Chapter 332: Desert cactus and boxer
When I logged in, I made bonito fish sauce.
Bonito Fish Sauce: Rarity 7, Cooking, Quality C+
Fish sauce made by fermenting bonito.
The undiluted liquid is diluted and adjusted to just the right flavor.
This is a common fish sauce sold in the market. It is the perfection of fish sauce. I would like to thank Shallow-san and his friends.
Next, I am going to make dried squid.
First, the japanese common squid is cut into pieces so that the body and legs are attached to each other. Then, cut the cartilage, remove the mouth and eyes. Finally, peel it off from the ears so as not to damage the entrails.
After that, the suckers are scraped off, rinsed in water and soaked in salt water for 3 to 5 minutes to dry. The squid will be dried overnight, so it should be ready tomorrow.
After that, I made meals for everyone and cooked beef steaks for Lily to eat.
"A~h. Delicious~! Ugh!"
"I know it tastes good, so don't be violent. It hurts, doesn't it?"
"...Yeah"
Lily stares at me.
"What's wrong?"
"Hue? U, Uuh! I kind of like this kind of Takuto, too"
"What kind of me..."
Then I felt a look behind me and saw the girls grinning at me.
"...What the hell?"
『Nothing~』
Damn! What the hell is this!
"Haa~...next time, do it Ion"
"Not good! It has to be Takuto!"
If Lily says so, I have no choice but to do it...after feeding Lily and putting her to sleep, we finally headed for the desert.
The members are Ix, Gray, Byakuya, Hix and Stra. I set Ix to fire attribute and headed for the desert. We've already collected iron sand, so we'll have plenty of time to explore this time.
We set out from the rocky area on Hix. However, they don't let us explore easily.
"The enemy is coming from the front! Master!"
I got visual confirmation too.
Lesser Griffon Lv15
Summon Monster Subjugation Target Active
We can't lose this one! Lesser Griffon uses lightning breath.
Byakuya, Hix and Stra avoid it.
"Rune Skill!"
This sealed off the pesky skills. In this situation, there is no choice but to engage in a stiff battle. I changed my weapon to a spear.
『We'll take this guy!』
As I say this, Gray rides Stra and Byakuya puts distance between us.
"Let's do it! Hix!"
"Pii!"
The Lesser Griffon's claws clash with my spear. It is bounced and Hix and the Lesser Griffon collide. I am about to be knocked off, but I manage to hold on. It's still tough with a spear...but I can't back down here!
The cooperation with Hix is activated and we plunge in with my whirlwind spear. The Lesser Griffon comes barreling in as well. Superior!
They collided again, piercing the Lesser Griffon's claws and then going straight through the Lesser Griffon's neck.
But the Lesser Griffon glared at me. It flapped its wings, pulled out my spear and scratched me with its claws, which was safe...Hix caught it with his claws, opening the distance.
Seriously...I'm surprised that it's safe and I'm surprised that it even counterattacked...I look at the Lesser Griffon, which is still glaring at me even though it's dying.
Amazing...it looks so majestic even though it's dying...it's truly the king of the sky. Then we'd be rude not to get serious too! The cooperation is activated again. The Lesser Griffon, on the other hand, activates its windbreak. I don't care! Keep going, I'm going through you!
"Pile Bunker!"
The windbreak and my and Hix' cooperation collided, piercing the windbreak, this time through the Lesser Griffon's face, taking the Lesser Griffon down.
Phew...the Lesser Griffon was strong after all...now to dismantle it.
Lesser Griffon Feather: Rarity 5, Material, Quality C
Feather of Lesser Griffon with the power of wind. Used for armor and items.
Hmm. Looks like a material for armor. The item would be a brush. I'll give it to Wako when I get back.
Then, Ix, who was riding with Hix, turned her attention to me.
"You seemed to be having a good time. Master"
"Ah, no"
Oh man...I forgot about Ix. The sight of the Lesser Griffon just made me hotter.
"No problem...but I'll have to fight the next enemy myself"
"Ah, yeah. I'll leave it to you"
So we continued our search and found a giant cactus.
Euphorbia Ingens.
Come to think of it, I've heard that cacti don't grow in the Sahara Desert. I wondered if it was this one that was mistaken for a cactus in the desert...the moment I approached it, I thought I would take a break since it was in the shade.
Suddenly, countless spines were released from the euphorbia.
"Hix!"
Hix uses windbreak to prevent it. Identification.
Euphorbia Ingens Lv30
Normal Monster Subjugation Target Active
This bastard...cheated me out of my identification skill. There's even this enemy...but if I know it's an enemy, go easy on it!
"Rune Skill!"
Euphorbia´s needle attack stopped.
"Ix!"
"Yes, Master"
Ix holds up her energy sword and a blade of flaming energy slashes through the Euphorbia, disintegrating it. Huh? It's weak for its level.
"Gaaaa!"
Gray's warning!? What?
A green smoke is generated when the dismembered Euphorbia falls into the desert. I hurriedly give Hix instructions to keep a distance. Then, countless spikes came out of the smoke.
We quickly blocked them with Byakuya's spirit power and Hix' windbreak, but the number of spikes was greater than before...when I was unsure of what had happened, Ix informed me of the situation.
"Increased hostile reaction. There are many small enemies on the ground"
A skill like Puyosuke's splitting...even the rune skill can't target small enemies on the ground in the windbreak wind...then let's make them disappear all together.
"Ix, I ask for the energy blaster"
"Yes, Master"
Ix holds up the energy blaster.
"Charge complete"
"Good. Hix, let's unblock the windshield. Gray, Stra, Byakuya. Stop their attacks"
As Stra and Byakuya exit the barrier, the needle's aim is split. Gray blows away the spikes approaching Stra with a roar and Byakuya returns all the needles to the enemy with his spirit power and at once enters the enemy's pocket with a whirlwind and sprint, cutting through with his wind claws. When Byakuya leaves, Stra's deadly poisonous breath hits the enemy.
The enemy could be identified by the removal of the windbreak.
Euphorbiaman Lv20
Normal Monster Subjugation Target Active
There were many small puppet Euphorbias. Sorry to be so abrupt, but they need to go away.
"Target acquired. Energy blaster, fire!"
An energy blaster exploded into the central point where the Euphorbiaman were swarming, obliterating the majority of them. The rest were left to Gray and the others.
The battle is over and I dismantle.
Numb Needle: Rarity 6, Material, Quality C
A needle with a poisonous and paralyzing effect. Used as a throwing weapon.
That was a close call...this needle was a bad one. I got a lot of those. I have the throwing skill too, so it's going to come in handy. I'm sure Hokage´s party will want them.
After that, I found a rock that we could use as a resting place and ate shaved ice in the shade. The taste and effect of shaved ice is great. You can really feel it when you are in the desert.
As we all rest, a strange one comes along.
Boxer Kangaroo Lv33
Tame Monster Subjugation Target Active
Well, let's meditate on the fact that the Kangaroo has gloves. More than that, there is something I really need to tweak.
Why the afro? No, it's because it's a boxer...but an afro doesn't look good on it.
Then the Boxer Kangaroo appeals to me with its hand, saying come here. Then Ix responds.
"Master doesn't need to come out"
Ix fires an energy gun and Boxer Kangaroo takes a cross arm block position. The energy gun is then bounced off.
"N...ku!"
Ix fires a volley of shots, but all of them are repelled. Furthermore, Gray and Byakuya's roars and Hix's wind blades are also not working on the crossarm block. Gray and the others try to bite it, but are repelled by an invisible wall.
Seeing this, I was convinced. This guy seems to be an enemy that can only be defeated by fighting. Moreover, it seems to be targeting me because of my fighting skill.
There are a lot of strange monsters out there...I have them all stop attacking and I go out with my bare hands. By the looks of it, it must have provocation. If I can't escape, I have no choice but to fight. The Boxer Kangaroo sees this and gets excited.
It nods when I gesture for punches and kicks. Apparently, there are no rules when it comes to fighting. Then the Boxer Kangaroo jumps onto the rock on which I was resting. Apparently, we use this rock as a stage for fighting.
Riding on Hix, I also stand on the rock. We step on each other. Its coming!
The Boxer Kangaroo disappears, I do a backflip and the kick hits the Boxer Kangaroo. Forced skill release!
"Straight!"
My straight caught the Boxer Kangaroo in the face. But the damage is weak and the Boxer Kangaroo keeps its distance and activates its fighting spirit when I check its face.
Looks like it's in serious mode. We slowly close the distance between us...probably I can't beat Boxer Kangaroo with my technique. If there is an element to win, it would be the depth of reading and reflexes.
Both sides punch each other with their left hand. This guy even feints. Furthermore, it understands its advantage and attacks without haste. Let's judge that there is no advantage in depth of reading and reflexes. It is very strong.
Then Boxer Kangaroo throws a straight right hand. The moment I try to counter it, I throw a kick to feint a punch counter. The Boxer Kangaroo guards with its left hand.
Oh no. If I had matched the punch counter, it would have gone for the river.
I keep my distance. I'm not going to be able to keep this up. I changed my stance. The Boxer Kangaroo sees this and is wary. I guess it doesn't know anything but boxing.
But there's no way I'm going to back down. The Boxer Kangaroo curls up and lunges at me. I don't have the strength or defense to defend myself, so I'm going to have to come on strong. But the more momentum we have, the more advantage we have.
A right blow comes. I grab its right hand and use the momentum to throw it off.
The Boxer Kangaroo doesn't seem to understand what just happened. It gets up, shakes its head and takes a stance again.
But every time the Boxer Kangaroo makes a move, I throw it. Then the Boxer Kangaroo accumulates its right hand with martial arts. Is that...a corkscrew blow? But using martial arts is deadly.
As I predicted, a corkscrew blow is unleashed and my right hand counters into the Boxer Kangaroo. I connect with another series of strikes. Then I used martial arts.
"Uppercut!"
The uppercut hits the Boxer Kangaroo in the jaw and sticks. It didn't go down, that was a mistake! I got this!
"Roundhouse Kick!"
A roundhouse kick is delivered to the Boxer Kangaroo's groin and the Boxer Kangaroo falls over. The Boxer Kangaroo looks at me, smiles for a moment and falls over. Info comes in.
『Your kicking skill level has reached 20. You have acquired the kicking technique 【Consecutive Kick】』
『Your kicking skill level has reached 20. The Swift skill has been released』
I'm slumped...I never want to fight this kangaroo again...if I hadn't learned aikido, I would have lost for sure. And that aikido was tailored to an attack that would have been the end of me if I took a single blow. Mentally tough...
"Are you alright? Master"
"P...pretty...tight...let me take a break"
I decided to use the camp set and take a good rest. Then check the released skill.
Swift skill...a skill that Koihi also has. Perhaps there is a shrinking land beyond this skill. Then I must acquire it. The required point is 8pt. It is understandable, though, since there is a high possibility that it will be Shuukuchi. Then, let's get it.
『You have acquired the Swift skill』
Now I have 5pt skill points left. But it's a skill I want in using a sword, so I have no choice. Let's rest a little more before we leave.
Name Takuto Love Summoner Lv9
Vitality 76
Magic Power 202
Strength 60
Defense 40
Agility 60
Dexterity 120
Skills
Fighting Lv12→Lv15
Kicking Lv18→Lv20
Staff Lv27
One-handed Sword Lv30
Spear Lv18→Lv19
Katana Lv14
Throwing Lv8
High-Speed Chanting Lv36→Lv37
Summoning Magic Lv34
Seal Magic Lv21→Lv22
Horsemanship Lv31
Alchemy Lv20
Mining Lv28
Logging Lv33
Dismantling Lv39
Appraisal Lv30
Identification Lv34→Lv35
Fast Magic Lv2
Flame Magic Lv3
Land Magic Lv2
Sea Magic Lv4
Darkness Magic Lv2
Sacred Magic Lv10
Lightning Magic Lv31
Explosion Magic Lv28
Wood Magic Lv26
Ice Magic Lv29
Space-time Magic Lv40
Beast Magic Lv2
Delay Magic Lv2
Continous Chanting Lv3
Underwater Action Lv12
Swift Lv1
Reading Lv14
Cooking Lv38
Feeding Lv8
Fishing Lv20
Synchro Lv16
Cooperation Lv6→Lv7
Name Ix Ex Machina Lv44→Lv46
Vitality 76→78
Magic Power 76→78
Strength 76→78
Defense 76→78
Agility 76→78
Dexterity 76→78
Skills
Flight Lv8
Machina Armament Lv24→Lv25
Night Vision Lv4
Eagle Eye Lv6→Lv8
Shooting Lv8→Lv9
Analysis Lv5
Search Lv17→Lv18
Throwing Maneuver Lv6
Rapid-fire Lv6→Lv7
Reflection Lv3
Conversion Lv5
Link Lv14
Magic Charge Lv8→Lv9
Name Gray Silver Wolf Lv18→Lv19
Vitality 57
Magic Power 45→47
Strength 88
Defense 44→47
Agility 98→100
Dexterity 56→58
Skills
Bite Lv25
Silver Claw Lv17
Iron Wall Lv17
Sign Detection Lv26→Lv27
Night Vision Lv27
Danger Detection Lv30→Lv31
Silver Fang Lv24
Gale Lv20
Roar Lv16→Lv17
Name Byakuya Hermit Tiger Lv14→Lv16
Vitality 42→44
Magic Power 65→67
Strength 80
Defense 38→40
Agility 93→99
Dexterity 45→51
Skills
Bite Lv22
Wind Claw Lv10→Lv12
Lookout Lv6
Flight Lv14→Lv15
Leap Lv14
Night Vision Lv18
Overpowering Lv11
Wind Magic Lv21
Hermit Spirit Lv12→Lv14
Spirit Power Lv10→Lv12
Whirlwind Lv8→Lv9
Roar Lv10→Lv12
Sprint Lv21→Lv22
Name Hix Lesser Griffon Lv16→Lv18
Vitality 76
Magic Power 90→94
Strength 122→126
Defense 50
Agility 132→138
Dexterity 68
Skills
Flying Lv29→Lv30
Claw Lv10
Riding Lv20→Lv21
Whirlwind Lv17→Lv18
Windproof Lv8→Lv10
Wind Blade Lv8→Lv9
Gale Lv17
Afterimage Lv13
Wind Magic Lv12
Lightning Magic Lv12
Lightning Breath Lv10
Majesty Lv4
Strengthen Horsemanship Lv17→Lv18
Name Stra Wyrm Lv15→Lv17
Vitality 98→102
Magic Power 94→98
Strength 105→108
Defense 62
Agility 88→90
Dexterity 72
Skills
Flying Lv19→Lv20
Bite Lv10
Coiling Lv9
Poison Armor Lv10
Assault Lv10
Deadly Poison Lv13
Deadly Poison Breath Lv12→Lv13
Corrosion Breath Lv14
Heat Detection Lv5
Wind Blade Lv9
Wind Magic Lv5→Lv7
Overpowering Lv5
Riding Lv12