Chapter 15

"By the way, I forgot that you were told the magic power decreases according to the weight when you throw something. There's a high possibility that Taniizumi remembers it and won't call me."

It's easy to forget, but heavier objects consume more magic power.

If used continuously, the magic power will be depleted and become unusable, and the heavier the object, the more magic power it consumes.

If that happens, you can only wait for it to recover or rely on Hime野.

Moreover, because they think that too heavy objects can't be thrown, they don't rely on me.

Even if you duplicate it with Ono, this rule doesn't change.

The only way to recover magic power is to rest, and since it takes about five minutes to activate, they don't use it.

Well, it's probably more practical to disassemble the prey and transport it with the ability of Hikayama.

"Alright, let's stop the processing here. What about the meat and garbage?"

We can use it as food, but if we're given meat of unknown origin, the person in charge of cooking will be suspicious.

We can't cook and eat it ourselves... there are reasons why we can't.

We... no, everyone except me relies on cooking abilities not because we can't cook.

Of course, there are classmates who can cook.

But, think about it.

How many people can cook a rat and make it edible?

Moreover, it seems that the monsters in this world are highly likely to cause food poisoning even if cooked or grilled.

While I was in Japan, someone in the base couldn't stand the hunger and ate something they shouldn't have.

Of course, they cooked it thoroughly, but they got sick and collapsed.

I heard that the symptoms were quite severe, and they were saved by Ishi's base recovery and treatment.

Since then, they concluded that eating without using cooking abilities is risky.

It seems that Taniizumi and the others are also researching food.

When cooking and eating by themselves, it's known that food poisoning doesn't occur if the level is high enough.

Well, the taste is terrible, apparently.

There are also rumors that some dishes made with cooking abilities can boost abilities.

I don't know how true these stories are.

But... I don't think it's impossible.

"Should we bury and cover it up, or rely on Kousuke?"

"Got it."

"Ah, there's something that can be processed with abilities."

Hagizawa raised his hand and said.

"Oh, I remember, Hagizawa's tool creation includes preserved food? And bombs, right?"

"Yeah, the problem is that it overlaps with the cooking guy and consumes points."

"Then, I'll stock some for Hagizawa... Can you rely on me to dispose of it before it rots?"

"Of course."

"Maybe it's a good idea to casually put it in the cooking guy's storage."

That way, some of it might get cooked and come back to us.

...Maybe I'm being too optimistic.

"Be careful."

"I know."

After discussing how to avoid being noticed, Taniizumi and the others returned with cheerful expressions as the sun set that day.

The next day.

As planned, we set out hunting again today.

We'll check where Taniizumi and the others went first.

Well, the direction can change on a whim, but their policy is to start with places that seem doable.

I'm impressed that they can distinguish between monsters they can defeat and those they can't in just two weeks.

They've descended as a tyrant but haven't caused any deaths, so they might be quite competent.

Or maybe their abilities are excellent, and most monsters are weak?

"Used the Metal Turtle's shell to the fullest and made it without abilities!"

Mochishin brought out a shield made from the Metal Turtle's shell.

It's quite large.

A simple item with a handle attached to the underside of the shell.

Since it's homemade, it seems the points were insufficient.

Metal Turtle Shell - Effect: Magic Nullification

It's a shell, not a shield.

Still, magic nullification, huh.

Ah, that's why Taniizumi's fire doesn't work.

So, abilities might be treated as magic.

It depends on the ability, like sword skills.

And the shell protects against physical attacks.

It's like a creature that has all its stats focused on defense.

"Wow..."

I grabbed the handle of the shield lying there and tried to lift it.

"Ugh... Hmph!"

It lifted, but that's all.

This isn't weightlifting.

"Are you going to carry this?"

"...Isn't it too heavy?"

Hagizawa's opinion was met with a nod from Mochishin.

"Actually... I knew."

"It might be possible if our levels were higher, but it's too heavy for us to use now."

"Can't help it. Is it going to be fertilizer in the warehouse?"

"No, maybe we can make it into armor... protectors. Let's have Kousuke break it down."

You're going to use transfer to break it into pieces, right?

"Got it. I'll try it later."

Even with good materials, processing them officially consumes points, and there are issues with homemade items... It seems we can't use it now.

"Let's go then."

Hikayama said and created a portal.

I took the used equipment from Hikayama, which was slightly improved with the points and materials collected yesterday.

Obsidian Sword - Effect: None - Sharpness: Poor

In a game, this would be a pretty good sword, but this one might be less powerful than a kitchen knife...

Like the bone sword... I feel like we've become cavemen.

What kind of equipment are Taniizumi and the others using?

Bringing a kitchen knife from modern Japan might be dangerous?

...In this case, I'll bring it later, whether I use it or not.

I suggested giving this obsidian sword to Mochishin, but Hikayama didn't let it go, so it ended up like this.

So, we were ready to set out...

"Shouldn't one of us stay behind?"

Hagizawa suggested.

"What's up?"

"Well, it would be better to have someone pretend to be working here to stay longer, right?"

"...That makes sense."

Mochishin nodded at Hagizawa's suggestion.

Now that he mentioned it, since anyone could come to Mochishin's workshop at any time, it's more practical to have someone stay behind to hide things.

"Hime野 needs to return every two hours to avoid suspicion, so it might be good to switch every two hours."

...That's true.

"Hikayama and Hime野 are essential for hunting. If I, Hanahashi, and Hagizawa take turns... "

"How will you bring the hunted monsters here?"

Hikayama said for some reason.

Why did Hikayama say that? I tilted my head, and Mochishin's expression suggested he was thinking the same thing.

"Can't you just put small monsters in a bag and bring them?"

"Right, right."

"...That's Hanahashi's job."

Hikayama answered slightly uncomfortably.

It's not that she's complaining about the extra work.

Hikayama is showing respect to me.

Mochishin nodded as if understanding her intention.

"OK, I and Hagizawa will take turns keeping watch. Is that fine?"

Hagizawa nodded, indicating no objections.

Eh? You're nodding there?

I think it would be better to prioritize raising the levels of Mochishin and Hagizawa...

"Kousuke, if you find that turtle, definitely defeat it and bring it back."

"That alone gives meaning to Hanahashi's trip."

I nodded as Hagizawa added to Mochishin's words.

Ah, I see.

Indeed, that turtle can only be defeated by me right now.

So, it's more efficient for me to go.

By the way, it seems that the turtle can be used for good tools, according to Hagizawa.

I don't know what it will be used for, though.

"Understood. So, who will stay behind first, Mochishin or Hagizawa?"

"I'll do it since I suggested it."

Hagizawa answered.

"Got it. Then... let's go."

So, we left with Hagizawa staying behind.