Chapter 3

By the way, I hadn't checked the descriptions of the other skills yet.

I'll call them up in a separate window to take a look.

【Magic Skill】Wind Magic Lv.1 (New! Summoner Random Bonus Initial Skill)

A magic skill for using wind attribute spells.

As the level increases, more advanced wind attribute spells become usable.

* Spell casting is automatically handled by default, but can be set to manual.

* There is a penalty for equipping metal weapons and armor.

* Equipment that assists in spell casting is indicated with a + in M·AP.

【Production Skill】Alchemy Lv1 (New! Summoner Initial Skill)

A production skill for processing material items to create various items.

It manipulates items that follow physical laws, items that defy physical laws, and items processed through magic.

As the level increases, more advanced items can be created.

* Additional tools may be required for some tasks.

* Some item creation requires the mastery of magic skills.

【Support Skill】Coordination Lv1 (New! Summoner Random Bonus Initial Skill)

A support skill for switching actions or performing multiple actions simultaneously.

It is effective for being efficient and dexterous.

As the level increases, more dexterous actions become possible.

【Support Skill】Appraisal Lv2 (New! Summoner Initial Skill)

A support skill for discerning the value of items.

As the level increases, the value of rarer items can be discerned.

【Support Skill】Identification Lv2 (New! Race Random Bonus Initial Skill)

A support skill for assisting in information gathering within the visible range.

As the level increases, information gathering ability improves, mainly for collecting monster information.

I quickly glanced through all of them.

Generally, I could understand them, but the 【Coordination】 skill is a mystery.

I can't tell if it's active or passive.

I guess I should just take it as a support skill, as the name suggests.

Since it's a random bonus, I'll consider it as a bonus.

Using 【Appraisal】 and 【Identification】 naturally by just focusing my eyes is a nice touch.

Oh.

I'm getting lost in thought again.

Let's move on.

I hunted one Wild Dog and one Horned Rabbit until the forest was in sight.

The path continued into the forest, not too deep, and a watchtower was visible in the distance.

As soon as I entered the forest, blind spots increased.

I needed to be cautious of monsters.

I gave Voluf another potion to recover some HP.

"Voluf, be careful of surprise attacks."

In response, Voluf lowered his stance and took a defensive position.

Oh, that's cool.

As I moved along the path, I could sense presences in the forest on both sides.

Occasionally, I could hear loud noises.

It seemed that quite a few parties were hunting in the forest.

Once, I saw a five-person party chasing two injured Wild Dogs that were crossing the path.

I just watched, thinking I shouldn't interfere.

They glanced at me but ignored me.

However, one of them stopped and stared at me and Voluf.

"What, a summoned monster? Summoners are such scum."

He said that and followed his companions.

Yeah.

I knew it, but it still hurt a bit.

Eventually, I arrived at the location of the watchtower without encountering any monsters.

Two soldiers with bows were visible on the watchtower.

Four soldiers armed with spears and shields were gathered below.

"Stop!"

A voice called out.

I stopped and looked around.

A small guardhouse was visible behind the watchtower, surrounded by stone walls.

The markers floating above the soldiers' heads were all yellow, indicating NPCs.

"Is that a wolf? Or a dog?"

"It's my partner."

They seemed to be wary of Voluf. I can't blame them.

From the NPCs' perspective, Voluf wouldn't be considered a player.

Maybe I should get a collar for him in the future.

Voluf was wagging his tail while in the "stop" position next to me.

I gently stroked his head with my left hand.

"Are you alone?"

Oh, you're asking that too.

"No, I have a partner."

"Still, you're too lightly equipped to come around the forest."

I was given a disapproving look.

"I'll leave as soon as I'm done with my business."

The soldier didn't say anything more.

He seemed to have lost interest.

The other soldiers also avoided making eye contact.

Well, that's to be expected.

I checked the map again.

From the location of the watchtower, following the path leads to a small village.

There's a large rock about halfway along, and a narrow path continues from there.

Just as the watchtower became smaller behind me, Voluf started growling low.

I readied my rod. Is it a monster?

The shadow that emerged from the forest was the largest I had encountered so far.

It was a horse.

Stray Horse Lv.3

Monster Target Active·Agitated State

【Identification】also treats it as a monster.

The marker is red, so it's a monster, but it's a horse.

Moreover, it's a bit higher in level.

It charged at me before I could ready my rod. It was fast.

I thought I heard the sound of hooves very close, but I was still alive.

Voluf rolled me out of the way to avoid the horse's charge.

Thank you, Voluf! Nice one!

What happened to the horse?

The stray horse backed off and showed signs of charging again.

What should I do?

Fighting on the road would give the horse an advantage.

"Voluf, come!"

We had to retreat into the forest.

Even then, the terrain wouldn't be in our favor, but it would be better than the road.

The marker was still blinking, targeting us. Hurry, my legs!

But, as expected, it's a horse. I could hear its heavy breathing right behind me as soon as we entered the forest.

I need to stop its legs.

I just need a little time to cast an attack spell.

I hid behind a tree trunk, and the horse rushed past.

Phew, that was close.

I hid behind another tree trunk. Voluf was also with me.

Where's the horse?

I peeked out from behind the trunk.

I could see the horse's rear, but it didn't seem to notice me.

The marker above its head was still blinking.

Should I go?

No.

I held Voluf back with my hand as he tried to stand up.

Let's wait for it to leave.

I lowered my body to hide and eliminate my presence.

Voluf also obediently followed my actions.

The horse didn't turn around and soon the marker stopped blinking.

It left.

"Well, no need to push it."

I tried to justify it to Voluf.

If I had a party, it might have worked out.

Just as I thought that, I received an info message.

《For the battle you just avoided, you can now obtain the support skills 【Stealth】 and 【Awareness】.》

Hmm.

I just avoided the battle.

Does this mean I can obtain support skills for actions like hiding and searching for presence?

I'm not sure if this is reasonable.

I decided to stop thinking about it and returned to the original path, hurrying along.

The landmark was easy to spot.

It was a large rock, as described, and it was indeed large.

It looked like a boulder, and I didn't feel like climbing it.

The path through the forest ends here.

According to my notes, I need to follow a narrow path that can barely be distinguished.

I need to be cautious of surprise attacks from monsters.

"Let's go."

Voluf followed me.

Actually, he led the way.

Indeed, a wolf is better than a human for sensing the surroundings.

I can trust him.

There was something in the grass.

But it turned out to be non-target frogs and snakes.

Voluf, my partner, was calm compared to my nervousness.

Voluf stopped and lowered his stance.

"?"

It was a bird. A chicken?

About 50 cm in body length, and 80 cm including the tail feathers.

The marker was red, indicating a target.

Wild Silver Chicken (Female) Lv.2

Monster Target Passive

Focusing my eyes, 【Identification】 automatically provided information.

I see, being passive means I can approach without being noticed.

The (female) in parentheses suggests there are males.

A snake was at the monster's feet, occasionally pecked.

It was eating.

What should I do?

Hunting it would be ideal, but I don't know how strong this Lv.2 monster is.

The attack methods I have are limited.

I called up the spell list.

Summon Monster (Summoning Magic)

Return Monster (Summoning Magic)

Force Bullet (Common Attack Magic)

Sense Magic (Common Perception Magic)

Air Current Control (Wind Magic)

Physical Enchantment Wind (Wind Magic)

The only one I can use from a distance is Force Bullet.

Air Current Control, I guess it means air current control.

What is Physical Enchantment Wind?

I focused on the Physical Enchantment Wind entry and thought "effect."

【Physical Enchantment Wind】Spell: Wind Magic

Temporarily enhances agility by imbuing the body with wind power.

No limit on self-casting. Can be cast on others within 5 meters with contact. Resistance check required.

Effect duration is about 15 minutes.

Enhanced agility.

I'll try it to see if it works.

I thought "whispered incantation" and selected Physical Enchantment Wind from the spell list.

(Physical Enchantment Wind!)

I cast the spell on Voluf.

I placed my hand on his neck as the spell completed.

A small marker overlaid the marker above his head.

This is how it works.

(I'll attack, and you follow up.)

I whispered to Voluf.

Next, I selected Force Bullet from the spell list and cast it.

The whispered incantation was completed.

The monster was still eating. I can do this.

(Force Bullet!)

I cast the spell, and Voluf dashed.

He was fast.

I followed him.

The spell hit, and the monster staggered, with its HP bar reduced.

Voluf bit the bird's neck as it turned to face us.

The monster tried to counterattack with its legs, but Voluf's bite was at a perfect angle, and the attack didn't land.

Voluf managed to pin the monster to the ground despite some struggle.

By the time I reached, the battle was over.

It was already on its last breath.

What a quick and easy victory.

《For the battle you just experienced, you can now obtain the support skill 【Ambush】.》

I can obtain another support skill. That's great.

I'll think about whether to acquire the skill later!

I stabbed the skinning knife, and the corpse disappeared, leaving one drop item.

A wing.

【Material Item】Silver Chicken Wing Raw Material Quality D+ Rarity 1 Weight 1

The wing of a Wild Silver Chicken (Female). Generally used for arrow fletching.

A clear hint.

Players who use bows and arrows would want this. It needs processing.

I don't have a use for it other than selling it. I put it in my backpack.

Voluf kept watch while I collected the drop. Good boy.

By the way, do summoned monsters have skills?

I'll check.

I thought about Voluf's status and skills.

Summoned Monster Voluf Wolf Lv2 Alert

Stats

Dexterity 8

Agility 25 (+2)

Intelligence 12

Strength 11

Vitality 15

Spirit 10

Skills

Bite, Sprint, Intimidate, Listen

His agility is impressive.

The +2 in parentheses is from the Physical Enchantment Wind effect.

I'm not sure if this is good or bad for a beginner adventurer.

I checked the surroundings for monsters and left the area.

The destination is still not in sight.

The narrow path is like a game trail but not difficult to follow.

Once, I saw a group of about ten Wild Silver Chickens in the distance.

Three of them were brightly colored in silver, white, and black.

The colorful ones were larger.

Wild Silver Chicken (Male) Lv.5

Monster Target Passive

I identified one of them.

It's scary.

I identified the others, and the other males were Lv.4 and Lv.3.

The females were between Lv.1 and Lv.3.

They didn't notice me because I was at a distance, and I left.

That was close. The forest is no place to let your guard down.

If I had encountered them by chance, it would have been dangerous.

I cautiously followed the narrow path for a while and finally reached my destination.

The house was surrounded by a stone wall.

Only part of the roof was visible, and it looked quite old.

A slight wisp of smoke from the chimney indicated that someone lived there.

The gate was simple but solid and well-defended.

Of course, the gate was closed.

How do I get in? There's no intercom.

《Who are you?》

A voice like an info message echoed in my head.

Who's talking to me?

"Well, I was introduced by the Adventurer's Guild. I'm a beginner adventurer named Keith."

I answered in a loud voice.

《Do you have any proof?》

"I have a note."

Voluf came closer and let out a low growl.

Is he afraid of something?

Voluf suddenly looked up at the gate.

I followed his gaze.

Above the gate, numerous spikes were set to deter intruders, and a bird was perched on one of them.

A large white owl.

The marker above its head was yellow, indicating an NPC.

Mystic Owl Lv.???

Summoned