chapter 5

When we entered Fielin Forest, grass and insect-type monsters were lying in wait.

Of course, I’d burn them down to embers.

And, unlike last time…

“Fireball!”

Meryl could cover for me using the fire-type magical skill “Fireball”.

Back in Izuruli, when we were gearing up for this quest, I found a skill shop, and from there, I found and purchased a Fireball book.

In Reinbark, you could learn skills by leveling up and unlocking them or using skill books.

However, you could only use skill books if they had skills of your own class.

In other words, no matter which one I buy, it’d be a waste of money.

But with this, Meryl’s level is steadily rising.

“Yay! I did it, Aruto-san!”

“Be careful not to burn down the trees around us.”

Meryl seemed happy to finally be able to fight.

Is this really alright for a goddess…?

As we defeated monsters, we ventured deeper. We’ve already made great progress, but it seemed like there was still stuff left ahead of us.

Nevertheless… I think I should call out to them.

As I stopped, Meryl tilted her head, then stopped too.

“What’s going on, Aruto-san?”

“Stop sneaking around and show yourself.”

I turned around quickly, and after a while, from the shadows of a tree, a purple-haired woman appeared.

“Hm? You noticed me? Even though you don’t have detection skills or anything?”

As she smiled calmly, I pointed the muzzle of my revolver at her, and she raised her arms, still wearing a calm expression.

“If you weren’t so obvious about it, I wouldn’t have noticed.”

“Hmm, guess my tracking skill ain’t up to par then…”

I frowned at the woman, who remained still even at gunpoint.

“Who the hell are you?”

“I’m Garuna Schilling. Adventurer-slash-informant.”

“Informant? You?”

The woman named Garuna Schilling brought up her condition brace’s status screen and showed us.

Unless this was a fake, she’s the real deal…

“Adventurer-slash-informant, huh… What does such a clever woman have to do with us?”

“Wow, you’re good at flattering me! As an informant, I’m just curious about you two—Asou Aruto-kun, Meryl Sheening-chan.”

While Meryl was surprised at how she knew our names, I remained calm and asked back.

“Were you there at the Adventurers’ Guild yesterday?”

“Correct! I wanted to know what kind of person the classless Aruto-kun was.”

“So you were sneaking around behind me.”

I put my gun away, and Garuna put her hands down as well.

“Sorry. I thought you wouldn’t be up for forming a party with me, a complete stranger.”

“And so? What’ll you do now that we know you’re following us?”

“If it’s okay, wanna party up?”

So you still want to watch us. You’ve got balls.

“N-no! Don’t believe her! She could still backstab us!”

Meryl seemed like she totally didn’t trust Garuna.

“… it’s fine. If she does backstab us, we just backstab her.”

Meryl was surprised that I accepted the offer, and Garma’s eyebrows shifted for just a moment.

“Hm, you’re gutsy. It’ll only be for a while, but I’ll be in your care.”

I shook her hand cautiously.

And so, our three-person party advanced further in.

After some time…

Dozens of Bee Soldiers attacked us.

These things attack in groups, so they’re a pain to deal with!

I mowed down the Bee Soldiers with my sword and revolver, and Meryl supported me with her Fireball.

However…

“Whoa~! Amazing!”

“If you’ve got the time to say that, can’t you help us fight a bit!?”

“I’m at level 30. You guys haven’t hit level 10 yet, so I thought it’d be better for you guys to level up a bit!”

“That’s bull! You just want to enjoy yourself!”

She stuck her tongue out as if to say ‘oh no, I’ve been caught,’ and smiled angrily at me. Maybe I should shoot her in the forehead.

After we beat the Bee Soldiers, we arrived at the deepest part of the forest.

In front of us was a massive tree.

On this tree grew copper apples.

“Copper apples… they’re here!”

“It’s great that we found them, but here’s where the real trial begins.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Just as I thought, that big tree was a monster. As I expected, a pair of eyes appeared on the tree.

A massive tree monster—an Arcwood…

Just as the information said, copper apples were guarded by Arcwoods.

The Arkwood noticed us, and its eyes flickered. It had multiple rootlike things surrounding it.

These roots were sharp and pointed, and they moved in to attack us.

Leaping to avoid the Arcwood’s attack, I approached it and swung my sword.

But it protected itself with its roots. I moved away from the Arcwood and glared at it.

Ugh, these roots are in the way…

Since it’s come to this…!

“Meryl! Can you support me with a fireball?”

“Got it!”

Following my instructions, Meryl shot out a fireball.

The Arcwood tried to stop it with its roots, but they were no match for the fire, and its roots burnt down.

At a loss, the Arcwood aimed at Meryl with sharpened leaves, releasing them like bullets.

“Time for me to get moving!”

However, Garuna repelled all the bullets aimed at Meryl using a large lance.

“Aruto-kun, now’s the time to beat it!”

“Say no more!”

I leaped vigorously at the Arcwood, and slashed off all its branches using my sword.

The copper apples growing on the branches fell to the ground with a thud.

While I was in the air, I also spun and cut the Arcwood vertically.

To top it off, I placed the barrel of my revolver on the Arcwood’s forehead.

“See ya!”

With that, I pulled the trigger, and a gunshot resounded throughout Fielin Forest.

The Arcwood died to the bullet and disappeared.

I sighed for a moment and heard Meryl’s excited shouts.

“Aruto-san! I’ve acquired some copper apples!”

She showed me the copper apples. At the side, Garuna smiled lightly.

“Alright! Let’s head back!”

With our work done, we headed back to Izuruli City.

As we returned, we weren’t attacked by any monsters for some reason.

We made it to the exit smoothly.

“Coming back was really easy!”

“…that isn’t normal, right?”

Garuna was wary of the surroundings. I guess even level 30 informants could be sluggish.

“Hey. I know you’re waiting. Show yourself.”

Meryl and Garuna were taken aback by my words.

In response to my voice, a woman came out of the shadows.

“So you can tell when you’re being ambushed, newbie.”

The red-haired woman who came out of the shadows smiled fearlessly, looking at the three of us like a snake would its prey…