Chapter 98

The day after getting closer to Annelie, we were running along a wide mountain path. Since this was said to be the most worrying part of our escort, we slowed our speed and closed the distance to the carriage.

"We should arrive in two more days, and this time it seems like everything will end without any major problems."

"I said this on the first day too, but when you say things like that, something happens... Oh? What's that?"

"Huh?"

When Sisha pointed ahead, I also poked my head out to look. There, a tree was growing, blocking more than half of this forest road. It looked to be over 5 meters tall, quite high.

...What is this? Why is a tree suddenly growing in the middle of the road? It looks as if they took a tree from the surroundings and planted it here.

Nohl and the others, who were moving ahead, stopped at a distance from the tree, and the carriage also stopped. We stopped as well and joined the carriage.

"The road is blocked, what's going on?"

"It's a very unnatural tree. To be standing so boldly in the middle of the road..."

If it was just us, we could pass by the side of the tree, but as it is, the carriage can't get through. Besides, this tree is too suspicious.

I wondered if it might be a monster and checked the map app, but there was no reaction. I can't imagine someone would go to the trouble of planting a tree in the middle of the road... or did a monster plant it to stop the carriage? Either way, what a nuisance.

Egon also looked troubled, frowning.

"If it's just a tree, Estel can move it with magic. But before that, I'll check with Egon. I don't want to cause trouble by acting rashly."

"Egon, do you have any idea what this could be?"

"Hmm... I've passed this road many times, but this is the first time. I can't think of anything... wait a moment."

After thinking with his hand on his chin, Egon suddenly looked up.

"I've heard that there are tree-like monsters in the forests around Queres."

"So, could that unnatural tree blocking the road be one of those monsters?"

"Probably... but we're still quite far from Queres. Why is it here..."

It seems that tree is indeed a monster. I didn't expect a monster that wouldn't show up on the map app... why doesn't it show up? It must be due to its special ability or skill... I shouldn't over-rely on the map app.

This monster shouldn't appear in this area. It's probably like the other anomalies, appearing outside its usual habitat. First, we need to decide what to do with this tree.

"We can't pass like this. What should we do?"

"Hmm... wait a moment. I need to discuss this with Mr. Adelbert."

Egon walked to the carriage Mr. Adelbert was in, opened the door, and had a brief conversation before returning.

"Sorry, but if you can, I'd like you to take it down."

"Understood."

Mr. Adelbert must have thought we can handle it. It seems we've gained a bit of trust during this short escort. Alright, I'll put in some effort and take it down safely and quickly.

"Tree monsters are said to be fought by adventurers of C-rank and above. Also, magic attacks are said to be less effective. I think you can handle it, but be careful."

"Understood. Thank you."

Magic being less effective... that means Estel's magic won't be able to take it down quickly. Besides, if I leave it to Estel, this whole forest might turn into a sea of fire. This time, I'll have her guard the carriage...

"Alright, so we've decided to take down that monster."

"How strong is it? Can you check, Mr. Oogura?"

"Ah, I'll try."

We moved the carriage away from the tree and discussed how to fight. Nohl suggested checking the status first. Thinking it was a good idea, I took a picture of the tree with my phone, but the status app didn't react at all.

"It's no good. It's not even on the map app, so I thought it might be... but it's not showing up on your phone either, huh?"

It seems that tree monster is really just like a normal tree. I wish I could check its status before fighting. But since Egon said it's a C-rank monster and it's resistant to magic, it should be fine.

"So, what do we do? Even if we say we'll take it down, we can't neglect our escort duties."

"You're right..."

Considering the information, we decided who would take down the monster. Of course, we can't leave the carriage unguarded, so one person must stay behind.

Following my earlier thoughts, Estel would be the first choice. But I'm a bit worried if it's just Estel... Sisha should also stay to guard. This forest doesn't have very strong monsters, so Sisha should be able to guard well. With Estel there too, no monster short of a dungeon one should be able to harm the carriage.

Nohl, with his high attack power, is the best choice to take it down quickly. If Luna were here, she could throw spears from a distance and take it down quickly... I wonder what she's doing now. She's probably sleeping, but I'm a bit worried.

"Alright, Nohl and I will take care of it quickly."

"Ah, fighting with Mr. Oogura again! It's been a while!"

When I said Nohl and I would go, Nohl made a fist pump, looking very enthusiastic. On the other hand, Estel puffed her cheeks, looking a bit dissatisfied.

"Hey, don't be so upset. Estel, stay with Annelie."

"...Alright. It seems the tree is resistant to magic, so Nohl is better suited. But Mr. Oogura, don't get complacent just because it's a C-rank monster."

"Ah, I understand. Thanks."

Estel stopped puffing her cheeks and now looked worried, frowning at me. Yeah... I shouldn't underestimate a C-rank monster.

"I'm not doing anything this time. I'm just riding the horse, even though I'm a priest."

"You don't usually do priestly things anyway..."

Sisha looked disappointed, shoulders drooping. She always does un-priestly things, so why is she saying this now? If I say she beats up monsters like crazy, it would be valid.

Anyway, we decided, and Nohl and I headed towards the tree monster.

"So, what do we do?"

"Right... approaching suddenly is dangerous, so let's observe first."

"Then, shall I attack lightly with my Sentitabra?"

"Is that okay?"

"Hehe, don't worry. I'll show you the results of my training!"

We had to get closer to attack, but we didn't know how it would move. So, it was time for my Sentitabra to shine!

I made a silver, round blob float from the crystal on my shoulder.

"Go, Sentitabra!"

"Wow!"

I pointed at the tree, and the floating Sentitabra moved forward. I thought Nohl would be excited, but...

"...Wow? It's moving at a rather slow pace."

"It's just starting! The real power of Sentitabra is just beginning!"

My voice, which was initially loud, gradually became smaller, and in the end, I was tilting my head. Even though it was moving faster than walking, it was much slower compared to Nohl's speed. But this isn't the end. The results of my training are not just this!

As I focused, the round silver blob gradually transformed into a sharp, pointed shape. Hehe, this is the attack form of Sentitabra! I can't make it as detailed as a sword yet.

The transformed blob stabbed the tree with a "thud." Immediately, the tree started to sway, and its branches whipped the silver spike, breaking it into pieces that turned into particles of light.

"Aaaah! My Sentitabra!"

"...It's broken."

No way... it was written that it could break, but I didn't expect it to break so easily. Maybe my training wasn't enough, and I couldn't fully solidify its shape?

"Hey, don't get depressed! It's moving!"

"Seriously!? It's walking, that tree!"

While I was looking down, depressed, Nohl shouted. I looked up to see the ground under the tree in the middle of the road bulging, with roots emerging. The roots acted like legs, and the tree started moving towards us. There were now holes that looked like eyes and a mouth on the trunk, which was creepy.

It's a tree monster!

Anyway, maybe now I can check its status. I'll try.

---

● Species: Treant

Level: 45

HP: 35,000

MP: 0

Attack: 550

Defense: 750

Agility: 20

Magic Resistance: 80

Special Ability: Camouflage

Skill: Magic Absorption

---

As Egon said, it's resistant to magic. Magic Absorption means it absorbs magic, right? Being resistant and absorbing magic is so annoying.

It seems the reason it didn't show up on the app was due to its special ability. It must have been deactivated when it started moving.

Without its skills, it's not a very strong monster. It should be easy to hunt.

"Hmm, it's not that strong. About the same as a Minotaur."

"If that's the case, we can take it down quickly."

With the information confirmed, Nohl and I ran towards the Treant. As we got closer, the branches at the top extended like tentacles towards us. I tried to push them away with my bar, but more kept coming.

After a while, some branches gathered and formed a spear-like tip, which lunged at me. I tried to block it with a pot lid and break it with my bar, but the branches split into tentacles and wrapped around my arm.

"Whoa, ohh!?"

"Mr. Oogura!"

I was lifted and pulled towards the Treant. The Treant opened its mouth-like hole, ready to swallow me.

But I'm not one to be eaten so easily. I cut the tentacles with my bar and, using the momentum of being pulled, climbed onto the Treant's body. I repeatedly stabbed the mouth-like hole with my bar, thinking, "If you want to eat me, I'll give you a good meal."

The Treant swung its body, but I held on. The control of the tentacles seemed to be disrupted, and Nohl quickly ran up and cut the trunk in half with one swing. I jumped off before it fell, and the Treant's body split and turned into particles of light.

"Phew, phew, that was a great move!"

"Where was it great...? More importantly, are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."

Ah, that was scary. I thought I had blocked it, but it wrapped around me. If it had more tentacles, it would have been a touchy situation. ...Who would benefit from that?

While thinking about such silly things, I collected the log-sized drop from the Treant and returned to the carriage.

"Hey, I told you not to get complacent!"

"I'm sorry..."

When I returned, Estel ran up to me, frowning. I was pulled by the tentacles despite being warned... but it was a first-time encounter, right? I hope she can forgive me a little.

Of course, my excuses didn't work, and I was scolded by the angry Estel.

---

By the time we emerged from the mountain path onto the plain, the sky was already getting dark. We hurried to set up camp and managed to finish before it was completely dark. As usual, Annelie came over and was talking happily with Estel.

"So, when it broke, a strange smell filled the room and caused a commotion."

"That must have been terrible. It was