The shortest path to the staircase is straight forward, but it’s hard to advance through the forest without getting lost. At least it should be.
By using Map, I completely invalidate that idea. Well, even if I try to sound cool by saying that, the reality is that I’m just trying to save some time.
And so, we’re walking with me and Hikari in front. This is a forest, but the trees aren’t all that clustered together. In fact, I don’t know if it’s because a lot of people pass through here or what, but I notice that a lot of branches are bent at the tip. Of course, trees grow with time, so sometimes we have to brush aside branches that are in the way too.
“There aren’t a lot of monsters.”
“Yes. There aren’t any nearby.”
I say, and Hikari agrees.
We’re only talking about what’s in our way. If we went off the path we’d probably find monsters, but there’s really no need to go out of our way to get close to them.
I’m more interested in the mushrooms and fruit I can see here and there when I use Appraisal.
I get the feeling that Hikari turns her eyes their way too from time to time. If they aren’t poisonous, mushrooms are pretty nice to have because we can roast them or use them for soup stock. If they aren’t poisonous.
I feel like we’ve been walking for two hours, so we take a break. We haven’t fought any monsters, aside from the orcs that were near the entrance.
“We are very lucky to have avoided monsters so far.”
Says Dutina.
“Can we collect food like mushrooms?”
I ask, and she says some people come here to collect them too.
“But only people that can afford to do that. You never know when monsters might appear here, so people tend to be more concerned about that.”
People that can afford to do that. Like people with skills similar to Presence Detection? I guess when most people are walking and watching out for monsters, they can’t also be on the lookout for other things.
And depending on the place, there are roots and branches in the way too. Even just walking around in a place with bad visibility is unthinkable.
“How do hunters hunt monsters here?”
“It depends on the person. Some just walk around looking for monsters, and others set up traps. But they’re not in the same places.”
Dutina sounds a lot more relaxed now compared to when we first met, because we’ve been talking this whole time.
“I guess it’d be dangerous for someone who’s clueless to walk into an area where there are traps. But is this path all right?”
“Yes, people mostly set up traps near the fortifications. And monsters tend to be somewhat territorial, so it’s rare to encounter orcs and blood snakes at the same time, for example.”
“Rare means it can happen, right?”
Rurika asks as she takes a sip of fruit water.
“Yes, it’s rare, but sometimes monsters wander into places where they shouldn’t be. But people that hunt monsters here take turns hunting in different areas, so they have experience fighting different kinds of monsters, and are able to deal with them.”
“Does that go for you and your colleagues too, Dutina?”
“Of course, we also practice fighting monsters. Sometimes we even practice with adventurers so we’re able to coordinate with them.”
Dutina answers Sera’s question, and starts complaining about all the problems that come with practicing with adventurers.
There really is a gap between adventurers and soldiers.
“We should keep going. We might be running into monsters soon, so be ready.”
I say, and everyone except Dutina nods. Rurika and Hikari look like they’ve already noticed them.
And after we walk for a bit, we come across blood snakes. Hikari’s eyes are shining, but let’s calm down, all right?
“There are two of them. What do we do?”
Asks Rurika. She means whether we should fight them together or alone.
They’re still a little far, and I don’t think they’ve noticed us yet.
“Blood snakes…”
Dutina grimaces when she looks at them. Does she have a problem with them?
“I guess the safest option would be to keep them in check with magic, and keep them busy while someone attacks them from behind, right?”
That’s probably right. Although Sera and Hikari could easily take them down if they went at it alone.
“Yes, that might be the safest option.”
“Then I’ll draw their attention with Sera, and since Hikari and Rurika are fast, you two can attack. How’s that?”
“H-hum, can I be the one that acts as bait?”
As we discuss our strategy, Chris suddenly volunteers for that role.
“W-well, I want to test it…”
She says while touching her bracelet.
Yes, we tested it a bit during mock battles, but not in actual combat.
“…Then I’ll draw their attention with Chris. The shield’s area of effect is small, so try not to go too far from me. Can you set up the shield in front of me?”
If it goes wrong and a blood snake manages to tackle one of us, it’s better if it’s me. I should be able to take it and protect Chris.
“All right. Let’s go with that.”
I’m surprised to hear that Rurika agrees, but…
“Just remember… If Chris gets hurt, I won’t forgive you.”
She whispers as she passes by me, before she disappears into the forest with Hikari.
“Mia, can you fire a Holy Arrow when I give the signal?”
Mia nods, and I give the signal after using Map to see if Hikari and Rurika are in place.
The Holy Arrow hits one of them, but Mia was probably holding back, because all it does is blow the monster back a little.
“Let’s go.”
I jump out from behind a tree and show myself to the blood snakes.
They immediately notice us, and raise their voices in anger over being attacked, before coming at us very fast.
It makes me worried that the shield won’t be able to kill their momentum, but it should have the same effect as the barrier from Space-Time Magic, so I assume it will be fine.
Of course, I also need to be ready in case it doesn’t go as expected.
When a blood snake gets close enough, it opens its mouth widely and moves in to bite me, but it hits a wall just before it can touch me.
The other blood snake then tries to attack from a blind spot, but it’s also stopped, and the impact makes it lean back.
If I could read their minds, I’m sure I’d find that they’re wondering why this is happening. I can even see surprise on their faces.
But those expressions are gone the very next moment. Hikari and Rurika approach from behind while concealing their presences, and slice the blood snakes’ necks with one slash.
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Wow a brutal slash. Looks like they are making steady progress with this dungeon m. Hope we get to see the minatoars this week
Easy peasy. Thanks for the treat.