Chapter 55

"Then, we encountered a somewhat dangerous monster, and I was supposed to meet Sakaguchi and the others here... Where's Hanahashi?"

Hagizawa told us that everyone had moved towards the river.

It seems the river was muddy because of the fight with that monster.

Damn... They didn't cross it to escape.

"I thought they had fled downstream and chased after them."

"Going straight would make the monsters stronger, so they didn't flee to the river. By the way, did they... plan to go downstream?"

Hagizawa looked exasperated.

That's why we couldn't find any footprints.

I thought they had crossed the river because it was muddy, but that backfired.

"So, why are you and Moshin's group separated?"

"Moshin's group went upstream. Something happened."

"What happened?"

"According to the combat team, the monsters didn't attack with fatal blows. Instead, they tried to sting with poison and take us to their nest."

"Poison?"

"Yeah, it looked like a huge... bee-like monster. They apparently weaken their prey with poison and take them back to the nest to do something. They've fought it before and managed to defeat it. It's said to be a boss-class monster that controls other monsters with pheromones or something."

A shiver ran down my spine.

I felt the urge to return to that river immediately.

"So, they managed to deal with that big monster, but Sakaguchi and the others chased after the boss."

Do you want to see? Hagizawa pointed towards the river, and there were three dinosaur-like monsters lying there.

It seemed they had moved about 300 meters south from where I had crossed the river.

They had just moved downstream along the river.

Everything has gone wrong.

I must be a guy who can't read the room...

"Have you not defeated that boss yet? Why are you chasing it?"

"Two people from the base team were taken."

"What!? So, what happened?"

"Right now, Moshin and the combat team are trying to rescue them."

"I'm going too!"

"Wait, wait! What do you plan to do, being all injured like that! Since you told us, Hanahashi, you should tell us what happened too."

"My injuries don't matter. We need to go and help quickly!"

"They do matter! You know... I didn't want to say this, but if you die, the chances of us getting back home will decrease even more! So, you need to prioritize your safety."

"That's..."

I couldn't say a word.

Now that I think about it, it's natural for everyone to consider that if my transfer ability expands, I might be able to send us back to Japan.

Moshin's suggestion that I should rest at home might be out of concern for this.

Of course, Moshin is worried about me...

"Anyway, what happened to you, Hanahashi?"

I opened my mouth to start explaining.

But before I could, the glove changed into the Punching Bear.

"Roar!"

"What!?"

Hagizawa and the others, including the base team and combat team classmates, exclaimed in surprise.

"A monster!?"

"Wait, there's a ◇ next to its name?"

"Hanahashi! Your glove changed. Explain what's going on!"

"Huh? Oh... actually—"

I explained what had happened to Hagizawa and the others.

I told them about fighting the Punching Bear like the kangaroo and giving it the glove in exchange for treatment, which led to this transformation.

"Wow... you can make monsters your allies?"

"I didn't know that."

"Under Taniizumi's command, it's natural not to notice such complex conditions. There's no way to know about them."

"Cheese made from crafting or cooking... if you give it to a Horn Rat, it might tame it."

Hagizawa replied cheerfully.

"Roar!"

It's nice to meet you.

The bear bowed its head.

"You're well-mannered."

"Roar"

Then it tried to put its head between my legs and climb onto my back.

What are you doing!

"Hanahashi, it seems to be fond of you. Why don't you use it as a ride?"

"Sure, but... I'm going to support Moshin and the others!"

"Alright, alright! But first, let's have a meal... everyone is hungry."

"Alright..."

I brought cold food from Japan through the transfer and distributed it to everyone.

Everyone relaxed and I was relieved.

"Roar"

"Wow, this one is so calm and cute."

A girl from the class petted the bear's head.

"Anyway... I think the rest is up to Moshin and the others."

"Shall we start moving then?"

"Right, let's hurry and catch up with Moshin and the others."

So, we decided to chase after Moshin and the others with Hagizawa and the others.

"So... here?"

We observed a cave from a distance where the bee-like monster, Sepia Little Parasite, was buzzing around.

Those with low levels were guarded by the combat team and followed behind.

On the way, the Punching Bear, which had become our ally, knocked down the Sepia Little Parasites as soon as they appeared.

It's convenient that others can use the Wind Fist.

The damage is also significant due to the Insect Killer effect.

The combat team also has combat experience, so things are going smoothly.

"Roar"

"Thank you, little bear."

Everyone in the class thanked the Punching Bear, which was showing its charm.

It's helpful, but I feel a bit guilty.

"Hanahashi, are you okay?"

"O-Okay? What do you mean?"

Suppressing my instinctive sense of danger, I looked at Hagizawa.

Every time I heard the buzzing sound, I broke out in a cold sweat.

"Because, according to Sakaguchi, Hanahashi, you're afraid of insects, right?"

"Yeah, but just because I'm afraid doesn't mean I can stay back while the others are taken."

"Try to calm down."

Hagizawa looked at me with a tired expression.

"Roar!"

"Hey, bear. Even if you don't listen to me, I'm giving you an order. Don't let Hanahashi do anything reckless, okay?"

"Roar Roar!"

"Huh? You understand me? You're smart!"

"What are you talking about? There's nothing to protect if you do something reckless."

I dismounted from the Punching Bear and headed towards the cave.

The walls were filled with holes like beehives, which was quite unsettling.

Moreover, the air was filled with a sickly sweet smell, and there were dead Sepia Little Parasites scattered around, indicating that Moshin and the others had passed through.

"Seeing such large insect corpses is pretty disgusting. By the way, didn't they say they were going to collect honey for magic recovery? Is this the place?"

Hagizawa asked the combat team.

I remember they mentioned that.

They were collecting honey from such dangerous monsters?

"Technically, it's the target, but Taniizumi had them hunt weaker ones. The honey seems to be sweet but not suitable for consumption."

"Wow..."

Hagizawa collected what looked like honey and examined it.

"Hmm... Yeah, it doesn't have any recovery effect. It's called Honey Cake, and it seems to be useful for making capture items."

"Like a trap?"

"Exactly. You can collect a little, but it's cheap and not very necessary."

"Capture honey..."

But we need to hurry!

As I thought this, a wall of beehives blocked our path.

It seems we need to make a large detour to reach the inside.

Through the semi-transparent nests, I could see something like a battle.

"Is that it?"

"Looks like it. But..."

"From the looks of it, we need to detour."

"This wall is really tough..."

"Can't you cut it with the Metal Turtle's sword?"

When asked, I tried stabbing the nest with the Metal Turtle's sword.

The first strike went in deep, and I thought it might work, but the second strike failed as soon as the honey stuck to the blade.

Damn...

I tried wiping the honey off the blade, but it wouldn't come off.

"This honey is weak to heat. If you heat it, it might come off."

"I can use the transfer to get there in time!"

If I can see it, I should be able to break through the wall.

If I can help Moshin and the others, I should go quickly.

"You can probably go alone."

So, I used the transfer.

While waiting for the incantation, the Punching Bear stood in front of the beehive wall.

"Huh? What are you doing?"

"Roar!"

It stood up and punched the wall.

I heard a satisfying thud.

The Wind Fist seemed to have transformed into a claw-like shape.

Is that how you use it?

It blew away the honey and, upon impact, punched the ground with an uppercut.

A transformation of the Rock Fist?

With a crack, the nest wall shattered, creating a path.