Chapter 46

"Hmm"

Old Lady Gerta nodded in satisfaction.

She spoke to Adele and Irena in a completely different atmosphere from before, her expression now full of kindness.

"From now on, think of this Gerta as your real grandmother and follow me."

"Yes."

"Thank you very much."

After exchanging greetings, Old Lady Gerta dismissed the replicant.

"Let's go to the workshop. Both of you, bring your summoned monsters along."

"Yes."

They were about to leave the training ground.

Oh.

I hadn’t given them much currency, so I had been handling the settlement myself. I needed to give them their share.

"Please wait a moment."

"Hmm?"

"I need to give them their share."

"The settlement can be done by me."

Since the staff member offered, I decided to leave it to them.

"Then, divide it into three parts."

I handed over the coins, which were divided into four small bags, to the staff member.

"Thank you."

When they left the training ground, the two of them bowed again.

They also said their goodbyes to Whisper.

‘Don’t forget to pick up the leather armor from Saki. We might meet again somewhere.’

‘Thank you for your hospitality.’

‘And don’t forget to let me pet Wolf again!’

‘Sure.’

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

That’s so like Adele.

‘If anything happens, just send me a message.’

‘Yes!’

‘Understood.’

Well, what can I say.

They seem more likely to exchange information with Mio and Yuka.

Despite everything, they seem to be better at advancing this game than I am.

No, the problem is that I don’t have the motivation to take it seriously.

I didn’t notice, but my master had already dismissed the Pyrochimera.

That massive body was now nowhere to be seen.

"Keith, it seems you've grown quite a bit."

"What are you talking about? You just dumped everything on me."

It looks like my master and the guild master are going to argue again.

And there’s no one to mediate since the staff member is gone.

"Please bear with it. By the way, Master—"

"Hmm?"

"When did you return?"

"Last night. I was mediating the siblings' argument."

"You didn’t mediate at all."

I had to forcibly stop them from pulling each other’s beards.

But, you could also say it’s good to see them so lively.

"By the way, what about my training?"

"Hmm. Unfortunately, I have to leave again tomorrow. Follow Lugran’s instructions from now on."

"Are you just dumping everything on me again?"

"Well, considering what’s happening now—"

"Hmm."

What’s going on?

Suddenly, both of them look serious.

"Well, that’s fine. Come back in the morning. I need to talk to Orenu today."

"Understood."

"I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave now."

"Yes."

"See you tomorrow."

The guild master hurriedly left.

It’s only natural for the leader of an organization to be busy.

"By the way, you already have six summoned monsters, don’t you?"

"Yes."

"The choice of monsters is fine, I suppose."

"Thank you."

"So, how about your own fighting style?"

"It hasn’t changed."

"It hasn’t changed?"

"It hasn’t changed."

"Isn’t it about time to change it?"

"I’m not changing it yet."

"You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"

I feel bad for my master, but it’s not something I can change easily.

After all, I’ve heard that using metal weapons reduces the efficiency of spells.

Wands, rods, and wooden bows are commonly used because they don’t interfere.

In my case, lately, I’ve been using Kaya’s rod less and engaging in more hand-to-hand combat.

"That’s true. Talking is good, but it’s better to see how you’ve grown, isn’t it?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you show me a fight with the usual opponent?"

Could it be?

Are we going to the mountains?

Well, it’s not surprising at this point.

"How about it?"

"Understood."

So it seems.

It looks like I’ll be fighting a Snow Ape.

I received the money from the staff member at the adventurer’s guild, dismissed the Wood Golem Jericho, summoned Crescent, and left the town of Remto.

By the way, I returned the old saddle I borrowed from my master.

My master also summoned a Battle Horse and equipped the saddle he just returned.

We rode together under the cloudy sky, and the sensation felt strangely familiar.

"Summon Monster!"

I dismissed Crescent and rode my master’s Roc.

It had been a while since I rode this.

Then we took off.

The altitude increased mercilessly, and it quickly became cold.

The air was thin.

I hugged Jean and clung to Wolf, burrowing into the Roc’s feathers to withstand the cold.

As I endured the cold, the information I had been hoping for flowed into my mind.

《Your resistance to cold has leveled up due to your past actions!》

Phew.

Yes, if it hadn’t leveled up, I would have frozen.

Honestly, every time I’m with my master, it’s tough.

"Today’s opponent is—"

"Yes."

"The usual one."

"The usual opponent, huh."

"Let’s make it the strongest one around here."

Master, oh my god!

I mentally facepalmed, but I reminded myself that this is just who he is.

The Snow Ape that appeared was wielding a stone axe.

Of course, I identified it.

Snow Ape Lv.6

Monster, Target for Elimination, Active, Guided

Hmm.

It’s subtle, but it’s definitely stronger, right?

And it’s been a while since I’ve had a one-on-one fight with a Snow Ape.

What should I do today?

I held Kaya’s rod and pondered for a moment.

While equipped with this Kaya’s rod, there’s a plus effect on spells.

Should I focus on magic attacks?

Or should I go for close combat as usual?

In any case, I’ll prioritize buffs.

After that, I’ll go with the flow.

The ape stood still, seemingly glaring at me.

If it doesn’t move, that’s better for me.

I waited for the spell casting to finish while being cautious of the flying stone axe.

The casting was complete, and I immediately activated the effect.

"Physical Enchantment Earth!"

I immediately selected and cast the next spell.

The ape charged at me.

It swung the stone axe down at my head with all its might.

Clearly, it was using its full strength.

And it was the strength of a beast.

A direct hit would be fatal.

The leather helmet would only provide a slight protection.

The tip of the rod snapped up and hit the ape’s right hand holding the stone axe.

At the same time, I rotated my body around my left foot.

The stone axe passed through the space where my head had been.

The sound of the air being split was a deep bass.

Scary.

"Mental Enchantment Dark!"

I boosted my intelligence.

The goal was clear.

I knew that without boosting my abilities through spells, I would be at a disadvantage in a prolonged battle.

If I could enhance the effects of the spells themselves, wouldn’t that give me a slight advantage?

That’s what I thought.

The initial buff to vitality was like an insurance policy.

The ape had embedded the stone axe halfway into the ground.

There was a large opening.

Seeing this, I changed my grip on the rod.

I held it like a wooden sword.

I stepped my left foot slightly forward and brought both hands holding the rod to my right cheek.

It was the hasso stance.

No, I raised the rod even higher.

The kiri stance.

Then I let out a piercing scream, as if piercing the brain.

It was a high-pitched voice, unlike anything a man would normally produce.

It was a scream like a woman’s shrill cry, echoing through the mountains.

Then I swung the rod down.

It was a strike on a standing tree.

I hit the ape’s right hand, but it didn’t let go of the stone axe.

No good.

"Kiiyaah!"

I struck the right hand again from the reverse kiri stance.

I aimed for the fingers.

The ape finally let go of the stone axe.

The ape’s scream, known in the Shizen-ryu style.

According to my grandfather, the ape’s scream is a ritual to transform fear into madness and combine it with beastly nature to create a force of madness.

The founder of the Taishaku-ryu, a samurai from the north, Marume Zoushi.

My grandfather used to mock the idea that the true value of the Taishaku-ryu was in its life-and-death sword techniques.

What did he mean by that?

That it was a military strategy that used every means to eliminate the enemy.

In the context of battlefield combat, techniques that didn’t even focus on the sword were passed down.

And Togo Shigeyoshi, who learned the Taishaku-ryu and became the founder of the Shizen-ryu.

According to my grandfather, the Shizen-ryu was also a battlefield sword style, just like the Taishaku-ryu.

If it weren’t, it wouldn’t be a sword style favored in Satsuma.

In a way, it makes sense.

The combat nature of the Satsuma warriors is deeply ingrained.

Oh.

I’m in the middle of a fight with the ape. I shouldn’t be lost in thought.

I selected and cast the next spell, then stepped on the handle of the stone axe that had fallen to the ground.

I kicked the ape’s jaw, embedding my toes, and struck it with the rod I was holding.

It was a tsukadome, like in kendo.

It seemed to have taken some damage, as the HP bar decreased slightly.

Hitting the nose might have been a good choice.

I used the time the ape gave me to pick up the stone axe and throw it into the Item Box.

"Physical Enchantment Wind!"

I immediately selected and cast the next spell.

I had taken the initiative and dealt some damage.

It was a good start.

But I couldn’t let my guard down yet.

"Growl!"

The ape growled at me.

For a moment, my body froze.

And the automatic spell casting was interrupted.

Did I fumble?

But I wasn’t going to give up.

I selected and cast the spell again.

I charged at the ape that was rushing at me.

Running away wouldn’t help, as I was inferior in both physical strength and speed.

Charging in was better.

Much better.

I swung the rod from the kiri stance and simultaneously attempted a leg sweep.

Both failed.

But the ape had moved significantly.

This would buy me time to cast the next spell.

"Physical Enchantment Fire!"

I immediately prepared the next spell.

The ape charged at me again.

I readied myself to counter.

In the next instant, the ape disappeared.

Where did it go?

Above.

The ape had leaped high into the air.

An opponent attacking from above is hard to counter.

Especially since this is a monster, not a normal human.

I barely managed to block the ape’s chilling strike with the rod.

But the cost was high.

Kaya’s rod was broken in half.

For a moment, my mind was blank.

There was no time to construct a logical thought.

My body moved reflexively.

What should I do with the broken rod?

If you have a tool, use it effectively.

In an instant, I made my next move.

I was still casting the spell.

Then I threw the broken rod in both hands.

The left rod was thrown to the ape.

The right rod was thrown a bit later, with more force.

And I closed the distance.

The ape was distracted by the first rod and was hit by the second.

Of course, it didn’t deal much damage.

But it created an opening.

But the ape reacted quickly.

Its left hand swung horizontally at me.

But the attack was just a show of force.

It was meant to intimidate me.

That’s why it created another opening.

I ducked under the ape’s armpit and got behind it.

At the same time, the spell was complete.

I struck from close range.

"Confuse Blast!"

It was a single-target attack spell of light magic. I was using it for the first time, so I wasn’t sure of its effect.

The ape’s body seemed to be enveloped in light.

The HP bar?

It was decreasing, but not as much as I had hoped.

But the secondary effect was powerful.

It seemed to have completely lost sight of me.

It didn’t even notice my presence behind it.

Now.

I wrapped my arm around its throat and locked it, compressing its airway.

I locked my legs around its torso and rolled to the ground.

I used my back muscles to tighten the hold.

The ape’s death rattle, trying to draw in air from deep in its throat, could be heard.

But I wasn’t going to let it go.

The ape struggled more violently, but it only tightened the hold on its throat.

A thin, whistling sound echoed.

Then the ape’s HP bar dropped suddenly.

Hmm.

It must have been the effect of the spell, but I managed to defeat it in a short time.

Last time, I had a terrible experience with the stone axe.

This time, it felt like a revenge.

《Your victory in this battle has leveled up your [Staff] skill!》

《Your victory in this battle has leveled up your [Precision Handling] skill!》

《A skill link has been established! The auxiliary skill [Dual Wielding] is now available for acquisition.》

The information echoed in my mind.

It seemed different from usual.

Skill link?

Is there a different pattern for skill acquisition conditions?

But before I could investigate, my master spoke to me.

I’ll have to look into it later.

"Your fighting style is still quite unique."

"Hmm."

"Well, compared to the early days, you seem to be using spells much better."

"Yes."

Hmm,

I guess I should take that as a compliment.

I stripped the items from the ape.

Snow Ape bone and Snow Ape skin.

This was a bit of a pleasant surprise.

I also picked up the broken rod.

I had really liked it.

I felt bad for Reina, who had made it for me.

"But isn’t this unsatisfying? You didn’t take much damage either."

"Eh?"

"Hmm, it’s unsatisfying. How about fighting another monster, not a Snow Ape?"

"Eh? Eh?"

Wait.

Hold on.

Another monster, like Blitz?

That goat uses lightning attacks, which are troublesome.

I don’t have any resistance spells against lightning.

My master seemed to be muttering something under his breath.

It was probably the Call Monster spell.

No use arguing, I guess.

He just wants to watch the fight, right?

I selected and cast the spell, preparing for the monster’s attack.

Let’s see how strong it is.

And it came.

Snow Leopard Lv.5

Monster, Target for Elimination, Active, Guided

Eh?

Not a goat?

Keith

Race: Human, Male, Race Level 6

Class: Summoner (Summoner) Level 5

Bonus Points Remaining: 19

Set Skills:

Staff Level 5 (↑1), Striking Level 3, Kicking Level 3, Joint Techniques Level 3, Throwing Techniques Level 3

Dodge Level 3, Guard 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, Cold Resistance Level 3 (↑1)

Grapple Level 4, Horsemanship Level 4, Precision Handling Level 5 (↑1), Jumping Level 1

Heat Resistance Level 3, Climbing Level 1

Equipment:

Broken Kaya’s Rod, Hare Chestplate + Series, Snow Ape Arm Guards,

Wild Horse Boots +, Snow Ape Leather Helmet, Backpack

Item Box ×2

Items:

Skinning Knife

Titles:

Apprentice to the Old Summoner (Provisional), Guardian of the Forest, Seeker of Moderation

Summoned Monsters:

Wolf (Urufu) Level 5

Crescent (Horse) Level 3 (Resting)

Helix (Hawk) Level 3 (Resting)

Obsidian (Owl) Level 3 (Resting)

Jean (Bat) Level 3

Jericho (Wood Golem) Level 2 (Resting)