chapter 28

“Wasn’t the experience pretty good?”

Such was our impression after defeating the Sky Green Mini Dragon. It’s certainly got a lot of experience.

“That’s true, it feels like it’s more than we get from the rock lizard.”

“They were definitely stronger. My kitchen knife got stuck halfway through.”

I guess it’s to be expected? Dragons can’t be challenged with a knife.

“Is it the difference in abilities? It really might be an enemy that requires us to raise our Lv a little more before facing.”

“Might be…”

In terms of ability, I’m positive the kitchen knife is a pretty good piece of equipment. I have no doubt towards its sharpness.

“Rather, considering that it’s a mini dragon, isn’t it stranger that this blade was able to cut it so easily?”

“Well, either way, seems like we can still go on.”

“Yeah…though, wouldn’t it be better to raise our Lv in this area?”

“That’s right. I got some good materials…I think I can improve our current equipment just by adding this hide to it one way or another.”

From lizard hide to the mini dragon’s…? If this were a game, remodeling equipment would be possible.

“That said, I don’t know if it’ll dramatically improve our defense or not.”

“This is a good stopping point. Should we return for now?”

“Yeah, we’re almost out of time. Let’s go back.”

“Alright.”

With that, we return and wait for an opportunity. Next time we’ll hunt with Hagisawa.

“Sometimes it’s better to be bold, and other times it’s better to be careful. A strong mamono came out around here so it’s better to raise our Lv here.”

“Understood… but,”

We watch the combat group returning from Shigenobu’s workshop.

“Thinking about it, how strong is the combat group?”

“Hm… because they were delayed while fumbling around searching for new equipment, I heard that Taniizumi at the top, is Lv 17.”

Huh? It’s not as high as I expected. But it’s more than I thought. At least at this stage, we won’t be able to catch up due to our limitations on moving freely.

At this time, should I tell Shigenobu and the others that I can teleport on my own? No, not the returning to Japan part, just about teleporting to other places. To begin with, they might know just from Ono’s experimentation. Or rather, isn’t it no different from Meguru-san. The problem is that there’s a half-baked surveillance system.

“Should I buy night vision goggles with points? I feel like only being able to hunt for two hours at a time is a hindrance.”

“That’s true…

…For the time being, I want to find a way to make money in a short time to make up the difference. Right now, Minori-san has to return to the base every two hours to help with maintaining the barrier. In addition, Shigenobu has to respond to the combat group to some extent in order to avoid being suspected. Well, if we have good timing, we can go hunting three times a day.

However, Taniizumi and the others get to raise their Lv for the entire day. Considering that, their Lv are pretty low. With that in mind, they’re probably not fighting the entire day. Are they prioritizing their safety? Or are they lacking equipment like was said earlier? Well, there might be a difference in efficiency between our 5-man group and the entire battle group.

“How long would it take to get the night vision goggles? Including the points?”

“Hm…”

I heard they’re sold at toy stores so I could probably buy some quickly, but considering the cost of a crossbow, buying them would be ridiculous. With the money currently gathered from everyone…

“To be honest, it’s expensive. Getting lamps for everyone might just be better.”

Shigenobu’s shoulders drop at my reply. Things are definitely a bit difficult for us right now.

“Can Hagisawa make some sort of tool to help us fight at night?”

“If I had something like that, I would’ve said so already.”

“Can you order flashlights?”

“Those might be a bit expensive right now, but how about the camp lanterns? It should be pretty bright if three people carry one.”

Hm…not a bad idea. If we do that, it should work out. Ah, right, where do they sell them? They’ll definitely lighten things up. I’ll have to search back in Japan.

“I’m worried about dangerous night mamono, but it’s worth trying.”

We earned three thousand points this time. If I convert it, it’s three thousand yen. If we use cheap items, we’ll earn about twice as many points next time. No… if we use the metal turtle sword well, we might be able to go further.

“Do you think we’ll be far enough away to evade notice from the player group?”

“It’s a doubtful place.”

As we talk, Meguru-san opens the workshop door and comes over.

“Yukinari-kun, mamono have appeared at the teleport location, right where the flag is.”

Right now we’re experimenting with bringing down far of mamono. I create a mental image of the place with the flag, where we had left a mamono’s corpse. When a mamono comes, Meguru-san will report it and I’ll use the mental image to send an object over to kill it.

“Understood.”

I horizontally transfer a wooden board that was prepared in advance, making the range as large as possible.

“How long will it take to finish eating?”

“Etto, doglike mamono look to be scavenging for bodies. I don’t think time should be a problem.”

“OK, then I just send it and see what happens!”

Five minutes later… the wooden board teleports. With a, pu, it disappears from our view.

“It hit! Two out of three got hit and are writhing… and they’ve died.”

I get experience points even though they were defeated from far away. It seems like I can fight even when I’m here at the camp with the right conditions.

“Was the bait strategy successful?”

“Ah, did Shigenobu and the others gain any experience?”

Shigenobu and the others check and then shake their heads.

“Apparently if you’re too far away, you won’t receive any experience even if you’re in the same party.”

So, it’s like that. That means Taniizumi and the others are overhunting mamono as one party. Meanwhile, we grew much faster.[1]

“I thought it was a good strategy, but…”

“Isn’t it still good since Yukinari-kun can still earn experience? Can you transport it here?”

“I’ll try.”

Then, I consciously try to transport it… but it doesn’t work. I don’t know how the recognition works, but it looks like I actually have to go to the place at least once.

“Looks like collect it without going there it’s no good after all.”

“Shall we go and get it?”

“Is going and coming back right now alright?”

“Alright, can Yukinari and Meguru-san fill up your free time with this idea?”

“Understood.”

“Though my ability has a cooldown period before I can use it again, so we won’t be able to come back right away?”

“Wouldn’t it be good to prepare another mamono there in the meantime?”

Meguru-san thinks about my reply for a moment, then nods.

“I understand. Alright, Yukinari-kun, let’s go.”

So, Meguru-san activates her teleport ability.

“Alright, let’s go.”

We arrive at the location of the trap.

“Wow… gross…”

A mamono called the Horizon Wolf died by getting split in half by the wooden board. The upper half of the wolf is even grosser. Should I adjust the angle of the board a bit more?

“So, are we going to dismantle it?”

“Yeah. It’s no good as food and it’s better to not bring back too much.”

“Can Yukinari-kun teleport it?”

“If it’s just this much, isn’t it better to bring it with us? Stay alert for another mamono appearing…”

It’s then I notice something approaching. The two of us ready our respective weapons. A mini dragon appears…

“If it’s just one, we can take it on!”

I charge it while Meguru-san takes the back position.

“Yeah! Rather—”

Meguru-san makes a snap decision and throws her metal turtle sword at the mini dragon while it’s focused on me.

“GAA–”

The mini dragon, while avoiding my blow, is struck in the belly and falls to the ground.

“Finish it.”

I pull out the metal turtle sword and cut it horizontally. With that, the mini dragon dies.

“Looks like we won with just the two of us.”

“Yeah, it feels good.”

I didn’t think that I would be able coordinate with anyone other than Shigenobu. Maybe Meguru-san is just good at this?

“Although…”

I grasp the metal turtle sword and examine the blade. I recall the feeling of stabbing the the mini dragon earlier. I don’t feel like I even cut anything. It’s ridiculously sharp.

Meguru-san should be surprised at this. I check the status… Wow, it pierces through. It’s nothing like my kitchen knife.

“Isn’t it amazingly sharp?”

“Yeah… with this, there’s no telling how far you can go.”

“Yeah, it’s so incredible, I can’t even sense the difference in danger between mamono. It’s scary.”

True… let’s be careful.