Chapter 33

"Look, there's a big frog. Isn't it the creature you like?"

"Ugh..."

We've been walking through the forest for about an hour, I guess.

Walking through the dense, overgrown primeval forest is more exhausting than I expected.

I almost slip and fall on the fallen leaves, and my feet get caught in the muddy ground, making it a miserable experience.

However, the wild child who happily pulls my hand is full of energy...

Ribbit, ribbit.

Even though I'm tired, a giant frog, about a meter long, croaks in a weak voice.

Hearing such a croak makes me even more exhausted.

"Look, it's a frog."

"I can see that..."

"Want to eat it?"

"Come to think of it, I didn't even have lunch."

My stomach growls.

Hmm. Quite a manly stomach. Yes, it's not mine. I'm more tired than hungry.

Oh, the little fox girl is glaring at me with a resentful look.

*Whack.*

When Sequoia swings her right hand, the poor giant frog is cut in half by an invisible wind blade.

"Are you going to eat that?"

"You said you wanted to eat it."

"Y-Yeah."

"Indeed."

I can only nod at Sequoia's determined expression. I didn't say anything about eating it, but there's no choice now.

But, it's just right. If we're eating, we can rest.

I'm already at my physical limit.

I slump down on the spot and sit cross-legged.

Then, Sequoia, holding the frog with her small, cute hands, drags it over and sits on my lap.

"Fire spirit."

"Wait, Sequoia."

I was too late. The frog is already roasted by Sequoia's fire magic.

I wanted to check if the skin could be used like rubber, but oh well.

"It's done. Here, it's your favorite, right?"

"You're misunderstanding a lot, but whatever. I'm hungry too."

Still, a frog, huh? I've heard that in France, they eat frog legs, which are said to taste like chicken.

Should I try it?

But, the wild child is already gnawing on the frog's leg. Well, I guess I will too.

"Mmm, hmm."

"Hmm, hmm. This is good."

The frog's legs were quite delicious. A bit hot, but that was actually good.

"If we had some..."

"That's rock salt. Give it to me."

"Hey, calm down. I'll sprinkle some on Sequoia's share too."

"Mmm, hmm."

"Wow, delicious."

The frog with salt was even more delicious.

◇◇◇

Finally, we've arrived at the scene.

Indeed, this place looks like a pineapple field.

I peer through the gap in the undergrowth and exhale.

"How is it?"

"There's no presence. The pineapple is what the Kira Plant likes, right?"

"Yeah. According to Baltro's report, the Kira Plant munches on the pineapples."

"Hmm. So the thunder beast came to eat the Kira Plant."

"Right. So there must have been 'thunder damage' here."

There are no Kira Plants or thunder beasts. Convenient.

Our goal today isn't the thunder beast itself.

As I try to step out of the undergrowth, *squish*, Sequoia climbs onto my back.

"Just in case. Wind, protect us."

Sequoia's wish is answered, and the magic activates.

However, while I hear a *whoosh* of wind, there's no visible change.

"Don't worry. We are protected. But only from one attack."

"Got it. Thanks."

I stick my head out of the undergrowth again and carefully step into the pineapple field.

If it was struck by lightning, it should be burned. I'll look for something unscathed in the vicinity.

It would be great if it's inside a plant...

*Grip.*

This time, Sequoia grabs my side.

"Just in case. Do you want to be carried or hold hands?"

"Hands..."

I extend my right hand, and Sequoia grips it firmly.

Do I really need to rub cheeks?

*Smack.*

She even kissed my hand.

I stare at Sequoia, but she doesn't seem fazed.

"I marked you. You're quite clumsy, so you might slip into a hole or something."

"Yeah, that's very possible."

Sorry, Sequoia.

I apologize in my heart for thinking, "What is she doing?"

"Let's go."

"Okay."

This time, Sequoia and I step into the pineapple field.

Looking around, I notice a fruit like a strawberry on the ground.

"Is it safe to touch?"

"It should be fine."

It's a bright red fruit in a sea of green, very noticeable.

It could be a trap, but since it didn't trigger the Sequoia sensor, it's probably just a safe fruit.

Maybe it's a wild strawberry.

I put on gloves similar to work gloves, pick up the fruit, and activate "Plant Appraisal."

"It's a Kira Plant fruit. It's said to taste similar to a wild strawberry."

"Hmm. Is this the remains left by the thunder beast?"

"Indeed. The Kira Plant uses this fruit to attract animals and then eats them."

"Interesting. Your gift is 'Plant Appraisal,' right? Can you appraise monsters too?"

"Maybe because it's a plant-type monster. I even found out how to cultivate the Kira Plant."

"Should we grow it?"

"No, I don't want to grow a plant that attacks people."

According to the appraisal, the fruit belongs to a species called Tree-Peeping Vine (vine type), a type of Kira Plant.

Its body is made entirely of green vines, which wrap around tree trunks and hang down, bearing bright red fruits.

When an animal enters its range, it strikes with its vine like a whip and incorporates it into its body.

It can grow up to seven meters tall and can easily attack human-sized animals, making it a dangerous monster.

Since we're here, let's take this fruit back.

"This area is charred."

"Indeed. The Kira Plant must have been zapped."

"Right. Hey, this shrub. The bark is black, but it's not burned. It's close to the epicenter."

"You're right. What about this?"

Sequoia points to a spider web. It might be a new one, but the web on the branch I noticed doesn't seem burned.

"Let's take the spider web. I'll appraise the shrub right away."

I touch the shrub and activate "Plant Appraisal."

Hmm. This is interesting.

"How is it?"

"This might be it."

I smile, which doesn't suit me.

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