Chapter 43

**Message from a Friend Registration**

It was from Saki.

She's in Remuto, right?

*Boots for two are already done. The horse saddles are expected to be completed today. We're going to hunt in the event tonight!*

The recipients also included Adel and Irena.

The two, who were helping with the cooking, had stopped their hands and were probably reading this message right now.

Oh.

I should check out the attached boots.

**Armor Item: Boots** Wild Horse Boots+ Quality C+ Rarity 3

AP+1 Def+3 Weight 1 Durability 110

Boots made from wild horse leather. The leather is processed to remain soft, prioritizing ease of movement.

The soles are slip-resistant and suitable for sports.

[Custom]

Aim to enhance defense by using the carapace of evil ants throughout.

Hmm.

They seem to have a different style from my boots.

AP+1 is probably just a bonus.

At first glance, they don't look like leather boots, but the design is quite cool.

Well, I'm not that confident in my aesthetic sense, but it's definitely a good item.

"Did you both see it?"

"Yes."

"Sounds fun!"

"Let's make this the plan for tomorrow."

"Let's go to Remuto!"

"Right, Keith?"

"Of course."

After that, the two continued to help with the cooking happily.

I also chatted with Rick, Shinohara, and Fudou to pass the time.

There was something I realized.

Ren was also a big fan of fluffy things.

Why are there so many people who love fluffy things?

They all seem to be hard to resist, but apparently, he prefers the wolves in terms of size.

Adel seems to like all of them.

The back of the stall had somehow turned into a gathering to admire summoned monsters.

The sunset was shining on the village of Legias.

We had been talking for quite a while.

My MP bar had recovered to about 60%, slightly over half.

Maybe it was because I was full and relaxed in the village, but the recovery pace felt faster.

Well, it's about time for more customers to start coming in.

We'd be in the way of serving the dinner rush.

"You two, it's fine to keep helping."

"Eh?"

"But—"

"Meet at this stall tomorrow. We're moving to Remuto."

"Is this place okay?"

Yuka was worried, but I didn't mind.

If they're going to help, they should help thoroughly.

Me?

What can I help with when I can make curry and yakisoba taste bad?

It would be better to go hunting in the forest.

"It's fine. You can use us as much as you want."

"Ah—!"

"I'll think of a reward."

"Thank you."

I left the back of the stall with Wolf and Jean, leading Obsidian.

There was something I wanted to try.

I decided to head to the forest.

Outside the village of Legias, I summoned Obsidian.

My MP bar had dropped slightly below half again, but that couldn't be helped.

It was already evening.

I used Noctovision to ensure visibility and entered the forest.

I moved through the forest toward my master's house.

Along the way, I collected some Wound Seal Grass.

Since I was collecting anyway, I used Earth Magic Dowsing to collect some obsidian stones.

I've been using potions quite a bit lately.

Even with healing magic, the HP bar has been taking a lot of damage recently.

One of the things I wanted to do tonight, even if it was late, was to work on potions.

So far, I've been prioritizing getting Quality C items.

If they were seen, they might cause a commotion.

But I can't keep doing that.

The existence of high-quality potions that can shorten cooldown times is very significant.

Even if I don't use them, it would be a relief psychologically.

And one more thing.

If I were to advance further into the forest labyrinth, what would be the most difficult part?

I think it would be the part where I have to climb vines.

I can't fight properly while climbing.

Or, I might not even be able to climb it at all.

I had an idea.

The hint was already there.

The eggs in the tree.

The nest of the Rampaging Silver Eagle.

It was probably meant to train tree climbing.

The location is slightly different from the vine climbing here, but it's similar.

There might even be more advanced mountain climbing training prepared.

Well, let's try it a few times.

There are no skills available that would help with tree climbing.

But there have been cases where skills became available even when there were none before.

Let's give it a try.

**A new auxiliary skill [Climbing] is available for acquisition based on your past actions.**

After attacking the nest in the tree about seven times and securing 10 Rampaging Silver Eagle eggs, I received a notification.

Climbing.

Checking the acquisition screen, the required bonus points were 2.

Two bonus points just for tree climbing.

It's a bit of a stretch, but I have plenty of bonus points to spare. No need to hesitate.

I immediately acquired and activated it.

Then, I had Obsidian find another Rampaging Silver Eagle nest and attacked it again.

It didn't feel much different in practice.

But when I supported myself with one hand, it seemed easier to maintain balance.

Is this determined by dexterity?

I also think strength would be helpful to some extent.

Anyway.

Even if it's against monsters, raiding nests, knocking the mother to the ground, and stealing eggs is like real-life robbery.

It's not good for mental health.

There are still things I want to do tonight. Let's head back to my master's house.

The presence was strange.

I couldn't sense it, but Wolf, Jean, and Obsidian had noticed it.

Something was around my master's house, right?

My master's magic owl was perched on the gate, looking around.

It was clearly on guard.

I had Obsidian circle the area.

There were several unnatural spots.

Wolf was also reacting sensitively to the narrow path we were on.

It was the smell.

What was lurking there?

It wasn't Evil Ants.

Wolf's reaction was clearly different from when it detected Evil Ants.

What was it?

I ran to the gate of my master's house.

Wolf and Jean followed me.

I had Obsidian fly toward the gate.

Suddenly, my back felt cold.

No, my mind was also rapidly cooling down.

Wolf bit my sleeve and pulled me to the ground.

Something passed through the space where I had been.

Then, a dry sound was heard.

It seemed to have hit the gate and fallen to the ground.

The two arrows were lying there.

They were carefully prepared. The arrows were painted entirely black.

Two at once?

So there are two archers?

"Garuuwa!!"

Wolf roared loudly, a strong warning.

Three shadows that were approaching me stopped simultaneously.

Something extended from the one that was closest.

A spear.

The tip of the spear was aimed at my face.

I dodged the tip with a head slip.

I grabbed the spear's shaft with my left hand.

I pressed the shaft with the sole of my right foot and applied my weight.

The attacker let go of the spear.

I followed up with a roundhouse kick.

The hooded attacker's face was revealed.

A mask.

They were wearing a mask.

The marker above their head still showed nothing.

I tried to use [Identification], but the marker above their head was still invisible.

A monster?

No, I've never seen a monster without a marker.

So what is this?

A Player Killer?

Is this a PK act?

Wolf bit the leg of the one trying to run away and knocked them to the ground.

I caught their neck and torso with my feet and turned my body.

This should make it harder for others to attack me.

I removed one hand from the choke and took off the mask.

Who is it?

A green marker appeared above the attacker's head.

Of course, I used [Identification].

**Sasame, Level 5**

**Fighter, In Combat, Retaliation Allowed**

**A PK act has been confirmed. You are allowed to defeat them in self-defense.**

Hmm.

So the system works like this.

This is what a PK act is.

"Hmm, so this is PK."

I didn't expect an answer.

I was already choking them with both hands.

"Being choked feels good, so don't worry."

When I really tightened, they passed out quickly.

All the strength left their body.

What about the others who attacked me?

I saw another shadow within my dark vision range.

Their mask had fallen off, and [Identification] worked.

**Taro, Level 5**

**Sorcerer, In Combat, Retaliation Allowed**

I could also see their HP bar, but it was almost gone.

Wolf and Jean attacked them, and their HP bar quickly disappeared.

My condolences.

I thought there were more.

Looking around, I suddenly saw a bright light in the forest.

That was.

Probably a lightning strike from my master's magic owl.

Obsidian seemed to be flying around the forest, working with my master's magic owl.

Two were still running.

Obsidian launched a surprise attack, and the lightning strike finished them off.

The suspicious people were being taken down one after another.

To my master's magic owl.

That's a clear overkill.

In the end, only one was captured alive.

The other bodies disappeared one by one.

No, something was left behind.

100 silver coins, potions, a knife, and four black arrows.

**Weapon Item: Arrow** Evil Ant Arrow+ Quality C+ Rarity 2

AP8 Destruction 0+ Weight 0+ Durability 30 Range +20% Slight continuous damage

An arrow using the stinger of an evil ant.

Aimed to increase penetration and cause bleeding damage.

[Custom]

Painted entirely black to make it harder for the target to avoid.

It's perfect for assassination.

Indeed, an evil ant arrow has high penetration.

And this one has a longer range. It probably uses grassland eagle feathers for the fletching.

Well.

Let's check the one we captured.

It was surprisingly difficult to restrain Wolf, who was being overly aggressive.

He calmed down but kept his position to bite the neck at any time.

Truly, the instincts of a wild creature.

I used [Identification] to check the equipment.

The armor was made of leather, a common item for adventurers.

The suspicious item was the mask.

No, there was a throwing knife.

**Weapon Item: Knife** Dats Jaw Throwing Knife+ Quality C+ Rarity 3

AP12 Destruction 0+ Weight 0+ Durability 10 Range 10 Slight continuous damage on penetration

A knife made from a Dats jaw, mainly used for throwing.

High penetration, causing additional damage on penetration.

Wow, there's a handy item.

I want it.

But I'll refrain from stealing like a thief.

Well, what to do with this one.

How are unconscious players handled?

I shook their face.

The sensation on their cheeks was strange.

When I pried open their mouth, I saw cotton.

What?

Are they in disguise?

I searched for hair and found a wig.

When I took it off, it was a shaved head.

Is there a skill for disguises?

I looked at the man again.

It's okay to finish them off in self-defense, right?

**Sashan, Level 6**

**Assassin, Unconscious, Retaliation Allowed**

Hmm?

The [Identification] result is different from before.

Everything is different.

Is this their true identity?

I took a screenshot of the [Identification] result and saved it.

If I leave them here, they'll just be eaten by ants.

But I'll show some mercy and send them back to life with one blow.

I lifted their upper body.

I wrapped my arm around their neck from behind.

I applied my weight and twisted and broke their neck.

The player's HP bar disappeared instantly, and the marker gradually faded.

My condolences.

The only items left behind were 100 silver coins, four in total.

I felt a bit cheated.

**A new auxiliary skill [Insight] is available for acquisition based on your recent victory.**

Hmm.

A pretty useful skill is available.

Checking, the required bonus points are 4.

No need to hesitate.

Given what just happened, I immediately acquired and activated it.

Maybe it will help against Player Killers a little.

I can't rely solely on summoned monsters like Wolf.

My master's magic owl was perched on the gate next to my Obsidian.

Owls get along well, apparently.

I went through the gate and returned to my master's house as usual.

Of course, I'm worried.

It's natural to be targeted when your location is known.

But can players actually intrude into this place with force?

At this point, there are definitely none.

Even against PK, I can't completely resist, but I can't think of a safer place.

Well, there's no point in worrying.

If I encounter PK and get killed, I'll just respawn.

Besides, I have preparations for tomorrow.

I hurried to the underground workshop.

**Protagonist: Keith**

**Race: Human, Male, Race Level 6**

**Occupation: Summoner (Summoner) Level 5**

**Remaining Bonus Points: 16**

**Set Skills:**

Staff Level 4, Striking Level 3, Kicking Level 3, Joint Techniques Level 3, Throwing Techniques Level 3

Dodge Level 3, Block Level 3, Summoning Magic Level 6

Light Magic Level 3, Wind Magic Level 4, Earth Magic Level 3, Water Magic Level 3

Fire Magic Level 2, Dark Magic Level 2

Alchemy Level 3, Pharmacist Level 3, Glassworking Level 3

Coordination Level 5, Appraisal Level 5, Identification Level 5, Insight Level 1 (New!), Cold Resistance Level 2

Grapple Level 4, Horsemanship Level 4, Precision Operation Level 4, Jumping Level 1

Heat Resistance Level 3, Climbing Level 1 (New!)

**Equipment:**

Kay's Rod, Wild Rabbit Chest Armor+ Series, Snow Monkey Arm Guards,

Wild Horse Boots+, Snow Monkey Leather Helmet, Backpack

Item Box x2

**Items:**

Skinning Knife

**Titles:**

Apprentice to the Old Summoner (Temporary), Forest Guardian's Proof, Seeker of Moderation

**Summoned Monsters:**

Wolf, Wolf Level 5

Crescent, Horse Level 3 (Resting)

Helix, Hawk Level 3 (Resting)

Obsidian, Owl Level 3

Jean, Bat Level 3

Jerrick, Wood Golem Level 2 (Resting)

**Companions:**

Adel & Mii-chan & Uu-chan (Yuka's helpers)

Irena & Calico & Toguro (Yuka's helpers)