Chapter 447 - Clearing a Path, Expanding the Circle
In that case, [Rocket]—no, with no potions or other recovery items on hand, I can't afford to play that card recklessly. So, I'll have to rely on this old trick, which I haven't used since I learned to jump in mid-air on my own.
"Up, and, heave-ho—!"
As usual, I activate [Mistlurade], launching a Bullet straight up to create my own path, which I then scamper up in a flash.
Hmm, it really is convenient. The added demerit is nothing to sneeze at, but the elimination of its cooldown, allowing me to switch freely, is more than just a significant buff—it's a massive upgrade.
A trump card you can play without a second thought is, for better or worse, just plain strong. I have a feeling I'll be relying on it frequently as a core skill from now on.
With that, I'm in the sky. I break through the canopy of leaves and leap into the air, where, unlike the dim forest below, a clear blue sky stretches out before me—
Well, for some reason, the ground is still mysteriously visible in the “sky.” In any case…
"Whoa… that's a massive forest."
Looking down from the strange sky to the ground below, I see nothing but a sea of trees, trees, and more trees. I can just about make out the “end” of it, but who knows how long it would take to get through with the three people waiting for me down there.
…Yeah, clearing a path might actually be the more realistic option.
Of course, if I were to handle it, the problem could be solved in a matter of minutes, but from the system's perspective, that would be a complete irregularity. Considering that not just Nia and I, but the artisan pair of Nonomi-chan-san and the other guy were thrown in here as well…
"Could that actually be the ‘proper’ way to do this…?"
Survival by carving a path through the forest—yeah, that sounds about right.
"—and that's the situation."
"…So this is the [Acrobat]."
"Less a ranker and more, yeah. An [Acrobat]."
"Could you please never fall head-first out of the sky again? It's bad for my heart."
After I shared my observations and thoughts, their reactions were all over the place. While Nia scolded me and pinched my arm, I was also praised for a job well done.
"So, should we start clearing a path? I mean, we don't have the power for that, so we'd have to leave it to you, but we can help with this and that!"
"If it's just processing timber, two magic crafters of this level should be sufficient. We're short on numbers, but we have the necessary technicians."
The Nono-Tetsu pair smoothly started setting our course of action. I, of course, had no objections, and neither did Nia, it seemed… but hang on, two of them?
"Ikketsu-san is—"
"No ‘-san’. Just call me Tetsu if you want."
"Oh, got it… Is Tetsu-san okay, then? It's easier to say."
Even with the '-san', it still felt friendly. He gave a nod of approval, and with his name settled, I asked my question.
"I thought there were three of us, but are you not a magic crafter, Tetsu-san?"
"Oh, I'm a magic crafter, alright. Just not a high-level artisan like Nonomi or your friend, the [Milmarinus]. I won't be much help outside my specialty."
"I see… and what might that be?"
When I pressed him, a faint, audacious smile I'd never seen on him before crept across his face—
"You'll find out later. Look forward to it."
He confidently raised the bar for himself while brazenly telling me to wait and see.
◇◆◇◆◇
—And so, several dozen minutes later.
"Alright then… I guess this should be enough for now, right?"
After what was less a single job and more of an all-out rampage, I surveyed the surroundings with a leisurely air, undoing the gauntlets of my well-used [An-ru Galta (Hypothesis: The Wedge-Armor that Sings of the Royal Road)].
Piled up all around were mountains of raw timber, far more than even two master artisans with expert material processing skills could handle. Every single one was a ridiculously thick, fantasy-world giant tree… but the clean, smooth cuts were, if I do say so myself, a sight to behold. I did good work.
Now, what to do with the massive number of stumps I'd created—I’d cut them flat near the base, so they weren't in the way for now. I could probably just leave them.
—And then…
"He's become an [Acrobat] I don't recognize again…"
"Seriously, he gets more insane every time I see him."
"So he's finally splitting giant trees with his fists, is he? Right."
"The very concept of a high-speed light warrior is breaking…"
"It's been broken for months, dude."
"Hey, you lot, stop gawking and get to work. Freeloaders will be sentenced to exile."
"""Aye, sir!"""
And so it went.
After several minutes of felling one giant tree after another, creating a massive commotion that must have echoed throughout the forest with a symphony of zwooshes, rumbles, cracks, and crashes…
Well, this was bound to happen. Drawn by the unusual racket, several other pairs had joined us, and our lonely group of four quickly grew.
Most of them were combat-oriented players. That said, unlike the people I usually hang around with—who have completely warped my standards—these were healthy (?) mainstream players.
So, instead of a chorus of ‘Let’s mow down some giant trees together!’, they were currently helping Nia and Nonomi-chan-san haul the lumber I'd cut.
How do I put this… Saying it out loud might sound condescending, but this is kind of comforting. It's peaceful, or maybe just… realistic.
If anything, it’s overflowing with that feeling of ‘This is what I love about MMOs.’ People coming together to accomplish something big—the very definition of cooperative play.
I don’t dislike it… in fact, I actually really like this sort of thing. It’s getting me pumped.
"Hey, Acrobat-saaan! We need to clear this area out a bit more, can you handle it?"
"Yeah, yeah, you got it! Leave it to me!"
On top of that, everyone's so friendly, easygoing, and good-natured that they don't hesitate to talk to me, a ranker who is clearly an outsider.
That might just be them being considerate, but I’m grateful for it all the same.
…As for the other outsiders—the two crimson flowers who were, deservedly, being showered with attention…
"In a group with Nonomi and Nia… I've used up a lifetime's worth of luck…"
"I was prepared to enjoy an all-guys survival trip. I could cry right now."
"We've only just started, but I think a victory declaration is in order, don't you?"
"If my followers find out, they'll probably burn me to a crisp with jealousy…"
"Even if that happens, I think I could accept it as just desserts."
"Right?"
"I feel you."
"I'd laugh my way through a spawn-camping hell for this."
"Getting to breathe the same air for three days… this has to be a crime…"
"Someone keep an eye on this guy. If he looks like he's about to snap, put him out of his misery."
—And so on. The guys were spouting crazy things, their gazes fixed fervently on the two girls.
"Nia-chan, how about you give them a cute little smile and a wave? I bet you'd create an army of loyal servants who'd do anything you say during this event. It'd probably be a one-hit KO. Go on, do it."
"Please, spare me…"
"Eheheh, right, right! You've already got your knight in shining armor, don't you?"
"Ngh, guh… Oh, you're so annoying…!"
…Well, whatever the case.
They seem to be having fun over there, too, so all in all, let's just call it good.
There's a special kind of nourishment you can only get from the miracle of a friendly and harmonious party of randoms.