Chapter 41

7/18 This is my fourth post of the day.

In the morning, I sat on the bed and twisted my neck.

What was that sudden fatigue and drowsiness from yesterday?

As soon as I woke up, I checked to see if anything was wrong with me, but apart from a slight lingering fatigue, I realized that this feeling wasn't much different from usual.

Hmm~ After talking to Lady Riste using the [Divine Sense] skill and getting up from the bed to grab my notebook—

At that moment, I noticed a short sword lying by the side of the bed.

(Could it be because of this?)

I immediately checked my status screen, and my current magic power was 58/58 (+14), indicating it had fully recovered.

When I picked up the short sword, it became 108/108 (+14).

So far, so good.

On the contrary, the fact that the magic power boost from the short sword not only increased the minimum value but also the immediately usable magic power is quite considerate.

However, what would happen if I used the short sword to forcibly increase my usable magic power, consumed that magic power, and then let go of the short sword, as I did yesterday?

In other words, what would happen to my body if my magic power went into a negative state?

Could that sudden fatigue and drowsiness from yesterday be the result?

(I don't want to test it now because it might ruin my whole day... If I suddenly fall asleep and die in the hunting field, that would be a real problem...)

It's super dangerous.

I thought I wouldn't die in the Locker Plains, but there are scenarios where I could!

From the fact that it was already morning when I woke up, it seems I had been in a deep sleep like hibernation since last night.

In this state, if I were bitten by a rat, I might not wake up until my magic power returned to a positive value...

I decided not to use the 50 magic points from the short sword except in extreme emergencies.

With that in mind, I washed my face, had breakfast, took my bento, and headed straight to the Hunter's Guild.

And there was an unusual sight.

"Wow! It's my first emergency request!"

Before picking up the basket, I checked the request board and got a little excited to see the first emergency request.

Another wooden board was hung below the regular hunting requests, stating that due to the increase in the number of hunters, there was a possibility that Poison Mice were proliferating.

Therefore, the reward for each kill was increased from 1200 Bic to 1500 Bic.

The end date was undecided, and it could end abruptly.

I confirmed the content with Amanda, and it was exactly as written on the board. Apparently, the total number of Poison Mice hunted by hunters in a day was higher than usual, and although the crops hadn't been damaged yet, measures were taken to reduce the total number early.

It can't be because of my overhunting, right? But I have no complaints about the increased reward.

I don't think I need to mention it, so I'll just keep quiet!

After picking up the basket from Rody, I headed to the north gate exit of Bezart.

I bought two small frankfurters, which have become a habit, and jogged towards the Locker Plains.

For some reason, a trio was following me from the guild...

▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

After entering the Locker Plains, I moved deeper and deeper, hunting Poison Mice and Air Mantises detected by [Presence Detection] as I went.

At first, the basket was light enough to carry on my back without any problems.

I just kept running.

Looking back, I could see the trio—Aldent and the others—still trying to keep up, despite their tired footsteps.

"Haa..."

Since I was the one who was initially stalking them as a guide, I can't really say much...

But I still wish they would cut me some slack.

It's fine to see me hunting while moving, but I don't really want them to see me setting up stone pillars for stationary hunting.

Since there's no option to stop them from following, I increased my pace to shake them off and moved to an area where other parties rarely enter.

(Haa... Haa... But realistically... it's impossible...)

The basket was getting heavier as I hunted and moved.

Moreover, I was also dismantling the monsters, collecting magic stones, and other materials, so it was impossible to shake off the trio who were just following me without doing anything.

I'm somewhat used to it and have built up some stamina, but they are active hunters too.

When the basket was more than a third full and I was in an area where no other hunters were around, I stopped, giving up.

Actually, with this weight, it was already quite difficult to move while hunting.

"Haa... Haa... How long do you plan to follow me...?"

"Zehaa... Fuhaa... What... What are you... thinking...?"

"S-Sure... Fuh... Fuh... We're just... moving to the hunting ground...?"

"Y-Yeah... Yeah... W-Well..."

"Fuh... I see. Is the hunting ground still far? Or is it around here?"

"Haa... Haa... Why do I have to... tell you...?"

"Of course, because it will affect efficiency. If you hunt around here, I'll move on, and if you go further, I'll stay here. What do you think?"

"S-Such a thing... Fuhaa... depends on our mood..."

Haa... This is hopeless.

If they were just concerned about a child, they should have understood by now that I can handle myself after all the moving hunts.

But if they keep following me and their goal is to stay near me... it can only be harassment.

But would they really reduce their own rewards just to do this?

So far, they've just been following me and haven't killed a single monster.

It's a waste of time for them.

Do they have another purpose...?

Could they be planning to steal my basket after I've killed a lot of monsters...?

They are around 170-180 cm tall, clearly taller than me.

If they tried to steal it, even if I lifted the basket 3 meters high, they could probably knock it down by standing on each other's shoulders and using a spear. The possibility of theft would increase significantly if any of them had [Earth Magic].

(Maybe if I add one more and make it nearly 5 meters...? But the balance...)

I'm still worried, but I can't afford to be dragged down by these useless guys and lose efficiency.

At that moment, I suddenly remembered the stone pillars I made the other day and my conversation with Lady Riste.

I created two stone pillars with a magic power cost of 19 each.

That means I used [Earth Magic] at level 2 twice to create a 3-meter stone pillar.

But my [Earth Magic] is at level 3, which means I can cast spells with a magic power cost of up to 29.

And as Lady Riste said, the skill level determines the requirements...

For [Earth Magic] level 1, the two important words for manifestation were:

'Spawn a stone pillar'

For [Earth Magic] level 2, the three important words for manifestation were:

'Spawn a long stone pillar'

And the failed attempt was:

'Spawn a long and thick stone pillar'

But upon closer inspection, this requirement could be interpreted as having five important words, which would mean it should only manifest at skill level 4.

So...

I gave up and cast a spell in front of Aldent and the others.

"Spawn a long stone pillar"

"Wha...?"

Zzzzzzz...

A 1.5-meter stone pillar, like the one I saw yesterday, appeared, and I placed the basket on top of it.

I also didn't forget to pull out a large-sized leather bag from the basket, which is essential for stationary hunting.

The real challenge starts now.

Looking at the ground where the stone pillar stood, I muttered:

"Spawn a deep and long stone pillar"

Zzzzzzzzzzz...

"Whaaat!!!?"

...This is amazing.

Even though I made it myself, I'm still surprised.

The new stone pillar alone is nearly 5 meters tall.

So, with the basket on top of it, it's towering high.

It's like the roof of a two-story house...

Plus, I included the word 'deep,' so even if they try to kick it or push it with three people, this stone pillar probably won't budge at all.

I can't tell how deep it is without digging, but...

There's nothing more I can do, so I have to trust the power of skill level 3.

From their surprised reactions, I don't think these three can make a proper stone pillar.

If the worst happens and they start digging, I'll report to the guild that my materials were stolen and try to get help.

Even if not, I'll report the harassment.

Satisfied with the result, I called out to Aldent and the others.

"Then I'm going to start hunting. Please do your best too."

And I started running.

In my right hand, I held a short sword, and in my left hand, a large leather bag.

When this bag is full, it will contain about a quarter of the basket's material.

Let's start—stationary overhunting.

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