Chapter 458 - Chapter 407: Unexpected Encounter
As a result of silently continuing the bathroom renovation into the night.
"Alright, it's clean!"
「Ryu~~~♪」「Nya~~~♪」
High-fives with Paan and the others, and Shal and the others, who had helped.
After laying the last tile, the bathroom was transformed and looked beautiful.
As expected, the atmosphere changes when it brightens up.
"Yeah. Blackened walls and floors aren't pleasant to look at."
Thanks to mass-producing replacement tiles during the day, my Pottery skill reached level 7.
I hadn't made much pottery besides small bottles recently, so the level hadn't gone up much.
After quickly tidying up,
「~~~♪」「Kururu~~~♪」
Sweee and Raz came and occupied both my shoulders.
Their expressions clearly indicated,
Is it snack time?
"That's right. I'm a bit tired, too."
Apparently, staying in the same position for a long time is tiring even in IRO.
I should have put a VIT buff with the Red Marth tart...
………
……
…
Break over, after everyone ate snacks.
"Is it past 9 o'clock now?"
Yes. It's almost 9:30.
"Then, I guess I'll just secure some wood for furniture."
The forest beyond the water channel.
Felling the trees by the water's edge has improved visibility a bit, but I also want to gradually expand it.
"Ah, that's right. I still had the plan to build a watermill..."
Let's take our time with it during summer vacation.
"Well, I guess so."
I'll do it slowly after I move.
For that, first comes logging.
"Ryu!"「「「Ryu~~~」」」
Paan and the Urisks seemed ready.
It's a great help to be able to entrust them with stripping branches from felled trees and peeling bark.
"Nya!"「「「Nyaa!」」」
Shal and the others seem willing to help too. In that case,
""Bow!""
"Leda and Roy, I'll rely on you too. Oh, and don't go too deep into the forest."
"Woofn."
And then,
「~~~♪」「Kururu~~~."
"Alright, alright."
Those two are coming along too, huh?
Sweee, as always, perched proudly on my left shoulder, and Raz, nestled in my hood, swaying happily.
We all trudged to the water channel and crossed at the same spot as before.
Be careful.
"Yeah. Lupi, Leda, Roy. Keep watch, please."
I watched Lupi and the others scatter into the forest, and for a while, I activated [Shared Presence Detection].
As expected, they're focusing their patrol on the areas I was worried about before.
Paan and the others immediately started clearing undergrowth, and Shal and the others were carrying it away.
"Alright, I'll start from around here, so be careful about the direction the trees fall."
"Ryu!""Nya!"
………
……
…
After felling two moderately large trees that Sweee had chosen, we took a short break.
My Logging skill level also went up to 7 after a long time.
The Axe skill remaining at 5 is probably because I don't use it in combat.
"Everyone, let's take a little break too."
As if hearing the word 'break,' Sweee and Raz came over, demanding snacks. I thought they had eaten quite a bit just now.
"I'll call Lupi and the others... hm?"
As I activated [Shared Presence Detection], something registered on Lupi's [Presence Detection]...
Shou-kun?
"Woof!"
"Shal! Protect everyone here! Paan and the others, if it gets dangerous, go to the mansion!"
"Nya!""Ryu!"
I dashed towards Lupi.
Equipping my Ken-nata and Round Shield from inventory, I also activated [Spirit's Blessing].
This presence is...
"Grruaaaaa!"
Ah!
It's been quite a while since I last saw an Armor Bear.
But this time, I can't really push it into the sea, so I'll have to fight it head-on.
"Uuuuu~~~!"
Lupi braced his four legs and growled.
Leda and Roy positioned themselves on either side, looking for an opportunity to attack.
「~~~！」「Kru!」
After confirming that Sweee and Raz had moved away, I raised my shield and stood next to Lupi.
Damn it. I should have used [Backstab] from [Stealth] for the first strike.
"Gaah!"
"Ngh!"
A hard clang rang out, and the Armor Bear's claws were deflected by my Mithril Round Shield.
The blow that felt heavy before, I could deflect it without problem this time!
"Bow!"
Roy lunged at the Armor Bear as it lost its balance.
The Armor Bear turned towards the claw strike to its flank, but this time Leda attacked from the opposite side. Furthermore,
"Kru!"
A [Fireball] launched by Raz from atop a tree hit the Armor Bear near its temple!
Looking up, it got attacked from below; worried about below, it got attacked from above, cornering the Armor Bear.
"Gau!"
Lupi's [Crush Claw] hit its knee, making the Armor Bear stagger.
This is my chance!
"
I brought down my Ken-nata with [Gravity Increase] and struck it hard!
"Gugyaaaaah!"
The Armor Bear reeled back, having taken massive damage to its shoulder.
If I don't defeat it now, it might mutate again, so I'll finish it quickly!
"Everyone! Close your eyes!"
I used [Light Spirit] to blind it! Followed by activating [Stealth]! Then I went around behind it,
(Backstab!)
"Gugoh..."
When I struck the Ken-nata into its nape, the Armor Bear fell forward.
[Character level increased!]
[Shield Skill level increased!]
[Stealth Skill level increased!]
[Spatial Magic skill level increased!]
[Special Sword Mastery skill level increased!]
[Gravity Magic skill level increased!]
"Phew..."
I defeated it safely, but it doesn't seem to have been an Area Boss, I thought. Just then,
Rustle rustle rustle! Thud!
"Whoa!"
Eh!
What fell on top of the defeated Armor Bear was... what is this? A clump of leaves?
I looked up, thinking it wasn't something Sweee or Raz dropped,
「~~~！」
"Eh? A fairy!?"
Sweee, who had descended, shouted that it wasn't an enemy, and it seemed to have been hit by my [Light Spirit]'s blinding attack.
Shou-kun, [Appraisal] it.
"U-uh, okay."
[Ghillie Dhu: Unconscious]
Forest Fairy. Benevolent and quiet, living secluded in deep forests. It is extremely difficult to find, as its clothes are made of leaves and moss.
Whoa! Bad, bad, bad!
"Sweee, what should I do?"
「~~~♪」
"I understand. She just needs to rest quietly for a while, so for now, I'll carry her to Shal and the others."
Yes!
This clump of leaves, is it clothing?
As I picked up the fairy, who was lying face down, I could glimpse a boy-like face with long black hair.
This child wasn't caught by my or Lupi's [Presence Detection], so does he have [Stealth Skill]...?