Translator: Eisen Editor: Weasalopes
《Your friends have sent you 3 messages.》
I received messages while I was logged out.
Three of them, at that.
《You have received some information from the GMs. Do you wish to read it?》
I"ve also received messages from the GMs.
Two messages in total.
I"m wondering what my friends may have sent me, but let"s check the messages from the GMs first.
The first one seems pretty regular.
《Update: As of yesterday, the database has been updated!》
Just a generic message.
Let"s display the raw data in a window, and look at the bottom of the list.
The total number of players is a little under 35,000.
Well, it still seems to be increasing, though.
Let"s check the next message from the GMs.
《Regarding the inquiries about the appearance of monsters. 》
What"s this?
Let"s read this one quickly.
『We have received several inquiries about the appearance of monsters. However, us GMs currently have no information to disclose.』
I did give it a good read.
I had been wondering what was this all about.
What are these GMs thinking?
The other three messages are from Lambda, Irina, and Adele.
Let"s read Lambda"s message first.
『There was another party at the shrine that went hunting shortly before dawn, but they soon died and resp.a.w.ned.』
Oh.
I don"t know who those guys are, but I feel sorry for them.
『They said that they were attacked from behind, and that they couldn"t use【Identify】on the a.s.sailant.』
How did that happen?
Was it a PK or PKK team?
『I"m going to continue to hunt around the shrine after dawn. I have a bad feeling about this…』
That"s right.
The fact that the GMs" response was rather cold makes it all feel kind of weird.
I reply to Lambda to confirm I have received his messages.
Next.
Let"s check Irina"s message.
『I"ve reached Level 7 in Summon Magic. My new partner is the Howl the Wolf.』
Attached is a screenshot of a Wolf that looks just like Volff used to before his cla.s.s change.
I see.
Just your usual Irina.
『Adele also leveled up and can summon a new monster, but she"s not sure which to pick up next. Please help her decide.』
So that"s what it is, huh?
She only wants fluffy monsters after all.
『There"s something wrong at the W2 map. Brown Bears have started to appear here. Please be careful.』
So in the W2 map as well?
Brown Bears are monsters that are normally found in the N1W2 map.
What"s the meaning behind this monster"s appearance outside of its usual habitat?
Is this also part of the event?
Let"s check the last message.
This one"s from Adele.
『I don"t know what to summon. They"re all so fluffy!!』
What a girl.
As usual, I"m lost for words.
Well, that"s Adele for you.
But you should be glad!
It doesn"t matter if there are many of the same Monster Summon.
It"s okay even if all three of us have Wolves.
I"ll reply by attaching the data I saved from when Volff changed his cla.s.s.
I"ll also add the message『I think a Wolf would be fine.』
Yeah, that"s good.
I kind of sympathize with her, after all.
After replying to Irina as well, I"ll rearrange my inventory, which I couldn"t do yesterday.
The amount of wood, charcoal, and mushrooms I got in the Forest Maze since yesterday evening is huge.
I"ll sell all of them.
Today I am supposed to receive the two gemstones I asked Margrid to process, and the cold-resistant clothes I asked Len-Len to make.
After that, I"m off to the N1W1 map.
I have a lot of reasons to be anxious, but it feels nice to be clear about the things I need to do.
Let"s continue with the preparations and leave.
I"ll restock on Healgra.s.s in the bas.e.m.e.nt.
Let"s take plenty of them just to be safe.
Since I need to go through the forest in order to reach the N1W1, I could pick up some Healgra.s.s on the way there, but I might not be able to do that easily.
Well, I can consider this as insurance.
The Monster Summon lineup will be Volff, Zangetsu, Helix, and Obsidian.
The priority here is to facilitate movement.
Unlike yesterday, the weather today seems nice.
I can still see some stars in the morning sky.
I go through the forest using Forest Walk while riding on Zangetsu, paying special attention to my surroundings.
If Black Bears started to appear here from the adjacent maps, some monsters here might have changed their behaviors as well.
There might be PKs lurking around here too.
It might be too much to worry about.
The road to Legias seems to be as usual.
What wasn"t usual was noticing a group of guards from Legias heading off towards Remut.
What"s more, they seemed to be in a hurry.
I almost trampled them by accident!
I"d feel bad if I had caused an accident like this.
It"s also usual to see parties of players hunting by the roadside.
Among these players, I found a pair of Summoners.
They seem to have just started to play the game recently since each of them only has one Monster Summon with them.
Their Monster Summons are a Wolf and an Owl.
They seem to be struggling against a Wild Pheasant (F).
Do your best, guys!
I"ll try using Call Monster right in front of Legias.
What about Black Bears?
It seems there are two of those around.
The rest of the monsters just as always.
Wait, there are many groups of Wild Pheasants (F), Striped Racc.o.o.ns, and Stray Horses.
Not all of them are grouped up, though.
Those Black Bears are much stronger than the monsters you would normally encounter here.
Stray Horses don"t come even close to Black Bears in terms of strength, but they are hunted in the same simple way.
If you think about it, I guess you could say it"s not a big deal.
But the players that have just started to play this game may not be able to say so.
Moreover, I"ve heard that Snow Apes have started appearing near the north camp.
I remember when I first fought against a Snow Ape while Master watched.
They will be quite a threat to new players.
I don"t want to waste the opportunity to use Call Monster, so I"ve called a Stray Horse.
Those are no match for my battle formation.
For now, I"m glad can get some skins and meat out of it.
I"m buying breakfast from the stall as usual, and helping clean up the back of the stall.
The Black Bear Liver I had sold yesterday was now served as a paste to be eaten with bread.
It"s delicious!
As I wait while drinking my tea, Margrid and Len-Len sit across me at my table.
It seems that it"s still breakfast time.
「Good morning, Keith. I"ve brought the item you requested. Is it okay if I give it to you after eating?」
「Of course.」
Margrid takes out an Iolite fitted in a silvery base.
「I"ve brought your order as well. Would you like to try it on?」
Len-Len gives me some a piece of cold-resistant clothing.
Should I【Appraise】them both while we"re eating?
【Material】Iolite Grade C+ Rarity 2 Weight 0+
Also known as "Water Sapphire". An ultramarine gemstone.
A not so rare stone that is known to be useful for magical activations, depending on how it"s processed.
It has been shaped into an elliptical polyhedron and inlaid to a silver base.
[Custom] The amulet pattern『Spiral』has been engraved into the silver base.
This one also has a different pattern in its base.
I unfasten my leather armor and take out my silver necklace, putting it on the desk.
The two Iolites are mounted in the necklace so that they are around the Blue Spinel.
How about the balance of colors?
It should be fine.
I don"t have a sense of aesthetics for this kind of things anyway.
Well, let"s【Appraise】it and see how it"s changed.
【Equipment: Necklace】Silver Necklace+ Grade C+ Rarity 3
M・AP+11 Weight 1 Durability 120
A necklace made with a silver ball chain. Its silver chain is quite durable.
Reinforced with magic.
[Custom] Empowered by a Tsavorite fitted into a silver base and attached to this necklace.
Empowered by a Blue Spinel fitted into a silver base and attached to this necklace.
Empowered by Iolites fitted into a silver base and attached to this necklace.
※Slightly reduces MP consumption, also slightly increases resistance to abnormal status effects, and spell range slightly increased.
So it slightly increases the range of my magic spells?
And the bonus to M・AP has increased by one.
This is getting better and better.
「Oh, please let me see it too!」
After showing it to the two of them while we eat, I put it back around my neck and fasten my leather armor.
So, coming up next.
Let"s【Appraise】the cold-protection clothing.
【Armor: Breastplate】Brown Bear Winter Jacket+ Grade C+ Rarity 4
Def+1 Weight 4 Durability 70 Cold Resistance +12 DEX -1 AGI -2
A heavy jacket designed to withstand cold weather made with Brown Bear fur. It has a slightly unpolished finish, but it excels at retaining warmth.
[Custom] Cold resistance is further increased by fitting the jacket"s collar with fur from a Polka Dot Fox.
I"ll try putting it on over my Leather Armor and Leather Helmet.
This type of equipment seems to be made to cover the torso and arms completely.
Although there are some protrusions, the inside of the jacket feels nice and comfy.
The warmth from its collar is a lifesaver!
Despite this nice feeling, it seems to penalize my DEX and AGI.
Well, it seems like a fair price to pay in order to wear this.
「Well, how is it?」
「Come on, come on!」
「Turn around and let us see!」
As I hear those words from the girls, I feel as if I"m in some kind of fashion show.
Well, I guess I won"t know its true value unless I try using it.
「By the way, what do you think about the event?」
That question comes from Margrid as soon as she finishes her meal.
Yuka and Rick also join in our conversation while tending to their stores.
As I thought, everyone is concerned about this.
Everyone in the Production Team from the Guild has been informed to continue to dedicate themselves to production activities exclusively.
There are about twenty members of Fiona"s Player"s Guild here in Legias.
Everyone seems to either stay inside the village or logged out entirely.
Of course, this is all based on information collected from outside sources.
It seems that there were plans to send several members of the Production Team to the W2 Map, but those have been canceled.
There were also plans to relocate the pulpwood gathering that was tested in the vicinity of Legias, but it was canceled as well.
For the meantime, they seem to be focused on supporting the Guide Team.
That"s how things have been turning out, it seems.
「Oh, I can kill some time for a few days by working on jewels and ornaments, so I should be fine for now.」
「Same here. I have so much bear fur that I can fully dedicate myself to production.」
Is that so?
That"s because you two have been well supplied with materials.
I"m also telling them about the mini event.
Although they are interested in it, they say that there are not enough people to conduct an expedition at the Forest Maze.
It seems that the members of the Player"s Guild that are in this village now still need to level up a little.
Fiona and her group are unlikely to return from another map, and the Guide Team have enough to deal with already.
Or should I say that Fiona and her group are in quite a bind instead?
Won"t they starve without supplies?
I think they can manage with just meat for a while, but they will be helpless without vegetables.
「I think they all just want to come back here.」
Says Rick from behind his stall.
He purchased the large amounts of wood, charcoal, and mushrooms I brought from the forest, but for not as nearly as much as yesterday.
Still, I did make some good money.
Let"s buy some more equipment for Mumyo.
If I use him in battle together with Goki as things are now, I won"t have enough shields for both of them.
While we"re at it, let"s get another hammer for him, too.
【Weapon: Hammer】Ball Peen Hammer Grade C Rarity 1
AP+5 Power 4 Weight 3 Durability 100
A hammer generally used for metalworking.
Its long handle makes it easy to wield.
【Armor: Shield】Cedar Buckler+ Grade C+ Rarity 2
Def+7 Weight 2 Durability 130
A small shield made with layers of cedar planks. Light and easy to handle.
[Custom] Reinforced with a thin layer of wood and iron.
I purchase these two items.
The buckler is the same as the one I"ve bought before.
I was using one of the Enraged Pickaxes in the meantime, but I"ve been worried about it being difficult to handle.
Although the difference in handling might not look like much, it"s definitely important.
Besides, this new hammer feels rather thick and heavy when holding it.
It seems pretty destructive because of its weight.
I think it will work pretty well as a weapon.
I"m buying some Portable Foods as well.
Then I bought two servings of food from the stalls.
Since I"ve bought several things, I actually ended up with less money than before selling my materials earlier.
It doesn"t matter, though.
I can afford it just fine.
I"m ready to leave the village of Legias.
The number of parties heading to the forest doesn"t seem to be decreasing.
According to the forums, the situation in the Forest Maze hasn"t changed.
Hmm.
I"ve confirmed as much yesterday myself.
But those mini events are a different thing.
I quickly dash through the forest and reach the ivy-covered cliff.
Then I recall Zangetsu, and summon Rig.
We skillfully climb the ivy and reach the top of the cliff.
I can really rely on him for this kind of things.
I"m encountering quite a good number of monsters before I even get to the forked road, but I can deal with those without any problems.
I"m also getting quite a few good items.
I then reach the forked road.
Just standing around here is so cold!
Let"s try that cold-resistant jacket.
After equipping my new jacket, I continue to climb a little further up the mountain trail.
I recall only Rig.
Will I be okay only with Volff, Helix, and Obsidian?
It should be fine.
Am I the weakest one of the group?
I encounter no monsters as I climb the mountain.
It"s a mountain trail, or rather, a ridge.
There are many places piled up with snow, but the ridge has no snow on it.
The wind is extremely cold.
But this jacket is really effective!
I feel fine.
It looks I can go ahead without any issues.
I encounter Blitzes at the ridge.
It"s a group of five.
I was worried for a moment, but this group seems to be pa.s.sive.
The group moves away from us and towards what can only be seen as a sheer precipice.
As expected from goat-like monsters.
Even if I wanted to fight them, there"s little s.p.a.ce to maneuver by foot.
It"s impossible unless one can fight from the air, like Helix or Obsidian.
I could also see Snow Leopards in the distance, but they were also pa.s.sive.
Is the whole path to the summit this peaceful?
But this is okay.
I don"t think I can continue walking like this without facing more issues.
I have already confirmed that the cold-resistant jacket works fine.
I can"t make Lambda wait for too much longer.
Let"s go back.
I summon Zangetsu when I return to the junction at the forked road.
I will head for the plateau now.
There"s no change in the surrounding scenery.
But the monsters I encounter and their behavioral patterns are definitely different.
As soon as I reach the plateau, I find some monsters.
Two Snow Leopards.
「Resist Ice!」
I increase Volff"s ice resistance and leave one of the leopards to him.
Zangetsu and I will take care of the other one.
When it comes to only speed, Zangetsu seems to have the upper hand. However, the Snow Leopard is so nimble that I don"t think we can catch it by speed alone.
I have to come with some sort of plan.。
I select a spell from my list while Obsidian distracts it.
Then I fire it as soon as I get close to the Snow Leopard.
「Branch Bind!」
As the leopard draws near, it is quickly entangled by branches.
Then Obsidian strikes the leopard straight in the forehead.
The leopard desperately tries to shake the branches off, but can"t.
Holding the leopard"s head aside, I use one of my push daggers and pierce its throat.
It"s a Gale Tiger Push Knife.
It goes in just like that.
As I keep strangling the leopard. Its HP bar steadily decreases.
Before long, the Snow Leopard dies.
Wait, what?
It was awfully easy!
I"ll make sure to use this more often.
How are Volff and Helix doing?
Their target is already dying.
Volff has taken a little damage, but it"s nothing to worry about.
I wanted to come and help, but the monster is now dead.
Helix delivered the finishing blow.
《【Disa.s.sembly】Level Up!》
【Disa.s.sembly】levels up as I remove three claws and a skin from the two leopards.
All right.
Let"s keep at it.
I need to hurry.
I can"t keep Lambda waiting.
I rush ahead riding on Zangetsu.
Two groups of Black Bears.
One group of Snow Apes.
I crush one after the other.
I"m clearing them away with a combination of Mist and wall spells.
I"m getting used to this method.
The clock hits 10:00 AM by the time I find Lambda.
Actually, it is Helix who first finds him.
He"s in the middle of a fight.
But I won"t hurry to him.
He"s making short work of some Snow Apes, so I"ll just go and watch him fight.
He has two more apes to go, but he should be able to deal with them just fine.
He"s at visible distance now.
How"s his battle going?
He"s putting on a good show while fighting with a dagger in each hand.
He seems to be changing the way he moves his body, too.
But he"s still not quite there yet.
His attacks are monotonous.
Can he not move well enough when using only daggers?
He brings down the last one with a rear naked choke.
Hmm.
He seems to have improved it quite a bit.
This was a good battle after all.
I slowly approach him after he"s done.
「Good morning.」
「Hey there. I"ve watched you.」
「I can"t practice rear naked chokes if there"s too many of them. It"s a little troubling.」
You don"t seem to be in any trouble at all!
I can see the Earth Spirit Shrine in the distance.
It seems that we could go there to escape from monster attacks if need be.
Well then, what do do?
It"s decided.
We will continue where we left off yesterday.
Let"s prioritize Lambda"s training.
「Have you recovered?」
「Yes.」
He answers my question as he finishes looting the monsters" corpses.
His MP bar is at about 70 percent.
It should be enough for him to fight.
I hand him the small bag with the money I got from selling his items.
Lambda seems quite surprised at the amount of money he"s received.
I"ll change my formation to prioritize counterattacking.
I recall Volff, Zangetsu, Helix, and Obsidian.
Then I summon Jericho, Senki, Goki, and Rig.
Well then.
All that"s left is to call Snow Apes using Call Monster.
Protagonist Keith
Race Human Male Racial Lv11
Job Summoner Lv11
Bonus Points Remaining 12
Skill Sets
Staff Lv9 Punch Lv6 Kick Lv6 Joint Lock Lv5 Throw Lv5
Evade Lv6 Block Lv6 Summon Magic Lv11 s.p.a.cetime Magic Lv4
Light Magic Lv5 Wind Magic Lv6 Earth Magic Lv6 Water Magic Lv6
Fire Magic Lv6 Dark Magic Lv6 Ice Magic Lv4 Lightning Magic Lv4
Tree Magic Lv4 Dust Magic Lv4 Lava Magic Lv3 Steam Magic Lv3
Alchemy Lv6 Pharmacy Lv5 Gla.s.smaking Lv3 Woodworking Lv4
Synergy Lv8 Appraise Lv7 Identify Lv7 Discern Lv3 Cold Resistance Lv4
Grab Lv6 Horsemanship Lv7 Precise Manipulation Lv8 Jump Lv3
Heat Resistant Lv4 Climb Lv4 Dual Wield Lv5 Disa.s.sembly Lv4（↑1）
Physical Reinforcement Lv3 Mental Reinforcement Lv4 Speedcasting Lv6
Equipment Kaya Wood Rod x 1 Kaya Wood Tonfa x 2 Enraged Pickaxe + x 2
Silver Necklace + Snow Leopard Push Dagger x 1 Gale Tiger Push Dagger x 2
Wild Horse Leather Armor + Snow Ape Armguard Wild Horse Boots +
Snow Ape Leather Helmet Rampage Belt + Rucksack Item Box x 2
Items:
Survival Knife, Woodworking Tools
t.i.tles:
Old Summoner"s Temporary Pupil
Protector of the Forest
Man of the Middle Path
Spell Archive
Monster Summons:
Volff Grey Wolf Lv1
Zangetsu Horse Lv6
Helix Hawk Lv6
Obsidian Owl Lv6
Jean Bat Lv5
Jericho Wood Golem Lv5
Goki Demon Lv4
Senki Beast Ape Lv5
Rig Slime Lv4
Bunraku Wood Puppet Lv3
Mumyo Skeleton Lv2
Companions:
Lambda (Real name: Omega)