Chapter 52

《You have 2 new announcements. Would you like to check them?》

In the morning, when I logged in, there were announcements again.

And two of them.

When I checked the subject lines, they looked like this:

《Announcement of the Tournament: The application deadline is today!》

《Announcement of the Test Implementation: We will implement a battle log acquisition function in conjunction with the tournament!》

Hmm.

I don't need to read the contents, do I?

I threw them into a folder and prepared to leave.

The preliminary rounds of the tournament are in three days.

I feel like taking a sick day.

Today, I'm working again, just like yesterday and the day before.

Working?

Yeah, it's not wrong in terms of meaning either.

I summoned Residual Moon, Helix, and Obsidian and headed to the town of Remto.

I walked the usual road.

There were more players today.

What's going on?

We're not really hunting, but Residual Moon and Helix haven't had much to do lately.

They need to exercise a bit, or they'll get fat.

Well, that's probably not the case, though.

I arrived at the town of Remto.

I finished a quick meal at a food stall and headed to the archery range, which has been converted into a temporary workshop.

I left the summoned monsters at the hitching post and went inside, where I saw members who seemed to have just finished the night shift.

They were moving large shelves in pairs, shouting encouragement.

They looked like they were putting in a lot of effort.

Right.

I used to work part-time for a moving company a long time ago.

After that, I helped with many moves.

In recent moves, they use high-damping seismic isolation materials as protective sheets.

Times change.

We used to use newspapers and cardboard.

"Hey, good morning."

"Good morning."

"The night shift crew has made up for a lot. How about working together for a while today?"

Nils looked refreshed.

It seems he didn't stay up all night.

Well, it would be a problem if he did.

I don't want any workplace accidents.

Now, today's task.

We need to polish the surface of the components with abrasive powder.

We also need to apply varnish to the surface of the components.

This is the stage just before assembly.

However, the work is being done in a location diagonally away from each other.

The varnish is made by dissolving amber in oil, and when the oil evaporates, the resin hardens on the surface.

In other words, if powder attaches during the time the oil is evaporating, it will cause problems.

The workflow is inefficient, but it might be unavoidable.

And because the oil evaporates, the smell is intense.

It's almost enough to make your head spin.

You can't ventilate too much because it picks up dust.

On the other hand, it's unbearable for the workers in a sealed space.

No, we're not using solvents with addictive properties.

I think it's just turpentine.

In terms of difficulty, it's about the same as chamfering.

We didn't need any spell boosts or woodworking making skills.

We send the quality C components to the next process as quality C.

It's a simple task.

Well, the task itself is simple, but it gets harder when chatting with Nils.

My work speed visibly decreased, but Nils' didn't.

He was doing almost twice as much.

And the quality didn't drop.

Even though it's a simple task.

N-no, I'm not frustrated at all!

It was past 10:00 AM.

All the components on the shelf next to the workbench, except for the joints, had been surface-treated.

"Yeah, everything looks good."

"Indeed."

"Let's take a short break and then move on to the next process."

We stepped out of the workshop to get some fresh air.

At the new training ground, the NPC guards were training.

They're already using the training ground.

I've seen them on the stone walls, at the gate, and in the watchtowers at the boundary between the western forest and the grassland.

But when I watched the training, I could see the difference in skill.

There were a few NPCs who looked unbeatable at first glance.

Oh, let's end the break now.

"Then, let's move on to the next process. How about assembly?"

"Sure."

The components we'll use were made by NPCs before yesterday.

The surface coating is already dry.

They're all quality C, which is impressive.

The assembly is done with a wooden mallet, but it seems they use resin as an adhesive in the mortise holes.

It's rosin, or pine resin.

I thought it would be a simple matter of putting them together, but the task of hammering them together with the mallet is surprisingly difficult.

The resin overflows or doesn't adhere properly.

Especially the tenon joint parts are challenging.

The quality of the first one I made was D+.

This won't do.

I disassembled the components, wiped the assembly parts, and started over.

This time, I'll boost my stats.

I used Physical Enchantment Aqua to boost my dexterity.

Then I used the woodworking making skill for assembly.

What was the result?

After all that, it was only quality C.

I was a bit disappointed.

This is difficult.

But I can't compromise on quality C.

Physical Enchantment skills only last about 15 minutes.

I have plenty of MP.

I'll keep using them as the effects wear off.

《Your [Water Magic] has leveled up based on your past actions!》

《Your [Identification] has leveled up based on your past actions!》

I've been using them quite a bit, so they've leveled up.

But compared to summoning magic, the progress is slow.

The next one to level up might be earth magic.

It feels like it's been a long time since earth magic reached level 3.

And identification has leveled up.

Well, I've been checking the quality of items I've been involved with.

"Can I leave the rest to you?"

After clearing the large lunch, Nils gave me this instruction.

Of course, I'll take it on.

Currently, it takes me over an hour to finish one chair.

How many chairs' worth of components are piled in front of me?

Even if I can't finish them all today, I'll try to finish as many as possible.

Let's get to it.

"Let's call it a day here. Keith, you can go home now."

"Eh?"

It was 2:00 PM when Nils said this.

It's too early to finish work.

Of course, the work isn't all done.

"Is something wrong?"

"They're setting up the training ground for the tournament. We might have to pause chair-making for now."

"I have time, and I can help with other tasks."

"No, Keith, that's enough for today."

"Eh?"

"I'm listening. You're participating in the tournament, right? It's better to have time to prepare."

Oh.

Did I make him worry?

"Go ahead. You can finish work early today. The reward won't change anyway."

"Ah."

What should I do?

If I want to kill time, I can just go hunting.

I'll take the early leave gratefully.

"Understood. I'll take you up on your offer."

"Sure. See you tomorrow morning."

"Sure."

I left the workshop immediately.

Recently, the opportunities for Residual Moon and Helix to hunt have decreased.

I'll go hunting around the western forest.

I left the town of Remto and headed to the village of Legias.

My target is the rampaging silver pheasant along the road.

If I'm lucky, I might encounter a stray horse.

《You have 2 new announcements. Would you like to check them?》

While moving on Residual Moon, I received another announcement.

Two more.

I checked the subject lines.

《Tournament application deadline! The number of participants has reached the limit!》

《Announcement for tournament participants》

I decided to at least read the first one.

《The number of applicants for the tournament has reached the limit! Individual match schedules will be notified to each participant.》

That's all.

I'll check the next one too.

《To Mr. Keith: Your first match is scheduled for 9:30 AM on the first day of the preliminaries at the new training ground G.》

The attached image data was a map to the new training ground.

I know.

I was there just now.

I closed the message window and galloped along the road.

No prey was coming my way.

The players around me were hunting them all.

The grassland has become an unsuitable hunting ground.

Once I entered the forest, I could finally start hunting.

I continued hunting between the village of Legias and the forest watchtower.

I mostly faced rampaging silver pheasants (female), but then I encountered the perfect opponent.

Well, I found and pulled it out forcefully.

A stray horse.

It's a summoned monster.

It's a bit forceful, but this is the most suitable monster for a good fight in this area.

No, it's the toughest, no doubt.

It immediately charged at me.

I cast a spell I had prepared.

"Physical Enchantment Aqua!"

When fighting this monster on horseback, boosting dexterity is still essential.

I chose and cast the next spell.

Residual Moon managed to avoid the monster's charge.

This monster is still fast.

Well, it's a horse.

I chased the monster while casting spells.

"Wind Cutter!"

It hit the hind legs, and the stray horse's legs stopped for a moment.

Then Helix and Obsidian attacked from above.

The stray horse, hit by Residual Moon's charge, rolled over and tumbled into the forest, hitting the roots of a tree.

Helix and Obsidian continued their pursuit as the stray horse tried to stand up.

I dismounted Residual Moon and joined the pursuit.

I switched the bat in my left hand to hidden claws.

I mounted the stray horse's neck and punched it with the hidden claws.

I pulled and tore it when it lightly pierced.

This is a standard use of hidden claws.

I suppressed the horse's attempt to lift its head with my right palm while using the hidden claws in my left hand.

I did it again.

As I repeated the attacks, the stray horse's movements slowed.

The HP bar was down to 20%.

Hidden claws aren't good for dealing large amounts of damage, but causing status effects is enough.

I put my right knee on the horse's neck.

I held its mouth with my left arm and applied my weight.

I twisted it quickly.

"Alright!"

With a shout, I leaned forward, using the principle of a lever to twist.

Then I did a forward roll to complete the twist.

There was a satisfying crack.

The HP bar of the stray horse disappeared.

Yeah.

Against a stray horse, this method is easy to finish it off.

We took almost no damage.

《A skill link has been established! [Ice Magic] has been added to the list of available magic skills.》

Eh?

I didn't level up any skills in this battle.

Yet, a new magic skill became available.

Ice magic?

I quickly checked the acquisition screen.

Sure enough, [Ice Magic] was there.

It requires 3 bonus points.

What should I do?

What should I do?

Of course, I'll acquire it.

I activated it immediately and checked the spell list.

Freeze Touch (Ice Magic)

Melt Ice (Ice Magic)

Delay (Ice Magic)

There are three spells.

No enchantment spells.

Freeze Touch can only be used by touching or pointing at the target, but it freezes the target to below freezing.

It also deals damage, so it might be more useful than the fire magic spell Pyrokinesis.

Melt Ice seems to melt ice.

It's not a spell for combat.

It's a convenient spell like Dowsing in earth magic.

Delay is effective even on distant targets.

It's a spell that reduces agility.

It has a similar effect to my hidden claws.

The casting time for the Delay spell is longer, but being able to use it at a distance is a big advantage.

It's a spell to reduce the combat power of the opponent, the opposite of Physical Enchantment.

Oh.

I need to loot the stray horse's body.

Wild horse hide and horse meat.

I put them in the [Item Box].

Yeah.

Let me organize my thoughts.

My head is getting a bit confused.

[Two-Weapon Wielding] should have become available when a skill leveled up.

If my memory serves, it was [Staff] and [Precision Handling].

In the case of [Ice Magic], it became available in a different pattern from [Two-Weapon Wielding].

What could have caused this?

There doesn't seem to be any clear hint.

It's a mystery.

There's no point in worrying about something I don't understand.

Let's continue hunting.

The rampaging silver pheasants (female) are no longer satisfying, so I continued hunting using the Call Monster.

My target is still the stray horse, but there are too few.

When that happens, I also fight the rampaging silver pheasants (male).

By moving around and using the Call Monster, I managed to summon a few stray horses.

Once I got used to it, the stray horses became a good opponent.

The items I get are also good.

When I defeated the fourth one, the announcement I was hoping for came.

《Your [Staff] has leveled up from this battle victory!》

《Your [Joint Lock] has leveled up from this battle victory!》

《You have acquired the martial art Neck Lock from [Joint Lock]!》

《Your [Summoning Magic] has leveled up from this battle victory!》

《Your [Coordination] has leveled up from this battle victory!》

《Your [Horse Riding] has leveled up from this battle victory!》

Now, which one of these is the most exciting? Summoning magic, of course.

I can now summon one more new monster.

What should I summon next?

It's a tough decision.

It was almost 6:00 PM.

After the announcements, I couldn't find any stray horses and continued hunting the rampaging silver pheasants (male).

I was also earning a good amount of silver pheasant feathers.

The Call Monster is really convenient.

It's a waste of MP during exploration, but it's very effective for grinding experience.

That's good, but...

It's time to sell the accumulated items.

I'll head to the village of Legias.

If things go well, I can sell the items to Fina.

Then dinner.

After that, I'll go hunting at night as usual.

Since I'll be alternating between the horse Residual Moon and the hawk Helix, I'll decide on the new summoned monster at that time.

It would be good to consult about the ice magic.

I feel a bit lighter in my heart.

Main Character: Keith

Race: Human, Male, Race Level 7

Occupation: Summoner (Summoner) Level 6

Remaining Bonus Points: 8

Set Skills:

Staff Level 6 (↑1) Blunt Level 3 Kick Level 3 Joint Lock Level 4 (↑1) Throw Level 3

Dodge Level 3 Block Level 3 Summoning Magic Level 7 (↑1)

Light Magic Level 3 Wind Magic Level 4 Earth Magic Level 3 Water Magic Level 4 (↑1)

Fire Magic Level 3 Dark Magic Level 3 Ice Magic Level 1 (New!)

Alchemy Level 4 Pharmacist Level 3 Glassworking Level 3 Woodworking Level 2

Coordination Level 6 (↑1) Appraisal Level 5 Identification Level 6 (↑1) Insight Level 1 Cold Resistance Level 3

Grapple Level 5 Horse Riding Level 5 (↑1) Precision Handling Level 5 Jump Level 1

Heat Resistance Level 3 Climbing Level 3 Two-Weapon Wielding Level 2 Mental Fortitude Level 1

Equipment:

Kay's Bat × 2 Snow Leopard Hidden Claws × 3 Hare Chest Armor + Series

Snow Ape Arm Guards Wild Horse Boots + Snow Ape Leather Helmet Backpack

Item Box × 2

Held Items:

Skinning Knife

Titles:

Old Summoner's Apprentice, Forest Guardian's Proof, Seeker of Moderation

Summoned Monsters:

Volf Wolf Level 5 (Resting)

Residual Moon Horse Level 3

Helix Hawk Level 3

Obsidian Owl Level 4

Jean Bat Level 4 (Resting)

Jerrick Wood Golem Level 3 (Resting)