Chapter 90

"Look, there are corals growing and huge sea urchin monsters. Everyone was satisfied with the shrimp and crabs, but there are more gourmet foods to enjoy. I want to go hunting with everyone and have fun."

"Hmm... I remember the gloves had an effect for underwater activities yesterday."

"Maybe we can go with the gloves."

"Gau?"

Kumako looked at me with hopeful eyes, expecting me to put on the gloves.

"No, no, the gloves are for Kumako to use."

"Gauu..."

I hope she doesn't feel disappointed.

Actually, I'm curious about how to move underwater with the gloves on.

I might look a bit silly.

"Well, after the hunt, we'll probably have some leisure time at the beach, so we can try it then."

"Is it okay for me and a few others to go ahead?"

"That's not really a good idea... If we go deeper, there might be unknown monsters, but either way, we need to consider oxygen and other things."

Oxygen?

I thought, but I set off for the hunting grounds with Ito's guidance.

By the way, Hagizawa was fighting with a sword, and it seemed he had improved his fighting style, much like when I used the gloves.

However, I think his weapon is still weak.

"I want to strengthen this sword as soon as possible."

"Good luck."

"Yeah, I have to do it for my grand ambition. By the way, Ito, I heard that Nereid's Tears can be obtained around here. Do you know anything about it?"

"...Hagizawa, that's a rare material from a monster deep in the sea. It's also a very limited-use item. What do you plan to use it for?"

Ito frowned and asked Hagizawa.

A rare material.

Well, since Hagizawa is into crafting, such valuable materials are probably important.

But, what is his ambition?

"That's a secret. It's for my grand ambition. I won't let anyone interfere with it!"

"You can do as you like, but take responsibility for it, like Hanabashi."

"Huh?"

"Gau?"

What about me? Responsibility?

Could Hagizawa be after a unique weapon monster?

Maybe there's a monster he likes among them?

Well, just like how Maki loves Kumako, Hagizawa might have a monster he really wants.

...That sword looks like it's for plant-type monsters, so maybe something with vines... tentacles?

No, no.

If Hagizawa likes such a monster, he might give me strange orders, which is scary.

"Hanabashi, stop looking at me like I'm a pervert after you frowned and narrowed your eyes."

"I think it's similar."

Ignoring Ito's warning, Hagizawa turned his back and started walking.

"Anyway, my ambition has just begun! Let's go, guys!"

"Sure, sure."

Still, what is Hagizawa planning?

Ito shrugged and started walking.

"It's not a bad thing, so let Hagizawa do as he likes."

"Well, if that's the case, it's fine."

Probing too deeply isn't friendship.

Maki probably has things he doesn't want to be pried into.

Hagizawa must have something similar.

And Ito knows about it and lets him do as he likes.

But... what kind of ambition could it be?

Is it something like...

There's a humanoid monster among the unique weapon monsters, and he's thinking of taming it and making it his partner?

Is the material he wants for an engagement ring?

That sounds like something Hagizawa would do.

Maybe he's thinking that way because I get along well with Kumako.

Yeah, I'll watch over him with a warm eye.

"Hanabashi, it feels like you're looking at me with pity. Stop that look."

"It's fine, Hagizawa, do as you wish."

"Stop it, that look!"

With that, we continued hunting, and my level reached 40.

Here, I checked the new expansion ability that had appeared.

"Huh? My level went up?"

"Yeah, the new ability is... huh? Cost Down Level 1."

"That's an ability to reduce the consumption cost when using abilities."

Lamress explained.

Oh, this might be quietly useful.

By the way, I thought I could use this to transfer points and make a profit, but it didn't work.

It only reduces the consumption cost.

"Quietly useful because it takes magic power to activate."

Why didn't I learn this earlier?

It seems like an ability I should have learned early on.

"Huh? I learned something else too..."

"That's a bonus ability attached to your main ability... like the Lycus spear technique."

Maybe it's a bonus ability?

"Then, what else did I learn?"

"Um... Status Ailment Transfer."

"Translated, it seems to be an ability to transfer conditions like poison and paralysis."

"Yeah. Can it transfer death too?"

"Hanabashi..."

Dead people don't come back.

But, if it were possible, I would have a faint hope.

I tried using Status Ailment Transfer on the corpse of a monster I had defeated.

But, it failed.

After investigating, I found out that it was indeed an ability to transfer conditions like poison and intoxication to others, as expected.

Of course, it can't be done without the consent of both parties.

It seems I keep awakening subtle abilities.

"Koichi..."

Maki and Kumako were looking at me.

"It's okay, right? If it were that easy, it wouldn't be a problem."

I asked the people in the country if they had such an ability, but it was said to be a necromancer's ability, which should be avoided.

Even if it were possible, it would only animate corpses, not bring the dead back to life.

So, Status Ailment Transfer might be useful in emergencies... but with Maki and Hagizawa around, it doesn't seem very useful.

Both of them have abilities to cure status ailments. I don't need to go through the trouble like I do.

The best application might be, for example, using Vision Transfer to go to the church where Maki is, and with her permission, transfer injuries or status ailments to a healthy person for her to treat.

The advantage of my ability is that there's no range limit.

As long as I recognize the person, I can treat them from a distant location with their consent.

...It seems quite convenient.

On the premise that no one dies, of course.

And there needs to be a healthy person willing to take on the injuries, poison, paralysis, etc.

...There isn't.

It seems to be useful only in real emergencies.

If there's time, it's better to do first aid and use the return crystal.

Okay, let's finish.

"Let's continue hunting."

That day, the hunting went smoothly and ended early.

"Let's try out Kumako and Koichi's equipment today."

"Gauu"

"Great!"

At the beach, Maki (wearing a swimsuit) said enthusiastically.

I received the gloves from Kumako, and she accompanied me without transforming into a glove.

Ito has underwater armor and is wearing it.

Hagizawa plans to relax on the beach and won't join the swimming.

"Let's try... this."

I put on the gloves and entered the sea.

"Voo"

Kumako transformed into a walrus and followed me.

Swimming to a place where my feet couldn't touch the bottom, I submerged my face in the water.

Oh, it's not as uncomfortable as I thought, and I can see the underwater world quite clearly.

It's a mysterious scene.

Swimming is faster than I expected, and I can move as I wish just by kicking.

Breathing... gurgle... doesn't seem possible underwater.

But, can I stay underwater for a considerable amount of time without breathing?

It's not too suffocating.

I guess if I feel suffocated, I should surface to breathe.

Yeah. Wearing the gloves makes me feel like I've transformed into a walrus.

"Kumako, you're amazing!"

"Voo"

Kumako, transformed into a walrus with Maki on her back, swam away.

Yeah, it's possible.

It feels like a different kind of beach day compared to yesterday.

"Hey!"

Ito's voice, I think it was underwater, but I could hear it.

Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw Ito standing on the seabed, enveloped in a bubble-like barrier.