<h4>Chapter 40</h4>


    “Hmm... these two seem like good quests. This one involves us gathering and harvesting monster parts in the forest we passed through a few days ago. This other one would have us y these monsters that appear in the ins...”


    “Muuuu...”


    We’re only strong enough to be effective at these kinds of quests.


    While there are groups looking for members to go bounty hunting, I have a hard time fulfilling their requirements because of my oddball ss.


    They might let me in if I talk to them beforehand, but I’d like to avoid having my identity revealed if I can help it.


    And naturally, it’d be great if to adventure with just Arleaf and Muu, as we’re in the same boat.


    I can always try consulting the clerks in the guildhall.


    They seem to be very helpful and supportive to all the neers in town.


    ‘... I may just have a brilliant n.’


    Veno speaks out, almost as if he were raising his hand to participate in the discussion.


    “A brilliant n?”


    ‘Thess pointed out the quest in the sewer, aye?’


    “That’s right. It seems rather tough. There are some details appended to the bottom of the listing saying how there is quite therge number of monsters underground. It may be difficult even for mid-ranked adventurers if a mob of monsters were to show up.”


    ‘In that case, we can employ poison. You humans have this thing called “rat poison,” do you not?’


    Oh, I see where he’s getting at. That really doesn’t sound like a bad n.


    “Umm... it seems like some adventurer or some guild clerk has tried that before in the past. The monsters quickly developed resistance against the poison and, in the end, turned out benefit the monsters. Ever since then, the city did not directly deal with the problem.”


    ‘Hah... how na?ve. For what doest thou taketh me for? I have already ounted for that possibility to happen.’


    “... then what are you thinking of, Lord Holy Dragon?”


    Pfft. I’ve got a feeling that Veno’s got a good-for-nothing idea brewing.


    I bet his “brilliant n” is going to be a waste of time.


    ‘Aye... my strategy is simr to how we eradicated Bloodflower in that—’


    As soon as he started to speak, Arleaf was at a loss for words.


    Turns out it’s not as crappy of a n as I thought it’d be. In that case, we’ll need to make preparations, so off to our hideout we go.


    “I think this is the ce.”


    Arleaf brings us to her friend’s home that we’ll be using as a hideout.


    It’s quite therge estate in the middle of town.


    “Who lives here?”


    “This is Grandpa Wayne’s house. He’s a rtive that I call my grandpa. He’s looked after me ever since I was a young girl. They say he’s an unparalleled craftsman. I’m sure he will help us out once he learns of our situation.”


    “A craftsman, huh? I wonder if he can help me out with something.”


    I take out and show Arleaf my crossbow.


    It still shoots, but it makes a weird creaking noise when I fire it.


    Sometimes, though, it gets a little jammed up.


    I’ve been keeping up with maintenance, but it needs proper repairs.


    The crossbow is prettyplicated, so I’m not exactly sure what exactly is wrong with it.


    It’s a very capable weapon, but thinking about what lies ahead of us, I’m a bit hesitant to rely on it now.


    I’ve been reusing my bolts as much as I can, but I don’t have too many left. They tend to melt when enchanted with poisons. Well, they’re a consumable item anyway.


    “I have noticed too that, for some reason, it is not performing as welltely.”


    I really need to find an expert to work on it.


    I’ve mended my Smoke Armor as best as I can, but it’s nowhere nearly as good as what a professional can do.


    The axe that Muu’s using is holding up fine, though the Flyiron Sword has rusted once.


    It’d be nice if we could just swap for better equipment with Veno.


    ‘It is not as if I own anything and everything. The only hurdle to using better equipment lies within thine own proficiency.’


    To be fair, this is all just stuff Veno has lying around. Most of it is just regr service equipment for soldiers, or at best, knights.


    ‘I do have a full set of armor on hand. However, as far as weapons go, what I have is more of the decorative kind... if only we can use the sword strapped to thess’ back. That would mitigate our worries for weaponry.’


    Oh, the holy sword of Arleaf’s ancestors?


    What’s it called again? Karma ze?


    It hasn’t activated once after that sh of light that one time. It seems like it’s less of a weapon and more of a protective charm.


    “As my father would say, adventurers can either save money on their equipment or save their lives. If we peddle medicines for a while, we may be able to save up some money...”


    That’s right. It’s not like we don’t have options to make money.


    But the problem is that we’ve gotta escape our pursuers while looking for a way to undo the Forced Possession Summoning.


    That means we don’t have the luxury of taking our sweet time.


    In any case, we should spend some of they money we’ve saved up to upgrade our equipment.


    The shop back in Nisua was rather expensive.


    We didn’t have enough money for proper weapons and armor.


    “Well, for now, let’s meet my friends.”


    Arleaf pushes a button close to the door.


    A sharp ring of a bell rang out as soon as she did so.


    It’s a very peculiar sound.


    “Coming.”


    Ady with a nice figure opened the door after calling out to us.


    Her hair was split into two long bunches, tied into ce with stics.


    Her chest stands out from her sleeveless shirt.


    Hey, I can see your midriff. Her pants... are made with some kind of denim-like leather, I think.


    She’s got quite the wild look.


    “Uhh... is that you, Arleaf?”


    “Oh, yes, that’s right. Long time no see, Rurika.”


    “Good to see you again! What brings you all the way out here?”


    “Umm, lots of things happened and so... we’re on a trip. I heard Grandpa Wayne lives around here, so I thought to drop by to say hello.”


    As Arleaf exins the situation, thedy named Rurika looked over at Muu and I.


    “This is Yukihisa. He and I are traveling together. Umm, this might be out of the blue, but he has my father’s approval.”


    “Huh? Your dad? The one who’s super protective of you?”


    “Yes. For some reason, Yukihisa... is able to eat my cooking.”


    “Wha—?!... that’s incredible!”


    Arleaf’s notoriety knows no borders.


    I want to ask her all about it.


    “Yukihisa, this is Rurika. She’s Grandpa Wayne’s granddaughter.”


    “Mu!”


    “And this little one is Muu, Yukihisa’s myconid.’


    Muu cordially bows.


    “It’s a pleasure. But... is there something you came to see Gramps for?”


    “Oh, no... I don’t mean to be a bother, but I remember Grandpa Wayne has got quite the name for his smithing skills, so I thought tomission a few items from him.”


    Rurika looks down and her face darkens, struggling to find words.


    What? Did something happen to Mr. Wayne?