2-2 Confirmation

The walls loomed overhead like something out of a grand tale. Maybe it was because I'd lent a hand with the construction work, but seeing such an impressive sight stirred something in me. How the hell did they even build this?

Getting inside the walls of the Teba Region was a breeze—just flash your monster hunter guild card. No real hassle at all.

Sarsa and I had talked it over thoroughly last night, deciding to test our mettle in the northern grasslands. Today, we'd gear up in Tarstira, the town just inside the walls, then head out to the plains in the afternoon.

Apparently, there's an open outpost two days north of Tarstira, so that's our eventual goal. That said, we won't be beelining straight there—instead, we'll poke around Tarstira and the campsites, exploring as we go.

We'd already arrived at the holy land of monster hunting. No need to rush from here. Let's take it slow and steady.

Didn't take long before Tarstira came into view ahead. It was ringed by low walls, but no checkpoints or anything.

They screen for anything suspicious when you enter the walls, so things are pretty lax at bases inside.

We headed straight into town and rented a room at an inn. Plan was to hunt for a few hours and head back today.

Tarstira had a vibe that reminded me of the trading hub Saasutira.

A whole cluster of wagons. Looked like a supply depot where they resorted cargo by destination before shipping it out. Made customs at the walls a lot smoother that way.

Saasutira was the town outside the walls where I'd joined the monster hunter guild before passing under them. Names are super similar, right? Probably not a coincidence—maybe built around the same time or something.

Straight-line distance between Tarstira and Saasutira is basically nothing. Coulda just been one town, but maybe they split it: inside for supply sorting, outside for rookies.

Tarstira had a monster hunter guild too, by the way. Kinda feels like one guildhall between both towns would've sufficed...

"Strategy meeting time!"

"...Yes?"

Sarsa gave me a puzzled look as she sat on the bed across from me. She was thrown off by my sudden whim but quickly adjusted, picking up on my intent. What a perfect servant.

"We've been traveling in big groups lately, blending in with the crowds. But from here on, it's just the two of us—or two people and one beast on five legs, counting Don. Whatever. Point is, before we hit the field, let's run through some checks. Yeah?"

"Checks? There are things you do that I don't quite understand..."

Yeah, "various things." She knows I can swap jobs, but I never explained the nitty-gritty. Lately, she'd just shrug it off like, He's up to something shady again. Which works for me, but with no eyes on us now, time to share intel.

"...Hmm, thinking it through in my head's getting messy. Let's jot it down on some scrap paper."

"Is that necessary? It's a bit wasteful, but... here."

Paper ain't cheap. But I stock extra for sneaking reports into my subspace at month-end.

Grabbed some scratch paper from my travel funds calc—rough, straw-paper texture, decently affordable.

What to write? Let's list combat-relevant stuff for each of us.

That about covers it. Sarsa was peeking over from the other side. Girl can read too—her specs are surprisingly high.

"Master, you've picked up quite a few spells, haven't you?"

"Yeah, but keep this in mind: my magic doesn't pack much punch. It's all support."

"Is that so?"

"Sure, I've used it a few times on this trip, and some looked flashy. But looking back calmly, the power's nothing special."

From what I remember, Joysman and crew got hit with the magic gun, the thief fight Fireball was pure ambush—cat's paw stuff.

My fireballs are basically just balls of fire. Hot, yeah, but if you're braced, you don't get third-degree burns. Fire-walking rituals exist worldwide for a reason—one quick pass, no big scorch. Probably.

So, if you're ready for it, damage is minimal. That's why mages amp the heat or make 'em explode. Basic trick: pack magic energy in the core as fuel and damage source. Still practicing.

Against the thieves, it worked 'cause they didn't peg me for a mage and it was point-blank. Total cat's paw.

Waterball flopped against that griffon-lookin' Zag, and Air Pressure ain't lethal.

"So yeah, don't bank on my magic. Air Pressure is just Wind Wall practice, basically."

"I see... Then why learn magic at all, Master? For fun?"

Sarsa's getting bolder, huh? Guess she's earned the trust that a little teasing won't get her yelled at.

Such a kind master.

"Fun's part of it. But I mainly want defensive and support uses."

"Defensive? That's... unusual for a combat mage."

"Most go for big attacks, huh?"

"I wouldn't know mage norms... But yeah, people picture combat mages slinging huge, flashy offense."

"Makes sense. Manuals barely covered support stuff—veterans chase raw power and scale."

"I see."

"They acknowledge support like Bashabasha, but... anyway, general mages aside for now."

"Yes."

Air Pressure's for tripping foes or boosting myself now. But man, it hurts. Practicing bursts for propulsion, but it stings. Not injury-level, but self-inflicted pain messes with your head.

Magic defense up might numb it?

Explained quick, asked Sarsa-sensei her take.

"Not sure, but if magic defense reduces attack impact, you'd still need more force to move—probably still hurts."

"Oof. Yeah, thinking calmly, that tracks."

Hate the pain. Super handy, but maybe that's why no self-use in manuals.

It's an ace up my sleeve, so I'll keep practicing casually... Don't turn me into a masochist, okay?

"Sarsa could be an S... nah."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

Defense magic's my top priority.

Got basics: Water Wall, Wind Wall. Fire/Earth possible, but combat-ready? Debatable.

Earth makes instant walls from soft soil, but not always available.

Wind Wall's my best. Proud of it—books say wind's the trickiest of the four basics. Lots trip here.

But Walls were easiest for me with wind.

Others: conjure element, shape it. Wind: air's everywhere, just compress. That's the hard part, apparently. I'm decent.

Image squeezing from all sides, like rice balls. Technically, pressure creates wind flow to deflect—not solidify air.

No extra steps, deploys quick where I want.

Downside: slack control, poof—gone. But control it right, fine.

Doesn't block vision. Might wobble, but beats Sand Wall blackout. Fire/Water obscure too.

"Is Bashabasha viable in real fights?"

"Should be, Sarsa. Probably. Precision's up; wanna try in combat if there's opening."

Makes ground muddy. Terrain/foe dependent, but rushers'll get stuck good.

"Stop 'em in tracks, then magic gun and arrows handle kills."

"...How far will my arrows pierce? Goblins fine, but fang dogs bounced off hides sometimes."

"Arrows got matchups. Versatile, but monsters vary wild..."

Peeked other regions in monster guide—endless variety. My kills? Tip of iceberg. Some with nasty powers.

"For now, aim for Charged Shot, Sarsa."

"Some never get it..."

Oh? Sarsa down? Skills are personal—some miss standards, get odd ones same level.

"Luck of the draw. Won't blame ya if not. Just having rear guard helps."

"Right."

"Yeah. Don next. Dude's got Presence Detection II."

"Presence Detection?"

"Picked up Vigilant recently. Skill spots nearby movers."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. The carriage barf act? Wanted window seat to practice."

"...An act?"

Sarsa's deadeye stare. Delicious. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Sorry, fellow passengers.

"A-anyway, Don's got higher level. Dunno upgrades, but he's ace scout."

"Keep him up during exploration?"

"Nah, too mean. Night watch for him. Days, I set Vigilant and activate."

"...I see."

Reminded her I swap jobs freely. Handy as hell.

"Still iffy on precision, so support only. I'll teach you stealth walk too—stay quiet base."

"Yes."

Learned goblin-hunt stealth from Marie on fly. Better than nothing. Level Assassin for sneak skills? But how—kill people? Too sketchy.

"Sneak-scout, spot monster, range out—gun and arrows. Can't finish? I sword up front, you cover. Watch flanks especially. Worst case, wake Don."

"Got it."

Better than munched asleep.

"I might dash, so Don-pack to Sarsa squad."

"Ah, yes."

"Too heavy? Say so. I'll carry non-fight bag, shift heavies your way."

"Should be fine."

"...Pots and lifesaers, split 'em. Can't replace lives."

"Yes."

Basics + Don-pack heavy already—Sarsa tough it. I'll haul camp gear. Not soft—strength training. Strict master.

"Day trip today, minimal gear. ...You hold inn key."

"Yes. Not your subspace?"

"Eh, yeah."

Too subspace-reliant looks sus, but keys valuable.

"Magic gun to subspace too... quick-draw issue."

"Thought: lifesavers partial there? Pots tiny, for emergencies."

"Good point..."

Sorted gear with Sarsa input. Condoms: top valuables in subspace.

Sex Mage gives free spells, but no job yet. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Damn, experience lacking? Premature my fault?!

"Master, prepped."

"Ah, yeah. Help with armor?"

Leather doable solo, but help's faster. Daily wear base, add elbow guards etc. for combat—full kit tires.

"Let's go—holy land, first hunt!"

"Yes."

My gear-check hype vs. cool Sarsa. Everyday now.

Time to hunt (always wanted to say that).

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Grasslands, they said—but plenty of hills. Maintained path existed; followed ~30 min, then veered for explore.

Me, exploration build. Physical stats dip, as expected.

Feels less snappy than usual.

Mage half-perma sub-job—handy. Swap for branch later, maybe lock. Nah, Magic Gunner + Swordsman vs. bosses risky.

Hid behind big rock, caught breath. Closed eyes, triggered Presence Detection.

"...No big blips. Sarsa, anything odd?"

"No."

No monsters? Anticlimax... Wait, skill pinged something.

Peeked other side from rock: waist-high plants swaying. That area. Plant mimics exist... Test shot?

Signaled Sarsa, drew gun. Swapped Vigilant to Magic Gunner. Whispered, "I'll lead shot, watch surroundings."

ZWING...

High-pitched whine, light bolt gouged plant base.

"GIIIEEH!"

Screech, monster burst from ground.

Arrow sprouted on back. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Pumped three more shots. Went quiet.

Switched to sword, approached cautious. Sarsa covering rear. Fireball insurance—no reaction. Dead.

Blocky wooden face, grassy "hair" back of head.

Ketaketa monster, yeah. Not cute like pic—buggy wood sculpt. Monster, whatever.

Sarsa on watch, extracted magic stone. Split woody face part. Knife in, cracked. Dry wood.

Green, small, earth-attuned.

"Might be more. Scout careful."

Sarsa nodded silent.

Good—overcautious better. Keep it up.

Till dusk, few hours Ketaketa farming.