Chapter 84

Summary of the previous episode ------------------------------------------------------

Treating Naoto's injuries.

Quickly dismantling the orcs and the orc leader, and hastily leaving the area.

In the end, we moved outside the forest.

Not only physically, but mentally exhausted, everyone agreed that we wanted to rest in a place where we could feel safe.

We sat down on the grass outside the forest and took a collective breath.

"Phew, we survived, but they were tougher than I thought."

"Yeah, that's true. Fighting the orc leader alone is quite tough, especially in the forest."

The orc leader's movements were also restricted, but it seemed that Natsumi had a harder time moving.

"Naoto, you got quite injured this time. It's fortunate that no one else was hurt."

"Ugh! -- But, I have the highest kill count, right? I definitely took out three, and I almost finished off two more. Personally, I think Toya didn't do much! He only fought two."

"Well, that's... not something I can deny."

If Toya had taken on three, we would have had more room to maneuver. Even with just two, if he had taken them out quickly, he could have provided more support to Natsumi.

"I also thought that. With Toya's skills, I feel like he could have taken them out more quickly."

"Handling two at once is the real challenge. He's not used to it."

"From now on, we should include training with multiple opponents in our drills. We couldn't do it in the inn's yard, but now that we have the land, it's a good opportunity."

"Agreed."

In our previous training, we had fought each other, but as Yuki pointed out, we hadn't done one-on-multiple training due to the location. Now, we have a place where we can do it freely.

"Naoto, how did you get injured?"

"Ah, the main reason is that my spear was broken."

"I remember you didn't have it, right?"

"Sorry! I was using a long spear --"

Natsumi bowed and said this, but I quickly shook my head to deny it.

"No, no, that's not a problem at all. If Natsumi had used that spear, it probably wouldn't have been a joke."

The spear wouldn't have pierced the orcs, and against the orc leader, it likely wouldn't have done any damage.

"Besides, I think my response after the spear broke was a bit off. But, we should probably prepare better spears and backup weapons. Not just for me, but for everyone."

"True. We should buy spears similar to what Natsumi is using now. We can carry backup weapons thanks to the magic bag. I should also practice with weapons other than the bow. This time, it was a bit difficult."

Haruka had used the bow to draw an orc into a close-range battle, which was only possible because of her speed and archery skills, but it was quite risky. If we had a front-line fighter who could stop the orcs, we could have taken them out from a distance more easily. We need to consider what to do when the orcs get close.

"Natsumi... I don't have much to say. I think you did your best."

"Is that so? In the end, without everyone's support, I couldn't have inflicted a fatal wound..."

"This time, the location was bad. With no way to flank, fighting head-on was tough, but I think you did well."

I think it took a lot of courage to stand in front of that giant and dodge the massive club while attacking with a spear. Even a slight graze would have sent you flying, but you acted calmly.

I was thrown up into the trees by an orc's club, not from a downward swing but an upward one, so I know how powerful it is.

"By the way, Yuki, you handled the orc's attacks well, right?"

"Yeah, that's definitely thanks to [Strength Enhancement]. In a situation where I would normally lose, I managed to hold my ground. Fortunately, there wasn't a situation where [Iron Wall] was needed, but the physical enhancement from magic seems to be quite effective."

"Maybe if I had it, I wouldn't have broken my arm?"

"Probably not. In a situation where it breaks that easily, I don't think level 1 would have helped."

I'll try to learn it. It was quite painful.

"Still, injuries are dangerous. In game terms, it might be expressed as 'HP reduced by 20%', but if I had lost an arm like Naoto, my attack power would be zero. If I got hit again while panicking, I might have died... Naoto, you were lucky to survive."

"Yeah, I was pretty lucky..."

I sighed and answered Haruka, who sounded a bit impressed. If I hadn't managed to grab a branch, it could have been quite dangerous.

"In conclusion, we need more training. It's too risky for us to take on 10 orcs right now, right?"

"Maybe just orcs would be okay. If Natsumi hadn't faced the orc leader, she wouldn't have been injured."

"I'm sorry. I suggested fighting..."

Natsumi looked down, and I quickly reassured her.

"No, no, I was prepared for injuries, and it's not your fault. It's just that 10 orcs alone would be manageable."

"True, if we had handled it well, we might have avoided injuries."

"That's true."

When my spear broke, if I had retreated a bit faster, and if I had used time magic more effectively, I could have handled it better. That's my specialty.

"Naoto's magic, which can almost instantly kill an orc, is impressive, but the firepower isn't enough. Can you do two at once?"

"That's a tall order!"

It took a lot of effort to go from a weak 'Fire Arrow' to one that can blow off an orc's head.

"But when you made the magic bag, you used three different spells at once, right? Compared to that, using the same spell twice should be easier, right?"

"…Now that you mention it, I guess so."

When using 'Fire Arrow', I imagine the power and speed, focus the necessary magic, confirm the target, and fire it.

If the power and speed are the same, that part shouldn't be a problem. The challenge is hitting separate targets and making them hit.

I stood up and marked two spots about 2 meters apart, 10 meters away.

"Hmm... 'Fire Arrow'!"

The two activations were fine, but the accuracy... was a bit off!

"Wow, Naoto, that's amazing! To succeed on the first try..."

"Guess I should try it. I didn't think I could do it right away."

Yuki and Toya clapped and praised me, but...

"The shots were a bit off the mark."

"The activation took a bit longer, and the power was a bit lower. Naoto, try hitting the center of that mark with one shot."

"Okay. 'Fire Arrow'."

I activated the magic with the same power as before, and it pierced the intended spot, creating a hole.

Haruka checked the hole and compared it with the others, shaking her head.

"The power is about 70-80%. It's definitely weaker."

"Can you increase the power a bit more?"

"It's possible, but it will take time."

The 'Fire Arrow' I use on orcs now is based on the maximum power I can reliably activate within 3 seconds.

The speed, power, and activation time of the magic are a trade-off. If you increase the power, the activation time increases, and if you don't extend the activation time, the speed decreases. I've improved through practice, but this is my current maximum.

"By the way, what about three?"

"Sure, Toya, that's a tall order. ...'Fire Arrow'!"

The magic activated, but the aim was off.

I aimed for the center of the two marks I had set, but none of them hit. The closest was about 20 cm off, and the farthest was about 50 cm off.

"The power is about 50%? It might be useful for crowd control or intimidation."

Haruka checked the holes again and shrugged.

Indeed, using this in battle would be risky. In a calm situation, it's already a bit dangerous, and in a panic, it could even hit allies.

"I'll practice hitting two targets reliably..."

If I can do that, it will be a significant advantage. I could take out 4 orcs before they get close, if there are 10 orcs.

"Regardless of Naoto's magic, we all need more training. Weapons and magic... maybe we should buy spellbooks? We have enough savings even after paying for the house."

We don't have 600 gold coins in cash, but the orcs in the magic bag are worth more. Even if we spend hundreds of thousands of rares, we won't be in financial trouble.

"I want to buy a new weapon. This iron club is tough but ineffective against orcs, and it doesn't really suit my appearance."

"Does it really matter what you look like?"

You handled the orc's attacks well, and it might actually suit you.

"No, no, with my appearance, I think a dagger or a thief style would be better. I'm small, you know."

"I can't deny that, but your skills are more suited to Natsumi's position."

"If Naoto buys a new weapon, Yuki will be the only one without a proper weapon. If you want to buy one, that's fine... but a dagger?"

"Hey, Haruka, are you against it?"

"Not against it, but who can teach you? Can you learn to use it without skills?"

Our weapon skills are level 2-4, except for Yuki. Yuki learned [Staff Mastery] from Toya at level 1, but to use a dagger, she would need to find someone to copy from or start from scratch.

"But, I learned [Staff Mastery] pretty easily. I think it was because I had [Sword Mastery]. Yuki, why don't you start with [Sword Mastery] and then train to get [Dagger Mastery]?"

"True, that might be a shortcut. It would be nice to learn the unique fighting style of daggers from someone, though."

"I don't think you need to stick to daggers. You have [Strength Enhancement]. Axes, battle hammers, or flails could also be good options."

"Eh, those aren't cute!"

"…Is that so?"

I'm not saying axes and hammers are cute, but are daggers really that cute? In my mind, they're more like an assassin's tool.

"Well, since Yuki wants to, let her try. I know a little about short sword techniques, so I might be able to teach her something."

It's a type of martial art using a short sword, and she learned a bit of it. She focused on naginata, so she can't do much, but it's impressive to me.

"Sure, Natsumi, you're versatile."

"I'm flattered."

Natsumi smiled, but the conversation was a bit intense.

"Anyway, it's still morning, but does anyone want to go back into the forest?"

Haruka looked at us, but we all shook our heads.

"Today... let's call it a day."

"Yeah, Naoto's weapon is gone."

"I have magic, but there's no need to push it."

"I'm a bit tired, too. Even with [Strength Enhancement], facing an orc one-on-one is mentally draining."

Hearing everyone's opinions, Haruka nodded.

"Then, let's have lunch here a bit early and head back to town."

For the first time in a while, we were in a safe place to have lunch. We started a fire, drank tea, and took a break.

After finishing our early lunch, we hurried back to town.