Chapter 79

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

Discussing body enhancement in the reference room.

Reprimanding Toya for suggesting that equipping a magic sword might allow him to become a Templar.

Considering that Tommy's [Strength Enhancement] might be a form of body enhancement, deciding to talk to him about it next time.

The reference room, as its name suggests, contained not 'books' but 'documents.'

Simple compilations of a dozen or so pages bound with string. All handwritten, and from a quick glance, there were no photos or illustrations.

A bit meager, but better than nothing. Might as well start reading from the beginning.

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【Monsters】

Monsters are a general term for creatures that possess magic stones within their bodies.

They are harmful to humans, so it is desirable to slay them upon discovery, but it is also important to have the courage to retreat after calmly analyzing the strength of both sides.

There are several differences between monsters and other animals, in addition to the presence of magic stones.

One is their aggressiveness.

While animals generally do not attack unless they feel threatened, monsters are different. They will attack humans on sight, even if not provoked.

They may flee if clearly outnumbered, but lower-level monsters do not typically analyze their strength, so assuming safety just because there are more of you can be dangerous.

Another is territory.

While animals will try to drive away other animals of the same species that enter their territory, monsters often form groups with others of the same species.

Conversely, they will try to repel other species of monsters that invade their territory.

Therefore, it is rare to encounter multiple species of monsters in one area.

If multiple species coexist, it is usually because their habitats or diets differ significantly (e.g., ground-dwelling monsters and those that live in the air or underground).

However, in special environments like dungeons, these rules do not apply, so caution is necessary.

【Making Money from Monsters】

The most reliable way to make money from monsters is through their magic stones.

They are usually found in the center of the body near the heart, and sometimes in the head. They require no special skills to extract, take up little space, and are easy to store, so it is recommended to secure them whenever possible.

Some monsters, like orcs, have sellable meat and skin, but this requires butchering skills, so it is best to learn from experienced individuals.

If you do not know which parts are valuable, you may end up wasting most of a slain monster. If you have the means, it is advisable to purchase a monster encyclopedia and study it beforehand. This not only helps with post-slaying profits but also increases safety during the hunt.

If a monster has caused or is expected to cause damage, the guild may post a slaying request.

In such cases, in addition to the usual selling price, a slaying reward is paid.

Proof of slaying can be provided through the magic stone, but sometimes specific body parts are required, so it is important to check the request details.

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Hmm, I see.

This might be common knowledge for adventurers, but it's helpful to have it explained so clearly.

The rest seems to be about the monsters and animals in this area.

I'll start with the orcs, as they are the most relevant to us right now.

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【Orcs】

Orcs are monsters that resemble giant, bipedal boars.

They are over 3 meters tall and very broad. A direct charge could kill an ordinary human instantly.

They are not particularly fast, but their attacks are heavy, so it is better to avoid them rather than try to block them.

In addition to their magic stones, their skin and meat are sellable, making them efficient prey if you have the strength to slay them and the means to transport their bodies.

A higher-level variant, the Orc Leader, is said to appear when orcs form a nest of over a dozen.

They are generally about 1.5 times the size of a regular orc and are roughly four times as strong.

If you plan to face one alone, you should have the skill to defeat four regular orcs simultaneously without injury. It is safer to surround and whittle them down with a group.

Further up the hierarchy are the Orc Captain, Orc General, and Orc King.

While their size does not change much, their strength increases by a factor of four with each rank.

Underestimating them based on their size will likely result in being turned into mincemeat.

Orc Captains can be handled by a slightly higher-ranked party, but anything above that should prompt a quick retreat.

There are few visual differences, so when you encounter a higher-level orc, pay attention to the number of accompanying orcs and the size of their tusks. Generally, the higher the rank, the larger the tusks.

Once you reach the Orc General level, they are almost always accompanied by lower-level orcs, making it clear they are a higher rank. Conversely, this means you will face multiple higher-level orcs during a hunt.

According to adventurers who have encountered an Orc King, "Once you see one, the overwhelming presence makes it clear. It's almost impossible to mistake it for an Orc General or lower."

However, this adventurer was skilled enough to survive an encounter with an Orc King, so it is uncertain whether lower-ranked adventurers can accurately judge their strength.

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So, there are four higher-level variants of orcs.

If they get four times stronger with each rank... an Orc King would be the equivalent of 256 regular orcs!?

Yeah, that's not something I can take on alone.

I might be able to snipe them from a distance with magic, but unless the location is perfect, I'd be turned into mincemeat before I could finish them off.

With our current group, could we take down an Orc Leader if we all worked together? No, Natsumi could probably handle one alone. She can slay a regular orc in one hit, and even if they are four times stronger, she wouldn't be in danger of being surrounded.

With the right approach, we might be able to handle an orc nest.

Continuing to read the descriptions of animals and monsters, I noticed there weren't many entries.

Does this mean there are few monsters in this area, or should I take the advice to buy a monster encyclopedia and study it myself...?

After finishing the reading, I closed the "Local Fauna and Flora."

I don't remember all the details, but I can ask Toya for specifics when needed.

Looking over at Toya, he had finished reading "The Southern Forest" and was now reading "Herbs and Others."

I'll go with "The Eastern Forest," since that's where we are now.

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【The Eastern Forest】

This is a hunting ground for rookies in the area around the town.

Monsters do not appear near the road, so it is relatively safe to gather herbs.

Occasionally, a Tusk Boar may appear, but if you keep your distance and move slowly, it will not attack. However, if you encounter one during breeding season or when it is agitated, it may charge. In such cases, it is best to fight and try to slay it. If successful, you can sell the meat and skin. Since it is not a monster, it does not have a magic stone.

Further in, you may encounter goblins, hobgoblins, and orcs.

Goblins and hobgoblins are not a threat to rookies, but when facing orcs, it is advisable to have appropriate weapons. Cheap weapons may not even penetrate their defenses.

The boundary between goblin and orc territories is not clear, so many rookies who venture too far in are killed by orcs. It is best to avoid the monster-infested areas until you can slay a Tusk Boar in one hit.

Beyond that, the forest expands into the foothills of a mountain range.

Here, you may encounter ogres and other monsters that are beyond the capabilities of rookies. If you have the skill to enter this area, it is safer to switch to the Southern Forest for better earnings.

The mountain range to the west has not been explored, so it is not recommended to enter unless you have a lot of confidence. There is almost no information on the monsters that appear there, but the fact that adventurers capable of slaying ogres have gone missing should give you an idea of the danger.

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Hmm, it seems best to avoid the orc-infested areas for now.

The following pages provide detailed information on herbs and other plants in each area.

Ah, there's a section on orc infestations.

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【Orc Infestations】

In the Eastern Forest, orc infestations occur every few years.

When orcs that have not been slain gather and form a nest, they expand their territory and may even appear near the road.

During this period, the forest near the road becomes dangerous, so rookies should check the warning notices on the guild board and be vigilant for signs of an infestation.

If you see orcs near the forest's edge, report it to the guild immediately. This can help protect your life.

Infestations can be prevented if orcs are regularly slain, but they are not very popular due to the difficulty of transporting their bodies. Adventurers with magic bags are encouraged to take on orc slaying.

When an infestation occurs, the guild organizes a slaying event. During this time, there is assistance for transporting orcs, so adventurers with the skill to slay them are encouraged to participate. With the right skills, it can be quite profitable.

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This is similar to what Diora explained. Could she have written this? The descriptions are specific to this town and the booklet has a very homemade feel. It's easy to understand and not overly complicated.

Other sections of interest... Ah, the Great Salamander...

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【Noria River】

The river that flows east of the town of Lafan.

The Eastern Forest extends to the banks of this river.

From the eastern gate of Lafan, it takes about half a day to reach the town of Sahlstadt, which is built along the river.

The river is wide and deep, making it difficult to cross on foot, so it is best to use the ferry in Sahlstadt.

Swimming across is not recommended, as there is a risk of being attacked by monsters.

If you walk upstream for about a day, the river narrows and becomes a clear stream.

This area is home to the Great Salamander.

The Great Salamander is a prized ingredient, so if you have the confidence to capture one, it is worth the effort. As an animal, it is not particularly dangerous.

However, it must be frozen immediately after slaying to be sold, so you will need a magic user with the appropriate spell or a magic bag that can transport it in its slain state.

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A round trip would take more than two days.

And it's only 20 gold coins per Great Salamander? Orcs are more profitable.

There's no point in going unless there's another reason.

The description mentions a clear stream, so maybe there are good fish to catch?

The river fish I had in Sahlstadt were terrible, but if I could catch something like a mountain trout or a sweetfish, they would be delicious grilled with salt.

Unfortunately, the document I read earlier did not mention fish.

"Naoto, I'm done reading. How about you?"

As I was thinking about this, Toya put the booklet down and spoke.

"I still need to read 'The Southern Forest' and 'Herbs and Others,' but I've read the rest."

"Got it. What do you want to do? It's about lunchtime..."

"What do you think? Do you think they're back by now?"

We hadn't decided what to do for lunch, but if they were back, it would be nice to eat at Aera's place.

"It should take about half a day to finalize the order... but it's at their house."

"Yeah, that's true."

In Japan, it would be impossible to finalize house construction plans in half a day.

But in this world, the details are left to the carpenters, so there might not be much to discuss.

"Let's go back and see. There's no point in thinking about it here."

"Sure. If they're not there, we'll eat somewhere else."

We nodded in agreement, put the documents back on the table, and left the guild.