Chapter 104 - Starting with Making Tools
"Phew, that was a close call..."
Outside, it was unfortunately raining.
I quickly collected the basket traps I had set before they could be swept away by rising water.
Catching three [Flower Trout] was good, but...
"The [Stone Kiln] is really inconvenient if it's not indoors, after all."
"When you renovate that [Mountain Cabin], are you going to put it inside?"
"Hmm, it might get cramped inside, so maybe I'll build a 'doma' (earthen floor) on the west side and put it there?"
I also have to consider the plumbing.
Draining into the spring seems fine, but I'm reluctant to drain it too dirty. Should I build a drain and treat the wastewater...?
"Um... what's a 'doma'?"
"Oh, you don't know? No, I guess most people wouldn't."
I only knew because my grandpa's house was like that, but there are hardly any houses like that anymore.
Simply put, it's an indoor area where the floor is still bare earth or [Stone Pavement], is that right?
My grandpa's house had a doma running from the front door to the back door, with an inner entrance halfway. It was a bit interesting and I liked it.
"I see. I'd like to see it."
"Well, what I'm making here is perhaps more accurately described as a covered yard rather than a doma."
The [Mountain Cabin] always has wind blowing down from the mountainside, so the [Stone Kiln], which handles fire, should be on the leeward side.
I'll need timber for the roof too, so first, I need to make an axe that can cut thick trees.
"Woof."
"Ah, sorry. I can't do fancy cooking today, so it's minced meat."
Minced rabbit with [Lexon] on the side.
While watching [Lupi] eat, I realized I had to change today's plans.
I had intended to scout the area around the [Mountain Cabin], but I guess I'll have to focus solely on crafting.
"It's raining, but do you want to go check out the [Mountain Cabin]?"
"No, I'll make a large axe first. My current one-handed axe is too difficult to work with."
"I see."
I feel like I don't have enough iron ingots to make a two-handed axe.
Maybe I should do some serious [Mining] for the first time in a while and build up my reserves.
"Alright, I'll be clanging away today, Lupi, so you can do whatever you like."
"Woof."
Well then, time to dedicate myself to serious production activities...
...
...
...
I mined and refined, mined and refined, mined and blacksmithing...
[Quality Two-Handed Axe]
A large, two-handed axe. Good quality. Attack power +43.
[Axe]: Two-handed weapon. [Logging]: Can cut down large trees too.
"Oh, I made a good one. And the attack power is amazing!"
"Congratulations!"
"As expected, when [Blacksmithing], [Woodcraft], and [Crafting Skill] all go up, the quality of what you make changes."
I wonder what the attack power of Nat's two-handed greatsword is. I'll ask him tomorrow.
"Are you going to fight with that too?"
"Hmm, honestly, I'm torn. Since I'm alone, aggro will inevitably come to me, and two-handed weapons can't block."
Even in the previous fight with the Armor Bear, I couldn't really close the distance because I was solely focused on dodging.
It would be great if I could form a party and have a main tank like [Seth], but that's not an option.
"I guess I'll have to get the [Shield Skill] after all..."
"Are you going to make a big shield like [Seth]-chan's?"
"No, a shield worn on the arm. Something like a small shield or [Round Shield]. [Seth]'s greatshield is for taking hits, but mine would be for parrying or deflecting."
With a one-handed axe and a small shield, I feel like I could manage close combat somewhat.
Could I store a knife on the back of it? I'm starting to want to try making one...
"Won't it be heavy?"
"Ah, I wonder. Speaking of which, [Seth]'s equipment clearly looks heavy, so why is she fine with it?"
"That's true. Is it because her [STR] is high?"
"Right. She's a main tank, so her stats would prioritize [VIT] and [STR]. Well, I'm not planning to make a shield that size, so maybe I'll make it out of wood and reinforce it with iron?"
I'm starting to feel like I could just put an iron rim on a cross-section of a log.
"Woof!"
"[Lupi]. Did the rain stop, by any chance?"
"Woof."
It seems to have stopped, so maybe I'll go for a walk.
More accurately, I want to try out the two-handed axe I made.
"I'll take this axe for a test-cut, sort of, while I'm out for a walk."
"Sounds good. Should we make a path to the coast soon?"
"Ah... I forgot."
If I renovate the [Mountain Cabin] and move there, which route would be closer to the coast from there?
No, the forest on the west side has [Forebit] and [Greydeer], so maybe it's better to leave it as hunting grounds instead of making a road.
"Yeah, I'll make a road over there after all. I also want to know how long it takes for big trees to respawn after being cut down."
"I see."
"Alright, let's go!"
"Woof!"
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...
...
[The [Axe] skill level has increased!]
[The [Logging] skill level has increased!]
"Phew..."
"Congratulations. You're leveling up a lot today."
"Thanks. I felt like I cut down quite a lot, but there's still so much more..."
The path ahead was still dense forest. Looking back, there was the path leading to the plaza in front of the cave.
I didn't want to waste [Papu Tree]s, so I cut down trees that weren't worth much even if appraised. As a result, the path wound and snaked, but I guess that's fine.
"Ah, is it getting late?"
"It's 20 minutes until 11 o'clock."
"Seriously? I guess I'll just carry the cut wood to the plaza for now."
It's more than enough material for various [Woodcraft] projects, but I suppose it would be better to dry it first.
I carried them one by one to the plaza and stacked them at the edge of the western slope. It just rained, so I'll deal with them during club activities tomorrow. I hope it's sunny.
"Speaking of which, Mion, have you thought about what to do for Saturday's live stream yet?"
"Yes. How about a live re-enactment, like a site investigation, of what happened during that battle with the bear?"
"Oh, that sounds interesting. Should I just explain what happened and then what occurred, in order?"
"Exactly. We haven't really introduced the western forest much, so including that would be good, wouldn't it?"
The videos I've uploaded are just from around the time I helped [Lupi] and when I was chased by the Armor Bear before, right?
"Okay, okay. Then let's start from the [Safe Zone] grassland."
"I also want to show that the traps became ropes, so please prepare for that."
"Roger that. It'd be great if something got caught successfully."
If a [Greydeer] got caught, I could also show off [Lupi]'s brave figure, killing two birds with one stone. My pet is cute and strong.
"Speaking of which, are there other companions like [Lupi] who have Arts?"
"Should I go look it up?"
"Ah, no, it's fine. I might even ask about it during the live stream."
"Yes!"