kscans

Chapter 459 - An Excess of Smooth Sailing

—11:00 PM VM time. The night raid concluded after exactly one hour, just like the first day, leaving its fair share of scars in its wake.

The first thing that stood out was that the defensive walls our foreman had directed the construction team to build were battered all over. In fact, they deserved praise for 'holding up so well,' but looking ahead to tomorrow night, a complete replacement and reinforcement would be essential.

The next serious issue was that the players' equipment was more worn down than expected. To be frank, no one could have anticipated being forced into such a fierce battle. Of course, many had brought spare weapons, but…

Two days left. And considering the steep increase in difficulty from the first day to today, it wasn't nearly enough. Equipment maintenance was a must—the problem was, there were only two artisans who could do it.

And to top it off, both of them were tailors specializing in clothing. It wasn't that they couldn't work on anything outside their specialty… but you can imagine how their efficiency would drop.

We were short-staffed and short on time. Furthermore, due to the current special event specifications, the only things we could bring in our inventories were pieces of equipment.

In other words, right now, we don't have Luna, the all-purpose catalyst.

We've already found substitutes for maintenance materials, but it's easy to imagine that our efficiency will drop even further with the unfamiliar work… All in all, we're in a pretty tight spot.

Honestly, my outlook was too optimistic. Things had been going so well that I focused too much on making sure all the group members could have a lively time—not that I regret that, but if I was going to get serious, I should have done it a little sooner.

Somehow, this event feels like it's relentlessly forcing me to recognize just how warped my own standards are. I have to admit, on a personal level, I'm having a lot of fun.

Considering my position as someone being relied on, I'm a failure as a leader.

But still—

"Man, I'm so jealous. Seriously, I'm green with envy over those rabbits."

"As a pet, that wolf of yours is a huge win, don't you think?"

"This is dangerous… If there's a leveling system, I'm going to get hooked…"

"Is it likely to be one per person?"

"Can't say for sure yet."

"A rabbit…! I wanted a rabbit too…!"

"What's wrong with you? The monkey is cute too, go foster some love and friendship. I'll be doing that with my rabbit, though."

"Oh? You wanna start something?"

"And then there are people who haven't even met their partner yet!"

And so it went—even after having a near-death experience, not metaphorically, everyone was still cheerfully making a racket, so I guess it's all good.

"Hmm, it's so lively."

"It's turned into a 'zoo' all of a sudden…"

Tetsu-san's words, which he uttered next to me after catching my whisper, were spot on.

The [Stardust Beasts] still present here and there after the battle were all creatures that had been 'tamed' by their respective masters. Following Mr. Lizenon, who was the first, our ranks of companions swelled considerably during this raid.

Surprisingly, the difficulty of taming them doesn't seem to be that high. And it looks like the general 'conditions' are just as we suspected, though nothing's confirmed yet.

Take the 'Boar' tamers, for example.

Without exception, they are all power fighters. Furthermore, they all share a common trait: in their battle with the individual they successfully tamed, they achieved victory through a head-on clash against its charge.

And the 'Rabbit' tamers.

They, too, are all speed fighters without exception. Most of the tamed individuals were ones they had engaged in a battle of agility, thoroughly dominating the rabbits that initiated the close-quarters fight.

As for the 'Wolves', an entire squad successfully tamed one each, so it's likely due to overwhelming them in a group-versus-group battle.

The 'Monkey'… is a mystery. But it's almost certain that the 'Snake' and 'Sheep', which have yet to be successfully tamed, also have some kind of 'conditions'.

In short,

"So, 'overwhelming them in their own area of expertise'… that seems to be the right direction, yeah?"

If that were the only condition, I probably would have tamed a rabbit myself, so there are likely other factors involved. But it's safe to consider that a confirmed part of it.

"…So for the sheep, what, do we have to have a jumping contest?"

"If that were the case, wouldn't the acrobat have tamed all of them by now?"

"No, thank you. I'd definitely get a title like 'Shepherd' or something."

Besides, if I'm being picky, I'd prefer a wolf. I've always wanted a dog.

Anyway—

"Well, I guess we'll leave the theorizing and everything else for tomorrow…"

"Yeah. Everyone must be exhausted."

Tetsu-san, who said that, is the hero who prepares meals for thirty-six people every time. As a production class player who would normally be holed up in a safe zone, the mental fatigue from surviving in the middle of a danger zone where no such place exists must be accumulating.

My sleepiness debuff is blinking away, too. Best to get to bed early.

As I held the [Samidorizuki] that had been entrusted to me, Nia, who was either like this because she was sleepy or using sleepiness as an excuse, clung to me tightly and let out a small yawn, refusing to let go.

Perhaps it's because they've seen this same scene for two days straight, but it's frightening how everyone is starting to look accustomed to it, even if they don't completely ignore it.

As a fellow man, I'm filled with a complex masculine spirit, both grateful and apologetic.

"Alright, well then—Everyone, good work! We'll go over the battle results and discuss our plans for the future tomorrow… let's see, at eight in the morning! Let's meet at the common building. Alright, dismissed!"

Good night! I clapped my hands once to wrap things up, raising my voice to cover up the embarrassment of taking the lead with sheer energy. Yep, that was a good, sharp clap.

They're excited, having just finished a battle and with more than half the members having successfully tamed a beast, but there's no doubt they've just overcome a fierce fight that pushed them beyond their limits.

They could very well be immobile from phantom fatigue—something they themselves are probably most aware of. One by one, the heroes of the defense turned toward the barracks, offering straightforward replies to their unfamiliar leader's pushy commands.

Everyone is so calm, it's a real help. Seriously.

If I could be greedy, I'd love to have beds in the barracks, but I suppose we no longer have the resources to spare for comfort.

We're definitely short on artisans… If this [Starry Paradise] event becomes a regular thing, I wonder if the demand for Magitek Artisans will skyrocket.

I'm starting to think about trying it out myself. I probably won't master the craft like a true artisan, but if I can learn enough to support the professionals, I could be a huge help—

"And on that note. Alright, Nono-san, pass."

"Whoa, whoops… Oh? No intimate chat for two tonight?"

Come to think of it, I don't really have an image of her logging in late at night, so perhaps Nia-chan is a 'good girl' who is particularly weak to the sleepiness debuff.

I handed my partner, who had succumbed to a drowsy, floppy state faster than anyone else, over to her friend, and smoothly slipped the sword from my arm to hang it back at my waist.

"I have something I want to take care of, so I'll leave the tucking-in to you tonight."

"Oh ho? That actually makes me want to sneak a peek at what you're up to."

Compared to the indigo-haired girl who was almost asleep, the sparkling orange eyes clearly displayed a vibrant curiosity, as if to say, 'I'm still full of energy.'

At first, I thought she was hard to read, but after spending dozens of hours together, I've figured most of it out—at least on the surface.

She's brimming with curiosity, but also highly cautious. She's friendly to a fault, but the type you have to slowly build trust with to become true friends.

She is, honestly, a troublesome type, but I can hear voices from all over.

—You're one to talk.

Also, if I were to state my personal preference…

"If you can keep up, you're more than welcome to peek."

"Ah, no way, impossible. My AGI is only 70. 'Kay, good night!"

"Haha, alright, good night. You too, Nia. See you tomorrow."

It's not like I dislike the troublesome category of people, after all.

Dodging a hand that was reaching for me, whether in a daze or a pout, I gave her head a few gentle pats. Leaving them with a goodnight,

"Alright."

To take care of the things that needed to be done for the future, I dove alone into the dark, late-night forest.