Chapter 22: Quest 11: Gather the Medicinal Herbs [Part 1]
Fene moved lightly along the riverside.
Each step sent a clear clink, clink echoing through the forest.
The sound came from the bell hanging around her neck.
A monster-repelling bell.
Though it was not a magic item.
Like a bear bell, it simply signaled that a human was present.
It felt unreliable, but according to Fene, it was enough.
Most monsters other than undead feared humans.
Not instinctively, but because they had learned humans were dangerous.
Conversely, if they learned humans were easy prey, they would attack.
“Itâs kind of peaceful, isnât it?”
“Stay alert at least.”
“I know.”
Yuuka pouted and gripped her staff tightly.
She wore her newly purchased gear.
Over her white sailor uniform she wore leather armor resembling a corset, topped with a black cape.
Brand-new boots protected her feet.
“You bought a grimoire too. Learned any new spells?”
“Itâs not that easy.”
“Is that so?”
“It is!”
She raised her voice slightly.
“How about you?”
“No new spells. And the voice-hearing ability isnât stable yet.”
There might be conditions, but he had not tested enough.
“What about materialization?”
“Havenât tried since.”
He avoided admitting he feared the pain.
“Youâre sure it still works? Itâd be bad if we wiped because you couldnât use it.”
“It works.”
“How do you know if you havenât tested it?”
“I just know.”
He felt certain he could materialize flames.
And even go beyond that.
“…I believe you.”
“Doesnât feel like it.”
“Your imagination.”
She answered instantly.
“Donât go too far ahead!”
“Got it!”
Fene stopped to reply, then hurried ahead again like an excited child.
“Does she really get it?”
“She wants to impress you.”
“Why?”
“Because sheâs in love with you.”
“Again?”
“You helped her while she was getting beaten and even covered her debt, right?”
“Who told you?”
“She did.”
Yuuka grinned mischievously.
“Girls fall for guys who help them in crisis. The suspension bridge effect.”
“Thatâs not quite it.”
“She just feels indebted?”
“Men in their late thirties really donât get it.”
“Neither of those matter.”
He sighed.
“By that logic, shouldnât you be in love with me too?”
“…Hah. Donât joke.”
She looked at him, glanced at the sky, then scoffed.
“Thatâs harsh.”
“You started it.”
“Weâve survived a lot together. But that was life-and-death. No room for confusion.”
“True.”
“Maybe youâre the one in love with me?”
“Not a chance.”
“Youâre the worst!”
She snapped.
“Whatâs wrong with me?”
“Your self-confidence is impressive.”
“Iâm pretty and smart.”
“…Donât say that about yourself.”
She was undeniably beautiful.
“Did you act like this at school?”
“Of course not. I put on an act.”
“Guess it wasnât enough.”
“Shut up!”
She groaned.
“So whatâs your issue?”
“Your personality.”
“Youâre horrible!”
“Youâre not exactly easy either.”
“Iâm fine.”
She was unbelievable.
“If youâd at least be cute sometimes.”
“You liking tsundere at your age is gross.”
“I didnât say that.”
“Maybe crying in bed makes you cute.”
“…You heard?”
“You were crying?”
“I wasnât!”
“Sure.”
She flushed red.
“Hey.”
“Iâm not a dog!”
Ignoring her, Makoto approached Fene.
She was crouched by the riverbank.
A deer-like monster lay dead, its side torn open.
Blade-like antlers marked it as a monster.
Maggots swarmed its wound.
“Whatâs wrong?”
“Itâs a corpse.”
“I can see that.”
“A monster corpse.”
“…Right.”
“What about it?”
“There might beâ”
Yuuka interrupted.
“Great, more drama.”
“Let her finish.”
“Swordhorn Deer are strong monsters.”
“So something stronger killed it?”
“Yes. Judging from the wound, an Evil Grizzly.”
“Sounds bad.”
“Itâs the strongest monster nearby.”
“Whatâs it like?”
“A bear that uses magic.”
“A magic bear?”
“Many monsters use magic.”
“In my world, magic didnât exist.”
“Wow.”
“Different cultures.”
“What magic?”
“Depends on the individual. Fire, water, earth, or wind.”
“Troublesome.”
“Not as strong as the Skeleton General, though.”
“The what?”
“The silver-armored skeleton.”
“You canât compare it to a legendary monster like that.”
“Legendary?”
“Itâs said a knight order was nearly wiped out by one in that labyrinth.”
“…That one?”
“Yeah.”
Yuuka shot him a warning look.
“Should we retreat?”
“No. We gather herbs first.”
“Prioritizing the mission! As expected!”
He scratched his head.
Hours later.
“I feel like a salmon.”
“Itâs not even noon.”
“Are we there yet?”
“Almost.”
Fene answered softly.
She was just tired.
Her stamina lagged behind Makoto and even Yuuka.
“Want to rest?”
“There it is!”
Fene dashed toward a small waterfall.
Dark rocks jutted out.
A pool lay below.
She plucked moss from the rocks.
“Thatâs the herb?”
“Yes!”
She handed it over.
A sharp, refreshing scent.
The window appeared.
Horse Radish Modoki.
“Whatâs it called?”
“Horse Radish Modoki.”
“Howâd you know?”
“It showed up.”
“You have Appraisal.”
“Seems it only works on unprocessed items.”
“Correct.”
“Seriously?”
“Perioris isnât omnipotent.”
“Perioris?”
“The name in the incantation.”
“When you level up, that voice is Perioris.”
“So Perioris is like a system?”
“I donât know.”
“Instant mage.”
“Shut up!”
“Faith matters too.”
Fene murmured while bottling the moss.
“Thereâs more.”
“There are rules. If we strip it all, weâll get ostracized.”
“Got it.”
They finished.
“Letâs eat before heading back.”
“Youâre hungry?”
“Yeah.”
He wanted Fene to rest.
As he reached for his pouch, he felt eyes on him.
“Something wrong?”
“I feel watched.”
“Your imagination.”
“Nope.”
A tall woman stood atop the waterfall.
Dark skin. Muscular. Sharp eyes.
A scar from forehead to cheek. Small horns.
Bikini-like armor.
A massive pole hammer in hand.
And enormous breasts.
“Yo!”
She leapt down.
The ground shook slightly.
“Thatâs a Bison Horn.”
Fene hid behind him.
“Iâm Liv of the Bison Horn. Mercenary and adventurer.”
“Makoto. Human adventurer.”
She smiled broadly.
Then frowned at Fene.
“You hang with Fox Tails?”
“Got a problem?”
“You cowards rarely leave the walls.”
“If weâre cowards, youâre brainless berserkers!”
“What!”
Liv bared her teeth.
“Why fight already?”
“Racial tension.”
She scratched her cheek and extended her hand.
“Handshake.”
“Why?”
“Custom.”
She grinned fiercely.
“Fine.”
Their hands clasped.
She squeezed hard.
No pain.
“Strength contest part of custom?”
“My style.”
Makoto squeezed slightly.
She buckled to one knee.
“Ha! Strong! But Iâm not done!”
Her muscles bulged further.
“Skill?”
“Bison Horns can boost strength.”
“Lucky.”
“Ready.”
She strained.
“Use both hands.”
“Never!”
He increased pressure slightly.
Her face twisted.
“Break her arm!” Fene cheered.
“Thatâs harsh.”
He released.
Liv blinked.
“Damn! I lost!”
“Didnât expect that.”
“You crushed me fair and square.”
“Thanks.”
“Youâre strong.”
“Not that much.”
“Coming from you, that means something.”
She rubbed her nose shyly.
“What are you doing here?”
“Herb gathering.”
“You could make more money elsewhere.”
“Maybe later.”
“I wanted to fight alongside you.”
“Next time.”
“What were you doing?”
“Leveling.”
“Soloâs risky.”
“I like pushing myself.”
She grinned fiercely.
“Later.”
“Yeah.”
Liv waved and disappeared into the forest.