Chapter 64

Arriving at the village of Regias.

Rick and I immediately head to the locations of his stall and Yuka's food cart.

The time is 4:30 PM, a bit early for dinner.

As soon as we arrive, Mio rushes to help with the food preparations.

Reina helps to move the contents of the covered wagon to the storage area behind the stall.

They are quite experienced at this.

And there is a familiar face behind the food cart.

It's Faye.

Why is a glassworker here?

"Hey, it seems you've been busy."

"It's been a while. Why are you here?"

"I don't just stay cooped up in the glass workshop. I came here to level up, you know."

"Oh, you know each other?"

It seems Feina has just arrived.

From there, it's just casual conversation.

A few people look surprised when they hear that I've been making potion bottles at the glass workshop, but I'll ignore them.

"Good evening."

Helga and Shinohara join us.

This must be what Feina mentioned earlier.

The talk about forming a verification team.

"Saki, are we all here now?"

"For today, this is the best we can do. We all have our schedules."

Feina looks around at everyone.

"I think Saki has already informed you, but we need your cooperation to verify the conditions for obtaining new magic."

"Of course."

"No problem at all."

"It's fine."

Faye, Helga, and Shinohara respond.

"Let me confirm one thing. What are your elemental magic compositions? I know it might be difficult, but please."

Faye starts.

"In my case, it's Fire Magic and Water Magic. Fire is Level 5, and Water is Level 4."

"Have you picked up any new magic?"

"Of course not. I usually use Resist Fire and Physical Enchantment Aqua together, but nothing new."

Next is Shinohara.

"In my case, Water Magic is Level 5, and Wind Magic is Level 4. Nothing unusual in combat or production."

Feina prompts the next person with a look.

It's Helga.

"I have Wind Magic at Level 4 and Earth Magic at Level 4. Water Magic is still Level 3, and I usually don't use it."

Not use it?

What does that mean?

"Saki, can you confirm as well?"

"I have Water Magic at Level 4 and Earth Magic at Level 4. I only use Water Magic for production and Earth Magic for combat."

"Based on what Keith told us, there's a possibility that these four can obtain new magic."

Feina confirms with everyone.

I raise my hand.

"Excuse me, can I ask a question?"

I add 'sensei' in my mind.

It's better to ask and be embarrassed than to pretend to know something I don't.

"What does 'not using' mean?"

The atmosphere becomes tense.

Here we go again.

I receive an explanation.

It turns out I was the only one who didn't know.

The term 'not using' refers to intentionally deactivating various skills.

You can check the 'standby skill' option in each skill's settings.

You can also collectively 'deactivate' or 'reactivate' skills.

I tried it myself.

I didn't know such a feature existed.

The benefit is that deactivating a skill can promote the growth of other skills.

For production skills, support skills, and defensive or evasion skills, deactivating them doesn't have much meaning.

The issue is with weapon and magic skills.

My situation illustrates this.

The only magic skill that has grown properly is Summoning Magic.

But if I were to deactivate a skill now, I wouldn't.

It's too much trouble.

It's fine even if they're set; they don't get in the way.

"Let's get back to the topic."

I apologize for taking up everyone's time.

Please proceed.

"The verification team will consist of Faye, Shinohara, Helga, Saki, and myself, along with Reina."

"I want to come too!"

"Mio, I need you to take care of the food cart and stall. We have enough front-line fighters with three people."

"Mmm."

Mio looks dissatisfied but seems to understand.

"And Keith, I'd like you to come as well. We might need your input suddenly."

"That's fine."

"Oh, if we form a 'Union,' we'd like to come too!"

Adele raises her hand and says this.

Is that okay?

"You want to come?"

"We've fought in the forest a few times with Keith leading us."

"We even got a title on the grassland!"

"Besides, our racial level and Summoning Magic level have both increased. I think we can be of help."

"Keith, what do you think?"

Feina, are you asking me?

If they've leveled up around this time, they should be around Level 5.

With the right equipment, they should be able to handle the event.

"Their combat ability should be fine."

"Right. Then let's form three teams for the 'Union.'"

Everyone silently agrees.

Adele seems unusually excited, but will she be okay?

"The location is the labyrinth deep in the forest. Let's log out and log back in now. Meet back here in an hour."

"What about dinner?"

"It's a bit early, but let's eat together after logging back in."

"Agreed!"

Everyone laughs at Adele's enthusiasm.

She's so childish, but it's rather endearing.

I'll also set up my team for the labyrinth.

I'll leave Obsidian and recall Crescent and Helix.

I'll summon Jericho at the entrance to the forest labyrinth.

First, I summon Guard Oni.

"A new summoned monster?"

Irina immediately shows interest.

I think I could summon 'Oni' because I identified my master's summoned monster.

It's worth showing them.

"Yes, it's an Oni. His name is Guard Oni."

"Roach?"

"K?"

No, that's not it.

Adele and Irina are terrible.

Irina is slightly better with the censored version.

"Guard as in protection, and Oni, so Guard Oni."

"No way."

"Doesn't the name sound bad?"

Hmm.

Do they not know about En no Gyoja?

En no Gyoja, also known as En no Ozunu, served two Oni, Zenki and Goki.

Later, they were sometimes written as Senki and Goki.

They probably don't know.

Well, let's get to the main event.

What should my eighth summoned monster be?

I bring up the virtual window with the list of summoned monsters and select the line below Guard Oni.

The candidate list hasn't changed since I summoned Guard Oni.

Wolf

Horse

Hawk

Owl

Wood Puppet

Bat

Wood Golem

Beast Ape

Oni

Red Fox

Tiger

Viper

Skeleton

Slime

It's a tough choice.

I want a front-line fighter.

I could add another of the monsters I already have, but that wouldn't be interesting.

Alright, I've decided.

"Summon Monster!"

A monster appears in the magic circle on the ground.

It's a bit larger than me.

Its body, which suggests strong muscles, is covered in short, thick fur.

Its fangs and eyes are as fierce as Guard Oni's.

I chose Beast Ape.

It's an ape, but it seems dignified.

I'll give it a name.

Summoned Monster

Senki, Beast Ape Lv1

Dexterity: 9

Agility: 16

Intelligence: 4

Strength: 24

Vitality: 24

Spirit: 4

Skills

Punch, Kick, Throw, Block, Dodge, Climb

Hmm.

It's a very suitable stat for a front-line fighter.

Compared to Jericho, its agility is higher, which is a key point.

It doesn't quite match Jericho in strength and vitality, though.

Still, what can it throw?

When I touch it, its muscles are impressive.

"Ugh, it's fluffy but not soft."

"Adele, that's not the point. We have more summoning options now, so don't say things like that!"

Good job, Irina.

Go ahead, go ahead.

I can only smile wryly.

"So, what new summoning will you do?"

Irina doesn't seem to be hesitating.

She answers immediately.

"I've already decided. It's a Wood Golem."

"Hmm."

"It's difficult to move in the forest, so I plan to switch to it at the entrance to the labyrinth."

Irina returns Rote Kaiser and summons a tiger.

So her team now consists of a snake, tiger, eagle, horse, and golem.

Strengthening the front line is a good choice.

What about Adele?

I look at her.

She avoids my gaze.

No way.

She's not going to make it fluffy again, is she?

Her current team is a tiger, horse, wolf, and fox.

If she's going to team up with Irina, she shouldn't make choices that will be a burden.

"By the way, you should also consider playing alone when you're not with Irina."

"Ugh, I'll go with an owl then."

That's right.

It's good to have an aerial summon.

Adele returns her horse, Maa-chan, and summons an owl.

She seems to be muttering to herself, probably trying to decide on a name.

I can guess what it will be.

I'll bet it's Fuu-chan.

"I've decided! His name is Fuu-chan!"

Irina smiles wryly.

There was no need to worry.

That's how it went.

Everyone logs out and logs back in one by one.

I don't need to do that.

I peek into a workshop in Regias that deals with wood.

Of course, Guard Oni and Senki are staying behind.

At the workshop, I negotiate and buy some scraps of wood.

They also generously sell me glue and thread that I forgot to buy in Remto.

The old man running the workshop was very kind.

As a bonus, he made me a sample arrow using obsidian and a grassland eagle's wing.

It's quality B, which is impressive.

It's like magic.

I'll keep this obsidian arrow as a sample.

I wander around the village and return to find everyone gathered.

"We're all here!"

"Let's have dinner together."

The dishes Mio and Yuka serve are ratatouille and horse meat stew, which I've had before.

They taste especially good after a portable lunch.

I forgot to use [Appraisal] again.

I realize this after finishing the meal.

"Let's go then."

"Be careful."

We leave the village of Regias as Feina and Rick exchange words.

It's been a while since I've teamed up with other players.

Especially in such a large group.

And there's the verification to consider.

There's a strange sense of excitement.

In the forest, we encounter a few Rampaging Silver (female) but otherwise make it through without issues.

At the entrance to the labyrinth, Irina and I each summon a Wood Golem.

Of course, I return Helix first.

"I'll name this one Goliath."

Irina names her Wood Golem.

Do you know the origin?

Yes, it's a brave name, but I prefer Guard Oni.

Is this a difference in sensibility?

Adele returns her red fox, Ki-chan, and summons her tiger, Mi-chan.

She seems to be focusing on attack power.

"Let's go first."

Feina's party takes the lead.

Next is Adele and Irina's party.

My party is at the rear.

The three parties use three Flash Lights to illuminate the surroundings.

One of them is, of course, my spell.

I've cast Noctovision on myself, Senki, and Jericho as a precaution.

In a 'Union' of this size, there can be back attacks.

It's terrible to be attacked by another monster while fighting in front.

Flash Lights alone can create blind spots, so it's just a precaution.

After the arena, my HP and MP are fully recovered.

Even considering the spells I used while hunting stray horses, I have plenty of room to spare.

I can also see Feina's party in action.

I'm interested in that too.

The route we're taking is the puzzle-solving route of the labyrinth.

I'm the only one in this group who has cleared the boss of this labyrinth.

It's not bad to tag along.

Feina's party seems to have encountered a monster.

I'll watch them in action.

"Move left! Pursue!"

"Right is done! One more!"

"Twinshot!"

"I'll stop the movement, so please pursue!"

I have to say, it's quite a coordinated play.

This is the first time Faye has joined Feina's party, but it's not noticeable at all.

In a word, it's impressive.

Most importantly, Feina's instructions are precise.

The front line is centered around Feina, who wields a hand axe and shield.

To her left is Saki, with a standard combination of a short sword and shield.

To her right is Faye, also with a one-handed sword and shield.

The back line consists of Reina, Helga, and Shinohara.

All of them are archers.

Reina and Shinohara have higher equipment performance than Helga, which is why the formation is like this.

In terms of magic ability, Reina is the highest, followed by Helga and then Shinohara.

Shinohara deals the most damage with arrows.

Reina has the highest accuracy, as expected of an elf.

Arrows can be used to stop and intimidate, but they are not very effective against the monsters here.

The Fungus we're fighting now is manageable, but the Branch Golem will be tough.

That's why I brought extra obsidian arrows.

It doesn't take long to defeat the five Fungus.

Next is Adele and Irina.

They encounter four Branch Golems in the central passage.

Their party formation is quite straightforward.

The front line is centered around a Wood Golem, with two tigers on either side.

The back line consists of Adele and Irina supporting with arrows, and an owl acting as a roving attacker.

The Wood Golem is strong enough even at Level 1.

With Physical Enchantment Earth, it's more than strong enough.

The attack power of the two tigers is also impressive.

The four Branch Golems are defeated without much trouble.

Well done.

And now it's my turn.

The opponent is six Branch Golems.

"Aren't there a bit too many?"

"It's fine, really."

"I think we can handle it."

Feina shows concern, but Adele and Irina immediately reassure her.

Why are you speaking for me?

Oh well, let's proceed as usual.

No, there is a difference.

I have Senki.

I cast Physical Enchantment Earth on Senki and Jericho to enhance their defense.

Guard Oni will support with obsidian arrows from the back.

The monsters approach slowly, giving me plenty of time to cast spells.

Next.

I use Root Snare to trip the monster at the front.

At the same time, I and Senki move.

We attack the monsters.

I start with a stop.

I let go of the rod I'm holding and throw it.

Then I throw it at the next monster.

And the next one.

I throw the one that gets up onto the one that's down.

While I'm stopping them, Jericho will finish off the ones on the ground.

I can see Senki in action.

In terms of power and defense, Jericho is clearly superior.

But Senki has speed.

He's faster than me.

His stats shouldn't be much different from mine, but he moves with incredible agility.

His attacks are merciless.

He's really smashing them.

Branch Golems are made of wood, but they're incredibly hard.

I finish off the last one by throwing it.

How many times did I throw it?

It was good practice.

《You have gained a level in [Wood Magic] due to your victory in this battle!》

Hmm.

This one leveled up first.

I do use it more often compared to Ice Magic and Lightning Magic.

But I don't think the difference is that big.

Ice Magic and Lightning Magic should be close to leveling up too.

After peeling the logs, we switch the lead.

But Feina's expression is strange.

"Keith, I just need to confirm something."

"Is something wrong?"

Faye seems to be asking me something on behalf of the group.

"Are you really a Summoner?"

"Seems so?"

How many times today?

I'm definitely a Summoner.

Don't I have my summoned monsters right here?

"See, there was no problem."

"This is Keith's daily routine."

Adele and Irina's comments are like this.

You guys are hiding something, aren't you?

"I've heard about it, but it's even more than I imagined."

"Strange!"

"Isn't this weird?"

Everyone is being harsh.

I just fought normally, didn't I?

I used spells as a proper mage.

What's so weird about it?

"Well, I've been doing this for a while."

What else can I say?

And stop it.

Stop looking at me like I'm some weirdo.

It hurts, you know.

Please understand.

Moving on.

Feina seems to have regained her composure first.

"We shouldn't waste time. Let's move on to the main topic."

"Then what's next?"

"Yes. Let's fight the monsters while using spells in succession."

That's right.

This is the condition most suspected to be the trigger.

Keith

Race: Human, Male, Race Level 8

Class: Summoner (Summoner) Level 7

Bonus Points Remaining: 11

Set Skills

Staff Lv6, Punch Lv4, Kick Lv4, Joint Lock Lv4, Throw Lv4

Dodge Lv4, Block Lv4, Summoning Magic Lv8

Light Magic Lv3, Wind Magic Lv4, Earth Magic Lv4, Water Magic Lv4

Fire Magic Lv3, Dark Magic Lv3, Ice Magic Lv1, Lightning Magic Lv1

Wood Magic Lv2 (↑1)

Alchemy Lv4, Pharmacist Lv3, Glassworking Lv3, Carpentry Lv3

Coordination Lv6, Appraisal Lv6, Identification Lv6, Insight Lv2, Cold Resistance Lv3

Grapple Lv5, Horsemanship Lv5, Precision Operation Lv6, Jump Lv2

Heat Resistance Lv3, Climbing Lv3, Dual Wield Lv3, Mental Fortitude Lv3, Fast Chanting Lv2

Equipment

Kay's Rod ×2, Kay's Tonfa ×2, Snow Leopard's Hidden Claw ×3

Wild Horse Leather Armor +, Snow Ape Arm Guard, Wild Horse Boots +

Snow Ape Leather Helmet, Rampaging Horse Belt +, Backpack, Item Box ×2

Items

Skinning Knife, Carpentry Tools

Titles

Apprentice to the Old Summoner, Proof of Forest Guardian, Seeker of Moderation

Spell List

Summoned Monsters

Volf, Wolf Lv6

Crescent, Horse Lv4

Helix, Hawk Lv4

Obsidian, Owl Lv4

Jean, Bat Lv4

Jericho, Wood Golem Lv3

Guard Oni, Oni Lv2

Senki, Beast Ape Lv1 (New!)

Dexterity: 9

Agility: 16

Intelligence: 4

Strength: 24

Vitality: 24

Spirit: 4

Skills

Punch, Kick, Throw, Block, Dodge, Climb