Chapter 125 - Chapter 112 An Unknown Battlefield
I donned my composite armor, with a hand axe and paralyzing knife at my waist. I readjusted my mantle.
I regret not having made [Coputi] [Heal Potion] yet. For now, I checked that I had 2 bamboo potions in my inventory.
The pouch, I had given it to [Lupi] and hadn't remade it.
It's frustrating that my preparations are so incomplete. I mean, I should always be ready for battle!
"No, let's go!"
"Woof!"
As the [Fairy] rode on her back, [Lupi] dashed off. I desperately chased after her.
She charged straight through the forest, I think heading towards that small patch of grass we first visited, but...
Nothing registered on my [Presence Detection Skill]. Was there no need for [Presence Concealment Skill], or did [Lupi] just keep running at a speed I could barely keep up with?
"Woof."
"Huh, there's nothing here, though?"
The patch of grass we arrived at was completely peaceful.
The warm sunlight was pouring down, and flowers were blooming everywhere, just like the last time I saw it. Monsters... where?
"~~~!"
"Huh? What is it?"
The [Fairy] that flew over grabbed my arm... no, my finger, and pulled.
Could it be bugs...?
"Ugh, I hope not."
As I was pulled across the grassy patch, trying not to step on any flowers, I was led to the back of a large tree that stood deep within.
There, was a tree hollow large enough for one person to crawl through on all fours...
"Don't tell me... you want me to go inside this?"
"~~~!"
The [Fairy] shook its head vigorously back and forth, then grabbed my finger again and pulled.
Furthermore,
"Woof!"
"Ah, yeah, I get it. I'm going."
I can't refuse when [Lupi] rushes me.
In game terms, I'm probably being warped to another location, but... I can get back, right?
Shou-kun, please be careful, okay?
"Roger. Oh, if you're broadcasting to the [Club Room], stop it. I've got nothing but a bad feeling about this now."
Okay.
... ... ...
Crawling in headfirst on all fours, there was a momentary floating sensation, then light appeared ahead. It looked like an exit.
The [Fairy] was making gestures like "hurry, hurry," but the space was so tight I could barely squeeze through on all fours.
If this were shown on stream, I'd probably look pretty pathetic...
"Woof!"
[Lupi], who should have been behind me, smoothly slipped between my legs and under my chest, dashing towards the light with the [Fairy]. And then,
"Vwoooo..."
"Is there a monster right where I came out!?"
Desperately moving my elbows and knees, I managed to tumble out of the light.
"Bowff!"
What she barked at was a boar-headed monster. An Orc.
Its eyes glared at [Lupi], but then it moved the [Fairy] it held in its right hand towards its mouth...
"Hey!"
Shou-kun!
I reached for the knife at my waist and used [Knife Throwing].
"Gyagh!"
The knife pierced its chest, and at the same time, [Lupi] pounced, freeing the [Fairy] from its right hand.
The Orc, stiffened, probably from the [Paralytic Venom], I cleanly cut down with my hand axe.
[Axe skill level increased!]
Phew, that was close.
Even though it's a game, I definitely don't want to see what happens next in that situation, so I'm glad I made it in time.
"~~~!"
The [Fairy] that escaped the Orc's hand flew towards me... and hugged another [Fairy].
Huh? So the one that was captured wasn't the one that came to call me?
"Woof."
"Oh, right. I should dismantle it. No, before that, I'll [Appraise] it."
[Orc]
A bipedal boar monster. Its [Strength] surpasses that of humans, but its intelligence is lower than that of Goblins.
IRO's Orcs are boars, not pigs. And when dismantled, you get fangs, hide, [Magic Stone (Small)], huh. The fact that I don't get meat probably means it's not edible.
Turning around, there was the tree hollow of the large tree that [Lupi] and I apparently came out of. I must have warped from the large tree in that grassy area to this, but... where exactly am I?
Other players are doing events in the [World Quest], so is this an [Uninhabited Island]-exclusive event? Does that mean this place is an instance?
"I don't really get it, but I guess it's fine to say I made it in time?"
It seems so. That's good.
Then, the [Fairies] who had been hugging flew right in front of me.
Looking closely, they really are different. The haughty one on the right was the one who demanded [Greenberry Fruit], and the docile one on the left was the one I rescued.
"~~~!"
"Huh?"
Somehow, the haughty one is pointing to the left and shouting. Is this...
Could there still be [Fairies] who need rescuing?
"Woof!"
"Hey, tell me sooner!"
The haughty [Fairy] rode on [Lupi] again, and the docile one... what should I do? I can't just leave her.
"For now, stay here."
I pointed to the hood hanging down my back, and she seemed to understand, nestling comfortably inside.
"Woof."
"Alright, let's go."
[Lupi], who apparently heard something from the [Fairy], now started moving smoothly and silently.
This feels like a situation where I should use [Presence Concealment Skill]...
... ... ...
"Hey, are you sure you saw a [Fairy]? If they find out we're wandering away from town when the defense battle is about to start, we'll get scolded, you know?"
"It's true! If we catch one and bring it to [Harune-chan], we're guaranteed to join the knight order!"
[Presence Concealment Skill level increased!]
...It wasn't an instance.
[Harune-chan] means it's probably around the place where a new nation was founded, right?
After speed-walking behind [Lupi] for a while, just as a game trail became visible, my [Presence Detection Skill] picked up two male players who were now visible.
One was a melee warrior type, with a small shield and long sword. The other seemed like a pure mage, wearing a robe and carrying a short staff.
They were careless, or rather, they didn't seem to have [Presence Detection Skill], as they were completely unaware of us.
Since I couldn't afford to be found, I crouched down and hid in the bushes. It seemed they knew where other [Fairies] were.
[Lupi] and the [Fairy] turned around, looking at me for confirmation.
I put a finger to my lips while gesturing towards them.
Apparently satisfied, [Lupi] quietly began to tail them. I followed a little distance behind.
"Oh, there it is."
"Hey. There are three Orcs there. Is that alright?"
"They're probably trying to catch [Fairies] too. If you ambush one with your magic, we'll be fine."
They thought they were whispering, but I could hear them surprisingly well.
Well, the Orcs visible ahead didn't seem to notice.
The target [Fairy] had fled into a crevice in the rocks and was holding out. Is the right move to snatch her and run the moment those two defeat the Orcs and she's free?
...It feels like something a villain would do. Oh well.