2-1 The Monster Strategy Guide
The shared carriage I'd slipped onto at the last second wasn't run by the lord's estate, but it was operated by a proper guild, at least.
I'd skipped the bootleg options. Not just because they're a rip-off, but because they could cost you your life.
Rumor had it they had a contract with some big-name mercenary band, complete with dedicated guards. That's why I could ride without worry.
From the looks of it, the guy dozing by the entrance with a greatsword in his lap was one of them. No introductions, so I couldn't be sure, but the robed young guy nearby might've been another.
Those two were posted boldly by the rear entrance, but the other passengers were all huddled small on the floor.
One and a half silver coins per person. Same fee even if you got off midway.
Final stop: Taruresukind. The central city of the Teba Region. Or rather, the only decent city around.
No small-talk events like "Hey bro, where you headed?" with the other passengers. Everyone just shrank into themselves, silently enduring the jolts. It reminded me of Japan's rush-hour trains, somehow.
The carriage was pulled by a single horse—no spares like the merchants I'd guarded had. What if it got injured? Not my problem, though. Looked like an easy trip.
Its speed was just a bit faster than walking—a leisurely pace. With only one horse, they weren't pushing it.
Even so, it beat hoofing it on foot, and guards came standard. Plenty of people used it for that reason.
They crammed in passengers with zero regard for comfort, though, so the ride was rough. Occupancy around 90%? Sitting straight on the floor, it still felt cramped. Way better than Tokyo's 200-300% sardine cans, but those were insane anyway.
...Man, this was boring.
No way I could practice magic in this packed space.
Sasha was right behind me, perfectly composed. Actually, on closer look, she had Don on her lap, stroking him gently.
She'd pulled him out of the backpack and was cradling him. The rattling made it look uncomfortable, but Don was out cold. Must've been Sasha's lap pillow. Damn her.
I could've slept too, but no room to lie down. Guess I'd kill time staring at my status.
Wait—maybe practice a skill I could use while sitting still.
Magic was out, but I had one idea: Presence Detection from the Vigilante job.
For emergencies, I kept Mage slotted but set my other job to Vigilante. Activated Presence Detection right away.
Presence Detection
...Hmm, something's off. Last time, I could vaguely sense Sasha's movements. Now it's all fuzzy noise.
Not some ominous premonition, I hoped.
Too many people around?
After an hour of constant use, I'd occasionally pick up faint blips ahead-left or right, flickering in and out. The road was flanked by woods—probably animals.
The noise persisted. Why?
Tried channeling magic to boost it, experimenting, but the noise never cleared.
Halfway through, we stopped for a break. Passengers stretched their stiff bodies outside.
I was about to cut the skill when... the noise was gone.
"Huh? ...Oh, the carriage."
Realization hit. The carriage was the culprit.
Presence Detection: Detects dynamic reactions in the surroundings via the system.
"Dynamic reactions" meant moving things. The carriage itself was moving—constantly triggering from all sides while we were inside. Obvious in hindsight.
"Hah... I feel stupid. I knew it was working from the animal blips, but this."
Laughed a little at my oversight, feeling a bit down. But hey, positive spin: practicing in this shitty, constantly moving environment would toughen it up. Not all skills grow from practice like magic ones, but getting the hang of it was still useful.
Detection skills? This was my only one for now.
Kept testing it amid the rattling. When I got a window seat, sticking my head out cleared the noise. After that, I finagled window spots.
Easy tactic: "Feeling sick... urgh." They yielded quick. Dubbed it the carsick ploy. If I hurled, everyone suffered. They watched sympathetically.
Kind of a dick move.
Next day, window seats were mine without asking—"Don't wanna risk you barfing." Fair enough.
"My thanks."
Slipped extra silver to the old guy who offered "anti-nausea" meds—above market rate.
The ploy let me focus eyes-closed without suspicion. Plenty slept anyway. As for the skill... best results came from stopping, focusing, blocking other senses. Boosted range with MP drain, or just familiarity? By trip's end, I could sense rough movement up to ten meters, with direction. Barely exploration-ready. Might dodge ambushes better.
Other stuff: morning sword swings drew the guard's interest, leading to sparring. Peaceful week overall.
Finally arrived: Saasutira, gateway to the holy land.
Rookies gearing for the inside flocked here. Shops hawked beginner gear, maps, essentials.
Headed for the mercenary guild... spotted a weird sign while hunting the sword mark. Cartoon wolf-man facing a sword. Kyures kingdom merc guilds usually shared marks—different here?
"Master, this is... the Monster Hunting Guild...?"
Sasha read the fine print by the door.
"Not mercs, huh. Intriguing. Let's check it out."
The door creaked open.
Whoa, unique setup.
Unlike Slagee's bureaucratic vibe or Oguri Kyuresu's port guild, this was spacious. Chairs and tables scattered. Central stairs ringed by counters.
Staff probably upstairs for paperwork. Felt like a food court. Wall nooks for work, but main counter encircled the stairs. Why that shape? Simpler to wall off the back.
No greeters, so grabbed a number ticket. Call-your-number system, like big Earth hospitals.
"What is this place?"
Asked at the counter when called.
"First time? Monster Hunting Guild. Thinking of joining? I'll explain."
"Yeah? Lay it on me."
"Simple: mutual aid for Teba monster hunters. Or support org. Royal-backed, legit. Pay dues, get services."
"Like what?"
"Tons, but big three: info aggregation, permits, party finding."
"Hmm."
Sounded pro at this.
"Info: Teba feeds down intel—active monsters, bans. Guild collects, summarizes. Solo or small teams? You'd waste days gathering it yourself."
"Nice."
"Right? Permits: Hunting needs approvals. Members skip basics—trade info instead."
"Got it."
"Third... uh, party finding. Mercs want temp teams? We broker. Friendlier than standard guilds, easier matches."
"...All appealing. Price?"
"Entry: 10 silver. Procedure fees sometimes. Monthly: 2 silver. Miss it, expelled. Quitting? Tell us—rejoin option."
"Clear. 10 entry + first month = 12. Steep... tempting."
"You and the lady? Small team—join. Not sales pitch, real advice. No bonus for me."
"...How many members now?"
"Dunno exact. Growing fast. Teba-wide? Lots."
"Alright, sign us up. Want info pronto."
"Cool. Monthly only for now?"
"Hm? Branches everywhere?"
"Main spots. Still growing."
"Two months upfront. 14 silver—check."
"Got it."
Clerk counted deftly, bagged it in a magitech register.
"Info time. Rookie? 'Medium' basics?"
"Yeah."
"Private room. Basement B-room, stairs there?"
"Roger."
Basement B: conference-sized, lit from above. Not sunlight... magitech?
"Sorry to keep ya. Mitch here for the rest."
"Hey Mitch."
"No intros yet. Entry form—basics."
Name, job, home... then consents.
"...Status consent?"
"ID check—status and mana wavelength. Prop only shows name, no worries."
"Fine."
Skill Status Display Limit covered leaks anyway. Refusing now? Suspicious.
"Hand here... good, Yoyo."
"Yep."
"Her?"
"Follower. Needed?"
"Slave or not, register for services. Or she needs separate permits—hassle."
"True. Her too."
Another 14 silver gone. Barely 10 left. Broke again.
"Covers entry + basic permits. Profitable long-term. Earn in 'Medium'."
"Right. Spill on 'Medium'."
"First essentials."
Diverse monsters, many spawns. Scout ahead, pick spots wisely. Use pioneer bases.
Royal military bases off-limits—approach risks attack.
Update via guild. Three factions using them, rivalries... skipped that for now.
One fighter squad base sometimes open to mercs—check owners.
Rookies: Goblin Forest southwest or northern grasslands.
Slagee had Goblin Forest? Common nationwide. Bred deliberately here—no spawn, just breeders. Smaller stones, less profit.
Grasslands: dogs, plants. Guard-level experience = safe-ish. Varied, luck-based—tougher than goblins.
"No pro here. One of those for trial."
"Goblin exp?"
"Slagee goblins—monkey-faced. Confident."
"Grasslands then. Forest goblins weirder for outsiders. Managed—overhunt pisses 'em off."
"Annoying. Grasslands varied? Risky."
"Teba ain't safe. Dive in."
"Fair. Monster info here?"
"Check guild. Grasslands has fan-made Monster Strategy Guide."
"...Hobby?"
"Yup. Buys/requires reports, one guy illus'd cute book."
"Cute?"
"See for yourself. Content's solid. Prep = safer."
Prep doesn't erase danger, but useful. Check later.
"Memorize here."
"Nah, branches have copies. This is one."
"Oh."
"Hobby, but valued. Hunters commissioned copies."
"Handy."
Did copies need the cute art?
"Guild ethos: equality, mutual aid. Try member quests sometime."
"Sure."
"First months exempt. Later, contribute."
"Unmentioned!"
"Oops. Easy: quests, info. No expulsion for fails. Chill."
"Fine. Strategy guide?"
"Viewing room later. Other regions?"
"All, if possible. Cautious."
"Smart. Full rundown."
Got regional briefs—personal insights. Mitch ex-hunter. Explained that.
Viewing room last: opened guide, stunned.
"S-so cute."
Even stoic Sasha blurted it. Heavily deformed art—like kids' books, past anime.
Talent to hit that style. Undermined threat, though.
Ignored pics, memorized bullet points next page. Copied notes on report paper—no art.
"Wish they'd draw Don-chan," Sasha mused. Yeah, it'd be adorable.
Grateful for the feedback on the heroines in the comments. Might touch on it in updates to avoid light spoilers.
If you're wondering about that guy from the trip joining—ask away.