Chapter 37

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

We went to the bookstore and bought an alchemy dictionary.

There, I bought a book on time-space magic at a discount from a wagon sale.

After that, I bought bread and made hamburgers with the wild boar meat we hunted yesterday.

When we returned to the inn, Toya was practicing outside as part of his daily routine.

"Toya, we're back. Is there any problem?"

"Yeah, welcome back. Nothing in particular. Well, it seems they don't intend to tell the guests they have to leave by today, so it should be fine."

While it might be considered rude, they are just customers at our part-time job.

It seems we haven't become particularly close to anyone, so there's no need to cause unnecessary trouble by greeting them.

"Hmm. Ah, here's lunch."

Saying that, I took out a couple of sandwiches I had just made and handed them to Toya. They aren't really hamburgers, but more like sandwiches.

"Nice! I don't want to eat that anymore, though."

Toya took them happily and started to eat right away.

"Mmm. The bread is decent. It should last until we get home, though it's a bit bland."

I simply put the grilled meat between slices of bread, making it easier to eat by cutting slits in the meat, but that's about it.

The lack of vegetables is really a letdown.

"Maybe we should have bought some pickles?"

"…Are pickles ever bad?"

"That's… I don't know. The pickles we imagine are vinegar-soaked vegetables, but traditionally, they are lacto-fermented, which might have a strong flavor."

"Fermented foods… huh…"

Fermented foods from around the world are generally not well-received by everyone.

Even in Japan, pickles can be divisive.

Nowadays, the pickles sold in supermarkets are just soaked in a seasoning liquid, not really pickled with weights.

"I'd like to get Haruka to make some vinegar pickles."

"Agreed. That would be a safe bet."

"Well, I only have a vague idea about the pickling liquid… but I'm sure Haruka will do a great job."

I believe in her.

In the end, the troubles we were worried about didn't happen, and we were able to leave the city of Saarstadt early the next morning.

The meals, which were the same sandwiches for lunch, dinner, and breakfast, were unexpectedly well-received by Natsumi and the others, which was both heartwarming and a bit pitiful.

I almost wanted to say, "Don't worry, I'll get you some good food soon!"

Haruka will cook, but I'll try to hunt some birds or something for lunch.

"Should we walk back? Run?"

On the way here, we spent time on Tommy-related matters, so we did a full marathon, but Toya's suggestion made Haruka shake her head.

"There's no need to rush. Yuki and the others didn't leave the city, right?"

"Yeah, they couldn't prepare their equipment."

Yuki and Natsumi were wearing ordinary cloth clothes.

In RPG terms, they had the initial equipment.

The only weapon was the spear Natsumi had.

"At that wage, it would be surprising if they had better equipment."

The spear was apparently a stretch to buy at first, to avoid looking suspicious as adventurers.

But Natsumi's Spear Skill is at level 4, higher than mine.

Should I give her my spear?

"Hey, Natsumi, do you want to use my spear? You seem to be better at it than me."

Surprised by my offer, Natsumi quickly shook her head.

"No, no, I can't use such an expensive spear without contributing anything. Besides, as the saying goes, 'A good craftsman never blames his tools.'"

"Right, a bad workman blames his tools."

"Ugh! That's so mean! You're saying something I can't deny!"

"Haruka!! Naoki, you don't really think that, right!?"

Her kindness in covering for me was touching.

But I know it was a joke, so I didn't take it to heart.

"But in reality, Natsumi is the strongest in close combat among us. With the Talent for Spears and Spear Skill Level 4, plus Unarmed Combat Level 3."

That's right.

Looking at her skills alone, Natsumi is incredibly strong.

Her other skills are also high in resistance, healing, and scouting.

In a way, she seems to have the highest adaptability.

Since I share some similarities with her, I need to work hard on time-space magic to avoid becoming a lesser version of Natsumi.

"Skills are one thing, but we haven't been in actual combat yet… How about you, Haruka? What was your experience in battle?"

At this, the three of us exchanged glances and recalled our first battle.

It was against a Task Boar.

Toya faced it head-on, while Haruka and I provided support.

"I got used to it relatively quickly… I didn't have the luxury to hesitate."

"In my case, with a bow and magic, it's a bit different, but considering the cost of lodging and future expenses, I could focus on the task. After all, hunting prey means money."

"Wow, Haruka, you're so practical."

"True, hunting a boar is like money walking towards you. But I had a hard time with the butchering."

Now, we can butcher them quickly, but at first, it was tough to skin the fur and cut off the head.

Once it's a carcass, it's manageable, but the raw parts are quite intense.

"Butchering, huh. We need to get used to it too. Yuki, let's do our best."

"Ah, I have to do it too. I'm not good at it, but…"

Yuki smiled awkwardly, but she seems determined to try.

She's not the type to say, "I can't do it at all."

If she did, I'd push her without mercy, regardless of gender.

"You'll get used to it eventually. Yuki, with your Skill Copy, you could quickly become better than us by copying from Haruka."

"You can't fight without getting used to it. If you flinch at blood and guts, you'll die."

True. If someone screams, "Eek, scary!" or "Ew, gross!" during a battle, the party would likely fall apart.

"Indeed, it's tough. But coming to Saarstadt in such a short time is impressive, as expected."

"Actually, we wanted to come earlier, but we weren't sure if Natsumi and the others were in Saarstadt, and we needed to ensure our own safe travel."

"No, compared to us, you did a great job! The delay was partly my fault, but we didn't leave the city at all."

"That's true. I was grateful for your help. I was considering quitting the job and taking some risks, but your arrival was timely."

"Yeah, with that wage, there's no future."

A true black job.

"In this world, it seems that jobs anyone can do are like that…"

Natsumi smiled awkwardly.

It's a tough world.

"Well, let's walk at a normal pace. If we encounter enemies, we'll use it as a training opportunity for Natsumi and Yuki."

When Haruka said this, Yuki looked surprised.

"What!? I don't have a weapon! Besides, I don't have any weapon skills!"

"Maybe… Unarmed Combat?"

"Don't push me too hard! I only learned it from Natsumi and haven't used it!"

Haruka, placing her hand on her chin and tilting her head cutely, suggested it, but it was a tall order.

Even with some experience, using Unarmed Combat against beasts is a high bar.

"What can you do, Yuki?"

"Toya, you're asking me? I have Skill Copy. …I can use Earth Magic. Like 'Sand Spray.'"

Yuki looked at Toya with a "Really?" expression, then looked away and answered modestly.

"Blinding, right? It's not a direct attack, but it could be effective if used well."

Hmm… a bit subtle.

Not as straightforward as "Fire Arrow."

"Anything else?"

"…'Earth Manipulation'"

"Creating small holes or protrusions."

"Hey, Natsumi! Explain it better. I sound useless!"

Natsumi thought for a moment and tried to help.

"I don't think I'm wrong… I meant my explanation, not that you're useless."

"Don't rephrase it! It sounds like you have a hidden agenda!"

She didn't like it.

Yuki thrust her hand out and shook her head.

But compared to fire magic, it could be quite useful.

"Earth Manipulation… like a Snare."

"Snare, right."

"What? What's a Snare?"

Ah, Yuki and Natsumi might not know.

It's a topic that those who know will immediately understand.

"Ah, it's a classic in fantasy novels. 'Snare' means 'trap.'"

"It mainly hinders the enemy's movement, but if used well, it can be quite effective."

It's not flashy but practical.

The original had location constraints, but with Earth Magic, those should be minimal… though it might not work indoors without soil.

"I see. Even a small hole could cause a sprain or fracture if timed well."

"Sure! I can do it! I mean, I'll be able to do it!"

Will it go that smoothly?

Even "Fire Arrow" is hard to hit a fast-moving target, and timing a hole is even harder.

If it's too early, it can be avoided.

Even if the timing is right, it might be stepped over if the stride doesn't match.

Creating protrusions might be easier to trip over, but holes are more likely to cause sprains or fractures.

If used well, it could be quite dangerous.

"Then, when we find a Task Boar, we'll lure it and put Yuki in front."

"Wait, isn't that… dangerous?"

Toya showed resistance to Haruka's suggestion.

I agree. I'd oppose it too.

Natsumi, who doesn't know about Task Boars, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Task Boar? From the name, it sounds like a boar?"

"A boar with impressive tusks. Most weigh over 100 kilograms."

As soon as I explained, Yuki's face turned pale, and she shook her head.

"No way! I'll die!"

"Failure means death! But if you have that level of tension, you might try harder."

"That's too harsh, Haruka! What happened to the kind Haruka!?"

"That Haruka is dead. I am the new Haruka."

Yeah, I'm dead too.

If that's the case, I'm the new Naoki.

"True, but… I'm dead too! Not like that!"

"Then, to be kind, put Toya next to Yuki, and Natsumi in front as the main attacker, with Haruka supporting and Naoki luring the boar."

"Me? If you say so, I'll do it…"

Natsumi, a bit confused by the sudden suggestion, readied her spear, but it might break if it hits the boar's charge.

"Even if it succeeds, it's dangerous. If you fall, a 100-kilogram mass will crush you."

"Toya is right. If we need to position someone, it should be Toya, who can handle it."

"Of course, it's a joke, half-serious."

Haruka shrugged, but she was half-serious.

"Seriously, Yuki next to Toya, Natsumi in front as the main attacker, Haruka supporting, and Naoki luring the boar."

Hmm, that seems like a reasonable setup for Natsumi and Yuki's training.

I thought so, but Natsumi looked worried and spoke up.

"Isn't that dangerous for Naoki?"

"No, it's fine with boars. I've killed quite a few. In fact, I've mostly killed boars."

Our life in this world has been with boars.

If it's not a straight, long distance on flat ground, I can probably escape unharmed.

Excluding harmless animals like birds and rabbits, I've only killed a Vibe Bear once and Goblins twice.

Our strength and equipment are built on boars and Dindles.

"Oh, you haven't killed many monsters? Then, your character level isn't that high, right?"