Just like yesterday, we had lunch at Sara-san's cafe.
Afterward, we returned to the Adventurer's Guild to look over the quest board.
"Come to think of it, you might not be able to hunt in the forest today," Reina-san remarked.
"Huh? Why is that?"
"Well, remember what I told you this morning? With so many adventurers heading into the dungeon, the monsters in the forest have likely scattered and fled. They'll probably wander back by tomorrow, but even if you went out there today, I doubt you'd find much to hunt."
Hearing that from Reina-san, we immediately began discussing our options right where we stood.
"What should we do?"
"Hmm... If there aren't any monsters around, maybe we could take on some city requests?"
"I'm fine either way, but personally, I'd rather fight monsters and build up experience..."
"We haven't been anywhere other than the forest yet, have we? This might be a good chance to explore somewhere new."
After listening to everyone's input and Leticia-san's suggestion, I turned back to ask Reina-san.
"Are there any other good hunting grounds near the royal capital besides the forest?"
"Given your level, Erik-kun, there's a vast grassland on the east side of the royal capital, opposite the forest. Near the outskirts, you'll run into slimes, horn rabbits, and a monster species called wild boars."
"Wild boars... If I remember correctly, they're one rank above slimes and horn rabbits, right?"
"That's right. They're also well-known for their edible meat. If you defeat one cleanly and bring back the carcass intact, a single beast will fetch twenty copper coins."
When monster materials had practical value, their price naturally increased.
I had already come to understand that well from the monsters we had slain so far.
For now, since slimes and horn rabbits also appeared there, we decided to head to the eastern grassland with the intention of hunting them.
"So we're skipping the dungeon after all," Philia noted as we stepped out of the Adventurer's Guild.
"Honestly, with our party's current strength, we could probably manage on the upper floors. But since we only formed this party a few days ago, I want us to get to know each other's fighting styles better before diving in."
"That makes sense. Especially in my case—I've only known all of you for a few days."
"It's not just you, Leticia-san. I only started working with Philia and the others after arriving in the royal capital, so the timeline isn't that different for me either."
Judging strictly by combat ability, we were capable enough to operate on the dungeon's upper floors.
However, since our party was still freshly formed, a single lapse in teamwork could easily result in severe injuries.
To avoid putting ourselves at unnecessary risk, I decided we should hold off on challenging the dungeon until we had fully assessed our coordination.
Before long, we arrived at the eastern grassland.
"This is my first time out here, but the atmosphere is completely different from the forest."
"Well, the forest is densely overgrown, so even in broad daylight, there are plenty of dark spots."
The eastern grassland stretched wide and open, dotted here and there with patches of tall grass that looked like prime hiding spots for monsters.
Reina-san had also mentioned a small wood bordering the plains where monsters liked to lurk.
"For now, let's start by targeting slimes or horn rabbits. Leticia-san, would you mind?"
"Of course. Garm, if you please."
"Woof!"
Leticia-san gave Garm the instruction, and the wolf immediately took the lead, guiding us toward our targets.
Walking through the grassland was remarkably easy.
Having shifted our hunting grounds from the forest, that was the very first impression that struck me.
"It's so much easier to walk here than in the forest, and maintaining a clear line of sight is effortless..."
"It really is! I was constantly tripping over tree roots back there, so let's make this our regular hunting spot from now on!"
"Since I have to move with my shield raised, the forest was rough terrain. Here, there are only the occasional large boulders, so moving around is a breeze..."
"I agree with everyone. Though in terms of temperature, the forest was cooler and shaded, which made it a little less exhausting in that sense."
Forest versus grassland.
Having experienced both hunting grounds firsthand, we chatted about the differences as we made our way across the plains.
We had already taken down twelve slimes and six horn rabbits.
Combat flowed smoothly, coordinating our attacks was far simpler, and I found myself growing steadily fonder of the grassland over the forest.
On top of that, I leveled up during this initial stretch of hunting.
◇
Monster defeated.
1 EXP acquired.
100/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Level increased.
0/100 to next level.
◇
◇
Monster defeated.
1 EXP acquired.
1/100 to next level.
◇
✤
Name: Erik
Age: 10
Level: 6
Strength: 16
Magic Power: 16
Endurance: 15
Agility: 15
Dexterity: 15
Skills:
[Swordsmanship: 3] [Physical Enhancement: 2] [Cleaning: 7]
[Earth Magic: 2] [Parallel Thinking: 3] [Mana Control: 2]
[Appraisal: 1]
Special Skills:
[Fixed EXP]
Divine Protections:
——
✤
I didn't feel any dramatic shift after leveling up.
Even so, there was a definite sense that I had grown slightly stronger.
"I was thinking it might be time to try taking on a wild boar, but what does everyone else think?" I asked Philia and the rest after checking my status.
"I'd like to try, but I really don't want to fight a whole group right off the bat..."
"Same here. I want to face just one at first. We don't even know if I can hold its charge yet."
"I feel the same. While we still have room to breathe, checking how strong one is will give us valuable information for future hunts."
Philia and the others were willing to take up the challenge.
However, we were all in complete agreement not to push our luck.
"Leticia-san, in that case, could you have Garm track down a solitary wild boar for us?"
When I asked, Leticia-san nodded and gave the command to Garm.
Receiving her instructions, Garm caught a scent on the breeze and set off into the grass.