've figured out the range while hunting in the forest. The only exception is when they come out in a group if there are a certain number of them.

"Do you plan to enter the forest!?"

"That's right."

"It's dangerous! It's reckless! We might get lost!"

"That's where the map app comes in. We won't get lost with this. Once we mark the respawn points, we can get to them quickly. Plus, we can see the enemy's position."

I showed Noll my smartphone. This map app shows the enemy's position with red dots. We can also leave marks on the map, so once we find the respawn points, it will be easy.

In the forest, visibility is poor, and it might be hard to notice approaching enemies. But with this, we can see them.

"Noll, you'll be in charge of the battles. I'll rely on you."

"Ah, you, you're a devil, Ooka-sama!"

"You said you'd follow me for life, right?"

"That's... a different story..."

Noll said hesitantly, fidgeting with her fingers.

Without her, this plan wouldn't work.

"Noll, please. You're my only hope."

"Umm... okay..."

"I wanted to hear those words."

She seemed reluctant, but I managed to get her to nod.

I won't let her say no now.

"So, our goal for one day is 50 magic stones."

"Fifty!? That's not a goal, it's a quota!"

"Don't worry, we'll take breaks. And we'll use this to get back."

We need 500 magic stones in 10 days to get 10 rolls. If the probability is the same as in GC, the chance of getting a UR is 1%. With double the rate, we should get a UR every 5 rolls.

The return trip is also precious, so we'll use the beacon we drew earlier. Ideally, we'd set it up in our room, but we'll hide it in an uninhabited grassy area outside the city. This way, we can return instantly.

"Let's repeat. Our daily goal is 50 magic stones. We'll gather as many magic stones as possible."

We can get about 10 magic stones in 2 to 3 hours. So, if we spend about 10 hours, we should be able to get around 50.

We just need to wake up a bit earlier and hunt a bit longer. Yeah, no problem.

●

Day 1 of magic stone collection.

Noll and I headed to the forest early in the morning. As we approached the forest, goblins and orcs naturally came out.

Usually, we would wait here and hunt them as they came out. But this time, we instantly killed them and entered the forest.

The forest wasn't too dark, and sunlight filtered through, so it wasn't a problem. The path was clear because the orcs had trampled the grass. Noll stayed close to be ready for any situation.

I mapped the area with my smartphone while moving forward. Monsters attacked us, but Noll took them down instantly.

We planned to ignore the dropped items until we found the respawn points. I had my magic bag ready to pick up and store items immediately.

"Ah, they spawned. So, that's the respawn point."

"Monsters spawn like that, huh."

We saw a slightly open area with no trees. There, the light gathered and formed monsters, just like when they disappear after being defeated.

This is the respawn zone for the monsters. I immediately marked it on the map app.

"Alright, let's move to the next one."

"Huh, aren't we going to stay and hunt here?"

"Are you kidding? Who said we'd hunt at one respawn point?"

"You're a devil..."

There must be multiple respawn points. To be efficient, we should visit multiple respawn zones, not just one. While waiting for the respawn, we can move to another respawn point to reduce wasted time. The ideal situation is to hunt without any waiting time.

"Phew, that's it for today."

"Ha... ha... I'm... I'm dying..."

"Should I give you a vitamin supplement?"

"Is that really a vitamin supplement?"

We hunted from early morning until the sky started to turn orange. We collected 52 magic stones today.

Noll seemed tired from the hunting. I gave her a potion from the general store. This should help her recover a bit.

Day 3.

We hunted by visiting the respawn points in order. I also helped by dealing with goblins and orcs and picking up dropped items.

On the first day, we found five respawn points and now visit three of them in order. By the time we finish the third one, the first one is ready to respawn, making it very efficient.

"Hunting the same monsters is depressing..."

"Is it? I think it's easy."

Noll seemed a bit less energetic. I'm motivated by the gacha, but it might be tough for her?

"Ugh, I don't want to eat orc meat for a while... I've been dreaming about orcs and goblins lately."

"Only 7 more days. Please bear with it."

Hearing "7 days," Noll groaned. I really feel bad. After this, I should treat her to something delicious... but maybe not food?

We successfully collected 52 magic stones today, bringing the total to 162. It's going well.

Day 5.

We came to hunt early in the morning again, but there was no conversation between us.

I used the map app to show the enemy's position, and Noll silently and methodically took them down.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Her response was emotionless, making me shiver. I'm worried she might stab me from behind. It's that bad.

Today's total is 246 magic stones. Noll's reactions seem a bit slower. I'm also trying my best to hunt, but maybe I should stop picking up dropped items to focus more on hunting.

Day 8.

"Black Oak, Black Oak, ohhh... Ah, there's an orc!"

"Hey, snap out of it! We're in the city! And that's a human, it's rude to point!"

"Hehe, Noll loves meat!"

We cut the hunt short and returned. We have 396 magic stones in total, including the 38 we had initially. It's less than planned.

We were supposed to have 438 by now. We couldn't collect 50 magic stones today.

Noll's behavior became completely erratic. She started laughing and crying during the hunt. Even after removing her helm, she didn't snap out of it, so we had to return using the beacon.

Back in the city, she pointed at fat people and laughed, calling them orcs. It was extremely rude. I had to hug her and restrain her, dragging her back to the inn.

"Ugh... Orcs... Orcs... I... I have to kill them..."

"Is this the limit?"

I laid her on the bed, and she fell asleep immediately. She must have been mentally exhausted.

She seems to be fighting orcs even in her dreams. We only have 2 days left.

● Noll Fanya

Level 16 → 24

HP 1940 → 2260

MP 230 → 310

Attack 450 → 530

Defense 315 → 355

Agility 73 → 81

Magic Resistance 30

Cost 15

● [Leader] Heisuke Ooka

Level 15 → 23

HP 810 → 890

MP 115 → 155

Attack 275 → 315

Defense 215 → 255

Agility 39 → 47

Magic Resistance 10