Published at 26th of August 2022 7:57 am

Chapter 109: Mountain Hiking

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　I was told by Nesis that I should get the skills I wanted, but after getting the skills in the Royal Capital, my points were still zero. I can’t acquire skills with zero.

　However, the destination is a mountain where strong enemies will fix that. I would easily be able to increase my level. I had already set my sights on the skills I wanted to acquire so that I wouldn’t have to worry about them when I had more points.

[Planking] [Sawing] [Nailing] [Chiseling]…

　I swipe past the list of carpentry skills.

[Singing] [Death Call] [Make up] [Adlibbing] [Fast Pickup] [Guitar]…

　Skipping further down the list of artistic skills.

(…it’s no good. I can’t find anything that looks good at all!) (Toru)

　Nesis said, “just acquire as many skills as you can”, but as expected, I can’t afford to acquire anything without thinking.

I can’t imagine a future in which a [Guitar] and [Bass] skill would be useful for adventuring.

　I tried to imagine some way to make use of the skills, but all I could think of was a heavy metal front man with a face painted white, screaming a Death Call, and beating his enemies to a pulp with his guitar.

　Human potential is limitless. Such a path is available to us if we want it.

　But it is too steep. Not because I am inferior, and in another way, I would be kept at a distance.

　While looking for other good skills,

“Toru, it looks like we’re here.” (Esther)

　We had reached our destination, the foot of Mount Rheitis.

　Mount Rheitis is the name of the easternmost peak of a mountain range stretching from east to west.

　The peak is so high that it pierces the clouds. It would take at least a week to reach the summit.

　Fortunately, our destination is a large volcanic depression in the middle of the mountain—a caldera. It would take less time than going to the summit.

　–If we just climbed up, that is.

　Since the evening of the first day was spent just moving around, we decided to carry over the attack to the middle part of the mountain to the next day.

　The next day. As soon as the sun rose, we packed up our tents and made careful preparations.

“Esther, are you ready?” (Toru)

“Yeah. I’m okay.” (Esther)

“Well then–” (Toru)

“Wa-wait just a minute!” (Esther)

　Esther pulled me to a halt with a serious look on her face.

“Hmm, what’s the matter?” (Toru)

“Toru, just to make sure, you won’t use your whistling?” (Esther)

　The [Whistling] that Esther mentioned was a skill that I used to lure monsters in the past. As its level increases, it is an excellent skill that can reproduce the cries of monsters (although I do not understand their meaning at all).

　However, that was a skill I learned to attract demons. I don’t plan to use it here.

“Of course. I mean, if I use it here, we’ll find trouble, so I won’t do it.” (Toru)

“…Really? You’re not going to use it by accident, are you?” (Esther)

“You don’t trust me.” (Toru)

“Put your hand on your chest and think about why I am being suspicious.” (Esther)

　I put my hand on my chest and thinks back.

　The first time I used [Whistling] before, we hunted (a lot) of demons, but I never acted unprecedentedly (in my opinion).

“…I don’t understand why Esther is so wary.” (Toru)

“Haa…… thought so. So anyway, this place is crawling with B-ranked monsters. I want to avoid the trouble. So don’t use your [Whistling].” (Esther)

“I understand.” (Toru)

　Even for me, I don’t want to imitate the calls of a large number of B-rank monsters. Safety first. As Esther had said, I consciously sealed my [Whistling] and began to climb Mount Rheitis.

　As soon as we advanced further, I caught the presence of monsters. There were two of them. They were walking in the bushes a little ways from the path Esther and I were taking.

　Their movements were slow. So it seemed that they had not noticed us yet.

　I alerted Esther with a hand sign. At the same time, I summoned my [Magic Sword].

“(Do you want to strike from here?)” (Toru)

　I asked Esther in a whisper. Now, there is a possibility of a successful surprise attack with the Magic Bow. However, the area is surrounded by vegetation and the visibility is quite poor. The hit rate is not so high, even if I rely on [Intuition].

“(Is there a path to use to avoid them?)” (Toru)

“(There is, but it might be difficult.)” (Esther)

　Now our party is on a grass-covered animal trail. If we go off this path, they might hear a noise as we move through the grass. The sound may make the monsters aware of our presence.

“(What are the chances that they would leave?)” (Toru)

“(I am more afraid of the possibility that another monster will come while we are waiting.)” (Esther)

“(…it can’t be helped.)” (Toru)

　Esther gave up avoiding combat and drew her sword. At about the same time, I transformed the [Magic Sword] into its other form. It takes the form of a bow, and I pulled the string.

　Badum, Badum, Badum. My heartbeat echoes behind my ears.

　The tension builds as we fight a monster with a far superior rank.

　I take a deep breath once, holding it before exhaling.

Toward the presence caught by [Intuition], I released an arrow.

　–Woosh!

　Immediately I pulled the string and fire the second shot.

　— Woosh!

I returned the [Magic Sword]’s bow form to its sword form, and I moved forward immediately.

　Because of the tension, my hands are sweaty.

　Putting my strength into my hands holding my sword.

(A B-rank monster… I wonder how strong they are.) (Toru)

　Just in case, I clad the [Magic Sword] with [Fireball].

　Before the opponent’s stance is ready, I strike with maximum firepower.

　The distance from the monster—roughly 10 meters.

　Nine, eight, seven—.

Hold the [Magic Sword] up,

　Five, four—.

My sight opens up past the bushes.

　There are two monsters――

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