Chapter 23

I've had quite a rough time.

I really don't want to deal with wild dogs anymore.

To change the hunting grounds, I'll head to the forest in the direction of the village of Legias.

I'll head west and hunt both horn rabbits and wild dogs without distinction.

This way, I shouldn't encounter any higher-level monsters that resemble wild dogs.

It would be nice not to have to fight those powerful monsters.

But then, a step hawk attacks.

It's a hawk that launches a surprise attack, but Helix somehow intercepts it.

I'm really grateful.

The forest road is also quite peaceful.

Perhaps because there are many players, I haven't been attacked by monsters much.

While moving leisurely and hunting monsters casually, I arrive at the village of Legias.

It's just in time for dinner.

I'll look for Mio's stall.

It's already a familiar sight, but three stalls, including Mio's, are lined up.

The items for sale are slightly different, but it's Feina's stall.

"Ah, Keith! It's been a while."

"Hello. It's already evening, isn't it?"

Feina, Mio, Yuka, and Rick are there, but Saki and Reina are not.

"Reina is out hunting, and Saki is at the village's workshop making your equipment."

"I see."

"Yeah! We have some talk, but first, a taste test!"

Mio then offered me a bowl.

Again.

Her cooking is delicious, but I don't know what will happen afterward.

【Food Item】Steamed Leg of Thunder Goat Fullness +20% Quality B- Rarity 3 Weight 1

A dish made by steaming the leg of a Blitz.

The flavor of the vegetable soup has seeped in, enhancing the taste of the red meat.

It's indeed delicious.

The quality is high, and it seems to be filling.

This should definitely be eaten with bread.

"Is there any bread?"

"Always have it!"

Of course, the meal cost is charged separately.

Well, that's fine.

But another dish was waiting.

【Food Item】Kinpira of Blood Tide Burdock Fullness +10% Quality B- Rarity 2 Weight 0+

Kinpira made with blood tide burdock. It's very fragrant with the flavor of sesame and broth.

Recommended for those who want to consume more fiber.

It's completely a Japanese side dish.

"Is there anything that might sell well today?"

"Mr. Rick, I'm sorry. We didn't get much prey today."

The meat of a wild rabbit was taken out but was snatched away by Mio.

Rick is only left to do the calculations.

How cruel.

"I can understand the reason. The wild dog hunting incident around Remto, I saw it on the bulletin board."

"Ah."

"Indeed, it was a blind spot. We underestimated them because they don't drop anything 100% of the time."

"That's just the opportunity we had."

"But the impact was significant, wasn't it? A lot of players who wanted magic stones rushed in, right?"

"Yes, it seemed like they were hunting them to exhaustion."

"Well, that's to be expected."

At that moment, someone barged in.

I forgot to mention the mutant.

"Hey! I'm here!"

"Hey, Reina!"

She's always so cheerful.

Shinohara is behind her, smiling wryly.

There's also another female player I've never met before, holding a short spear.

"Introduce yourself too."

"Ah, yes. I'm Ren-Ren, a Fabric Farmer."

"I'm Keith, a Summoner."

We bowed to each other.

Still, the variety of professions among the players in Feina's guild is impressive.

A fabric farmer, meaning a clothing artisan.

"Is Saki still not here?"

"Saki-nee is holed up in a workshop, so I don't think she'll make it today."

"Then we'll go on the night hunt without Saki."

"But I have to run the stall."

"Mio, you were on stall duty yesterday! You're going hunting today. Yuka and Rick will take care of the stall."

"Mmm."

Mio doesn't seem to like the night.

I guess it's because she doesn't like the ants that gather.

It's a physiological reaction.

Then, as usual, Mio and Saki started arguing.

Their rapid-fire talk is hard to follow.

I'd like to whisper a request.

"By the way, Feina, what's your title?"

She looks a bit surprised.

Did I ask something strange?

"I haven't heard of it. It wasn't in the beta."

"Is that so?"

If we don't know, we have to talk about it.

Today, I'll talk about the 160th wild dog I hunted, the Wild Dog Mutant, and the title 'Guardian of Livestock.'

Just in case, I'll send Feina messages with the appearances of the leader, boss, and mutant wild dogs.

"It might be a field-clearing trigger!"

"But Reina, a trigger in the vicinity of Remto seems a bit odd. I think there's more to it."

"Feina, but this is a breakthrough!"

"Even if we don't know what the trigger is, it's good news that there's a mechanism to obtain a title."

"Should we go to Remto right away?"

"A bit of preparation is needed. I don't think they would prepare the next trigger with just wild dog hunting for all players."

She started to advise Reina with a serious face.

"Rather, I think it's better to focus on the individual quests we're taking on now."

"What's your basis for that?"

"Intuition."

"Mmm."

Reina and Mio don't argue further.

Does Feina's intuition have something to it?

"Even so, I don't think we can selectively hunt wild dogs. It's better to avoid them."

"But it feels a bit disappointing."

"We're not aiming for the fastest strategy, after all."

Being the organizer is tough.

The leader's job is to make decisions and take full responsibility for the results.

I want to be a leader who can do that.

"Well, that aside. How strong was the opponent?"

"Before that, the bulletin board. The mutant isn't listed, so it's good to post it."

Ah, right.

I wrote about the wild dog leader and boss, but not the mutant.

I check the information board.

But the thread I posted earlier is already full of information.

The next and the next-next threads are the same.

Isn't it too early?

I search for the latest thread and manage to post it.

"Is this good?"

"Yeah!"

"Indeed, this wild dog seems strong. Well, maybe we can leave it to the strategy group."

"What are you going to do next, Keith?"

"Well, I'll go on a night hunt."

"No, I mean, I think you could go for the strategy."

Ah, that.

No, I'm not really interested.

I think there will be requests tomorrow and beyond, so I want to keep my schedule open.

That's why I'm passing on the strategy.

"Have you thought about it at all?"

"Wasteful!"

Well, I'll take it step by step.

More NPCs and players are looking for dinner.

It's bad to interfere with business, so I'll leave early.

"Tell Saki I said hello."

"I'll give her a pep talk about the equipment."

Thank you.

Actually, I'm quite looking forward to it.

It was already dark around me.

I returned Helix and summoned Wolf and Obsidian in turn.

My MP bar is below half, but that can't be helped. Considering the increase in combat power, it's a big plus.

What hunting ground should I choose?

I'll head north from the direction of my master's house and go into the forest.

It's where the Bloody Wood was.

Of course, I'll use the light magic Flash Light and the earth magic Dowsing.

I feel that it's actually easier to collect obsidian at night than during the day.

Well, it's just a feeling.

I'll also gather wound grass as I find it.

Of course, I'll hunt Evil Ants.

It's an easy job, just twisting off their heads.

However, if I fail, there's a trap where they can gather quickly.

I can't be careless.

Also, there were more bats today.

Thanks to Obsidian, it's not too difficult, but it's hard to stay calm when I feel targeted.

But there are also enjoyable times.

The Bloody Wood.

It's tough, but it's a good opponent to try various combat methods, and I like it.

The other day, I tried various throwing techniques, but today I started with striking and kicking.

It's going well.

But the effect of the attacks is weak.

It's a monster made of bundled thin roots and branches, so the impact is absorbed.

When I throw it, it breaks apart, but not with strikes or kicks.

I'll try various techniques and practice.

Practice? No, it's hunting.

Trying it out, I learn a few things.

For example, it's faster to attack the Bloody Wood by peeling it off from the outside.

Magic doesn't work well.

Wind Cutter and Water Needle didn't have much effect.

Maybe it's better to set it on fire.

I saw a player burning a Bloody Wood in the forest.

That's a flashy way to defeat it.

But my preference is for hand-to-hand combat.

I got so absorbed that I ignored Wolf and Obsidian.

Oops.

I came back to my senses and continued hunting while moving.

From there, I continued to hunt Evil Ants and Hunter Bats.

Wolf and Obsidian were showing off their frustration in their battles against the ants.

Sorry.

I'm sorry for not letting them show off more.

I'll keep them company until late tonight.

The night's hunt was more fruitful than ever.

And it came with the results I had been waiting for.

《Your summoned monster 'Wolf' has leveled up due to your recent battle victory! Please add 1 point to any stat.》

《Please add 1 point to any stat.》

Dexterity was already increased. I no longer have any single-digit stats.

I'll increase Strength.

Summoned Monster Wolf Wolf Lv3 → Lv4