Chapter 10
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Parker POV
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“Whoa, we get a lot of money all of a sudden. Let’s go to weaponry first!” Hart was in high spirits in the dorm
“A lot of money?” Stella tilted her head
“Huh? 500 grams of gold is a lot, right?” Hart said the questions
“No, it is certainly a lot. But we have 9 people here. Each of us would only have a little above 55 grams of gold.” Will quickly catches on to what Stella meant.” But 55 grams is still quite a lot, isn’t it?”
“No. We will need equipment and supplies.” Yeah, the kingdom will not give us anything on this school trip. So we have to survive on our own with this money.
“First is equipment. For warriors, just like in games, we need a weapon. For armor, we need head, body, hand, leg, and foot parts. We might even need gloves and a shield for Hart and me. For mages, we need a weapon, robes, hats, and shoes. We might need some accessories. If we bought the standard ones, we would need around 2 grams for each part for warriors. Which already consumed 12 gold. Mages also isn’t far off. While their equipment is fewer, each is more expensive.” I tried to calculate our expenses
“So we will be left with 43 gold? It is still a lot, right?” Will argued
“I guess. “I relieved a sigh. Since it was Stella, I thought she would deliver astonishing news. It was just a false alarm, after all.
“But, we are going there for 2 weeks, right? How about water and food?” Chloe asked.
“Hmmm. A meal will cost around 2 or 5 silver each. 2 weeks mean 42 meals. So it is 210 silver. It will take around 25 gold. Now we are left with 18 gold each. Let’s not be nifty and buy better equipment with this leftover.” Nana answered.
“Won’t the food rot?” Hart asked, “They don’t have canned food here, right?”
“We froze the food. You need to pay more attention to class Hart.” I answered him, “We will suffer a little bit. Fruit will be okay for 4 or 5 days. While the meat will be a lot longer. We can’t splurge, but the money is enough.”
“Hmm... I feel something is weird.” Stella raises another vague point
“What is it? We have counted everything. Is there anything left out?”
“Do we really need only 1 set of equipment?”
“What are you talking about? Except for Nana, everyone is specialized. We also have decided this in classes, right? About the equipment we will use in battle. Hart will use axes, and Parker will use swords and shields. Nana uses swords and wands, John, I, Nita, and you will use staffs, Chloe will use bows, and Riki and Riko will use daggers and throwing knives. Our armor is also set with this. Parker and Hart get full-plated iron, while the rest is leather armor. Mages use robes, of course,” Will answered.
“No... she isn’t talking about that. She is talking about possible breaking of our equipment.” Parker gave a point. “In games, it rarely happened, but there are games like that as well.”
“Now you say it like that.....” Nana went silent
“We don’t have experience. This is our flaw. We don’t know which equipment will easily break and which stands longer.” I hold on to my head. This Stella always raises a problem. I am thankful, but her words have become like a nightmare. It’s like a disaster alarm.
“Warriors will get their equipment damaged constantly. But if an attack goes through mages, their equipment will easily break” Nana’s mood fell down instantly.
“Stella. Any advice?” let’s put the troublesome things back at her. You can’t just keep giving trouble. Solves one yourself
“Uniforming equipment.”
“What is that?” Hart asked.
“We should use the same equipment. So we only differentiate mages and warriors.”
“I see. That makes sense.” I answered
“But I use axes. Well, I can use swords, but... Well, it’s okay.” Hart tried to protest, but he sighed and gave up. It’s good that you are very understanding about this. I appreciate it.
“What about us? We can use swords. But only a one-handed one.” Riki and Riko gave their comment
“I can only use a light one,” Chloe answered. “And I am not even good with close combat.”
“Well, we can make some assortment with swords. It’s fine. We will add throwing knives, a bow, and an axe. Let’s not think too deeply. Rather than making our equipment the same, we should buy 1 of our specialized weapons and make all our reserve weapon swords instead. That’s better right?” I made a suggestion.
“Yes. That’s better. Let’s go with that.” Hart said, and everyone agreed. I looked at Stella’s face. She wasn’t raising another disaster signal and just smiled. It was good that we had no more problems.
The day before our school trip, we purchased 15 swords and 5 staff as our spares. In addition to the food, we also bought medical supplies ranging from antidotes to bandages. Too bad in this world, there is no such thing as an elixir or instant healing potion. They exist but not in this kingdom, I heard. So, we must put extra caution from disease and irrecoverable injuries like missing a limb.
We did not buy other armor. In addition to that, we purchased a weapon with a higher level than the rest as our primary weapon and, of course, a tent and several sheets. After all of that, we were left with 5 gold plates.
“Oooh. I never thought you would buy spares. Nice thinking.” Bane praised us. When our instructors saw our preparations, they were all smiles. We are currently standing in front of the city forest. Our teachers are presently inspecting our preparations.
“Well, this bunch isn’t like us in the old days.” Und also added. “I still remember about our exam. Bane went nearly naked when we got out of that forest. “
“Now that is some history. We were in rags when we got out of that forest. Hahaha!” Richard also laughs loudly. Now I am interested.
“Hey. What else can I do? Our equipment all broke down. I have to fight monsters barehanded. Throwing stones and all.”
“If fay weren’t there, we might have to eat those animals raw.” Richard also laugh.
“They even bought food. This one seemed enough for 2 weeks. They planned it well. You already qualified to be chief in supply squads.” Und also inspected our food. Overall, we bought 2 huge boxes. One is our spare equipment and clothes. The other is our food.
“They also properly divide them. I kinda saddened they haven’t tasted apples or meat with rust as its seasoning.” Fay also commented, followed by laughter on all sides. I kinda feel proud now. Recently, their attitude has been better towards us, especially Bane. They are pretty nice, actually.
“Well, I feel relieved. With these guys as our heroes, we might really win. What are you waiting for? Let’s begin the exam. Go away into that forest now,” Richard shooed us.
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“Well, he said we can go anywhere, but where exactly?” I asked no one in particular. It has been 3 hours since we wandered around. We have only been encountering 2 magical beasts now. And they are all small fry.
“Well, I knew this would happen. Look, I brought several bunches of quests from adventurer, I mean freelancer guild,” John said with vigor.
“So, we will hunt monsters instead of lazing around deep in the forest?” Nana asked
“We don’t have anything to do, right?”
“But our job is to survive here for 2 weeks. Not monster subjugation. We should hide until the time to return comes.” Nana argued
“It would be boring that way. And even though it is not visible, our teachers are watching us somewhere, right? We should show off once or twice. Relax, this quest is all small fry with B at its highest. We have Stella and Parker, which already classifies as A- and most of us are B+.”
“He certainly has a point. We will try to follow this quest. But before that, we should find a basecamp.” I answered.
“Basecamp?” John asked.
“Huh? You never went camping with your friend? Basecamp is our base. When you go camping, you set a location to be your base. We travel at dawn from basecamp and return at dusk to basecamp. “
“So, where should we put our base?” Riko and Riki asked
“That’s what bothers me the most. On our earth, we can set our camp basically anywhere. But in here.....” I said with worry. There are many dangerous animals. And not only animals but magical beasts also wander around. We can’t be negligent. Should we choose our camp hidden inside the forest? Or should we find some open plains to set our base? If we put them on plains, we won’t get ambushed. But we would get attacked more often, and we can’t be sure that we would always win when attacked. Not all monster in this area is weaker than us. If we set our base in a forest, I fear ambushes. Since we are inexperienced, we would surely die if we got ambushed. If I weigh both options, sitting in open ground is a little bit better even though it is still dangerous.
“That place is nice.” Stella point to one place. A single massive tree with a hole in its bark. It would be very comfortable if we set our tent adjacent to the spot. Nice finding, Stella.
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“Alright. Let’s set our base in there!” Nana cheerfully walked
“Wait.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“That place is a nest of a blue rhino. Umm... No. I think it is belue rino, or is it belue rhino???” Stella tilted her head, trying to remember a monster’s name.
” That’s not important. So that place is a nest monster?” I tried to make her go to the point.
“Yes.”
“Hmm. You suggest we take over the nest, is it? Is this rhino strong?”
“It is always alone. It is A- because of its hard carapace.”
“Ahh, it exists here. Belue rhino is B, actually. The book exaggerates a bit.” John answered
“Or the quest difficulty is lying,” I answered. We should trust books more than that quest. They might write the monster to be easier than it actually is. I am aware of people’s behavior to reduce someone else’s profit by downgrading the job’s difficulty.
“We will ambush them. So it’s fine right?” John said with vigor. He is really fired up on this quest. When I look at the other member, their eyes also shined in expectation. I feel like a fool now. I keep thinking about our safety.
“Alright. The standard strategy should work, right? We will hide in the surroundings. When the enemy appeared, Stella, John, and Will prepared your best spell to bombard it. The others will take the finishing blow. And will, you will have the first shot. The others will shoot out their spell after you.” since his chant speed is the slowest, by the time he fired, the others will be able to fire too.
“Alright!” Will clenched his fist and went into hiding in nearby trees. Quite far away. We also take action in our surroundings. This will be our first kill, and I am very excited.
“By the way, how long should we wait? “Nana asked
“It might return in the dusk. Since the nest is empty.” Stella answered
“We are going to wait here for a whole 4 hours!”
“Just sit around. As long as you do not make any sound, it’s fine. We will take turns to be vigilant.” I answered. Patience is a virtue. Though I knew it would be highly annoying, I feel like I jump into some game now. I must keep reminding myself that we can die anytime now. If I don’t take proper measures, I might regret it for my whole life.
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Richard POV
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“Whoa, they are going right for big fish for their first prey!” Bane exclaimed. With his sensing talent, he can see for as far as 2 km. This range is also at my limit, but Und is better at this as his maximum range of vision is still unknown even to me.
“Belue rhino, is it? It is an insect-like type that makes nests inside big trees. Are you sure it is okay for them to hunt such a creature? We say they are ranked B but if combined with experience, aren’t they still somewhere around C+? And moreover, you can’t fully trust books. It is just an average strength. Some individuals might go to A- especially big ones like this, right?” Fay looked worried.
“It would be a good experience for them. They aren’t fools like us. Even if the monster is stronger than them, they should be able to run or defend until we arrive, right?” I answered while also posing a question. The one that knew their physical fitness best was Bane.
“I won’t worry about that. I don’t know if they can beat it. But they will definitely be able to run away. But why are they attacking that bug anyway? “Bane asked
“They want to use its nest as some kind of rest point, I think. Quite smart, but it also shows inexperience.” I answered when I saw them making preparations to ambush the nest.
“yeah. Let’s just see. The nest owner is going home. We will see some battle now.” Und commented.
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Parker POV
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“Damn it. We were found out and got ambushed!” I cursed while looking at the big rhino. Stella sensed something wrong and cast her prepared spell to parry the rhino’s magical attack. How does that rhino know we were here? It fired quite accurately toward us.
Bang
Hart land a blow toward the rhino. The impact was loud enough to shatter eardrums, but the rhino was only lightly wounded. The rhino charged toward him with his tusk, but he managed to evade and return to us. Stella keeps firing magic spells one after another. Will and other mages, including Nana, also prepared their spells. Still, unlike Stella, who could do it chantless, they stuttered on their chant and fired their attack much slower than her.
“Let’s go!” I also prepared myself. Cladding myself in a magic aura, I charge toward the rhino. It used the spell earth lance, but I dodged them by a paper margin. With a thrust, I stab right at its right eye. The stab was not enough to pierce through its skull, but I managed to damage its right eye. Whoa! Its anger towards me is at its maximum now.
“GRAW!!” it opened its jaw and released a flame breath. Thanks to my sense and body strength, I managed to jump in the nick of time. Are you a dragon? I thought only dragons could spew out flames.
“Water wall.” Stella cast another spell to parry the breath the rhino was releasing.
“Our spells didn’t affect much. Parker, what should we do?” Nana as the representative of other mages, asked me.
“Aim at its face. Nana, switch to the front and draw your sword with Hart. We will try to cut its neck. Stella! Take command for mages!”
“....” Stella looked dumbfounded while looking at her assigned role. She will work out something.
“Now, I will draw its attention with Hart. Riki, Riko, and Nana concentrate on 1 spot. Either at its neck or at its legs. Pierce through it!”
The battle was harder than I thought. The rhino can cast mid-level earth-type element spells, and that flame breath is also dangerous. There is also a mana ball coming from its mouth. Earth spear, earth bullet, earth mud, I think it can also buff its own body. Isn’t this one supposed to be a small fry?
“Whoa!” Hart jumped like a monkey from one tree to another while dodging its earth bullet.
“Hart! Watch where are you going? Don’t let our rear get hit by a stray shot!” I warned him as I dodged another of its flame lance. I want to block it with my shield, but I am trying to save my equipment. This is just the first day. Having our equipment destroyed in one battle would be devastating.
“Parker, incoming at 10 seconds!” Stella said in a quiet voice. She just said it in her usual tone, but the battle drowned her voice.
“Everyone. Prepare to run like crazy!” I warned them. Nana and the twin were repelled by the rhino’s spell. Their practical skill was useless. I can’t expect much, though. Riko and Riki have low-body talent, and Nana is a girl. Her talent was all over the place.
“Alright.” Nana and the others ran toward the back. Hart stayed with me, trying to attract its attention.
“5 seconds.” Stella began her countdown. Hart and I managed to slip in some attacks, and when her count reached three, I retreated with all of my might. Thank goodness the rhino didn’t chase me but fired some bullets instead.
BLAR!! Thunder blew away the space where the rhino was before. I recognize this spell. Isn’t this the one that Fay used on Nana’s group earlier? When did she learn it?
“Did we get it?” Nana asked curiously
“He is dead, right?” Riki and Riko questioned me
“He is in the middle of dying. If he isn’t dead, we better start running.” Hart said while trying to catch his breath. He is trying a little bit too hard. Well, I am no different.
“We can’t run while carrying our luggage. “Nana answered, “we have to defeat it no matter what.”
It is undoubtedly true. This is just the first day. If we ran, our supplies would be gone. That rhino is quite fast despite its colossal body.
“It is still alive,” John said as he prepared his staff. We also raised our guard. After the smoke dispersed, I could see the rhino’s body twitch. It is alive but unconscious. To take that attack head-on and still alive. I really feared our future. This is just a small fry, right? Were we supposed to fight monsters stronger than this?
“It is unconscious. Parker, let’s kill it.” Nana makes a suggestion. In the end, Nana and I made the killing blow, and we cut its neck. To be frank, it’s like chopping down a tree. We were only successful after the 15th or 20th time. Then, we retrieved our supply a little way back and raised our tent here.
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Richard POV
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“That ended unexpectedly,” I said while staring down at them.
“Stella was a monster. She copied Fay’s spell on the first try and only needs to look at it once!” Und made a bitter smile. I kind of understand. We are warriors, but that doesn’t mean I can’t cast any spell. I knew how hard it was to cast a spell and be in the middle of a battle.
“She is a genius. She was always silent. But I think she has learned much more than the others on that team. But I don’t know to what extent. She often skipped class and holed up in the library.” Fay answered
“That’s worse than you,” Bane commented. “Her skill is no joke. I can only cast a basic spell, and it took me over 3 years to study. There is a matter of talent, but this is very disheartening.”
“Yeah,” Und answered.
“What are you talking about? They are heroes, after all. Are you stupid for using yourselves or ordinary soldiers as comparisons? That’s insulting.” I said with a smile. I am glad they are strong. Their personality also seemed to be clean. The king worries too much. I am sure they will save us one day.