Chapter 69

"Actually, I'm getting a bit worried... What if we fail?"

"There are no penalties for failure. However, it might be a bit troublesome to move around in the area... It could end up wasting your time."

Hmm...

It doesn't seem like a bad deal, but if we go out and get overwhelmed by monsters, that would be a problem.

"Can we use the return crystal to get back?"

"Yes, of course you can."

"What will happen to the village if we refuse?"

"The village will likely be temporarily sealed off until the monsters are gone. It's a remote place, so the residents will just move to a neighboring village."

In other words, it's not a very important location for the country or the guild.

They asked me because there's a chance I can defeat them, but if I can't, it's fine.

They mentioned a higher-level Metal Turtle, so for them, it's normal not to be able to defeat it.

Still, only half the materials... What's up with that?

Why only half?

"I understand. Let's go."

Moshin said clearly.

"Are you sure? You'll only get half the materials?"

"There's no risk of failure. It's a Metal Turtle, right? I don't think their counterattacks are that serious."

"Well..."

Hagizawa seemed to be thinking about the potential loss, but suggested we build connections and favors. We are newcomers, after all.

Connections... I guess that means networking.

I was only thinking about how we could benefit.

Indeed, a guild sponsored by the country should be quite large.

If we can build connections with such an organization, it might not be a bad thing.

After all, this is a request from them.

Thinking about this, Hagizawa said,

"Still, isn't giving us only half the materials a bit stingy?"

"The materials will be used as rewards for the adventurers and knights currently defending the area, and for the expenses of the otherworldly people. They will also be used for the reconstruction of the area."

"Oh, I see."

It seems to include the return crystals.

Since the guild is part of the country, that makes sense.

Well, each one costs about 1 million points.

It seems that replenishing magic power and other things also cost money or points, and distributing them among the people is a significant loss.

In other words, someone we don't know is taking a loss.

It might be this guild.

Even the presence of Lamres and the knights costs money.

They probably took us in, expecting to recover those costs.

Most importantly, this world spends a lot of points to maintain safe areas, so taxes... or tax points are high.

I heard that each village has a barrier device, and adventurers pay a lot of tax points.

Getting only half the materials might be quite normal.

Even if we monopolize the materials, if it causes a rift with the guild, selling them might be difficult.

It wouldn't be a problem to have Hagizawa convert them, but there's no need to make enemies.

However, if our activity funds are cut, everyone will be in trouble.

Since we've already been paid in advance, a bit of patience is necessary.

The permanent residence in the village and the supply of nearby minerals are abnormal rewards.

The village probably can't pay money or points, so they're compensating in this way.

...Moshin needs a steady supply of minerals to become a successful blacksmith.

If he can make weapons and armor, it will make combat easier.

Looking at it in the long term, I think we're getting a good deal.

At the very least, we can make more profit than if we took all the materials.

Well, that's their situation, not ours.

We could complain and try to get all the materials, but...

—This time, the otherworldly people are greedy.

We might get a bad reputation.

Yeah, overall, it's not a bad deal.

"Then, we might as well go. There are no penalties for failure, and the knights and adventurers will help us along the way. We were planning to go out anyway, so let's treat it as a trip."

"Got it."

I nodded at Moshin's words.

Thus, we decided to accept the request and go on a trip.

Even though we've only been in the town for three days, we ended up going on a trip.

We spent about five days traveling in a carriage.

It really feels like a remote area.

The guild seems to think it's a neglected border region.

I didn't invite Jitsu because she was busy with healing work at the church.

She's become quite popular as a skilled healer.

Leaving her behind, we were troubled by motion sickness, but the trip went relatively smoothly.

On the way, Moshin and Hagizawa both reached Level 20.

Moshin's expansion ability is Extraction.

It allows him to extract fixed effects from items.

As a secondary effect, it also reduces manufacturing costs.

Unfortunately, he still can't manipulate unique items.

Hagizawa's ability is Tool Effect Boost.

When Hagizawa uses tools he made, their effects are enhanced.

I tested it by throwing a bomb, and the power was significantly increased.

It made me feel less afraid even when facing a group of monsters.

Kuma-ko is at Level 19.

Will she learn something at Level 20?

"Gauu~"

"Ah... This feels more comfortable than the carriage."

I was riding on Kuma-ko's back.

It's not driving... Kuma-ko's walking is smooth, so I don't get motion sickness.

"Kumakichi, Kumakichi! Pick up your axe!"

"I'm not Kintaro!"

Riding a bear seems a bit ridiculous.

Kuma-ko's speed is surprisingly fast!

Her equipment gives her excellent dynamic vision and great reflexes!

Recently, I've been practicing with Kuma-ko.

She wants to fight with boxing gloves.

It's good practice, and she enjoys it.

"Ah, I can see it."

Lamres pointed ahead.

Smoke was rising from the mountains, and it was getting a bit hot.

The village, which is more like a small hot spring town, was occupied by Metal Turtles.

"Um, Lamres?"

"Yes?"

I squinted to see the Metal Turtles occupying the village.

"Is that a Metal Turtle?"

"I think it's from that lineage... but it's quite large."

Indeed, even from a distance, I could see a large, spiky, gem-like shell on a turtle occupying the village.

The largest one was about 5 meters long.

That's huge...

It's like a monster-hunting game.

From what I can see, a group of knights and adventurers have set up a base in trenches at the front line.

"Ah, Hagizawa."

Ito and the others spotted us and approached.

Why are they here?

"Are you the reinforcements?"

"What about Ito and the others?"

"I knew they went out to level up."

"We were together for a while."

The party split based on levels and abilities.

Ito and the others have combat abilities.

"So, they were staying in a nearby village to level up, but a dangerous monster appeared in this village, so they were asked to defend it."

Initially, they were supposed to help the villagers evacuate, but since reinforcements... that is, we, were asked to defeat the monsters, they decided to defend the village.

Ito had received a Metal Turtle sword from Moshin.

If that's the case, they should be able to handle it, right?

No... They were waiting for reinforcements because they couldn't defeat them.

"Eh? Ito, with his swordsmanship ability, can't defeat them?"

"We could barely pierce the gaps in the shell of the weakest Metal Turtle."

He showed Moshin the Metal Turtle sword, which had a slight chip.

For a sword to chip like that is impressive.

"Take care of your weapons..."

"I know, but what can I do?"

They probably had no choice but to do it to protect everyone.

"So, they said reinforcements would arrive in a few days. They also said we'd get paid for defending, so we've been waiting."

"It might not succeed, you know?"

"We're aware of that. In fact, we've been going out to hunt and level up while keeping watch here."

"Wow..."

They seem to have made good progress thanks to the enhanced armor Moshin made.

The knights are also impressed.

They must have defeated higher-level monsters.

"Shall we give it a try?"

From the base hidden in the shadows of the rocks, we looked at the turtles.

The turtles immediately hid in their shells when they noticed our gaze.

They're still timid despite their size.

"Alright, don't move."

I aimed at the largest turtle... the Blue Lavender Adamant Turtle.

"Gau!"

"Whoa!"

As I was aiming, Kuma-ko jumped at me.

"What are you—"

Before I could finish, a beam of heat passed by where I was standing, leaving a large burning trail.

...What was that?

"Be careful, Hagizawa! Don't get too close!"

...Is this the Adamant Turtle's attack?

Who said it's not a serious attack because it's a Metal Turtle?

I glanced at Moshin, who quickly looked away.

Well... I couldn't have predicted that.

Lamres also warned us to be careful.

Thinking about this, I said to Ito,

"I wasn't close. I was just observing from a distance and aiming to teleport."

Hagizawa nodded.

"That's right. Apparently, even a high-level Metal Turtle with solid armor can emit a dangerous heat beam. To avoid death, you need to crouch behind thick rock walls."

What a nasty monster.

"Why are they occupying the village? Is there a reason?"

"Maybe it's due to the calamity. The villagers said something similar."

What a convenient phenomenon.

Can everything be blamed on it?

Maybe something happened at the volcano where they live.

"Anyway..."

I used my visual teleportation to aim and specified what to throw.

"If I fail, we'll retreat. I'll aim for the largest one..."

I specified a large rock nearby and began chanting.

The estimated magic power consumption was almost empty.

I had no choice but to try.

The Blue Lavender Adamant Turtle was hiding in its shell, occasionally sticking out its head to shoot heat beams at approaching shadows.

That's dangerous.

Actually... if it had wings, it would look like Grav... No, let's not go there.

I took the medicine from Hagizawa to recover some magic power and began chanting.

"The rock will teleport in five minutes. Make sure it doesn't move."

If it's like a Metal Turtle, crushing its head will definitely kill it.

So, I aimed for the area around its head.

The hourglass for the chant began to fall in my vision.

"Got it! But if it hits, it might vaporize, so everyone be careful!"

We waited for the time to pass, occasionally provoking the Blue Lavender Adamant Turtle.

Just five minutes, but it felt long... especially with the lower-level Blue Lavender Full Metal Turtles occasionally shooting fireballs.

These turtles are annoying with their hard shells, magic resistance, and occasional attacks.

Even regular Metal Turtles seem cute in comparison!

Finally, just before the activation, the Blue Lavender Adamant Turtle, sensing our presence, started shooting heat beams at the rock trench.

"Ugh!"

"I can't take it. We need to retreat!"

"Hagizawa! Does your ability have a range limit?"

"No."

"...Actually, your ability is combat-oriented. You're like a sniper."

"Only if a five-minute chant counts as combat-oriented."

I sarcastically replied to Ito as we quickly moved from the trench to avoid being burned by the heat beam.

It would have been troublesome if it moved, but it seems it wasn't that smart.

Suddenly, the rock I specified disappeared.

"---!?"

It landed with a squish on the face of the Blue Lavender Adamant Turtle.

With a loud thud, the rock and the turtle's head merged, and it fell.