kscans

Chapter 10 - Eden Forest ★

After passing through the Gate and arriving in front of Eden Forest, I decided to enter and begin exploring right away.

This forest would normally be easy to get lost in, but there are actually stakes driven into the ground here and there, which are also marked on the map. So as long as I use the stakes as landmarks, it seems there’s no way I can get lost.

I found the first stake and compared it with my map to confirm my position.

"This is pretty safe... which is to say, it would be really bad without a map."

It’s pretty much an essential item. During my first exploration, Kaede-chan probably didn’t mention it because I didn’t have a bag, but what would she have done if I were an even bigger idiot than she imagined? I didn’t even have water. I could have easily died.

Honestly!

I put my own negligence out of my mind and continued my search for monsters.

My goal today was to level up and earn a little cash. I would raise my level, get stronger, and obtain new recipes.

I was enthusiastically walking along a path in the forest when a Goblin emerged from the trees ahead. The Goblin seemed to be trying to cross the path, and it froze for a moment in the middle of the road as our eyes met.

"Gii!!"

The Goblin, having noticed me, naturally came to attack.

I reached for the katana at my hip and drew it into a ready stance. Then, as the Goblin entered my range, I cut it down with a single iai strike.

The Goblin was sliced in two, leaving behind a knife as it vanished into smoke.

"Yeah, this katana is amazing."

It’s light, and its cutting edge is sharp. What’s more, the shop clerk said it was sturdy.

"I thought it was expensive, but 500,000 yen for this is a bargain."

I wonder what the more expensive katanas are like? Do they shoot fire or something?

Recalling a manga I read long ago, I picked up the knife and stored it in my bag. Then, I started walking down the path again, searching for more monsters.

◆◇◆

Two hours had passed since I started walking through the forest. I had hunted many Slimes and Goblins, collecting the items they dropped.

"No Wolves are showing up."

I had heard that Wolves were rare, but I didn’t expect to not see a single one after exploring for two hours. I was getting thirsty, so I took a plastic bottle of water out of my bag.

"Hmm, the bag is getting pretty full."

I grabbed one of the Medicinal Herbs from my bag.

"This is 500 yen, huh. In terms of hourly wage, I think I’m making good money, but it pales in comparison to the impact of the Healing Potions."

I looked at the Medicinal Herb while drinking my water and suddenly had an idea.

"I wonder what would happen with a plastic bottle?"

Curious, I first turned the water in the plastic bottle into Pure Water, then dropped a Medicinal Herb inside. Then, I stared at it intently and created a Healing Potion. The plastic bottle in my hand transformed into a flask. However, it was lighter than the usual ones.

"The container isn’t glass, it’s the material of a plastic bottle... I don’t know the name, but that’s what it’s become..."

When I squeezed it hard, it dented. beko beko. No matter how I looked at it, it was a pet-flask(?).

"This one is lighter and better. Plus, it won’t break."

I decided to use this method from now on and drank the potion. I felt my body grow lighter. It seemed my fatigue was gone.

"This is also a tasteless, odorless water... in that case, this is way better."

Six hundred yen for water, including the cost of the bottled water, is expensive, but if it also relieves fatigue, then this is definitely the better option.

My fatigue gone, I once again continued walking through the forest, hunting Slimes and Goblins.

"Come to think of it, what’s my level?"

I took out my Status Card from my bag and looked at it.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Name: Okita Hajime
Level: 3
Job: Swordsman
Skills:
　≪Swordsmanship lv5≫
　☆≪Alchemy≫
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

"My level went up..."

I’m Level 3 without even noticing... Is there no terere, tette-teh notification? How user-unfriendly.

"Oh, but I should have new recipes!"

I tapped the Alchemy section on my Status Card.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
☆≪Alchemy≫
　Consumes materials to create new items.
　Recipes increase as the skill holder’s level rises.
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Level 3
　　Healing Potion Lv1, Gender Reassignment Potion
　　Sleeping Potion, Pure Water
　　Translation Potion, Item Bag
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

"Oh, crab... no, an Item Bag..."

I can make it... And a Translation Potion, huh. Well, from the name, it’s probably something that lets you understand different languages.

The problem is the required materials.

"Let’s see, the Translation Potion is Pure Water and sugar..."

People call that sugar water, you know?

"Next is the Item Bag... a container and rubber bands?"

It seems any container will do, as long as it can hold things. This bag would work, or even a cardboard box.

"Hmm, I don’t have any rubber bands, so I’ll buy some later..."

Anyway, I’m going out for a meal with Kaede-chan today, so I’ll stop by a convenience store on the way back. They probably sell them.

"Should I sell it after I make one...?"

Crab?

"Hmm, I’ll hold off on that."

I can still make money with potions, so for now, I’ll just be happy about the convenience. I can tidy up the potions in my room and reduce the luggage I have to carry.

"Alright! I guess I’ll head back soon."

I decided to turn back the way I came and spun around on the spot. Just as I took a few steps, I felt a presence to my left.

Without panicking, I drew the katana from my hip and swung it to my left.

"—Gyan!"

I glanced to my left and saw a wolf lying there, cut in two. The wolf quickly vanished into smoke, leaving behind a small, white object about the size of a pinky finger.

"A Wolf? That surprise attack really is dangerous."

I’m glad I learned swordsmanship! A normal person could never handle that.

"Hmm, aren’t Wolves supposed to be small fry?"

I don’t get it. It didn’t seem like a weakling at all.

"Well, whatever."

I tried not to think about it and picked up the dropped item, a sharp, white object the size of a pinky.

"A fang... maybe?"

It’s a wolf, so it’s probably a fang. I wonder if it’s valuable?

For now, I put it in my bag and checked my Status Card again. But my level was still 3.

"Just as I thought..."

This was just from online info, but apparently you can level up smoothly to Level 3 in Eden Forest. But after that, it becomes difficult to level up, and once you reach Level 5, you stop leveling up at all. It’s probably based on an experience point system.

"I guess I’m done with Eden Forest..."

It’s a little scary being alone in the forest...

I checked the time on my phone and saw it was already four o’clock, so I decided to return to the guild.

As I headed back, I passed several people in the shallower parts of the forest. There were both men and women, mostly young people, but a group that was clearly high school students had a strong-looking adult with them. I think they were probably a chaperone or something.

Seeing other explorers for the first time made me feel a little relieved. I left the forest and went through the Gate to return.

After passing through the Gate and returning to the lobby, I saw that the reception area, which had been deserted during the day, was now bustling with people. Judging from the people I passed in Eden Forest and the scene in this lobby, it seems the guild gets busy in the evening.

I was about to get in line for Kaede-chan’s counter when I saw that no one was lining up there.

The reason was obvious. Kaede-chan was sitting at her desk, but there was a plaque on the counter that read ‘Reception Closed’.

I thought I might have to line up somewhere else, but Kaede-chan, whose eyes met mine, beckoned me over.

I went straight to her counter.

"Welcome back."

As I approached her, Kaede-chan moved the plaque to the side.

"Is this okay?"

I asked, pointing at the plaque.

"It’s already past five. But since you’re my exclusive client, this is service overtime."

Hearing that, I looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was 5,05.

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

"No, it’s fine. You were out adventuring in the Frontier. It’s natural to be a little late. In fact, I’d be more scared if you rushed and got into an accident."

She might have a point. Being relaxed is important.

"I see. Oh, here’s what I got."

I placed the bag from my shoulder onto the counter.

"Good work. Okay, let me take a look..."

Kaede-chan opened the bag and first took out the empty pet-flask. Then, she stared at it intently.

"...Whoops."

I confiscated the pet-flask from Kaede-chan, who was staring at it, crushed it until it was flat, and stuffed it in my pocket.

"Look, look, this dropped from a Wolf."

I took the fang-like object out of my bag.

"Haa... That’s amazing! This is a Wolf fang. It’s worth 2,000 yen."

Kaede-chan sighed and shook her head, but then she immediately put on a smile.

"2,000 yen? Isn’t that cheap?"

"That’s about right."

"It’s not worth the risk."

"Ah, so you were ambushed... The surprise attack is scary, I agree, but it won’t kill you. It’s called a Wolf, but it’s not that strong. It’s about as strong as a puppy."

So it really was a weakling...

"I see. So that’s why..."

"Right. Still, you’ve gathered a lot. This isn’t the amount a beginner would bring back."

"I took them all down in one hit. I’m thinking I’m done with Eden Forest."

"I think so too. You weren’t a beginner to begin with, Senpai, so you should move on to the next step."

I have to get to that 10 million yen annual income, after all.

"I’ll do that. I’ll think about where to go next."

"Please do. I can give you advice, but you can find most of the information online these days."

It’s like playing a game while looking at a strategy guide.

"Roger. Oh, sell all of this, please. And here’s my card and weapon."

I drew the katana from my waist, placed it on the counter, and handed over my card.

"Yes, certainly. Please wait a moment."

Kaede-chan took the bag to the back room. A little while later, she returned with the empty bag.

"That’ll be 35,400 yen. That’s amazing."

Kaede-chan handed me the receipt with a happy expression.

"That’s incredible. How many days’ worth of work was that at my old company?"

And this was so much easier than enduring that hell for days on end.

"Senpai, let’s just forget about it. You’re an Adventurer now..."

Kaede-chan placed a hand on my shoulder and shook her head.

"Whoa... I really wanted to hug you just now, Kaede-chan. And I feel like I’m about to cry."

"...Senpai, you said you were barely not depressed, but you’re definitely already depressed."

You think so?

"Let’s drink..."

In times like these, you need alcohol. Even though I’ve been drinking all the time lately.

"You’re right. I’ll go get changed too, so let’s meet outside."

"I’ll take a shower before I change."

"That’s a good idea. Oh, here are the things you left with me."

Kaede-chan took my bag from under the counter and handed it to me.

"Thanks a lot. See you outside, then."

"Okay. Take your time."

"Yep."

I waved to Kaede-chan and headed for the changing room.

◆◇◆

I waved to Senpai as he headed to the changing room. Then, once he was inside, a sigh escaped my lips.

That man must have really had it tough at his previous job... But he’s really such an idiot.

My theory of Eleanor-san = Senpai went from 99 percent to 100 percent.

What was with that flask-shaped plastic bottle? Hide it!

Why are you carrying the same white bag as Eleanor-san? Bring a different one!

What do you mean you’ve only been to the Frontier twice? Senpai, you’ve only been once!

Do you seriously have any intention of hiding this!?

Haa... I think Senpai is an idiot, but more than that, he trusts me. That’s why his guard is completely down, and he speaks so candidly. I realized that from how he was just now. That man is seriously depressed.

Hmm, I should be nice to him.

But what should I do? It’s clear this situation is bad. Without a doubt, Senpai will come here tomorrow in his Eleanor form. Because he knows I have the day off.

And he’ll probably sell potions. Because that empty plastic bottle from earlier... no, that pet-flask, must have contained a potion. There’s no way Senpai, who said he defeated everything in one hit, would need an expensive potion. In other words, he drank it even though he wasn’t injured.

Senpai definitely has enough potions that he can use them casually.

And above all...

I compared the Status Card Senpai gave me with Eleanor-san’s Status Card, which I had secretly brought with me.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Name: Okita Hajime
Level: 3
Job: Swordsman
Skill: 　≪Swordsmanship lv5≫
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Name: Eleanor Ocean
Level: 3
Job: Swordsman
Skill: 　≪Swordsmanship lv5≫
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

...Their levels are linked.

While Senpai was in the Frontier, I had some free time, so I secretly took out Eleanor-san’s Status Card and was looking at it. I was surprised when her level suddenly went up.

I was able to deduce that Eleanor-san’s level went up at the same time as Senpai’s. Because Eleanor-san hadn’t come in today.

I now have all the proof I need. There are still mysteries like why he has two Status Cards and where the potions came from, but with this much, even Senpai will confess.

Should I confront him over drinks later and make him spill? No... I don’t want to do that tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve had drinks with Senpai, and I feel bad for him. Plus, he’s treating...

In that case... I can’t take tomorrow off... What a troublesome senpai he is.

...Still, cross-dressing, huh. And at that level. I guess I can... accept it?