Chapter 85

### Day 17 of Hikikomori Life.

(Just in time, just in time, just in time~!)

I ran around the Rurubu Forest, feeling anxious.

It was around 1 PM according to my watch.

Alba and the others should be here today, but I don't know when they usually leave. I can't figure out their departure timing.

I need to level up to 17 and talk to Alba and the others before they leave, or they'll think I'll be here tomorrow and come back again.

If that happens, I'll have to stay another night.

I deeply regretted saying something unnecessary.

Because I said I would talk to them on the last day, if I don't, it will just continue.

Honestly, I'm tired of orcs, small wolves, and rig spiders.

I've seen them all, and I just want to sleep in a bed!

Plus, tonight, Lady Ferin's [Avatar] will descend to the lower world.

Actually, I've been urged for about three days, but I've been holding them off, saying it's the last sprint and to wait a bit longer.

If I don't go back today, I'll end up summoning the [Avatar] in the hole.

It will end up just like with Lady Feeril, and since Lady Ferin can't do what she wants in the forest, if I stay another night, she might get really angry.

(Oh! Got it! Got a good number!)

I ran towards the direction where about 10 monsters were detected by [Scout] and then passed through the group.

This brings the total, including the ones I've been chasing from the start, to over 30.

Small wolves frequently bite at my back, but I ignored the minor details and headed towards a spot where two rig spiders overlapped.

"Huff... huff... come on, come on!"

As I entered the range, the rig spiders started to spray [Sticky Threads], and the monsters I led all swarmed around me.

(Not yet... the orc hasn't caught up... ouch! ...not yet... not yet... now!!)

Once all the monsters were close enough, I activated my skill.

"Kill all the monsters around me with countless sickles!"

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...

What I was doing was a mass hunt, a popular method from a game I used to be obsessed with.

The bait runner runs around, gathering the hate of the monsters, and then leads them to the area where the extermination team is.

There, they use area attacks to wipe them all out.

In my case, I'm both the bait runner and the exterminator, which is a bit sad, but if I control my speed, the monsters will follow, and as long as I don't worry about my mana, it's quite efficient.

Since I'm going back to town, there's no need to save my mana or worry about the quality of the materials.

While watching the monsters being torn apart—

"Your level has increased to 17."

"Yesss! Maximum efficiency!!"

I shouted, picked up about three magic stones from the ground, and immediately ran towards the entrance of the forest, hoping they were all still there.

---

### ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

"Thank you very much for your cooperation!"

I managed to catch up and greeted everyone at the grassland area at the entrance of the Rurubu Forest.

We were moving towards the town.

Everyone's baskets were filled with materials, including orc meat.

I couldn't afford to lower the freshness of the materials with my silly greeting.

Looking around, there were over 30 participants.

Some were slightly injured, but no one died, and the plan was successfully completed.

I felt a strange sense of responsibility and was genuinely relieved.

"Thank you. It's a bit sad to think it's ending today."

"Really! The bonus time ends today!"

"True. Thinking about going back to the previous income makes me feel down..."

"That's something we knew would happen, so it can't be helped."

"If only someone could come and kill a lot of monsters like Loki did!"

"That's unlikely. Even if someone did, they wouldn't stay in Bezart."

Zalsa, the quietest close-range hunter in Mizuru's party, his words pierced my heart.

If hunting becomes easier, they will seek higher hunting grounds.

Of course, there are hunters who prioritize stability, but many have left Bezart in search of higher income, honor, and excitement.

Here, you can only reach E-rank, and at best, D-rank.

Even if you reach D-rank, there are hardly any requests that make use of that rank.

"What are you going to do next, Loki?"

So, I answered Alba's question immediately.

"I think I'll go to a town called Marta."

The only road that extends from Bezart leads to the southern trading hub of the Lagreus Kingdom.

There, I might find monsters with new skills, higher-ranked hunting grounds, and new discoveries about this world.

Just thinking about it makes me excited.

"Of course, that's what I expected..."

"The better hunters leave the town, you know? Can't be helped!"

"It will be sad."

"Well, I want to do some equipment maintenance, so I'll probably stay in Bezart for a few days."

"Then let's go out for a drink once! We earned it! I'll treat you, Loki!"

"Sure. No one died, and we successfully completed the operation, opened a new Rurubu hunting ground, and got a communal bath. It's a good thing for us too."

"Leader, shouldn't you treat everyone?"

"Idiot! Mars and I split the income, so it's the same!"

"Still, it's the leader's job to treat—"

A drink...

Is it like a post-work party in Japan?

If I think about it that way, if a project we worked on for half a month was a huge success, we would definitely have a party at my previous company.

It would go on to third and fourth rounds, and I would end up sleeping at my front door in my suit, with Kasahara starting to strip at the third round.

But, is it legal for me to drink in this world?

From the conversation, it seems like it should be fine for someone my age...

"Is there an age limit for drinking?"

"There's no such thing."

"Ah... did you have that in your country, Loki?"

"Yes. You can drink alcohol at 20."

"Ha!? What's that? You can't even drink at a wedding!"

"True. Looking at the mothers in this country, they all seem to get married young."

"I think that's true in other countries too. Many people get married in their late teens."

"Right! So by Royce's age, you're considered a late bloomer!"

"..."

"I didn't say anything."

"Me neither."

*Slap!*

I heard a sound like the one I got a few days ago, but I'll ignore it.

But, I see.

If it's not a problem, it might be good to experience the alcohol in this world for the future.

There are many hunters I haven't talked to yet, and they seem to be watching the situation to see if they can join.

In that case—

"If it's not a legal issue, I'd be happy to join. Since I'm the one who's grateful, I'll pay for everything. So, if any hunters who didn't get a chance to talk to me have time, feel free to join. I'll leave the choice of the place to everyone."

"Ooohhh!!!"

The reaction when they realized I was the sponsor was the same as on Earth.

I couldn't help but smile wryly as I watched the scene come to life.