kscans

Chapter 447 - Clearing a Path, Expanding the Circle

Alright then, 《Rocket》—is a card I can't just play without thinking, given the current lack of recovery methods like potions. Therefore, I'll have to rely on this, which has been on the back burner since I acquired my own aerial jump.

"Up, ha, and away—!"

As before, I activate 《Mistlurade》 and shoot a Bullet straight up, creating my own path to dash up.

Hmm, this is still convenient. The added demerit can't be ignored, but the elimination of the cooldown, allowing for free switching, is a super-enhancement of epic proportions.

A card you can play carelessly is, in any case, simply strong. From now on, it will undoubtedly become a mainstay skill that I'll be relying on frequently.

And with that, I'm in the sky. Breaking through the curtain of leaves and jumping into the air, I find not a dim forest but a vast, clear sky—

Well, the sky still has that weird image of the ground on it, but anyway,

"Ah… a massive forest."

Looking down from the strange sky to the ground below, I see a vast expanse of forest, forest, and more forest. I can see the 'end' of it, but who knows how long it would take to get through with the three of them below.

…Maybe clearing a path is actually more realistic.

Of course, if I were to do something about it, it would be a problem I could solve in a few minutes, but that would be a complete irregularity from the system's perspective. Nia and I are one thing, but since Nonomi-chan-san's artisan pair was also thrown in here….

"Could that be the 'intended path'...?"

Forest-clearing survival—I see, that sounds about right.

"—And that's the gist of it."

"…So this is the [Acrobat]."

"Less a rank holder and more, yeah. The [Acrobat]."

"Can you please never fall headfirst again? It's bad for my heart."

When I reported what I had seen and my thoughts, the reactions were varied. While Nia scolded me and pinched my arm, I was also met with words of appreciation for my work.

"So, should we clear a path? Well, we don't have the strength for that, so we'll have to leave it to you, but we can provide support here and there!"

"Two high-level magic crafters should be enough for processing the trees. We're short on numbers, but we have the necessary technicians."

Just like that, the Nono-Tetsu pair started to decide on a course of action. I, of course, and Nia, seemed to have no objections, but… well, I wonder about the 'two' of them.

"Ittetsu-san is—"

"'San' isn't necessary. You can just call me Tetsu if you want."

"Oh, understood… Is Tetsu-san okay? It's easier to say."

That way, it still feels friendly with the 'san.' After receiving a nod of approval, and with his nickname settled, I had a question.

"I thought there were 'three' of us, but are you not a magic crafter, Tetsu-san?"

"Ah, I'm a magic crafter, in a sense. But unlike Nonomi or your [Milmarinus], I'm not a high-level artisan. I won't be much help outside of my area of expertise."

"Oh… and what might that be?"

When I pressed further, a faint, confident smile that made me think, 'He can make that face?' appeared on his lips—

"You'll see later. Look forward to it."

He confidently raised the bar for himself and declared that I would have to wait.

◇◆◇◆◇

—And so, several dozen minutes later.

"Alright, then… is this enough for now?"

After a job… or rather, a rampage that was far too grand to be called a job, I released the gauntlets of my well-used [An=Ru Galta (Hypothesis: The Wedge-Armor that Sings of the Royal Road)] and leisurely looked around, murmuring to myself.

Scattered all around me was a mountain of raw lumber that even two top-tier artisans with expert material processing skills couldn't keep up with. They were all ridiculously thick fantasy giant trees… but the cleanly cut surfaces were, if I do say so myself, magnificent. I did a good job.

Now, what to do with the massive number of stumps I've created—I cut them flat near the base, so they won't be in the way for now. I guess I can just leave them.

—And,

"He's become an Acrobat I don't know again…"

"He gets crazier every time I see him."

"So he's finally cleaving giant trees with his fists, is he?"

"The very concept of a high-speed light warrior is breaking…"

"It's been broken for months."

"You guys stop gawking and get to work, you hear? Freeloaders will be sentenced to exile."

"""Yessir."""

And so.

After felling one giant tree after another and creating a huge commotion that must have echoed throughout the forest for several dozen minutes with a symphony of ZPAAAN, GOGOGO, BAKI BAKI, DOSHA, GOGAAN.

Well, it was bound to happen. Several pairs, drawn by the unusual noise, had joined us, and our small group of four had quickly graduated from its lonely status.

Most of them were combat-oriented. That said, unlike the people around me, whose standards have been completely skewed, they were healthy (?) general players.

So, instead of a 'Let's mow down giant trees together!!' situation, they were currently helping Nia and Nonomi-chan-san transport the lumber and other things.

How should I put this… it might sound condescending if I say it out loud, but it's heartwarming. It's calm, or rather, realistic.

If anything, it's overflowing with the 'this is what's good' feeling you get from a classic MMO genre. Coming together to achieve something great, the epitome of cooperative play.

I don't dislike it… in fact, I simply love it. I'm getting excited.

"Acrobat-san! We want to clear out a little more over here, can you handle it?"

"Ah, yes, yes, roger that, leave it to me!"

On top of that, everyone is frank, friendly, and has a good sense of humor, so they treat me, an obvious outlier and rank holder, without any hesitation.

That might also be the result of me making them feel at ease, but I'm grateful for it.

…And as for the top-tier individuals (outliers) in a different field from me—or rather, the two crimson beauties who were being showered with attention, as they deserved,

"Being in the same group as Nono-Nia, I must have used up all my luck for this life…"

"I was prepared to enjoy a survival trip with only guys. I'm tearing up."

"We've only just started, but a victory declaration might be in order, don't you think?"

"If my followers find out, I'm probably going to be burned to a crisp with jealousy…"

"Even if that happens, I think I could accept it as inevitable."

"Yeah."

"I know, right."

"I could probably laugh off a respawn-camping hell."

"Being able to breathe the same air for three days, this is basically a crime…"

"Someone keep an eye on this guy. If you think he's about to do something crazy, put him down immediately."

—And so on, they were being subjected to the intense gazes of the guys spouting crazy talk.

"Nia-chan, how about you give them a cute smile and a wave? I think you could mass-produce loyal servants who would do anything you say during the event. It'll probably be a one-hit KO, go for it."

"Please spare me…"

"Hee hee, that's right…! You already have your knight, don't you?"

"Nyu, guh… honestly, you're so annoying…!!"

…Well, at any rate.

They seem to be having fun over there too, so all's well that ends well.