Lily and Ion let them take a break and talk to them.

'So why is the chairman here?'

Hi, you've got the wrong guy.

You almost screamed my real name and it's not gonna happen.

U... not... not... uh.

If you don't know your avatar's name, I pity you.

He goes by the name Tact here.

'Yeah. I'm Chiffon.

"...you like cake?

'No, no!　Oh, I like it, but I only put it on because it's cute!

Chiffon, the chairman of the committee, struggles to explain himself.

'Why couldn't you have been a princess?

No, of course not!　If you name me that, I'm a painful girl!　Why do you say the same thing about Miranda...

Miranda?

Who are you?

It's the vice-chairman.

Oh, Shiina-san...or rather, she did it too.

There's no way I can teach you...

'...Yeah. You can't tell me the chairman of the committee is actually a gamer.

I know I'm overly concerned about it, but I guess that's the kind of thing that's hard to say. Then Tristan speaks up.

'So you two know each other in real life.

Yes. I've never seen him before today.

'I've never met her either, you know?　I mean, you guys were the first people I met at the event.

He saved me from being attacked by that wolf earlier.

Heh, I knew Tristan was a nice guy. That's where I was wondering.

''What happened to the Round Table members?''

'The guys who got warned by management quit the game. In the event, or rather, in this game, I'm playing solo mercenary.

Playing mercenary? What's that?

"Playing mercenary." How's that for a helper?　It's a way to get weak people to hire you for money. The spearman who confronted you when you were with Arthur was also a guy who played mercenary.

Yeah, I remember that guy. He was the strongest of them all. That guy's got the chops for that kind of play, for sure.

"Chiffon's Miranda, right?　Are you two alone in the game?

Yeah. I feel like I'm looking for a party that fits us both. It's not easy to find one. It seems like this event isn't that much of a party warfare event, so we tried it together, but we didn't expect to eat an apple and then go back to death.

Yes. But some people had expected it.

'I knew this apple was a trap.

Yes, sir. The forest around here has been poisoned and we are currently searching for a place that is free of poison.

"...how do you know where the poison isn't?

We have an elf named Setia.

Setia's scowling.

'I see. That makes sense. I'm trying to find someplace safe, but I haven't found it. I mean, there's no way I could find it if I didn't have horses and elves to search and find it.

I don't know about that. I don't think they purposely set up a place near me. I'm sure they'll think it's boring if they find me easily.

'Here's a suggestion. Why don't we have a party?　I have eagle-eyed skills to help you in your search, okay?

Oh. A skill I don't know about. Apparently, you can see a long way.

"I'm good. With Lily and the others down.

'What?　Can I come?

"?　I don't mind, but, oh. Are you okay with horses and stuff?

'I'll ride. I've been a game horse for a long time, even with this.

Heh. Well, I'll send Lily and the others back and lend them some liqueur. Let's see how good you are.

Yeah... completely outdone me... on a different level. More specifically, you're operating without the reins. How is he doing it? It's like he's signalling with his foot, but I can't see the stones.

'She...she's a good girl. I don't know if I've ever had a horse so comfortable to ride before.

That's good to hear.

The liqueur is all over the place. Come back! I'm your master!

Mr. Tact, can I have this baby?

No!

Liqueur is the hope of Pegasus. Stop it!


I'm going to ride around in Setia and Darley. That's because I can't carpool with two female players.

And we're on the move. The Wolfman attacked me several times, but I used the speed of the liqueur and Darley to get through. This is what I decided to do with Tristan.

It was a result of him deciding that he would get points for fighting, but it wouldn't do him any good if he died from a battle and his fullness was reduced.

After another hour, I would learn that it was the right decision. When your satiety level is in the red zone, Setia shouts.

'Huh!　Mr. Takut!　We've found them!　It's a non-poisonous place!

Well done!　Which way?

It's over there!

Setia pointed us in the direction. And we're at a beautiful lake.

"Looks like a hit.

'Yes. It's not like this beautiful lake is poisonous.

I'm about to turn around and Tristan stops me.

"Wait. They don't usually let us use these places. There's supposed to be boss-class monsters out there.

Is that what it is?

'That's what they say. Setia, there's no poison around here, is there?

Yes, sir.

'Then maybe I can eat an apple or something normal. Let's regain our fullness and decide on an organization and strategy before we try.

Well, I agree!　It's definitely better that way.

Yeah. Well, that's more like it. You're the veteran. And I've realized once again that I'm rather cautious.

That's why we're going to get the apples. The reason for this is that Tristan-san has the skill to take an apple with a bow, but we can't afford to waste an arrow. Chiffon can't seem to be able to do such a thing, so I'm in charge.

That's why I'm in charge. I asked Konoha and Hiyori to drop it. I appraised it.

Apples: rarity level 1 food item quality E
A very nutrient-rich and healthy food. Even the skin is nutritious.

Now that it's safe and secure, we all eat it.

I restore fullness to fullness and put the liqueur and Darley back in.

Thank you. I'm sure you'll be asking for more, so get some rest.

"'Heeheen,'

And then we'll have a strategy meeting, but since we don't know the enemy, there's no way to make a strategy. In the meantime, while keeping an eye out for the boss, I approach and only put the wall spell on it at any time.

As I get closer, a rock from the middle of the lake moves towards me. I use my identification skill, but I can't identify it. What's going on?

Anyway, we keep our distance and I prepare a wall spell.

As the rock approached the land, a red leg emerged from underneath. At that moment, my identification skills caught the identity of the enemy.

The Rock Hermit Club?
?　?　?

A hermit crab. Except it's a hermit crab with a shell turned into a rock. I mean, it's bigger than the Big Hermit Club!

The eyes of a rock hermit crab glow. Something's coming!

"Earthwall!

The rock hermit crabs are now going to send countless rocks flying.

Just in time, the earth wall was just in time. If I wasn't prepared, I'd be dead...

That was a close call...

'Yes...it was just in time. If I hadn't prepared for it beforehand, I wouldn't have made it in time...

But he still doesn't seem reassured.

'Wow, is it my imagination?　I feel like this wall has been chipped away from now on...

That's because if you bang on a rock, it will eventually break. We can put it back up, but it's gonna be a dead end.

Let's call a trump card to reverse the situation!

I'm calling the wall. Can you attack?

All right. I got it.

I ask permission for Mr. Tristan to call him.

'Come!　Black iron!　Luna!

The chairman and Tristan are surprised by the appearance of Black Iron and Luna.

'Ka, pretty!'
Is this... a golem?

Oh, I don't know. Well, that's not the point.

"Black iron!　It's a fight!　Luna, attack me with magic.

Black Iron proceeds to the rock hermit crab under my direction. Naturally, my attention is drawn to the approaching black iron.
Confirming this, Tristan-san moves to the side and unleashes an archery technique.

''Strike shot!''

This one hits, but I hear Tristan's voice.　　

'No!　The damage isn't working very well!

I knew he was as hard as he looked... but then, what about magic? Setia and Luna's magic burst forth.

''Ha!''
"Leaf cutter!

Two leaf cutters hit. What do you think?

'No...my magic isn't working either...'

Seriously....I tried all the attributes at one point, but it didn't work. The only thing left was Black Iron's attack, but of course it didn't work. On the contrary, this hermit crab, this rock hermit crab, was harder than black iron, and its attack power and speed were higher than black iron.

This is terrible... for now, I thought the hermit crabs would come after me when I let Kurotetsu keep his distance, but they did not. But as I moved away, the rock flew at me again. It's a troublesome enemy.

'What do we do?　At this rate, there's nothing we can do about it.

I wish I had some kind of magic that worked.

Puyosuke can't use it either because if the rock is magic, it's an instant death. So let's go back to the basics.

I'm a professional hermit crab hunter. I know effective magic and strategies.

"I think I know some magic that works. I think this is going to be an endurance battle, okay?

If you can beat him, I have no problem with that.
Me too.

Then you'll do it.

Poison!

If I use my wooden magic poison, the rock hermit crab becomes poisonous. We'll see what happens.

"Setia, take care of the Woodwall. Maybe Woodwall will be stronger.

Yes!

Setia builds a wall of wood and I heal the black iron. Then I debuff her and Luna applies a dancing buff.

When Poison runs out, Setia applies it again. When the wooden wall breaks down, Black Iron goes into defense, then heals, wall, poison, repeat.

I wondered how the rock hermit crab would come...I thought it would attack us, but it didn't show any signs of doing so.

In the end, we stayed on the defensive and kept poisoning them and won.

I don't have the guts, but for an enemy that sticks to their own tactics, this was a nasty one.

It's an inexplicable way of defeating them, but it's a good thing we beat them for now. That's why it's time to level up.

The level of the Summoner has been increased. The number of summons that can be used as companions has increased by 1.
Vocational Summoner's level has increased. You have gained 1 skill point.

Now I have 17 pts. left in my remaining skill points and the number of summons I can join is 8.

Apparently, the chairman and Tristan-san have also leveled up. It was my turn to dismantle the Rock Hermit Club.

''It's almost as if Tact-kun defeated it.

I was told. Then I'll take you at your word. Here are the disassembly results.

Hermit Crab: Rare Level 4 Food Item Quality E
Edible hermit crab. Tastes like shrimp.

Huh? The regular hermit crab got a lot of them for some reason. The Big Hermit Club was a pair of scissors... and an earthen stone! It's a magic stone summoning case. You can't do it here, though.

That's where the info comes in.

"Base area 'Lake of Healing' has been liberated.
You have earned 5 skill points.
You have been awarded an event-only title, 'Liberator of the Base Area'.
'Dark magic level has reached 20. Dark Magic [Charm] and [Dark Knight] have been acquired.
'Setia's tree magic has reached level 5. Tree Magic [Wood Breath] and [Blossom Storm] have been acquired.''

Oh. That's a lot of stuff. Now I have 22 skill points left.

And I got new dark magic, and Setia got her new tree magic.

The problem is... yes. Charms... enchanting magic, I suppose.

What would the Dark Knight be? Dark night? You'll never know unless you use it.

I'm guessing the Setia Tree Magic Wood Breath bracelets are meant to be a blessing, not a breath. You won't know the actual effect unless you use it.

Blossom Storm looks like an attack spell. Blossom is a flower that blooms on a tree. Cherry Blossom is famous for cherry blossoms.

Storm is a storm. So it's a tree flower storm. That's pretty exciting.

Now, let's take a look at the event-specific titles.

The title "Liberator of the Base Area".
Effect: Special attack on base area bosses, special attack on event raid bosses
The title is given to the person who defeats the boss in the base area in the event "Old Island".

The two of them are very excited.

''That's a lot of skill points!　And it's an event-only title!

'Yes!　Now you can get the skills you want to take!

'What?　Isn't that normal?

There was a chill in the air as I said this.

'I knew you were at the forefront of the attack, but it's f*cked up.

It's no wonder I'm a fighter.

'That's not what I'm talking about. I've never seen the Rock Hermit Club before, okay?

I've fought the Big Hermit Club before.

'I meant against the big enemy!

Chiffon was pissed at me. I'm just having a normal adventure...

Name Takuto Intermediate Summoner Lv 7 -> Lv 8

Life force 41 to 42.
Magic power 82 to 84
Strength 30
Defense 20 to 21.
Agility 26 to 27
Dexterous value 57 to 59.

skill

Fighting Lv 7 Kicking Lv 12 -> Lv 13 Staff Lv 18 One-handed sword Lv 8 Throwing Lv 3 High speed chanting Lv 7 -> Lv 8 Summoning magic Lv 20　
Sealing magic Lv 2 Alchemy Lv 9 Mining Lv 14 Logging Lv 11 Dismantling Lv 21 Appraisal Lv 10 Identification Lv 17　
Wind magic lv20 Fire magic lv20 Earth magic lv20 -> lv21 Water magic lv20 Dark magic lv19 -> lv20　
Light magic lvl 25 -> lvl 26 Lightning magic lvl 18 Explosion magic lvl 17 Wood magic lvl 16 -> lvl 18 Ice magic lvl 16　
Spacetime magic Lv16 Reading Lv8 Cooking Lv25 Feeding Lv6 Fishing Lv8 Synchro Lv4

Name Setia Elf Lv23 to Lv24

Vitality 30
Magic power 76 to 78.
Strength 22 to 23.
Defense 17 to 18.
Agility 21
Dexterity value 76 to 78.

skill

Cane Lv 9 Bow Lv 4 Woodwork Lv 5 -> Lv 6 Collecting Lv 8 Medicine Lv 5 Wind Magic Lv 3 Fire Magic Lv 5 Water Magic Lv 12　
Earth magic Lv 12 -> Lv 13 Wood magic Lv 12 -> Lv 15 Tree magic Lv 4 -> Lv 5 Knowledge of elves Lv 6 -> Lv 10 Spirit summoning Lv 3　

Name Black Iron Rock Golem Lv5 -> Lv7

Life force 49 to 51.
Magic power 0
Strength 53 to 57.
Defense value 53 to 57.
Agility 10
Dexterity value 10

skill
Barehanded Lv8 -> Lv9 Defense Lv11 -> Lv16 Provocation Lv8 -> Lv11 Physical Resistance Lv11 -> Lv16 Mining Lv6 Throwing Lv1

Name: liqueur, unicorn, lvl 4

Vitality 26
Magical power 2
Strength 26
Defensive Strength 17
Agility 41
Dexterity value 34

skill

Angular attack lv5 -> lv6 Kicking lv3 Rush lv5 -> lv6 Riding lv7 -> lv11 Sprint lv6 -> lv8

Name: Darley, Thoroughbred, Lv4.

Vitality 22
Magical power 2
Strength 17
Defensive Strength 15
Agility 51
Dexterity value 36

skill

Kicking Lv3 Rush Lv3 Riding Lv8 -> Lv12 Galloping Lv5 Rider Enhancement Lv4 -> Lv6

Name Luna Fairy Lv1 to Lv3

Life force 20 to 22.
Magical power 35 to 39.
Strength 15
Defensive Strength 20
Agility 30 to 34
Dexterous value 22 to 26

skill

Flight Lv 1 -> Lv 2 Lyre Lv 1 Dance Lv 2 -> Lv 3 Enchanted Scale Powder Lv 2 Wind Magic Lv 1 -> Lv 2 Wood Magic Lv 1 -> Lv 2 Illusion Lv 1