Chapter 27

"Still, it means that by raising it, we can call the wallabies to battle, right?"

"Hmm..."

I raise the medal again.

However, there's no particular change.

Upon checking, a sandglass for re-use is floating.

"It seems we can't use it consecutively."

I take off the gloves and switch to the knife.

It seems to be unique equipment for me, but I have no intention of becoming a boxer.

"Still... what is this strange equipment?"

"That's because it's unique equipment."

"Perhaps because I fought the strawberry wallaby with my bare hands without using my abilities?"

"Probably that's the condition. The player group would use their abilities to defeat it, and although I did use the knife, in the actual battle, the weapon was deflected."

After that, did I inherit the legacy from the strawberry wallaby boss by fighting with my bare hands?

"I can't understand the ecology of these monsters."

Does this mean I defeated the king of the wallabies?

If this were a game, it would be different, but I don't understand the meaning.

"For now, let's teleport and dispose of the corpse."

"Yeah, we managed to get through the consecutive battles in a short time."

"I'd rather forget that."

When we use items, they attract monsters... shouldn't we crush them quickly and turn them into materials?

After Meguru-san's recovery, we resumed our movement... but the wallabies started to run away as soon as they saw us.

Well, given their strength and the poor experience points, it's not a bad idea to avoid unnecessary battles. It's probably due to the gloves becoming my unique equipment.

We walked deeper into the forest.

Then we discovered a place that looked like a stone ruin.

However, it was invaded by trees, giving the impression of a ruin from a distant past.

It would be nice if there were natives here... but there probably aren't.

"Still... the presence of traces of civilization means it's not strange for people to live somewhere around here, right?"

"Yeah. If we find them, our goal will be almost achieved."

While chatting with Meguru-san, a new monster appeared.

We heard a "boo-boo" sound.

"That looks like a monster suitable for meat."

Three cream pigs appeared and ran towards us.

In appearance... they are pigs.

Not wild boars, but large pigs.

The name is also "pig."

"Is this...?"

"The one that the Taniizumi group eats."

Is that so?

I turn my gaze to Meguru-san.

"The monster that Taniizumi-kun and the others enjoy hunting."

"Yeah, it's a monster with obvious meat that only the combat group gets to eat."

We are already talking as if we will win.

It seems our levels have risen a bit, and we have more leeway.

Apparently, these cream pigs are delicious.

A monster that can be eaten without using cooking skills, I guess.

The combat group tried it, and it didn't make it to the base group.

The cooks, barrier users, and carpenters ate it, and the rest of the base group frowned... apparently.

"Alright, let's take them down without letting our guard down!"

"Right!"

"Got it."

With a knife in hand, we charge at the cream pigs.

"Yaaah!"

I swing with all my might and slash the throat of a cream pig.

A slightly unpleasant sensation, and blood spurts out.

"Take this!"

Before Mochishin can punch, Jitsu-san hits the cream pig's head with a crowbar.

"Bu-gyuu!?"

"Ow, ow, ow!"

Thud, thud, thud! Jitsu-san keeps hitting until the cream pig dies... but the scene is terrifying.

The weapon he holds is a weapon, and I've seen such characters in games.

But seeing it in real life...

"Phew..."

He wipes the sweat off his face with a look of a job well done, but his hand holds a crowbar splattered with blood.

Yeah.

Jitsu-san isn't bad.

"Ha!"

And the one who is really into it is Meguru-san?

She slices the cream pig as if dancing, passing by with the Metal Turtle's sword.

"Again, cutting something trivial... right?"

"Pig!?"

A cream pig that tried to counterattack Meguru-san by making a sharp turn collapses in pieces.

Hmm... it seems they are showing a lot of confidence.

It's probably due to the improved sharpness of their weapons.

"It seems the Rock Lizard is the strongest around here."

"Yeah. In that sense, we are fighting easily."

"We've been fighting steadily up to level 5, and it feels like it's paying off."

"We need to find more suitable opponents and catch up with Taniizumi-kun and the others quickly."

That's right.

Our goal is to show our strength so that the base group can also fight and survive whatever happens next.

It's not just about the people here; if we can find a better place, we can relocate to confuse the player group.

For that, we need to explore and find a way through the forest... there's still a lot to do.

Still, it's better to fight monsters little by little.

"What about the pork?"

"That's a tough one... we can eat it, but we can't finish it all."

"And we can't take it back to the base..."

"The skin is worse than our current equipment... I'm sorry, but we have to leave it."

"Still, let's take a little back. We can cook it in the kiln when we return."

"Be careful not to let the smell spread."

"Of course, we'll cook it in the confusion."

Mochishin and I were on the same page.

At the same time, an idea came to mind.

"We did this before, but to avoid Taniizumi's glare, let's say that a combat group with anonymous goodwill gave it to Mochishin to share with everyone in the base."

Everyone present nodded at my words.

Currently, it's a high-end ingredient, and feasts should be shared.

We need to think of various things to avoid arousing suspicion from Taniizumi and the others, but we decided to take the meat back.

"Alright, let's resume the exploration."

We bravely fought the monsters that appeared.

When we had walked enough to finish the exploration, the types of trees seemed to change.

"Be careful, dangerous monsters might appear. Pay attention."

"Okay!"

There, we encountered a creature that could be called the symbol of fantasy.

"Ga!"

"Dragon?"

Two Sky Green Mini Dragons appeared.

They are creatures that feel like lizards with bat-like wings.

They are small monsters, about the size of our chests.

They have horns on their lizard-like faces and fierce fangs.

"Isn't this quite dangerous? A classic fantasy monster, even if it's a mini version, has appeared!"

"Are we going to run?"

"Escape by teleportation?"

"First, let's see if our attacks work. It might just be a bluff."

"Understood, I'll fight as carefully as possible."

"Okay!"

We decided to fight one each, with me and Meguru-san, and Mochishin and Jitsu-san.

As we approached, the Sky Green Mini Dragons took a deep breath.

What are they going to do?

I'm hesitant about whether to attack before they do, but I decide to strike first.

"Yaaah!"

Before they can attack, I get close... and, they are already trying to spit something from their mouths.

I dodge to the side.

Then,

"Ga-aaaaa!"

A loud noise accompanied by a mass of air was launched.

Fortunately, I dodged, but the rock behind me shattered.

Is this an air breath?

And the sound is so loud it feels like my eardrums might burst, the air is vibrating.

I feel a bit dizzy.

"---san, let's go!"

I signal Meguru-san with my eyes, and I go left, she goes right, aiming for the tail and throat.

With a solid feeling, I cut the tail in half with the knife.

But, this much!

"Take this!"

"Ga!?"

With a good slicing sound, Meguru-san's diagonal cut brought down the Sky Green Mini Dragon along with its wings.

"Next!"

We head towards Mochishin and the others, who are having a bit of a hard time, and successfully finish off the Sky Green Mini Dragon as a group.

It felt like we beat the immobilized Sky Green Mini Dragon to a pulp.