Chapter 35 - Chapter 33: The Kind of Person You Want to Be an Apprentice To
"Shou-kun, Lupi-chan, good evening."
"Welcome, Mion."
"Woof!"
So, I got home, made and ate dinner, quickly finished my homework, and logged into IRO.
I stopped by the Virtual Club Room just in case, but Bell-buchou had already gone into IRO.
After that, it was decided that 'the information provider will remain a secret,' so I just left it to them.
Normally, you'd get money or some form of compensation in-game for providing information… but Bell-buchou can keep that. I have no way to receive it anyway.
First, I gave Lupi minced rabbit meat and water, then prepared my own meal. Yeah, I'm getting tired of grilled rabbit skewers. I want to change the flavor…
I washed the cup and plate, leaving the fire lit. Maybe I should build and preheat a separate kiln for pottery first.
"Lupi, you can do what you want. Oh, don't go too far in the back, okay?"
"Woof-un!"
With that reply, she dashed off towards the Dense Forest to the east.
Did she go hunting Bicobits? Well, if she catches one, she'll probably bring it back in her mouth.
"Alright, first, let's try making a kiln."
That being said, it's just picking up large stones from the beach and arranging them so there are as few gaps as possible.
Rather than making an earthenware pot from scratch, I figure making a few cups first might raise my skill level.
"Is skill assist working when you make a kiln?"
"It seems to be working, in a way. I just don't really know which skill it's affecting…"
If I at least had bricks, I think I could build it in a better shape.
After about an hour of effort, a stone kiln about the size of a large cardboard box was complete. Come to think of it, I Appraised it…
[Crude Stone Kiln]
A stone kiln that can, at best, fire items.
Cooking: Quality penalty. Pottery: Quality penalty.
"O-oh…"
It's crudely made, so that's to be expected, but it can also be used for cooking. No, I guess it can.
Still, I have no flour for bread, pizza, or gratin. Something with just meat… maybe something like Roasted Rabbit?
"Woof!"
"Welcome back, Lupi. Wow, you're skilled to carry two Bicobits in your mouth."
I quickly Dismantled them, then cut a little rabbit meat and gave it to her as a reward.
After eating deliciously, she seemed to get sleepy and flopped down in the grass, looking ready for a nap.
"Alright, time to knead some clay…"
I had collected two types of clay. The Red Clay was the same as before, and I had newly discovered White Clay.
[White Clay]
White-colored clay.
Pottery: A raw material for pottery.
"It seems like there might be all sorts of other clays too."
"I'll have to go look on the west side and other places when I get the chance."
Well, for now, it's enough to just try it.
Mixing water with Elemental Magic
Air trapped inside would make it prone to cracking, so after kneading it thoroughly to remove air, I made some handle-less cups for starters.
"It still looks like an elementary school craft project…"
"It has a handmade feel, which is nice, isn't it?"
"Ugh, it's embarrassing…"
This is going to be recorded in a video and streamed, huh? Well, my wooden plates were also crooked, so I guess it's too late for shame…
For now, I made as many as would fit in the stone kiln and started firing them.
I figured it needed a considerable temperature, so I aggressively threw in dried branches and deadwood I had collected.
"…In real life, I think it would take several hours, but how about in this game?"
"Shall I go look it up?"
"Ah, yeah. Please do."
"Yes!"
Surely I don't have to wait the same amount of time in-game. Otherwise, Blacksmithing would be incredibly tough, right?
But then again, I wonder if there are any other players with such a niche skill. I probably won't find anything even if I search…
Anyway, I maintained the fire's intensity for a while.
"Shou-kun, I found out. Apparently, about 15 minutes is enough."
"Seriously?!"
"It seems there's someone on the forum who's been doing Pottery for a long time, just posting notes to themselves."
"Amazing…"
I kinda want to apprentice under them now.
I wonder. Maybe they do pottery in real life? It has a certain 'man's romance' appeal, you know.
Ah, I don't know how much time has passed now!
"Apparently, a message appears when the time is up."
"Oh, is that so? Good."
Relieved, I waited for a while and then…
[Pottery: Fired Finished.]
"Oh, looks like it's done."
"Wait, please. It needs to cool naturally, apparently. That also takes about 15 minutes."
"I see."
If I had heat-resistant gloves or tongs, I'd take them out. For the next firing, I'll figure out a way to pull them out… but for now, I guess I just have to put out the fire and leave them.
"I'm going to go check on the traps for a change of pace."
"Woof!"
When I stood up, Lupi, thinking it was time for a walk, happily bounded up to me.
It's become a recent routine, but I really want my trap-related skills to level up soon.
"I think I want to take down the goblin settlement by this weekend."
"It's finally happening!"
"I'm thinking of doing it either Saturday or Sunday, Mion, which day is better for you?"
"Any time other than Saturday afternoon is fine."
"Okay. Then, Saturday night, I guess."
If that doesn't work, I'll re-challenge on Sunday.
…
Even after checking during club, I was surprised by how many things were caught in the traps. Maybe I should check more frequently.
What's more, reliably catching Saloon Lizards with South Snake meat is a good deal. Saloon Lizard skin must surely become a usable material.
And then,
"My skill levels went up quite a bit today."
"That's good. I felt like the game wasn't progressing much because of club activities…"
"Ah, you don't need to worry about that. It was lucky that I got into the open beta group anyway."
Just today, Dagger skill: Lv3, Dismantling skill: Lv4, Appraisal skill: Lv4, Throwing skill: Lv3, Presence Detection skill: Lv4, Presence Concealment skill: Lv4, Gathering skill: Lv4, Trap Crafting skill: Lv3, Trap Setting/Disarming skill: Lv4.
It really does level up when you use it.
"It's probably cooled down enough now?"
I held my hand over it to confirm it had cooled. Still, I didn't want to get burned, so I carefully took them out.
"Oh, they're done!"
The shape is… that, but proper cups are made. Man, even though it's a game, it feels so real, and I'm super happy.
[Pottery Skill level increased!]
"Oh, my Pottery skill went up!"
"Congratulations. But apparently, those are still just bisque-fired."
"Eh…"