[Next]Another Bonus Chapter today.

And please don't ask me to stop putting pictures. That's what keeps my mood for near 4000+ words / 1 chapter novel like this.

You can read the no-picture version here

Taru Chapter 14: Member of Clan 《Hundred Knights of the night》

*Pip~kon* (Microwave SFX)

I heat up the dinner I just bought.

After I finished eating pasta salad, I logged in again to the Clan-Clan.

I plan to stroll around Michelangelo and gathered the materials to make more Potions, 《Emerald Tear》

『s.h.i.+ntaru, do not you quest with us? 』(Kouya's FC)

It was a friend-chat from Kouya.

『Well, are you okay with me?』(Taru)

『No problem. I would like to introduce our Mercenary Clan members as well』(Kouya's FC)

『I see…』(Taru)

Yuuki and Kouya's Mercenary Clan's member?

… Calm down.

『What are you worrying about?

Grandmaster of 《Hundreds of Magicians of the Night》, 《Non-sleeping Magician》 Glenn is unusually logging out today.

Now we can play without worry』(Kouya's FC)

『No, not that. I'm not worrying about Kouya's hostile Clan』(Taru)

『Then, what is it? 』(Kouya's FC)

『… No, nothing. If I want me to go with you, I will go, I guess』(Taru)

『Okay, then, It decided』(Kouya's FC)

【Kou has invited you to his party】

【Accept or Reject】

Accepting without hesitation.

Then the members' name in the PT and the HP bar float in the upper left.

From above

Yu Lv 8 HP 410. This is Yuuki.

Kou Lv 9 HP 230. This is Kouya.

s.h.i.+zuku Lv 8 HP 150.

Yurachi Lv 9 HP 250.

s.h.i.+zuku-san and Yurachi-san, are they the members of 《Hundreds of Knights of the Night》 that Kou just talked about?

【Taru: How do you do (Hajimemas.h.i.+te)】(PT chat)

I say a greeting by PT chat.

【s.h.i.+zuku: How do you do(Hajimemas.h.i.+te), please take care of me(yoros.h.i.+ku~ne)】(PT chat)

【Kou: Oh, then let's go】(PT chat)

【Yu: Taru, do you remember the 《Clock tower Celestial Ball》we met during the daytime? Meet us there 】(PT chat)

I can not see the PT members, apparently, they are all in Michelangelo.

By the way, PT chat is done not by voice but by text by exchange with the simple keyboard of the system.

【Taru: Roger that】(PT chat)

I was curious that Yurachi didn't show any reaction, but for now, I headed for the《Clock tower Celestial Ball》

『Hey, Taru appear (Kitakita), over here, over here』(Yuuki)

『Oh, it's really Taru. Over here』(Kouya)

Gla.s.ses Ikemen with cloth clothes and Knight Ikemen with gray armor wearing their hands to me.

It's Yuuki and Kouya. Standing near them are two girls, a straight gray hair girl with a long cane and a medium short bob red hair girl who carried a short sword.

I remember they said that 《Hundred Knights of the night》 clan have five people in total. It seems that there is one more person that can't come this time.

Because both of the members to be introduced are girls, I feel a bit nervous.

And then I start walking toward Kouya's group.

『Sorry to keep you waiting.』(Taru)

As usual, I greet Kouya and Yuuki.

『We just came.』(Kouya)

『Taru, allow me to introduce. The gray hair girl is s.h.i.+zuku and the red hair is Yurachi』(Yuuki)

The two girls that Yuuki introduced, somehow have been observing me.

『No way… Foreigner?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Uwa, pretty…』(Yurachi)

『I wonder what kind of relations.h.i.+p you have with these two…?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Well, I'm not interested』(Yurachi)

(T.N: I don't know what the deal with Yurachi too. I can only think of her as a poor build of Full-Tsun and Non-Dere)

After saying her impression, a gray-haired girl squats down while reaching out her hands.

『I am (Watas.h.i.+ wa) s.h.i.+zuku.

I'm a rearguard magician.

I often a.s.sociate with Yu and Kou.

Please take care of me (Yoros.h.i.+ku Onegai s.h.i.+masu)』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san smiled nicely, she was a very kind girl.

She is a cheerful girl who is about the same age as us.

I slowly hold on her hands.

『I'm Taru, Please take care of me today』(Taru)

I should greet the next girl, too. I turn my face to look at Yurachi-san.

Then, Yurachi turns her face in other direction without a word. The atmosphere is rather awkward.

『I am (Atas.h.i.+ wa) Yurachi』(Yurachi)

It's rather awkward with her somewhat m.u.f.fled greeting,

But because she is also a clan member of Kouya and Yuuki,

I should greet her properly.

『I'm Taru, Please take care of me』(Taru)

As if to enter between Yurachi-san and me, Yuuki raised his hand and said “Yes, yes (hai hai)”

『We already finished introducing ourselves, it's about time we go to do the quest』(Yuuki)

『That's right.

By the way, Taru, are not still doing alchemy? 』(Kouya)

To Kouya's question, I answer calmly.

『Um, that's right』(Taru)

『I see, I see.

No, don't worry.

It's more effective to know what you can do with PT』(Kouya)

『Taru-san… are you having the alchemy skill?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san heard about my skill and looked a little disappointing.

『Do you have any skills of the battle system?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Nothing in particular…』(Taru)

『I see… um, but it's alright, isn't that right? Yurchan』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san said on his face that he had asked him a bad question, but immediately withdrew it and talked to Yurachi-san who was listening to a series of interactions interestingly.

『Hm? What?』(Yurachi)

『Even if Taru-san doesn't have the skill of the battle system.

But if we have Yurachi's Dual Sword Skill, we will be alright, right?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Well, this child, she doesn't have any combat skills?』(Yurachi)

『……Yes』(Taru)

I nodded while enduring Yurachi's gaze.

『Uu… I knew it, I quit』(Yurachi)

『Wait, Yurchan?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Hey, Yurachi… What do you mean by “you quit”?』(Kouya)

Kouya questions Yurachi-san.

『As I said, I will “pa.s.s”(EN) this time, she doesn't even try to take a combat skill. To babysit a child without motivation, it's a waste of time』(Yurachi)

Yurachi-san expresses her intention to withdraw from the PT.

『Yurachi, It's not that Taru doesn't have the motivation.

She is a beginner of MMO and she just wants to try out her favorite play style』(Yuuki)

Yuuki backs me up.

『But alchemy skills are not useful, that child is a leecher.

Join a PT?

why doesn't she consider taking battle skill to help out the PT members at least?

That's why this quest, I will pa.s.s』(Yurachi)

『Yurachi, do not say such a thing. Taru is my friend』(Yuuki)

『Yuu as well,

Don't you just say to play with the favorite style?

Then, I will go through my favorite play style.

My BakAniki (Idiot big brother) has un-usual logged out today.

This is such a rare chance that won't come again easily.

I want to farm in an efficient hunting place and raised the level』(Yurachi)

O~fu.

This is an online game.

But somehow she took it so seriously. (why so serious)

Also, I understand how cruel treatments toward alchemy skill are.

After all, it's certain that you will become a burden unless you have primary battle skills, and there are cases we need to cooperate.

『Hey Yurchan…』(s.h.i.+zuku)

Yurachi-san didn't listen to s.h.i.+zuku-san's call, she left the PT and started walking away.

『Taru… somehow it became like this, I'm sorry』(Yuuki)

『Taru-san… I'm sorry』(s.h.i.+zuku)

There is an awkward air between us.

『Well, Yurachi, she is kind of going too far.

We thought we could enjoy the party together regardless of the effectiveness.

This time, it's my blunder that I didn't explain to Yurachi in advance.

I'm sorry to have made you feel uncomfortable, Taru』(Kouya)

This time Kouya, who invited me to the PT, apologizes to me again.

『Oh no. I actually don't mind it.

Rather, I don't want you all, who are close clan members with Yurachi-san, to feel awkward because of me.

You can still chase after Yurachi-san and play together today. I can go solo』(Taru)

『No, I can't do that』(Yuuki)

『Same, I and Yu will play with Taru.

What about you, s.h.i.+zuku?』(Kouya)

『I want to go as well, so let me go with you』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san clasped the cane with both of her hands and smiled as she said that.

『I see, thank you』(Kouya)

Kouya says thank to s.h.i.+zuku-san. But I still want to check again.

『Is it really okay to leave Yurachi-san alone?』(Taru)

Then, s.h.i.+zuku-san bent down, adapted to my line of sight, and began to explain with a gentle tone that people normally tell a young child.

『Taru-san, even though Yurchan behaves like that, she's actually a nice girl.

So, she won't take it to heart.

Even though she is rather short-temped and her words are rough, she is actually a very sweet girl』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Oh, is that so?』(Taru)

What should I do?

Somehow s.h.i.+zuku-san heard my mutter and her eyes became s.h.i.+ning 【Taru-chan is a good girl, isn't she】

『It is as s.h.i.+zuku said.

Yurachi is an important clan member for us,

At the same time, we are important clan members for Yurachi as well』(Yuuki)

『 Same story. It will be fine even if we sometimes disagree with each other.』(Kouya)

Kouya and Yuuki are smiling as they say that.

With how everyone backs her up, I feel like I can trust Yurachi-san a little.

『Well then, let's do some quest with our party』(Yuuki)

The PT start moving at the command Yuuki and we leave the pioneering city, Michel Angelo.

I have to stay focus

Even though there is a difference in level and I only have the alchemic skill that isn't very useful in battle terms.

What can be done and what can not be done.

Let's do this quest done with all my strength to help the PT members.

Gain that much of trust from Yuuki and Kouya, I actually a little jealous of Yuras.h.i.+-san.

For now, I should check the available items on hand.

  《Extreme Candy Ball》 × 3

《Emerald's Tear》 × 5

  《Forest's Medicine》 × 3.

  《Crystal Potion》 × 2.

  《Fire Protection Dust》 × 2.

  《Crystal that freezes fire》 × 1.

To summarize the effect, the attack power auxiliary item.

HP • MP recovery item.

Flame resistant items.

What I can do is supporting role.

『Taru: What are you doing? Let's go』(Yuuki)

In response to the call of Yuuki, I took the first step of adventure on Michel Angelo's stone pavement.

PT with others for the first time.

**********************************

《The Sinking Prairie》

From the pioneering city Michel Angelo, go straight to the east and there is a swamp-like area.

There are only a small number of trees.

The place can be said to be a gra.s.sland which gets sunk, like a shallow lake surface.

The terrain is irregular, and somehow the trees only grow where the water didn't flood yet.

『The water is clear …』(Taru)

The transparency of the water is high, the green of the underwater flower can be seen clearly, and it makes a weaving beautiful scenery.

『Taru, avoid the deep places』(Kouya)

『O, Ou』(Taru)

Kouya warns me.

There are places where the depth obviously exceeds the height of my character depending on the place.

Even now, the water depth reaches my waist and the weight peculiar to the water makes my movement dull.

I dive in the water and observe underwater, the scene where the gra.s.s s.h.i.+mmers and the air bubbles float to the surface of the water is fantastic.

There are also some small fishes swimming back and forth. It's interesting to see it easily.

《High quality water》 was obtained

Oh.

There are collecting points in some places, and it's a pleasing moment as an alchemist.

I start picking gra.s.s and flowers blooming at the bottom of the water.

  《Aquatic Plant》 was obtained

  《Aquatic Flower》 was obtained

Clan-Clan really has a lot of plant materials.

『T~(aru-chan), (what are you doing under the) ~water?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

Oops, someone is saying something.

Normally, PT has a function called PT chat, it's possible to exchange information with all PT members in text form without exchanging voice.

Due to the trouble of taking out the keyboard, in the case where the party members are still near, people often try to communicate by voice.

I took my face out of the water and asked 【Yes?】

『Taru, collecting is fine, but be wary a little.』(Kouya)

『Yes, because there are also middle-size monsters here, please be careful』(Yuuki)

『Taru-san, because our feet are in the water here, it will be dangerous if you lag behind』(s.h.i.+zuku)

Everyone gives me advice.

A while ago, I just decided that I should stay focus and prove myself.

However, when I spot the collecting point, I forget everything.

『Sorry, I will be careful』(Taru)

I should be careful from now.

『Well, this quest is something like a collection quest anyway』(Kouya)

Kouya lifts his gla.s.ses quickly and smiles.

『What does that mean?』(Taru)

『This』(Kouya)

《Quest sharing request has been received from Kou》

《Quest Contents》

《Difficulty: a party of 4 with level recommended 7》

《Water Snake's drops: 『Water Snake's Poison』× 0/1 Obtained》

《Reward: 200 Eso》

『Water Snake?』(Taru)

『Yes, it's quite a big snake』(Kouya)

『This snake is very troublesome because it's moving so fast underwater』(Yuuki)

『 Getting bit also gives you the state abnormality 【Poison】…』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Ho~e… the reward is only 200 Eso』(Taru)

The rewards of the Party Quest done by four people level 7, is only about 7 pieces of Item Store's potion.

『It's pretty cheap reward, isn't it?』(Taru)

『Potion is expensive … is not it?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Yeah. from the current monetary value,

There will be a few players who can buy pon-pon』(Yuuki) 

(T.N: Don't know why Yuuki said Pon-Pon instead of Potion)

『With that being said, it's the reason why recovery magic skills are useful』(Kouya)

When Kouya concludes so, Yuuki gives instructions to s.h.i.+zuku.

『s.h.i.+zuku, I will ask you again』(Yuuki)

『Ah, un. 【 Let me know if there is anything moving in the water】』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san said in a semantic dialogue, and after a while.

A ripple of light occurs from her grip.

Since we enter this 《Flooding Prairie》

s.h.i.+zuku-san sometimes activates this magic.

『…There seems to be no abnormality』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『I see, I will ask you again after your MP recover』(Yuuki)

In Clan-Clan, the MP recovers with the pa.s.sage of time.

『Un』(s.h.i.+zuku)

I would like to know what is that magic and what's the effect.

I should ask her rather than worrying about it

『Uhm, s.h.i.+zuku-san』(Taru)

『Yes, what is it?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Why is s.h.i.+zuku Magic?

Even though it's the same magic, but the timing is sometimes fast and late?』(Taru)

That's right.

There is a lot of time lag from when s.h.i.+zuku-san cast the same chant a few times ago until the magic invokes.

When she first used this magic, s.h.i.+zuku's wand shone out in less than two seconds after chanting. But this time it's more than 5 seconds until the magic is activating.

『I see, I see, Taru-san has never used magic, right』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『?』(Taru)

『 In Clan-Clan, the way you cast magic is…

When you say the chant, a simple quiz appears only to the operator.

When you answer it correctly, the magic will be activated』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『By answering the quiz?』(Taru)

Somehow, I didn't remember hearing s.h.i.+zuku-san respond to something.

『Well, yes, but I just need to think of the answer without saying it out』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Well … What kind of quizzes are you having?』(Taru)

『There are various fields. Just like the quiz before. How meter above the sea is Mountain Kilimanjaro?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Even the height of a mountain. You must be really smart to answer it』(Taru)

『I do not know, I studied with a smartphone』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Eh …Oh, in the reality, right?』(Taru)

『Yes』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『What if you can not answer?』(Taru)

『 In that case, I will waste the MP for nothing and need to cast it again.

And this time I will need to answer a different quiz, so I feel like challenging it again』(s.h.i.+zuku)

It seems like in order to play the Wizard in Clan-Clan, you'd better use another terminal to search for things on the reality with smartphones or the Internet.

Therefore, when you are trying to find the answer for casting magic,

You must switch your consciousness on the reality, and your character in Clan-Clan will stop moving (T.N: just like you AFK Alt+Tab)

As for a pro wizard, he can move his character freely, and fiddling with the dictionary in reality,

It's said that he is playing and doing research at the same time

It's still a long story to me.

Or, I guess the magician is pretty hard to play.

It's so troublesome.

『 Isn't that a lot of trouble solving the quiz while playing?』(Taru)

『Mmm…

Indeed, although the magic specifications in Clan-Clan are unpopular among players,

Isn't it somewhat fun?

Sometimes, the quiz of school test range will come out.

As I'm trying to answer it, I will also gain knowledge that I don't know yet』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san is taking a small gut pose.

She is a serious girl.

『I do not think I can do it, it seems to be troublesome』(Taru)

『At the beginning of the beta test, players were flooded with dissatisfaction, too』(Yuuki)

When I'm talking with s.h.i.+zuku-san about magic, with the look like they have experienced it, Yuuki and Kouya join the conversation.

『 Same story, as for wizard, they are the rear guard with long-range privilege, they must work hard for it』(Kouya)

『Apparently, the management seems to be unwilling to change this specification』(Yuuki)

『As for vanguard, short-range like us.

In PVP, we must approach the wizard as fast as possible before they attack, for our ally, we must protect them at all cost (main AOE or DPS)』(Kouya)

『It's okay to have the wizard in our party because the tanker like me will manage the hate』(Yuuki)

『Magic will also fail, the wizard will also waste MP.

However, it's interesting to think that the PT's fate is relying on the uncertainty factor, isn't it?』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『However, when you succeeded, you would feel relieved』(Yuuki)

『That's right, Taru-san.

Wizard players who aren't good enough to control their avatar when searching the answer, they won't be able to deal with Vanguards that also came close to them.

And they will be killed for sure』(s.h.i.+zuku)

s.h.i.+zuku-san speaks to me like that with a smile while holding her cane.

She looks an adult who tries to scare a little kid.

************A moment later****************

『s.h.i.+zuku! Taru! (Fluffy Rabbit) Mofu-usa!』(Yuuki)

A few moments after interacting, Yuuki suddenly issues a warning in the front row.

Just as Yuuki said, there are the red-eye rabbits with long ears approaching us fast.

Counting from their heads, the number is 4 animals.

Apparently, in the 《Misora Forest》there are only two animals appeared at the same time.

While in the 《The Flooding Prairie》 we will encounter more than that.

『Taru and s.h.i.+zuku, lie down in the water!』(Kouya)

Kouya advises us as the four Mofu-usas start their magical cry.

『『『『Pyon Pyon Pyon!』』』』(Mofu-usa)

We do as Kouya says and lie down in the water in a hurry.

The fireb.a.l.l.s, which Mofu-usa casting, are flying toward us, and when it hit the water, its power is weakened.

However, I couldn't move well in the water, one shot hits my right foot.

My HP has decreased from 50 to 33.

In order to grasp the situation of the battle, I get out of the water.

『《Appeal!》』(Yuuki)

Yuuki hits his s.h.i.+eld on the left hand with his sword and activated the ability to attract the attention of the Mofu-usa to himself.

『Kyui~』(Mofu-Usa)

At the moment the Mofu-usa changes its “Target” (in EN) to Yuuki, Kouya screams…

『《Air Leap》』(Kouya)

Kouya activates his ability and makes a big leap, then he punched and killed 1 Mufu-usa.

I also wanted to go like Kouya, I aimed at one Mofu-usa, took out my Kodachi and tried to jump.

However, my foot which kicked in the bottom of the water wasn't so powerful to leap my body out of the water's side. It only makes some waves on the water surface.

In conclusion,

Although I got out of the water surface up to my knees,

However, after that, I fell into the lake according to gravity

『Bubera~』(Taru)

Besides me who splashes the water meaninglessly,

s.h.i.+zuku-san is standing steadily and pointing the cane over my head

『《Water, become my fist and break down my enemy》』(s.h.i.+zuku)

A few seconds after she finished casting.

Her magic isn't activated yet.

Is she solving the problem?

『『Pyon Pyon Pyon!』』(2 Mofu-usa)

Two Mofu-usa starts firing fireb.a.l.l.s again and Yuuki guards us with his s.h.i.+eld.

His s.h.i.+eld blocks the two fireb.a.l.l.s, however, Yuuki's HP has decreased from 410 to 386.

『Pyon Pyon Pyon!』(Mofu-usa)

Another Mofu-usa cast a fireball toward Yuuki.

Yuuki somehow accepts it again with his s.h.i.+eld and stands firm.

『《Water splas.h.!.+》』(s.h.i.+zuku)

At last, the magic of s.h.i.+zuku-san was activated.

The water transformed into a human-fist-like shape, its size is 1 meter.

The fist of the water flies and hitting the two Mofu-usas. And the 2 Mofu-usas disappeared into the particle of light.

Magic is amazing…

One remains.

『《s.h.i.+eld Boomerang》!』(Yuuki)

Now that there is only one monster, Yuuki can join the fight instead of guarding the rearguard, he activated his ability and threw the s.h.i.+eld towards the Mofu-usa.

The s.h.i.+eld turns like drawing an art and hits the Mofu-usa.

Kouya, who stood nearby, was approaching the shock Mofu-usa and struck it down.

  《Red Eye Stone》 x 2 dropped

『Alright!』(Kouya)

『You did it』(Yuuki)

『 No problem, I'm glad I could solve it』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『… ….』(Taru)

I have not done anything.

I was just playing in the water.

Because I was also solo fighting Mofu-usa in 《Misora's Forest》, I had some confidence…

However, when the field is different, it is said that the difficulty level of battle will change as well.

『Taru seems safe』(Kouya)

『Let's get out of the water, there is the ground over there with a s.p.a.ce that four people can sit』(Yuuki)

There was a slightly bigger tree growing in the direction pointed out by Yuuki.

The surrounding ground was not buried in water, and there are thick gra.s.s grew in that place.

I follow the three people to that tree.

I didn't help with anything in the previous battle, only get drop items.

It was just as Yurachi-san said, I'm a leecher.

After we all arrived on the ground, Kouya suddenly pats my shoulder.

『Hmm?』(Taru)

『Hey, what are you doing?

Besides that, can you collect it?』(Kouya)

A place where Akira pointed out, besides where s.h.i.+zuku-san is sitting, an unusual plant grew.

『Oh』(Taru)

I pick it up in a hurry.

The plant was a gra.s.s with white fluff instead of flowers.

  《 Mok.u.moku Gra.s.s》 was Obtained

As it has a distinctive appearance, I immediately read the explanation column of 《Mok.u.moku Gra.s.s》

《 Mok.u.moku Gra.s.s》

《Favorite good of Mof-usa. The fluff on the tip sometimes generates smoke》

Oou!

Is 《 Mok.u.moku Gra.s.s》 the food of that Mofu-usa?

Is that why there are many Mofu-usa in a place where 《 Mok.u.moku Gra.s.s》 is growing?

『Sunsun』(SFX of Taru tries to smell it)

Besides, it's a mint system plants.

My mind is also refres.h.i.+ng, I completely forget my thoughts on my chest just now.

『Fufu~』(s.h.i.+zuku)

Suddenly s.h.i.+zuku-san smiles as she watches me.

Kouya and Yuuki also have a grin on their face.

『Uwa』(Taru)

I was lost in thought and I was late for noticing my posture that I was standing all by four,  looking at the 《 Mok.u.moku Gra.s.s》

『This is more interesting, isn't it?』(Kouya)

『Taru is really simple, isn't she?』(Yuuki)

I was depressed until a while ago, and as I see the material I am getting excited.

It surely turned out funny.

『As Yu and Kou said, Taru really enjoys Clan-Clan from the bottom of her heart, and I worried if she will be fine after that fight』(s.h.i.+zuku)

『Guuu』(Taru)

I can not reply anything, I sit down on the spot.

For a while, there is laughter in the sinking forest.