Chapter 96

《You have 3 messages from your friends.》

When I logged in, I had messages waiting for me.

And there were three of them.

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

On top of that, there were system announcements.

And there were two of them.

While I was curious about the messages, I decided to check the system announcements first.

The first one was the usual one.

《Stat Update Notice: The data has been updated to the end of yesterday!》

It was the usual one.

I displayed the raw data on a virtual window and checked the bottom.

The total number of players was just below 35,000.

Well, it seems to be increasing.

I checked the next system announcement.

《Regarding Inquiries about Monster Appearances》

What could it be?

I decided to read it quickly.

‘We have received numerous inquiries regarding the matter, but there is no information to disclose from the management side.’

I really read it quickly.

I thought this was a bit odd.

What is the management thinking?

The three messages were from Lambda, Irena, and Adel.

I decided to start with Lambda’s.

‘The other party at the shrine went hunting before dawn and immediately returned to life.’

Hmm.

I feel sorry for them, but I don’t know who they are.

‘According to the story, they were killed in one hit from behind, and no player identified the opponent.’

What is that?

It sounds like a PK or PKK job.

‘We will go hunting around the shrine when it gets light. It feels ominous.’

Yeah.

The management’s indifferent response is also ominous.

I replied with an acknowledgment via message.

Next, it’s from Irena.

‘My summoning magic has reached level 7. The new companion is a wolf named Hauru.’

The screenshot attached shows a wolf that looks just like the former Volf.

I see.

She’s as meticulous as ever.

‘Also, Adel can add a new summon, but she’s struggling to decide what to summon. Please give her some advice.’

Of course.

She’s fixated on fluffy creatures.

‘There are also anomalies in the W2 map. Brown Bears are appearing individually. Be careful.’

Even in the W2 map.

Brown Bears are monsters I encountered in the N1W2 map.

What does it mean for them to appear beyond the map zones they usually inhabit?

Is this an event?

Finally, I checked the last message.

It was from Adel.

‘I’m struggling to decide what to summon. Fluffy creatures are the best!’

What a person.

I’m speechless, as expected.

But it’s true to her character.

But be happy.

Even if multiple summon creatures overlap, it’s not a problem.

At least with wolves, up to three are definitely okay.

I attached the data from when Volf changed classes, which I had saved previously.

I added a note saying, ‘I think wolves are good.’

That’s it.

She’ll understand.

I also replied to Irena and then proceeded to organize my items, which I couldn’t do yesterday.

By the evening, I had a lot of logs, charcoal, and mushrooms from the forest labyrinth.

I’ll sell all of these.

Today, I plan to receive two processed gems from Margrid and a cold-weather outfit from Ren-Ren.

After that, I’ll move to the N1W1 map.

There are various sources of anxiety, but it feels good to have a clear plan.

I’ll finish my preparations and set out.

I’ll replenish my wound-sealing herbs in the basement.

Just in case, I’ll take more than usual.

I think they grow near the forest in the N1W1 map, but I can’t guarantee I’ll have time to gather them.

Consider it insurance.

My summon creature lineup will be Volf, Crescent, Helix, and Obsidian.

Priority is on movement.

The weather seems to be better today.

The morning sky still had several stars visible.

I moved while paying attention to my surroundings, using Crescent to call out.

If Black Bears are coming from the adjacent map, the monsters around here might change their behavior.

There might also be PK players.

Maybe I’m overthinking it, but better safe than sorry.

Actually, the road to Regias Village was as usual.

The only difference was that a group of guards, who I assume were from Regias Village, were heading towards Remto Town in a hurry.

We almost collided when we crossed paths.

I don’t want to have a traffic accident here.

Parties hunting along the road in the morning were also as usual.

Among them were two summoners.

They seemed to have just started the game, and each had only one summon creature.

Their summon creatures were an owl and a wolf.

They were struggling against a female Silver Kite.

I hope they do well.

I tried using a call creature near Regias Village.

Black Bears?

There seem to be about two.

Everything else seems normal.

However, I saw a few groups of female Silver Kites, Parallel Raccoons, and Stray Horses forming small groups.

Not all of them, but some were.

Black Bears are much stronger compared to the other monsters in this area.

Stray Horses can’t be directly compared to Black Bears, but if you just want to hunt them, they’re about the same.

So, it’s not a big deal.

But for new players, it’s not that simple.

I also heard that Snow Apes are appearing around the northern camp.

I remember fighting a Snow Ape in front of my master.

It will be a significant threat.

Since I used the call creature, I didn’t want to waste it, so I called a Stray Horse.

It’s no longer a challenge with my current lineup.

I felt good after skinning and butchering it.

I bought breakfast from a food stand as usual and ate it behind the stand.

Incidentally, the black bear liver I sold yesterday was used as a paste in the bread.

It’s delicious.

While drinking tea, Margrid and Ren-Ren sat across from me at my table.

They hadn’t eaten breakfast yet.

“Good morning, Keith. Here’s the item you requested. Can we talk after you finish eating?”

“Of course.”

Margrid took out the iolite embedded in the base.

“I’ll give you the item first. You can try it on if you want.”

Ren-Ren handed me the cold-weather outfit.

I’ll do the [Appraisal] while they eat.

[Material Item] Iolite Quality C+ Rarity 2 Weight 0+

Also known as Water Sapphire. A deep blue gem.

It’s not particularly rare, but it’s known to help with spell casting when processed.

It’s been shaped into an oval and polished, and embedded in a silver base.

[Custom]

The base has a spiral rune pattern carved into it.

The base has a different pattern this time.

I took off my leather armor and placed the silver necklace on the table.

I arranged the two iolites on the outside of the blue spinel and put them on.

How does the color balance look?

It’s pretty good.

I don’t have an eye for aesthetics, but it’s not bad.

Let’s see how it’s changed with [Appraisal].

[Decorative Item: Necklace] Silver Necklace+ Quality C+ Rarity 3

M·AP+11 Weight 1 Durability 120

A necklace made of silver beads. It’s quite durable for a silver chain.

It’s been reinforced for spell casting.

[Custom]

It’s been reinforced with a base embedded with a tsavorite.

It’s been reinforced with a base embedded with a blue spinel.

It’s been reinforced with a base embedded with an iolite.

*Spell MP consumption is slightly reduced, resistance to status effects is slightly increased, and spell range is slightly increased.

The spell range has increased.

M·AP has increased by 1 point, but it’s a solid improvement.

It’s getting better and better.

“Hey, show us!”

After showing it to the two who were eating, I put it on and equipped my leather armor.

Next, I’ll appraise the cold-weather outfit.

[Armor Item: Leather Armor] Brown Bear Cold-Weather Outfit+ Quality C+ Rarity 4

Def+1 Weight 4 Durability 70 Cold Resistance +12 Dexterity -1 Agility -2

A cold-weather outfit made from brown bear fur. It’s a bit stiff but has high insulation.

[Custom]

The collar and cuffs are made of spotted fox fur, increasing cold resistance.

I tried it on over my leather helmet, leather armor, and other equipment.

It’s a type that completely covers the equipment.

Even with some protrusions, the inside is soft leather, so it fits well.

The collar is very warm, which is a relief.

However, there seems to be a penalty to dexterity and agility.

I guess I’ll have to compromise on that.

“What do you think?”

“It’s good, it’s good.”

“Turn around and show us the back!”

I followed the women’s instructions and did a fashion show.

But the true value will only be known when I use it.

“By the way, what do you think about the event?”

The question came from Margrid after she finished eating.

Yuka and Rick also joined the conversation while working the counter.

It seems everyone is concerned.

The production guild members have been instructed to focus on production activities as much as possible.

There are nearly 20 members of the Players Guild from Fina’s place in this village.

They are either staying in the village or logging out.

It seems to depend on the information from outside.

It seems they were planning to send a few more production guild members to the W2 map, but that has been canceled.

The log cultivation test near Regias Village was also supposed to be moved, but that has been canceled as well.

For the time being, they will support the raiding group.

“Well, I can spend a few days on jewelry work, so I’m good for now.”

“Me too. I have a lot of bear fur, so I can focus on production for a while.”

I see.

It’s good to know my material supply was useful.

I also mentioned the mini-event.

They seemed interested, but the current situation is that the village’s Players Guild members don’t have enough strength to go on an expedition to the forest labyrinth.

The members of the Players Guild in this village still need to level up.

Fina and the others can’t return from other maps, which is a bit of a problem.

Actually, isn’t it tough for Fina and the others?

Without supplies, they might starve.

They might be able to get meat, but vegetables would be a problem.

“I honestly want them to come back.”

That was Rick’s comment.

I sold a large amount of logs, charcoal, and mushrooms, but the amount was completely different from yesterday, about half.

Still, my wallet was quite full.

I decided to buy more equipment for Unmei.

If I use it with the Hukki, I might need more shields.

I’ll also look for a mace.

[Weapon Item: Mace] Ball Peen Hammer Quality C Rarity 1

AP+5 Damage 4 Weight 3 Durability 100

Originally a hammer for processing.

It’s a weapon that’s easy to handle despite its long handle.

[Armor Item: Small Shield] Cedar Small Shield+ Quality C+ Rarity 2

Def+7 Weight 2 Durability 130

A small shield made of layered cedar. It’s light and easy to handle.

[Custom]

It’s reinforced with a thin iron plate and bark on the surface.

I bought these two items.

The small shield is the same as the one I bought before.

I had been using the Anger Pickaxe temporarily, but the range was a bit short.

Even a small difference in range is important.

Also, there’s a sense of weight when you hold it.

You can feel the power of a weapon that relies on weight and impact.

I also bought portable food.

I bought two meals from the food stand.

Since I bought a lot, the amount exceeded what I received earlier.

But that’s fine.

I have some leeway now.

I set out from Regias Village.

The number of parties heading to the forest didn’t seem to have decreased.

From the earlier conversation, it seems the situation inside the forest labyrinth hasn’t changed.

Yeah.

I confirmed that yesterday as well.

But the mini-event is different.

I quickly passed through the forest labyrinth and reached the vine slope.

Here, I returned Crescent and summoned Rig.

Rig skillfully slipped through the gaps in the vines and climbed up.

He’s really reliable here.

I encountered a fair number of monsters on the way to the fork, but I defeated them without any problems.

The item stripping was also going well.

I reached the fork.

Just standing here is cold.

Let’s try the cold-weather outfit.

I equipped the cold-weather outfit and climbed a bit up the path leading to the mountain top.

I returned Rig.

Are Volf, Helix, and Obsidian okay?

They were fine.

I was the weakest.

I climbed the mountain path without encountering any monsters.

It’s more like a ridge.

I could see patches of snow here and there, but there was none on the ridge.

The wind was very cold.

But the cold-weather outfit seems to be quite effective.

I’m fine.

I can make it.

Then I encountered Blitz.

Five of them.

For a moment, I felt a sense of danger, but the group was passive.

They moved away from us, heading down a cliff that looked like a sheer drop.

Impressive.

Even if I wanted to fight, I couldn’t chase them in such terrain.

Only Helix and Obsidian, who can fly, could do it.

I could also see a Snow Leopard from a distance, but it was also passive.

Are they not aggressive on the route to the mountain top?

But that’s fine.

Considering the terrain, a tough battle would be inevitable.

I’m here to test the cold-weather outfit.

I can’t keep Lambda waiting for too long.

I’ll head back.

I returned to the fork and summoned Crescent.

This time, I moved towards the plateau.

The scenery around me hadn’t changed.

But the monsters I encountered and their behavior patterns were indeed different.

The first monster I encountered on the plateau was a Snow Leopard.

And there were two of them.

“Resist Ice!”

I gave Volf ice resistance and assigned him one.

The other one was for me and Crescent.

Crescent’s speed might be better, but the Snow Leopard’s agility made it hard to