Chapter 48

"「〈Body Reinforcement〉〈Mana Circulation〉! Kent, there's an 〈Orc〉 deep to the right front, so be careful!」

「Got it!!」

Kent, who was dealing with a snake, a spider, and an 〈Orc〉, made a large jump to the left to avoid the 〈Orc〉 on the right. After confirming this, Tarte and Cocoa launched their attacks. This time, there was no time to cast 〈Goddess's Strike〉, so Tarte's two attacks and two 〈Flame Bottles〉 were used.

...Yeah, good job!

Kent's movements as the front-line fighter were better than I had anticipated. He was keeping track of the number of monsters and checking the situation with us before moving on to the next one after finishing them off. He wasn't taking any reckless actions and was steadily and surely luring and defeating the monsters. It was clear that he had studied combat thoroughly.

「One more and we'll have ten kills.」

「Yeah, let's do our best!」

Kent and Cocoa seemed to have gained a lot of confidence and were much more energetic than when they first said they would defeat the 〈Orc〉.

「Alright, 〈Goddess's Strike〉!」

「Thank you, Master!」

Tarte took out a 〈Flame Bottle〉 from her 〈Bag〉 and threw it at the 〈Orc〉 with all her might. At the same time, Cocoa also landed a hit, and the 〈Orc〉 was defeated in no time.

...The 〈Flame Bottle〉 is really strong.

If Cocoa only had 〈Fire Arrow〉 as her attack method, considering the lack of equipment, it would have taken about twenty shots, which is not very realistic.

「Phew, we managed to complete ten kills! Let's take a break for now.」

「Agreed!」

Nodding at Kent's suggestion, we decided to take a break in an open area with several tree stumps, which served as perfect seats.

While drinking tea, I remembered the dropped items. The main reason I chose 〈Orcs〉 this time was that I wanted 〈Orc's Rags〉.

「Hey, Kent, Cocoa. If it's not a problem for you two, could I have the rags from the dropped items?」

「「Huh?」」

Their voices harmonized in response to my words, and they had very puzzled expressions, probably wondering what I would do with such rags. Well, there's no girl who wants 〈Orc's Rags〉...

「I need them to make 〈Flame Bottles〉.」

「You mean the ones Tarte was throwing? These are the materials... What else do you use?」

「To make one 〈Flame Bottle〉, I need two 〈Fire Mushrooms〉, one 〈Magic Stone〉, one 〈Oil〉, one 〈Orc's Rags〉, and one 〈Empty Potion Bottle〉.」

As Tarte counted the materials on her small fingers, Kent and Cocoa's faces turned pale.

「Wait, isn't it really difficult to make just one?」

「Sure, the 〈Magic Stone〉 and 〈Oil〉 are fine, but 〈Orc's Rags〉 and 〈Fire Mushrooms〉 are expensive! You were using such expensive items to hunt, weren't you!? We were!!」

「「All the rags are Tarte's share!!」」

Their opinions were in agreement, probably because it was such a shock. Indeed, if we consider the necessary expenses, the cost of the 〈Flame Bottles〉 could be settled after the hunt, but then Kent and the others wouldn't get their share... On the other hand, not giving anything at all would be a bit too much.

「I'll take just the rags, then.」

「Yes, thank you. Kent, Cocoa.」

Tarte bowed her head in gratitude, and the two of them visibly relaxed, saying, "That's a relief."

「Actually, I feel bad because I can't do much else... Tarte's 〈Flame Bottles〉 are really strong.」

「I understand, given how expensive the items are.」

I nodded while laughing at their comments. This hunting method can't be done without money. We're easily defeating them now, but when facing high-level monsters or bosses, it will be almost impossible to defeat them with just one or two 〈Flame Bottles〉.

「But, was it good to use the 〈Flame Bottles〉...?」

「I want to become an 〈Alchemist〉 who can make 〈Potions〉, so my method of fighting is to throw 〈Potions〉.」

「I see, so your only attack skill is that.」

Kent chuckled, understanding the situation.

「In the future, if we get any items, I'll let Tarte know before selling them to the guild.」

「Thank you, that would be a great help!」

Tarte's face lit up with joy at Kent's offer. It's good to see a good relationship being built, and as her master, I'm relieved.

After hunting for a while longer, we returned to the city. We had five 〈Flame Bottles〉 left after the hunt. It would be scary to use them all in an emergency, so this is just right. Of course, our levels have also increased! I reached level 21, Tarte reached level 20, and Kent and Cocoa reached level 27. It's a bit unsatisfying, but considering this is reality and not a game, this is to be expected. Still, Kent and Cocoa were surprised by their level increases.