“And that’s two hundred ninety-nine! Ahh…”
I look back, to calm myself for a moment. There are items all over the place, because the rate at which they are collected and supplied is off.
“Yes, I’m overdoing it.”
Looking at the map, I can see two white marks two forests ago moving around tirelessly. I don’t see fluff bugs respawning there yet, so it’s fine. I told them what route I was taking beforehand too, so I’ll start going back and collecting dropped items.
And when I eventually meet up with the sisters carrying dozens of items, I’m suddenly struck by reality. My backpack, that I handed to them, and the ones they already had, are filled to the brim. Suddenly, I feel sorry for them.
My consciousness is slashed to shreds when I see just how much I’m dragging them around just because I want to do this.
“Fufu, don’t make that face, Shouta. I’m having fun.”
“Yeah, I’m really getting a feeling for what it’s really like. I thought getting drops every time was great, but it turns around it really is a pain to pick them up every time. No wonder you ignored the magic stones.”
These two are too nice…
“You really should hire a porter. A high level one, that can keep up with you and keep your secrets… Otherwise, you are going to have to stop every time there are high value byproducts other than magic stones, which is inefficient.”
Well, I have my worries, but…
To be honest, I’m not going to dungeons to make money, it’s more to reveal their secrets. I think I can get a good sum with skill orbs I don’t use, after all…
“Hn…”
But the more I turn in, the more valuable the sisters are in the eyes of the association.
Magic stones are the best way to get them a high evaluation, but I think delivering skill orbs and byproducts also does the trick. I think this evaluation system is about the balance of different evaluations. Rather than being tied to an adventurer that delivers a whole bunch of skill orbs, I think an adventurer that delivers a good variety of different things is better for them.
I don’t actually know though, that’s just the feeling I get.
That’s why I also want to pick up and deliver magic stones, but… It just takes a lot of time and effort.
“The problem is protecting the secrets…”
Especially gacha, the one even they don’t know about.
“If it’s a peaceful dungeon like this, we can take turns accompanying you.”
“I would just get in the day in a normal dungeon though.”
“““Yes.”””
But no matter how much we think, none of us can think of someone good.
“Let’s leave this for later. I think it’s time to take down the last one for the day.”
“Understood.”
“Okay. And there’s one right there.”
All right. Even if nothing comes out, I’m ending it for today. Is what I think, as I quickly bisect the fluff bug.
And then…
“Here it is!!”
Smoke wells up from the fluff bug’s dead body. It instantly dissipated the other times, but the smoke of a rare monster doesn’t do that.
Click! Click!
I hear the sounds of photos being taken behind me. I asked Maki to do that, to keep it as proof of the sign that a rare monster is spawning.
“Shouta, I took the photos, but… I can’t really see that smoke.”
“Eh? You’re not seeing the smoke coming from the fluff bug?”
“Yes…”
“I’m only seeing it faintly too. I see something wavering like a mirage or something. You can see colored smoke?”
“That’s right…”
Why? Why can’t they see it? Are there conditions to being able to see the smoke too?
I’m curious, but I’ll have to investigate that later. The smoke is behaving strangely too. With the hobgoblins and murder rabbits, it rose to the sky, but this time it’s sticking to the ground and expanding. Is it because it came from a hornworm?
Then it takes the form of a small fluff bug, and heads towards the forest with the speed of a child running.
“I’m going after it! There shouldn’t be any monsters on the way, but be careful while following me!”
I run in deeper before they respond. It’s really going to the forest in the corner. I actually figured this would be a place where rare monsters spawn. After all, it’s in a corner of the map, and there’s an open area deep inside the forest.
Looking at the map, I can see the fluff bugs that respawned in that forest scattering, moving much faster than usual, along with Aki and Maki slowly but surely making their way here.
If it looks dangerous, they’ll probably run if I scream, but… I don’t think that will be necessary.
If my ‘intuition’ says so, I guess it’s all right? It’s not certain though. I can’t be naive like that time, and I have to consider the worst case scenario.
“It’s fine. If I can’t beat it, it will disappear in an hour if no one gets close!”
I run along with the smoke, and reach the area deep in the forest.
Now I’m waiting close to the edge of the forest for it to come out.
The smoke starts expanding a lot as soon as it arrives, but its shape stays the same, a fluff bug.
If it keeps going like this, the rare monster is going to look the same…
Shlurp.
A bug comes out of the smoke, but it looks nothing like a fluff bug.
It’s a giant hornworm that’s about four meters long, and two meters tall.
But the most conspicuous part, is its shining golden color. There’s also a thin membrane around its body. What’s that…?
Still, it doesn’t look at all like a fluff bug, despite being the rare monster that came from them. I guess it’s still a bug…
＊＊＊＊＊
Name: Golden worm
Level: 18
Equipment: None
Skills: Adamantine Strength, Adamantine Wall, Adamantine Armor
Drops: Golden seed, golden cup
Magic stone: Large
＊＊＊＊＊
“It’s all about gold with this one. It really feels like a rare… A super rare monster.”
And it’s my first time seeing one with three skills.
Its level is lower than a murder rabbit’s, but those are specialized for Agility. And the hobgoblins for Physical Strength. So based on these skills, does this one lean towards Physical Strength and Constitution…? Its level is low, but I’ve never seen one with a large magic stone, so I can’t be careless.
I can’t tell how strong it is when it’s still, but from what I can see, does this one also not move unless I attack? Maybe I’m safe for now.
Looking at the map, I can see two reactions, so I signal to them with my hands, without taking my eyes off the monster.
Even if they moved close to it, that golden body must be pretty heavy. It looks slow, so they should have time to escape. Worst case scenario, I can grab them and use Swift II to get away.
I can feel them gulping behind me.
“Maki, is there any information about that one?”
“…I-I have never seen it. Doesn’t this monster move?”
“Maybe it inherited the characteristics of the original monsters. Let’s get a record while we can.”
“Y-yes. L-let’s take pictures.”
“Aki, can you see its stats?”
“Yes. You probably guessed from the names of the skills, but its Physical Strength and Constitution are through the roof. I’ve never seen stats past two hundred and fifty with this level. But Dexterity and Agility are the opposite, both around twenty.”
“Two extremes. So it would be easy to escape it, but hard to fight at close range?”
“…Can you do it?”
“Of course. By the way, have you heard of its skills before?”
“Two out of three. Adamantine Strength is about Physical Strength. Adamantine Wall is a skill that boosts Constitution. But apparently they’re different from the regular Super Strength, and their effects aren’t quite known yet. All we know is that they’re pretty powerful. And I’ve never heard of Adamantine Armor.”
“Got it.”
Aki is a branch manager, so if she doesn’t know, that means there really isn’t information about it.
So, is that membrane of light said Adamantine Armor?
“Shouta, those stats are a threat. Watch out for tackles with its robust body. We’re gonna be watching from a distance, so don’t worry about us.
I nod, and it looks like Maki is done too.
“We’re done recording it. Good luck, Shouta.”
“I’m praying for your victory.”
Both press her lips on my cheeks from each side.
That gets my blood boiling.
“…With the blessings of the two goddesses, there’s no option but victory.”
Let’s do it!
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