Chapter 89

"Hanebashi's Punching Bear is a unique weapon monster from the Meirasia Great Forest... which means it's equivalent to a monster of level 15 or 20."

Ah, Ito and the others said that Punching Bear is a high-level monster.

"What about the Night Walrus?"

"Level 25... practically a level 30 monster. In this case, challenging a level 30 unique weapon monster boss for further power-up is an option, or aiming for a unique weapon monster for job change is also a good idea."

"What's that?"

A unique weapon monster for job change?

What is it? Can it lead to a different path from the current boxing?

"To put it simply, it's like a different school or a similar but different style. It's also a good idea to gather fighting styles that suit you."

"Can you give an example?"

"Sure. Hanebashi and his partner, Punching Bear, are boxers, right?"

"Yep."

"There's a similar style called kickboxing, which is a close school. If you win a match against it, the boxer can transform into a kickboxer."

"Wow..."

It seems better to be able to use your legs.

"However, when fighting with boxing gloves, you must allow the opponent to kick and win."

So we have to follow the unconventional rules, huh?

"And if you don't follow the opponent's rules, the monster will be unhappy."

"I feel a sense of absurdity."

Should I change to a different school or stay as I am?

"I'd like to see Kumako in a kickboxing outfit."

"It seems possible to change to a glove-based sport."

"Gau..."

Kumako doesn't seem very enthusiastic?

It's not impossible, and if the restriction on not using kicks is removed, it might be worth considering.

"However, boxers have slightly better weapon performance compared to kickboxers."

Let's apply Ramless's story to a game.

Boxers are like warriors, and kickboxers are like magic warriors.

The attack power is slightly lower because they rely more on magic.

"It's good that there's a possibility... I'll look into it next time."

"Gau!"

That's how we returned to the inn and ended the day.

---

Where... is this?

I realize I'm in a dream.

It's the square in the forest where I first arrived in the other world.

No one is here... right?

Of course not.

I don't know why I'm having this dream.

Dreams are like that, I guess.

I look at the stone tablet in the square.

There's no difference from what I remember.

Goro goro goro... I hear something like an earthquake in the distance.

From the direction, it seems to be in the northeast... I can see something like rain clouds.

Focusing my eyes... huh, what's that?

There's a building like the school in Japan.

It's all mixed up.

I look back at the stone tablet.

"Huh?"

A vague, small white figure is watching from behind the stone tablet.

What is it? A ghost?

Ah, maybe it's a Will-o'-the-wisp that Mochishin mentioned before.

A monster appearing in a dream?

As I think this, the small white figure slowly shows itself to me.

"C-o-m-e..."

I can't understand what it's saying.

However, the figure is putting its hands together and seems to be trying to convey something earnestly.

"D-o-m-i-n-a-t-e... a-l-l..."

Who is it? I can vaguely see the outline and face, but I can't tell.

It's definitely not a classmate.

Well, dream characters are like this, I guess.

Then, a thread-like thing grows from the ground and wraps around me.

"Ugh..."

I try to resist, but the thread doesn't break at all.

It's not tying me up, but it's wrapping around me to prevent me from escaping.

What is this? I feel irritated.

The white ghost touches the thread and emits light, and the thread breaks.

"Thank you."

"T-h-i-s... p-a-s-s..."

I still can't understand what it's saying.

But the white ghost hands me something... the light that cut the thread.

Then, even though I'm in a dream, an ability icon appears.

And... the part for point transference is faintly glowing.

What for?

"P-l-e-a-s-e..."

At that moment, white light fills my vision... and I wake up.

I open my eyes and see Kumako's fur.

She must have been hugging me while sleeping again.

"I had a strange dream."

I turn over and see Mochishin still sound asleep in the next bed. Looking out the window, the sun hasn't risen yet.

I woke up too early.

...I'll go back to sleep.

I close my eyes and go back to sleep.

"Please... use this power to forge a path."

I open my eyes wide and look around.

I can hear it clearly, but there's nothing around.

...Was I half-asleep?

I had a strange experience that day, which was hard to distinguish between a dream and reality.

If I told Mochishin, he would probably laugh and say I was half-asleep.

---

The next day, we decided to hunt and level up again.

As usual, Ito is concerned about me and accompanies me.

"Ah, Kousuke, I'll pass today."

Mochishin answers.

"Aren't you coming?"

"Yeah, since it's a good opportunity, I'll try to make equipment for entering the sea."

Right, apparently there's a hunting ground that adventurers sometimes go to beyond this beach.

Some go by boat, others swim in the sea with special equipment, and I sometimes see them.

"Are you okay?"

"If the equipment I'm going to make works well, I can explore the seabed. As long as I don't go too deep, it should be fine with a combat team's protection."

"That's good... but..."

"That's why, I and other base-oriented ability holders are making the equipment today, so I'll stay behind. Kousuke, you should go and do your best."

"Um... okay."

So, I decided to go hunting without Mochishin.

Hagi泽 will join to fill the gap left by Mochishin.

"Sakabuchi and I can't always hunt together."

"Yeah. By the way, you watched my match while eating popcorn yesterday, right?"

"Huh? I thought it was a good match."

No, that's not what I meant.

What's with that casual praise?

I look at the sword Hagi泽 has at his waist.

"I'll definitely watch your match someday."

"Hehe, if there's an opportunity. Swords are quite popular monsters, so matches are rare."

Is that something to be proud of?

...Well, it's fine.

"So, is Ito not teaming up with Kurohon?"

"No problem. Besides, it seems she's busy with her own things."

Hmm... Ito and Kurohon's relationship is a mystery.

"Rather, Miki is stepping back to let Ito and I get along better."

Right, Kurohon's first name is Miki.

Since they're dating, it's natural to call each other by their first names.

And Kurohon is waving at us from a distance.

Is she supporting us or showing trust?

Kurohon can use magic as long as she has a book.

That's why she's good at rear support.

But usually, she's researching the return method in the country's library.

Right now, she's leveling up, but she's acting separately from Ito...

"Is it really okay to not go together?"

"Yeah, I invited her, but she said she wants to watch from a distance. If I force her, she'll be unhappy."

Hmm... No matter what kind of relationship they have, Ito and Kurohon seem to get along well, and there are things only they understand.

I don't know what she wants to watch from a distance.

"Then, let's go hunting today. We plan to go a bit deeper today. Sakabuchi and the others will make underwater equipment for us tomorrow or the day after."

"Does Ito not have it?"

"I do have it, but there aren't enough for everyone, and it's better for us to go first."

"Wow..."

"The seabed is quite beautiful."

...The seabed?

I feel like I just heard a very natural and impressive line.