Chapter 188 - Of Goldenrod...
There was no doubt that the monster caught by my Presence Detection had cast the Fireball.
Drab Wolves were slowly closing in from its left, right, and rear, applying pressure.
Under that pressure, it started to approach us...
"It's coming!"
Roar!
"[Water Shield]!"
I blocked the incoming Fireball with my Water Shield, and it dissipated without exploding.
What appeared, following the Fireball, was...
"A tanuki!? No, this is..."
The nameplate was red, reading [Roopaguma], but the striped nose was unmistakably a civet.
It had two short horns lined vertically on its forehead, but more importantly, it was unusually huge!
Wouldn't it be taller than me if it stood up?
"Gyao!"
The Roopaguma let out a threatening cry and lifted its front paws, but its gaze flickered around.
I didn't feel the same intimidation as from a Red Armor Bear; it seemed to be plotting an escape...
"Grrr..."
Lupi approached, letting out a low growl.
"Lupi-chan?"
Mion sounded worried, but I think Lupi judged this was the best way to prevent the opponent from escaping.
The Drab Wolves also moved closer, ready to pounce at any moment...
"Gyao... Ga!"
The Roopaguma recoiled from Lupi's pressure, but then suddenly opened its mouth wide, and a Fireball shot out.
"[Water Shield]!"
Lupi easily dodged the Fireball, but I didn't want it to explode past her, so I nullified it!
"Baaark!"
"Gyao!"
The Roopaguma shrieked as it was hit by Lupi's claw attack.
And then, the Drab Wolves attacked one after another...
"This is... I don't think I need to do anything..."
"Amazing!"
As expected, the Roopaguma was completely useless in close combat.
It probably attacks from a distance with Fireballs to weaken opponents first.
While I was thinking that, Lupi and the others achieved a complete victory.
They surrounded the defeated Roopaguma, holding a 'wait' stance.
"Woof!"
[Taming Skill Level Increased!]
"Good job!"
First, I made sure to praise Lupi.
She's the greatest, after all, and she properly gave instructions to the Drab Wolves and even made the first attack.
The Drab Wolves, watching this, were adorably fidgety...
"Wait a moment before Dismantling it."
First, I Appraised the Roopaguma.
[Roopaguma]
"A tanuki monster that spits Fireballs from its mouth to weaken opponents before attacking. Often flees when at a disadvantage.
Cooking: Its meat is rich in fat. Material Processing: Its bones, hide, and horns can be used for various materials."
It's a terrible monster that attacks once, observes, and then might even flee.
Ah, so that's why it has a lot of fat.
"Shou-kun, didn't you say 'civets' earlier?"
"Ah, well, there's a pest animal like a tanuki called that. It just reminded me of it."
Answering Mion, I proceeded to Dismantle it.
I meticulously collected the meat, bones, hide, horns, and a small Magic Stone, then prepared rewards.
"Here. One for each of you."
I cut the best looking fillet for Lupi and gave the rest to the Drab Wolves. I carefully stroked their heads before handing it over.
I'll give them all the leftover meat on the way back.
"Let's take a short break here."
"Woof!"
At Lupi's command, they all started eating at once.
I also took out some Dried Grapeful from my inventory, which I had prepared as a snack, and popped one in.
"~~~!"
"Oh, sorry, sorry."
Sweee emerged from my hood, sat on my shoulder, and demanded Dried Grapeful.
Thanks to Sweee teaching me how to use the Water Spirit, I easily handled the Fireball, so she could have as much as she liked.
"~~~♪"
"The Spirit Magic was amazing too."
"Right? Sweee, you really helped me out."
Sweee put on a smug face at my words, but her mouth was stained purple...
"It would be great if you could use Earth Spirits and Fire Spirits too."
"You're right. Especially if I had an Earth Spirit, I might be able to do something about that collapse."
"Can't you use the magic that hardens earth for that?"
"Hmm, I thought about hardening the whole thing and then digging a tunnel, but I have no idea how far the collapse extends."
Maybe I should drill narrow holes for geological surveys or something?
But judging from what I saw today, if I carelessly tamper with that collapse, it feels like a lot more might come crashing down from above, which is scary.
We chatted with Mion like that for a while during our break.
Lupi and the Drab Wolves had also devoured their meat and looked satisfied, and Sweee seemed to be sleeping in my hood...
"Alright, let's go a little further."
"Woof-woof."
...
...
...
"Oh, no..."
As we continued down the river, the water flowed into a difficult passage flanked by cliffs.
It seemed tough to follow any further...
"The current is strong, too. If you push it, you'll get swept away."
"You're right. Is your territory up to here?"
"Baaark!"
The Drab Wolf father answered, as if saying, "Yes!"
If that's the case, our club activity exploration ends here. Tonight, I'll have them guide me to the other side, probably towards the territory of a different Drab Wolf family.
"Mion, what time is it now?"
"It's just past 4 o'clock."
"Alright, it's time to head back. I need to write that letter when I get back to the Mountain Cabin."
"Ah, right."
At least I should write a reply saying, "I've safely received it," and send it, right?
"Alright, let's go home!"
"Woof!"
Lupi replied, and the Drab Wolves echoed her with "Baaark!"
Yep, yep, I feel like I'm getting used to this.
...
...
...
Back at the Mountain Cabin, I placed the Magic Transfer Box on the mini-chest on the first floor. I planned to put its contents in that drawer, but first, I needed to write the reply.
The fountain pen-like object in the box was...
[Magic Engraving Pen]
"A pen that engraves characters using mana. MP consumption varies depending on the hardness of the target."
...and I was surprised. It means I can write on anything, right?
Then I wrote, "that I received this box and its contents" and "that I generally understood the contents of the letter."
"Alright, is this good enough?"
"I think so."
Well, the main point is that I received it safely, so it's fine, right?
"Oh, right."
"What's wrong?"
"Just a little something. I don't think I'll get scolded for it."
A moderate amount of Dried Papu Fruit and Dried Grapeful in a Greydeer leather pouch.
I'll add a postscript: "These are dried fruits harvested on the island. I hope they suit your taste."
Even if they don't suit the Dragonkin's taste, perhaps their subordinates? Or those under their protection? I feel like some species would like them.
"Since Shou-kun made it, I'm sure they'll like it."
"I wonder. Well, I don't even know if they'll taste it."
What do Dragonkin usually eat, anyway...?