Chapter 25

"Shah!?"

The remaining Karki Rock Lizard quickly looked around the surroundings.

"Should we chase if it runs?"

"Let's not pursue it too far. There might be a counterattack."

While they were discussing, the last Karki Rock Lizard chose to attack rather than flee, leaping at them.

It was quite brave.

"Oryah!"

I swung my arm, Moshin aimed for the torso, and Meguru slid her blade across the neck.

"It's pitiful to move without realizing it's dead... isn't it?"

Finally, Jitsu tapped the head with a crowbar.

The head fell with a thud, and the last one died.

"Alright! Victory!"

"This feels like a decisive victory compared to our last battle."

"Yeah... but isn't this a bit overkill?"

Meguru looked at the blade of the Metal Turtle's sword and replied.

"The attack power is quite something. I think we can still go further."

At this rate, we might be able to go deeper.

"It's so sharp, I don't know what to do."

"We've ended up with some pretty amazing weapons."

Even for a Myconid, it's a Rock Lizard.

How much power does it have?

I'm scared it might cut off my finger if I accidentally touch the blade.

I don't think it's that extreme, though.

"Yeah. It's definitely much stronger than what the Taniizumi group has."

If it's that good, it might be worth converting all our savings.

"Although it's dangerous, I think it's more efficient to venture deeper."

"If this adventure can suppress the Taniizumi group's reckless actions, it should be tolerated."

"By the way, Moshin, how much longer until you reach Level 5?"

"Oh, I just leveled up. I almost forgot because it happened so quickly."

Well, with such a decisive victory.

Even Meguru is surprised by the weapon.

It's like suddenly getting powerful equipment in an RPG after a low-level raid on a casino.

In online games, there are usually equipment limits, but how does it work in this world?

There might be limits, but it's definitely overpowered.

"So, what's Moshin's new expansion ability? Something like enchanting weapons because you're a blacksmith?"

"That sounds scary. But apparently, it's a mining bonus."

"Miner's bonus?"

Anyone can mine, right?

You just find good ore in these rocky areas and dig it out.

But the bonus part is intriguing.

"Since we're here, why don't we try it out on that rocky area?"

Jitsu's suggestion makes sense.

"Sure, let's see..."

Moshin looked around, fiddling with the settings.

"Oh, some spots are glowing red..."

"We should have brought a pickaxe."

Should we buy one later?

We can get one from a mountaineering store.

"Can we use a crowbar instead?"

Jitsu handed over the crowbar.

It might work.

It's made of iron and has been infused with magic, so it might be more effective than a Japanese one.

"I'll give it a try."

Moshin took the crowbar and swung it at a fault in the rock.

With a solid thud, cracks appeared and spread easily.

"Here, here, and here?"

With a few more thuds, the fault crumbled and fell away surprisingly easily.

It was quite an impressive sight.

"Oh, these, these, and these."

Moshin quickly examined the fallen fault and picked up some ore-like materials.

"Copper ore... bronze ore... obsidian and root fossils. The quality seems good. At least it's purer than what the Taniizumi group brings."

Moshin showed me the copper ore.

Indeed, it looks better than the copper ore the Taniizumi group pushed onto Moshin.

This must be what quality means.

"It's so easy."

"But using it drained my magic power."

Ah, it's an ability that consumes magic power.

That means we can't just mine continuously.

Still, it's a versatile ability.

"Miner's bonus... it's a good ability, isn't it?"

"Getting materials is easier now. But the ore we got might not be enough to overcome our current situation."

"We have good weapons, but there's a problem with our armor. Maybe we can strengthen that area?"

Moshin nodded at my response.

The weapons should be fine for a while, so next is the armor.

"Alright. Then, Jitsu, can you teleport?"

"Got it."

I used teleportation to send the ore to the workshop.

Yeah, it's easier to move without carrying stuff. This setup works well.

"Let's find a place we can go and where we can gain good experience."

"Sure."

"This sword is so sharp, it's scary."

Meguru looked at the sword and muttered.

Indeed, if it's that sharp, it could be dangerous if it accidentally hits an ally or a hand.

It might be an overpowered sword.

"What level of sword would this be in a game?"

"Endgame?"

"No, no."

It would be annoying if such good weapon materials were just lying around.

The required points were monstrous, but I don't want to admit that.

I'm not sure why I don't want to admit it, though.

"It's better than what the Taniizumi group has. In any case, it's the best frontline weapon we have right now."

"So, Meguru's responsibility is significant."

"Um... won't Jitsu use it?"

"Here, it's better to follow the level order and for Meguru to have it to protect herself."

Since the enemy is a one-hit kill, it can also be used for defense.

And since it's light, I think someone like Meguru should use it.

"But..."

"Don't worry, we can work towards making a second one. Let's move on."

With Moshin's words, we put the issue on hold and moved forward, searching for monsters.

Our current task is to find monsters that are easy to fight.

As we moved forward, the area changed to one with trees like cedar.

The clearer view between the trees is an advantage, right?

There's less undergrowth, so it's harder to hide.

Since we're moving as a group, we don't need to hide, so it should be better than before.

We're moving in a formation with me and Meguru in the front, Moshin in the center, and Jitsu in the rear.

"We could gather materials as we go, but it's hard without Hagizawa."

"Well... we could cut trees to make armor, but our carpentry skills are not as good."

Moshin seems to have his own concerns.

He might not be good at woodworking.

"We could make glue or syrup from tree sap, but thanks to Jitsu, we don't really need it."

We can always buy it from Japan if necessary.

"We'll have to get herbs and medicines from Hagizawa, though..."

"Our current task is to investigate how much we can fight."

As we chatted, a monster appeared, seemingly drawn by our voices.

...A Strawberry Wallaby appeared.

Despite the name, it's as big as a kangaroo and, for some reason, has gloves on its hands.

It's in a boxer's stance.

Three of them are jumping towards us.

"Um..."

The way they jump with intense hostility and shadow box is terrifying.

They are incredibly aggressive creatures.

"Are they natives or something?"

"In another world, it's possible..."

But they are full of hostility and killing intent, jumping at us with the clear intention to kill.

The Strawberry Wallaby that Meguru targets, and the two that charge at me and Moshin.

...It's like the bigger one with gloves is taunting me to come at it.

It's bigger than the other two.

Meguru will probably take down her target quickly and join us.

I should lure the biggest one and buy time.

Let's do this!

"Ha!"

The Strawberry Wallaby's quick hook!

In a boxing match, you'd need to focus and use your dynamic vision to avoid it.

But there are no rules here.

I ducked to avoid the hook, and as the hand returned, a second punch came from the other hand.

"Ugh..."

The Strawberry Wallaby's fist hit my chest with a solid thud.

It hurts like crazy!

I... can't breathe... but I can't back down now!

"Ora!"

I grabbed the punching arm to prevent it from escaping and stabbed the Strawberry Wallaby's side with a knife.

It easily deflected my knife!

"A knife isn't everything!"

I punched the Wallaby's face.

"Ky!?"

Surprised by the unexpected counterattack, the Strawberry Wallaby tried to kick me.

"Kyu!?"

I stumbled but managed to recover and went for a follow-up attack.

"Kyuuuu..."

The Strawberry Wallaby, with eyes like a trembling Chihuahua, started begging for its life.

"Listen, you hit me with a good hook, but do you really think that's going to work?"