Chapter 88

"Wow! That was a heated battle. It was truly amazing!"

Ramures is also clapping.

Unlike the items I brought through the transfer, it feels like there's a bit of flattery in his words.

Ah, the Orange Glove Night Wallas are starting to return one by one.

"Well, I'm planning to enhance my sword soon."

"I'd love to watch when that happens."

"Unfortunately, Hanebashi might not be around then."

"...Hagisawa, what are you up to?"

My questioning gaze makes Hagisawa look away.

No, what are you really up to?

"Great job! This will make Hanebashi stronger."

"Ito... sigh. I'm too tired to point it out anymore. Jitsu, can you heal me?"

"Sure."

So, while Jitsu is healing me, I check the glove.

Orange Glove Night Wallas Punch Glove

Effects: Improved Dynamic Vision, Wind Fist, Ice Glove, Wild Instinct, Underwater Activity, Ice Resistance (Medium), Glove Switch, Instant Expansion Ability, Water Cloak, Boxer

The Boxer ability seems to have expanded quite a bit.

And... there are so many granted abilities!

It's about time to organize them.

"Glove Switch? Wow!"

When I mutter "Glove Switch," the glove changes back to the Baby Blue Punching Bear Punch Glove.

The granted abilities also change accordingly.

The basic weapon performance is the same, but it seems to switch the granted effects.

There's no delay in the shape change.

It's come a long way... in terms of attack power, it's surpassed the Metal Turtle's sword.

It hasn't caught up to the Full Metal Turtle's sword, though.

However... this is underwater equipment, isn't it?

A rematch with that boss is likely coming soon.

"Growl!"

When I take off the glove, it turns back into Kumako.

At the same time, a belt falls in front of me.

"Good job, Kumako."

"Growl!"

During the battle, I could tell she was boosting and assisting my abilities.

She seems to have that kind of ability.

Orange Glove Night Wallas King's Medal

Effects: King Defense, Glove Enhancement, 1VS1 Use Possible, Glove Performance Up

...The base performance has improved, and it's even enhancing the glove.

Unfortunately, I only want to equip it to Kumako.

"Growl"

So, next is Kumako?

◇Punching Bear Lv32

Abilities: Boxer

Expansion Abilities: Thick Fur, Stamina Up, Honey Hunt

Special Abilities: Assist, Insect Killer, Metamorphosis

Oh, it's grown from level 30.

"Metamorphosis?"

There's a new special ability.

What is it?

"Hmm? What is it? Did Kumako learn something?"

"Yeah, she learned Metamorphosis in the special abilities section."

"It's probably just transformation... right?"

"Growl!"

Kumako raises her hands as if to test it... and magical runes appear around her, enveloping her.

Then, the light bursts, and Kumako is standing where the Night Wallas was.

It's not as big as the boss, though.

Slightly smaller than the standard Orange Night Wallas?

"Voo!"

The aura and demeanor are completely Kumako's, and she comes over to me.

Even though she's about 2.4 meters tall, she's bigger than when she's a bear...

Her fangs are shorter than the male's, though.

"Um..."

"Metamorphosis, it seems that when a Unique Weapon Monster is present and a higher-level monster is defeated, the ability to transform into that monster is gained. Otherwise, it might be hard to keep up with the dramatic changes in strength."

Ramures adds.

The people of this world are more knowledgeable about this kind of information.

"Oh, is that so?"

◇Night Wallas Lv32

Abilities: Boxer

Expansion Abilities: Thick Skin, Stamina Up, Honey Hunt

Special Abilities: Assist, Insect Killer, Metamorphosis, Underwater Adaptation (Medium)

"There's a new special ability... Underwater Adaptation (Medium)?"

"Voo! Voo!"

"Does this mean Kumako, or rather, the Sea Bear, can now go into the sea?"

Hagisawa mutters.

I get it... but why assume she'll go into the sea?

And seriously, can't you improve your naming sense?

"Well... thanks to the dramatic glove enhancement, Sea Bear... I mean, Kumako, has become stronger."

"Voo!"

"Let's give Hanebashi a big round of applause!"

Ito says, and the classmates who were watching start clapping.

I've been completely turned into a spectacle.

It's a bit frustrating.

"Say what you're thinking. It's not like you, Kosei, to hold back here."

"Alright... everyone, remember this! Any of you could have a similar match, you know."

The classmates who might be thinking of something similar start looking uncomfortable.

Of course, even if they get stronger, they might not want to have a match like this.

But, in a world where unwanted abilities are granted, it's tough to fight without doing something like this... so it can't be helped.

Well, at least Kumako's abilities have improved again.

"Ahaha, Sea Bear!"

Jitsu climbs onto the back of Kumako, who has transformed into a sea bear.

You really like riding Kumako, don't you?

"Jitsu, how about... since you're at it, why not try taming a Punching Bear from a Wallaby?"

"Voo?"

Jitsu shakes her head at my words.

Does she not like it?

"No, I like Kumako, not just bears. Of course, I like bears too, but..."

"Ha..."

"That's why I don't need to. I'm friends with Kumako, so I don't need any other bears."

Jitsu has her own rules... I don't quite understand them.

"Alright, Kumako, let's take a dip in the sea."

"It's night! Let's do it tomorrow!"

Don't go experimenting in the sea at night!

It's dangerous because we're far from the village's barrier.

"Um... okay, let's swim tomorrow then."

"Voo"

So, we decided to return to the inn where we're staying... but Kumako, in her Night Wallas form, seems to have noticed her slow movement on land.

"Should we switch back to the glove?"

"Voo voo"

Kumako shakes her head and moves her face to signal Jitsu to get off.

When Jitsu gets off, Kumako is enveloped in magical runes again.

"Growl!"

Then she returns to her Punching Bear form.

"Oh, you can switch back to that too."

I thought we'd be living with a slow-moving sea bear on land, but it's good that she can return to a bear.

Maybe it's the effect of our long relationship, but I had grown attached to her bear appearance.

"Let's go back."

"Growl! Growl growl!"

Kumako is in a great mood with her upgraded glove.

She's walking while whistling.

She's grinning so much that even I can tell.

It's like a child who received a birthday present, isn't it?

In any case, Kumako needs to keep working hard.

It's the best if we can grow stronger together.

"When will the next glove enhancement be?"

"Um... isn't that a bit later? By the way, Jitsu, do you like boxing?"

I want to fight a higher-level opponent, so I'd like to strengthen my level and the glove a bit more before then.

"Um, it's really fun. I was just wondering when the next one would be."

An unconscious boxing enthusiast... maybe?

Well, it's fine.

Just as I was about to brush it off, Ramures matches my pace and answers.

"A Unique Weapon Monster boss match, right? There might be Boxer-type ones with range or binding effects if you look for them."

"But fighting a higher-level opponent every time is a bit..."

"You could also challenge a boss of the same level to increase the number of transformable types. After all, the country is collecting information to make it easier to fight higher-level opponents."

"Oh... I see."

In my mind, Wallabies are level 5, Night Kangaroos are level 10, and Punching Bears are level 15... right?