Chapter 26

"Wow... I can't do this anymore. Let's go home."

"Hey, we just got here. What's the matter?"

"I wonder if Noelle doesn't find them disgusting at all."

This time, they moved from the northern cave to the western forest. The monsters near the forest were green caterpillars over a meter long. With their black patterns, just looking at them made the hair on the back of one's neck stand up. There were dozens of them wandering around.

I don't want to deal with these. If I attack, their bodily fluids will definitely gush out.

"Hmm? You find them disgusting? I think they're cute."

"Oh, you're something else. I genuinely respect you."

I knew you had a different sense, but I didn't expect this much. Noelle seems like a distant existence now.

"Still, I'm not convinced... What should we do?"

"Hmm, let's check their stats first."

---

● Species: Caterpillar

Level: 40

HP: 15,000

MP: 0

Attack: 300

Defense: 100

Agility: 5

Magic Resistance: 0

Special Ability: None

Skill: Sticky Thread

---

They're not particularly strong, but they're not suitable for area hunting. Plus, they have the troublesome skill Sticky Thread.

"This place might be a bit tricky. Their agility is too low, so it will take time to lure them. Plus, their HP is high."

"Hmm, then we should give up on hunting here."

"Let's at least check for rare species."

"Understood!"

They decided to only check for rare species and drop items, as the area was not suitable for luring and hunting. Estelle provided support, and Noelle charged forward, slashing the caterpillars with no hesitation, despite calling them cute.

"You said they were cute, yet you're killing them so easily..."

"Yeah, her sword movements are completely without hesitation."

Estelle and I joined in, and we finished off the caterpillars near the forest. Each time I stabbed them with a spear, I shuddered. I definitely won't hunt here again.

The dropped items were cocoons. They were creepy after seeing the caterpillars, but they felt good to touch. They could be used as material for clothes in this world.

After collecting the items, they waited for the rare species to spawn. After a few minutes, a black caterpillar about 5 meters long emerged from the depths of the forest, with fluffy hair all over its body.

"Whoa!? Gross, I can't handle this..."

"Ogura, you're being dramatic. Look closely. Those big, round eyes, that soft-looking body. See? They're cute, right?"

She spoke to me gently.

What is she talking about? They're disgusting no matter how you look at them!

"Estelle, you understand, right?"

"Hehe..."

"Estelle? Hey, is there something wrong with me? Ogura, Estelle, I want an answer!"

Estelle, who was next called, slightly turned away with a smile.

She finally realized she might be the odd one out, but touching her would be a hassle, so I ignored her. First, I checked the stats of the creepy caterpillar.

---

● Digger

Species: Caterpillar

Level: 60

HP: 56,000

MP: 0

Attack: 400

Defense: 300

Agility: 5

Magic Resistance: 10

Special Ability: HP Absorption

Skill: Sticky Thread, Self-Destruct

---

High HP and HP Absorption. Plus, it has Self-Destruct.

In the game, there were also Self-Destruct monsters, but they exploded after being defeated, causing damage.

"Alright, let's hunt that rare species. Estelle, are you ready?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, big brother."

"You're being ignored so naturally! Both of you, don't ignore me!"

Ignoring Noelle's complaints, they decided to deal with the approaching Digger.

---

They successfully dealt with the Digger and headed to the next hunting ground in the east. They used Estelle's magic to handle the Digger, as they didn't want to touch its fluffy hair. The Digger self-destructed, spreading an acidic liquid and emitting smoke before dying.

Dealing with such a creature was unpleasant. The dropped item was a larger cocoon than the regular caterpillars.

"Ugh..."

"Hey, don't be down. It's not your fault, okay?"

"It's a joke, right?"

She still seemed to hold a grudge over being ignored. She was fidgeting with her fingers in front of her chest while riding on the carpet.

"So, do you two think that monster was cute?"

"..."

I looked at Estelle, and we both nodded in silence.

Everyone has different tastes. It's not good to deny them, so it's best to avoid the topic.

"Alright, we've arrived at the next hunting ground. Be careful when you get off."

"Ah! You're changing the subject! Ugh, geez..."

They arrived at their destination and cut off the conversation. Noelle grabbed my shoulders and leaned in, but I ignored her. She kept making a "gee" sound next to my ear, and her face was close.

"This place is creepy."

"Yeah, are those the monsters here?"

Ignoring Noelle, who was clinging to my side, I checked the hunting ground. The landscape was desolate, with countless long stones piercing the ground, and no greenery. It looked like a graveyard.

Estelle pointed to something, and there were dozens of white, faceless, human-shaped upper bodies.

Oh, those are... ghosts?

"Ah! Ghosts, ghosts are here!?"

"Itai!? Hey, Ogura! Don't suddenly hug me!"

I screamed and jumped onto Noelle, hugging her and falling over. Ghosts, real ghosts. I'm not good with ghosts.

"What's wrong, big brother?"

"Well, they're ghosts, right? Aren't you scared?"

"Are you scared of ghosts now?"

"Guess not."

"Ugh, if you can accept it so quickly, don't jump on me!"

"Sorry, sorry. You were in a good position, so I couldn't help it."

Thinking about it, with monsters around, it's not strange for ghosts to exist. And if they're in this world, they can probably be defeated.

I checked the ghost's stats.

---

● Species: Ghost

Level: 40

HP: 10,000

MP: 500

Attack: 250

Defense: 100

Agility: 50

Magic Resistance: 60

Special Ability: None

Skill: Telekinesis

---

Their stats are not good. Their HP is decent, but with 60 magic resistance, they're not efficient compared to the northern cave. Telekinesis is a ranged attack, which is not ideal.

"Hmm, this place is also not good. The magic resistance is too high."

"Then, we'll hunt in the northern cave?"

"Yeah... Noelle, I'm really sorry, but can you help?"

"Hehe, leave it to me!"

It seems the other hunting grounds are not efficient. Noelle agreeing to be the lure is a big help. I need to thank her properly.

So, they decided to only check for rare species and head back today. The ghosts in this world could be attacked physically, and the spear pierced them. When attacked, they disappeared from the point of contact. When their entire body disappeared, they dropped a white orb about the size of a marble.

After defeating all the ghosts and collecting the items, they waited for the rare species. After a while, a 2-meter-tall skeleton in black armor appeared, holding a blue-tinged greatsword and shield.

"Is that the rare species here?"

"Quite a noble skeleton. It must have been a skilled warrior in life."

"Since they're monsters, they were probably always like that, right?"

Yeah, I don't think they had a life before. Let's check this one too.

---

● Death Knight

Species: Skeleton

Level: 60

HP: 30,000

MP: 100

Attack: 2,000

Defense: 500

Agility: 30

Magic Resistance: 90

Special Ability: Indomitable Soul

Skill: Lone Warrior

---

I don't want to deal with this. Indomitable Soul means their HP will always be 1, no matter what attack they receive. Lone Warrior reduces all damage by 50% if there are no allies nearby. This is not suitable for luring and hunting.

"Hmm, okay. Estelle, can you lure one Ghost and one Death Knight? And stop the Ghost's movement."

"Sure, leave it to me."

"Noelle, when Estelle lures the Death Knight close, block it immediately."

"Understood!"

They decided to lure one Ghost and one Death Knight to prevent the Death Knight from activating Lone Warrior. Estelle used magic to lure the two, and before the Ghost could attack, she used the spell that immobilized me yesterday to stop it. Noelle then leaped in front of the Death Knight and slashed, reducing its movement speed by half. This was the golden pattern.

They beat the Death Knight in about a minute, and it dropped a full set of human-sized armor. Ugh, the sword and shield almost dropped too. Maybe they're rare drops?

---

"Phew, it's already evening."

"Considering we went to all the hunting grounds in one day, it's not bad."

"I'm so hungry."

"Let's go to the adventurer's guild to confirm the proof of defeat and then head back to the inn."

By the time they finished all the hunting grounds, the sky was already turning to dusk. The hunting grounds around here, except for the eagle warriors, seem mentally taxing.

They went to the adventurer's guild to claim the rewards for the monsters they defeated today and then headed back to the inn. They would start hunting in the northern cave from tomorrow.

"Excuse me, I'd like to have the proof of defeat for the monsters checked."

"Oh, it's Ogura. Please, show me the proof of defeat."

They went to the reception at the guild, where the well-endowed Wiz was waiting. I couldn't help but glance at her.

As I placed the drop items on the designated spot, Wiz looked surprised.

"Ogura! What is this? The stinger's carapace, the digger's cocoon, the death knight's armor. These are all from monsters that only top B-rank adventurers can hunt!"

"Ah, I just hunted them while trying different things."

"To defeat these monsters as a side task... So, you really did defeat Deus."

Yeah, that's right. They were all eagle warrior-level monsters.

By the way, there are upper ranks within the B-rank. I plan to hunt a lot of stingers from tomorrow... I'm a bit scared of the reaction when I bring in the proof of defeat.