Chapter 24 - Don't Fight Head-On
"Alright, starting the stream."
After being strongly advised not to engage in reckless combat with the Armor Bear, I logged into IRO.
As usual, I started a Mion-only stream. Lupi sat happily in my cross-legged lap, having gotten up.
"Shou-kun, Lupi, hello."
"Welcome, Mion."
"Woof!"
Lupi's greeting added a nice touch. It also showed off how smart Lupi is, responding properly.
"What are you doing today?"
"Today might be some mundane work? First, I need to get some skills."
I answered, opening the skill list.
I was looking for the skills necessary for the strategy imparted by my foolish sister — Miki. Since they were skills that wouldn't be wasted even if I failed, I decided to give them a try.
"Found them. There are three: [Trap Crafting], [Trap Setting/Disarming], [Trap Detection]..."
"Traps?"
"Yeah. Even if my level goes up, getting surrounded is definitely dangerous, so I thought I'd prepare so that doesn't happen."
Miki's proposed strategy was to set up a trap zone a little distance from the goblin settlement and lure them there.
And well, trap-related skills wouldn't be wasted considering future needs. The problem is I don't know how many traps I can make...
"[Trap Crafting] and [Trap Setting/Disarming] are 4 SP each, [Trap Detection] is 1 SP, for a total of 9 SP. I feel like I don't need [Trap Detection], but I might set them and forget them..."
I braced myself and clicked to acquire them. That leaves me with 19 SP. Still perfectly fine. That special achievement for being a pioneer earlier was a big one.
"Alright, I'll go rabbit hunting and test out these trap skills."
"Shou-kun, please feed Lupi first."
"Woof!"
Yes, ma'am...
*
I was strolling with Lupi through the shallower parts of the dense forest in the island's southeast.
"Piss-piss!"
"Woof!"
Lupi easily defeated a Bicobit and presented it to me, signaling "Dismantle it."
"Good girl, good girl."
As I quickly dismantled the Bicobit,
[Dismantling skill level has increased!]
"Oh, the [Dismantling] skill level went up first. And this is [Bicobit Hide]!"
"That's good. Couldn't you make leather straps or something?"
"Ah, I see. Yeah, it seems useful for traps and various other things."
Hmm? I need to process the hide into leather, right? I'll have to check later if there's a skill for that.
"Oh, this vine looks good."
"For a trap?"
"Yeah. I think a [Snare Trap] would be the easiest."
Like the kind you often see in movies, where a loop catches your leg and hoists you up. I probably can't make anything that extreme, so it's more like a noose trap for deer or boars.
I secured some sturdy vines, and then a few hard-looking branches. Is this probably enough? I activated [Trap Setting/Disarming] and looked around...
[Trap Setting possible: Snare Trap]
It properly told me what kind of trap I could set.
"I'll try setting one using this tree."
"Okay!"
When I focused on the spot where I wanted to set it, the steps appeared in my mind, so I moved my hands accordingly and completed the setup.
"Lupi. It's dangerous, so don't go near that area, okay?"
"Woof!"
She gave me a smug look, as if saying "I know." She's smarter than me, so she'll be fine.
After setting a few more [Snare Traps] in similar spots, I returned to the tent.
"At that location, do you think rabbit monsters might get caught?"
"Probably. There might be something else too, so I'm kind of hoping. I plan to check when I log in tonight."
"I'm looking forward to it. What will you do until then?"
"Hmm... I hadn't really thought about it. Maybe whittle some driftwood into dishes... Oh, I'll make a flying disc for Lupi first."
It's an MMORPG, so the normal thing would be to hunt monsters, gain experience and money, and strengthen my character and equipment.
"Lupi, that's great~."
"Woof~."
Somehow, Mion's voice seems to reach Lupi. Does Lupi hear the stream?
I strolled along the beach with Lupi, picking up suitable driftwood. Or rather,
"Lupi! Fetch!"
"Woof!"
I casually threw a piece of driftwood shaped vaguely like a shoe, and Lupi dashed after it. Yeah, that's what I thought, when suddenly...
[Throwing skill level has increased!]
"Eh? It goes up like this...?"
"Apparently, it goes up quickly until level 5."
"I see. Well, it feels more like 'I did it!' when the early levels go up smoothly."
If it took a month to go from level 1 to 2, I'd probably quit by then.
"Shou-kun, you have so many skills, so you'll have to level all of them up."
"Well, to a reasonable extent, I guess. The skills I need for a relaxed solo life will probably go up eventually."
"Woof!"
Ah, right, one more time.
I've got a feeling my [Throwing] skill is going to be the only one leveling up.
.........
......
...
[Stonemasonry skill level has increased!]
From then on, while playing with Lupi, I used Appraisal and Gathering all over the place to raise skill levels. After returning, I also did Woodcraft, Stonemasonry, and Cooking, bringing those skill levels to 2.
Woodcraft and Cooking I could still do with my dagger, but Stonemasonry was a bit tough. I selected hard stones by hitting them together, and used them to craft a new stove and cutting board.
"When you have more plates and cups, you start wanting a house, don't you?"
"You're right about that~."
"You mentioned a log house before, do you have any plans?"
"I do, actually. But it's still a secret."
For now, I'm thinking of clearing out those goblins and building a base there.
They were living in a somewhat open area, so I'd like to move my base there temporarily and build a cabin in that space.
"Alright, it's almost time to prepare dinner, so I'm logging off."
"Okay~. By the way, you were shopping at Touyu today, right? Was that your sister next to you?"
"Eh, yeah, it was. You should've said something if you saw me."
"There's no way I could speak to you in real life, is there?"
Ah, right, that's true...
"Well, Miki also... oh, that's my sister's name. She watches my and Mion's videos, plays IRO, said she's coming to Mitsumori next year, and will probably join the Cybernetics Club, so I think you'll meet her eventually."
"I-is that so? I'm nervous..."
"It's fine. She's smart but still a kid."
Yeah, if she finds out I said that, it'll be the sirloin course again...