Chapter 34

After satisfying their hunger, they said they wanted to do some shopping, so I had to wait for a while.

During that time, I reviewed the explanations of the martial arts.

Here’s the list:

Meditate (Staff)

Breathe (Staff)

Direct Thrust (Blunt)

Leg Sweep (Kick)

Parry (Block, Staff)

Parry (Block, Blunt)

Backstep (Evasion)

Compared to the list of magic spells, this is much simpler.

I haven’t used Direct Thrust or Leg Sweep as martial arts recently.

Using them naturally has made them feel less awkward.

Parry and Parry (Block, Blunt) are essentially the same, just with a difference in whether you use a rod or your hands.

Backstep is for creating distance.

Well, it’s easy to understand.

The martial arts used by the Doppleganger are the problem.

I’ve been overlooking their existence all this time.

First is Meditate.

It means meditation.

Its effect seems to reduce the probability of penalties occurring when taking major damage, and also reduce the penalties themselves.

Is it something I can use?

I’m not sure, but maybe it’s like an insurance policy.

Then there’s Breathe.

It means blessing.

It’s obviously different from the breath used by dragons.

Its effect is to increase the probability of critical hits and reduce the probability of fumbles.

It’s subtle.

Subtle, but it would be effective in a prolonged battle.

And this Breathe can be used on other players as well.

What they both have in common is that they provide subtle support effects.

Well, it’s a staff, after all.

Maybe it’s best to consider them as bonuses.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“The shopping is done.”

“Yeah. Let’s go then.”

I didn’t ask what they bought and hurried ahead.

We left the town and started riding.

The weather was nice today.

It was a good day for a long ride.

We proceeded along the road, so encounters with monsters were minimal.

The priority was to move.

Occasionally, I picked up obsidian thanks to the dowsing effect.

Riding is great.

Riding is a full-body exercise and isn’t as easy as it seems, but the time saved is very appreciated.

As we approached the forest, the air changed.

It’s like forest bathing.

We passed by the watchtower and entered the forest.

We overtook several parties heading to Legias and reached the village of Legias.

Unfortunately, there were no stray horses to cause trouble today.

The journey went smoothly, but it was a bit disappointing.

They’re certainly troublesome, but the rewards from stray horses are quite attractive.

“Hello, I’m here to visit.”

“Hello!”

Mio’s stall was past lunchtime, and there were few customers.

Feina’s stall also had few customers.

“Hey! Did you already have lunch?”

“We finished in Remto.”

“I wish you had come a bit earlier.”

Adele and Irena seem to get along well with Mio.

That’s a good thing.

Today, Feina, Saki, and Reina were all gathered.

Everyone was smiling.

And those smiles were directed at me.

Is something up?

“You’ve arrived, our hero.”

“Good job!!”

What’s going on?

I don’t understand.

I tilted my head, and Feina added an explanation.

“More people with titles are appearing, especially among the production classes. It seems you can get titles from certain quests.”

“I got the title ‘Hunter of the Sacred Forest’ yesterday!”

“I received the ‘Proof of a Leatherworker’.”

“And I got ‘Village Merchant’ today at noon.”

Wow, there are various titles.

Mine is a bit subtle, but ‘Hunter of the Sacred Forest’ sounds cool.

Honestly, I’m a bit envious.

“So, we’re planning to move to Remto tomorrow to hunt for human souls!”

“That’s great, Mio.”

“Moo. I don’t want to stay here!”

“Try to focus on cooking today. You’ll be rewarded.”

Hmm.

It seems Mio hasn’t obtained a title yet and is anxious about it.

“I’ll work hard until this evening!”

“That’s the spirit.”

“First, horse meat!”

Hmm.

The horse meat hasn’t been cooked yet.

“Horse sashimi would be good.”

“That’s not the point of cooking!”

Well, that’s true.

Oh, right,

I sold the wild rabbit meat, but I still have the striped rabbit meat.

I also have a considerable amount of wild rabbit fur.

I need to request the creation of Adele and Irena’s armor.

“Saki, how’s the boot creation going?”

“I’m finishing it now. I can hand it over tomorrow, though.”

“Is there a problem?”

“We’re moving to Remto tomorrow, so it should be fine in the morning.”

“Good. I also want to make some additional requests.”

“That’s great. It might take a bit longer and the location will be Remto, but is that okay?”

“That’s fine.”

I took out the items I had been stockpiling.

There was a considerable amount of wild rabbit fur.

I also had a small amount of striped rabbit fur and meat.

I also had some leftover wild horse fur.

There should be enough materials.

“I have two more requests: a horse saddle and their armor. Do you have enough materials?”

“I have more than enough. Is the saddle the same as the one I made before?”

“Yes.”

“Then the rabbit fur will be for Adele and Irena’s armor.”

“Please.”

“Understood. Feina, I want to pay half the fee in advance. Can you do the calculations?”

“Got it.”

“The wild rabbit fur will definitely have some left over. Let’s settle the excess when I deliver the items.”

“Sure.”

“Let’s measure the sizes then.”

Saki took them away to measure their sizes.

Of course, you can’t measure a girl’s size in front of others.

Mio and the others protested, but it was ignored.

Saki is tough.

“Mio! I have striped rabbit meat!”

“I want it!”

I remember eating striped rabbit meat skewers.

They had a slight effect of enhancing abilities.

No wonder she wants it.

“Let’s settle the current items for sale.”

“Sure.”

I paid the amount Feina suggested.

Mio immediately started on the striped rabbit meat.

Good materials and good work will lead to good experience.

Even Fey said so.

But is it okay?

She’s ignoring the horse meat.

“Maybe I’ll stick with skewers. I want to try something a bit different.”

“Mio, what about the horse meat? It’s a good ingredient.”

“Moo. I can’t do much with the horse meat, so maybe I’ll make horse sashimi.”

“I agree.”

Indeed.

The classic way to eat horse meat is as sashimi.

I fully agree.

I prefer a sweet, thick soy sauce with grated ginger.

Grated garlic is also good, but I like grated ginger the most.

Wasabi is a bit unconventional.

“But we don’t have any condiments.”

“A sweet soy sauce with grated ginger is enough.”

“What? Are you from Kyushu, Keith?”

Reina hit the nail on the head.

I am from Kyushu.

A hybrid of Satsuma and Higo.

“You have weird taste buds!”

“What? That’s not something I can just accept.”

We started arguing over trivial matters, and Feina scolded us.

I should reflect on that.

“So, what about the horse meat?”

“Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper, and parsley or basil would be perfect.”

“That’s carpaccio, isn’t it?”

“We don’t have enough ingredients.”

“Why not serve horse sashimi with fish sauce and condiments?”

“Moo.”

Mio seems dissatisfied but is likely to compromise.

Yes, horse sashimi is fine.

“Measuring is done. The wild rabbit fur will have some left over.”

“Really?”

“We have other things to do in Remto, but I need about three days.”

“Understood.”

I’ve been asking a lot of Saki.

I can’t push her too hard.

“Then, Adele, Irena. Let’s go to the forest.”

“Yes!”

I have something I want to try today.

I hurried them a bit.

We decided to head deep into the forest, so we replaced all the summoned monsters.

I returned Crescent and Helix and summoned the wolf, Volf, and the bat, Jean.

Adele switched to the tiger, Mii-chan, and Irena to the snake, Toguro.

Their MP bars were significantly reduced, but I expect they will perform well.

Our destination is to the west.

We encountered monsters along the way, but they weren’t a problem.

The only thing to be cautious about during the day is the rampaging silverfish (male).

We headed to our destination without interfering with other parties’ hunting.

When we arrived at the place in question,

it was the green corridor.

This time, something like a human soul was floating above us from the start.

But it disappeared without any reaction.

What’s going on?

“Here again?”

“Yeah. But we might be able to pass through today.”

“Huh?”

I tried to move forward.

When I reached the spot where the human soul was, nothing happened.

I continued forward.

Nothing happened.

However, Adele and Irena, who were supposed to be behind me, were gone.

I tried to use the whisper function, but it didn’t work.

It seems the ‘Union’ connection was also cut off.

I hurried back to the entrance and found Adele and Irena there.

“We suddenly disappeared!”

“It seems we can’t enter, just like before.”

“I see.”

No good.

Being forcibly disconnected from the ‘Union’ state is unexpected.

But I want to try one more thing.

“If ‘Union’ doesn’t work, let’s try changing the party composition.”

“Huh?”

“Is that okay?”

“Let’s try. I’ll send a party join request to Adele.”

I returned Jean and sent a party join request to Adele.

Adele accepted, and the names of the party members appeared on the virtual window.

I didn’t look at their status or skill composition out of courtesy.

“Let’s try to go through.”

It seems we can.

It appears that at least one person needs to have the title in question to pass through.

The test is complete.

I temporarily left the party with me and Volf and reapplied for ‘Union’.

I summoned Jean again.

Now, let’s see if we can proceed.

“I think this place has never been stepped on by anyone. Is it okay to proceed?”

“We’re going!”

“Of course.”

“Probably, the monsters will be stronger, and we have no prior information.”

“We’re going!”

I could have just confirmed, but I understand the desire to move forward if we can.

There’s no helping it.

“Alright. I’ll lead the way.”

“Yes!”

“I’ll cover the rear.”

And we stepped into the unknown.

What awaits us, I wonder.

Protagonist: Keith

Race: Human, Male, Race Level 5

Class: Summoner (Summoner) Level 4

Bonus Points Remaining: 20

Set Skills:

Staff Level 4, Blunt Level 3, Kick Level 3, Joint Techniques Level 3, Throwing Techniques Level 3

Evasion Level 3, Block Level 2, Summoning Magic Level 5

Light Magic Level 2, Wind Magic Level 3, Earth Magic Level 3, Water Magic Level 3

Fire Magic Level 2, Dark Magic Level 1

Alchemy Level 3, Pharmacist Level 3, Glassworking Level 3

Coordination Level 5, Appraisal Level 5, Identification Level 5, Cold Resistance Level 2, Grappling Level 4

Horse Riding Level 4, Precision Operation Level 3, Jumping Level 1, Heat Resistance Level 3

Equipment: Kay’s Rod, Wild Rabbit Chest Armor + Series, Snow Monkey Arm Guards,

Wild Horse Boots +, Snow Monkey Leather Helmet, Backpack

Item Box x2

Held Items: Skinning Knife

Titles: Apprentice to an Old Summoner (Temporary), Guardian of Livestock, Seeker of Moderation

Summoned Monsters:

Volf, Wolf Level 4

Crescent, Horse Level 3 (Resting)

Helix, Hawk Level 3 (Resting)

Black Obsidian, Owl Level 3 (Resting)

Jean, Bat Level 1

Companions:

Adele & Mii-chan

Irena & Toguro